Microbial-powered space exploration robot. Free Technical Library News

NEWS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, NOVELTY IN ELECTRONICS
Free technical library / timeline

Microbial powered space exploration robot

09.01.2012

The US Navy's Naval Research Laboratory is working on an autonomous reconnaissance robot to explore planets and other objects in space. Team leader Dr. Gregory P. Scott says it will be a compact device weighing about one kilogram, equipped with a microbial fuel cell (MFC) power source.

According to Scott, the MFC is the most efficient and reliable power source for autonomous robots when human intervention is difficult or impossible. The choice of microbial fuel cells is due to their durability, the ability of microorganisms to self-reproduce, and a rather high specific energy intensity.

Scott says the microbial generator will power the core elements of the microrover and charge the onboard batteries. With the accumulation of a certain amount of energy in the batteries, the robot will activate energy-intensive devices, tools, or move itself. The microbial fuel cell is based on a culture of anaerobic bacteria such as Geobacter sulfurreducens. This type is characterized by unpretentiousness to the environment and a long lifespan, which can provide long battery life for robots.

The space orientation in the use of MFCs is due to a grant allocated by NASA for advanced research on these power sources.

<< Back: Microsoft contact lenses measure blood sugar 10.01.2012

>> Forward: Spent spacecraft stages are returning 08.01.2012

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

The existence of an entropy rule for quantum entanglement has been proven 09.05.2024

Quantum mechanics continues to amaze us with its mysterious phenomena and unexpected discoveries. Recently, Bartosz Regula from the RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing and Ludovico Lamy from the University of Amsterdam presented a new discovery that concerns quantum entanglement and its relation to entropy. Quantum entanglement plays an important role in modern quantum information science and technology. However, the complexity of its structure makes understanding and managing it challenging. Regulus and Lamy's discovery shows that quantum entanglement follows an entropy rule similar to that for classical systems. This discovery opens new perspectives in the field of quantum information science and technology, deepening our understanding of quantum entanglement and its connection to thermodynamics. The results of the study indicate the possibility of reversibility of entanglement transformations, which could greatly simplify their use in various quantum technologies. Opening a new rule ... >>

Mini air conditioner Sony Reon Pocket 5 09.05.2024

Summer is a time for relaxation and travel, but often the heat can turn this time into an unbearable torment. Meet a new product from Sony - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-air conditioner, which promises to make summer more comfortable for its users. Sony has introduced a unique device - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-conditioner, which provides body cooling on hot days. With it, users can enjoy coolness anytime, anywhere by simply wearing it around their neck. This mini air conditioner is equipped with automatic adjustment of operating modes, as well as temperature and humidity sensors. Thanks to innovative technologies, Reon Pocket 5 adjusts its operation depending on the user's activity and environmental conditions. Users can easily adjust the temperature using a dedicated mobile app connected via Bluetooth. Additionally, specially designed T-shirts and shorts are available for convenience, to which a mini air conditioner can be attached. The device can oh ... >>

Energy from space for Starship 08.05.2024

Producing solar energy in space is becoming more feasible with the advent of new technologies and the development of space programs. The head of the startup Virtus Solis shared his vision of using SpaceX's Starship to create orbital power plants capable of powering the Earth. Startup Virtus Solis has unveiled an ambitious project to create orbital power plants using SpaceX's Starship. This idea could significantly change the field of solar energy production, making it more accessible and cheaper. The core of the startup's plan is to reduce the cost of launching satellites into space using Starship. This technological breakthrough is expected to make solar energy production in space more competitive with traditional energy sources. Virtual Solis plans to build large photovoltaic panels in orbit, using Starship to deliver the necessary equipment. However, one of the key challenges ... >>

New method for creating powerful batteries 08.05.2024

With the development of technology and the expanding use of electronics, the issue of creating efficient and safe energy sources is becoming increasingly urgent. Researchers at the University of Queensland have unveiled a new approach to creating high-power zinc-based batteries that could change the landscape of the energy industry. One of the main problems with traditional water-based rechargeable batteries was their low voltage, which limited their use in modern devices. But thanks to a new method developed by scientists, this drawback has been successfully overcome. As part of their research, scientists turned to a special organic compound - catechol. It turned out to be an important component that can improve battery stability and increase its efficiency. This approach has led to a significant increase in the voltage of zinc-ion batteries, making them more competitive. According to scientists, such batteries have several advantages. They have b ... >>

Alcohol content of warm beer 07.05.2024

Beer, as one of the most common alcoholic drinks, has its own unique taste, which can change depending on the temperature of consumption. A new study by an international team of scientists has found that beer temperature has a significant impact on the perception of alcoholic taste. The study, led by materials scientist Lei Jiang, found that at different temperatures, ethanol and water molecules form different types of clusters, which affects the perception of alcoholic taste. At low temperatures, more pyramid-like clusters form, which reduces the pungency of the "ethanol" taste and makes the drink taste less alcoholic. On the contrary, as the temperature increases, the clusters become more chain-like, resulting in a more pronounced alcoholic taste. This explains why the taste of some alcoholic drinks, such as baijiu, can change depending on temperature. The data obtained opens up new prospects for beverage manufacturers, ... >>

Random news from the Archive

London is in danger of flooding 12.10.2018

Due to global warming, the capital of Great Britain is under the threat of flooding. This is discussed in the report of the organization "Christian Aid".

According to the report, if the average annual temperature rises by 1,5 degrees above the pre-industrial period, the water level in the world's oceans will rise by 40 centimeters. The result of such climate change will be soil subsidence, exacerbated by poor urban planning.

For example, the UK authorities have become much more likely to use the Thames Barrier - the dam, which is the main protection of London from floods. If in 1984 it was used no more than 3 times a year, today the gates of the dam are raised about 6-7 times a year.

Experts also note that flooding threatens such cities of the world as Houston, Shanghai, Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila, Lagos and Dhaka.

See full Archive of science and technology news, new electronics

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews