WiTricity (Wireless Electricity)
MIT has successfully demonstrates a wireless power transfer. The team powers a light bulb with seven feet of space and the members obstructing the direct line between the coils. Coined WiTricity, this could be used to power many devices without cords. The technique uses a type of electromagnetic resonance (much like resonance with sound) causing efficient power transfers unlike with radio waves. It also also does not need a direct line of sight for it to work.
I think this could be one of the most amazing inventions since cell phones. Imagine no wires at all. Not even outlets. You purchase a new television and all you have to do is set it where you want it and turn it on. It will automatically pick up (much like wifi) the power source it is keyed to. Or say if your cellphone runs low on battery, it could automatically start charging itself wherever it lay in your house. The article says that the technique is so inlaid in the laws of physics, they’re surprised no one has ever thought of it before.
::Update::
Read the comments, they’re full of information and opinion.
Through MIT
Loading …June 16 2007 | Science and Technology | 6 Comments »
There have always been theories floating around that talk about cells being capable of holding memories. Tastes, preferences and even emotions are thought to be held inside cells. We have seen this in organ transplants where there have been many cases of recipients organs taking on the tastes of the donor. In one dramatic case, a girl who received a heart from a murdered woman had nightmares about the murder which police later used to find and convict the murderer. You need to read the article.
For the of you who have not heard of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), it is when bee hives lose all their inhabitants save the Queen (no pun intended), eggs, and a few workers. No one knows why this is happening but since last autumn the west coast has lost 60% of it’s bee population and the east coast missing 70%. There is a new theory stating that the radiation from cell phones interfere with bees’ navigation systems.
I was thinking about my contacts and how I love them so much more than glasses because it seems like I can see more space at better quality. It made me think why people even use glasses. Besides the obvious discomforts and difficulties of using contacts I think practice and design would eventually over come that. Then I thought about LASIK and it seeming to become infinitely more affordable each day and wondered if that will ever over put out glasses and contacts. The fact that I came to realize is that glasses are a style accessory and I don’t think they will ever go out. Even if LASIK becomes more affordable than glasses (which it eventually will do) people will still wear them don’t you think?
As of yesterday, billionaire Richard Branson (owner of virgin records, virgin mobile, etc) can now start building his Space Port in New Mexico. The company, Virgin Galactic, will move its headquarters (and 200 employees) from London to New Mexico after a narrow vote in the Doña Ana County. Virgin Galactic will start offering a 2.5 hour flight (6 minutes of weightlessness) for 200k in 2009.
Scientists now say that longer baking times, higher temperatures, and longer fermentation times can increase the antioxidant levels in certain types of dough. This could be particularly good for people who enjoy deep dish pizzas, thus, obtaining more antioxidants, but at the same time, Jacqui Lowdon says he would rather see people eating their portions of fruits and vegetables, than eat more pizza.
Recent British studies have reported that tobacco and alcohol can be worse than some illegal drugs and should be under the same classification. Professor David Nutt (yes really) and his colleagues developed a different ranking system on drug classification that involved effects on society, economy, injuries, emergency room visits, families, etc. Cocaine and heroin showed up on top, alcohol ranked number 5, tobacco 9, marijuana 11 and ecstasy near the bottom.
The definition of “soda” is “teeth destroyer,” so what category does root beer fall under? General Dentistry says it’s not carbonated, nor does it contain the acids that harm teeth.
Tobacco company’s new brand PREP stated, “May prevent less of risk of cancer associated with smoking,” but a study done by Dr. James F. Pankow claims that the difference is not meaningfully lower.