Latest news of science and technology, new electronics

A regularly updated selection of the most interesting news in science and technology, new electronics. Large archive of articles from 2000 to 2024. Based on materials from periodicals and the Internet.

timeline

Tamed Display 06.03.2008

German engineers have created a display that can be manipulated from afar. So that a person standing in front of a large screen could flip through the pages of a presentation or rotate an image without resorting to the mouse, engineers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications equipped this screen with video cameras. They closely follow the person, and at the moment when he starts moving his fingers, the computer reacts according to the programmed program. "First, the computer determines the position of the user's index finger, and then monitors its movement," - says the head of work Paul Hoeki. As a result, the computer understands that a person points to a particular button or moves an object around the screen. Using gestures, the computer can be commanded to rotate an object, to enlarge it, or to reduce it. And all this without special gloves and without any training at all, since the sign language is intuitively understandable to both man and machine. ... >>

solar cell excitons 03.03.2008

A Dutch graduate student has managed to improve the properties of a polymer solar cell. One type of polymer solar cell is a dye layer that is deposited on a semiconductor layer. Usually in its role is the basis of white paint - titanium dioxide. Both substances are inexpensive, and it is believed that such batteries can get solar power off the ground. And it is marking time, since the production of silicon batteries is very expensive, and silicon itself, the raw material for them, is not that much in abundance. A battery of dye and semiconductor works like this. A photon of sunlight falls on the first layer, is absorbed and excites the so-called exciton - a quasi-particle, which is an excitation of the electronic system. This exciton moves into the semiconductor and causes the formation of free charges in it, that is, it forms an elementary electric current. The trouble is that the path traveled by the exciton is extremely short and most of them are lost before reaching the semiconductor. ... >>

Electric facade 02.03.2008

German physicists have introduced a solar panel into wall cladding. The record efficiency of silicon batteries is 40%. Similar polymer batteries work ten times worse, but they are much cheaper and easier to make. Here, for example, is the technology offered by physicists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems. Using a special printer, they print a pattern of plastic containing nanoparticles directly on the glass. This plastic will convert sunlight into electricity. Then it is covered with a second sheet of thin glass, and the glasses are welded together - so that air does not penetrate inside and does not destroy the polymer. The resulting battery converts 4% of solar energy into electricity. Of course, if you cover the roof with such panels, you won’t get much energy even in a sunny country. However, the building has walls that are now customarily covered with similar panels. And their area is much larger than that of the roof. It is the walls of buildings that the Germans propose to decorate with solar panels. ... >>

LG to buy LCD panels from Sharp 29.02.2008

LG Electronics announced plans to purchase 32-inch and 52-inch LCD panels from Sharp to meet the growing demand for flat-panel TVs. The company plans to purchase about 2 million 32-inch panels. The number of 52-inch panels that will be purchased from Sharp is not known. LG obtains TV panels from LG Display, its joint venture with Philips, and Taiwanese manufacturers. Recently, the company needs more panels to increase sales. This year LG has planned to sell 14 million TVs. ... >>

New OMRON Sensor Detects Tilt Direction 26.02.2008

OMRON engineers have expanded their line of tilt angle sensors with a miniature model that is able to detect tilt direction. The novelty in the first place will be interesting and useful for developers of portable equipment. The new D6BN 1 is a PCB-mounted 40mm sensor capable of generating a different output depending on the device's current position and allowing the system to recognize left or right tilt. The sensor responds to movements between 80 and 10 degrees (and with special settings between 50 and 6 degrees) when moving in any direction. The D1BN-10 sensor is based on a highly reliable solid state design (which in turn uses a Hall effect chip) and features low power consumption: 40 mA. Like all OMRON components, the new sensor is fully RoHS compliant. The device has an IP10 protection class and is capable of operating in the temperature range from -60 to XNUMX°C. Since the new sensor uses ... >>

OMRON Downsizes FPC Connectors 25.02.2008

OMRON, following the trend of miniaturization, has recently significantly expanded the range of FPC connectors while reducing their geometric dimensions. The product line includes an ultra-low version of the connector, which is only 0,5 mm thick when fully assembled, as well as solutions based on the smallest possible connector sizes. For example, the XF2U measures just 3,5mm front to back with 0,5mm pin spacing and occupies only two-thirds of the board space compared to the previous XF2M family based on a 24-way connector type comparable to with solutions for a step of 0,3 mm. The XF2U can be used with a standard 0,2mm thick FPC cable and features a specially designed locking mechanism to reduce the number of connection steps. This connector has a height of 0,9 mm and double-sided contacts that allow you to insert the cable in any way. New FPC Connectors ... >>

Buttons with improved optics for bright and uniform backlighting 24.02.2008

The new series of pushbutton switches is designed for use in medical, instrumentation and industrial applications where small size and bright backlighting are critical. The B3W-9 pushbutton switch series has a compact size (10x10x11mm) and two built-in LEDs - red and green. When lit at the same time, they can also emit a third light - orange. In combination with a transparent or milky white button cover, four different lighting modes can be obtained. Based on the standard B3W structure, these switches feature a dust-proof design to ensure high reliability of the contact connection and are characterized by fast actuation with a clear "click" when pressed. B3W-9 have a recommended operating current for red LED - 12mA and for green - 20mA with three-color illumination. Specifications include 50mA switching current at 24V operating voltage and two pressure modes ... >>

Additional features of the touch sensor B6TS 22.02.2008

OMRON engineers have developed a 16-channel version of the touch sensors for the already existing B6TS series. The new B6TS-16LF is capable of controlling 16 different buttons with a single chip, with higher sensitivity and programmability. The B6TS is sensitive to most non-conductive materials such as rubber, wood, glass, various plastics and even marble, allowing these materials to be used as decorative coatings for controls. Devices where B6TS is applicable (vending machines, elevators, various access systems) are subject to increased requirements in terms of appearance and design. Omron engineers have given designers more design freedom with the ability to build their own electrical circuits and independent electrode configuration. ... >>

New bi-directional gas flow sensor 21.02.2008

The B6F-P sensor is based on a MEMS chip. The sensor is able to analyze the flow of gas or air in both one and two directions. Its fields of application are analytical equipment, ventilation and air conditioning devices with variable flow, medicine. It is noteworthy that in ventilation and air conditioning systems, the new sensor is able to replace the pressure sensors used there. The new sensor adopts OMRON's patented DSS (Dust Segregation System) dust separation technology, which can clean up to 99,5% of polluted air, ensuring reliable performance and measurement accuracy. In a bypass configuration, the transmitter is capable of measuring a flow greater than its native standard capabilities (while still being able to monitor pressure). B6F-P is PCB mounted, its dimensions are 7x35x17,2mm. ... >>

smart fuse 20.02.2008

American gunsmiths have created a reliable miniature. "When they talk about smart weapons, they must be smart in everything. In particular, the fuses must understand where the ammunition is and whether it is time to detonate it," says Michael Beggans from the Center for Land Support for Naval Operations (USA), where, together with colleagues from the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new technology for the manufacture of fuses. Now they can be made in the same way as microcircuits. The new fuse is made from a porous copper plate. To make it, a resin-bonded copper oxide paste is applied to a fabric template with microspheres. Then the product is heated, the template evaporates, and copper oxide turns into a metal plate, the shape of which repeats the shape of the template. An explosive is placed in the resulting micron-sized pores. Then a microcircuit is applied to the plate by microelectronics, cut into millimeter-sized pieces, and the microfuse is ready. Now from these fuses you need to ... >>

Magnetic tumbler for cage 19.02.2008

US scientists are learning how to use magnets to control the behavior of cells. To make a cell do a job - to beat an enemy microbe or produce insulin - it is necessary to act on its corresponding receptor. As a rule, doctors do this with the help of artificially administered hormones. "We propose to go down a completely different path - to use nanomagnets," says Dr. Don Ingber of Boston Children's Hospital. In their first experiments, the scientists created magnetic particles 30 nm in size with an inner core only 5 nm in diameter. Particles of this size turned out to be in a superparamagnetic state, that is, by applying a magnetic field, they could be transferred many times both to a magnetic and a non-magnetic state. Each particle was combined with one antigen molecule corresponding to the receptor of immune system cells. "One antigen per particle is very important," says co-worker Dr. Robert Mannicke. "We wanted to attach each particle to only one receptor so that ... >>

Elephants are not afraid of mice, but bees 18.02.2008

African farmers have been tormented by elephants trampling their fields in herds. They tried everything: they built barriers, fired cannons, burned old car tires ... And the sound recording of the buzz emitted by a swarm of bees helped. It turned out that this sound, coming from a hollow tree model, scares away the giants so much that they prefer to stay at a distance of an average of 64 meters from the source of such sounds. Some herds moved away 100 meters or more, and one herd of elephants even crossed the river in experiments conducted in Kenya, only to avoid hearing the angry bees. The disadvantage of the new method is that the sound equipment is too expensive for many Africans. Therefore, the possibility is being considered to arrange apiaries near the fields, which at the same time will be able to supply local residents with honey. ... >>

Archaeologists in the tunnel 17.02.2008

Although there are two bridges across the Bosphorus in Istanbul, linking Europe and Asia, their capacity has long ceased to meet the needs of a large city. Therefore, a few years ago, the construction of a railway tunnel under the Bosphorus began, which was a dream of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire. The tunnel is scheduled to be completed by 2012, but there has already been a serious delay. Builders are hindered by history itself. The city, at different times called differently, arose on this site 2700 years ago. Already during the preliminary archaeological survey of the tunnel construction site, the remains of a seaport of the XNUMXth century AD were discovered and a warship was found - the only Byzantine ship known to us. After the start of construction, other finds fell down: fishing boats, merchant ships, shipbuilders' tools, amphoras, bones of people and animals. Archaeologists stand in the way of tunneling shields, and every day construction is delayed costs a million dollars. Processing of all ... >>

Maternal laughter and child health 16.02.2008

In one of the hospitals in Osaka (Japan), an experiment was conducted: a group of nursing mothers were shown films by Charlie Chaplin, another group watched television weather forecasts. After that, they fed their children, who had moderate diathesis. It turned out that in children who received "funny" milk, the disease softened. Ordinary mother's milk had no effect on diathesis. The analysis revealed that after healthy laughter, the amount of melatonin in milk, a hormone associated with counteracting stress, increases. ... >>

Molecular scissors will remove the AIDS virus 15.02.2008

Employees of the Institute of Experimental Virology and Immunology in Hamburg (Germany) have created an enzyme using genetic engineering methods that can search for the AIDS virus gene in human DNA and cut it out. The AIDS virus, like other viruses, inserts its genome into the nucleus of the cells it infects and causes them to make copies of themselves. There are enzymes, the so-called recombinases, that can recognize and cut out certain sections of DNA. Taking one such recombinase, naturally tuned to a DNA sequence remotely similar to the DNA of a virus, biologists gradually changed the enzyme so that it began to act specifically on the AIDS gene. The excised gene is decomposed by the cell, and its remnants are removed. Experiments conducted on a culture of human cells infected with the AIDS virus proved the effectiveness of the new enzyme. But it is not yet clear how soon it will be able to be used to treat people: a way to deliver recombinase to virus-infected cells remains to be found. ... >>

To prevent headphone wires from getting tangled 14.02.2008

We all have to be annoyed when ropes, threads, wires or shoelaces are tied by themselves in knots that cannot be untangled. Biophysicist Dorian Raymer from the University of San Diego (USA) decided to study this mysterious process experimentally. He loaded pieces of twine of various lengths into a cubic box with a side of 30 centimeters and began to rotate it on a centrifuge. Every 10 seconds of rotation, the box was opened and the knots formed were counted. A total of 120 node types were found. The shortest piece of twine tied in a knot was 46 centimeters long. One and a half meter long strings formed knots in about half of the cases. The longer the segment, the more complex nodes appeared on it after rotation. The longer the box was rotated, the more knots appeared. So, so that the wire from the headphones of the player or from the headset of the mobile phone does not get tangled in knots in the bag, choose headphones with a shorter wire and do not swing the bag on the go. ... >>

Energy windows 13.02.2008

New translucent solar panels, developed by the Japanese firm Sharp, have been inserted into the windows of the firm's recently opened plant for the production of flat screens on liquid crystals. In addition to generating electricity, thin-film silicon batteries shade rooms from the visible and infrared rays of the sun, reducing the need for air conditioning inside the building. The efficiency of transparent batteries is 11%. ... >>

Nanotweezers 11.02.2008

A group of Danish, British and German nanotechnologists have created tweezers for manipulating carbon nanotubes. It is made by silicon microlithography. When a current is passed through the two outer nanorods of the tweezers, they heat up, elongate a little and force the thin sponges of the tweezers to converge, capturing the nanotube. If a current is passed through the internal nanorods, they lengthen and the tips of the tweezers diverge. While the problem remains how to get the tweezers to release the captured: nano-objects, due to the forces of interatomic interaction, tend to stick to silicon. So the tube must be brought to something more "sticky" than silicon, and then let go. ... >>

Emotions of the West and East 10.02.2008

American and Japanese psychologists, studying differences in the expression of emotions in the two peoples, handed out photographs of faces to Japanese and Americans and asked them to rate whether the photographed person had a cheerful or sad expression. And the photographs were "synthetic": sad eyes were mounted with a wide smile, or, conversely, the eyes were smiling, and the tips of the lips were lowered. The results of a survey of 120 people showed that when evaluating facial expressions, Americans look primarily at the mouth, while Japanese look almost exclusively at the eyes. Scientists have concluded that the Japanese traditionally restrain their feelings, their facial expressions are inactive, so you have to look at the eyes, the expression of which is more difficult to control than the expression of the mouth. By the way, Japanese emoticons, computer icons synthesized from the characters of a conventional keyboard, are very different from Western ones. Where we put :-) to communicate his cheerful mood, the Japanese draws (^ ^). The sad mood icon used by our computer users looks like this: ... >>

This gum was chewed 5000 years ago 09.02.2008

In northeastern Finland, archaeologists have found chewing gum that was chewed by Neolithic people. The imprints of teeth on a lump of resin melted from birch bark leave no doubt about its purpose. Judging by the size of the prints, chewing gum lovers, as now, were young people. The chewed resin could then be used to mend cracked pots or to fix stone arrowheads. ... >>

Tires in the microwave 08.02.2008

The American company "Global Resource Corporation" has developed a plant for recycling used car tires. They are exposed to microwaves of various frequencies; as a result, long chains of polymers that make up rubber break down into monomers - hydrocarbons. From 10 kilograms of tires, about 5 liters of diesel fuel, one and a half cubic meters of combustible gas, a kilogram of steel (from cord) and 3,5 kilograms of soot are obtained. Part of the gas is used to power the plant itself. ... >>

Now I understand why we need an appendix 07.02.2008

The appendix, a worm-like appendage of the caecum, has long been considered a useless vestige left over from our ancestors - monkeys who ate indigestible plant foods like leaves and twigs. At one time, it was even suggested that this process be removed from newborns in order to guarantee against appendicitis. As experts from the Medical School at Duke University (USA) suggest, the appendix serves as a kind of reserve for beneficial microbes of the intestinal flora. In some diseases, such as cholera or amoebic dysentery, the beneficial microflora practically dies out. But its representatives remain in the narrow blind canal of the appendix and, after the recovery of the person, again populate his intestines. ... >>

When the phone is life-threatening 06.02.2008

Specialists from the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam, Holland exposed various modern medical devices, mainly used in intensive care units and intensive care units, to radiation from cell phones. A total of 61 devices were tested - artificial lungs, monitors of the patient's condition, heart pacemakers and others. It turned out that a third of the tested devices do not respond well to electromagnetic waves from the phone. They can turn off, malfunction or interfere with the normal rhythm of work, which can be extremely dangerous for patients. Especially dangerous were the signals of phones operating in the GPRS standard (these are phones with an Internet connection). They can affect medical devices from a distance of up to three meters. The signals used in 3G networks are only valid from a distance of a few centimeters. Although many hospitals prohibit cell phone calls, especially in rooms with electronic equipment, these prohibitions do not work well. ... >>

Hearing genes in plants 05.02.2008

South Korean biologists repeated experiments that have been going on in different countries for at least half a century: they played 14 classical pieces of music to rice plants, including Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. But, unlike their predecessors, they did not follow the growth rate or yield, but the work of various genes. It turned out that genes react, in fact, not to melodies and rhythms, but to sounds, therefore, from the works of great composers, experimenters later switched to simple sounds of various frequencies. And then it turned out that two rice genes are most active at frequencies of 125 and 250 hertz, and the least - at 50. Since it is known that these same genes respond to light, the experiments were repeated in complete darkness. And in this case, the activity of genes at their favorite sounds increased. Then, from one of the "hearing" genes, the experimenters also separated the so-called promoter - a segment of DNA that regulates the activity of neighboring genes, and attached it to a gene that produces a certain enzyme. And this ge ... >>

Bridge made of water in an electric field 04.02.2008

Researchers from the Graz University of Technology (Austria) have discovered an unusual property of water: in a strong electric field, a water bridge forms between two glasses of water. The Austrian scientists' experiment was simple. They filled two laboratory beakers with a volume of 100 ml with distilled water so that the distance from the surface of the water to the edges was 3 mm. The glasses were placed at a distance of 1 mm from each other and electrodes were placed in them, one of which was grounded, and a constant voltage of 15 kV was applied to the other. To the surprise of the experimenters, a cylindrical water bridge formed between the glasses. At a voltage of 25 kV, the maximum length of the bridge reached 25 mm. With a quick power outage, the bridge broke up into many drops. If a charged glass rod was brought to the bridge, it was attracted to it and formed a water arch. When any ions were added to the water, the water bridge was destroyed. Scientists noted that regardless of the length of the bridge n ... >>

Trucks on x-ray 02.02.2008

When imported into the countries of the European Union, goods are subjected to serious inspection. And for good reason: in 2006 they "caught" 60 tons of drugs, six million counterfeit goods with brands of well-known companies and 235 blocks of cigarettes. Examining the contents of a heavy-duty car trailer can take a full day at customs. To speed up the process of inspecting trucks and eliminate queues at the borders, European customs officers have begun using a mobile X-ray scanner manufactured in England. The equipment, mounted in a small van, can "pierce" a steel wall up to 538 centimeters thick with x-rays. But when transilluminating ordinary, unarmored trucks, radiation doses are used that are less than those that the patient receives during fluorography. The picture is immediately processed by a computer, showing different materials inside the truck in different colors. Up to 28 trailers are scanned per hour, and it is not necessary to do this at the border, the scanner can drive around the roads and conduct selective ... >>

Honey anti aging 01.02.2008

Doctors from the University of the New Zealand city of Hamilton added 10% honey or 8% sugar to two groups of rats for a year, and the third group was not given any sweets. It turned out that the rodents that received honey were the most courageous and curious - they were not afraid to go to the middle of the cage. In addition, they were better at remembering the correct path through a maze and were more likely to enter an unfamiliar maze. Doctors believe that honey consumption can improve memory and general mood in older adults. ... >>

LG will also sell music 31.01.2008

In the summer of 2008, LG plans to launch a free music service for LG mobile phone buyers and then open its own online audio content store. Under an agreement with London-based music service Omnifone, as reported by CyberSecurity, all purchasers of LG phones will receive a free one-year subscription to Omnifone's digital content library files. Going forward, LG intends to do online trading on its own by opening its own MusicStation Max store. The company hopes to reach agreements with all the major record labels. Probably, such a "musical" online expansion of the South Korean electronics manufacturer was caused by the active actions of the Finnish company Nokia, which opened the Ovi.com online store and bought a number of new web services, as well as the successful operation of the iTunes online store owned by Apple. ... >>

Liquid lenses: mass production 30.01.2008

Japanese Seiko Instruments Inc. (SII) and French Varioptic Co. announced the formation of a business alliance aimed at mass production of liquid lenses (liquid lenses). Fluid lenses are believed by industry analysts to revolutionize the production of small and ultra-small cameras and video cameras because they are compact, easy to maintain, and, most importantly, focus much faster than their mechanical counterparts. Recall that the technology is based on the ability of a liquid drop to change its shape (becomes flat) when electricity is applied to it. Varioptic proposed to use this phenomenon to create a new type of lens, for this the refractive medium, consisting of a mixture of water and oil, is enclosed in a plastic container to which electrodes are connected. The change in the "focal length" of the lens is done by means of a voltage causing the lens to change its shape, with water being responsible for compressing the lens and oil ... >>

Intel Achievements in Silicon Photonics 28.01.2008

Distributor During 2007, Intel's R&D teams made significant progress in the development of silicon photonics components. A number of key achievements allow the company to predict that this technology will appear in commercial products as early as 2010. Perhaps the most effective example of using an optical interface in a computer today is the already created test platform, where a similar interface is used to exchange data with the FB memory module -DIMM. At the same time, Microsoft Windows is successfully loaded and started on this system. The use of light signals for data transmission is currently considered one of the few possible promising technologies that will allow in the future to overcome the limitations inherent in the transmission of electrical signals through metallic conductors. The ever-increasing performance of processors leads to the fact that its interfaces with the rest of the processor become a bottleneck. ... >>

Toshiba buys Sony plant for $835 million 26.01.2008

Sony and Toshiba are close to completing a major deal to purchase Sony's latest Fab 2 integrated circuit manufacturing plant for a hefty $835 million. joint venture. At the same time Toshiba will own 1%, and the remaining 60% will belong to Sony. The plant is intended for the production of integrated circuits manufactured using the 40-nm process technology, the main products of the factory will be Cell processors and RSX graphic microchips. Subsequently, it is planned to transfer the manufacture of microcircuits to 65-nm "rails". Note that both of these products are used as the main components of the Sony PlayStation 45 game console. In general, Toshiba is actively developing its "semiconductor" business, aiming to increase the output of flash memory chips, microprocessors, etc. ... >>

Samsung steps up its work in the digital camera market 25.01.2008

Representatives of Samsung Electronics announced the company's intention to sell a total of 2008 million digital cameras in 15 and subsequently become the world's third largest supplier of such devices. Thanks to its broad product portfolio and well-established channel network, Samsung was able to achieve a satisfactory 2007 digital camera sales figure of 12 million units, the company said. At the same time, both in Europe and in North America, the vendor takes third place. Also, the South Korean company seeks to be more aggressive in the market for digital SLR cameras (DSLR). Meanwhile, Samsung's digital camera rival Canon is targeting 4,4 million digital DSLRs and 25 million digital cameras this year, up 38% and 17% year-on-year, respectively. ... >>

Hotpoint and Ariston team up to create an international brand 25.01.2008

Hotpoint-Ariston Indesit Company presents a new brand strategy that aims to strengthen the position of the company's brands in the market and create synergies between them. The Hotpoint and Ariston trademarks will form a single Hotpoint-Ariston trademark, which will combine the strong international potential of the British trademark and the Italian tradition. This should help to improve the market positioning of the new brand products in the medium and high value segments. The Indesit brand will continue to evolve as part of its market positioning, focusing on innovation and design like the latest Indesit Moon product, a washing machine with avant-garde design and new functionality. ... >>

From now on, all Hollywood studios support Blu-ray 24.01.2008

Paramount Pictures has said it will support the Blu-ray format, according to Reuters. On Wednesday, February 20, company officials told The Hollywood Reporter, "We are excited to see the industry move towards a single high definition format that we believe is in the best interest of consumers. We are looking forward to launching our films on Blu-Gow discs, we will study the demand and plan our plans accordingly." The other day the transition to the Blu-ray format was announced by the film studio Universal. The turning point in the high-definition format war, which lasted several years, was the decision of Warner, which announced its intention in May 2008 to completely stop releasing movies on HD DVD and switch to Blu-ray. After that, only two of the seven largest film studios remained HD DVD supporters: Universal and Paramount. Thus, now the Blu-ray format is supported by all major studios: Walt Disney, 20th C ... >>

Wavecom improves the parameters of the Q24 series 23.01.2008

As part of its product enhancement program, Wavecom is making minor changes to the Q24 series module circuitry. Modification of the hardware will change the following parameters: 1. Reduction of the minimum battery charge current limit. 2. Optimization of the module's internal reset procedure. 3. Improving the operation of the radio frequency part, especially at extreme temperatures. ... >>

Power miniblock for high current POL converters 22.01.2008

International Rectifier has announced the iP1206, a new technical solution for the implementation of step-down synchronous converters used to power telecommunications and network equipment. The IC is the latest addition to the iPOWIR family of power miniblocks containing all the passive components and semiconductors for realizing the power part of synchronous converters. Based on iPl206, it is possible to implement a single-phase converter with an output current of up to 30 A and a two-phase converter with two independent outputs for currents of 15 A each. Both options are based on anti-phase operation of the channels in order to reduce input voltage and current ripple. To achieve high bulk density, iPl206 uses a full-fledged PWM controller and an optimized power stage based on modern semiconductor devices. Since the new chip contains all semiconductor and passive components that are important in terms of conversion quality, to create a high-quality conversion ... >>

All HSPA multimedia features on a single chip 21.01.2008

NXP Semiconductors has announced the PNX6712 dual-band Nexperia Cellular Multimedia Baseband for HSPA and EDGE bands in a new ultra-miniature package. The device is manufactured using 65 nm technology, supports advanced multimedia technologies, including H.264 on QVGA at 30 fps, provides up to 750 hours of standby time, 45 hours of MP3 playback and 8 hours of video playback. The devices are available in 12x12mm packages with 0,4mm pin pitch, built on a single-core architecture, support the latest audio and video codecs, have four microphone inputs, two class D amplifiers, a W/QVGA display interface and TV outputs. All these functions are implemented through 10 external interfaces, including USB Hi-Speed ​​OTG, SDIO, SPI, most memory card interfaces, as well as system level extensions for A-GPS, NFC, BT and FM content. Samples of the PNX6712 multimedia baseband chip are available. ... >>

Inexpensive emulator for the C2000 DSP family 20.01.2008

One of the most popular families of digital signal processors from Texas Instruments in Russia is the C2000. The family is primarily intended for drive control applications. One of the difficulties in using this family until now has been the high cost of debugging tools, namely in-circuit emulators (we take into account only recommended TIs). Developers had to overpay for unused functionality: initially, emulators supported all TI DSP families. Blackhawk offers a new emulator, the USB2000 Controller (part#: BH-USB-2000), designed to work only with the F280x, F280xx, F281x, F283x, and LF240x families. The USB2000 Controller is a third generation emulator based on the proven and proven USB510 and USB2.0 technologies first announced by Blackhawk in 2002. The USB2000 Controller is a fast and reliable emulator in a small package. It is specially designed to meet the needs ... >>

New miniature PWM controller 19.01.2008

STMicroclectronics, the world's leading supplier of semiconductors for power management systems, has expanded its lineup with a new series of flexible and high performance PWM controllers. New elements - L6726A, L6727, L6728, L6728A (in standard SO-8 or miniature 3x3mm DFN package) include voltage reference, control logic, GATE drivers, test and protection circuits. All four devices are designed for use on motherboards and for organizing a distributed power supply scheme (POL Point of Load). Two models of these chips provide additional features for high performance applications. Firstly, this is the PowerGOOD output, which provides information about the status of the IS. Secondly, a special sensitive output for voltage overload protection and detection of voltage insufficient for operation. The L6726A and L6727 are low cost, single-phase PWM controllers with built-in high current drivers. They make it quite easy ... >>

XNUMX volt mono amplifiers 18.01.2008

National Semiconductor offers two new 200V ICs, the LME49811 and LME49830 mono amplifiers, which can be used in the output stages of audio power amplifiers. Devices have an extremely low level of distortion (THD + N) - no more than 0,00035% for LME49811 and 0,0006% for LME49830, save space on the board, because they allow you to abandon 25 external components, are available in 15-pin TO-247 packages , develop a power of 8 watts at an 500-ohm load. The LME49811 provides 40 V/µs slew rate, 115 dB PSRR, 9 mA output, 100 µV output noise, is powered by a +20 to +100 V bipolar supply. The LME49830 has a slew rate of 40 V/μs, PSRR 115 dB, noise level 42 μV, output current 60 mA, supply voltage from +20 to +100 V. ... >>

ultrasound medicine 18.01.2008

Physicists around the world believe that ultrasound will help cure many diseases. In New Orleans (USA) November 26, 2007 a conference was held, which was dedicated to ultrasound medicine. From the reports presented there, it follows that the use of ultrasound in medicine has long been not limited to diagnostics. For example, an ultrasonic beam can be turned into a surgical instrument. To do this, you need to focus the sound wave, and all its energy will be concentrated in an area the size of a grain of rice. As a result, ultrasound begins to behave like a laser beam, that is, it heats the tissue. At the same time, ultrasound works not only as a scalpel. For example, Vesna Zhderich of the University of George Washington claims that it can be used to stop internal bleeding: under the influence of heat, the blood coagulates, the tissue around the wound is destroyed and a blood clot occurs that closes the wound. So it is possible to stop bleeding in the liver, kidneys, deeply located blood vessels. Scientists from ... >>

Voltmeter for a living cell 17.01.2008

American biophysicists have discovered that gigantic electric fields exist inside a living cell. The smallest of the voltmeters is not an electronic, but a photonic device. This is a dye nanoparticle with a diameter of 30 nm. If it is illuminated with blue light, the particle will give a double impulse - green and red, and the ratio of the intensities of these colors will depend on the electric field strength in the place where the particle is located. Thousands of such voltmeters can be placed in one living cell. This is exactly what the creators of the method did - scientists from the University of Michigan, led by Raul Kopelman. The result they got surprised them. It turned out that in the cytosol, which fills the interior of the cell, the electric field is extremely high, its intensity is up to 15 million V/m. This is one and a half thousand times more than under a high-voltage power line! Until now, it was believed that the potential exists only on the cell membrane, and inside it the field is absent. ... >>

Water repellent glass 16.01.2008

US scientists have created a superhydrophobic glass coating. “Water is completely incapable of moistening the new material we have created. It is unlikely to be useful for making a raincoat. But as a coating for the bottom of a ship or bridge supports, it may well save a lot of energy and money,” says John Simpson from the Oak Ridge Laboratory (USA). The secret of the material is on its surface. The nanostructure created there does not allow water to come into contact with a solid, keeping a constant layer of air between them. To achieve such strong hydrophobicity, Simpson first smelted borosilicate glass. Then he withstood it at a high temperature, and the ingot broke up into two phases: areas occupied by borate glass appeared in it. The ingot was ground into a fine powder, and then the borate glass was etched. The resulting powders acquired the appearance of microscopic corals with nanometer branches. They were treated with reagents, and the surface became hydrophilic from hydrophobic. nanoveto size ... >>

bipedal monkeys 16.01.2008

Scientists have long argued about when the monkey got up from all fours to become a man. Now it turns out that she did not have to get up. In any case, Susanna Thorpe, a biologist from the University of Birmingham (UK), believes so. Thorpe and her colleagues, who for a long time observed the behavior of higher apes - orangutans in Sumatra, found that orangutans most often maintain an upright posture in trees, especially when they walk along a relatively thin branch (thinner than four centimeters). At the same time, the orangutan balances or grabs branches with its upper limbs. When in the Miocene (5-24 million years ago) tropical forests thinned out due to climate change and the crowns stopped closing, human ancestors had to run across the ground from tree to tree. At the same time, they maintained their usual posture on two legs. ... >>

Cell phone dangerous for pedestrians 15.01.2008

After observing 127 pedestrians who were crossing the street, talking on a mobile phone, scientists from Ohio University (USA) noticed that 48% of them behaved too carelessly at the crossing - they crossed the road right in front of the cars. At the same time, only 16% of those who listened to music from a portable player on the move noted such risky behavior. Apparently, the fact is that passive listening to music does not distract the pedestrian's attention as much as active participation in the dialogue. Perhaps, the researchers say, it is worth banning the use of a mobile phone not only while driving, but also when crossing the street. ... >>

New generation catamaran 14.01.2008

A new concept of a catamaran is being tested in the USA: two float hulls are connected by spring-loaded jointed “legs”, and a cabin for the crew, passengers and cargo hangs on hinges on top of them. The design used aluminum, titanium and composite materials. Two engines are located at the rear ends of the floats, and they are also mounted on hinges in such a way that the propeller always remains underwater, despite the excitement. There is no steering wheel, turns are made by turning off one of the engines. Unlike all other ships, the catamaran, called "Proteus" (in Greek mythology, Proteus is a sea god who could change his appearance), does not cut the waves, but adapts to them, balancing in such a way that the cabin always remains in a horizontal position. ... >>

How dinosaurs ran 13.01.2008

The fastest two-legged ostrich is considered - its speed is up to 55,5 kilometers per hour. But, according to the calculations of paleontologists from the University of Manchester (UK), even faster - 64 kilometers per hour - ran a small dinosaur the size of a chicken, compsognathus. But the tyrannosaurus developed only 29 kilometers per hour. These results were obtained on a computer, into which all available information about the skeleton and muscles of various dinosaurs was entered. ... >>

Hiking is dangerous for nature 12.01.2008

According to the calculations of English environmentalists, walking to the store does more harm to the environment than driving a car. For three miles (about five kilometers), the average English car emits 0,9 kilograms of carbon dioxide into the air. A person, in order to walk such a distance, will spend 1800 kilocalories and, in order to compensate for them, then eat one hundred grams of beef. But producing that much meat releases 3,6 kilograms of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. ... >>

Mother's milk and career 11.01.2008

British sociologists from the University of Bristol, following the fate of 1400 children born in Bristol between 1937 and 1939, came to the conclusion that breastfeeding later reflects well on a child's career. Of those who were breastfed in infancy, most have climbed the social ladder compared to their parents, and of the "artists" only half have achieved this. Moreover, the chances of success in life are higher, the longer the child was not weaned. Such differences are also noted within the same family: if one child was breast-fed, and the other with substitutes, then greater success in life, as a rule, awaits the first. The reasons for this phenomenon are unclear, although it has been observed that naturally fed children have a slightly higher IQ. ... >>

antibiotics in plants 11.01.2008

The meat of livestock and poultry bred on modern farms often contains residues of antibiotics that animals are given to increase weight gain. However, as recently shown by American ecologists from the University of Minnesota, with the manure of livestock, which is used for fertilizer, antibiotics also get into plants grown in the fields. Until now, it was believed that such large molecules do not pass through the pores of root hairs. Especially a lot of antibiotics found in potatoes, radishes and carrots. And employees of the university in Paderborn (Germany) found antibiotics even in winter wheat grains, which were fertilized with pig manure. The presence of low doses of these drugs not only contributes to the development of antibiotic resistance in microbes, but can also cause allergies, especially in children. ... >>

The strongest robot 10.01.2008

Robot "Titan", created by the German company "KUKA", fully corresponds to its name. Its iron arm, which has six degrees of freedom, manipulates loads weighing more than a ton, that is, "Titan" is capable, for example, of lifting and turning an almost finished car, substituting its different points for another robot - a welder. Movement "hands" provide nine electric motors. The strongest robot in the world has already entered the Guinness Book of Records. ... >>

Rope battery winch 09.01.2008

Three students of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA) shared the award for the best student development - a battery winch for climbing a rope. Lifting speed - up to three meters per second, load - up to 120 kilograms. In a minute, a firefighter or rescuer gets to the very top of the skyscraper. For adjustable descent, a hand brake is provided. You can also get on a helicopter if the rope is lowered from it. Serial production of the device has already begun. ... >>

Solar system without Jupiter 08.01.2008

It is generally believed that Jupiter protects our planet from asteroid impacts. Astronomers have created a computer model of the solar system without Jupiter to see how the 10 asteroids and comets between Jupiter and Neptune would have behaved over 100000 million years if not for the influence of Jupiter. It turned out that without a giant planet, the number of hits on the Earth would be even slightly less. But more asteroids would remain within the solar system (now Jupiter's gravity is throwing some of them into interstellar space), so the chances of them colliding with Earth would remain about the same. When astronomers replaced Jupiter with a planet the size of Saturn, the number of hypothetical hits on the Earth increased by 3-4 times. So it could be worse. ... >>

The street is lit by the sun and the wind 07.01.2008

One of the French firms began producing street lamps powered by the sun and wind. A small vertical-axis windmill mounted on top of a lamppost produces up to 400 watts of power (depending on wind speed). In addition, the lamp is equipped with a solar battery. Energy from these two sources is stored in batteries that are located inside the pole. With the onset of darkness, a flashlight is automatically turned on, consisting of 42 white LEDs, consuming a total of 60 watts. Their service life is one hundred thousand hours. ... >>

Giant icebergs of the past 07.01.2008

Danish oceanologists, measuring the bottom off the coast of West Greenland with an echo sounder, found traces of giant icebergs that floated in these waters more than 12 thousand years ago, during the last ice age. In the bottom sediments, the echo sounder found "scratches" 750 meters wide and 40 meters deep. The depth of the ocean in this place then reached 950 meters (now 120 meters more). This means that only the underwater part of such a giant had a height of about a kilometer. This is twice the size of the largest Antarctic icebergs of our time. ... >>

Bacteria also smoke 06.01.2008

Until recently, it was believed that the protein, to which nicotine molecules attach when they enter the body, exists only on the surface of the nerve cells of humans and other higher animals. Now French neuroscientist Pierre-Jean Corringer has found a similar protein, the nicotine receptor, on the cell surface of primitive cyanobacteria. These microscopic organisms lived on Earth long before the advent of not only animals, but also tobacco plants. Their nicotinic receptor is simpler than the human one, but in principle it is arranged in the same way. Why he bacteria - is unclear. Scientists hope that studying the bacterial receptor for nicotine will help improve the means for weaning smokers from tobacco. ... >>

Origin of the domestic cat 05.01.2008

There are now about 600 million domestic cats in the world. A detailed analysis of the DNA of various breeds and outbred cats showed that they all come from a group of wild cats numbering about five individuals that lived 130 thousand years ago in the Middle East, in the territory now occupied by Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Israel. Most likely, domestication took place about 12 thousand years ago, when nomadic tribes of hunters and gatherers settled down, began to engage in crop farming and accumulate grain reserves. Field mice fled to the stocks, and wild cats came for the mice, and a few were tamed. Migrating to new areas, farmers took cats with them, gave them to their neighbors, and so they gradually took them around the world. ... >>

Wash without powder 04.01.2008

Chinese home appliance firm Hyer has developed a washing machine that doesn't need laundry detergent, using only clean water. Water undergoes electrolysis during washing, and, according to the manufacturer, the resulting alkaline negative OH ions, acting like ordinary washing liquor, wash off any contamination, and positive H + ions kill germs. The new model has been present on the Chinese market for two years now, and has recently begun to be sold in England and France. ... >>

Self-winding heart 02.01.2008

The University of Southampton (England) invented a device for powering a heart pacemaker. Typically, this device is powered by a battery that has to be replaced every few years by a minor surgical operation. Instead, British engineers proposed implanting once and for all a device the size of a sugar cube into a patient, converting any movement of a person who wears it in his chest into electricity. If no movements are made, it is enough that the heart beats. As a result of any concussions, a miniature coil moves between the poles of the magnet, and a current appears in it, which is enough to power the pacemaker. ... >>

Shepherd robots 02.01.2008

The Dutch company "Lely" has started production of a robotic system for grazing cattle. Two solar-powered robots surround the herd with electric wire and, following the farmer's pre-programmed instructions, move the pen to a new location as the grass is eaten away. ... >>

Intravascular surgery 01.01.2008

Canadian physicists may become the founders of a new branch of surgery - intravascular operations using magnetic resonance imaging. A pig was injected with a syringe with a piece of steel wire one and a half millimeters long, and with the help of tomography magnets, this wire was passed through the blood vessels of the animal. The speed at times reached 11 centimeters per second. Every 20 milliseconds, the tomograph switched from wire guidance mode to observation mode and back, so that the operator could simultaneously see and control its position. It is assumed that this method will further destroy blood clots in the vessels. ... >>

Tracking terminal based on Q2686 and C-GPS chip 31.12.2007

Wavecom announced that it has implemented a KENJI KJ 8800 ship tracking terminal based on its wireless technology and C-GPS chips. Sunlink's KENJI KJ8800 Tracking Terminal contains Wavecom's "Q2686 Wireless CPU", complete with CGPS ​​software protocol stack and GPS chips, making it a complete GSM/GPRS/GPS solution. The C-GPS chipset receives the location data, pre-processes the data, and passes it to the "Wireless CPU" for transmission over cellular networks. "Wavecom's Q2686 with C-GPS option is a true advancement in tracking technology. It is easy to use and highly effective, making it ideal for our revolutionary solution to secure our customers' high-value vehicles," said Sunlink Chief Engineer Ben Liu. . Designed specifically for sailing vessels, the KENJI KJ-8800 terminal is robust, compact and easy to mask. ... >>

New DaVinci Media Processor for HD Video Transcoding 29.12.2007

Texas Instruments has released a new media processor based on DaVinci technology for video transcoding in media gateways, multipoint video conferencing devices, digital media adapters, digital video recorders and IP receivers. The new TMS320DM6467 processor is a DSP-based single-chip system specially adapted for real-time multi-format high-definition (HD) video transcoding. This solution combines an ARM926EJ-S core and a 600MHz C64x+ DSP core with an HD video processing co-processor, conversion tool, and configurable video port interfaces. It also delivers 264x faster performance than previous generation processors in synchronous HD multi-format decoding and transcoding, up to H.4 HP@L1080 encoding (30p@1080fps, 60i@720fps, XNUMXp@ ... >>

Wavecom includes Lua interpreter support 27.12.2007

Wavecom has released a freely available OPEN LT application that allows you to download and run a program in the Lua programming language. Lua is an interpreter implemented on the basis of a register based virtual machine. The Lua language is very efficient in both performance and memory footprint. For those developers who have previously used the M2MPower platform, the Lua language offers the same benefits, but additionally allows the use of C libraries. ... >>

TLK1101E - 11,3Gbps EQ 25.12.2007

Texas Instruments offers the TLK1101E universal equalizer for use in high-speed digital transmission systems at speeds up to 11,3 Gbps. The TLK1101E is configurable for specific applications and provides adjustable de emphasis from 0 to 7 dB using the DE0 and DE1 pins. The differential output voltage drop can be set to 300, 600, or 900 mVp-p via the SWG pin. Pins LN0 and LN1 can be used to optimize device performance on cables of varying lengths, such as 0 to 20 meters for 24-AWG twisted pair. The LOS (loss of signal) level of signal loss can be set by applying voltage to the LOSL pin. The LOS level can be set from two LOS values ​​via the LOSR output. The TLK1101E is available in a 20-pin QFN package. ... >>

TI UCC28070 controller 24.12.2007

Texas Instruments Inc. announced the release of a new UCC28070 two-phase controller with average current control for communication, server and industrial systems with multi-kilowatt power consumption. It simplifies the power supply design process, improves system reliability, and achieves a power factor greater than 0,9, which improves energy efficiency. The UCC28070 controller helps reduce total harmonic distortion in mains-powered systems 75 W...1 kW and above. It also allows today's systems to make the most of available power from the mains and to accommodate extreme disturbances in AC networks with varying voltage levels. The UCC28070 helps improve system reliability with a 180° phase sequence method that reduces input and output current fluctuations by 50% to 100% and redistributes the magnetic ... >>

Computer view of art 22.12.2007

A program developed by Israeli scientists allows a computer to distinguish a genuine work of art from a fake. Human vision has passed a long evolutionary path, computer vision is only in its infancy, it is no more than 30 years old. It is difficult for a machine to do something that is not difficult for us, for example, to see a person’s face in a photograph, to understand whether it is one or several images. But the computer easily builds three-dimensional images of the blood vessels of the brain or the road network. Employees of the University of Haifa, under the leadership of Daniel Keren, created a program with which a computer can become a specialist in the field of painting. The program turns any picture - landscape, portrait, still life, genre scene - into a set of mathematical symbols, values ​​of sines and cosines of angles. Having recognized one or several works of the artist, the machine creates for itself the individual style of this author and in the future can identify him from other paintings that have not yet been seen. ... >>

How a laser cuts flesh 21.12.2007

Scientists from the USA have found out that the laser cuts living tissue in different ways. A laser scalpel in the hands of a surgeon is no longer exotic. However, physicists still do not fully understand how it works. Scientists from Vanderbilt University (USA), headed by Associate Professor Shane Hutson, tried to bring clarity. Having accepted that since the human body mostly consists of water, they conducted experiments on this substance, and then proceeded to look for differences in the interaction of a laser beam with biological tissues. As it turned out, the infrared laser actually burns the substance, destroying its constituent molecules. At the same time, it fuses tissues, clogging blood vessels, so this laser is used during operations associated with large bleeding. Pulsed lasers in the visible and ultraviolet ranges work quite differently: they excite not molecules, but individual electrons. Those generate real charge avalanches, forming plasma microclouds. Exploding, these clouds push apart tissue molecules ... >>

Surgeon Display 19.12.2007

German cybernetics have created a display that can be controlled without touching any material object. The neurosurgeon, without leaving the operating table, looks at the three-dimensional image of the patient's skull built by the tomograph and finds that the area he needs is closed from view. He presses his finger on a virtual button, and the image slowly rotates in the desired direction. Now the closed area can be examined more closely and the operation can be planned more carefully. This was made possible thanks to the work of German scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications. "There are three cameras in the system. They control the display, which generates a three-dimensional image. Two cameras see the surgeon's finger from different positions and can determine which point he points to. The third camera monitors the position of the eyes and the tilt of the head. As a result, the picture constantly adjusts to position of the observer: he will always see a high-quality image even when moving relative to ... >>

Volcano Catalyst 18.12.2007

German scientists have developed a new method for producing carbon nanotubes and nanofibers using solidified lava from Mount Etna as a catalyst. The lava was ground into a fine powder, heated to 700 degrees Celsius, and a mixture of hydrogen and ethylene was passed over the powder. Tiny tubes and fibers of ordered carbon atoms were deposited on the lava particles. This method of obtaining nanotechnological materials is cheaper and simpler than others. ... >>

Micro origami 17.12.2007

A group of French scientists from the Higher School of Industrial Physics and Chemistry conducted interesting experiments. A drop of water with a volume of 40 to 80 microliters is placed on flat geometric shapes cut from a thin (1-80 micrometers) film of polydimethylsiloxane. The surface tension force rolls the film around the droplet, forming a three-dimensional figure, the appearance of which depends on the shape of the film piece. You can get a pyramid, a cube, a tetrahedron, a sphere... When the water dries up, the figure remains folded. This trick can be used in the manufacture of nanomechanisms. ... >>

Aircraft exhaust gases 16.12.2007

As found by Australian researchers from the University of New South Wales, the exhaust gases of aircraft engines can penetrate into the cabin of an airliner. The fact is that in many aircraft, normal air pressure in the cabin is maintained by a blowing impeller, which rotates from the engine turbine shaft and compresses the rarefied air at high altitudes so that pilots and passengers can breathe. If the seals between the turbine and the pump are not tight, some of the gases generated during the operation of the turbojet engine may enter the cabin. This is especially dangerous for pilots who spend more time on flights than the most frequent flyer. A survey of 250 pilots showed that 85% of them noticed an unpleasant smell in the cockpit, 57% felt bad because of it, and 8% were even forced to leave the service due to chronic poisoning. ... >>

Cypress trees under the sand 14.12.2007

Near the Hungarian town of Bukkabran in the north-east of the country, where brown coal is mined in an open way, excavators uncovered the trunks of cypress trees that grew here about eight million years ago. The strongest sandstorm suddenly covered the forest with a layer of sand six meters thick. But over the past millions of years, 16 trees have not turned into coal or stone, the trunks have retained the structure of wood. True, only stumps two or three meters thick and about six meters high remained. During life, the height of cypresses was 30-40 meters, and their age at the time of death is estimated at about 300-400 years. Once in the air, the wood became brittle, so access to the find site is closed to everyone except scientists. They hope to find a way to strengthen the tissues of trees and learn from the annual rings what the climate was like in this part of Europe eight million years ago. ... >>

Wooden dollars 12.12.2007

Recently, at the request of the mayor of New York, a census of trees was held in this city. It turned out that there were almost 600 thousand of them in the city. The total value of the services they provide to the city is estimated at $122 million. Trees earn 11 million by filtering out air pollution, 28 million by shading houses in the summer and reducing the need for air conditioning. Another 36 million trees save the city by absorbing some of the rainwater and thereby reducing the load on the sewer, and 47 million is estimated at the "aesthetic" value of green spaces that adorn the city. The total value of U.S. urban tree plantations by the same method is estimated at $14,3 billion. Some of the green spaces adorning US cities are purely temporary. So, for the summer in Chicago, bananas are planted on lawns in the city center, and in the fall they are removed to the greenhouse. ... >>

Corals push Japan's borders 11.12.2007

The rocky islets of Okinotori, lying 1700 kilometers south of Tokyo, allow Japan to retain a 200-mile economic zone in the area. Within XNUMX nautical miles from the extreme point of its land, any coastal country has the right to conduct economic activities. But rising ocean levels due to global warming may soon hide these patches of land under the waves, and then the entire area will become the possession of China. To avoid such an unpleasant prospect, the Japanese recently "sowed" the shores of the Okinotori islands with coral larvae. When the corals grow, they form a reef that will remain in place of the islands, even if these rocks themselves sink. ... >>

spider robot 10.12.2007

French and Spanish engineers have created a prototype of an industrial robotic arm, which differs from the usual high speed and accuracy of movement. The fact is that the new robot has four arms and each is moved by a separate electric motor. All hands are controlled in a coordinated manner by a single computer, performing 10 calculations per second. He receives information about the position of the hands and the object carried by them from the video camera. The robot is capable of moving up to 240 parts weighing up to two kilograms per minute with great accuracy. The release of robots of the new system is planned in the United States. ... >>

How England became an island 09.12.2007

Half a million years ago, England was connected to the mainland of Europe by a wide limestone "bridge" at the place where the Pas de Calais is now. As geologists from the Imperial College in London prove, 200-450 thousand years ago this "bridge" was destroyed by a colossal flow of water. Such a conclusion was allowed to make a new map of the bottom of the English Channel, compiled using a high-resolution echo sounder. For several months, a stream with a capacity of one million cubic meters per second flowed through this area in antiquity. It was water from the melting of glaciers that had accumulated in a huge lake, which was located on the site of the present southern part of the North Sea. The lake was replenished with the waters of the rivers flowing into it, the largest of which are the Rhine and the Thames. But when the melting of the glaciers that supported the lake from the north began, the limestone ridge could not stand it. The breaking stream demolished the barrier and dug trenches up to 10 kilometers wide and up to 50 meters deep in the seabed. Since then, England has become an island. ... >>

Tunnel under the Yangtze 07.12.2007

For the next World Expo due to open in Shanghai in 2010, a double road tunnel 9 kilometers long and over 15 meters in diameter is being built under the mouth of the Yangtze. There are two German tunneling shields with a diameter of 15,43 meters - the largest in the world. In a relatively soft soil from river sediments (silt, sand and clay), the shields pass 400 meters per month. The rapid development of the road network in China required the construction of many tunnels. In 2006, the country purchased from different manufacturers, mostly German, more than fifty tunneling shields. ... >>

dove compass 05.12.2007

A magnetic needle that helps the dove return to its home is in its beak. It was discovered by researchers from the University of Frankfurt am Main (Germany). Particles of magnetic iron oxides were found in the branched processes of neurons located along the edge of the upper half of the pigeon's beak. Nerve fibers are woven into a complex three-dimensional network, which allows the bird to analyze separately the characteristics of the Earth's magnetic field along three spatial axes. ... >>

Chickens talk about geographical discoveries 04.12.2007

The Polynesians discovered America long before Columbus. This is the result of a study of half-decomposed chicken bones found in the remains of a human settlement on the southern coast of Chile. Carbon dating has shown the bones to be from 1321 to 1407, at least 85 years before Columbus's discovery. DNA analysis from the bones showed that the chickens were not European breeds, but Polynesian. Birds from the Easter Islands, Tonga and Samoa are closest to the Chilean chickens, until now it was believed that chickens were first brought to America by Spanish settlers around 1500. ... >>

LEDs for street lighting 01.12.2007

LEDs became known to the general consumer in the 70s of the last century, when the first pocket calculators and electronic wristwatches appeared on sale. Then they shone only with red light and could only be used for indication. Now the development of these miniature light-emitting devices has reached the point that they are beginning to be used in street lamps. LEDs are economical, durable, unlike the street lamps currently used, do not contain mercury, are not afraid of shocks and do not explode. The University of Manchester (England) and a company founded by one of his students are developing extra-bright LEDs for street lighting. They will serve for at least 10 years, after which the brightness will decrease by only 30%, which will allow you not to change the lamp for another two or three years (the human eye only detects a decrease in brightness by half). Experimental LED lights are already on one of the streets of the German city of Regensburg. ... >>

First NXP RF Transistor 30.11.2007

NXP Semiconductors has introduced the first of a series of discrete silicon solutions, the BFU725F high-frequency NPN transistor. The BFU725F transistor has impressive performance: high switching frequency (70 GHz), high gain (27 dB at 1,8 GHz/10 dB at 18 GHz) and very low noise (0,43 dB at 1,8 GHz/0,7, 5,8 dB at 10 GHz). This makes it ideal for a variety of RF applications. The ultra-low noise improves reception of sensitive RF receivers such as GPS, DECT phones, satellite radios, WLAN/CDMA devices, while the high cut-off frequency is ideal for applications operating in the 30 to XNUMX GHz range, such as blocks of satellite systems. ... >>

NXP will improve the security of ePassports 29.11.2007

NXP has announced that it will supply its latest smart chips to Germany, which is the first in the world to introduce second generation ePassports with enhanced security. The new SmartMX chip will provide secure storage of biometric data in an ePassport, which will increase the reliability of the identification of the document holder. To date, NXP has already supplied approximately 4,5 million ePassport solutions (chip, operating system and insert) to Bundesdruckerei GmbH, which issues passports for Germany. NXP, which is involved in more than 80% of ePassport projects worldwide, has delivered 100 million ICs to date. E-passports are being implemented in 51 countries, 43 of which, including the US, France and Singapore, are using NXP smart chip technology. ... >>

New family of NXP microcontrollers with ARM7T and ARM9T core 28.11.2007

The LPC2900 series is an addition to the family of microcontrollers with ARM7T and ARM9T cores. The LPC2900 is a cost-optimized, versatile, low-power microcontroller based on the popular, high-performance ARM968E-ST processor for industrial, medical, and motor control applications. Three new ARM9 microcontrollers, LPC2919, LPC2917 and LPC2915, complete the industry-leading portfolio of over 50 ARM-based microcontrollers. The LPC2900 microcontroller series was presented at the Embedded Systems Conference in Boston. ... >>

NXP Solar Mobile Phone Solution 27.11.2007

Hi-Tech Wealth (HTW) has selected the Nexperia Cellular System Solution 5110 from NXP Semiconductors for use in the world's first solar-powered mobile phone, the S116. Designed by Laucent Technology, NXP's system solution delivers exceptionally low power consumption to optimize the solar charging process. As a result, the S116, which went into mass production in July this year, has achieved industry-leading standby and talk times. The new solar-powered phone allows users to recharge the battery using any light source, even candlelight. This guarantees a longer standby time than any other phone on the market. The combination of the functionality built into the Laucent design solution and the NXP Nexperia Cellular System Solution 5110 provides ... >>

High performance PIC32 family with large memory 26.11.2007

The PIC32 family has expanded the range in terms of high-performance solutions with a large amount of memory. The new microcontrollers retained compatibility with their 16-bit predecessors in terms of pin layout, peripherals, and software. The transition to a new element base is maximally simplified due to the full support of the PIC32 family by the integrated development environment (IDE) MPLAB, which the company distributes free of charge. At the moment, MPLAB IDE supports all and 32-bit Microchip microcontrollers. The family was the first to include seven general-purpose models. They are designed for clock speeds up to 72 MHz, have up to 512 KB of flash memory and up to 32 KB of RAM. A characteristic feature of the PIC32 family is a rich set of general-purpose peripheral modules, which can significantly reduce the complexity and cost of projects. PIC32 microcontrollers are based on the MIPS32 architecture, which has been adopted by the industry as the de facto standard. ... >>

High Precision Programmable Amplifiers 25.11.2007

National Semiconductor has unveiled two new high-precision programmable gain amplifier (PGA) amplifiers. The LMP8100A provides software gain accuracy of 0,03% in steps of 1 to 16 V/V over the industrial temperature range of -40 to 125°C, the LMP8100 provides 0,075% accuracy in the range of -40 to 85°C. The devices have a 33 MHz CMOS input, RRIO- (from bus to bus) output with a current of up to 20 mA, a gain of 110 dB, a voltage slew rate of 12 V / μs (LMP8100A), a supply voltage of 2,7 to 5,5 V, consume a current of 5,3 mA, are available in 14-pin SOIC packages. ... >>

First 200V DirectFET Transistor 24.11.2007

The IRF6641TRPbF transistor is designed for use in isolated DC/DC converters powered by a universal bus (36...75 V). With ultra-low channel resistance (51mΩ) and low gate charge, it is ideal for synchronous rectifiers of high-efficiency high-current DC/DC converters operating at high frequency, the latest generation of bus converters, DC drive, and even 48V wind turbine converters. In addition, it can be used in high-current AC/DC converters of computers and telecommunications servers powered by a 48-volt bus. The new DirectFET MZ type transistor in SO-8 package dimensions and 0,7 mm package height provides 25 A current with minimal conduction and switching losses. It replaces up to 3 transistors in an SO-8 package and saves up to 50% PCB area. The transistor provides up to 95% efficiency of synchronous rectifiers - this is the same level of efficiency as with twice the number of transistors in the package. ... >>

New Ethernet driver with de-emphasis 23.11.2007

Maxim Integrated Products introduced the MAX3984, a single-channel Ethernet driver with output pre-emphasis and input compensation capable of operating at speeds of 1 to 10,3 Gbps. The device compensates for attenuation in copper communication lines (8,5 Gbps fiber optic channels, 10 Gbps Ethernet), allowing you to achieve line lengths up to 10 m using 24 AWG wire. The driver provides a choice of four levels of pre-distortion correction and the possibility of correction at the input. This allows you to compensate for signal loss during its transmission over conductors up to 10 inches long on FR-4 PCB. The MAX3984 also supports SFP-compatible Loss of Signal (LOS) detection and has a TXDISABLE transmit disable input. The ability to select the output signal range allows you to optimize electromagnetic emissions and power consumption. The MAX3984 is available in a 16-lead TQFN (3x3mm) lead-free package and is rated for operation within the temperature range ... >>

New time setting chip 21.11.2007

Maxim Integrated Products introduced the DS1124 time setting IC with 0,25 ns time interval programming resolution. The new DS1124 is a programmable digital delay device. The signal delay duration is programmable via a 3-wire SPI-compatible interface in the range from 20 to 84 ns with a resolution of 0,25 ns (resolution is 8 bits), while the integral non-linearity of the selected delay duration is within +3 ns. The IC is compatible with both CMOS and TTL signals and can be used in LCD TVs, telecommunications equipment, digital control equipment, digital video projectors, signal generators and analyzers. The microcircuit is powered by a single 5 V source and is designed to operate within the industrial temperature range of -40...85°C. ... >>

Computer reads emotions 20.11.2007

Scientists from the United States have created a device that can determine if a person sitting at a computer is tired of work or is bored by its absence. The main component of the device, which was created by scientists from Tufts University (Massachusetts, USA), led by Professor Robert Jacob to guess the emotions of a person sitting in front of a computer, is an infrared laser. The impulse emitted by it penetrates through the forehead and passes into the brain. Human tissue for radiation of a selected length, in general, is transparent. However, having met with hemoglobin, the pulse dissipates and enters the detector. In this way, it is possible to identify those areas of the brain that receive more blood, that is, actively working. When checking the performance of the device, the participants in the experiment were shown a spinning cube on the computer screen. It consisted of eight small cubes, the sides of which were painted in two, three and four colors. In a series of 30 tasks, it was necessary to count the number of colors on each side of the pain. ... >>

Elpida XDR DRAM memory chips 19.11.2007

Through the efforts of Elpida, a real revolution is brewing in the sector of dynamic memory for PCs and home appliances. Thus, its novelty - XDR DRAM memory chips with a capacity of 512 Mb - turned out to be 6 times faster than the traditional DDR2-800 variant, which is most often found in modern PCs. The memory uses the Rambus XDR architecture and operates at a frequency of 4,8 GHz, providing a data transfer rate of up to 9,6 Gb / s. Mass production of Elpida XDR DRAM is scheduled for April next year. ... >>

Camera Sony Alpha A700 18.11.2007

Sony's latest development will delight photo enthusiasts. Judge for yourself: a 12,2-megapixel Exmorc CMOS sensor with integrated noise reduction, a BIONZ image processor, a high-speed reliable shutter (1/8000 s, 100 operations) - and all this is enclosed in a lightweight magnesium alloy body. Other features of the A000 are also on top, as well as the price of the S700. ... >>

Stay away from the engine 17.11.2007

Mini-power plants, popular among summer residents who do not rely on mains electricity, can be hazardous to health. American doctors came to this conclusion after collecting data on people admitted to Florida hospitals with carbon monoxide poisoning between August and October 2004. During that fall, four powerful hurricanes swept through the state, causing power outages. During this time, 51 cases of poisoning were noted, in total 167 people were injured. However, there were no severe poisonings. Of the 51 cases, 46 involved mobile power generators. Moreover, often the generator was not in the house and not in the garage next to the house, but in the fresh air, on average, at a distance of 210 centimeters from the living quarters. The authors of the study emphasize that manufacturers should determine how far from home their generators are safe, and indicate this distance in the instructions for the unit. Better yet, reduce the amount of carbon monoxide in the exhaust. ... >>

Egyptian bowling 16.11.2007

Italian archaeologists, led by Edda Breschiani from the University of Pisa, unearthed a villa of the 90nd-13rd centuries with a large room in the area of ​​the Fayum oasis, XNUMX kilometers south of Cairo. A deepened path about four meters long was laid in a flat floor of limestone slabs. In the middle of the path there is a square hole with a diameter of about XNUMX centimeters, and under it is a wide ceramic vessel with sand. In addition, stone balls were found in the room - one large, larger than a square hole, the other smaller, able to fit into the hole. As archaeologists suggest, this is a hall for the original game, similar to a modern bowling alley. The players stood at different ends of the track and at the same time let the balls. The task of the player with the small ball was to get into the hole (then the ball fell into the vessel with sand), and the player with the big ball tried to plug the hole with it or knock the small ball off the track. Apparently, the players alternately exchanged balls. ... >>

Homemade submarine 14.11.2007

A shipbuilding engineer from Kiel (Germany) Michael Schmelter built a two-seater submarine. The case, made of 32 mm thick fiberglass-reinforced plastic, can theoretically withstand diving up to 450 meters, but for safety reasons, the diver does not go deeper than a hundred meters. The air supply lasts for 12 hours. The boat weighs two tons, of which almost a ton is the weight of the lead ballast. Ballast tanks take 250 liters of water, for ascent it is pushed out by compressed air. Propulsion is provided by four electric motors. The batteries have enough energy for five hours of constant swimming. The engineer has already made more than a hundred dives in the Kiel Bay on his boat. The construction took 2000 working hours and cost 40 euros. ... >>

Potatoes for firefighters 13.11.2007

The French company "Bio-Creation" starts production of a new fire-fighting agent based on potato starch. This powdery substance swells to a gel on contact with a fire, slowing down the spread of fire and the evaporation of water used to extinguish the fire. As a result, firefighters can save up to 30% of water. ... >>

Alcohol is not cleaner than gasoline 12.11.2007

Even Henry Ford in 1925 said that the automobile fuel of the future is ethyl alcohol. Ethanol, unlike gasoline, is a renewable resource, as it can be obtained from plant biomass. And for the first models of Ford cars, both gasoline and alcohol, or any mixture of them, were suitable. Now many cars in Brazil run on pure alcohol or its mixture with gasoline. But is this replacement good from an environmental point of view? Mark Jacobson, a meteorologist at Stanford University (USA), considered this issue based on the assumption that by 2020 US roads will be dominated by cars running on a mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. A computer model showed that the number of cases of asthma will increase by 4-9% in the country. The fact is that there is more formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in the combustion products of alcohol than in the combustion products of gasoline. In addition, these aldehydes have carcinogenic properties. But the gasoline engine emits more than other cans. ... >>

Earwig robot 11.11.2007

Professor Peter Brett from Aston University (Great Britain) has created a surgical robotic microdrill for penetrating into the inner ear when implanting an implant - a highly advanced internal hearing aid. In severe cases of deafness, electrodes from the 58 amplifier are brought to the cochlea of ​​the inner ear to send signals directly to the auditory nerve. A computer-controlled drill makes a channel thinner than a millimeter in the right place and stops above the cochlear membrane without piercing it. The surgeon only needs to insert the electrodes. ... >>

Cold from the lake 09.11.2007

A large city spends huge amounts of energy on air conditioning in buildings. The original solution to the problem was found in the Canadian city of Toronto. The city stands on the shores of Lake Ontario, where in the deep layers the water temperature remains at +4°C all year round. Three polyethylene pipes with a diameter of 1600 millimeters and a length of 5 kilometers to a depth of 83 meters were led into the lake. The cold water is first filtered and then passed to a heat exchanger, from where the cold is transferred to the air conditioning systems of 36 downtown Toronto office buildings. Another 16 skyscrapers signed contracts to connect to the system. Together, they will save the city 61 megawatts of electricity per year. The heated water enters the city water supply system and satisfies 15% of the need for drinking water. A similar air conditioning system works in Stockholm, but it operates on water from the sea. ... >>

Termite geologists 08.11.2007

About 30 years ago, in the sands of the African Kalahari desert, geologists found a cluster of grains of sand from the mineral ilmenite. This mineral is characteristic of kimberlite rocks, and kimberlite is known to contain diamonds. Now this place is one of the richest diamond mines in the world. But how could ilmenite get to the surface from under a thickness of sand several tens of meters? The termites took it out. When building their dwellings, these insects are forced to penetrate deep into the ground, where there is wet clay, from which they create termite mounds. "A termite mound is an exploration well turned outward," says Canadian geologist John Nore, who studies the mineralogical composition of African termite mounds. Similar research is being carried out in Australia, in the Tanami Desert, in the north of the continent. Only one percent of the desert is not covered with sand, and a large gold deposit was found on this "patch". Drilling at random around the surrounding sands, under which there may also be valuable deposits, is too expensive. Australian geologists are drilling ... >>

Electric windmill in the sky 07.11.2007

At higher altitudes, the wind is always stronger and blows more steadily than at ground level. It would be tempting to use the energy of these air currents. Meanwhile, the highest existing wind power generator is installed on a tower with a height of just over 200 meters. A few years ago, Australian scientist Brian Roberts proposed to install a wind turbine impeller on a kite launched at a sufficiently high altitude. The first experiments turned out to be successful, and now one of the California firms intends to implement Roberts' idea on a large scale. The device, designed by the Americans, is similar to a kite-helicopter hybrid. It should be launched to a height of more than five kilometers, and if there is not a strong enough wind near the ground at the time of launch, electricity can be supplied to the cable connecting the "serpents" to the ground, and its rotors, rotating, will raise the device to the level where it blows strong wind. And there they will begin to rotate under the wind, giving energy. Projected Gene ... >>

Walking as a cure for depression 06.11.2007

Every year, British doctors write more than 30 million prescriptions for drugs for depression. Psychologists from the University of Essex asked 20 people diagnosed with depression to take a half-hour walk in a park outside the city and the same number - a walk in a large shopping center. It turned out that after a walk in the fresh air, mood improved in 71% of patients and self-esteem increased in 90%. Of those who walked among the stalls, 45% improved their mood, 22% worsened, and 44% percent of those surveyed said that their self-esteem has decreased (maybe it's the price tags they saw?). In another experiment, 108 depressed people took part in cycling and hiking, as well as in outdoor activities (collecting garbage, planting trees). Mood improved in 94% of people. ... >>

Monkey tools 05.11.2007

Canadian and German archaeologists have unearthed in Côte d'Ivoire a "workshop" of ancient chimpanzees who cracked nuts 4300 years ago using a stone hammer and a wooden anvil. The fact that these tools belonged to a chimpanzee, and not to a person, is proved by the size of the stones, which are too large for a human hand, and the shells of nuts found right there, inedible for humans. In addition, the most ancient traces of human presence in this region date back only to the beginning of our era. ... >>

Mushroom years of England 04.11.2007

Ecologist Alan Ginge of the University of London analyzed records of mushroom hunts that have been conducted in different parts of Britain by "silent hunting" enthusiasts for almost half a century. A total of 52 observations were collected on 315 species of mushrooms, mainly in autumn. It turned out that, compared with the middle of the last century, the mushroom picking season in England has more than doubled - from 35 to 75 days. More than a hundred species of mushrooms began to finish fruiting five weeks later, and 85 species began to appear earlier than usual by almost a month and a half. According to the author of the study, these shifts reflect a trend towards climate change. ... >>

Similarities between tyrannosaurus rex and chicken 03.11.2007

The remnants of collagen found in the bones of a tyrannosaurus rex found last year were analyzed at the University of North Carolina (USA). Collagen is a very strong and stable connective tissue protein that holds together the mineral elements of any bone. When comparing the amino acid composition of collagen aged 68 million years with the same protein of modern animals, it turned out that according to this indicator, the greatest coincidences exist with chicken collagen - almost 60%. The find confirms the theory of the evolutionary relationship of dinosaurs and birds. ... >>

With a screen on the chest 02.11.2007

The Dutch firm Philips has created a thin and flexible television screen based on organic light emitting diodes. So far, all the problems associated with accurate color reproduction and durability of light-emitting elements have not been resolved, but in three years, as the Dutch promise, on the basis of this invention it will be possible to produce not only TVs and computer monitors glued to the wall, but also T-shirts with a demonstration of moving images and phrases . True, it is not yet known whether it will be possible to wash such a T-shirt. ... >>

In the rhythm of the light 01.11.2007

It has long been known that the turbulent processes going on in the bowels of the Sun cause its vibrations. Recently, Canadian astrophysicists have shown that in the rhythm of the surface vibrations of the luminaries, gusts of the solar wind, a stream of charged particles rushing into space, also vibrate. This flow vibrates the Earth's ionosphere and magnetosphere in the same rhythm, and, as it turned out, the quality of cellular communication depends on it. Analyzing data on mobile communications, scientists found that in time with the waves of the solar wind, the quality of communication grows and falls. ... >>

TI solution for building a simple wireless network up to 100 nodes 31.10.2007

SimpliciTI is a simple and cost effective protocol for small (<100 nodes) RF networks. These networks typically include battery-powered devices. The SimpliciTI protocol imposes minimal requirements on the microcontroller, so that a low system cost can be achieved. The SimpliciTI protocol was designed to be used as part of TI's RF application platform, which includes the MSP430 family of cost-effective microcontrollers and the CC1XXX/CC25XX transceivers and systems-on-a-chip (SoC). ... >>

LM26LV - low voltage temperature sensor / temperature switch 31.10.2007

National Semiconductor has released the LM26LV, a low-voltage micro-power temperature sensor and switch with two outputs. The switching temperature level can be preset to any temperature between 0 and 150°C. A built-in temperature hysteresis keeps the reading stable in the event of temperature fluctuations. The LM26LV generates a signal when the substrate reaches the Ttrip temperature component. The microcircuit returns to its original state in the event of a temperature drop below Ttrip-Thyst. The analog output Vtemp is set to a voltage inversely proportional to the measured temperature. When a positive voltage (logic one) is applied to the TRIP TEST input, the following states are set at the outputs: 1) digital outputs go into the test state; 2) the output Vtemp is set to the voltage corresponding to Vtrip. The minimum supply voltage of 1,6 V allows the microcircuit to be used for systems with a low supply voltage level. ... >>

Energy from paper 30.10.2007

Scientists from the USA offer to print batteries on sheets of paper. Scientists from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (USA) have created a battery that looks like a piece of black paper. In essence, this is a sheet of paper, since its base is made of cellulose fibers. On this basis, approximately by the same method as during the operation of the printer, electrodes were deposited - layers of carbon nanotubes. And the paper itself was moistened with an electrolyte, the so-called ionic liquid - molten salt. The ionic liquid does not contain a drop of water, it does not evaporate or freeze, so the battery can be used at temperatures from +150 to -70°C. "This battery can be bent, folded, crushed, cut into pieces, and it will not lose its properties. Or you can put the sheets in a pile and get a very powerful battery. By the way, we made not only a battery, but also a capacitor capable of creating a high current density , - says one of the participants of the work, Professor Robert Lienhardt. - Battery components ... >>

Sensor for artificial lens 29.10.2007

German engineers have made a sensor that maintains constant pressure in the artificial lens. When the lens clouded by cataract is removed from the patient's eye, there is a danger of atrophy of the optic nerve and blindness. To avoid this, you need to maintain a certain level of pressure in the eye. A person has to constantly use drugs and regularly be examined by a doctor. Scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Microcircuits and Microelectronic Systems have figured out how to help such patients. "We built the sensor directly into the artificial lens," says Thomas van den Boom, head of the biohybrid systems group. The sensor consists of two electrodes and a microtransmitter. The top electrode is flexible, the bottom one is rigid. When the pressure changes, the upper sensor moves away from the lower one, which changes the electrical capacitance of the entire system. This change can be measured and the pressure calculated. The sensor transmits information to the antenna of the receiver located in the temple of the glasses. ... >>

Prosthetic arm rocket engine 28.10.2007

US engineers have adapted a rocket engine for a prosthetic arm. "We have created an artificial hand that resembles a human hand much more in its work and strength than all existing prostheses. In addition, it weighs about the same as a human hand," says Professor Michael Goldfarb from Vanderbilt University, leader of the work. (USA). Until now, prosthetic arms have run on batteries - their energy was enough to provide a limited set of functions. However, for a complex hand that could, for example, move its fingers, the battery turned out to be weak. Therefore, scientists from Goldfarb's group decided to adapt a rocket engine for the prosthesis. This was done by specialists from Johns Hopkins University - the engine became the size of a pencil. And it works on hydrogen peroxide, which decomposes with a catalyst. The result is pressure that opens and closes a series of valves, and the hand and fingers move. a little ... >>

Birds avoid radioactivity 27.10.2007

Employees of the Pierre and Marie Curie University (France) several years ago installed bird houses in the forest near Chernobyl. A recent survey of their population has shown that pied flycatchers and great tits use only houses located at points of low radioactivity. In heavily infested areas, proposed housing was left empty. How birds recognize the level of radioactivity without Geiger counters remains a mystery. ... >>

Wrinkle cream kills skin 26.10.2007

As found by Canadian biologists, the compound dimethylaminoethanol, widely used in cosmetics, kills some skin cells. Dimethylaminoethanol is part of the creams "from skin aging", "anti-wrinkle" and "for non-surgical facial skin tightening at home." It has been shown in skin cell cultures that this substance is taken up by some skin cells and causes them to swell, resulting in a tighter and smoother skin. But in a day, a quarter of the cells that have absorbed dimethylaminoethanol dies. The researchers point out that this under-researched compound is also found in many lipsticks, shampoos and even baby lotions. True, Canadian biologists say, dimethylaminoethanol is probably less dangerous than surgical skin tightening or botulinum toxin used to eliminate wrinkles. ... >>

Mobile power plant on garbage 25.10.2007

A US university has created a mobile waste incineration plant for converting various types of waste into electricity. It generates 90% more energy than it uses for its own work. Waste (various garbage, packaging, food waste) goes into business without sorting and turns into liquid fuel that runs on a diesel engine. The remaining ash has a volume 30 times smaller than the original garbage heap. ... >>

Pectin is to blame for allergies 24.10.2007

Until now, it was not very clear how certain fruits and berries cause allergies in people who are sensitive to them. After all, the allergens contained, for example, in strawberries, are broken down by gastric juice and cannot enter the bloodstream unchanged. This has been proven by experiments in which allergens isolated from fruits were exposed to hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes, simulating gastric juice. A group of physiologists from the University of Belgrade (Serbia) repeated these experiments, but in a different version, close to reality. They digested with artificial gastric juice not purified allergens, but whole extracts from strawberries, kiwis, bananas and apples - almost fruit juice with pulp. It turned out that in this case the allergens are not digested. By excluding one substance after another from the extracts in turn, physiologists have shown that allergens are protected from digestion by pectin. This carbohydrate forms a jelly in the stomach, allowing allergens to pass unchanged into the intestines, and there ... >>

Charging mobile electronics from the Sun 23.10.2007

One British company has launched the production of a pocket solar battery to power any portable electronics - from a computer or player to a camera and telephone. Solar panels slide out of a small box. A full charge of the battery inside in good weather takes three hours, after which the mobile phone can work from this box for 44 hours, and the player - 18 hours. It is also possible to directly power the devices from the Sun, without charging the battery. ... >>

Talk to your safe 21.10.2007

In England, the production of a safe with a voice lock has begun. Speak any password into the built-in microphone (it can be changed later), and the lock will open only for this word or phrase, moreover, spoken by the owner's voice. True, it is not entirely clear what to do if you urgently need money or documents hidden in a safe, and your voice has sat down or hoarse because of a cold. ... >>

Stonehenge builder's village 19.10.2007

English archaeologists from the University of Sheffield have unearthed a village near the famous astronomical complex Stonehenge, whose inhabitants are believed to have built this complex and used it for their rituals. The remains of eight huts with adobe floors were found in the village. The charcoal left in the places of the hearths made it possible to determine the age of the dwellings; they were built between 2600 and 2500 BC, that is, in the same years as Stonehenge. Archaeologists do not exclude that there were about a hundred houses in total. From the village, a wide road paved with stone, 170 meters long, leads to the Avon River, and three kilometers upstream, another similar section is laid to Stonehenge. It is believed that the road was first used to transport builders and building materials to the site of the legendary structure, and later - to travel to the annual religious holidays there. ... >>

More than enough water on Mars 17.10.2007

The radar installed on the European spacecraft "Mars Express" shines through the planet to a depth of more than three and a half kilometers. He was able to detect not deep below the surface, as well as in the recesses of the relief, accumulations of ice with a diameter of 50 to 200 kilometers and a giant ice dome with a diameter of about a thousand kilometers. If all these ice reserves melted, Mars would be covered by an ocean 11 meters deep. Whether they will melt is another question. In recent decades, the average temperature of Mars, especially in the Southern Hemisphere, has been rising by an average of 0,65 degrees Celsius per year. If this continues, then liquid water will be able to sustainably exist on the planet in 500 years. ... >>

hairy chips 16.10.2007

Inventor Chi Won-Hwang of the American company "Intel" proposes to stick carbon nanotubes on computer chips along copper conducting paths. Firstly, this "bristle" will serve as a heat sink, and secondly, it will become a shock absorber and prevent damage to the microcircuit when it falls or hits. ... >>

Fulgurites tell of an ancient climate 14.10.2007

The word "fulgurite" comes from the Latin fulgur - lightning. This is a trace of lightning that struck the ground and fused the minerals of the soil into a glassy mass, usually cylindrical in shape. Mexican geochemist Rafael Navarro-Gonzalez, studying a collection of ancient fulgurites from the sands in southwestern Egypt, obtained data on the climate of this region of Africa 15 years ago. The age is determined by the depth of occurrence of fulgurites in the sand. The geochemist analyzed gas bubbles trapped in molten glass when fulgurite formed. An increased content of carbon dioxide was noted, and the ratio of carbon isotopes in it indicates that this gas arose as a result of photosynthesis. That is, grass and trees grew on the site of the present desert. ... >>

Battery house 11.10.2007

Computer users are well aware of the so-called uninterruptible power supplies. This is a relatively small box containing a rectifier, battery, DC-to-AC converter. The automation of the device, in the event of a power failure of the computer, uses the energy stored in the battery in milliseconds. Usually it lasts for several minutes, and during this time either the power supply from the network will be restored, or the computer owner will urgently complete all business and turn off the system. Firm "Gridpoint" (USA) offers a similar installation, capable of temporarily supplying energy to the entire house in the event of a power failure. The device, which is about the size of a small refrigerator, sits in the basement and charges its batteries at night when energy demand is lower. If there is a power outage during the day, in 30 milliseconds the entire power supply of the mansion or apartment will switch to batteries. The charge is enough for a whole day of normal power consumption. In addition, since 10% of US households are covered ... >>

Cocoa - protection against hypertension 09.10.2007

The Kuna Indians live on islands off the Caribbean coast of Panama. Unlike the inhabitants of developed countries, the representatives of the tribe rarely have hypertension, their blood pressure does not increase with age, and the frequency of diseases associated with high blood pressure, such as heart attack, diabetes, and stroke, is lowered. But those Indians who have moved to the mainland are losing the islanders' protection against hypertension. What's the matter? As ethnographers have discovered, the Kuna Indians drink several cups of cocoa daily, and they make their own from the seeds of the cocoa tree. At the same time, flavonoids remain in the ground seeds - compounds that make the drink bitter. Flavonoids are usually removed from regular cocoa and chocolate. Meanwhile, they protect the heart and blood vessels. Having moved to the mainland, in more civilized conditions, the Indians stop preparing their cocoa and acquire diseases characteristic of civilization. Some global chocolate producers are already starting to produce chocolate bars and powder. ... >>

Fed up with just one scent 07.10.2007

As you know, the greedy baker tried to charge Khoja Nasreddin for using the aroma of barbecue, and then Khoja paid off with the sound of coins. It turns out that the claims of the steward were not so groundless. The smell of food has almost the same effect on fruit flies as the food itself. It has been known since the thirties of the last century that the reduction of calorie intake and starvation prolong the life of many animals. This effect is also known in Drosophila. However, as experiments recently carried out in the USA have shown, flies kept from hand to mouth, but with a constant smell of food (yeast), live no longer than those fed to the dump. When geneticists bred a line of flies devoid of smell, it turned out that the smell of food does not affect their lifespan and poor nutrition prolongs their lifespan even with the constant smell of food. Scientists suggest that the smell, which promises abundant nutrition, turns off the energy-saving program that operates in a starving body, and this also reduces the duration ... >>

Down's syndrome cured in mice 05.10.2007

Children with Down syndrome have an extra 21st chromosome (instead of two - three), which affects their appearance, and also reduces memory, learning ability, rational activity to varying degrees, and makes it difficult to master the language. A few years ago it became clear that these neurological disorders are associated with excessive synthesis in the brain of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which inhibits the activity of neurons. An employee of Stanford University (USA) Craig Garner and his colleagues, using genetic engineering, brought out a line of mice with an extra 21st chromosome. They also had impaired memory and learning ability. Various GABA antagonists have been tested in these mice, with pentylenetetrazole being the most effective. This medication was used in the United States in the 50s against depression and psychosis, but it soon became clear that it causes epileptic seizures. Experiments have shown that mice with Down's syndrome, given a small dose of pentylenetetrazole, become smarter and quickly learn to find their way through a maze. ... >>

Eco-friendly car 03.10.2007

Employees and students of the University of Warwick (UK) have created a racing car that uses environmentally friendly materials to the maximum. The body is made of plastic reinforced with hemp fiber, the tires use a polymer synthesized from potato starch, the brake pads are pressed from cashew nut husks. Fuel - ethyl alcohol obtained from plant materials, lubricating oil - also vegetable. The chassis is made of steel, but steel is a non-waste material that can be melted down and reused. According to the designers, the car can reach a speed of 240 kilometers per hour. In any case, when starting from a standstill, it develops a speed of 4 kilometers per hour in 100 seconds. In the next model, project leader Benjamin Wood intends to bring the proportion of biodegradable or recyclable materials up to 95%. ... >>

New series of miniature limit switches 30.09.2007

Honeywell's new 91MCE series of limit switches are small, affordable, and meet the highest demands in the industry. Constructed in a compact 20mm. enclosure, 91MCE switches are designed for OEM applications with limited mounting space. The series offers various options for actuators of heads and levers, complies with standards: IP65, NEMA 1, 4, 12, 13. Service life of switches - 5 million operations. Honeywell 91MCE series circuit breakers are designed for a wide range of industrial applications: machine equipment, elevators, escalators, doors, and more. ... >>

Low noise precision amplifier 29.09.2007

Texas Instruments has introduced a single-voltage op amp with e-Trim precision and very low noise. The OPA376 combines very low bias voltage (less than 25 µA) and wide bandwidth (5,5 MHz) in microminiature packages. In addition, the op-amp is characterized by a low noise density of 7,5 nV / Hz and a current consumption of no more than 950 μA. The combination of these characteristics meets the requirements for static and dynamic characteristics of filtering, data acquisition and single-voltage systems. The op-amp can be used in sensors and signal processing stages, wireless communication devices, medical devices, portable test equipment, and consumer audio equipment. ... >>

New LDO stabilizer 28.09.2007

Microchip Technology Inc. announced a new micropower compensation (LDO) stabilizer МСР1703. Main characteristics: input voltage range: 2,7 ... 16 V, own consumption current: 2,0 μA, output current: up to 250 mA at output voltage > 2,5 V, output current: up to 200 mA at output voltage < 2,5 V, input-output voltage drop: 650 mV, 250 mA, V=2,8 V, output voltage setting accuracy: 0,4%, output voltage range 1,2, 1,5, 1,8, 2,5 .2,8, 3,0, 3,3, 4,0, 5,0, 1,0V; protection against short circuit and overheating; stable operation with capacitors from 22 uF to 40 uF., extended temperature range: -125...3°C, 23-pin miniature packages: SOT-89A, SOT-223, SOTXNUMX. ... >>

car without a person 27.09.2007

Engineers from the United States are creating a car that can travel 60 miles without human assistance in six hours, traveling along the roads of California. “Two years ago, we tested a prototype of such a robot car in the Mojave Desert. Then our team showed 8th and 9th results, thanks to which we received financial support from the Department of Defense, Ford and Caterpillar companies. Of course, to travel It’s much more difficult for a robot to drive on the roads of California than in the desert, but we are well prepared,” says one of the participants in the work, graduate student of the University of Virginia Patrick Courier. The robot, converted from a donated Ford Escape car, was named "One". It was equipped with a powerful on-board computer, a GPS receiver, laser scanners and video cameras. Sophisticated software allows you to simulate human behavior and recognize the maneuvers of vehicles in front. As a result, the robot is able to drive along a marked freeway, change lanes, and bypass a stopped car. ... >>

Apple iMac computers 26.09.2007

The long-awaited update to the Apple iMac series of computers has come true. Users are offered four new models with displays with a diagonal of 20 and 24 inches. Both the design and the filling of the device have changed. So, the front panel of monoblock "PC + display" is now made of glass and anodized aluminum, the latter is also used in the finishing of a stylish thin (8 mm) keyboard. Inside the new iMacs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2/2,4 GHz)/ Core 2 Extreme processor, up to 2 GB memory, 250500 GB HDD, DVD burner, ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT (128 MB)/HD 2600 Pro video (256 MB), Wi-Fi (802.11n) and Bluetooth 2.0 modules. The cost of updated iMac - from $1200 to $2400. ... >>

Biometric Scanner Finger Vein Authentication Device 25.09.2007

The new biometric scanner from Hitachi helps protect your PC from unauthorized access, and absolutely reliably. You just need to connect the device to a computer via the USB port (from which it is powered) and configure the appropriate software. The guarantee of security is ensured by the fact that the Finger Vein Authentication Device does not scan a fingerprint, but a pattern of veins inside it, which is almost impossible to fake. ... >>

Fujitsu RE25U300J external drive 24.09.2007

Fujitsu's new 300 GB external drive, based on a 2,5-inch HDD, is virtually unhackable. The information stored on it is protected using Blowfish and AES cryptographic algorithms. The device has 8 MB cache and will set you back $229. ... >>

First anion in space 23.09.2007

Radio astronomy has now made it possible to identify 144 different substances in interstellar space. Recently, American astrophysicists, using a hundred-meter radio telescope, discovered the first anion in space - a negatively charged ion, a fragment of a molecule. Its chemical formula is C6H and it is found in two star-forming regions, the constellation Leo and the constellation Bull. ... >>

sun in focus 22.09.2007

The Israeli Center for Solar Energy has built a pilot plant in the Negev desert to generate electricity from the sun. Traditional solar energy is divided into two directions: either sunlight is concentrated by mirrors on a steam boiler, and the resulting steam rotates a turbine, or light is captured without noise and steam by solar panels that directly generate electricity. Israeli scientists propose to combine both options. A segmented mirror, resembling a giant umbrella laid on its side, concentrates light on a gallium arsenide solar cell. Ordinary solar cells cannot withstand such temperatures, but a device created at the Institute for Solar Energy Systems in Germany only works more efficiently at high temperatures. Its efficiency reaches 41%, which is twice as much as the best modern designs. According to the calculations of the designers, the power plant on such installations with a total capacity of one gigawatt will occupy 12 square kilometers. ... >>

The robot goes to land 21.09.2007

Engineers at the Swiss Institute of Technology in Lausanne are experimenting with a snake-like robot they have built that can swim, crawl and walk. The "snake" 85 centimeters long has two pairs of legs that can rotate and thus serve as something like the wheels of an old steamer. Using the remote control, by increasing the frequency of the signal in the "nervous system" of the robot, copied from the nervous system of the lamprey, you can switch it to different modes of movement. Relatively rare rhythmic impulses make the robot walk, faster ones lead to active rotation of pairs of legs, and the "snake" swims, and a further increase in frequency stops the legs, and the robot begins to crawl. Biologists suggest that something similar happened in evolution, when the fish came to land and the fins turned into dads. ... >>

Chimpanzee as the pinnacle of evolution 20.09.2007

It's time to stop thinking that man is the pinnacle of evolution. In fact, chimpanzees are a more "advanced" species. A group of geneticists from the University of Michigan (USA) studied the DNA sequences in 13 human, chimpanzee and rhesus macaque genes. It turned out that 888 chimpanzee genes have been changed by natural selection since humans and chimpanzees split from a common ancestor about 233 million years ago. And of the human genes, only 6 have changed since then. So the evolution of chimpanzees has gone further than ours. Doesn't this mean that monkeys will become smarter than humans after a while? ... >>

Dinosaurs, ancestors of moles 19.09.2007

American paleontologists have found an S-shaped hole in southwestern Montana, dug 95 million years ago by a dinosaur for himself and his cubs. Skeletons of an adult pangolin more than two meters long and two of its smaller descendants were found in a hole resembling an enlarged rodent mink or a hyena's lair. The muzzle and forepaws of this previously unknown species of herbivorous dinosaur are adapted for digging the earth. Long hind legs allowed the animal to run fast. The find reinforces the hypothesis that some species of dinosaurs took care of their offspring. ... >>

Omnivorous car engine 18.09.2007

The Brazilian branch of the Italian company "Magneti Marelli" began production of an automobile engine capable of running on gasoline, ethyl alcohol, a mixture of these fuels in any ratio, and natural gas. Moreover, the engine (more precisely, its computer) itself recognizes what fuel is offered to it, and after a few milliseconds it readjusts accordingly. In Brazilian conditions, the owner of a car with such an engine saves from 25 to 40% of fuel costs. ... >>

Greenhouse effect - in greenhouses 17.09.2007

A large greenhouse farm in England has entered into an agreement with a neighboring chemical plant, and will receive from it the discarded production waste - carbon dioxide. On an area of ​​more than 9 hectares, 300 thousand tomato bushes are grown here. They will be able to assimilate 12,5 tons of carbon dioxide per year, which the plant has released into the atmosphere so far, thereby enhancing the greenhouse effect. Waste steam from the plant is also intended to be used in greenhouses - for heating. But considering that the enterprises of the world emit about 7 billion tons of carbon dioxide per year, there are clearly not enough greenhouses and greenhouses for everyone. ... >>

solar bike 15.09.2007

Canadian inventor Peter Sandper built a solar-powered bicycle. On top of the spokes in the wheels, he inserted solar panels, placed a battery on the trunk, the current from which feeds the electric motor built into the front wheel hub. In clear weather, the charge is enough for three hours of driving at speeds up to 30 kilometers per hour (battery capacity - 17 ampere-hours). If the sun is not showing, you can charge the bike from the outlet. Serial production has already begun. ... >>

medicinal tooth 13.09.2007

In cases where it is necessary to frequently administer small doses of a medication to a patient, specialists from the German Institute for Biomedical Engineering suggest using a false tooth. It contains a reservoir of liquid medicine and a radio-controlled dispenser. A pocket device, such as a TV remote control, allows the patient to turn on the dispenser when the patient feels unwell. When the supply of medicine runs out, the tooth can be removed and a spare one put in, and in the meantime, the first one can be filled with a doctor. There is only one drawback to this scheme: what to do if you have all your teeth, natural? ... >>

Car caught in the net 11.09.2007

British police have adopted a network to stop cars. It is made from dyneema, a synthetic fiber that is eight times stronger than steel. A net 2,5 - 3 meters wide with two rows of steel spikes on the front edge is laid out across the road. The spikes puncture the tires, and then the net wraps around the wheels, making further movement impossible. The device weighs from 12 to 25 kilograms (the heavier version is suitable for stopping trucks) and fits in a backpack or suitcase. ... >>

Mutual understanding between human friends 10.09.2007

A biologist from the University of Budapest, Peter Bongacs, played 90 volunteers recordings of dog barks and asked them to guess what emotional state the dog expressed with his barking: aggressiveness, fear, joy, despair, desire to play. Regardless of whether or not the subjects had previously interacted closely with dogs, in most cases they understood canine language correctly. Bongach concluded that man and dog had evolved together for so long that a deep emotional bond had developed between them. ... >>

Nano-cleaning of frescoes 07.09.2007

About forty years ago, art restorers began to cover ancient frescoes with transparent acrylic varnishes to protect them from air pollution, exposure to light and oxygen. The solution seemed perfect. However, after some time problems emerged. The polymers closed the microscopic pores through which the wall "breathed" under the fresco. As a result, moisture began to accumulate under the layer of paint, and salts were deposited, destroying the painting. Two decades later, the lacquer itself began to collapse - turn yellow, wrinkle. The restorers had to wash off the varnish from the frescoes. But conventional organic solvents are dangerous when working with them and, in addition, they do not penetrate well into the micropores of the plaster. Italian chemists from the University of Florence have created and successfully tested an aqueous emulsion with droplets of organic solvents up to 10 nanometers across for cleaning frescoes. The content of these solvents in the emulsion is less than one percent, but due to the nano-size of the droplets, they perfectly penetrate into the pores of the stucco. ... >>

Seed Bank in the Arctic 04.09.2007

An international seed bank for agricultural crops is being created in Svalbard, with a capacity of three million seed samples. The diversity of crop varieties is declining all the time. For example, in the United States in 1903, more than 8000 varieties and varieties of cultivated plants were grown, and in 1983 - only 600. Such a reduction in the range means that the unexpected appearance of a pathogen or pest that has adapted to the most common varieties can completely deprive humanity of one or more a different culture. There are currently about 1400 seed vaults in the world, but many of them are unreliable - under the threat of natural disasters, domestic riots, wars or mismanagement. Despite global warming, the authors of the project expect that in the Arctic cold (the temperature in the storage chambers will be maintained at -18 degrees Celsius), the seeds will not lose their germination capacity for at least two centuries. Svalbard collection will become inviolable ... >>

Robot tightrope walker 01.09.2007

A robot in the form of a box on wheels travels around electrical cables, checking their condition. The temperature sensor allows you to identify places where the cable is heated, acoustic - finds by sound the points where the contacts spark; there is also a moisture sensor that finds those places where water has penetrated the cracks in the insulation and can cause a short circuit. The TV camera transmits everything that enters the field of view of the robot to the control panel. In addition, the robot is equipped with a gyroscope to help maintain balance, and levers with which it restores its position if it does fall off the cable. The robot was created at the University of Washington by a group of engineers and students led by Professor Alexander Mamishev. The robot was recently tested in New Orleans, where it checked the condition of underground cables after flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina. ... >>

Toshiba delays OLED TV launch 31.08.2007

The main reason for this decision is the extremely high cost of producing large-format OLED matrices - for example, even relatively small 11-inch "organic" Sony TVs are produced in extremely limited quantities, about 2 thousand units per month. As for Toshiba, it has postponed the release of its 30-inch TV panels from this year to March 2010. Even less optimistic are the forecasts for the future of SED panels. Toshiba previously postponed the release of high-contrast, large-format panels indefinitely, and this situation has not changed. And the main reason is not only problems with the license agreement with Nano-Proprietary, the owner of the patent on the SED panel. The production of new generation displays, as well as OLED solutions, is still too expensive to be able to compete with modern LCD and plasma TVs. ... >>

Full HD TVs fail the test 30.08.2007

No Full HD TV can offer full HD resolution when displaying moving objects, according to the latest research from Home Theater magazine. Of the nineteen Full HD TVs tested, ranging from 40 to 67 inches, only twelve models were able to display 1080p on a still image. The resolution of other models ranged from 850 to 1050 vertical pixels. When displaying moving objects, the situation turned out to be more deplorable. The actual resolution ranged from 500 to 880 vertical pixels. Vizio GV47FHDTV LCD TV was recognized as an obvious outsider of the tests. In the static test, it brought out 400 horizontal lines and 360 - while driving, with 1080 declared. The worst results when displaying dynamic scenes, following the Vizio GV47FHDTV, were shown by the Sony KDL40W3000 LCD TV, which brought out only 500 horizontal lines. The real resolution of Sony KDL46W3000 LCD TVs, ... >>

New fructose fuel 29.08.2007

A chemist from Wisconsin proposes to make plants not ethyl alcohol, but more efficient fuel. On the one hand, more and more people are aware of the need to switch to renewable energy sources to curb global warming. In another, rising prices for non-renewable oil make new ways to extract alternative fuels profitable. As a result, interesting ideas emerge. For example, quite recently it was believed that only methane, ethanol, and, perhaps, biodiesel could be extracted from plants. And Professor James Dumesic from the University of Wisconsin found another useful substance. It is dimethylfuran (DMF), which is derived from fructose. "The energy stored in a DMF molecule is 40% more than that of an ethanol molecule," says Prof. Dumešić. atmosphere". Usually, fructose is first converted to hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to make DMF. ... >>

Step towards bioelectronics 28.08.2007

German biochemists have managed to attach a cell receptor to a microchip. The cell is perfectly able to determine the presence of a particular substance in the environment: it is enough for it to connect to the corresponding receptor on the membrane. After that, the ion channel opens, ions move through it, and the cell receives information. If you force it to share this information with a person, you will get a sensor for searching for substances in the smallest concentrations or for testing drugs. Until now, the opening of the ion channel is fixed with miniature electrodes, but, unfortunately, the cell dies after that. German scientists from the Institute of Biochemistry. Max Planck, led by Dr. Peter Fromhertz, made an installation in which the cell can work for a long time. First, they created a microcircuit from many transistors on a silicon wafer. Recall that in these devices there are three electrodes - the anode, cathode and base. It depends on what electric potential is applied to the base, the current will flow ... >>

Belkin Washable Mouse 27.08.2007

With its new optical Washable Mouse, Belkin is declaring war on the dirt and bacteria that always cling to computer peripherals. This manipulator is completely waterproof and easy to clean with soap and water. Of the unusual, one can note the touchpad that replaces the scroll wheel. Otherwise, this is a completely standard manipulator with a 1200 dpi sensor and a USB connection. Price - $30. ... >>

Nokia Speakerphone HF-300 26.08.2007

The HF-300 wireless hands-free system expands the familiar product range of the Finnish manufacturer. The device is designed for use in the car and is compatible with all Nokia phones that support at least the Bluetooth 1.1 standard. Built-in battery provides 20 hours of battery life HF-300 talk time. ... >>

External optical drive IO Data DVR-UW8DP2 25.08.2007

The new external optical drive DVR-UW8DP2 from IO Data is interesting in that it can handle recording two CDs or DVDs simultaneously and a computer is not required for its operation. In fact, these are two thin drives united by one body. The device is connected to a PC via the USB port. The speed characteristics of the device are average, and the cost is quite high - $450. ... >>

The rain will have to be filtered 24.08.2007

Since 2008, the US Environmental Protection Agency will prohibit all settlements with a population of more than 10 people from discharging rainwater from streets and roads into natural reservoirs without treatment: this water is polluted with oil products from numerous cars. In the meantime, a small firm, AbTech Industries, has begun producing rainwater filters that are built into street grates. The filter consists of a polymer sponge that traps dirt. In addition, the sponge is impregnated with an antimicrobial agent that kills about 75% of pathogenic microbes that are present in street drains, get to river, lake and sea beaches and infect bathers. Depending on the location, the filter will have to be replaced once every one to three years. Another solution comes from Australian inventor Simon Beecham. The streets, in his opinion, should be paved with slabs of porous concrete, to which iron hydroxide and activated carbon are added. The first component captures from rainwater ... >>

Backpack with elastic bands 23.08.2007

The American inventor Lawrence Rome noticed that a significant part of the strength of a person carrying a load goes into raising and lowering this load with each step. The inventor created a backpack that makes it easier to walk and especially run with a load on your shoulders. In Rome's easel backpack, the cargo container is suspended on rubber bands that absorb vibrations. As a result, carrying a load of 27 kilograms takes as much effort as carrying a load of 22 kilograms. ... >>

Secret of little dogs 22.08.2007

A group of American geneticists, having studied the genomes of dogs of different breeds, large and small, found on the 15th chromosome a gene that determines the size of the animal. A special variant of this gene is present in all small breeds, but is rare in large breeds. However, in such large dogs as mastiffs and rottweilers, the "decrease gene" occurs quite often, which, apparently, indicates that the dog's height also depends on some other genes. Since large and small breeds of dogs, judging by archaeological finds, have lived next to humans for more than 10 thousand years, the age of the "decrease gene" is no less. However, it does not occur in wolves. Either man brought small breeds of dogs from some dwarf wolves, which in the meantime died out, or it was a rare mutation that people liked and fixed by artificial selection. ... >>

Coffee and baldness 21.08.2007

German dermatologists have shown that if you keep pieces of skin that has lost hair in a caffeine solution, hair follicles are restored and after eight days hair growth increases by 30 - 40%, and the life expectancy of the hair grows by 37%. Unfortunately, simply drinking coffee will not get rid of baldness. In order for the hair follicles to get as much caffeine as needed for their regeneration, it would be necessary to drink at least 60 cups of coffee a day. But a German cosmetics firm has already launched a caffeine-based hair growth lotion. ... >>

Cotton against cancer 20.08.2007

Chinese doctors, after analyzing a data bank on the health of tens of thousands of workers in Shanghai cotton gins and weaving factories, came to the conclusion that cotton dust in the air protects against lung cancer. Women who are exposed to high concentrations of cotton dust in the workplace are 40% less likely to develop cancer than those who do not breathe such dust. On average, out of 100 thousand workers in the textile industry, lung cancer is found in 7-8 people, and among the entire population of Shanghai - in 19. The reasons for this phenomenon are unclear. However, Canadian specialist George Astrakianakis, who got acquainted with the results of the study, believes that certain substances contained in bacteria that develop on cotton fiber can play a protective role. ... >>

On the trail of chocolate 19.08.2007

Curious studies of the sense of smell in humans were conducted by Jess Porter, a graduate student at the University of Berkeley (USA). She asked 32 undergraduate students to follow a 10-meter zigzag path with a chocolate-scented liquid on the grass of a lawn using their sense of smell. To ensure that the experimental subjects were not distracted by anything, they were blindfolded and their ears were plugged, leaving only the sense of smell. It turned out that two-thirds of the students, moving their noses from side to side, are able to complete the route in 14 minutes. After choosing four test subjects, they began to train them on the same exercise three times a day. It turned out that the results are significantly improved with training. The possibility of "stereoscopic" sense of smell in humans (it is known in rats) was studied on 26 volunteers. With one nostril plugged, only a third made it to the end of the trail, and they did it XNUMX% slower than with two nostrils. General conclusion: of course, the human scent lags behind the canine, but it is much better than usual ... >>

Ancient fresco 18.08.2007

French archaeologists working in Syria have found the oldest painted wall. In a dilapidated building made of clay bricks, a colored pattern of about four square meters of geometric figures was found on the wall. It is assumed that the clay structure with the fresco was used as a ritual one. This is the oldest example of wall art, it is about 13 thousand years old. Although the oldest rock paintings that have survived to our time are 36 thousand years old. ... >>

White-white beetle 17.08.2007

English entomologists have found the whitest beetle in Southeast Asia. The fingernail-sized bug is covered in randomly arranged scales five micrometers in size. They ideally scatter light rays of all colors, resulting in a white reflected light. The shell of a beetle is whiter than milk, the enamel of clean teeth, or the finest grades of writing paper. It is believed that it will be possible to create perfectly white synthetic materials with the same structure. ... >>

Accountants - low ceilings 16.08.2007

Psychologist Joan Meyers-Levi, professor of marketing at the University of Minnesota (USA), analyzed the thinking of people working in rooms with a ceiling height of 244 and 305 centimeters. It turned out that low-ceilinged offices encourage employees to concentrate more on the tasks they perform, work more accurately, and prevent and catch errors. High ceilings in the room help to generate fresh ideas, make long-term plans, and think high. Thus, the management of the organization should sit in offices with high ceilings, and accountants - with low ones. ... >>

Always white apple 15.08.2007

Canadian breeders have developed an apple variety that does not turn brown on the cut. In an ordinary apple, when the integrity of its tissues is violated, phenolic compounds and the polyphenol oxidase enzyme contained in different "compartments" of the whole cell begin to contact each other. When the walls between the "compartments" are broken, a chemical reaction produces oxidized brown compounds that are not palatable to insects and have an antibacterial effect. That is, for the plant, this reaction has a protective character. But apple lovers do not like this color change. The new variety, called Edem, is low in phenolics, so the pieces stay white in fruit salad. But the taste of the new variety is no worse than the well-known ones. And for gardeners, he has another important advantage: the fruits, even when ripe, do not fall from the branches, but wait until they are removed. This means that the percentage of losses is lower. It remains to be seen by experience whether the absence of protective compounds will affect the health of apples. ... >>

Chips in the mountains 14.08.2007

On the Alpine plateau of Bur (southeast of France, 2500 meters above sea level), a laboratory has been created to study the effect of cosmic rays on microcircuits. The functioning of microelectronics is based on the movement of charges with a value of about a femtocoulomb. Meanwhile, every second, cosmic rays, consisting of protons, neutrons and heavy ions and coming mainly from the Sun, bring dozens of such charges to the microcircuit. On the Bur plateau, the number of energetic cosmic ray particles is 10 times greater than at sea level. Since the summer of 2006, memory chips for computers have been tested in a mountain laboratory. It turned out that in the most common microcircuits with a diameter of the smallest parts of 130 nanometers, cosmic rays at this height cause an average of five memory errors per month. These studies will increase the stability and reliability of microelectronics, especially aviation. In addition, microcircuits with finer details have recently appeared, which should be sensible. ... >>

Morality, charity and religion 12.08.2007

Does faith in God contribute to the moral health of a nation? The data obtained so far by sociologists are contradictory. Thus, a study of the relationship between religiosity and morality in 18 developed democracies, published in 2005 in the American Journal of Religion and Society, argues that the relationship is negative. The degree of religiosity of the population was assessed by the percentage of believers among the respondents, by the proportion of those who declared their unconditional acceptance of biblical information about the origin of the universe and man, by the frequency of church attendance and the frequency of prayers outside the church. The researchers considered the number of murders, infant mortality, the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases, the frequency of pregnancies and abortions among underage girls as indicators of the health of society. It turned out that where the population is more pious, all these indicators are higher than in countries with a less religious population. For example, out of 18 countries, the United States turned out to be the most religious, and there are also significantly more murders and veins. ... >>

colored light bulbs 10.08.2007

The Dutch firm "Philips" began to produce an electric light bulb, which contains four LEDs inside - two red, blue and green. By manipulating a remote control like a television, you can vary the brightness of each LED, and thus the color of the lamp, within a choice of 16 million colors. Light brightness and color saturation are also adjustable with the remote control. ... >>

telephoto lens for phone 09.08.2007

The Hong Kong firm "Brando" has begun production of telephoto attachments for telephone cameras. The attachment magnifies the image six times. So far, this optics is intended only for the latest Nokia and Sony-Eriksson models, but in the future devices from other major manufacturers will also be covered. ... >>

amoeba in amber 07.08.2007

Paleontologists from the Humboldt University in Berlin and the University of Padua (Italy) found in the Dolomites, near the city of Cortina d'Ampezzo, a deposit of small droplets of amber, which is 220 million years old. These drops of resin crawled along the bark of coniferous trees when the first dinosaurs appeared. Microorganisms - bacteria, fungi, amoeba, ciliates - have been preserved in tiny droplets. The state of preservation of microbes is unusually good, even the internal structures of the cell are visible. This amber is about 85 million years older than all the samples known so far. Many of the microorganisms enclosed in amber do not differ at all from modern ones. ... >>

Transformer on vegetable oil 05.08.2007

The English branch of the French energy company EDF has designed an industrial transformer that uses vegetable oil as the insulating and cooling liquid. Now either mineral oils or special synthetic fluids are used. Both of them cause environmental damage in the event of an accident and release into the environment. The authors of the idea say that vegetable oil extends the life of the transformer and reduces the possibility of fire. Already this year, a 132 kilovolt transformer filled with 30 liters of vegetable oil is to be put into operation near London. ... >>

Plastic planes getting ready to take off 03.08.2007

At the aircraft factory in Seattle (USA), by order of one of the Italian airlines, a Boeing 787 is being built, two sections of the fuselage of which are made of plastic reinforced with carbon fibers. Plastics will make up half of the total weight of the 250-passenger liner. This is the largest proportion of plastic. ever used in civil aircraft. The "plastic" plane is due to take off in 2008. ... >>

Toshiba promises 10-year battery life 30.07.2007

Toshiba promises to release a battery with a lifespan of 10 years, or 5000 recharge cycles. The capacity can only decrease after 3000 cycles and only by 10%. In addition, the developers report the unique ability of the battery to charge up to 90% in just 5 minutes. Toshiba will begin production of the Super Charge ion Battery (SCiB) next year, with plans to sell 2016 billion batteries by March 100. The company calls its invention "a breakthrough among rechargeable batteries." The capacity of each cell is 4,2 Ah. It is capable of delivering a voltage of 2,4 V with a weight of 150 grams. It is planned to combine 10 cells. Thus, the dimensions of the battery will be 100x300x45 mm, and the voltage is 24 V. In addition, the battery demonstrates a high degree of safety. The cathode is resistant to overheating and has a high ignition temperature. The design of the battery is made in such a way as to protect it from internal shorting and thermal emission. Ignition and ignition of the battery are practically excluded. Plani's invention ... >>

LOG114 - new logarithmic amplifier 29.07.2007

Texas Instruments has introduced a new precision high-speed (1µs transient) logarithmic amplifier that produces an output voltage or current as the natural or decimal logarithm of the input voltage or current. LOG114 has a dynamic range of 8 decades and implements the logarithm function without the use of external components. The LOG114 is specifically designed to amplify the photodiode output of fiber optic cables in communication systems. The LOG114 can also be used for optical density measurements in medical and industrial applications. The QFN-16 package allows the amplifier to be used in compact plug-in modules and multi-channel systems. High speed and wide dynamic range (27 bit equivalent; 100 pA to 10 mA input) with high accuracy make the LOG 114 suitable for laser control applications. The amplifier has a built-in 2,5 V reference voltage source and two independent ... >>

Controllers for digital control of power supplies 29.07.2007

Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI), continuing to expand its range of digital signal processors (DSP), announced the start of mass production of digital signal processors TMS320F28044 and F2809. These 32-bit controllers have a performance of 100 MIPS and are ideal for digital power management, motor drive control and information acquisition applications. The F28044 controller allows power system designers to move towards software-based digital control of power supplies. This controller is designed to organize multi-channel power supply for point-of-load devices, for example, in telecommunications and network equipment, servers, laptops and industrial equipment. Based on the F2809 controllers, due to the presence of a large set of I / O devices and peripheral communication devices, it is possible to create industrial control systems with a high degree of integration. ... >>

High voltage DC/DC converter with integrated frequency switch 28.07.2007

Maxim Integrated Products introduces the MAX15020, a high voltage DC/DC converter capable of delivering up to 2A of output current at a switching frequency of up to 500kHz. The high switching frequency, along with the built-in power switch (0,1 ohm), reduces the number and size of external components required for the end device, thereby reducing installation space and overall cost. Operating at a wide range of 7,5 to 40 V input voltage levels, the MAX15020 is ideal for automotive, industrial, and printing applications. The MAX15020 uses a voltage feed-forward circuit that provides good noise immunity in high-voltage applications and allows external compensation to be used to increase device flexibility. This converter has an internal switching frequency of 300 kHz and 500 kHz, or can be synchronized to an external clock from 100 kHz to 500 kHz. MAX15020 allows developers to ... >>

NXP Opens Design Center in Singapore to Develop W-USB Technology 27.07.2007

On July 24, NXP Semiconductors announced the opening of a design center in Singapore. The main task of the center will be the development of wireless USB technology (W-USB). NXP plans to spend more than 5 million euros on the project over the next 90 years as part of an annual development investment to bring wireless USB technology to the forefront and maximize its application in consumer products. With W-USB speeds outperforming the Bluetooth and WiFi of today's devices, the user is able to transfer data faster (480 MB/s) over short distances (10 meters). ... >>

RFID to disable pirated discs 27.07.2007

NXP Semiconductors has adopted RFID to disable pirated discs. The essence of the technology lies in the fact that by introducing a special coating and an RFID chip, the disks are deactivated during production, and then reactivated at legal points of sale. Thus, content theft is eliminated at least at the stage of production and distribution of media, which should reduce the overall level of piracy and reduce the number of times a movie or game is released before the official release. When a DVD is produced, a tiny RF ID chip is embedded in it, and an electro-optical coating 0,01 human hair thick is applied to prevent playback. Then, at the place of legal sale, a special RFA (Radio Frequency Activation) scanner reads information from the chip, authenticates the disk, and if everything is in order, gives a signal to "turn off" the electro-optical protection. The creators of the new technology believe that it can be adapted to protect against piracy and other consumer products, for example, ... >>

LMP8100 Programmable Gain Amplifier 26.07.2007

The LMP8IOA op amp provides a guaranteed gain accuracy of 0,03% from 1 V/V to 16 V/V (in 1 V/V steps) over the entire industrial temperature range of -40 to 125°C. National Semiconductor introduced the LMP8100, a semi-precision PGA amplifier with a software gain accuracy of 0,075% over a temperature range of -40 to 85°C. The gain is set using an array of 16 precision thin film resistors. At the heart of the PGA amplifiers is a 33 MHz op amp with CMOS outputs, rail-to-rail, with a typical gain of 110 dB. Features of the LMP8100 The LMP8100 provides four levels of internal frequency compensation that widens the signal's bandwidth at high gain settings. Their built-in zero output calibration option allows the user to measure the output voltage offset to calibrate temperature and voltage error reduction. Amplifier mode prog ... >>

MAX9730 Class G Audio Power Amplifier 25.07.2007

Maxim Integrated Products introduced the new MAX34 class G mono audio power amplifier (UM9730) with a single supply voltage and an output power of 2,4 watts. MAX9730 is made according to class G architecture and integrates a capacitive supply voltage converter, which allows it to develop 2 times higher power when powered by a Li-Ion battery compared to UMZCH class AB or D. Capacitive converter when powered by a voltage of 2,7... 5,5 V gives a current of up to 500 mA and, when powered by a voltage of 3,3 V, it is guaranteed to develop a power of 2,4 W at an 8-ohm load. Using the MAX9730 can significantly reduce the size and cost of the overall solution by eliminating the boost converter and bulky inductance typically required to achieve the same performance. This makes the MAX9730 especially suitable for cell phones, laptops and other portable devices with limited board sizes. MAX9730 is designed for ... >>

New power supplies for LED applications 24.07.2007

Mean Well has introduced a new series of 60W enclosed AC/DC power supplies ELN-60. Designed for LED applications, ELN-60, unlike the PLN-60 series, does not have a power factor corrector, which has reduced the price of the product. The fixtures meet the requirements of UL 1310 class 2, which means that in any situation the output will be less than 100 VA or 5 A. This will greatly reduce the hazard to those who install or maintain LED systems. The IP64 waterproof and dustproof plastic housing protects the electronic parts of these power supplies from dust and moisture, which makes them suitable for use in various adverse conditions: for outdoor installation or in rooms with a high content of dust or moisture in the air. The efficiency of power supplies of the ELN-60 series reaches 88%, the devices can operate in a wide temperature range of -20...60°C, they do not require external airflow. Standard ... >>

New mains power supplies 24.07.2007

Mean Well has expanded the NES series of compact network power supplies with a new model with the most demanded power on the market - 150W. AC/DC converters NES150 of universal application are produced in a perforated metal case, the small dimensions (199x98x38 mm) of the block make it 32% more compact than its predecessor, the S-150 series. NES power supplies have a universal input: they can operate at an input voltage of 220 or 110 V AC, as well as at DC at an ambient temperature of -20 to 60 ° C. Output voltage options: 3,3, 5, 7,5, 9, 12, 15, 24 or 48 V. Converters have a set of protections: against short circuit, overload, overvoltage and overheating, comply with electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility standards. The efficiency is 86%. AC / DC converters NES-150 designed for use in industrial automation, mechanical engineering, the production of illuminated advertising and instrumental applications. ... >>

DC/DC converters NSD-10 and NSD-15 for board mounting 23.07.2007

Mean Well announced the start of production of new modular PCB-mounted DC/DC converters NSD-10 and NSD-15 with 10W and 15W respectively. The new products are a lower power expansion of the popular DC/DC converter line and are designed for the growing market for distributed power applications. The products of the new series are identical in size and pinout to their predecessors ASD-10H and ASD-15H, but they are characterized by increased performance, economy, and a number of additional functions. The input voltages of the new converters are 12V and 48V, the range of output voltages selectable by the user includes 3,3V; 5 V; 9V (except NSD-15); 12V; 15 V; +5V; +12 V; +15 V. Isolation between input and output is 1500 V DC. Other features of the new products include remote on/off, short circuit, over voltage and overload protection. Models with a power of 15 W also ... >>

INA209 - power control circuit 23.07.2007

Texas Instruments Introduces the INA209 PC-Interface Integrated Circuit for Bi-Directional Current/Power Control via the Positive Power Line range -209...40°С and offset not more than 85 μV. The IC allows you to control and manage current, voltage and power in a variety of devices, incl. servers, telecommunications equipment, battery chargers, automotive and measuring equipment. INA100 monitors the voltage drop across the current sense resistor, as well as the voltage at the point of connection of this resistor to the load (monitored range 209...+0 V). The built-in multiplier and calibration register perform the formation of the result of the measurement of current in amperes and power in watts. Microsh ... >>

Texas Instruments to release ULP Bluetooth chips 22.07.2007

Texas Instruments has announced its intention to develop chips for ultra low-voltage (ultra lowpower, ULP) powered miniature devices that comply with the new ULP Bluetooth specification. The development of this extension of the main standard was initiated by Nokia at one time, and the technology was previously known under the brand name Wibree. It is assumed that from a very small, "coin" battery, the ULP Bluetooth chip will be able to work for about a year, the range will be 10 meters, and the transmission rate will be up to 1 Mbps. The frequency range is the same - 2,4 GHz. TI intends to produce both types of possible implementations of ULP Bluetooth - both chips that support only one mode and are able to communicate only with their counterparts, and chips with two modes of communication, allowing you to exchange data not only with "their own kind", but also with devices equipped with a "traditional" Bluetooth interface. ... >>

New microcontroller from Maxim 21.07.2007

The MAXQ3100 microcontroller from Maxim Integrated Products is a low-power, 16-bit RISC microcontroller. It contains a 160-segment LCD controller, two analog comparators with a 1,25 V precision reference, a separate battery-powered real-time clock module, three 16-bit timers, a digital temperature sensor, and two universal synchronous/asynchronous transceivers, one of which can be used for infrared communication. This feature set makes the MAXQ3100 microcontroller ideal for use in single-phase electricity meters and other utility meters (water, heat, gas). The microcontroller can also be used in smart sensors, industrial automation devices, household appliances, security systems, thermostats, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and other applications. The microcontroller operates at a fixed frequency of 4,194 MHz, which is synthesized from the original clock quad frequency. ... >>

New miniature quartz resonators in SMD package 21.07.2007

Gcycr Electronic announced the release of a new series of KXO-V95 crystal oscillators designed for use in portable high-tech products. The dimensions of the housings of the new generators are 2,5x2 mm with a height of only 0,82 mm, the frequency range is from 1 MHz to 70 MHz, the supply voltage is from 2,5 to 3,3 V, and the error in the temperature range is from -20 ° C up to 70°C is +50 ppm. The resonators have a tristable state and low jitter, and are also available in an extended temperature range from -40°C to 85°C. ... >>

New family of programmable smart keys 20.07.2007

International Rectifier Corporation announced the start of mass production of a family of top-level power smart switches with programmable current cutoff and built-in protections. The new IR331x keys are designed to work in 14V networks. They increase the reliability of the control devices for lighting devices, diesel engine glow plugs, air conditioner heaters, fans of the engine and passenger compartment cooling system. Keys of the IR331x family provide an error in measuring information of the OS on current no more than 5% of the maximum current over the entire temperature range and high measurement accuracy at low currents. The current bandwidth of the OS is 100 kHz. This allows the microcontroller to effectively regulate the load current. For applications with low switching frequency, the new keys provide a soft start mode. ... >>

Load Controller for Power over Ethernet 19.07.2007

National Semiconductor introduced the LM5073, a load controller (PD) for Power over Ethernet systems with adjustable output current limiting and the ability to work with a DC/DC converter of any topology. The new PoE (Powerover-Ethernet) controller LM5073 contains a programmable interface port, incl. a hot-swap controller that exceeds the IEEE 802.3af standard and allows designers to handle power levels of 30W or more. The IC is targeted at IP telephony, remote surveillance cameras, card readers, wireless access points, industrial automation systems and PoE-enabled retail terminals. The LM5073 supports the ability to connect an alternative unregulated power source such as an AC adapter or solar panels in a variety of configurations. ... >>

motion sensor for a wide range of applications 19.07.2007

STMicroelectronics has expanded its line of motion sensors with a new two-axis linear accelerometer with a digital output. The L1S202DL is a micro power miniature sensor with intelligent functions, designed for wide use in both household appliances and industrial applications. The accelerometer possesses intellectual and capabilities thanks to the integrated circuit built into the sensor and the high-frequency filter, which allows you to react and distinguish between the impact - single or double touch, determine movement (movement, lifting). LIS202DL allows, for example, to turn off the phone ringing in your pocket without taking it out - with one touch of your hand. Adjustable high-pass filters can be configured to monitor vibration or activate desired device functions through movement. The possibility of implementing the specified functions by external influence does not depend on the position of the object under study at the time of measurements. ... >>

New DC/DC converter from Texas Instruments 18.07.2007

Texas Instruments introduced the TPS40K, a universal synchronous buck converter that greatly simplifies the power supply of LCD TVs and authorized broadcast set-top boxes that use digital signal processors (DSPs) and programmable FPGA logic. The TPS40195 supports a number of features that can improve the power performance of systems that require a 4,5...20V supply voltage. For example, an integrated circuit uses a converted input voltage for its own power supply, which eliminates the need for additional voltages to power the IC. The TPS40195 controller, which is housed in a 16-pin TSSOP package, has a bi-directional clock pin that allows anti-phase operation with another buck controller. This configuration reduces the capacitance of large capacitors and saves board size and cost when operating with 5- and 12-volt power supplies. ... >>

Microcontroller MSP430F47X4 for electricity meters 18.07.2007

As manufacturers of electronic energy metering systems try to optimize product costs while increasing functionality and reducing power consumption, Texas Instruments Inc. (TI) has developed a new series of low power MSP430F47X4 microcontrollers for single and multi-phase energy meters. The chip can contain up to four 16-bit sigma-delta ADCs, 32 32-bit hardware multipliers, a 160-segment LC display driver with contrast control, up to 60 kB of flash memory, and a real-time timer. Also, the line of TI measuring systems contains devices specially designed for measuring the flow of liquids and gases, interfaces for organizing the transmission of information over power networks (PLC), radio frequencies in automatic meter reading systems. With a consumption of up to 1,5 μA, measuring devices built on new microcircuits can significantly reduce energy consumption. ... >>

TI pocket projector 17.07.2007

The pocket projector industry is looming more and more for the foreseeable future. Prototypes of such projectors are regularly shown at exhibitions, and an increasing number of companies are involved in this still undeveloped area. Texas Instruments has unveiled its prototype of a pocket projector for mobile devices based on the use of a DLP chip (digital light processing). The demonstrated projector consists of 3 lasers, a DLP chip, a power supply and has a length of less than 4 cm. Thus, in terms of its dimensions, such a projector can fit on a human finger and, at the same time, is capable of projecting an A4 image in the presence of lighting. Moreover, the demonstrated DLP-chip is capable of outputting an image with a resolution of HVGA (640x240), which is twice the resolution of the screen of traditional mobile phones. Regarding the future development of this prototype, representatives of Texas Instruments are optimistic and predict that it will soon ... >>

Texas Instruments Single-Chip Solutions for Mobile Phones 16.07.2007

Texas Instruments has unveiled its roadmap for new single-chip 65nm mobile phone solutions that it plans to secure a competitive edge over rivals Infineon and others. For some time now, TI has been producing a single-chip LoCosto device at 90nm, aimed at the explosively growing market for low-cost GSM phones. A 65nm version of LoCosto is currently in development and shipments will start "very soon" according to the manufacturer. TI is preparing to release another line of 65 nm single-chip solutions for eCosto mobile phones. The first representative of this platform will be the OMAPV1035 chip supporting GSM, GPRS and EDGE standards. ... >>

Two-stage current sensors 16.07.2007

Texas Instruments introduced two current sensors with a common-mode input voltage range of -16V to 80V. The INA270 and INA271 have a two-stage architecture and are designed for applications where input signal filtering is required. To solve the problems encountered when measuring low shunt voltage drops in the presence of high common mode voltage, filter circuits can be inserted between the INA270 and INA271 stages to maintain a buffered output voltage. As a result, when driving ADCs or low-impedance loads, no additional amplifiers are required. The common-mode voltage range at the INA270 and INA271 input is from -16 V (reverse voltage of a car battery) to +80 V during short-term overloads. accuracy (maximum error no more than 2,7% over the entire temperature range), w ... >>

It's time to fly on hydrogen 15.07.2007

Scientists from the EU received a grant of 2,9 million euros to develop a hydrogen aircraft. Fuel cells are already well developed, and it's time to find new applications for them. To make a fuel cell aircraft, you need to completely redo its entire propulsion part: instead of a conventional engine, put an electric one, which will rotate the motors of a fully electric aircraft. The main advantages of this type of transport are the absence of harmful exhaust and low noise levels. The latter is especially important for local European airlines: a low-noise aircraft will be able to take off and land near any settlements both day and night. This is no longer possible because EU countries have strict noise regulations, especially at night. True, flying on an airplane with a tank of hydrogen on board is not a pleasure for the faint of heart, because this gas seeps even through metal and explodes, reaching the concentration of an explosive mixture. Therefore, as they say ... >>

The radar will warm 14.07.2007

US scientists have come up with a device that collects dissipated heat. There is a lot of dissipated heat around us. And in some places there are a lot of them. For example, where there are huge military radars or powerful power plants. By collecting this heat and converting it into electricity, a lot of fuel could be saved. How to do this was invented by Professor Orest Simko from the University of Utah (USA). The design is based on thermoacoustic conversion: the heat entering the resonator cylinder is converted into a sound wave. At a certain moment, its parameters become such that the resonator absorbs almost 80% of the incident energy. The wave then acts on the piezocrystal, which generates electricity. One of the serious advantages of the device is the absence of moving parts. Professor Simko began his work in 2005, intending to develop a miniature cooler for electronics. Now he has been given $2 million for this project, and ... >>

OptiML WLC Technology 14.07.2007

The development of Tessera Technologies, codenamed OptiML WLO, will significantly reduce the dimensions of cameras built into mobile phones, as well as significantly reduce their cost. OptiML WLC technology imprints thousands of microlenses into plates, which are then aligned and stacked on top of each other using another patented design, the WaferStack, and then cut into individual lenses that are placed in front of the camera's sensor. Such an optical module is 50% more compact than its counterpart used in modern camera phones. ... >>

WD Passport Pocket external hard drive 13.07.2007

A new addition to Western Digital's Passport Pocket line of hard drives. The capacity of the WDXMS2500 model is 250 GB. The connection to the computer is made via the USB 2.0 interface. The device is very compact and lightweight - its dimensions are 15x129,78x79,78 mm, and its weight is just over 100 g. The miniature external HDD comes with proprietary WD Sync software that facilitates data synchronization. ... >>

Mobile phone Ericsson K850i 12.07.2007

Sony Ericsson has officially introduced a new mobile phone K850i, which allows you to take pictures with a resolution of 5 megapixels, including using the built-in flash and burst mode (BestPic). Like previous Sony Ericsson camera phones, the new product uses the same Cybershot trademark as Sony's digital cameras. An intuitive interface ensures simplicity and ease of operation, both when shooting and when viewing the resulting image. ... >>

houseplant for diabetes 12.07.2007

Gardenia jasmine - a common indoor plant of the madder family (that is, a relative of coffee and cinchona) - comes from China. Gardenia fruits have been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years to treat the most common form of diabetes (although ancient Chinese physicians did not know that the cause of this disease was insufficient insulin production). Now employees of the University of Nanjing have proved in experiments that the extract from the gardenia fruit stimulates pancreatic cells that synthesize insulin. They were able to isolate from the fruits of the plant a low-molecular aromatic compound genipin, which inhibits the action of a special protein that inhibits the production of insulin in diabetic patients. Experiments have so far been carried out on a culture of pancreatic cells; the matter has not yet reached clinical trials. Gardenia fruit extract is used in traditional Chinese medicine also as an anti-inflammatory agent, and more recently it has been found to have an antitumor effect. ... >>

Molecule magnetism 11.07.2007

French physicists have created a subminiature sensor for measuring the magnetic field. The device, a few micrometers across, consists of strips of palladium-coated aluminum and operates at temperatures as low as minus 272 degrees Celsius. It is capable of measuring the magnetization of a single molecule. ... >>

Juice in a multilayer bottle 10.07.2007

Researchers from the French Higher School of Agricultural Sciences propose pouring orange juice into multi-layer polymeric bottles made from the same polyethylene terephthalate (PET) that regular ones are made from. Three layers of plastic provide better protection against atmospheric oxidation of vitamins than one layer. During nine months of storage in a single-layer bottle, orange juice loses more than 80% of vitamin C, in a multi-layer bottle - only 37%. And yet, glass is even better: only 25% of the vitamin is lost in glass containers during this period. ... >>

alarm clock gene 10.07.2007

Physiologists from the University of Surrey (England), studying the human biological clock, discovered a gene that determines when a person prefers to go to bed and get up. The PER3 gene occurs in two forms, one slightly longer than the other, and both produce slightly different proteins. It turned out that if you received two shorter versions from both parents, you are most likely a "night owl", and if two long ones - a "lark". ... >>

Illuminated patch 09.07.2007

For many years, photodynamic therapy has been used to treat skin cancer: a relatively harmless substance is administered to the patient, which is absorbed mainly by cancer cells. Then the tumor is irradiated with light of a certain wavelength, which is why the substance accumulated in it is activated, killing malignant cells. But the equipment for irradiation is cumbersome and requires maintenance by specialists, so treatment can only take place in a hospital. A group of British doctors and physicists have developed a patch based on an organic polymer that glows when exposed to an electric current. Such light sources are now used in the displays of cell phones, digital cameras, laptop screens. A polymer has been selected that emits light of the wavelength required for treatment. The patch is stuck on the sore spot, the battery is put in your pocket - and the treatment goes anywhere. ... >>

paper battery 08.07.2007

The Finnish company Enfusell has started producing flexible paper-based batteries. A "sandwich" 0,3-0,7 mm thick consists of a paper layer smeared with zinc paste on one side and manganese dioxide on the other. Ions, flowing between the reagents through the pores of the paper, create a potential difference. The battery develops a voltage of 1,5-3 volts. It is completely harmless from an environmental point of view, as it does not contain mercury, cadmium and other heavy metals. ... >>

Ocean under Beijing 08.07.2007

Seismic studies have made it possible to discover under East Asia, at depths of 600 and 1200 kilometers (this is the lower layer of the mantle), huge reserves of water. The pores of the mantle rocks here contain as much water as in the entire Arctic Ocean. The center of this deep reservoir is located in the Beijing area. It is believed that the water was "pushed" so deeply by the movement of tectonic plates under the Pacific Ocean about a hundred million years ago. This water betrayed itself by dampening the seismic waves that propagate through the Earth during earthquakes. ... >>

Asthma treated with radio waves 07.07.2007

A new method of asthma treatment is used at the University of Hamilton (Canada). Under light anesthesia and X-ray control, a thin antenna is launched into the lungs of the patient, emitting radio waves of the same range as in microwave ovens. It warms up the muscle tissue of the bronchi to 10 degrees Celsius for 65 seconds. The experiments were carried out on a group of 112 asthmatics, half of whom received only conventional medications, and the other half also received microwave treatment. As a result, patients in the experimental group had half as many attacks of the disease per year as compared to those treated with drugs alone. ... >>

Boat on autopilot 06.07.2007

Employees of the Institute for the Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems in Magdeburg (Germany) have created an automatic navigation system for river vessels. This river autopilot operates on the basis of information received from satellite navigation devices, radar and electronic maps of the fairway embedded in the computer. The system regularly receives by radio fresh data on changes in the water level in the river. The autopilot has so far been installed on two experimental boats, and in the future, after testing and improvement, it will be able to be used on large vessels up to 250 meters long. He will not be trusted to navigate a vessel without human supervision, but will be of great help when driving in fog and in other difficult situations. ... >>

Pharmacist robot 06.07.2007

A robot has been serving in one of the pharmacies in the French town of Fash-Tyumenil since last year. When a customer arrives with a prescription, the pharmacist enters the prescription into the computer, the robot selects the right medicines by reading their barcodes on boxes and jars, and puts the medicines on a conveyor belt, which takes the purchase to the dispensing window. ... >>

Non-ferrous metals turned black 05.07.2007

In one of the laboratories of the University of Rochester (USA), they found a way to blacken the surface of metals using a laser, so much so that the treated surface absorbs almost 100 percent of the light, practically turning into a completely black body. A series of laser light pulses with a duration of several billionths of a second melts microscopic pits in the metal, in which the light rays are confused, repeatedly reflected from the walls and absorbed by them. So scientists were able to blacken the surface of gold, copper, platinum, aluminum, zinc and tungsten. Presumably, the method is suitable for any metals. Since, due to the many microscopic potholes, the area of ​​the treated surface is greatly increased, the reaction method also increases. ... >>

New copper mine in Germany 04.07.2007

It is hard to believe, but in the center of Europe, which has long been studied geologically, on the border between Brandenburg and Saxony, a new deposit of copper ore has been discovered. On a plot measuring 14 by 3 kilometers, at a depth of one and a half kilometers, there are approximately one and a half million tons of copper ore. True, analyzes showed a copper content of only two percent. This means that only 30 thousand tons of pure copper can be smelted, while the German industry annually consumes more than a million tons of copper. Apparently, the deposit will be mothballed until the time when the price of copper rises significantly. ... >>

Part of the brain responsible for nicotine addiction 04.07.2007

American Nathan N was a passionate smoker: for 24 years he smoked two packs of strong cigarettes without a filter every day. But after a stroke, he quit smoking literally the next day - he just got sick of it. At the University of Iowa Clinic (USA), using a tomograph, it was found that a certain small area of ​​the so-called prefrontal cortex of the brain was damaged in the patient. Interested in this case, the scientists found 19 more smokers with this localization of brain damage. It turned out that 12 of them, that is, 63%, also immediately got rid of a long-term habit after a stroke. The prefrontal cortex deals with the emerging needs of the body and their translation into conscious actions. It is believed that it is in one of its sections that the desire to smoke “sits”. ... >>

The monkeys are arming 03.07.2007

Biologists studying chimpanzees in southeastern Senegal have discovered that these monkeys have begun to hunt with spears. Chimpanzees living in the Senegal savanna often hunt green monkeys, but adult males eat their prey almost completely, leaving almost nothing for females and juveniles. Therefore, the oppressed classes found their own way to get meat. They make short spears from tree branches, sharpening one end with their teeth, and with this weapon they hunt galago lemurs. Galagos are nocturnal animals, and during the day they usually hide in hollow trees. The chimpanzee strikes the hollow with force with a spear, repeating the blow several times, and if there was a lemur, after that it remains only to extract the prey. Moreover, Senegalese chimpanzees during the dry season, during the intense heat, hide in caves, where it is much colder. Perhaps this is the beginning of the transition to life in caves, as was the case with prehistoric man. And one of the biologists says that he would not be surprised if the walls of these caves soon ... >>

petrified bread 02.07.2007

During excavations in the center of the city of Reims (France), the remains of a Roman villa burned down more than 2000 years ago were found. The fire spared the wooden tray, on which lay buns and three amphoras, one of them contained grains of wheat. Bread, burnt in a fire, has become completely petrified over the past centuries. ... >>

Mouse Anatomy News 02.07.2007

It would seem that the laboratory white mouse has been studied up and down, but the immunologist Hans-Reimer Rodewald from the University of Ulm (Germany) was able to find a new, previously unknown organ in her. This is a substitute for the thymus gland, where immune cells are produced - T-lymphocytes and some important hormones. The new gland is much smaller than the thymus and lies not in the chest, but in the neck of the mouse. Biologists believe that it makes sense to look for a second thymus gland in humans. ... >>

edible cotton 01.07.2007

The plant itself needs the white cotton fiber so valued by man only in order to spread seeds through the wind. Therefore, even in cultivars bred to make the fiber as long as possible, there are 1,65 kilograms of seeds per kilogram of "cotton wool". They are rich in high-quality protein, but cannot be eaten by humans, as they contain the poisonous substance gossypol (ruminants still digest gossypol with their complex stomach, so cotton seeds can be used for fodder). Indian geneticist Kirti Ratore managed to develop a cotton variety by genetic engineering, the content of gossypol in the seeds of which is about 30 times lower than the level dangerous to humans. Moreover, in other parts of the plant, this poison, necessary for protection against insects, remained. In the 30s of the last century, a variety was already obtained that was completely devoid of gossypol, but it could not resist the pests. If you replace all the cotton in the fields of the world with a new variety, it will be able to provide protein food every year. ... >>

New RS-485 transceivers 28.06.2007

Maxim Integrated Products introduced the MAX485E/MAX13487E half-duplex RS13488 transceivers. A feature of these microcircuits is the presence of the AutoDirection Control function, which automatically enables the driver to work during data transfer. This feature eliminates the need for a transmitter enable control input, resulting in space and component savings in isolated instrumentation, automotive and industrial applications. The MAX13487E provides +15 kV ESD protection according to the IEC 61000-4-2 AirGap Method. At the same time, both microcircuits provide protection against static electricity discharges of +15 kV when tested according to the Human Body Model method. The transmitters of the MAX13487E chip have a slew rate limit and provide a reduced level of EMI. ... >>

Digital tachograph adapter 26.06.2007

Erco&Gener announced the launch of the digital tachograph adapter Genl0400. The device allows you to connect the Diagnosis or INFO output of a digital tachograph, which most modern cars are equipped with, directly to the input of the GenLock31E GSM modem via the RS-232 interface. Thus, the tachograph data is transmitted to the GSM modem, which allows using the built-in Open AT application to remotely monitor the speed and movement of the vehicle. ... >>

New isolated 125W AC/DC converter with two outputs 24.06.2007

Mean Well has added two new models to its G3 series of AC/DC buck converters: RID-125-1205 and R1D-125-2405. The new 125W models without forced cooling are the same as the previous models of the G3 series in terms of main characteristics. However, all electrolytic capacitors used in them can withstand temperatures up to 105°C. In addition, the new modules withstand a short-term (5 sec) input voltage surge up to 300 V and vibration up to 5g, which allows them to be used in harsh environments. The voltage at the main output of the converter is switchable, 12 V or 24 V, and at the additional output - 5 V / 3 A to power the logic circuits. The new converters are designed for use in industrial automation, test equipment, cash and bank terminals, printers and plotters. Isolation between outputs and protection against short circuits and overloads complete the features of the new converters. ... >>

MAX16831 LED Driver 22.06.2007

Maxim Integrated Products has introduced the MAX16831, a high-power, high-voltage DC LED driver with analog or PWM controlled dimming. It integrates a floating current sensing amplifier and a dimmable MOSFET driver to reduce the number of elements and ensure high reliability when driving ultra-bright LEDs in general lighting and automotive applications. The MAX16831 chip is designed to work in harsh conditions of external influencing factors. The MAX 16831 has an input voltage operating range of 5,4 to 76 volts for compatibility with cold-on and load surge conditions (up to 80V). This IC is designed for high and low dispersion headlight units, adaptive front lighting systems, low beam headlamps and fog lamps, as it develops ... >>

New Microchip Instruments for Smart Sensors 20.06.2007

Microchip Technology Inc. announced the release of a family of digital signal controllers (Digital Signal Controller, DSC), designated dsPIC33FJ12GP. The novelties are particularly well suited for smart sensor applications because they are, firstly, the smallest DSCs in the world, secondly, have low power consumption, and, thirdly, are inexpensive. Embedded designers are often forced to separate sensors and processors because the size of the components does not allow everything to be located in one place without increasing the size of the sensors or repackaging the product. This, in turn, can adversely affect the performance and immunity of the system. With the dsPIC33FJ12GP, developers can place the signal processor close to the sensor, eliminating the source of interference and offloading the CPU. ... >>

Universal power controller for mobile applications 19.06.2007

National Semiconductor's LP3910 is a flexible Power Management Unit (PMU) solution that includes an integrated buck-boost converter and several different voltage regulators. In addition, the LP3910 has two separate inputs for powering the device and charging batteries from the USB bus or AC adapter. The integrated charge controller supports automatic switching of energy sources. The presence of a PC interface allows designers to change the electrical characteristics and modes of the power system, such as output voltage values ​​​​and options for switching power supplies for a specific application. In portable devices using 3,3V power, a boost-buck converter will extend battery life. Li-Ion battery, as the most popular choice for powering mobile applications, typically has an operating voltage range of 2,9V to 4,2V. When the battery ... >>

High-voltage ultra-bright LED drivers from IR 18.06.2007

Possible applications for these drivers are architectural and decorative lighting, color music, outdoor and indoor signaling. The 200V and 600V rated IRS254x series includes a hysteresis step-down regulator with a delay to control the average current to within 5% accuracy based on an accurate estimate of the difference between the current voltage and the maximum allowable voltage. An external high-level bootstrap circuit controls the operation of the key flyback stage at frequencies up to 500 kHz. The low level driver is used when the synchronous rectifier is running. The IRS254x series ICs compensate for variations in LED parameters to implement control devices with improved accuracy and high internal stability. The new ICs provide a micro-power start mode with less than 500 uA consumption and a 140 nsec switching pause. Other features of the new drivers are restart mode, latchless shutdown, PWM dimming capabilities. ... >>

New Solid State Relays International Rectifier 16.06.2007

Compared to its peers and predecessors, the PVN012A family has half the AC on-state resistance (Rdd(on)) and 37,5% higher AC load capacity at 100% duty cycle. The new relay series is also rated for the maximum impulse (overload) current. With low channel resistance and high current carrying capacity combined with a compact housing, the PVN012A relays outperform traditional electromechanical relays. They occupy a smaller area, are rated for high isolation voltage between input and output, have a stable open resistance throughout the entire service life, high sensitivity and high reliability, and are free from contact bounce. The new relays are rated for 20 V, with an on-state resistance of 50 mΩ AC and 15 mΩ DC. Current carrying capacity is 4 A AC and 6 A DC ... >>

New Chipset for Class D Audio Amplifiers 15.06.2007

The new IR solution reduces PCB area in Class D audio amplifiers up to 50W by 500% and cuts the required number of power switches in half. The chipset is designed for use in medium and high power audio amplifiers for home theaters, musical instruments, professional amplifiers and car radios. Using the IRS20955(S)(TR)PBF high and low level switch driver eliminates up to 27 external components from the circuit. A high level of protection is provided by an integrated programmable bi-directional current feedback with automatic reset capability, which allows the high voltage IC to determine the exact current position on the switching cycle diagram and optimize the performance of the current protection loop. IC-integrated protection features save up to 11 circuit components. ... >>

First 200V DirectFET Transistor from IR 13.06.2007

The new transistor is designed for use in isolated DC/DC converters powered by a universal bus (36...75 V). With ultra-low channel resistance (51mΩ) and low gate charge, the IRF6641TRPbF is ideal for synchronous rectifiers of high-efficiency, high-current, high-frequency DC/DC converters, the latest generation of bus converters, DC drive, and even 48V wind turbine converters. In addition, it can be used in high-current AC/DC converters of computers and telecommunications servers powered by a 48-volt bus. The new DirectFET MZ type transistor in SO-8 package dimensions and 0,7 mm package height provides 25 A current with minimal conduction and switching losses. It replaces up to 3 transistors in an SO-8 package and saves up to 50% PCB area. The transistor provides the efficiency of synchronous rectifiers up to 95% or the same level of efficiency that with twice the number of transistors in the circuit ... >>

Nanorobot Generator 12.06.2007

US scientists have made a device that can power a nanorobot. About a year ago, professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology (USA) Tsong Ling Wang proposed creating electricity generators for nanorobots using zinc oxide nanowires. This year, scientists under his leadership managed to realize the idea and make a prototype of a generator capable of delivering direct electric current. According to calculations, one cubic centimeter of such a generator can produce a huge voltage for a nanorobot - up to 4 V. The generator is arranged like this. Thousands of zinc oxide nanowires half a micron long have been grown on a gallium arsenide substrate. Between the wires and the substrate is a layer of zinc oxide - it collects electricity. And the second electrode consists of silicon oxide, on which thousands of bumps are grown, forming zigzag lines. These tubercles are covered with platinum and are capable of conducting current. Under the action of vibration, nanowires, firstly, generate electricity for ... >>

XNUMXD ultrasound 11.06.2007

German programmers offer a cheap way to obtain three-dimensional images using a conventional ultrasound device. A lot of interesting things can be seen inside the human body with the help of ultrasound - from kidney stones to tumors. However, a conventional device builds a two-dimensional picture. And for the surgeon to plan the operation, it would be useful to look at the three-dimensional image of the same tumor. Such devices appeared in the 90s, they are very expensive, more than 50 thousand euros, and only a rich clinic in a rich country can afford this equipment. Scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Technology figured out how to do the same for just 400 euros. “We have equipped a conventional ultrasonic instrument with inertial sensors that can accurately indicate the position and orientation of the emitter,” says project leader Dr. Urs Schneider. ... >>

Advertising poster look counter 10.06.2007

Canadian scientists have figured out how to count the people who look at this or that advertising poster. "For fifteen years we have been working on a device that will allow you to control a computer with your eyes as freely as a mouse. But it turned out that this technology can be used in advertising," says Roel Vertegaal, professor at Queen's University (Canada). The device invented by him and his colleagues is a miniature camera. From a distance of 20 meters, she will see if a person is looking at her. How much attention an advertisement attracts is estimated on the Internet by the number of clicks on a banner. In the case of other types of advertising, direct measurements are difficult. However, if you put a camera near a shield or a plasma screen that can "notice" that someone's gaze is directed at it, and even measure how long this gaze lingers on the object, then a control method will appear. Until recently, such devices were expensive and only worked at a distance of half a meter. ... >>

Plastic solar panels 08.06.2007

Scientists from the USA have brought the efficiency of plastic solar cells to 6%. Silicon solar cells are good because they convert 12% of the energy of the sunlight falling on them into electricity. However, their production is quite expensive, it cannot be said about the raw materials that it is inexhaustible, and the batteries themselves turn out to be heavy: complex supports must be built for them. Another thing is the polymer. It is thin, light, it can be synthesized even from oil, even from vegetable raw materials. And he is able to conduct current, and turn light into electricity, if, of course, the polymer is given the correct structure. But here's the problem - the efficiency of polymer solar cells does not exceed 3%. If it were to reach at least 8%, such material could already be used not for pilot plants, but on an industrial scale. Scientists from Wake Forest University (USA) have made another step towards plastic solar panels, having managed to double the efficiency of a polymer battery - up to 6%. The secret of success in the light-absorbing layer: in it ... >>

Pure Digital FlipVideo Camcorder 07.06.2007

Budget camcorders also have a right to exist. Here is one example. Cheap ($150) and compact device FlipVideo from Pure Digital has an original design and ease of use. To record a video, you just need to press one key located on the device case. 1 GB of internal memory allows you to record up to 60 minutes of video at 640x480 resolution and 30 fps. The camera has a 1,5-inch display and TV-out. AA battery powered. ... >>

IBM Blue Gene supercomputer 05.06.2007

Ten years ago, IBM Deep Blue beat world chess champion Garry Kasparov. Now the leading places in the ranking of the most high-performance supercomputers are occupied by its direct descendants from the Blue Gene series. The fastest of these is installed at the Livermore National Laboratory of the US Department of Energy: it uses 131 Cell Broadband Engine processors to process approximately 280 trillion. operations per second. ... >>

cool mice 04.06.2007

Bruno Conti of the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla (California, USA) genetically modified the perception of body temperature by the brain of mice, as if by shifting the "thermostat" in the brain. The body temperature of mice became lower by 0,3-0,5 degrees Celsius, and as a result they lived 10% longer than normal mice. In absolute terms, the increase was about three months. If such an operation were performed on a person, his life would be extended by 7-8 years. ... >>

Etruscans and their cows 02.06.2007

The origin of the Etruscans is obscure and incomprehensible. This people, who settled on the Apennine Peninsula before the Romans, subsequently conquered and assimilated by them, developed a high culture, left inscriptions in an extremely peculiar language, not fully deciphered until now, created large buildings and amazing works of art. But where the Etruscans came from is unknown. Italian geneticists from the Catholic University of Piacenza studied the mitochondrial DNA of cattle in the part of Italy where the Etruscans lived, and came to the conclusion that, in terms of their genetics, local breeds of cows are closest to those found in the Middle East, in Anatolia and the Levant. Isn't that where their owners came from? By the way, Herodotus wrote that the Etruscans came from Asia Minor. Unfortunately, such a genetic analysis of the people who now inhabit Tuscany will not allow us to confirm or refute this assumption, since people are much more mobile in their movements than cows, and the Etruscan genes have long been dissolved ... >>

Sunny Seville 01.06.2007

In the Spanish province of Seville, a solar power plant with a capacity of 11 megawatts has been launched. More than a hundred mirrors follow the Sun and concentrate its light on a steam boiler, which is mounted on top of an 80-meter tower. Steam rotates a turbine with an electric generator, as in a conventional thermal power plant. There is a thermal accumulator, which allows not to stop the operation of the station for an hour if a cloud has come up. Seville usually has 320 sunny days a year. The solar power plant will be further expanded and by 2010 will turn into a complex with a total capacity of 302 megawatts. ... >>

Platform-in-a-box technology for the ZigBee standard 30.05.2007

Freescale Semiconductor has unveiled an implementation of a single-chip system development platform based on the ZigBee standard. This solution provides the lowest power consumption and highest performance in the industry. The MC1322x platform is designed to provide a battery life of up to 20 years and outperforms existing ZigBee solutions by a factor of two. Freescale's MC1322x platform integrates individual components of a ZigBee system into a single package and reduces the number of external components and system cost using Platform in Package (PiP) technology. The MC1322x contains a 32-bit microcontroller (MC), a fully IEEE 802.15.4 compliant transceiver, balun, and RF matching elements. All this is housed in a small-sized LGA package and eliminates the need for external RF components. This platform features a TurboLink mode designed to increase ... >>

New family of micropower comparators 27.05.2007

National Semiconductor, a leading provider of high-end analog signal processing products, has launched a family of micro-power, high-speed comparators. The LMH7322 is a dual comparator that has low power consumption (21 mA nominal) and a propagation delay of less than 1 ns (700 ps nominal). The LMH7220 features LVDS (Differential Data Transfer Method) and RSPECL (Row Peak Positive Emitter Coupled Logic) outputs. National Semiconductor will begin testing a quad comparator with a specification similar to the LMH7322 in late 2007. The LMH7220 is a high-speed, low-power single comparator with a supply voltage range of 2,7V to 12V. 325 ohm transmission line, providing a balanced output with low sensitivity to noise and EMI (electromagnetic interference) for interfacing with ... >>

MiniSKiiP with thermal paste application 25.05.2007

SEMIKRON offers its customers a new service: the supply of MiniSKiiP miniature IGBT modules with a pre-applied layer of thermally conductive paste. This option allows you to simplify the installation process by eliminating an important and critical technological step, improve the thermal performance of the structure and ensure a high repeatability of the production process. To ensure high stability of thermal parameters, SEMIKRON uses heat-conducting pastes from leading European manufacturers: Wacker P12 (silicone-based) and Electrolube HTC. The new option provides the following advantages: quick and easy installation of modules on the heat sink, the ability to automate production; optimal thickness of the paste layer, reducing the risk of damage to the MiniSKiiP ceramic base; optimal paste distribution in the gap, uniform heat dissipation, minimum thermal resistance; good temporal stability of thermal characteristics. ... >>

High Efficiency Buck Switching Regulators 23.05.2007

The ROHM BD9778F and BD9778HFP step-down switching regulators contain an internal oscillator and a field effect transistor (DMOSFET) for 36V (max) and 2A current. On-state resistance 0,53 ohm (typ). The operating frequency (50...500 kHz) is set by an external resistor. Ultra-low standby current (0 µA typ.) minimizes power consumption in designs. The high reliability of regulators operating in an extended temperature range (-40...125°C) is ensured by built-in overcurrent protection, thermal protection, a high level of ESD protection (4 kV) and an integrated soft start function. High reference voltage accuracy (+2%), 90% conversion efficiency and wide input voltage range (5V...35V) make these devices ideal for use in a wide variety of applications. The regulators are available in SOP8 (BD9778H) and HRP7 (BD9778HFP) packages. ... >>

New delta-sigma ADC 20.05.2007

Microchip has released the MCP3421, a new high-precision 18-bit delta-sigma ADC with a differential input, a built-in 2,048 V reference, a programmable input amplifier (HI, 2, 4, 8), a 2-wire PC interface with selectable conversion frequency ( 3,75...240 samples/s). МСР3421 operates in two modes: a) periodic conversion, b) single conversion (1 sample/s) - the ADC automatically enters standby mode after conversion, which significantly reduces its own consumption. High conversion accuracy, low power consumption, and a tiny SOT-23 package make Microchip's new delta-sigma ADC ideal for a wide range of battery-powered applications. Main features: 18-bit delta-sigma ADC, differential input, supply voltage range 2,7...5,5 V, auto-calibration of offset and gain before each conversion cycle, built-in voltage reference 2,048 V + 0,05% s stability ... >>

Intelligent Time Synchronization Antenna for GPS 18.05.2007

Trimble Navigation announced the launch of the new Acutime Gold smart antenna for GPS. The antenna is an integration of the latest GPS technology in a compact package ready to be used in any system. The device combines a GPS receiver and an antenna itself. When the power is connected, the antenna automatically captures satellite signals and determines its position with an accuracy of up to a meter. Then the device switches to the time synchronization mode and generates a pulse signal with a frequency of 1 Hz, synchronized along the edge with the UTC time signal with an accuracy of +15 ns, while a time stamp is formed at the output for each pulse. The antenna is equipped with an RS-422 interface, which allows you to transmit a signal without interference over long wire lines. The case of the device is resistant to moisture and corrosion. The device complies with the RoHS directive. Operating temperature range - -40...85 C. ... >>

New car steering angle sensor 15.05.2007

In the automotive industry today, the development of electrical and electronic systems such as hybrid electric vehicles and electric power steering meet the challenges of fuel economy and driving comfort. In this case, the electric power steering should be equipped with angle sensors to determine the angle of rotation and torque. In the past, magnetic sensors have been used for this purpose, such as sensors based on a hall element or a coordinate converter. However, most of these devices are installed inside and near electric motors or generators that require protection from magnetic noise. Sumida's rotor angle sensor is designed by its German VOGT Electronic Components division using a non-ferromagnetic structure and has a high operating frequency. This unique development makes it possible to achieve immunity to magnetic interference noise of electric motors. The product does not require fixing on the rotary axis, and is suitable for various ... >>

New two-stage current sensors 14.05.2007

Texas Instruments introduced two current sensors with a common-mode input voltage range of -16V to 80V. The INA270 and INA271 have a two-stage architecture and are designed for applications where input signal filtering is required. To solve the problems encountered when measuring low shunt voltage drops in the presence of high common mode voltage, filter circuits can be inserted between the INA270 and INA271 stages to maintain a buffered output voltage. As a result, when driving ADCs or low-impedance loads, no additional amplifiers are required. The range of common-mode voltages at the input of INA270 and INA271 is from -16 V (reverse voltage of a car battery) to voltages during short-term overloads of +80 V. At the same time, the voltage range for supplying devices from a single source is from +2,7 V to +18 V. The devices differ high accuracy (maximum error no more than 3% over the entire temperature range ... >>

New logarithmic amplifier from TI 12.05.2007

Texas Instruments has introduced a new precision high-speed (1µs transient) logarithmic amplifier that produces an output voltage or current as the natural or decimal logarithm of the input voltage or current. LOG114 has a dynamic range of 8 decades and implements the logarithm function without the use of external components. The LOG114 is specifically designed to amplify the photodiode output of fiber optic cables in communication systems. The LOG114 can also be used to measure absorbance in medical and industrial applications, and to match its input dynamic range to that of an ADC. The QFN-16 package allows the amplifier to be used in compact plug-in modules and multi-channel systems. High speed and wide dynamic range (27 bit equivalent; 100 pA to 10 mA input) with high accuracy make the LOG114 suitable for ... >>

Memory chip based on magnetoresistive structures 08.05.2007

Frcescalc Semiconductor has released the world's first magnetoresistive memory (MRAM) chip, the stand-alone MR2A16A module with 4 MB of memory. The new type of memory has a unique set of characteristics - non-volatility with an unlimited number of cycles and high write speed. This memory technology, which uses magnetic moments to store the state of bits instead of electrical charges, has become fully commercially viable. MRAM technology has all the necessary properties to become "universal memory", successfully combining the main advantages of various types of non-volatile and random access memory. In addition, there are a number of unique features that open up broad market opportunities for this device. To date, the first complete product of the MRAM chip is available - MR2A16A with a memory capacity of 4 Mbps. So far, this microcircuit is produced only in the temperature range 0. ... >>

A sensor in bed monitors an elderly person 06.05.2007

British scientists have created a sensor system that allows you to monitor an elderly person. As the share of old people in the population of developed countries grows, which is caused both by improved medical care, and an increase in the standard of living, and a decrease in the birth rate, the task arises: to provide the elderly with a comfortable independent life and enable young relatives to monitor the health of their separately living loved ones. . One version of such a system was created by scientists from the University of Southampton, led by professors Bashir al-Hashimi and David de Roor. Its basis is a wireless network of sensors embedded in a variety of home furnishings. These sensors will constantly monitor the surrounding space and record changes in the state of health. For example, a weight sensor built into the bed mattress detects the movements of the person lying on it. Sensors in the bathroom and toilet will allow you to monitor the use of the bathroom and notice problems in time. ... >>

Fill your cell phone with syrup 04.05.2007

US scientists have created a polymer battery that runs on a sugar solution. A portable fuel cell is something that should replace a regular cell phone or laptop battery. However, so far, methanol claims to be the fuel for it - a poisonous and inaccessible substance. At the same time, there is always another source of energy at hand - sugar. Therefore, the idea of ​​making an element that runs on a solution of sugar seems very attractive. Bacteria usually produce electricity from sugar. Scientists from St. Louis University, led by Dr. Shelley Minteer, decided to go further. Why feed an entire bacterium, when it is enough to take the only enzyme that breaks down a sugar molecule and is able to transfer the electron obtained in the process to the electrical network? They sewed this enzyme, NAD-dependent glucose dehydrogenase, together with the mediators accompanying its work, to a membrane of chitosan, which, in turn, is obtained from the chitinous shells of crustaceans and on ... >>

Buildings of the future 03.05.2007

British scientists have come up with two types of materials for the houses of the future. “The butyblocks we developed, from the word bitumen, serve as an excellent replacement for concrete. And most importantly, they are 100% waste,” says Dr. John Fort from the University of Leeds. According to his idea, first you need to mix broken glass, smelter slag, sewage sludge, incinerator ash, and pulverized ash from thermal power plants. Then add melted bitumen obtained from the processing of old tires, and pour into molds. Next, the blanks are placed in an oven, heated, the bitumen oxidizes and becomes six times stronger than concrete. True, the author of the work does not mention whether any harmful substances are emitted in a building built from such blocks, which are found in excess in both slag and ash. But among the future plans is the creation of vegeblocks, where vegetable oil waste will be used. Other material for the house does not cause any complaints with ... >>

Hydrogen biofuel 01.05.2007

American scientists have figured out how to increase the yield of fuel generated during the processing of straw and other agricultural waste. The production of fuel from agricultural waste in the US and Western Europe is considered one of the ways to save both from global warming and from oil dependence. One of the processing methods is high-temperature pyrolysis: straw or other garbage is heated without oxygen access and converted into a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Then hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide are obtained from this mixture, into which up to 60% of the carbon atoms present in the straw pass. "This is because biomass is viewed as a source of energy. And we decided to look at it as a source of hydrocarbons and utilize all the carbon fixed by the plant during photosynthesis," says Professor Rakesh Agrawal from Purdue University. To solve this problem, scientists added hydrogen to the reactor: combining with carbon, it began to produce hydrocarbons. "Now I ... >>

Wavecom CM52 - new automotive range wireless processor 30.04.2007

Wavecom has announced the commercial availability of a new "wireless processor" (Wireless CPU), designated Wavecom CM52. Designed specifically for automotive applications, the device is designed to operate in an extended temperature range and has a reinforced housing that is resistant to severe vibration. In addition, the CM52 has multiple RF connectors, making it easy to connect to on-board systems. The processor supports CDMA and is the second CDMA product of its kind in the Wavecom range. Unlike the CM52, the Q2438 model is made in a form factor typical of the rest of the Wavecom Q24 series - due to this, as the manufacturer believes, it provides an easy way to switch between CDMA and other technologies without requiring changes to the mechanical part of the design. Both products provide voice, packet data (1xRTT), SMS and circuit switched data. ... >>

New power supplies for LEDs 27.04.2007

Mean Well has announced the launch of a new series of LED power supplies - PLN-30. These are case-type AC/DC converters with active power correction function. They fully comply with the requirements of UL1310 class 2 - under no circumstances will the output power of this series of power supplies exceed 100 VA, and the output current - 5 A. This significantly reduces the risk of electric shock for personnel who install advertising panels and "marquee" systems. on LEDs. The protection class of the housings of the new converters against dust and moisture allows them to be used both indoors and outdoors. The conversion efficiency is 86%, and the operating ambient temperature is from -30 to +50°C. ... >>

NXP is preparing an ultra-compact Wi-Fi chip 25.04.2007

NXP Semiconductors has almost completed the development and is ready to start shipping test samples of the ultra-small BGM220 chip designed to implement the Wi-Fi 802.11b/g wireless interface in compact portable self-powered devices: mobile phones, communicators, smartphones and portable game consoles. The design of the novelty is based on the ideas of its predecessor BGW211 and includes a transceiver designed to work with a single antenna and a Wi-Fi 802.11g controller. The chip measures 5x5mm and will be available in an 81-pin TFBGA package that supports the SDIO/SPI interface. NXP BGM220 already has a set of drivers for all operating systems used in portable devices: Windows Mobile, Windows CE, Symbian and Linux. ... >>

EEPROM in a new miniature package 22.04.2007

In March 2007, ST Microelectronics announced the release of EEPROM chips familiar to everyone (capacity from 2 to 64 kbit; with SPI or 12C interface) in a miniature 2x3 mm MLP8 (ML - Micro Leadframe) design. In terms of its performance, the new development is comparable to its predecessor, a 4x5 mm chip (in the S08N package). However, the novelty can significantly save space on the printed circuit board, as well as reduce the cost of the final device. STMicroelectronics is the first company to bring to market a complete line of EEPROM series in such a small package. A super-thin case (only 0,6 mm) with flat leads located on both sides, the number of memory cycles up to 1 million (!), the ability to store the necessary data for more than 40 years - all this makes the microcircuit a worthy representative of its family. The new development is intended for applications in wide areas of modern microelectronics: digital photo and video cameras, miniature MP3 players, various ... >>

Robot emotions 20.04.2007

According to British scientists from the University of Hertfordshire, a domestic robot should be able to learn to live with people. “If robots are to be integrated into people’s daily lives in the future, they should not be machines that can be taken off the shelf in the store and immediately started using. The robot must learn how it should behave in a given situation. And for this you need teach him to recognize and show emotions.For example, if a person is crying, the robot needs to understand: whether to go to help him or better to hide somewhere, so as not to interfere, "says Lola Cañamero, coordinator of the FEELIX GROWING project, carried out under the Sixth Framework Program of the European Commission . The goal of this project is to develop an autonomous robot capable of interacting with people in everyday situations. Last year, Lola Cañamero already tried to take the robot she created out of the laboratory and agreed with the residents of a neighboring house to live with them. Resulting ... >>

There is a stolen masterpiece of art 19.04.2007

The development of German scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Systems and Technological Design will help catch stolen works of art. Today there are impressive databases of stolen masterpieces. However, it is difficult for the inspector who prepares the auction to search for an item among many thousands of its kind. Now the job will be easier. It will be enough to take a picture or sculpture with a cell phone camera and send its image to the data storage. "Our program recognizes similar shapes in two images by outlines and color. At the same time, poor quality of the photo, such as traces of flash or increased brightness, will not knock it off the trail," says Dr. Bertram Nicolai, head of the work. ... >>

Virtual shoe fitting 18.04.2007

German programmers have made a virtual mirror that allows you to quickly try on all the shoes in the store. The abundance on store shelves leads to the problem of choice: you want to try everything on, but it takes time. Scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications and the Heinrich Hertz Institute (Germany) decided to help fashionistas: they created a virtual mirror and agreed with a store on the Champs Elysees in Paris to install it there. Unlike the usual one, the virtual mirror captures the position of the client's legs and feet with the help of a camera and projects the image onto the screen. From the database, the program selects the required pair of shoes and puts them on the foot in the image. "Thanks to new algorithms for processing three-dimensional images, the program is so fast that it has time to reproduce the movements of the client in real time," says Jurgen Rurainski, one of the creators of the virtual mirror. ... >>

Music lessons develop intelligence 17.04.2007

Anyone who in childhood was forced to study music by their parents should be grateful to them. Even if the classes were under duress, you did not become a professional musician and do not sometimes play for your own pleasure, these lessons helped develop your brain. Canadian psychologist E. Schellenberg from the University of Toronto showed that six-year-old children who were taught piano or singing lessons for a year score 5 to 6 points higher in IQ tests than their peers who did not take such lessons. But Schellenberg wanted to find out whether further musical education caused an additional increase in intelligence, so he examined not only children aged 6 to 12, but also college students. It turned out that a six-year study of music or singing increases the IQ in children by an average of 7,5 points, and this has a positive effect on school grades in subjects far from music - in mathematics, reading and spelling. College students have ... >>

transparent clay 16.04.2007

Japanese scientists have created a new composite material from a hydrophobic polymer of polyethoxymethyl acrylate and hydrophilic clay of volcanic origin. Unexpectedly, the new material was elastic and transparent, and the transparency is maintained when the proportion of clay is increased to 30 weight percent. Unlike clay, the composite does not swell upon contact with water, and unlike a polymer, it does not dissolve with organic solvents. The possibility of practical application of the new material is considered. ... >>

The aliens didn't find us 15.04.2007

According to calculations by astronomer Rasmus Björk of the Nips Bohr Institute in Copenhagen (Denmark), eight interstellar robotic probes flying at a speed of one tenth of the speed of light will take one hundred thousand years to search for intelligent life in 40 star systems. If we study in this respect all 260 thousand stars located in that zone of the Galaxy where life is possible, then the survey will take almost 10 billion years. True, with the help of ground-based and near-Earth telescopes, it is possible to select in advance only those star systems in which the presence of planets suitable for life is possible. But with such a time frame, it is likely that a civilization that sent probes to search for brothers in mind will simply lose interest in research begun by distant ancestors at least a hundred thousand years ago. Therefore, it is not surprising that other civilizations have not yet contacted us - just like we have with them, by the way. ... >>

Platelets in an oil pipeline 14.04.2007

In case of any injury, the blood brings to the place of rupture of the blood vessel special blood cells - platelets, which form a blood clot and plug the hole with their bodies. The Scottish firm Brinker Technology proposes to launch artificial platelets into pipelines, which will be carried by the current to the leak site and block the hole that has appeared. The first experiments carried out on oil pipelines were successful: "platelets" of a cubic shape made of soft plastic plugged the hole. According to the developers, the method can also be used to protect against leaks of other liquids, it is only necessary to choose a material that does not dissolve in this liquid, does not sink and does not float. Soon, Brinker Technology hopes to get the approval of the authorities to conduct a similar experiment on the city's water supply. ... >>

Dove visual memory 12.04.2007

Employees of the Mediterranean Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience in Marseille (France) studied the visual memory of pigeons. By showing birds hundreds of images and teaching them to peck at a certain button if the picture is already familiar, psychologists have found that a pigeon's visual memory can store up to 1200 images. Given the very small size of the brain of a pigeon, this is very good. For example, baboons are able to memorize up to 6000 images. What explains such a good visual memory of pigeons is not yet clear, but it is assumed that it helps birds in navigation. ... >>

Solar panels on aircraft wings 10.04.2007

The world's first solar unmanned aerial vehicle was created by British engineers. A light aircraft with a wingspan of 16 meters, named "Zephyr", weighs less than 30 kilograms. The wings are covered with high-efficiency solar panels that power two electric propeller motors and charge 40 lithium batteries. During the day, in full sun, the Zephyr rises to a height of 18 meters, at night, powered by batteries, it drops to 300 meters and waits for sunrise. After some improvement, Zephyr will be able to fly without landing for three months, but so far the highest achievement is 15 hours of flight, of which seven are at night. This aircraft, equipped with video cameras, will find application in science, economic activity, and fire protection. The possibility of using it for military purposes is also provided. So far, three prototypes have been made. ... >>

Africa feeds Brazil 09.04.2007

It has long been known that the rainforests in the Amazon Basin receive a lot of mineral nutrients from dust from the Sahara blown across the Atlantic. Recently, Israeli, British and American scientists managed to find out details about this process. Measurements of the amount of dust in the air over the territory of Africa, over the ocean and the Amazon, as well as satellite images showed that about 50 million tons of dust are brought to South America from the Sahara annually. And most of it is picked up by the wind in the Bodele Valley in northern Chad, which is considered the most dusty corner of the world. The wind speed in this funnel-shaped depression between two mountain ranges reaches 50 kilometers per hour, fine dust and fine sand rise into the air. ... >>

This dangerous wind power 07.04.2007

At the Altamont Pass, east of San Francisco Bay (USA), a large wind farm has been operating for about thirty years. More than 70 wind turbines were installed here in the 5000s of the last century, and without any preliminary environmental impact assessment. Now it turned out that windmills are dangerous for birds. The Altamont Pass is known for its strong and almost constant winds, but at the same time it is an important migration route for many bird species. According to ecologists, from 900 to 1300 birds perish annually under the blades of wind turbines, including those listed in the Red Book. While the owners of the power plant will have to turn off half of the windmills for two months, the other half in the next two months. It is hoped that these measures will reduce the death of birds. In the future, there are plans to replace the wind turbines with more modern ones, installed on higher towers, so that birds crash into them less often. Another drawback seen with wind turbines is that they can interfere ... >>

The silence of the crickets 05.04.2007

Field crickets living on the Hawaiian island of Kauai have largely stopped making sounds. The fact is that the song of a cricket is intended to attract a female, but small parasitic flies flock to the sound, laying their testicles on the cricket, from which larvae emerge, devouring the singer. Therefore, in 90% of crickets, the shape of the edges of the wings has changed in recent years. The crickets continue to rub their wings against their legs, but there is no sound. Apparently, this is the result of natural selection: males with normal wings make sounds and therefore often die from parasites. The survey showed that 30% of singing crickets and only 0% of silent crickets were infected with parasites. How then do silent crickets reproduce? They find a singing brother and intercept females from him, entomologists believe, two scenarios are possible: either the singing insects will completely disappear and the entire population will die out after them, or some balance will be established. Silent crickets survive better, but singing crickets reproduce more actively. Meanwhile ... >>

Camel Dairy Farm 04.04.2007

A fully automated dairy farm with camels began operating in the fall of 2006 in the Arab principality of Dubai. About 2000 liters of milk are obtained here from 230 camels per day, and milking takes place without human intervention. In the future, the number of the farm is going to increase to a thousand. Although milk yields from camels are low, their milk contains five times more vitamin C and half as much fat as cow's milk. The long-chain fatty acids present in it reduce blood cholesterol levels. Camel milk is well digested even by people who are not able to digest cow's milk, and most of them in Asia. The only drawback of camel milk is that it is impossible to get cheese from it. But the problem can be solved by adding some enzymes to the milk. By the way, in India they began to make ice cream from camel milk. ... >>

What do poisonous mushrooms smell like? 02.04.2007

Poisonous plants and animals, as a rule, are distinguished by a bright color that warns that they should not be touched. Although the poison itself is a good defense, but until the aggressor dies from poisoning, he will have time to cause significant harm. Why do poisonous mushrooms most often not have bright colors and look similar to edible ones? Canadian biologist Thomas Sherratt thought about this question. Together with collaborators, he conducted a detailed analysis of the characteristics of poisonous mushrooms in North America and Europe. It turned out that poisonous mushrooms, as a rule, differ from edible ones not by their bright color, but by a special smell. Perhaps they have a specific taste, but biologists did not begin to check this on themselves. What explains the fact that poisonous mushrooms communicate their toxicity not by color, but by smell? Most likely, the fact that the main lovers of mushrooms in nature, for example, slugs and hedgehogs, feed mainly at night and at dusk, when color vision does not work. ... >>

32-bit microcontrollers with record low power consumption 31.03.2007

Atmel Corporation has announced a 32-bit microcontroller, which, according to the company in its press release, has the lowest power consumption in the industry. Based on the Atmel AVR32 UC core, the UC3A series microcontrollers have 512KB flash memory, an integrated 10/100Mbps Ethernet MAC controller, a full speed (12Mbps) USB 2.0 interface with OTO support (on the go) and a connection of external SRAM/SDRAM memory. The new microcontrollers are designed for network and PC-based applications, and especially for portable devices. The first products in the series, the AT32UC3A0512 and AT32UC3A1512, provide 80 DM IPS (Drystone MIPS) performance at 66 MHz, consuming 40 mA when powered by 3,3 V. Power consumption is 1,65 mW/ DMIPS, which, according to the company, is four times lower than that of analogues built on a different architecture. AVR32 UC core uses Harvard architecture with three-stage pipeline ... >>

New silent Omron relays 30.03.2007

Omron has introduced a novelty - a "silent" power relay G5RL-LN, which is a continuation of the development of the G2R / G2RL series and has a similar installation place on the board. The relay is offered with a single pole coil and normally open (SPST-NO) contacts, while being only 15,7mm high it is capable of switching up to 12A at 220VAC. Versions are also available with a switching current of up to 16 A. The relay has a standard range of operating coil voltages of 5 V, 12 V and 24 V, while its power consumption is 530 mW. The sound pressure level of the G5RL-LN relay is no more than 45 dB at a distance of 15 cm, which makes the switching process almost silent. In addition, the company introduced the G5RL-HR relay to the market, which withstands inrush currents up to 100 A. It was specially designed for use in applications such as controlling fluorescent lamps and incandescent lamps. New relay versions have been added to the popular low series ... >>

New LDO controller BD3574HFP 29.03.2007

New regulator with 5V/500mA output voltage and current, featuring high voltage tolerance (50V), high output voltage accuracy (+2%), lower on-resistance, high ESD immunity and short-circuit current protection circuit to reduce heat, ideal for use with microcontrollers and memory chips in automotive electronics. The new chip also features low power consumption (30 µA in operating mode and 10 µA in standby mode). ... >>

New line of current sensors 28.03.2007

Honeywell has announced a new line of CSCA-A direct amplification current sensors based on the Hall effect. The sensors are primarily intended for low cost applications where the lowest cost is the most important factor. The sensors are ideal for low cost motor controllers, switching power supplies and welding machines. Despite the very low cost, they retain the high performance and functionality inherent in ordinary representatives of this product class. These are mainly the ability to measure direct, alternating and pulsed currents, high insulation voltage, low power consumption, compact size and measurement current range from 50 A to 600 A. ... >>

Code Composer Studio - Platinum Edition 27.03.2007

CCStudio Platinum is a single integrated development, debugging and testing environment for all processors manufactured by Texas Instruments. The Platinum version of CCStudio includes support for TI's newest dual-core DaVinci processors and TMS320C64x+ DSPs, as well as a Component Manager that allows developers to easily install and try out a new compiler or DSP/BIOS core before migrating an entire project to it. The real-time DSP/BIOS core is used as the basis for software developed for TI processor-based DSP systems. Among the new kernel features is a power management API library that gives developers the ability to programmatically influence the voltage and frequency of the processor, turn off external devices, and perform other actions to reduce power consumption. Power management support is currently being rolled out to the TMS320C55x processors and will be rolled out to other platforms in the future. Also included in the core ... >>

Power supply PID-250 with two outputs 26.03.2007

Mean Well has released a new PID-250 power supply with two independent outputs for industrial automation and telecommunications systems and devices. The power of the product is 250 watts. Various output voltage options are available: 12 and 5V, 24 and 5V, 36 and 5V or 48 and 5V depending on the model. Versions of the new power supply are available in two designs: open board or housing. Power supplies have a universal input, a built-in power factor corrector, a set of protections, and operate in a wide temperature range from -20 to 70°C. A useful feature is the ability to remotely turn on/off the first output. ... >>

New programmable multi-channel 16-/14-bit ADCs 25.03.2007

Maxim Integrated Products introduced the MAX 16-MAX 14 and MAX 6-MAX 1300 family of 1303-/1032-1035-bit ADCs. These new devices feature a +12V input range for the first time in the industry. Integrated software allows the user to remotely configure each chip input to a specific voltage range. Each input channel can be programmed to use seven different input ranges for single-ended inputs and three different input ranges for differential inputs. The following programmable analog input voltage ranges are available: +24V, +12V, +6V, +3V, 0 to +12V, -12V to 0, 0 to +6V, and -6V to 0. This ADC family offers up to eight single-ended or four differential inputs, each of which can handle up to +16,5V input voltage. Compared to traditional products, this feature gives the customer more flexibility in choosing an ADC for design and allows ... >>

New digital camera reference design announced 24.03.2007

Texas Instruments Corporation, a leading manufacturer of semiconductor products, announced the development of a new reference design based on the DaVinci image processor that increases the performance of digital compact cameras "to the level of SLRs." The main advantage of the new idea is to increase the speed of serial shooting of digital compacts up to 5 frames per second. Recall that even entry-level and mid-level digital SLR cameras cannot boast of such speed, for example, the rate of fire of such models as the Canon EOS 400D, Nikon D80 and Sony DSLR-A100 is "only" 3 frames per second. The reference design includes Micron Technology's new 8-megapixel CMOS sensor and a proprietary high-definition (HD) video hardware codec capable of "bringing HD video to sub-$99 models." Moreover, according to the official press release, a new image stabilization system coupled with high performance ... >>

New Debug Platform for DaVinci Processors 23.03.2007

At the end of last year, Texas Instruments announced new DaVinci series processors, which are a version of the DM6446 chip without an ARM core. A distinctive feature of the TMS320DM643x is a very low price, which is not unimportant for the Russian video device market. The main obstacle to the use of these DSPs, even after the introduction of mass-produced chips, was the lack of development tools for them. But the manufacturer solved this problem by developing the TMS320DM6437 Digital Video Development Platform (DVDP). The price of the debugging platform continues the tradition of the family, being incredibly low. DM643x DSP-only DSPs are good at D264-resolution H.1 encoding for applications such as IP surveillance cameras. ... >>

Texas Instruments releases library for MSP430 and CC1100/CC2500 22.03.2007

One of the areas of application of the low-power MSP430 microcontroller is short-range wireless applications operating in the 433, 868, 2400 MHz ISM bands. The radio part in such applications is often based on the well-known Chipcon CC1100 and CC2500 chips for frequencies up to 1 and 2,4 GHz, respectively. The combination of MSP430 and CC1100/CC2500 allows you to create high-performance wireless connections with speeds up to 500 kbps. To facilitate interoperability between these products, Texas Instruments is releasing an open library of functions that avoids developing low-level interfaces when adding Chipcon wireless chips to a project. Interaction with Chipcon microcircuits is traditionally carried out through the SPI interface. Texas Instruments provides this library for all SPI implementations on MSP430 peripherals: USART0; USART1; USCIA0; USCIA1; USCIB0; USCIB1; USI; Bit-banging (emulation) with GPIO. Library provided with demo ... >>

Wireless mouse building kit from TI and Cypress 21.03.2007

Texas Instruments and Cypress Semiconductor have unveiled an initial design for a wireless mouse with a dual-channel 27 MHz receiver and reduced power consumption. Using easy-to-use, highly integrated, low-power ICs, this kit will allow designers to quickly develop and bring to market a wireless mouse and receiver combination. This reduces the number of elements, system power consumption and cost. TI's new TRF7900 dual-channel receiver integrates more than 20 discrete elements in a small footprint, reducing cost and simplifying receiver design, while giving designers the ability to select different frequencies than previous single-channel receivers could. The receiving system, designed to receive information transmitted by the mouse, decode it, transmit mouse movements and button presses to a personal computer via the USB bus, includes a two-channel ... >>

LG Closes Plasma Display Factory 20.03.2007

Traditionally, the flat panel TV market has been divided between LCD and plasma technologies in such a way that TVs with a diagonal. 20 "... 37" were produced using LCD technology, and from 40 "the realm of plasma came. However, gradually plasma panels began to lose ground, giving way to LCDs. So, Sony, for example, left the plasma panel market altogether, focusing on LCDs, and worldwide sales of plasma panels began to fall. Against this background, it seems quite logical that LG decided to close its oldest plasma panel factory. This measure will save the company from $ 22 to $ 32 million, and the monthly production will fall from 430 thousand. However, analysts believe that the best option for LG would be to follow the example of Sony and shut down the plasma industry completely. ... >>

Bioreactor for soldiers 19.03.2007

American engineers killed two birds with one stone: they learned to hide the traces of an army unit and provided it with a source of electricity. The supply of fuel, and even more so electricity, without which, for example, an American soldier equipped with electronics cannot take a step, has long been a stumbling block for the modern army. But the source of fuel is located very close to the consumer - these are leftovers, disposable tableware, rags and other garbage, which is formed in considerable quantities at the place where the military contingent is located. Moreover, garbage still needs to be destroyed in order to deprive enemy intelligence of valuable data. The garbage disposal plant was created by engineers from Purdue University (USA), headed by Professor Michael Ladish, and in case of successful tests, it will become part of the armaments of the American army. Garbage is first divided into edible and inedible parts. The first is sent to the bioreactor, and the yeast makes alcohol out of it. The second gasification ... >>

Hybrid nanotube and gold 18.03.2007

US scientists have combined a gold nanowire and a carbon nanotube. Nanotube electronics is a very beautiful idea. “Imagine: using a probe microscope, you take pieces of a carbon nanotube and lay them on a substrate, forming an electronic circuit on a nanometer scale,” Academician A.L. Buchachenko says about it. In this case, nanotubes can serve not only as conductors connecting circuit elements, but also as elements themselves - the calculation shows that by modifying a tube, it is possible to impart semiconductor properties to it. However, the problem is that so far it has not been possible to create a reliable electrical contact between the nanotube and other elements of the future circuit. Another elegant way is proposed by scientists from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (USA), headed by Professor Pulikel Ajayan. They firmly spliced ​​the nanotube with the gold nanowire. Such nanowires are good in themselves due to their unusual optical and electronic properties, and together with carbon ... >>

Robot Nurse 17.03.2007

Engineers from Germany and seven other EU countries have begun to create robots for the hospital. The dimensions of the robot for the hospital should not exceed half a meter. It must be equipped with a motor, wheels, a computer, a monitor, a loudspeaker, radio communication, optical sensors and manipulators for cleaning the room. All this equipment is already there. "Our goal is to assemble it on one platform and equip the system with a sufficiently high intelligence. And such a robot will come in handy not only for cleaning the premises. It will be possible to call a doctor or take a visitor to the patient with it. The main difference of our system is that the robot can act not only autonomously, but also form a single intellectual center with other robots,” says Thomas Schlegel from the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering (Germany), who coordinates the European IWARD project (from “intelligent robot swarm for attendance, recognition, cleaning and delivery”). How this system will work can be judged by ... >>

Power supply Ecosol Powerstick 16.03.2007

Many consumer electronics and IT companies are expressing their concerns about green environmental issues. Ecosol is one of them. At an exhibition in Las Vegas, she demonstrated a very original Powerstick power supply. The power source is a rechargeable battery that is charged via the computer's USB port (it takes an hour and a half to fully charge). Weight - only 40 grams. You take the Powerstick filled with electricity with you on the road, and there, as needed, you feed your mobile phone, MP3 player, PDA or other “hungry” devices. ... >>

Robot Honda Asimo 15.03.2007

The new model of the Honda Asimo robot, modified and improved compared to previous versions, was very popular with visitors to the CES 2007 exhibition in Las Vegas. In terms of such a parameter as growth, an electronic humanoid can be compared with a ten-year-old child. But the most interesting thing is this: the designers managed to teach their offspring ... to run. Moreover, many spectators who were present at the demonstration note that he does this very quietly. And some kind of creak of hinges and other mechanical parts was not heard. ... >>

Heliomobiles will go on sale 14.03.2007

In the fall of 2006, the automobile company Venturi, operating in Monaco, demonstrated at the World Automobile Salon in Paris a completely environmentally friendly vehicle - the Eclectic solar mobile. Its roof carries a solar battery with an area of ​​2 square meters, the batteries that rotate the wheels are charged from the battery. You can also recharge from the network; in addition, a small folding wind-electric generator is hidden in the trunk of the solar car. In the parking lot, it extends and also charges the batteries. The travel range on a single charge is 5 kilometers, so the car is designed for city trips. The first 50 vehicles will go on sale in June 200, and this crew does not require a driver's license and the driver's age limit is 2007 years and older. ... >>

too good memory 13.03.2007

Psychologists from the University of California (USA) are studying a woman with an unusually good memory. Six years ago, she herself turned to scientists to complain about the fact that she remembers every day of her life, starting at the age of 14 (she is now in her early forties). The patient, known only by the initials A.J., says that the memories come into her head on their own, she is unable to control them, and they disturb her terribly. Psychologists performed various tests on A. J.. For example, one day they asked her to remember all the Easters in the last 24 years. In 10 minutes, she named all the dates, making a mistake only in one case, and told what she did on the corresponding days. People with abnormal memory capacity have been known before, but usually they remember data of little interest and irrelevant to their life, for example, an entire telephone book of a large city or thousands of digits of pi. In addition, as a rule, their intelligence is lowered. A.J. is of average intelligence, college graduate, married, working. ... >>

Health forecast for 2030 12.03.2007

The World Health Organization has published a detailed forecast of the state of human health in 2030. By this time, the risk for an infant to die before reaching the age of five will be halved compared to the current situation. But in 2030, 6,5 million people will die from AIDS (2002 million in 2,8). Smoking and related diseases will kill 8,3 million people (up from 2005 million in 5,4). Depression is the second most common long-term illness after AIDS. The main causes of death, as now, will remain heart attacks and strokes. They will be followed by pneumonia, AIDS, emphysema and tuberculosis. How accurate were previous WHO predictions? The first such forecast was made in 1996. There are already more AIDS patients on the planet, and the prevalence of tuberculosis is less than predicted then. It is possible that there are errors in the new forecast, although now much more extensive statistics were used for work. ... >>

Autofocus glasses 11.03.2007

Autofocus has long been commonplace for cameras, and now the University of Arizona (USA) has created glasses that independently change their settings depending on how far away the object considered by their wearer is. Unlike a camera, glasses do not have lenses that move when focusing. Flat double-glazed glasses are filled with a liquid-crystal mixture, which changes its refractive index when an electrical voltage is applied. Due to this phenomenon, focusing occurs. The prototype is still too big, because the frame had to fit a rangefinder, a focus adjustment system and a battery. But there will be no need to carry reading glasses with you and for a distance, and you will not have to use not very convenient bifocal lenses. ... >>

Magnetic glue 10.03.2007

German chemists have created a glue whose properties are subject to a magnetic field. In a colloidal solution of silicon dioxide (liquid glass, ordinary office glue), they mixed dusty iron oxide. The parts to be glued are exposed to a high-frequency alternating magnetic field, the iron oxide particles are heated, and the glue immediately sets. If the connection needs to be glued, it is subjected to the same, but more powerful, alternating magnetic field, the glue is very hot, and the connection breaks up. The only drawback of the new adhesive is that it is not suitable for electrically conductive materials. ... >>

Moon, rain and earthquakes 09.03.2007

It is possible that the massive earthquake in the Indian Ocean that triggered the catastrophic tsunami on December 26, 2004 was related to the full moon. As shown by Robert Crockett from the University of Northampton (UK), who traced the dates of seismic shocks in the area from October 2004 to August 2005, large earthquakes are 86% more likely than on ordinary days to occur during the new moon and full moon, when the tides of the ocean especially strong. According to Crockett, the fact is that at these moments, very large masses of water move across the border between the tectonic plates, which runs in the Indonesian region. Their movement may be the last push that causes a tectonic shift. A group of geophysicists from the University of Potsdam (Germany) believes that underground tremors can be caused by heavy rains. In 2002, they monitored seismic events, rainfall and groundwater levels in southeastern Germany. It turned out that after heavy rains ... >>

Elephants in the mirror 08.03.2007

Elephants have joined humans, apes and dolphins: they too recognize themselves in the mirror. Experiments conducted with a specially made huge mirror at the Bronx Zoo in New York showed that elephants are able to recognize themselves in the mirror. When the mirror was placed in the elephant house, the animals first tried to look behind it - are their brothers hiding there? Then they began to check whether the reflection exactly copies their actions. And then they even began to examine the contents of their mouths in the mirror. When they painted a white cross over their right eye, one of the three elephants began to look at this badge in the mirror, but the rest were not interested. ... >>

Noise vs Noise 07.03.2007

About half a century ago, the engineers of the American company "RCA" proposed an original way to deal with noise: to generate exactly the same sound, but in antiphase, and the sound waves cancel each other out (the so-called active damping). Only in our time has it been possible to implement this idea, since in the 50s of the last century there was no electronics that could cope with a difficult task. One of the villas, built in Milan (Italy), just 500 meters from the local airport, is protected from aircraft noise by a "grid" of microphones and speakers. The roar of the engines caught by the microphones is translated into antiphase by the computer and emitted by the speakers. As a result, a relatively quiet zone is created with dimensions of 5 by 5 by 10 meters, where the noise is reduced by 5-10 decibels. ... >>

Radio dishes in canteens 06.03.2007

One of the German manufacturers of porcelain tableware has launched the production of plates and cups with an integrated microcircuit, which in self-service canteens, when a customer approaches the cash register, radios the names and prices of the selected dishes and drinks to the cash register. Microcircuits are programmed when laying out dishes on plates. A plate or cup, outwardly no different from the usual, can withstand at least one hundred thousand cycles of use with washing in the dishwasher. The temperature of drinks or dishes can reach up to 85 degrees Celsius, but you can not put such dishes in a microwave oven - the microcircuits will burn out. Daimler-Chrysler installed the new system in its canteen, and the lines at the distribution disappeared. ... >>

Carousel with kites 05.03.2007

Italian inventors propose a new wind turbine system, which is a hybrid of a toy with an attraction - a kite with a carousel. The carousel, with computer-controlled kites attached to it, rotates under the influence of the wind and generates electricity. According to the authors' calculations, a plant with a diameter of 100 meters will have a capacity of half a gigawatt, and the resulting electricity will be 30 times cheaper than European tariffs. The construction of the first carousel power plant is scheduled to be completed in two years. ... >>

Search for a TV show 04.03.2007

Since television and the use of radar became widespread, our planet shines brightly in the ranges of meter and decimeter radio waves. It can be assumed that other civilizations of the Universe also use this technique. A large multi-antenna radio telescope is being built in Holland, tuned to the wavelengths in which television and radar operate. He will be able to look for similar signals from other civilizations within a radius of about a thousand light years. Unless, of course, we manage to rebuild ourselves from earthly sources. ... >>

Is the end of satellite navigation nearing? 03.03.2007

Italian physicist Alessandro Cerruti fears that the global satellite navigation system will fail in a few years. In 2011, another peak of solar activity is expected. Meanwhile, the GPS system was created during the period of the quiet Sun, and it uses radio waves with a frequency of 1,2 and 1,6 gigahertz. Solar flares emit interference at these frequencies. The only way out would be to change the frequencies on which the transmitters and receivers of the system operate, but this will require huge expenses. However, the losses from a sudden shutdown of the system due to solar flares can be even greater. ... >>

Self-service bike taxi 02.03.2007

In Lyon (France), 200 bicycles are scattered around the city in 2000 parking lots, which can be used by anyone who buys a special card at a kiosk or vending machine. To unhook the car from the pole in the parking lot, to which it is attached with a cable, you need to insert a subscription card into the slot on the pole. The first half hour of the ride is free, then the card is debited at euros per hour. The main thing is to return the bike to the nearest parking lot after the trip, because 24 hours after taking it from the parking lot, it starts to emit a shrill beep and reports the delay to the central control room. Electronic automation monitors the condition of the bike and does not allow it to be unhooked from the post if the brakes or headlight are faulty or the tires are flat. This year the example of Lyon is going to be followed by Nantes and Toulouse. ... >>

The ocean has gone cold 01.03.2007

Although climatologists are confident about ongoing global warming, data from a global network of 3000 automatic buoys show that from 2003 to 2005, the surface layer of water 750 meters thick cooled by 0,02 degrees Celsius. It seems to be not much, but due to the high heat capacity of water, the heat that disappeared somewhere would be more than enough to melt all the pack ice and all the icebergs of the World Ocean. It is assumed that the lost heat was re-emitted into space. ... >>

XBee modules certified by the ZigBee Alliance 27.02.2007

ZigBee technology is used to solve a wide range of problems. Automation of technological processes, "Smart Home" systems, wireless collection of information in energy accounting systems - all these tasks can be optimally solved on the basis of ZigBee networks. MaxStream has certified its popular low-cost XBee modules to be compatible with the ZigBee specification. Only four products to date have this status. ... >>

New microcontrollers with ARM7 core 26.02.2007

NXP announced the new LPC2478 microcontroller, which is the only ARM7 microcontroller in production with built-in flash memory and integrated LCD support. The non-flash version is designated LPC2470. A feature of the new microcontrollers is the presence of two high-speed ARM core buses (AHB), which ensure the parallel operation of a large set of peripheral devices with high bandwidth. These include an LCD interface, a 10/100 Ethernet bus, an OTG device/USB host bus, and two CAN interfaces. Significantly reducing cost, floor space and power consumption, NXP's new microcontrollers are ideal for industrial, consumer, commercial and medical applications that use LCD panels and require a LAN or Internet connection. ... >>

New series of quartz resonators 25.02.2007

Geyer Electronic has announced the launch of a new series of quartz resonators in KX-8 CMD packages. The dimensions of the products are 4,0x2,5 mm, and the height is 0,8 mm. Frequency range from 12 to 60 MHz with a tolerance of +10 ppm to +50 ppm at temperatures from -20 to 70C°. Permissible load capacitance from 10 to 16 pF. The resonators are also available for an extended temperature range and are specified for solder fusion. Resonators will find application in the field of telecommunications and wireless communications. ... >>

New Freescale Digital Controllers 24.02.2007

With the release of the 56F8011 and 56F8013M digital signal controllers, Freescale Semiconductor continues to expand its 16F56/E 8000-bit digital signal controller (DSC) series. These two controllers complement the successful 56F801x family of chips and increase the possible flash memory configurations and temperature range. In response to the market demand for complex control algorithms and high-speed processor cores, the 56F8011 CSK provides a reduction in the memory size of the 56F801x family, which was launched in 2005. As Freescale's lowest cost DSC, the 56F8011 controller is ideal for low cost embedded applications with minimal program memory requirements. The 56F8013M CSK, which has all the basic functions and memory capacity of the 56F8013, has been tested at 125°C for high temperature applications. Both instruments are designed to reduce the number of elements and eliminate the need for a separate digital signal process. ... >>

Samsung's new line of R8 TVs 23.02.2007

Samsung Electronics announced the release of a new line of R8 LCD TVs, represented by models with a diagonal of 23, 26, 32, 37 and 40 inches. The new TVs are distinguished by a glossy black pearl finish on the front, sides and back, as well as touch control buttons. New items support high-definition television standards and provide a viewing angle of up to 178. Contrast ratio (obviously dynamic) brought to 8000:1. The Wide Color Control function expands the dynamic range in the blue and green areas, producing sharp images and vivid colors, especially some shades that tend to fade in bright sunlight. With three HDMI ports, the new TVs will allow you to enjoy high-definition audio and video from a variety of external digital sources. The USB 2.0 port allows you to view digital photos stored on your PC. Strategies for planning, developing and marketing products ... >>

Silicon formats proteins 22.02.2007

Swedish scientists have found that silicon particles are able to shape protein molecules. It is generally believed that particles of inorganic substances such as silicon oxide contribute to the fact that biological molecules lose their shape. "We decided to change this prejudice and prove that such particles, on the contrary, contribute to the structuring of organic substances," says Professor Bengt Harald Jonsson from the Linköping University (Sweden). To do this, scientists under his leadership synthesized short peptide chains with a specific distribution of positive charges. In the free state, these chains did not take any definite form. Then they were mixed with a solution of negatively charged spherical particles of silicon oxide with a diameter of 9 nm. Having come into contact with the particle, the peptide coiled into a spiral, and the complex of the particle and the peptide had enzymatic activity. According to the authors of the work, the phenomenon they discovered has two aspects: applied and fundamental. First ... >>

OQO model 02 21.02.2007

During the keynote speech on the eve of the opening of CES 2007, among other things, Bill Gates demonstrated this device, calling it the smallest computer running MS Vista. The OQO model 02 is a next-generation ultra-mobile PC that weighs less than 450g and easily fits in your pocket. It's up to four times faster than its predecessor, the Model 01+, with a brighter display and a redesigned ergonomic backlit keyboard. ... >>

Apple iPhone 20.02.2007

It is still not completely clear how the device announced by Steve Jobs at MacWorld 2007 will actually be called, but for now we will call it iPhone. "Today, we're introducing three revolutionary products: a widescreen touch-screen iPod, a mobile phone, and an Internet device, all in one device," the Apple boss said. The novelty uses an interface with patented Multi-Touch technology, which allows you to control without a stylus, with a simple touch of your finger. iPhone has a screen with a diagonal of 3,5 "and a resolution of 160 ppi. It is equipped with 8 GB of memory and a built-in camera of 2 megapixels, while it has a thickness of only 11,6 mm. ... >>

Nokia N800 19.02.2007

At CES 2007 in Las Vegas, Nokia unveiled its first Tablet PC device. According to eyewitnesses, the N800 works quickly and has good ergonomics. The touch screen and QWERTY keyboard add comfort. The device supports the Skype service, is able to connect to Wi-Fi access points, as well as take photos and videos on the built-in Web-camera. The operating frequency of the processor is 320 MHz. The display diagonal is 4,1", and the resolution is 800x480 pixels. 128 MB RAM and a 256 MB flash drive are used to store information. Of the wireless interfaces, in addition to Wi-Fi, the device also supports Bluetooth. Approximate price - S530. ... >>

Light damages microcircuits 18.02.2007

Japanese physicists have discovered that the light of fluorescent lamps causes the formation of defects on the surface of silicon microcircuits. When a silicon wafer is immersed in chemically pure water or microchip etching chemicals, light creates microscopic pits on the smooth surface that can disrupt the operation of today's densely packed circuit components. It may be necessary for electronics factories to replace fluorescent lamps with conventional incandescent lamps. ... >>

Tires between rails 17.02.2007

Since July 2006, it has been illegal in the European Union to bury or burn old tires. Meanwhile, only in the UK they accumulate up to 50 million per year. English inventors suggested making rubber panels out of used tires and laying these panels on abandoned railway tracks, thus turning them into highways. After the loss of the leading place in the economy of railway transport in the economy, there are a lot of unnecessary rail lines in England. At the same time, since the rails are not removed and covered by this road surface, trams can run on the road. It will take about 220 thousand tires per kilometer of the road. So far, an experimental section 300 meters long has been built. It took five workers a week to install the rubber panels. ... >>

Virus against girls 15.02.2007

American doctors drew attention to a curious pattern: in countries where hepatitis B is common, fewer girls are born than in countries where this disease is relatively rare. A 10% increase in the proportion of those infected with hepatitis B virus increases the proportion of boys among newborns by 1%. In some areas of Alaska, the number of infected among the indigenous population reached 20%. After the vaccination campaign in Alaska in the 80s, the proportion of boys dropped sharply. Similar data are available for Taiwan. Because of the hepatitis virus, epidemiologists have calculated, 30 million women are missing in the modern world. How exactly the virus affects the sex of babies is not yet clear. ... >>

The computer is not the enemy of the book 14.02.2007

Parents often fear that the younger generation, being fond of computers, will not read books and generally grow up uneducated. However, experience in the United States has shown that a computer with Internet access, on the contrary, improves reading skills and even improves school grades. One hundred and forty children aged 12-14, mostly from low-income single-parent Negro families, were provided with home computers and unlimited access to the Internet for a year and a half. Participants in the experience surfed the Internet for an average of half an hour a day, which is small compared to children from families with an average and high standard of living. Those surf the Internet every day for two hours or more. Only 25% of participants in the experience used programs for instant messaging, and only 16% used email. This is apparently due to the fact that their friends and relatives mostly do not have computers. During the experience, reading skills have improved significantly. After six months of communication with a computer, school grades went up ... >>

The battery is being charged by the computer 14.02.2007

In England, the production of miniature standard AA nickel-metal hydride batteries, charged from the USB socket, which is now found in every computer, has begun. The positive pole of the battery folds out, and under it is the contact for the USB socket. The battery has a built-in microcircuit that stops charging when the battery is full (this is determined by the temperature of the device). ... >>

The Alps are growing up 13.02.2007

As a group of Italian scientists from the University of Milan discovered, due to global warming, the Alps annually lose more than one and a half billion tons of ice. As a result, tectonic forces, previously balanced by masses of ice, push the mountains up. The Alpine region as a whole rises by 0,15 millimeters per year. Where glaciers are melting the most, in the Austrian Alps, the rise is 0,4 millimeters per year or more. Mont Blanc grows by almost a millimeter a year. ... >>

What are you chewing 12.02.2007

Two laboratories in Europe - at the Federal Higher Technical School in Zurich (Switzerland) and at the Austrian University of Medical Sciences - are developing a system that allows you to understand by sound what kind of food a person is chewing. So far, 650 fragments of sound recordings have been analyzed. Scientists' conclusions: it is best to record the sounds of chewing with a microphone inserted into the ear; the computer allows you to clearly distinguish chewing sounds from speech, even if a person is talking while eating; with 80% accuracy, it is possible to distinguish between products such as potato chips, apple, pasta, salad and rice. The practical application of the new science, called by its founders "gnathosonics" (from the Greek words meaning "jaw" and "sound"), is not entirely clear. Unless some people who want to lose weight will agree to wear a microphone in their ear, so that the doctor can control how accurately the requirements of the diet are observed. ... >>

Ant pedometer 11.02.2007

The runner ant, which lives in the Sahara, confidently flies through the monotonous sandy landscape and returns to its nest. Like many insects, it is guided by the sun, but how does the slider measure the distance traveled? German entomologists have shown that the ant has a pedometer. Ants were attracted to a feeder 10 meters from the nest, and then their return was monitored. Moreover, the legs of some insects were cut, removing the last segments, while others, on the contrary, were lengthened by gluing pork bristles to the ends of the legs. It turned out that those with shorter legs looked for a nest closer than it actually was, and ants on "stilts" ran away in search of a nest too far. Conclusion: during its movements, the ant counts the steps, and in order to return, it takes exactly the same number of steps in the opposite direction as it went forward. ... >>

Wind turbine without blades 10.02.2007

The new system of wind power generators, proposed by the English inventor Victor Jovanovich, actually has blades, but they are hidden in a streamlined casing. The wind rotates a wheel with blades inside the casing, resembling the main part of a turboprop aircraft engine. According to the inventor, such a system has doubled efficiency and operates at wind speeds from 11 to 200 kilometers per hour. ... >>

Sun in Antarctica 09.02.2007

In the Antarctic summer of 2007/08, the Belgian research station "Princess Elisabeth" is due to start operating in Antarctica. The design of the station is designed to poison the fragile nature of Antarctica with emissions, exhausts and waste as little as possible. "Princess Elizabeth" is deprived of diesel generators, the station will receive energy in summer from solar panels covering its walls, and in winter - from ten wind turbines with a capacity of 6 kilowatts. The most powerful thermal insulation is provided, so that the station can be heated by the heat emitted by its machines and devices, as well as its personnel. For the time being, however, the station will remain without employees in the winter, as it is still necessary to check how reliable the power supply from the wind will be. ... >>

the yangtze dies 08.02.2007

The third longest of the world's great rivers (after the Amazon and the Nile), China's main waterway, the Yangtze, is dying. Every year, 25 billion tons of waste fall into it, that is, 40% of all waste in the country. A third of this is agricultural waste, mainly residues of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, the rest comes from industry and cities. The number of animal species living in the river has fallen from 20 to 126 in the past 50 years, and the water supply of Shanghai, a city of 17 million people, is at risk. ... >>

robot gecko 07.02.2007

French engineers have created a device that can run on sheer walls and even glass in the manner of a gecko. From thin tubes on the paws of the robot, either glue or glue solvent is alternately released, and the mechanical gecko deftly moves along the windows of the skyscraper. The specially designed adhesive is so strong that it also allows the robot to carry a load of up to 20 kilograms. ... >>

Dinosaur at the appointment with an optometrist 06.02.2007

Vision specialist Kent Stephens from the University of Oregon (USA), based on data on the eyes of living reptiles and birds, decided to find out how well a tyrannosaurus could see. According to his calculations, the visual acuity of a giant predator was 13 times higher than that of a person (for an eagle, famous for its vigilance, it is only 3,6 times higher than a human). If a person is able to see as separate two objects located at a distance of up to 1600 meters, then a dinosaur is six kilometers away. The area of ​​binocular vision of a tyrannosaurus was, judging by the location of its eyes, 55 degrees (this is more than that of a hawk, but less than that of a person). ... >>

We have right-handedness from fish 05.02.2007

The Italian neurologist Giorgio Vaplortigara came up with a paradoxical idea. Studying the manifestations of asymmetrical behavior in the animal kingdom, he came to the conclusion that our preference for the right hand goes back to fish. Many schooling species of small fish, when attacked by a predator, behave like a single organism, maneuvering "all of a sudden". At the same time, some species prefer to dodge to the left, others to the right. The scientist believes that such asymmetry of behavior, having appeared for the first time in fish, reached primates (75% of chimpanzees prefer to pick at the termite mound with their left hand), and then to humans. ... >>

acid underground 04.02.2007

It has long been proposed to pump at least some of the carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels underground to combat global warming. By staying there, this gas will not contribute to the greenhouse effect. Since the spring of 2006, a thermal power plant has already been opened in Belgium, sending its combustion products to underground layers. Norway has started pumping carbon dioxide under the bottom of the North Sea, into depleted oil wells, a similar project is being prepared in Algeria. But it is not clear how reliable this method of storing harmful gas is, whether the gas will begin to seep into the atmosphere. A group of American geophysicists decided to study the processes taking place underground. They pumped 1600 tons of liquid carbon dioxide into sandstone formations at a depth of one and a half kilometers near Houston, Texas. For the year that has passed since the beginning of the experiment, no leakage has been established. But, dissolving in groundwater, carbon dioxide makes them slightly acidic, which allows water to quickly dissolve carbonate minerals, holding them together. ... >>

Avian flu in liquid nitrogen 03.02.2007

One of the largest collections of influenza viruses of different strains is located in the US city of Memphis. They are stored in special cassettes in liquid nitrogen. Of the more than 11 viruses stored here, 7000 are related to bird flu. After studying the structure of 169 of them, American virologists determined which gene allows the virus to produce a protein that blocks the action of interferon and facilitates infection. This information will help fight the flu. ... >>

sky locomotive 02.02.2007

Employees of the Technical University in Berlin launched a new type of aircraft into the sky - a steam balloon. A propane burner heats the water vapor inside the balloon to 150 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, the vapor, which is lighter than air, gives lift only 25% lower than the same volume of helium. But water and propane are much cheaper than noble gas. Until now, the use of steam in balloons has not been possible due to the lack of a shell material capable of withstanding the temperature of superheated steam and its pressure. German aeronauts used a polyimide film with an extremely light heat-insulating layer applied to it, developed for use in space technology. Outside, the film is also metallized to reduce heat loss. ... >>

radioactive forest fires 01.02.2007

Canadian scientists monitoring atmospheric radioactivity to detect banned nuclear tests report that the radioactive isotope caesium-137 is rising in the air over Canada in the summer. It arose during the fission of plutonium-239 and uranium-235 in atomic explosions of the 50s and 60s of the last century and was deposited in the soil and plants. The reason for the appearance of this radionuclide in the air, according to Canadian geophysicists, is forest fires in Alaska, northern Canada and Siberia. In any case, the periods of its detection in the air coincide with the seasons of fires. Cesium is a chemical relative of potassium, which is essential for every plant, and is easily absorbed by the roots. It either enters the atmosphere from burnt wood, foliage and needles, or, since the boiling point of cesium is only 670 degrees Celsius, it evaporates from the topsoil during a fire. For health, such amounts of the isotope do not pose a danger. But it is known that in the Chernobyl region, where radioactive fallout was very large, the forest ... >>

What will follow FULL HD 31.01.2007

This year's FPD International 2006 and Ceatec Japan 2006 have shed light on the television plans of Japanese consumer electronics manufacturers. At present, leading HDTV manufacturers from China and South Korea are busy promoting the concept of Full HD and are passionate about making 1080p (1920x1080) the standard. The Japanese television industry, for which Full HD has long become a reality of today, is thinking about a large-scale introduction of 4096x2160 resolution. Without a doubt, this will entail increased requirements for the entire range of equipment - from video cameras, signal recording and playback devices to broadcast systems. ... >>

New TrimPix Technology 30.01.2007

Trimble announced the introduction of TrimPix technology into the production of a line of portable GIS-products (Mapping & Geographic Information System). TrimPix technology makes it easy to transfer high-resolution digital photos to GIS equipment using Nikon cameras. Based on FotoNation's Connected Photography technology, TrimPix technology allows Trimble GeoExplorer 2005 Series personal instruments and Trimble Recoil and Ranger laptop computers running Microsoft Windows Mobile version 5.0 software to seamlessly connect to a digital camera. When used with wireless handheld devices, TrimPix technology allows Trimble users to connect to and receive images from selected COOLPIX level Nikon digital wireless cameras - COOLPIX PI, P2, P6, S7 and SXNUMXC. As each photo is taken, a Nikon camera quickly and automatically transmits a digital image to a Trimble handheld GPS receiver or wireless ... >>

Infineon unveils world's smallest GPS receiver 29.01.2007

Infineon and Global Locate announced the creation of the world's smallest Hammerhead II GPS receiver chip for use in mobile phones, smartphones and personal navigation devices. Hammerhead II, based on the Hammerhead chip, is optimized for cellular communications and mobile devices, has high performance, low power consumption, dimensions of 3,74x3,59x0,6 mm, and a footprint of less than 14 square meters. mm. The Hammerhead 11 GPS receiver includes LNA, RF downconverter and DSP system on a single RFCMOS chip. A 49-pin BGA pin array is provided for mounting. The Hammerhead II chip has a sensitivity down to -160 dBm and a positioning time of about 1 second, which exceeds the requirements of the 3GPP specification. Optimized for personal navigation, the software includes sophisticated algorithms to correct multipath errors. Commercial production of the Hammerhead II will begin in February 2007, with sales ... >>

Ultra compact LED 28.01.2007

ROHM recently completed the development of an ultra-compact LED that currently has the smallest volume and area in the world. The SML-P12 (PicoLED) series LEDs are ideal for applications that require thin, compact components such as cell phone keypads, dot matrices, and compact seven-segment meters. Mass production of products is planned for April 2007. Currently, the smallest available chip is considered to be a compact 1608 LED chip (1,6x0,8 mm). However, the use of ultra-precise technology has enabled ROHM to develop an ultra-compact, ultra-thin, 0,2mm thick LED with a full spectrum of colors, previously considered impossible due to the significant loss in brightness of conventional LEDs. The main features of SML-P12 (PicoLED): ultra-compact; 53% less area and 74% less volume than the standard 1608. Samples are available in the following color range: red, orange ... >>

WiMAX Infrastructure Development Platform 27.01.2007

Freescale Semiconductor offers the industry's most versatile broadband WiMAX development platform using Power Architecture technology. Combining the high performance of the Power QUICCTM family of communications processors, StarCore digital signal processors, and programmable logic arrays (FPGAs), the WiMAX broadband platform utilizes physical and data link (MAC) protocols. This provides the performance and software processing capability required for WiMAX base station equipment. Designed to support both fixed and mobile stations, the WiMAX platform provides the core functionality required for the first generation of IEEE 802.16-2005 mobile broadband WiMAX systems at the hardware level in a single AMC (Advanced Mezzanine Card) module design. The circuit is made on the MPC8555E communication processor of the PowerQICC III family, which has a gigahertz performance ... >>

Schumacher battery collection 25.01.2007

As you know, F1 racing star Michael Schumacher has retired, but his name is still exploited for advertising and marketing purposes. Admire the collection of all kinds of batteries, accumulators and chargers produced by ANSMANN Energy. The fact is that the multiple winner of the "Formula" has become the "advertising face" of the new series, in which the high-speed charger Super Speed ​​Charger attracts special attention. Probably, the producers well remembered the words of Schumi himself, who often mentioned in his interviews that "it would be nice to recharge the batteries." ... >>

Gadget 007 Edition Spy Gear 23.01.2007

The set of gadgets, the release of which was timed by Sony to coincide with the premiere of the movie "Casino Royale" and called 007 Edition Spy Gear, includes everything you need for a modern James Bond: a Sony VAIO TX-007 laptop, a Cybershot T50 camera, an aluminum diplomat with the 007 logo. Intel Core Solo U1400 (1,2 GHz) processor, 2 GB DDR2-533,80 GB hard drive and 11,1-inch WXGA screen. External interfaces are represented by a FireWire port, two USB 2.0 ports, a VGA output, a port for connecting a replicator, a card reader (supported formats: SD + Memory Stick). The seven-megapixel Sony DSC-T50B with Carl Zeis optics and sensitivity up to 1000 ISO is offered as a "spy" camera. ... >>

LG Concept Notebook 21.01.2007

LG Electronics has received yet another prestigious Red Dot Award for design. This time it was awarded to the company for the development of a new laptop concept. Designed by LG designers, the portable PC has an OLED screen that is substantially thinner than standard LCDs. It does not require a wide frame around the edges and consumes less electricity. The keyboard is also a one-piece tactile OLED panel (similar to the one already implemented in LG Chocolate phones). ... >>

ASUS gaming laptops 20.01.2007

ASUSTeK Computer has unveiled two laptops designed specifically for gamers. Based on the Intel Centrino Duo for mobile PCs, the G1 and G2 widescreen models feature 15,4" and 17" screens, respectively. The Direct Flash backlight feature is enabled when DirectX9 is enabled in games that require high graphics performance. A dedicated OLED display displays system status, instant messages and reminders. ASUS Power4 Gear+ energy-saving technology extends battery life by 20-25%. ... >>

carbon dioxide glass 18.01.2007

A group of chemists from the University of Florence (Italy) obtained a transparent glassy material from carbon dioxide by compressing "dry ice" between two diamond plungers under a pressure of 640 atmospheres at a temperature of 700 Kelvin. Under such extreme conditions, CO2 molecules, which are characterized by double bonds of a carbon atom with each of the oxygen atoms, rearranged into molecules with single bonds, arranged randomly, as in ordinary glass. The resulting substance is about ten times harder than quartz, but softer than diamond. It is the hardest amorphous material known to science. As soon as the pressure is removed, the extraordinary substance turns back into ordinary "dry ice" and then into gaseous carbon dioxide. But chemists suggest that if this "gas glass" is mixed with silicon dioxide at even higher temperatures, it will be possible to obtain an extremely hard glass-like substance that is stable under ordinary conditions. It will find application in technology, and in this form it will be convenient x ... >>

The smallest flashlight 17.01.2007

In 2000, 15-year-old American Barclay Henry patented the smallest flashlight, and recently opened his own business with his father and brother and began to produce his invention. This is a plastic cap with two white LEDs, put on a 9-volt Krona-type battery. The cap has a switch for three positions: on, off, reduced brightness (only one LED is on). One ordinary battery is enough for 50 hours of burning at maximum brightness, an alkaline battery for 75 hours, a lithium battery for 200 hours. As for the service life of LEDs, it is one hundred thousand hours, or 11 years of continuous burning. Despite the rather high price ($ 25), the flashlights diverge well, whole batches are purchased for the American army. ... >>

Microbes in a squirrel wheel 16.01.2007

Nanotechnologists are looking for suitable sources of driving force for nanomechanisms in the near future. Yuichi Hirasuka from the University of Tokyo has created a motor that runs bacteria. The bacterial engine consists of two parts: an annular groove etched into silicon and a 20-micrometer-diameter star-shaped silicon dioxide wheel resting on it. Under each ray of the sprocket there is a barrier lowered into the groove. In a straight groove (visible at the bottom left), harmless Mycoplasma mobile bacteria are launched into this wheel, which are distinguished by their high crawling speed - almost two centimeters per hour (this is really very fast, since the length of the bacterium itself is one micron). Moving along the annular groove, the bacteria push the shutters and turn the wheel at a speed of up to 2,5 revolutions per minute. You just need to feed them glucose. True, the power of a bacterial motor is 10 thousand times less than an electric motor of this size would have. But scientists hope to increase it. On the other hand, since bacteria ... >>

Poplar genome read 15.01.2007

For the first time, the genome of a tree, one of the poplar species, Populus tnchocarpa, was deciphered. 35 scientific institutes all over the world participated in the work. This is the third plant whose hereditary text has been fully read by scientists (the first two were herbaceous plants - rice and Arabidopsis, a small grass widely used in genetic experiments). But a tree should differ from herbs in genes that provide, for example, the synthesis of cellulose, lignin, and similar compounds that make up wood. Knowledge of the mechanism of synthesis of these compounds can be useful in the biotechnology industry. This species was chosen for the study, since its genome is relatively small - about 45 thousand genes. ... >>

Bathers in the middle of the desert 13.01.2007

For most of its history, the Sahara has been a desert. Approximately every one hundred thousand years, due to the peculiarities of the Earth's orbit and the change in its axial tilt, this part of Africa experiences a wet period lasting about 5000 years. German geologists and archaeologists working in the east of the Sahara discovered that only 5500 years ago there was a savannah with rich vegetation and lakes on the site of the desert. Then the rains became rare, and the population had to migrate east to the Nile Valley, where, thanks to this change in climate, the great civilization of Egypt was born. Archaeologists have found cave paintings depicting people swimming in the lake. Two of them have something like flippers on their legs. ... >>

Aircraft capable of driving on roads 11.01.2007

Another attempt to create a practical flying car (the first design of this kind dates back to 1917) was made by three graduates of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA). They demonstrated at the annual Wisconsin Air Festival their model "Terrafugia Transition" - a two-seat aircraft with folding wings with a span of 8 meters and with a pusher propeller. On one refueling of conventional motor gasoline, the car is capable of flying 800 km at a speed of 190 km / h at altitudes up to 4200 m. The designers say that they approached the matter differently than their predecessors: they tried to create not a flying car, but an airplane capable of driving. It will land at the airfield, fold its wings and exit onto the highway. ... >>

head grows 09.01.2007

English anthropologists from the University of Birmingham measured 30 skulls of men and women - victims of the London Plague of 1348 - 1349 and 50 skulls of victims of the shipwreck of the English warship "Mary Rose", which sank in 1545 off Plymouth. The old skulls were compared with modern x-rays of 31 adults of both sexes. It turned out that the height of the cranial vault of a modern person exceeds both old groups by about 15 percent. The facial part has become less dominant over the frontal, and the part of the skull that protects the frontal lobes, the main part of the brain associated with the mind, has increased. ... >>

Sneakers with electronics 07.01.2007

Regular running shoes are not suitable for all sports and not for all surfaces. The purpose of sports shoes is to absorb the impact of the foot, and the force of these impacts is different, for example, when jogging, marathon or sprinting, while jumping. The load on the foot is different when running on asphalt and when playing tennis on grass. Therefore, up to now, sneakers of different types have been produced for various sports. The well-known company "Adidas" released in 2005 sneakers with automatic adjustment of the degree of rigidity of the sole. The "Adidas 1" adapts itself to the demands of the moment by changing the properties of the outsole. Sensors hidden in the sole measure loads and deformations a thousand times per second. Based on this data, the microprocessor calculates the ideal level of cushioning and sends an order to the electromagnets that change the stiffness of the heel. The battery that powers the electronics lasts for a hundred hours. Recently released a new model "Adidas 1.1 Basketball", specially designed for basketball players ... >>

insulin on gold 05.01.2007

Indian physicist Murali Sastri from the National Chemistry Laboratory in Pune suggests administering insulin to diabetics not through injections, but through the nose. To do this, he adsorbed insulin molecules on ultramicroscopic gold particles about five nanometers in diameter, pre-coated with a layer of aspartic acid. It creates an electrostatic charge on the surface of gold particles that holds insulin molecules. The resulting fine powder can be inhaled through the nose, and the nanoparticles with the hormone are quickly absorbed through the mucous membranes of the nasal respiratory tract. When tested on rats, this method reduced blood sugar levels by 55% in two hours, which is comparable to the effect of a conventional insulin injection. Preliminary observations have shown that gold is rapidly excreted through the kidneys, but since insulin-dependent diabetes is a chronic disease and patients have to take insulin all their lives, it is necessary to make sure that this heavy metal does not accumulate before testing in humans. ... >>

Tutorials from space 04.01.2007

An important reason for the backwardness of educational systems in African countries, especially in the teaching of natural and exact sciences, is the difficulty of updating textbooks in school libraries. In a rural school in Kenya, 60 students received PDAs that were downloaded via satellite with the latest editions of school textbooks approved by the Kenyan Ministry of Education. This is much cheaper than buying textbooks every year and delivering them to remote areas of the country. Next year, the experiment will be extended to Rwanda, where 405 schools with 20000 students will take part in it. ... >>

Self disintegrating phone 02.01.2007

The problem of recycling used mobile phones is acute all over the world. Disassembling them into parts with the possibility of reusing suitable components, remelting polymer parts and burying toxic waste is a laborious and expensive business. A group of students from the University of Helsinki, in collaboration with the Finnish company Nokia, has created a prototype phone that disassembles itself when heated. Springs made of a metal alloy with shape memory are built into the case. At a certain temperature, they straighten and fall apart the body. The printed circuit boards with the electronics are reinforced with screws made of a polymer that loses its strength at the same temperature, so that when heated, the phone breaks into pieces. However, it is better not to leave such a device, for example, in the sun behind the glass of a car. However, this is not useful for ordinary phones either. ... >>

Thanks to NXP, smart chips have halved their weight 31.12.2006

NXP Semiconductors announced the start of mass deliveries of ultra-thin ICs (integrated circuits) for smart cards. They are thinner than the diameter of a human hair. NXP's new SmartMX family of chips, specifically designed for smart cards, are less than 75 microns thick, which is 2 times thinner than standard chips currently being produced. Due to their miniaturization, the new chips allow more flexible design decisions and provide greater protection from environmental factors. The new 75 µm wafers will be incorporated into MOV6 contactless IC chip packages used in ePassports, eVisas and other electronic documents. With a thickness of only 260 microns, MOV6 is 20% thinner than other brands on the market. ... >>

New V9 series micro switch 30.12.2006

The V9 series DC microswitch can be a beneficial solution for position sensing in circuits driving an electrical load greater than 15A or in a primary circuit with a contact gap greater than 3mm. Therefore, this DC micro switch is ideal for DC applications. Possible applications may include power tools, household appliances, vending and gaming machines, and computer equipment. ... >>

New 18W and 25W Network Adapters 29.12.2006

Mean Well announced the release of two new lines of network adapters GS18 and GS25, 18W and 25W, respectively. The input voltage range of the new products is from 90 to 264 V AC, the output voltage is from 5 to 48 V. The devices have all the world's energy safety, environmental protection certificates, meet the requirements of the Energy Star program and comply with the IV class of electrical safety according to CEC. They use protection circuits against short circuits, overloads and surges in the input voltage. A wide range of input and output connectors offered will allow you to use adapters to power industrial and consumer electronics in any part of the world. ... >>

TPS65023 - new power controller for DaVinci 28.12.2006

Texas Instruments Incorporated has introduced the first dedicated power controller optimized for DaVinci portable media processors. The TPS65023 is up to 95 percent efficient, provides flexible voltage scaling, and overall simplifies the design of Li-ion battery-powered portable multimedia applications. Three buck converters are built into the instrument to maintain voltages for the core, peripherals, I/O interface, and memory. The TPS65023 adopts a PC communication interface that operates a dynamic voltage control system that can adjust the processor core voltage within the range of 0,8V to 1,6V, which greatly reduces the processor's power consumption. The interface is compatible with fast/standard as well as high speed modes of the PC specification with data rates up to 400 kHz. In TPS65023 so ... >>

GUI Controlled Digital Power Controllers for Point-of-Load Systems 27.12.2006

Texas Instruments has unveiled new Fusion Digital Power products that include digital power management systems for telecommunications and data processing equipment. The UCD9111 single-phase and UCD9112 two-phase controllers provide 175 ps digital pulse-width modulation and are fully graphical user interface (GUI) driven. You can control the conversion without a special line or software. The GUI configuration allows developers to intelligently control power supply voltage, drive current, feedback, soft start, and many other functions. The UCD9111 and UCD9112 have built-in peripheral control algorithms. The algorithms and peripherals form a fully digital control loop that supports devices up to 2 MHz. The controller architecture is optimized to achieve high performance ... >>

New temperature sensor for computer memory modules 26.12.2006

Maxim Integrated Products introduced the MAX6604, a small, low-cost temperature sensor designed to monitor the thermal behavior of DDR memory modules. This device measures temperature with an accuracy of +1°C, converts the measured value into digital format and transmits it via a PC-compatible interface. The MAX6604 monitors the temperature continuously and updates the data eight times per second. This method improves performance by providing a highly accurate measurement of module temperature. Analogues that use readings from sensors installed on motherboards to estimate the temperature of memory modules are much less accurate. The MAX6604 is available in miniature TDFN and TSSOP packages. The device contains a three-address bus, which provides a choice of eight possible addresses. The combination of these features makes the MAX6604 an ideal choice for high performance notebook memory modules. MAX6604 operates in the temperature range -20...125°C and supply voltage 3 ... >>

New IGBT SEMiX modules 25.12.2006

SEMICRON announced the release in 2007 of a new generation of 1200V and 1700V SPT+ IGBT SEMiX modules. A unique property of SPT+ crystals is the ability to self-limit peak transient overvoltages. ... >>

First FlexRay transceiver 24.12.2006

NXP, formerly Philips Semiconductors, announced the start of mass production of the world's first FlexRay transceiver, the TJA1080. This chip, together with the NXP fail-safe system, is now used in the BMW X5, a mass-produced vehicle equipped with the FlexRay system. The TJA1080 is compatible with a wide range of microcontrollers, including the NXP SJA25xx family, providing an integrated solution for FlexRay applications. Currently, NXP is the only semiconductor supplier that can offer a complete system solution for FlcxRay applications, consisting of microcontrollers and transceivers. The TJA1080 can be configured as a node transceiver or as an active star transceiver. The result is a simple and fast development of a complete FlexRay network with robust, EMI-free communications, error diagnostics, and protection mechanisms. Development of the TJA1080 transceiver ... >>

A new company in the LCD backlight market 22.12.2006

In August 2006, Omron Corporation announced that it had acquired a 100% stake in Pioneer Precision Machinery Corporation (Pioneer PMC), a subsidiary of Pioneer Corporation. The acquired company changed its name to Omron Precision Technology Co. Ltd. As a result of this acquisition, Omron will have more than 20% (the largest share) of the global market for miniature LCD backlight LED modules in terms of sales (according to Omron). Forecasts indicate that the LED LCD backlight business will grow rapidly. Omron aims to become the world's leading manufacturer of backlight modules in all sizes. These hopes are based on a combination of Pioneer PMC's newly acquired business and Omron Corporation's own production of such modules in small and large sizes. ... >>

Advanced technology for recycling waste office equipment 21.12.2006

Sooner or later, one way or another, a computer, TV or mobile phone will one day cease to be a luxury item and go to a landfill. For example, in Germany alone, two million tons of electronic scrap are found there every year. And one fifth of this weight, that is, 400 thousand tons, falls on plastics. However, only 1% of them can be recycled. The problem is that such plastics contain heavy metals, bromine-based fire-fighting additives, and all kinds of pigments. All of them are harmful to the environment and, in accordance with EU directives, must not enter the product obtained during processing. And another directive requires that 75% of plastic waste be recycled. Puzzled by these instructions, European engineers are trying to find a way out. One of the methods was proposed by scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Engineering Processes and Packaging, together with the Crea-Cycle company from the city of Grebenbroich. They managed to bring the degree of recycling waste ... >>

The mobile phone helps to navigate the city 20.12.2006

Usually, in order not to get lost in an unfamiliar city, you need to buy a map. Hotels, restaurants, and all kinds of attractions are marked on it. But there is no way to look "inside" the map, to find out details about this or that object depicted on it - the map is paper. If it were electronic, it would be possible to put a link on each of them and attach as much information as your heart (or advertising budget) wants. It seems that scientists from the University of Southampton, led by Dr. Jonathan Hare and Professor Paul Lewis, managed to find a way out. They have developed an algorithm that makes it easy to switch from a paper map to an electronic one using a mobile phone, which, of course, every traveler has. The algorithm works as follows. With the camera of his mobile phone, the tourist photographs the fragment of the map he needs and sends the photo to the server. There, the image is processed, compared with an electronic map of the same area and found, ... >>

Creative Live! Cam Optia 19.12.2006

A new product has appeared in Creative's arsenal - USB Web-camera Live! Cam Optia. It is equipped with a VGA sensor that delivers 640x480 resolution video at 30 frames per second. The device supports popular communication tools such as Skype, Windows Messenger. Wireless headset included. ... >>

iRobot Sentinel 18.12.2006

iRobot Corporation, which produces robots for performing various operations in adverse conditions, has published the first photographs of its new development, known under the code name Sentinel. This innovative networking technology is funded by the US military budget. It makes it possible to simultaneously control the actions of many semi-automatic robots from one computer equipped with a touch screen. ... >>

Xbox 360 HD DVD 17.12.2006

The long-awaited addition to the Xbox 360 game console, an external HD DVD drive, has gone on sale in the US. In its work, the device uses the processor power and the audio system of the console, connects via a USB connector and provides resolution up to 1080p. By this Christmas season, leading film companies intend to release more than 150 blockbusters on discs of this format. By the way, one of the films (Peter Jackson's King Kong) is included with the HD DVD player for Xbox 360. In addition, the device is equipped with a remote control. The suggested retail price in US stores is $199,99. ... >>

Nokia 330 with navigator 16.12.2006

Nokia made its debut in the auto navigation market with the introduction of the Nokia 330 Auto Navigation device with pre-installed mapping software from the Dutch manufacturer Route 66. The digital maps of Europe are supplied by the American company NAVTEQ. Maps can be viewed in 330D and 360D. There are night and day modes of operation. Nokia 456 does not support telephone communication, however, in addition to the basic navigation functions, it allows you to play music, show photos and videos. The product will go on sale before the end of this year at a retail price of ?XNUMX ($XNUMX). ... >>

Mobile device Samsung SPH-P9000 15.12.2006

Samsung has introduced a new mobile device SPH-P9000 Deluxe. It not only has an unusual design, but also supports the latest Mobile WiMAX and CDMA EV-DO technologies. In fact, the device has a PDA format, runs under Microsoft Windows XP and is equipped with a folding QWERTY keyboard of almost full size. The SPH-P9000 is equipped with a 30-inch WVGA screen, 1,3 GB hard drive, 43 megapixel camera and Mini-USB port. The dimensions of the device are 92x29x7 mm, and the weight is 560 g. ... >>

The camera leaves traces 14.12.2006

As you know, you can find the barrel from which the bullet flew out by the characteristic scratches left by each firearm on soft lead. It is possible to find a typewriter on which any text is printed by the smallest individual features of the letters. And American programmer Jessica Friedrich from the State University of New York has found a way to identify digital cameras in the same way. Each camera introduces so-called noise into the picture - interference associated with the incorrect functioning of individual elements of the photosensitive matrix. For example, in a single-color section of an image, individual pixels (dots that make up the picture) may have a different color. The pattern of such electronic noise is unique to each camera. A program developed by Jessica Friedrich detects these fingerprints. During testing, the program, without a single error, determined that 3000 shots belonged to ten cameras. According to FBI specialists, the new method can be useful, for example, when searching for ... >>

Sheep sowers 13.12.2006

How effective can be the transfer of plant seeds by animals, shows an experiment conducted by ecologists from the University of Madrid. They used the seasonal movement of sheep from winter to summer pastures practiced in some areas of Spain. About 400 Merino sheep are regularly driven from the Cantabrian Mountains in northern Spain to Extremadura in the southwest. The seeds of wild carrots, clover Trifolium angustifolium, plantain Plantago lagopus and mouse barley Hordeum murinum were introduced into the fleece of several rams, labeled with harmless paint. The journey of 28 kilometers took 47 days, and by the end of it, 12% of clover seeds, 9,5% of carrots, 5% of barley and 38,1% of plantain remained. Even when the sheep were shorn in May, 6,93%, 5,06%, 2,15% and XNUMX% of the seeds of these plants remained in the wool, respectively. For all four plant species, these are record distances for transferring seeds to animals. The experiment proved that the migration of herds of wild ungulates could be of great importance for the dispersal of plants. ... >>

Contacts between shipbuilders of ancient Rome and Vietnam 12.12.2006

During excavations in northern Vietnam, a well-preserved hull of a large boat, about 2000 years old, was found in clay deposits on the banks of the Mekong. The age of the find is evidenced by the coins found in it, minted in 118 BC - 220 AD. Archaeologists were amazed that the cladding boards were attached to the hull frame in exactly the same way. as they did in ancient Rome under the emperor Caligula in the first century AD, with a spike connection. Until now, it was believed that this technique was known only in the Mediterranean. It is difficult to say whether this boat represents the result of a scientific and technical exchange between Rome and Vietnam, or whether the same shipbuilding methods originated in two very remote countries independently. ... >>

clay bullets 11.12.2006

During the excavations of the large ancient Syrian city of Hamukar, from which only a mound fifteen meters high has survived to our time, an expedition of Syrian and American archaeologists discovered more than 1200 clay shells with which the attackers fired at the defenders of the city with slings. The battle was so hot that the slingers did not have enough prepared ammunition, and they dug clay right on the battlefield, making shells out of it. They were not fired, so many clay "bullets" flattened upon impact were found. The battle raged 5500 years ago. Judging by the change in the style of ceramic vessels found in shallower layers of the soil, the city was captured and inhabited by newcomers from the southern Mesopotamian city of Uruk. ... >>

world map of happiness 10.12.2006

The first world "map of happiness" was compiled. It was drawn by the English psychologist Adrian White on the basis of sociological surveys on the degree of satisfaction with life, conducted in more than a hundred countries of the world. He also used statistical information about the standard of living, the state of health care and education in different countries of the world. It turned out that the most happy residents of Denmark, Switzerland and Austria, the least - African countries and countries - members of the CIS. Such studies are of limited value, since ideas about a happy life vary significantly among different peoples. However, White hopes his map will catch the attention of governments that care little about their people. ... >>

Racing electric car 09.12.2006

The new California company Tesla Motors has demonstrated to the public a two-seater Tesla Roadster electric sports car. Up to a hundred kilometers per hour, it accelerates from a standstill in four seconds (this is faster than a Ferrari). Thanks to lithium-ion batteries and a lightweight carbon fiber body, the car travels up to 400 kilometers on a single charge. You can charge from a regular home electrical outlet; one night is enough to fill the batteries "to the eyeballs". In the future, the company intends to release a four-seat model, as well as a solar panel for installation on the roof of the garage. Such a solar power plant will make it possible to store energy for 80 kilometers on a sunny day, that is, for at least two days of trips of medium duration. One drawback of the electric sports car has already come to light: it is too quiet, which is unusual for drivers. The designers intend to give the car an electronic noise generator programmed to change the volume of the "engine roar" depending on the ... >>

Folding A-bike 08.12.2006

In England, they began to produce a folding bicycle model, called the A-bike for its unfolded shape. A car weighing 5 kilograms folds in 6 seconds, when folded (dimensions 10 by 67 by 30 cm) is packed into a backpack attached to it and does not interfere with bus, metro, train or plane passengers. Materials - aluminum, fiberglass and composites. The diameter of the wheels is 16 centimeters, so the car is only suitable for city trips on asphalt. The weight of the rider must not exceed 15 kilograms. On a flat surface, the speed reaches 85 kilometers per hour. ... >>

All the gold in the world 07.12.2006

Australian geologist Bernard Wood of Macquarie University believes that more than 99% of all gold on Earth billions of years ago, due to its gravity, sank into the center of the planet and became part of the Earth's core. In his opinion, there is enough gold in the core to cover the entire area of ​​​​our planet with a layer of precious metal about half a meter thick. It is now believed that the Earth arose from many small asteroid-like bodies, the so-called planetesimals. They bumped into each other and stuck together. In their composition, planetesimals were similar to modern meteorites. Based on the composition of meteorites and comparing it with the composition of the earth's crust, Wood noticed that there was too little gold, platinum and nickel in the earth's crust. He suggested that these metals, due to their high density and affinity for iron, sank to the center of the Earth and became part of its iron core. The earth then was a solid ball of molten magma. If meteorites had not continued to bring gold to Earth even after ... >>

From the accelerator to the kitchen 06.12.2006

French theoretical physicists do not shy away from worldly prose. At the Laboratory of Particle Physics and Cosmology in Grenoble, they created a small enterprise to produce their invention. This is a nozzle on any faucet for neutralizing tap water by ultraviolet irradiation. Moreover, instead of an ultraviolet lamp, the service life of which is only a few thousand hours, an almost eternal torch with an unstable plasma, previously developed for elementary particle accelerators, is used. Powerful ultraviolet radiation not only kills microbes, but also decomposes all kinds of organic pollution. ... >>

The snake generates energy 05.12.2006

Off the northern coast of Portugal, three modules are being tested to generate electricity from sea waves. The device, about four railway cars long and 3 meters in diameter, invented in Scotland, consists of three articulated sectors. They are anchored at a depth of 50-60 meters a few kilometers from the coast and connected to the land by a power cable. When this chain bends on the water as the crest of the wave passes, oil is pumped inside, its flow rotates hydraulic motors connected to an electric generator. The power of one "snake" is 750 kilowatts. If the tests are successful, a whole power plant with a capacity of 24 megawatts will be deployed here, which will be able to power the town for 12 apartments or single-family houses. ... >>

cloud in the universe 04.12.2006

Launched by the European Space Agency, the Newton X-ray Space Telescope has discovered a giant cloud of interstellar gas three million light-years across in the Abell 3266 galaxy cluster (visible in the southern hemisphere of the celestial sphere). If this gas emitted visible light, in the southern sky the huge cloud would look only half the size of the Moon, although it is immeasurably further away, several million light-years from Earth. Every hour, due to a gas leak, the cloud loses a mass equal to the mass of the Sun. If this continues, it will dissipate in a hundred million years. ... >>

Automatic tailor 03.12.2006

Employees of the University of Genoa (Italy) are taking part in a pan-European program to create a fully automated system for tailoring. The task of measuring the customer's figure has already been solved, this is done using a network of laser beams. Italian engineers are developing ways to manipulate fabric cuts. What arms to supply the robot-tailor? Three options are being considered. The fabric can be taken with vacuum suction cups. It is possible to install Peltier elements on the fingers of the robot - semiconductor devices that are strongly cooled when an electric current is passed. The fabric, slightly damp, will freeze to the fingers, and to release it, you need to reverse the direction of the current, and the fingers will heat up. The third option is electrostatic grippers that hold tissue with a high voltage charge. The "assembly" of the ordered clothes will be carried out on a mannequin that changes its shape depending on the figure of the customer. Since the system is still being patented, details about the changeable device ... >>

hot imprint 02.12.2006

A new method for detecting fingerprints, which allows finding these traces on metal heated to 600 degrees Celsius, was proposed by employees of the University of Wales in Swansea (UK). The slightest amount of sweat contained on the fingers causes micro-corrosion of metal, such as grenades, cartridge or shell casings, or explosive device shells. An electrochemical reaction with sweat as an electrolyte causes persistent changes in the electric potential of metal atoms that last up to several years. The probe of a special scanning electron microscope, which measures the slightest changes in the electrical potential of the metal surface, builds a three-dimensional image of fingerprints. A new method to identify those who loaded a weapon or prepared an explosive device "works" on surfaces made of steel, iron, zinc, brass and aluminum, including curved surfaces. ... >>

Telephone conversation excites the cerebral cortex 01.12.2006

Around two billion people in the world now regularly use cellular telephony, and by the end of 2006 an estimated 730 million units will be sold. But it is still unclear whether prolonged exposure to radio waves from an apparatus applied directly to the head does not harm the brain. The new Italian study also does not allow us to answer this question, but provides interesting information for reflection. Fifteen young volunteers talked for 45 minutes on cell phones of one of the most common standards now - GSM-900. At the same time, their brain activity was monitored. It turned out that in 12 of the experimental young men, the cells of the motor cortex of the brain in the place where the apparatus was applied became excited during the conversation and returned to normal only an hour after the end of the experiment. The motor cortex controls human muscle movements. Experimenters do not say that the phenomenon they have discovered is dangerous, but, in any case, experience proves that radio waves cause some kind of real ... >>

New switching regulator 29.11.2006

International Rectifier, a world leader in power management, has introduced a high voltage, high frequency switching regulator for offline, non-isolated AC/DC applications requiring multiple LEDs or DC/DC color mixing. Applications include indoor and outdoor signage as well as architectural, entertainment, design and decorative lighting. Rated at 200 or 600 V, the IRS254x series includes a time-delayed hysteresis switching regulator for average load current control with a 5% tolerance using a built-in precision voltage reference. An external bootstrap circuit on the high voltage side drives the pulse switch up to 500 kHz. The low voltage side driver is also used for synchronous rectification. Distinctive features of the new microcircuit are low start-up current (less than 500 μA) to reduce turn-on losses and latency ... >>

Interface for office equipment 28.11.2006

Three-channel, 16-bit analog interface chip (analog front end, AFE) from National Semiconductor, according to the manufacturer, can significantly improve the performance of multifunctional devices (MFPs) focused on office use. For example, color copy speeds are estimated by National Semiconductor to be in excess of 40 pages per minute. Operating at frequencies up to 45 MHz, the LM98714 is the first AFE to integrate a programmable time clock for charge-coupled devices (CCD) and contact image sensors (CIS), as well as a low-voltage serial interface with using difference signals (LVDS). Today's high-speed copiers capable of making color copies are quite bulky and expensive. The LM98714 is expected to enable cost-effective and fast desktop-sized devices. Function set ... >>

New LDO controllers with shutdown function and watchdog timer 27.11.2006

Maxim Integrated Products has announced a new line of LDO controllers. The MAX6765 - MAX6774 line is a family of high voltage (4 to 72V) LDO controllers with a load current of up to 100mA. The current consumption of the devices is only 31 μA, which will allow them to be successfully used in automotive applications with a long period of operation. Regulators are available with standard output voltages of 5 V; 3,3V; 2,5V; 1,8V; as well as with the ability to adjust the output voltage in the range of 1,8 ... 11 V using two external resistors. Other important new features include shutdown when the output voltage drops below the threshold level and an input signal level watchdog timer to work with the microprocessor. The ICs are available in TDFN packages for the automotive temperature range from -40 to 125°C. ... >>

LMX9838 - Bluetooth module with serial port profile 26.11.2006

National Semiconductor presented a novelty at Electronica2006 in Munich: a Bluetooth module with a serial port profile. It is a fully integrated Bluetooth 2.0 module, including a 2,4GHz carrier transceiver, crystal, antenna, LDO, and discrete elements that make up a complete miniature (10x17x1,85mm) Bluetooth node. It includes all the hardware and software to create a complete solution, from antenna to application, including GAP, SDAP and SPP profiles. The module software also includes all underlying levels of the Bluetooth stack. The module contains a configurable database of services provided, which allows you to respond to requests for servicing additional profiles using the host processor. What's more, the LMX9838 is pre-certified as a Bluetooth subsystem. Successful compliance testing with the Bluetooth Qualification Program will quickly ... >>

Projector in a fist 25.11.2006

German engineers have almost assembled a projector the size of a sugar cube. Current projectors, which allow the presenter to show files with graphics and pictures on a large screen, have two drawbacks: large size and considerable price. The reason is that the heart of the projector is an array of millions of micromirrors that form the image using a powerful lamp. Scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Mechanics (Germany) proved that both disadvantages can be overcome by designing a projector that is slightly larger than a one euro coin. This mini-projector does not have a million mirrors, but a single one, but capable of rotating in two planes. The light source is semiconductor microlasers, like those used in pointers. These are the lasers that do not allow you to make the projector very small. The fact is that if the blue and red lasers have already "reduced" to the required size, then such a transformation cannot yet be done with the green one, despite many ... >>

Ultrasound on the spine 24.11.2006

Swedish scientists have figured out how to treat a spinal injury with ultrasound. A displaced spinal disc is a long-term back pain. Its cause is a pinched nerve, which may or may not go away on its own. In the latter case, you have to do the operation. Johan Persson, a PhD student at Lundt University (Sweden), proposed an extremely simple technique for such an operation. Unlike conventional, it requires only local anesthesia and lasts about six minutes. And instead of a scalpel, the doctor will have an ultrasound emitter. As first calculations showed, and then direct measurements using a tomograph, the disk between the vertebrae absorbs ultrasound well: from 30% to 70% of its power goes into heat. When the cartilage of the disk heats up to 65 degrees, the collagen fibers will shrink, it will stop sticking out so much and put pressure on the nerves. True, this technique works only with small disc displacements - covered non-perforated hernias. Now the technique developed by the Swedes is being tested ... >>

Bluetooth watch 22.11.2006

Sony Ericsson and Fossil have joined forces to develop Bluetooth watches. The MBW-100 model is designed to work in conjunction with a mobile phone and receives the necessary information using a wireless interface. The watch has a regular analog dial, which gives it a classic look. but below it is a small OLED screen that displays information about Bluetooth operation, incoming calls and messages. By pressing the buttons, you can control the reception of calls and the music player. The case is made of stainless steel, there will be a black version (which has a limited edition). ... >>

Blood group is determined by weighing 20.11.2006

Franz Dickert from the University of Vienna (Austria) has developed a simple and applicable even in the field method for determining the blood type. The properties of blood depend on the molecules of various sugars that cover the shell of erythrocytes. Taking red blood cells of different blood types, Dickert places them on a plastic film and dries. It turns out a set of four films corresponding to four blood groups. After that, the analyzed blood drop is applied to each film, and the erythrocytes from it adhere to the existing ones, if the sugar coating of the membrane is the same. It remains only to wash off the drops of blood and weigh all four films on a sensitive scale - the one to which the most erythrocytes have stuck will show the person's blood type. ... >>

Bee beacon 19.11.2006

To track the flight of insects, they have long tried to use radar. But at low altitude, typical for insect flight, radio waves are reflected from plants, buildings, and uneven terrain. The signal reflected from a small target is lost in interference. British experts suggested using the so-called transponder for tracking insects - a wire-antenna with a semiconductor diode included in it. When this device is exposed to radio waves, it emits a wave twice the frequency. By the way, the work of stickers is based on this principle, which does not allow you to take out an unpaid purchase from the store. The transponder weighs a few milligrams and does not interfere with the flight at all. ... >>

If you want twins, drink milk 18.11.2006

American doctors have collected statistics on the frequency of twin births in women with different eating styles. Strict vegetarians do not consume any animal products, moderate ones still drink milk. For comparison, we took a group with a normal diet. It turned out that women who consume milk are five times more likely to give birth to twins than non-milk drinkers. Researchers believe that the matter is in one of the milk proteins, the so-called insulin-like growth factor. It stimulates the release of not one, but several eggs from the ovaries at once. Women who do not drink milk have 13% less of this compound in their blood than those who consume dairy products. ... >>

It's too hot on the London Underground 17.11.2006

The record temperatures of the past summer have been hard on the London Underground, especially during rush hours. Unlike the newer underground systems of the world, the London Underground, which appeared in 1863, does not have air conditioning. The creators of the system expected that trains would ventilate it, rushing through the tunnels. But global warming and the growing number of passengers have made summer temperatures unbearable in the stations and in the carriages. So, in mid-July 2006, the temperature in the cars was 47 degrees Celsius! The point is also that the clay soil of London does not remove heat well from the tunnels. In 2003, the mayor of the British capital even offered a prize of one hundred thousand pounds for solving the problem, but the money remained unclaimed. Engineers at a London university have proposed using groundwater for cooling. Every day, 30 million liters of seeping water are pumped out of the tunnels. At one of the stations, a system of heat exchangers installed between the platforms is being tested. ... >>

Fault determined by sight 16.11.2006

A thermoscope is a device that reflects on its screen differences in the temperature of objects on which it is pointed. The English company FLIR, which produces such devices, suggests using them for quick diagnostics of electrical equipment. If fuses, contacts and relays heat up, this is immediately noticeable on the thermoscope screen. The elevated temperature is shown in red. ... >>

It's time to end the riot with gasoline 15.11.2006

At gas stations in the United States, a total of almost one and a half hundred varieties of automotive fuel are offered. The government intends to standardize this product and reduce its diversity to seven types. It is winter and summer gasoline for the northern states, the same for the southern states, ultra-clean burning gasoline for California, which has the most stringent laws against air pollution. In addition, two grades of diesel fuel for the whole country. In the future, two varieties of so-called biofuels can be added to the list: pure ethyl alcohol from corn and other plant biomass and a gasoline-alcohol mixture. ... >>

round salt 15.11.2006

Often we are annoyed by salt sticking together in a salt shaker and not wanting to pour in any way. Indian crystallographers from the Central Institute for Research on Salt and Marine Chemicals in the city of Bhavnagar believe that the matter is in the cubic form of salt crystals. They are in close contact with their flat edges and stick together under the influence of air moisture. Scientists have suggested adding small amounts of the amino acid glycine to the brine from which table salt is boiled. Then the salt crystals are rounded, acquiring the shape of dodecahedrons. Such salt sticks together less and flows better. ... >>

inflatable windmill 14.11.2006

The Canadian firm Magenn Power has developed a prototype of a tethered helium balloon that serves as the rotor of a wind power generator. A balloon with blades rotates on a longitudinal axis associated with a generator located inside. Electricity is delivered to the ground through a cable. The generator can operate at wind speeds from 1 to 30 meters per second with an efficiency of 40-50%. Working height - up to 300 meters; by varying the altitude, one can find the level at which the wind speed is sufficiently high. Since helium leaks slightly through the balloon shell, it will have to be pumped up every 4-6 months. Delivery of units with a capacity of 4 kilowatts should begin next year, and in the future plans of the company - flying windmills with a capacity of up to 1,6 megawatts. ... >>

Love grows nerves 12.11.2006

Italian scientists from the University of Padua found that during romantic love in the blood plasma of those affected by this "ailment" the level of a special protein substance - the nerve growth factor - rises. When relationships become habitual, especially if they turn into marriage, the content of nerve growth factor drops to normal. This small protein (about a hundred amino acids) is necessary for the growth, development and maintenance of some peripheral parts of the human nervous system. It is synthesized in the cerebral cortex, the hippocampus (the part of the brain involved in emotional reactions) and in the olfactory bulbs. It is suspected that this compound is also involved in the processes of inflammation and allergy. ... >>

longevity gene 11.11.2006

After analyzing the gene sets of 213 centenarians over a hundred years old and their relatives, geneticists at the Einstein College of Medicine in New York found that 20-25% of them had two copies of a single gene, known as APC3. As a result, in people with this feature, protein synthesis, which is part of cholesterol plaques, is reduced by 30%. Therefore, they develop hypertension, sclerosis and other vascular diseases more slowly. True, judging by the fact that most centenarians do not have such an anomaly, some other mechanisms are at work here. ... >>

In addition to bananas, corn may also disappear 10.11.2006

As already reported, the most common variety of bananas may soon die out due to diseases, and breeding a new variety is a long story. It turns out that now corn is also in danger. This most valuable crop is cultivated in 160 countries of the world. To maintain old and breed new varieties in many countries, public and private seed banks are organized, in total, more than 250 thousand varieties and varieties of corn are stored in deep freezing. However, as experts recently found out, at least half of the stored seeds have lost their germination capacity. This could happen because the seeds are not always properly prepared for storage, and also due to more or less prolonged defrosting during a power outage. Meanwhile, wild bananas, possibly carrying genes against banana diseases, are dying in India's heavily deforested forests. Thus, a variety that has genes that protect bananas from the black sigatoka fungal disease has survived only in ... >>

Light in rolls 07.11.2006

A new light source, a flexible luminous film, has been invented at the Munich Institute for Problems of Reliability and Microintegration (Germany). In fact, it is a flat LED made of organic polymers that glows when an electrical voltage is applied. As is typical for LEDs, the luminous film consumes little energy and almost does not heat up. The brightness of the glow is smoothly adjustable. Longer life than incandescent or fluorescent lamps. The original lighting device allows you to make the walls or ceiling of the room luminous. The novelty will find application in outdoor advertising, as well as in computer and cell phone screens. ... >>

Rain and phones 05.11.2006

Water falling from the sky absorbs the energy of the ultra-short waves that power the cellular network, so the base stations in its cells automatically increase the transmission energy when it rains. As a group of meteorologists from the University of Tel Aviv (Israel) discovered, recording these fluctuations in the power of base stations can measure the amount of precipitation almost as accurately as a rain gauge. Moreover, the network of cellular stations is much denser than any network of weather stations that have rain gauges. This discovery will make weather forecasts more accurate. ... >>

mechanical fly 03.11.2006

Experts from the Laboratory of Biorobotics in Marseille (France) have created a miniature aircraft "Oscar", which simulates the behavior of a fly in flight. In the head of a common housefly, a brain is hidden, consisting of about a million neurons that receive signals from 48 cells in the retina of the eyes. Based on information from the eyes, 18 pairs of flight muscles receive orders from the brain to change the direction and speed of flight. Studies have shown that in flight, the fly's retina actively vibrates, so that the image alternately hits different light-sensitive elements. This makes it possible to keep the flight target in the center of the field of view 40 times more accurately than with a fixed retina. Oscar has replaced this system with one electronic eye and a 0,2 gram chip. The photosensitive matrix vibrates at the same frequency as a fly. The device can follow a given target and fly towards it, despite the movement of the target and the wind or lateral shocks that knock it off course. A similar system for ... >>

long-necked fossil 01.11.2006

In Mongolia, in the east of the Gobi Desert, bones of dinosaurs of a new genus were found in the Lower Cretaceous deposits. The lizard is named Erketuellisoni in honor of the main deity of the original Mongolian religion and the famous American paleontologist Ellison. The reptile is distinguished by the longest neck in the living and extinct animal world. The neck, 8 meters long, is almost half the length of the entire body with a tail. There are many air cavities in the cervical vertebrae, which, apparently, lightened the weight of the neck. The new dinosaur is related to tyrannosaurs and brontosaurus. ... >>

New VoIP chip for Wi-Fi telephony systems 29.10.2006

Atmel Corporation has announced a next-generation VoIP chip specifically designed for innovative wireless telephony systems based on the 802.11a/g standard. The AT76C902 is based on the VoIP Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) protocol stack, the uCLinux operating system, and embedded software that provides voice compression and decompression capabilities. The AT76C902 chip includes an ARM946 processor that takes care of VoIP connection control, authentication, and signaling, as well as two ARM7 subsystems and an 802.11a/g Media Access Controller (MAC). In addition, the chip has security hardware used to encrypt, decrypt, and authenticate the signal. Manufacturers of their own solutions are offered the AT76C902 DK developer toolkit. ... >>

New generation of 8-bit microcontrollers 28.10.2006

Toshiba Corporation (more precisely, its division TAEC) announces the creation of a new 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) core TLCS-870/C1. The new core, which, apparently, is reflected in the name (C1), allows you to execute one instruction per cycle, the amount of address space is 128 KB. For comparison, the previous generation of Toshiba microcontrollers based on the TLCS-870/C core executed one instruction in four cycles and could only address 64 KB of memory. The company is positioning the sufficiently flexible microcontroller core in a fairly wide range of consumer electronics products, from portable devices to air conditioners and washing machines. devices. ... >>

World's smallest IrDA (FIR) module 27.10.2006

ROHM has introduced an infrared communication module for cellular phones with a remote control function. It complies with the high-speed IrDA (Infrared Data Association) standard with a transfer rate of 4 Mbps. Shipment of RPM972-H14 engineering samples has already begun, and mass production will begin at ROHM ELECTRONICS DALIAN in November 2006. Built-in infrared remote control has recently become a standard feature on cell phones. The use of infrared rays forms the basis of progress in this field. The RPM972-H14 module developed by ROIIM is based on the RPM971-H14, to which the remote control function has been added. The RPM971-H14 is the world's smallest surface mount IrDA communication module for mass production. In addition, the RPM972-H14 does not need an external resistor, which is required for conventional modules in remote control mode. This promotes design flexibility and saves board space. ... >>

Intel introduced a chip for mobile devices with support for WiMax 26.10.2006

Intel Corporation introduced a single-chip (system-on-a-chip) solution for mobile devices with support for the WiMax standard - the WiMax Connection 2250 chip. will be implemented through software updates. WiMax Connection 802.16 is a revised version of Pro/Wireless 2004 introduced in 2250 for the fixed version of the standard. Commercial deliveries of WiMax Connection 5116 should begin before the end of this year. The first devices based on the chip will go on sale next year. Motorola, Alvarion, Airspan Networks, Alcatel, Aperto Networks, Redline Communications and Siemens have already made statements about using the Intel solution in their products. Recall that WiMax (World wide Interoperability for Microwave Access) networks are positioned as a means of connecting wireless locales to the Internet. ... >>

New ultra-fast DAC 25.10.2006

Maxim Integrated Products introduced the MAX 12 19692-bit D/A converter with a speed of 2,3 Gsample per second and the ability to directly synthesize a high-frequency wideband signal several times the Nyquist criterion, setting new industry standards for high-speed D/A converters. The MAX19692 provides direct signal synthesis up to 1 GHz for input frequency ranges from DC to over 2 GHz. The converter delivers excellent dynamic performance, including 68dB spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) at an output frequency of 1200MHz (when operating in the third Nyquist zone). The SFDR value is 14 dB higher than competing devices operating at the same high frequency. "Reinforcing its leadership in data processing technology, Maxim has developed a new high-speed DAC architecture that delivers advances in performance, dynamic range, ... >>

Solar panel on glass 24.10.2006

German scientists are going to make cheap solar cells by growing silicon on glass. Scientists from the Institute for Crystal Growth (Germany), led by Dr. Thorsten Boeck, together with the company "BP Solar" have begun a three-year project to grow thin films of polycrystalline silicon with large grains on glass. The essence of the idea is this. Now substrates for solar cells are made by cutting single crystals of silicon into wafers 0,45 mm thick. A photon penetrates the solar battery to a depth of only 0,02 mm. It turns out that a huge amount of ultra-pure silicon is wasted: a thin single-crystal film would do the job of converting light into electricity no worse than a thick plate. Accordingly, the price would be much lower. Alas, thin silicon films do not grow as single crystals. On the contrary, they consist of small grains, which significantly reduces the efficiency of the battery. To increase the size of silicon grains grown on glass (about ... >>

Technology at the tip of a golden hair 23.10.2006

Scientists from the USA figured out how to add a single molecule of a substance to the reactor, and at a strictly defined moment. "Chemists have known for a long time that it is technically possible to control the release of individual molecules of drugs or reagents, but no one has tried to implement this idea. We have brought it to the end," says Professor Peter Searson from Johns Hopkins University. He and his colleagues specialize in growing nanowires from various metals using photolithography methods. In this case, two pure gold electrode wires were needed. A long hydrocarbon molecule was attached to one of them using a gold-sulfur bond. A biomolecule was attached to the other end of the molecule, which needed to be introduced into the reactor at the right time. When this moment came, a short current pulse was passed through the electrodes, the bond between gold and sulfur was broken and the molecule set off to float freely. After that, a new molecule can be attached to the electrode and the whole process repeated. ... >>

The Polymer Diode Revolution Is Coming 22.10.2006

American chemists have obtained a sheet of flexible polymer diodes. The hard silicon substrate on which microcircuits are applied has long thwarted electronic engineers who dream of creating unprecedented devices like a self-luminous T-shirt or an umbrella that can turn sunlight into electricity to power a camping TV. And the way out is in the creation of microcircuits from flexible polymers. Scientists from Cornell University (USA) have created another prototype for such a chip. The main difference from other similar works is the use of ions with different charges. The device consists of two polymer films bonded to each other, one of which contains positive and the other negative ions. At the point of contact, they leave their native film and move to the neighboring one until equilibrium is reached. The resulting electric field causes the movement of electrons. And on the outside, two more films of electrically conductive polymers are attached, one of which is also transparent. These are the cathode and the anode. When by ... >>

Dual Layer Blu-rays Now Available 21.10.2006

Sony Electronics has officially announced the start of sales in the US of two-layer Blu-ray discs, which can store 50 GB of data. The company also confirmed that it will release a rewritable dual-layer BD by the end of the year. Media Sony Blu-ray 50 GB in the US market will be offered at a price of $48 apiece. ... >>

Updating iPods 20.10.2006

Apple has announced an update to the lineup of the most popular iPod players. Among them - two versions of iPod Video (30 and 80 GB). Their screen brightness is 60% brighter than their predecessors, they have new song search functions and several games. The next generation iPod Nano is even thinner. They will be released in three versions (2 GB, 4 GB and 8 GB). Finally, the iPod Shuffle has been redesigned. ... >>

Phone guide 19.10.2006

A curious service for tourists introduced in Singapore. Walking, you saw an interesting architectural monument and want to know the details - what kind of building it is, when and by whom it was built, and so on. You take a picture of a building with your cell phone camera and send it to the central computer of the local cell phone provider. The computer determines your location by the number of the base station with which the phone has contacted, and searches its collection of photographs (more than 2800 buildings, statues, natural and other attractions) for the object you are standing near. After that, the phone receives all the information about the object you are interested in. In the future, the collection of images will be expanded, and the phone will even be able to tell a tourist who gets lost in a large store, office center or museum how to get out of a huge building. It will be enough to photograph some noticeable detail of the interior where you are. ... >>

The Nile got longer 18.10.2006

An expedition of New Zealand and British geographers discovered what they claim is the real source of the Nile in the rainforest of Rwanda. Until now, it was believed that the source of the great African river is the Kagera River, which flows into Lake Victoria. However, the researchers, moving up the Nile in four inflatable boats and on foot, found in the forest, at an altitude of 2400 meters above sea level, a stream flowing from a hole in clay soil. This place is located much south of the source of the Kagera, so that the longest river in the world has "grown" by 107 kilometers. True, more detailed studies of other streams in the area are required to confirm the discovery. ... >>

Music therapy for snoring 17.10.2006

Alex Suarez, a Swiss musician who teaches a traditional Australian wind instrument made from a tree trunk eaten away by termites, found that those of his students who snored heavily in their sleep improved this shortcoming after a few lessons. Moreover, the general tone of the body increases and daytime sleepiness disappears. A group of Swiss doctors became interested in this observation and conducted experiments with the participation of 14 volunteers who snored. They practiced for 25 minutes daily on a copy of the native Plexiglas pipe. Indeed, snoring disappeared, and with it the tendency to sleepiness disappeared, since for many of us it is explained by lack of sleep - a snoring person often wakes himself up at night. Eleven snorers from the control group who did not play the trumpet did not change anything. The reason, doctors believe, is that playing the big trumpet trains the muscles of the upper respiratory tract. Snoring is caused precisely by the fact that the walls of the respiratory ... >>

The robot went for mushrooms 15.10.2006

Engineers from the University of Warwick (UK) have built a robot that harvests mushroom plantations. The robot is programmed to pick mushrooms at least a certain size. Acting under the control of a video camera that replaces his eyes, he takes the mushroom with a hand with a pneumatic suction cup at the end. True, the collection speed is half that of a person, but the robot can operate around the clock. And the inventors hope to increase the collection rate. ... >>

Our sun's twins discovered 13.10.2006

Australian astronomers, working at an observatory near Canberra, discovered two stars with characteristics very close to our central star. Like the Sun, both stars are about 26 light-years from the center of the Galaxy. They are about 1% hotter and rotate slightly faster than the Sun, which means they are about half a billion years younger. But even in such a time, planets with life, possibly intelligent, could have arisen around these stars. ... >>

Transgenic product causes allergies 11.10.2006

Biotechnologist Thomas Higgins from Canberra (Australia) transplanted bean genes into peas in order to ward off beetle larvae from peas, which feed only on them and do not digest beans. However, after Higgins fed bug-resistant peas to mice to test the edibility of the new product, many of the rodents developed pneumonia. It turned out that the bean genes changed the structure of the pea protein molecules, replacing the sugar molecules at the ends of the protein chains. As a result, the altered molecules began to cause allergies in the lungs. This is the first case of direct evidence of the danger of transgenic products, and with genes taken not from microbes, fish or insects, but from a related representative of the plant world. ... >>

The most interesting sports game 09.10.2006

What sports game is the most interesting for a fan? Probably the one in which the result is the least predictable. From this point of view, three employees of the famous laboratory in Los Alamos (USA) analyzed the results of more than three hundred thousand sports meetings that took place in the last century in the United States. Hockey, baseball and basketball games, as well as American football matches were taken into account. For comparison, we took European football, which is unpopular in the United States, by considering the results of meetings in the English major leagues. It turned out that most often an unexpected result, when the wrong team wins, on which everyone bet, brings exactly European football. In second place is baseball, then, in descending order of interest, hockey, basketball, and in last place is American football. ... >>

The Amazon is drying up 07.10.2006

In the autumn of 2005, hydrologists noted a record low water level in the Amazon in northeastern Peru, near the city of Iquitos. Compared to the usual average level, the water has dropped by about 3 meters. According to Fernando Rodriguez of the Amazon Research Institute in Peru, this is a consequence of the destruction of forests along the banks of the great river and its tributaries. More than 10 million hectares have already been cut down, as a result, the amount of rainfall has decreased, not only in this region, but also in North America, all the way to Texas. The rate of deforestation is only increasing. ... >>

Glue - do not tear off 06.10.2006

Microbiologists from the University of Bloomington (USA) have found a bacterium that lives in fast streams and must attach to stones so that it is not carried away by the current. At the end of the bacterial cell there is a stalk, which, thanks to the heavy-duty glue released at its end, firmly adheres to the stone. By measuring the force required to tear bacteria off glass with a micromanipulator, the scientists found that a one square millimeter adhesive would support a weight of 7 kilograms. The best adhesives currently in use withstand a gap of 1-8 kilograms. And it is very important that the bacterial adhesive works on wet surfaces. The composition of the glue has not yet been fully deciphered, but it is based on polysaccharides. It is assumed that it will be possible to establish the production of miracle glue by genetic engineering and use it, for example, in surgery, since polysaccharides in the body are gradually absorbed. ... >>

Velcro threatens the nature of Antarctica 05.10.2006

Australian botanists studied in detail the clothes and equipment of scientists going to the Antarctic island of Macquarie. With the help of tweezers and a powerful vacuum cleaner, they collected all the seeds, spores and fragments of plants from clothing and equipment. Of the 64 members of the expedition, only 20 did not carry any representatives of the flora. From the rest, 981 exhibits were collected, belonging to 90 plant species, many of which are prone to rapid reproduction and are dangerous for the fragile Antarctic ecosystem. Some seeds were hidden in pockets, behind cuffs, in the seams of clothes, in woolen socks and in the ribbed soles of boots, but most clung to Velcro fasteners. The irony is that Velcro was invented on the model of burdock seedlings, equipped with many sharp curved hooks and designed specifically for spreading the seeds of this plant on the fur of animals running by. ... >>

Flight over the volcano 03.10.2006

The Cotopaxi volcano (the highest active volcano on the planet, 5897 meters) is located just 55 kilometers from the capital of Ecuador, the two-millionth city of Quito. A dangerous neighbor needs constant monitoring. Until recently, it was conducted from helicopters and light aircraft, but this method is too expensive. The Institute of Aerospace Engineering in Braunschweig (Germany) has created an unmanned aerial vehicle "Carollo R-330" with a wingspan of 330 centimeters, capable of flying to altitudes of up to 7000 meters. An airplane weighing 5 kilograms carries cameras and various sensors. It is controlled by an autopilot the size of a pack of cigarettes, it includes a gyroscope, a satellite navigation receiver and a microcomputer. By design, "Carollo" is a motor glider with an electric drive: the energy of a battery weighing 1100 grams allows you to rise up and soar there using ascending air currents. Carollo is already being used by Ecuadorian volcanologists to photograph fresh lava flows from the Cotopaxi crater and other volcanoes. A ... >>

Dual core controllers for the automotive industry 30.09.2006

Renesas Technology, one of whose fields of activity is the production of microcontrollers (MCUs) used in automobiles, predicts the emergence of dual-core products in this area during the period from 2008 to 2010. Recently, the complexity and number of solutions used in cars has been growing at an accelerated pace. An example is given by BMW, whose vehicles used MCUs grew from 19 in 1999 to 20 in 2004. Only the airbag system currently requires the installation of a dozen microcontrollers, a couple more are required for the information board and steering. Equipping cars with global positioning systems and entertainment functions also stimulates the growth in the number of microcontrollers. ... >>

New technology increases LED brightness by seven times 29.09.2006

Researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced the creation of a new type of LED - resonant cavity LED (RCLED), which is seven times brighter than traditional LEDs, reports Nanotechweb. This was achieved by additionally etching 130-nm circular Bragg gratings onto the surface of the device. According to the researchers, the new technology can be applied in optocoherence tomography and other medical imaging tools. Now scientists are planning to transfer the experience of amplifying light radiation in nanostructures to various nanophotonic devices - primarily to optophotonic transistors. ... >>

Self-healing chips 28.09.2006

A group of American scientists began a three-year project to research the technology of creating microchips that can independently recover from failures, reports Extreme Tech. The start of work on the project was announced last week at a conference on design automation, held in San Francisco, representatives of the corporation Semiconductor Research, US National Science Foundation and Michigan State University. It is supposed to build a chip design technology that will more efficiently search for faulty parts of the chip, transfer computing functions from non-working parts to working ones, and then correct the problems that have arisen and return the repaired section to operation. In this case, the microchip will be able to recover through the use of online software and its own components. At the moment, to search for and diagnose problems in semiconductors, their redundancy is used, which requires significant additional costs, deterioration of the manufacturer ... >>

Scientists have increased the speed of bipolar transistors 27.09.2006

British researchers from the School of Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton in the UK have proposed a new technology that could theoretically double the speed of bipolar transistors compared to existing solutions. The technique, developed under the guidance of Professor Peter Ashburn, is to modify the standard manufacturing process for bipolar transistors by adding a fluorine impurity. Fluorine impurity is used to limit the diffusion of boron in the base of the transistor. This, in turn, leads to a decrease in the thickness of the base, which makes it possible to increase the speed of the electrons. According to the researchers, during the experiments they managed to achieve a frequency of 110 GHz, which is twice the previous record for bipolar transistors. The scientists emphasize that with some technology improvements, boron diffusion in the base can be reduced by another 50 percent. Bipolar transistors are widely used in electronic ... >>

The clatter of keys as a personal mark 26.09.2006

American scientists have come up with a new way to identify computer users. Thirteen years ago, Dr. Marcus Brown of the University of Alabama, together with his graduate student, came up with a system for identifying a person by his handwriting while working at the keyboard. For this, a neural network program was compiled, which not only very accurately measures the time intervals that a person spends pressing and releasing a key, but also knows how to draw the appropriate conclusions. Scientists patented this method and successfully forgot about it. However, in 2004, the Center for Technology Commercialization appeared at the university. "We want to ensure that university staff are confident that even the most significant result will be noticed and appreciated, and more than once" - this is how the university's vice president for research, Dr. Keith McDowell, formulated the main slogan of the center. In full accordance with this idea, the center's employees managed to find buyers for the Markus patent. ... >>

Landslide under control 25.09.2006

British scientists came up with a sensor to control the landslide. “Every year, hundreds of people die due to sudden landslides. And many of them could be saved if they knew that a disaster would happen in the near future. Even ten minutes is enough to evacuate the inhabitants of a house in danger. and feeds the device we have developed," says Dr. Neil Dixon from Lowborough University (UK). The device consists of a pipe stuck into the slope with a sensor that is able to collect information about high-frequency sound vibrations. Usually they are created by deep particles of the soil, which suddenly set in motion. The sensor sends information to the computer, which calculates the slope stability parameters. If it turns out to be small and a landslide is imminent, the system notifies of an impending disaster. “The places of possible landslides are usually known. Sensors installed on such suspicious slopes will help to avoid disaster: to block the opa in time ... >>

microwave computer 24.09.2006

British scientists are developing a computer in which microtransistors will communicate with each other using microwave radio waves. Although computers have been following Moore's law for decades - the number of transistors per unit area doubles in 18 months - soon there will be a physical limit to this: the thickness of the copper wires will be too small to continue transmitting electrical signals. Is it possible to do without wires? Dr. Alan Nogaret from the University of Bath (UK) suggests using the ability of an electron to emit radio waves under the influence of a magnetic field. “This phenomenon is called reverse electron-spin resonance,” says Alan Nogaret. “The essence of it is that the magnetic field deflects the direction of the magnetic moment of the electron and it begins to oscillate. And the oscillating charge, as you know, generates radiation, in this case microwave. This radiation propagates freely and reaches the receiver. ... >>

Intel Core Duo 2 23.09.2006

Intel has launched ten Intel Core 2: Duo and Intel Core 2 Extreme chips (5 for desktop and 5 for mobile), built using 65nm technology and with two cores to improve PC performance when running multiple applications. ... >>

Yamaha Receiver RX-N600 22.09.2006

Yamaha has made a breakthrough in the digital entertainment market with the launch of an affordable LAN-enabled AV receiver that supports MP3, WMA and WAV formats. The RX-N600 user will be able to get a device that combines computer and Hi-Fi technologies. Moreover, the use of a network connection provides an ideal connection with the source and allows you to listen to thousands of Internet radio stations from around the world. ... >>

Lenovo F20 iCoke 21.09.2006

Moving away from the automotive theme, Lenovo has released its new laptop co-branded with the world's most expensive brand Coca-Cola. F20 iCoke has a 12,1-inch screen, an Intel Pentium M 778 processor, 512 MB of RAM and an 80 GB hard drive. The laptop is equipped with modern Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless interfaces, and the body is made of magnesium alloy. ... >>

Samsung MMS 8 Gb 20.09.2006

Samsung announced the release of the most capacious MMC format cards in the industry. Created on the basis of technology MLC (Multi-Level Cell) 8-gigabyte cards should appear on the market in the third quarter of this year. They will be used in mobile phones, MP3 players and other devices. ... >>

Hitachi e-paper 19.09.2006

Hitachi has developed a prototype "electronic paper" (13") displaying up to 4096 shades. The company intends to bring the product to commercial offerings in 2007. ... >>

Logitech Wireless DJ Music System 18.09.2006

Logitech has announced a multifunctional remote control designed to connect your computer to your home media center using Logitech Music Anywhere wireless technology. It allows you to listen to music stored on your PC, podcasts, Internet radio stations on an audio system located in another room (up to 50 meters). The device will be on sale at the end of September, its estimated cost is ?249. ... >>

Poisons in baby strollers 17.09.2006

Commissioned by the German Consumer Protection Society, chemists tested 15 folding baby strollers from various manufacturers for hazardous compounds. They checked the handles of the stroller, the seat, fabric elements, protective canopies from the rain. Nothing suspicious was found in five carriages. In two, polycyclic hydrocarbons were found - compounds that can accumulate in the body, cause skin cancer and damage chromosomes. In one model, organic tin compounds were found that have a negative effect on the hormonal system. In nine - phthalates, used as plasticizers in plastic parts and harmful to the sex glands. Six members of this group of chemicals are prohibited from being used in children's toys. True, in no case have such concentrations of harmful substances been found that would cause acute poisoning in a child or an adult carrying him. But no one can say how low concentrations of these substances act in combination and with prolonged contact with the skin. ... >>

ultrasonic frog 16.09.2006

A small group of animals emitting ultrasound - bats, dolphins and some rodents - have been joined by the frog Amolops tormotus, which lives in eastern China in a stream near hot springs. Ultrasound is emitted and heard only by males. According to zoologists, they use this means of communication to overcome the noise from the flow of a turbulent stream. ... >>

Milk against caries 15.09.2006

Dental caries is the second most common disease of modern man (after the common cold). A group of researchers from the University of Melbourne (Australia) discovered a protein compound in cow's milk, which they called cappacin. Cappacin changes the structure of the shell of those bacteria that cause caries (mainly streptococci), after which the bacteria die. Now the possibility of launching toothpaste and mouthwash with cappacin is being considered. ... >>

Ultra-precise star 14.09.2006

Astronomers from the University of Texas (USA) have found the most accurate astronomical clock in the constellation Leo Minor. The white dwarf, a star under the index G117-B15A, pulsates, changing its brightness every 215 seconds. This period is observed with such accuracy that an error of one second can accumulate in only 8 million years. To check the accuracy of the course, I had to follow the star for 9 years. Note that the most accurate man-made atomic clocks are now about twice as accurate as celestial ones. ... >>

Comet's hot past 13.09.2006

Samples of matter from the tail of Comet Wild 2, brought to Earth by the Stardust spacecraft in January 2006, turned out to contain volcanic minerals that could only form at very high temperatures. These are olivine, pyroxene and spinel. Meanwhile, it is believed that comets are formed and spend most of their "life" in the so-called Kuiper belt - a ring of cosmic debris of various kinds beyond the orbit of Neptune, that is, in deep space conditions, where the temperature is close to absolute zero. No wonder comets are called "dirty snowballs" - they are commonly believed to consist of ice mixed with mineral dust. It turns out that at least part of the substance of the comet Wild-2 originated somewhere in the immediate vicinity of the Sun, closer to Mercury, or near another star, and only then was somehow transferred to the cold Kuiper belt. Comet dust particles were captured while flying through the tail into a special trap with cells made of "jelly" based on silicon dioxide. ... >>

Pedals in front make the bike more comfortable 12.09.2006

Bicycle sales are on the rise in European countries. According to experts, three factors are at work here: rising fuel prices, the desire to get rid of traffic jams and the fear of new terrorist attacks on public transport, like those that were on the London Underground and on buses. New models with an unusual layout have become widespread: the drive gear with pedals is shifted forward, and the saddle is slightly back. The frame geometry has also been changed. As a result, the cyclist's landing has become more comfortable, the extra load has been removed from the spine, arms and wrists. ... >>

British nutrition is deteriorating 11.09.2006

According to British statistics, the quality of food eaten by the British has deteriorated significantly since the 40s of the last century. Over 60 years, the iron content in an average steak has decreased by 55%, calcium - by 4%, magnesium - by 7%. The content of iron in milk decreased by 62%, calcium - by 21%. Cheddar cheese is 38% magnesium, 9% calcium and 47% iron. In some cases, these changes can be explained by new, more rigorous and accurate methods of analysis, changed methods of processing, storage and transportation, but in general, as environmentalists suggest, the changes for the worse are associated with the transition to intensive agriculture. Farmers do not wait for the soil to restore its nutritional properties and fertility under fallow, but stuff it with chemical fertilizers that do not contain many trace elements important for plants and humans. ... >>

If you burn all the fuel 10.09.2006

According to the calculations of a group of British climatologists led by Tim Lenton, if humanity burns all the fossil fuels in the bowels, the average temperature of the Earth will increase by 13 degrees Celsius. It will be as hot in London as it is now in Cairo. True, due to the rise in the level of the oceans by 11 meters, London, like most other populated areas, will disappear under the waves. To date, including fossil fuels burned and deforestation, we have released about 400 billion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which has increased the average global temperature by 0 degrees Celsius since the start of the industrial revolution. There is still 6 times more carbon left in underground reserves of oil, coal and natural gas. And fossil fuels, such as oil shale, tar sands, and methane hydrates, which are now largely unused, contain an estimated 10 trillion tons of carbon. If all these currently unused fuels are left in place, the ... >>

Plant Census of China 08.09.2006

The publication of the multi-volume work of Chinese botanists, begun in the 30s, has been completed. Four generations of scientists with a break for the "proletarian cultural revolution" (1966-1976) worked on 126 volumes, which list and describe 31141 species of higher plants known in China. Local and imported, wild and cultivated, weeds and useful plants are taken into account. Moreover, more than 20 descriptions are illustrated with drawings and photographs. Exceed China in the diversity of flora only Brazil and Colombia. The poorest area for plants (except for deserts) is the islands in the south of the Indian Ocean, near Antarctica, where there are only 000 species. ... >>

Hygiene from A to Z 07.09.2006

English microbiologist Anthony Hilton tested the keys A (a letter often used in English texts) and Z (a rare letter) on the keyboards of 120 university computers for the presence of germs. Each computer is used by at least 20 students daily. It turned out that on the keys A, on average, 150 bacteria, and on Z - only 30. Staphylococci predominate, but bacteria of the Escherichia coli group were also found on 3% of the A keys. The conclusion of the microbiologist: do not lick your fingers when working on a computer, especially on a public one, do not eat while working and wash your hands after using the keyboard. ... >>

Forests of the future 06.09.2006

On the experimental fields of Lancaster University (England) there are 20 glass domes, under each - forest soil, shrubs and trees. Carbon dioxide is added to the atmosphere of the domes at a concentration that, according to environmentalists, will occur in the Earth's atmosphere due to human activities in 25, 50 or 95 years. Scientists are testing the theory that increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the air will lead to increased growth of trees and they will absorb the excess. The experiment is not over yet, but so far it seems that hopes will not come true. Elevated CO2 in the air stimulates soil bacteria, which speed up the processing of soil organic matter and release additional amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. ... >>

Magnetic bracelets don't work 05.09.2006

According to the British Medical Journal, magnetic bracelets are ineffective - at least not for relieving arthritis. If a small positive effect exists, it is only because of suggestion and self-hypnosis. The authors of the study indicate that if magnetic fields affected a person, then some changes would be noted in patients exposed to strong magnetic fields when examined on a nuclear magnetic tomograph. Meanwhile, "treatment" with a magnetic bracelet distracts the patient from effective methods and makes him waste time. ... >>

Your own windmill on the roof 05.09.2006

In the French town of Equien-Plage, an apartment building with a horizontal wind turbine on the roof has been built. Two rotors 5 meters long give 7000 kilowatt-hours per year, which is enough for heating and lighting halls, landings and corridors of a house with 40 apartments. ... >>

Atomic takeover 04.09.2006

The sharp tip of a tunneling microscope's needle can pick up and move atoms - but only one atom at a time. In principle, this process makes it possible to assemble nanotechnical devices built from individual atoms, but the work is progressing very slowly. Scientists from the French Center for the Development of New Materials, in collaboration with colleagues from the Free University in Berlin, have created a tip molecule for the tip of a tunneling microscope. The molecule, which is based on a benzene ring of six carbon atoms, captures up to four atoms at once and allows them to move with an accuracy of 0,1 nanometers. ... >>

Icebreakers must sail backwards 03.09.2006

This conclusion was reached after experiments by specialists from the Finnish company Eiker Arctic Technology. When moving stern forward at a speed of three and a half knots (6 kilometers per hour), the icebreaker model successfully broke ice 80 centimeters thick, and at the same speed, but bow forward, only 30 centimeters thick. The fact is that the water bubbling under the propellers softens the crust of ice. ... >>

Underground giant 02.09.2006

The German engineering company Herrenknecht delivered to Madrid the world's largest tunneling shield. The diameter of the giant is 15,2 meters. It is used for laying an autotunnel. ... >>

Warmer in Antarctica 01.09.2006

A team of British researchers analyzed data on air temperatures over Antarctica collected by balloons from 1971 to 2003. It turned out that over the years the air over the sixth continent has warmed by 0,6-0,7 degrees Celsius, and the average warming of the atmosphere over the entire Earth over the same three decades was only 0,1 degrees. Climatologists cannot name the reason for the fastest heating of the coldest continent. In recent years, the Antarctic ice sheet has lost 150 cubic kilometers of ice annually. Due to this, the level of the World Ocean rose every year by 0,4 millimeters. ... >>

1,5 billion phones by 2011 31.08.2006

There are more and more mobile phones in the modern world every year. However, according to analysts, so far these are just flowers. Analysys employees believe that by 2011, manufacturers will bring 1,5 billion cell phones to the world market at once. According to published materials, in the near future all devices will be divided into three main categories: "voice" (mainly intended for communication), "mixed" (with a wide range of functions) and "special" (satisfying the momentary desires of the market). ... >>

Taiwanese manufacturers are dropping OLED 30.08.2006

Two of Taiwan's largest OLED manufacturers, AU Optronics (AUO) and Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO), have decided to put their development on hold. AUO has reportedly stopped research in this area, while CMO subsidiary Chi Mei Electroluminescence (CMEL) is about to cut its staff by two-thirds. Among the named reasons for such a decision of companies, two can be distinguished: uncertainty about the market prospects of the technology and a low percentage of good product yield. Despite the pessimism of manufacturers, the OLED market grew by 2005% ​​in 65. The named companies will continue to offer already developed products, but new studies are still postponed indefinitely. ... >>

LCD and plasma: no demand, prices will fall sharply 29.08.2006

Demand for flat-panel TVs has been lower than expected, forcing manufacturers to cut prices in hopes of clearing stock as the school year begins. According to the latest data, between January and May, the average price of a flat-panel TV dropped by 12%. Chris Connery, DisplaySearch TV Market Analyst, said: "Prices are low and will go down." The oversaturation of the market was due to the fact that full of optimism TV manufacturers have overestimated demand, analysts say. Last week, LG.Philips LCD reported lower-than-expected earnings and a surplus of finished goods. LG.Philips LCD is a leading manufacturer of TV screens, accounting for more than half of a TV's cost. Philips Electronics this week reported a 69% drop in quarterly profit due to lack of demand. ... >>

Freescale starts selling MRAM chips 28.08.2006

Freescale Semiconductor announced the start of sales of magnetoresistive MRAM microchips. MRAM (Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory) combines the advantages of dynamic and flash memory. MRAM chips have a short access time and at the same time are non-volatile, that is, they can store information in the absence of power. In addition, unlike flash memory, MRAM chips do not degrade over time. Many companies are involved in research in the field of magnetoresistive memory. For example, in February this year, NEC and Toshiba demonstrated an MRAM microchip with a record read/write speed of 200 Mb/s. However, Freescale Semiconductor was the first to bring MRAM chips to the market. Chips Freescale received the designation MR2A16A. They have a capacity of 4 Mbit and operate at a supply voltage of 3,3 V. The chips are manufactured at a facility in Arizona. Freescale notes that research in the field ... >>

Integral module for powerful applications 27.08.2006

Semikron International, known for its unique developments in the field of power module design, and STMicroelectronics (STM), one of the world leaders in the semiconductor market, have begun a joint project, the purpose of which is to develop an integrated module for industrial and automotive applications based on the latest ST power crystals and a small-sized Semikron housings of the SEMITOP series. Combining the experience and knowledge of ST and SEMIKRON opens up new opportunities in the traditional power module market, using both traditional IGBT and MOSFET technologies, as well as ST's own development - ESBT (EmitterSwitched Bipolar Transistor), which combines the best properties of bipolar and MOSFET structures and allows you to create switches with high operating voltage and high operating frequency. Features of SEMITOP technology make it possible to combine various components such as IGBTs, diodes, rectifier bridges in one package. A high degree of integration reduces the number of ... >>

128x32-LED with control electronics and VISHAY video interface 26.08.2006

Vishay has announced a 128x32 graphic LED display with integrated control electronics and a +5Volt-HC-CMOS video interface. The LED-128G032 has been designed to replace the APD-128G032 Plasma Display Module. The LED display lasts four times longer than a plasma display. The area of ​​the indicator is 324x80 mm. Applications are games, process control systems, point of sale terminals, medical devices, information boards and ATMs. The LED128G032 LED display is 17mm high and emits a bright orange color. The size of the signs is 8x16,5 mm. Contrast >11,4:30, viewing angle >1°. ... >>

solar phone 25.08.2006

At the traditional electronics exhibition in Hannover, the Institute of Silicon Technology (Germany) showed a cell phone powered by solar panels with an efficiency of over 20%. Standby time can be infinitely long if there is lighting, even if it is artificial. Flexible thin-film solar panels are used, which can be adapted to any shape of the body of the device they feed. ... >>

Camera Interface Development Kit 24.08.2006

Rabbit Semiconductor's Camera Interface Application Kit combines an RCM3365 RabbitCore module with a VGA camera module and an infrared motion sensor. The RabbitCore module supports GPIO, as well as Ethernet connection, and provides data reception from the displacement sensor, as well as photography. In addition, a user-configurable function is activated, which can be an e-mail message or transfer photos to an FTP server. The control is carried out through the web interface. The kit includes two servos to pan and tilt the camera, an infrared motion sensor for event-driven photography, and an RCM3365 for Embedded control. ... >>

60V and 75V MOSFETs for Synchronous Rectification Circuits 23.08.2006

International Rectifier, a world leader in power electronics, has announced new 60V and 75V MOSFETs optimized for synchronous rectifier applications in switching power supplies. Also, these devices can be used as key elements in low-voltage drives. New MOSFET transistors IRFB/ S/SL3206, 3306, 3207Z and 3307Z improve the performance of the synchronous rectifier and the entire power supply as a whole, thanks to the reduced open channel resistance (RDS on). The maximum RDS on for a series of new 75-volt devices is from 4,1 mΩ to 5,8 mΩ, and for a series of 60 volt devices - from 3 mΩ to 4,2 mΩ. The new transistors are available in TO 220, D2Pak and TO 262 packages. ... >>

7,5" LCD 22.08.2006

Sharp Microelectronics is expanding its Strong2 product line with the 7,5-inch TFT LCD LQ075V3DG01, a new robust medium format display. The LCD display features high image quality, extended temperature range and low power consumption. Therefore, these modules are conceived primarily for mobile use in the industrial sector and are used, for example, in portable measuring instruments or in portable medical equipment. The new Strong2 LCD display is easy to read even in poor lighting conditions, which is especially important for mobile use. With 400 cd/I brightness, 260 colors and 000:600 contrast ratio, the LCD meets the toughest outdoor requirements. The high contrast ratio of Strong1 Sharp LCDs is achieved by optimally changing the potential of the picture elements when they are on. At the same time, the new display is designed for low current consumption. Strong2 modules are significantly ... >>

30V HEXFET MOSFETs 21.08.2006

International Rectifier has unveiled IRF30PbF and IRF7835PbF dual 7836V HEXFET MOII transistors for use in DC/DCPOL (Point-of-Load) synchronous pulsed switching regulators. Transistors are available in SO-8 package. The lRF7835PbF is designed for mobile processors requiring 35A current from a two-phase switching regulator. In this case, one control and two synchronous MOS transistors are used in each phase. The element can be used in applications up to 11 A per MOSFET. The lRF7836PbF is designed for power rails that use one driver and only one synchronous MOSFET. They can be used in applications up to 9A per MOSFET. According to the company's specialists, the new chipset is the best chipset for use in portable electronics power supplies and for powering the Intel Centrino processor core. Items comply with RoHS. ... >>

Vibration feeds the sensor 20.08.2006

Scientists from the USA have made a hydrogen sensor that receives energy from vibration. Hydrogen is highly explosive, but it has no color or odor. Therefore, it is possible to detect its leakage only with the help of sensors, the need for which will increase with the development of hydrogen energy. And then the problem of batteries for these sensors will arise: it is very tedious to change them from time to time in dozens of devices. "We have been able to create a sensor that works without batteries," says Associate Professor Lin Yongshan from the University of Florida. The sensitive element of the sensor is made of nanowires - zinc oxide whiskers, through which an extremely small electric current flows. The conductivity of these wires is the higher, the more hydrogen is in the surrounding air. The microcontroller converts the information about the conductivity of the whiskers into gas concentration data and sends a radio signal to the central processor of the system. And he is already monitoring the situation. The energy source for the sensor is a piezocrystal, which ... >>

The sad fate of robots 19.08.2006

The British are bad at buying mechanical workers. According to the British Association for Automation and Robotics, in 2005 companies in this country bought 1085 industrial robots. Pharmacists needed the most robots: 69 pieces, or 7% of total sales, got there. The builders got 43 pieces, and 22 robots were attached to the aerospace industry. The food industry bought 51 robots, but this is somewhat less than last year, although experts expected a significant increase. “We have a very poor buying of robots,” says association chairman Dr. Ken Young from the University of Warwick. companies don't use them at all, which is strange as prices are coming down: a new robot can be bought for £30 and a used one for less than £30. ... >>

Wood burning stove with electronics 18.08.2006

The Dutch company Philips is known for its state-of-the-art electronics. However, her latest novelty, intended for developing countries, is an iron wood-burning stove like a potbelly stove. Of course, this novelty is also equipped with electronics. A thermoelectric generator is built into the stove, from which a fan rotates, which increases traction. The body is covered with thermal insulation. As a result, compared to a traditional rural hearth, saving firewood is up to 80%, the emission of soot particles with smoke is reduced by 90%, and environmentally hazardous organic products of incomplete combustion are reduced by 99%. In 2005, the Philips stove was successfully tested in India. ... >>

Gypsy genealogy 17.08.2006

Australian geneticists led by Lyuba Kalaijieva (University of Perth) analyzed gene mutations in almost two thousand gypsies from different European countries. One of the mutations is found, except for the gypsies, only among Pakistanis and Indians. Judging by the known mutation rate of human genes, carriers of this altered gene appeared in Eastern Europe, passing through Asia, about a thousand years ago. This result coincides with the theories of ethnographers and linguists about the origin of the Gypsies. Analysis of the rest of the genes shows that about 400 years after the arrival in Eastern Europe, a relatively small group of nomads split into three. One group remained in the Balkans, another went north of the Danube, and a third moved to Western Europe. Since the Gypsies have not retained any information about their origin, only molecular genetic studies can clarify their history. ... >>

shark constellation 16.08.2006

The biggest fish is the whale shark. A harmless creature that feeds on plankton reaches a length of 20 meters, which is larger than many whales. Ichthyologists studying the life of such giants must somehow recognize individual individuals in order to monitor their behavior and movements. They tried to attach bright marks, ultrasonic beacons to the fins, but this is expensive, complicated and unreliable. Meanwhile, the skin of any shark is dotted with bright spots, individual for each individual, like human fingerprints. Noticing that the skin of a shark looks like a starry sky, Australian ichthyologists borrowed a computer program from NASA astronomers designed to identify sections of the starry sky. A data bank of whale shark photographs is now being created, and they will soon be able to be identified by their pattern of spots. ... >>

Who is tastier for a mosquito 15.08.2006

As French microbiologists have shown, the presence of malaria pathogens in human blood makes it especially attractive to mosquitoes that carry this disease. Thus, the chances of the parasite to pass to another person increase. Moreover, the malaria causative agent emits the “bite me” signal only when it is at a stage suitable for infection. Biologists studied the blood of schoolchildren in a village in Kenya. For 12 days, they selected three children daily: one uninfected, one at the non-infectious stage of development of malarial plasmodium in the blood, and one with plasmodia at the stage capable of infecting. In the evening, these three children went to bed in three nylon tents connected by a central tent, where one hundred uninfected mosquitoes were released. Mosquitoes had the ability to choose who to bite. The one child who had Plasmodium in the blood at the stage ready to spread, on average, attracted about twice as many mosquitoes as the other two children. After the infection ... >>

Gilded bacteria 14.08.2006

By covering two bacteria of hay bacillus with supermicroscopic gold particles, physicists from the University of Nebraska (USA) made a sensitive hygrometer. Depending on changes in humidity, bacteria take in moisture from the air or dry out, while the contact between their golden shells becomes denser or broken. Changes in contact conductivity are recorded electronically. ... >>

Sentinels for the seas 12.08.2006

The European Union has allocated 45 million euros to set up a tsunami warning system off the coast of Southeast Asia. Buoys developed at the Geophysical Center in Potsdam (Germany) should become the basis of the system. They will be deployed in the Indian Ocean. Each of them has three sensors that register the approach of a tsunami in different ways. At the bottom, under the buoy, a seismograph is installed that notes the shaking of the seabed, and a pressure sensor that reacts to the passage of a tsunami wave over this section. A system is mounted on the buoy itself, which, using navigation satellites, marks the rise of the buoy by a tsunami wave (this wave is wider than ordinary storm waves and causes a prolonged rise in the water level, so that it can be distinguished from ordinary waves). These sentinel seas will report signs of an impending disaster to a center under construction in Jakarta (Indonesia). The only question now is how reliable the data transmission channel from the bottom to the buoy will work - the designers intend to use the propagating through ... >>

Ultrasonic dry cleaning at home 11.08.2006

The German company "Roventa" began to produce a device for removing stains with ultrasound. It is a small box with a "feather" attached to it. Putting a special absorbent cloth under the fabric with a stain, press the button on the pen, and a few drops of washing solution are released from it. By pressing the second button, the ultrasound is turned on. After several passes of the “pen” over the contaminated area, ultrasonic vibrations break off dirt particles and transfer them into a solution that is absorbed by a napkin. ... >>

How to name the medicine 10.08.2006

Canadian programmer Greg Kondrak is passionate about languages. He speaks Polish, English and Spanish, and has good knowledge of French, German and Esperanto. While still a graduate student at the University of Toronto, Kondrak wrote a computer program that heard similarities between words in different languages. The degree of similarity is expressed by a figure - the coefficient of similarity, which makes it possible to judge the possible relationship between languages. For example, the computer claims that the Russian word "brother" is related to the German "bruder" and the English "brother", but is very different from the Spanish "ermano", although all four words mean the same thing. This means that Russian is close to German and English, but far from Spanish. Philologists, having familiarized themselves with the program, found that it did not open anything new for them. However, the brainchild of Kondrak found a job in an unexpected area - the search for names for new medicines. There are so many medicines now that it is not easy to find a new name that is not similar to some already known one, and this is a ... >>

Outboard motor for erythrocyte 09.08.2006

French biologists from the Higher School of Industrial Physics and Chemistry have attached a chain of colloidal particles of iron oxide glued together by DNA to an erythrocyte. They wanted to study the behavior of colloidal iron oxide, used in medicine, when in contact with living cells and biochemical components of the body. It turned out that in an alternating magnetic field, the "tail" of iron oxide particles begins to vibrate and pulls an erythrocyte along with it, as if imitating the swimming of flagellated protozoa - for example, Euglena green, remembered from school biology lessons. By changing the frequency of the magnetic field, you can vary the speed of swimming. The phenomenon, discovered by accident, remains only a curious phenomenon, but it is possible that it can be used for the targeted delivery of micro-quantities of drugs to diseased cells or for the assembly of moving nanomechanisms. ... >>

Alcohol advertising affects teenagers 08.08.2006

A group of researchers from the Dartmouth Medical Institute (USA) followed the lives of two thousand children aged 10 to 14 who had never tasted alcohol. A few years later, an anonymous survey was conducted among them, and 357 of them admitted that they already drank alcoholic beverages. In parallel, the researchers were interested in who of the respondents has any things with an advertisement or logo of beer or stronger drinks. As a rule, these were T-shirts or baseball caps. It turned out that the owners of such items of clothing are one and a half times more likely to start acquaintance with alcohol at an early age (in the US, alcohol is allowed from the age of 21) than those who do not have promotional T-shirts or caps. Previously, the same association of smoking in adolescents with advertising of cigarettes on clothes and hats has been shown. ... >>

Third eye of the frog 07.08.2006

More than fifty three-eyed frogs live in the zoological laboratory of a college in the Indian town of Bikaner. These strange amphibians confirm the long-standing hypothesis that the pineal gland (the pineal gland of the brain) is associated with the eyes in its origin, is able to respond to light, and under certain conditions can turn into an eye. According to the teachings of the Yogis, this third, "spiritual" eye can be developed by acquiring the ability to clairvoyance through it. However, zoologist Umbrakash Jangir discovered that if you remove the eyes from tadpoles and add vitamin A to the water, then after ten days the pineal gland turns into an eye. By transplanting the pineal gland of tadpoles into adult frogs and injecting them with vitamin A, the zoologist, without any yoga, obtained three-eyed amphibians and proved the connection between the pineal gland and the eyes. ... >>

Work prolongs life 05.08.2006

Those who delay retirement live longer than those who quit their jobs. The medical service of the American oil concern Shell came to this conclusion after analyzing data on 25 former employees of the company. At the age of 55, they all had approximately the same level of health. But those who quit their jobs at age 55 were 37% more likely to die in the next two decades than those who worked another ten years. ... >>

House view from above 04.08.2006

Catalogs of homes for sale usually include photographs of these cottages, but a simple photograph from the facade does not give a complete picture of the real object. The German engineer Ingolf Poltzin opened a small firm for photographing houses, if not from a bird's eye view, then, in any case, from an upper angle. The sliding aluminum tripod designed by him allows you to take pictures from a height of up to 18 meters, and, being at the foot of this "tower", you can turn, tilt the camera, change the focal length of the lens. The photographer sees on the monitor screen everything that has fallen into the lens of a digital camera, and selects the most spectacular frame. The service is in high demand. One picture costs 140 euros. ... >>

Hydrogen tablets 03.08.2006

According to many scientists, the future belongs to environmentally friendly hydrogen energy. However, hydrogen is difficult to store: at normal pressure it takes up too much space, compressed hydrogen cylinders are explosive and heavy. Liquid hydrogen requires voluminous thermal insulation. It is possible to store hydrogen in metal hydrides based on rare metals, but they are expensive. Employees of the Danish University of Technology have developed a method for storing hydrogen in the form of ammonia, which is part of the complex salt formed by ammonia with magnesium chloride. Tablets can be pressed from this salt. When heated above 300 degrees Celsius, ammonia is released from the tablet; it is passed through a catalyst and decomposed into nitrogen and hydrogen. Magnesium chloride is not wasted in any way and can be "charged" with hydrogen again. A supply of pills in a container equal in volume to an ordinary car gas tank allows a car to travel 600 kilometers. ... >>

Sun cream for oral use 01.08.2006

You can and should take sunscreen inside if it is chocolate cream. Experts from the Heine University in Düsseldorf (Germany) conducted an experiment. A group of women who volunteered for the experiment drank regular cocoa at breakfast for three months. Another group received the same look and taste of cocoa, but without flavonoids - plant pigments found in chocolate and cocoa. Three months later, it turned out that the dose of ultraviolet light that caused reddening of the skin in those who drank cocoa without flavonoids had no effect on the skin of those who consumed cocoa with flavonoids. They also protect chocolate from ultraviolet radiation, especially bitter, black, and other products with a high content of chocolate. ... >>

New software suite for designing digital video applications 30.07.2006

As a result of its work in the direction of creating innovative digital video systems, Texas Instruments introduced a new software kit for designing digital video devices based on DaVinci technology. The new software suite includes a full version of the Linux operating system, which allows you to quickly and efficiently integrate and adapt complex systems. In addition to the MontaVista Linux operating system, the kit includes the eXpressDSP configuration kit and the TMS320DM644x SoC analyzer based on the eXpressDSP data visualization technology. These funds will reduce the design time from several months to several weeks. Developers can use this kit to create set-top boxes, videophones, video surveillance systems, and other advanced video applications. ... >>

TPS62510 - 1,5A Buck Converter for Portable Devices 29.07.2006

Texas Instruments has unveiled a new 1,5A DC/DC buck converter that can significantly extend the runtime of alkaline or nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries (up to 2 cells per battery) used in a variety of portable electronics. The TPS62510 is 97% efficient and operates with input voltages ranging from 1,8V to 3,8V. The device can operate with 3,3V, 2,5V, or 1,8V point-of-load power supplies The TPS62150 operates at a fixed frequency of 1 MHz in PWM mode and provides high efficiency at rated load currents. At low load currents, the device can automatically switch to reduced power consumption mode. The TPS5 improves overall system reliability. This is made possible by constantly monitoring the power supply voltage as well as the converter output voltage, eliminating the possibility of undesirable voltage fluctuations. ... >>

Memory on Senet crystals 28.07.2006

US scientists have found a simple way to store information on a thin ferroelectric. Ferroelectrics, discovered by the French pharmacist E. Seignet, have a spontaneous electric dipole moment, and its magnitude and direction can be easily changed by an external electric field. As you might guess, computer scientists have long laid eyes on such substances in the hope of creating a memory that will be much faster than the current, ferromagnetic, but just like it, will not reset when the power is turned off. Generally speaking, ferroelectric memory is produced, but so far in small volumes. One of the reasons: it is difficult to maintain the stability of the dipole moment. This is usually done with the help of metal electrodes, enclosing a thin layer of ferroelectric between them. If successful, ferroelectric memory on nanothreads will qualitatively change our world: one cubic centimeter of such material will store 12,8 million gigabytes of information. That is, a standard MP3 player will play songs for 100 millennia, ... >>

Nanotube cooler 27.07.2006

American scientists have used carbon nanotubes to cool microcircuits. Veterans of computerization remember that the 386th processor worked without any fan, the 486th needed a heatsink with a fan, the heatsink for the first Pentiums was already recommended to be put on thermal paste, and now neither the central processor nor the video card works without it. And there is no end in sight. So, heating engineers need to look for new answers to the question: how to remove the maximum heat in the shortest time? Another idea came from materials scientists from Purdue University (USA). The new material is carbon nanotube parquet, which is applied directly to the silicon substrate of the microcircuit, as well as to the surface of the heat sink using plasma evaporation and condensation. "Nanotubes, which cover both joined surfaces, are firmly intertwined. We are not talking about a mechanical connection - however, heat passes excellently, ten times faster than without nanotubes. Moreover, if ... >>

Dueple media player 26.07.2006

In the range of the Korean company SavitMicro, the Dueple multimedia player stood out, which can play audio and video information from connected 2,5- or 3,5-inch hard drives, as well as from DVD media. A large number of formats are supported - MPEG 1/2/4, MP2.0, DivX, WMV, WMV, OGG, including HD content. In addition, the device is equipped with all sorts of interfaces, including USB XNUMX, Ethernet, DVI, Component, Coaxial, CVBS, Optical Out, Analog and S-Video. ... >>

i-Disk BulletProof 25.07.2006

Information should be well protected. And not only in the "electronic" sense, but also in a purely physical and mechanical sense. Apparently, the engineers from Pretec Electronics thought about this when developing the i-Disk BulletProof USB flash drive. If its properties correspond to the name, then this information keeper must be bulletproof. Memory capacity - from 32 MB to 2 GB. ... >>

Samsung SSD 24.07.2006

Samsung Electronics has announced the world's first PC with a built-in 32 GB NAND Flash Drive (SSD). The Samsung Q1-SSD ultra-mobile device and Q30-SSD 12,1-inch laptop hit the Korean market in early June. SSD reads information 300% faster and writes 150% faster than mobile hard drives. At the same time, a 1,8-inch drive has a weight of 20-30 grams less compared to the corresponding HDD and is not afraid of shock loads. Microsoft Windows XP boots from an SSD 25-50% faster than from an HDD. ... >>

Apple MacBook 23.07.2006

Apple has expanded its line of custom laptops based on Intel Core Duo processors. The new MacBook has a slim, stylish design and a crystal-clear 13-inch widescreen display. The laptop is 5 times faster than an iBook and 4 times faster than a 12-inch PowerBook, the company said. Thus, all Apple laptops are now switched to Intel processors, have a built-in iSight video camera, a Front Row remote control system, DVI output, support dual monitors, are equipped with Gigabit Ethernet, audio input and output connectors, and a special magnetic MagSafe power cord holder. . "Apple began converting laptops to Intel Core Duo processors on February 15 with the launch of the MacBook Pro. And now, just 90 days later, we introduced the MacBook and fully completed the transition to new processors," said Philip Schiller, senior vice president of global marketing for the company. Apple. ... >>

New from Dell 22.07.2006

At the end of May, Dell demonstrated several new high-performance systems from the XPS lineup. The Dell XPS 700 desktop PC supports NVIDIA Quad-SLI graphics, AGEIA PhysX physical accelerator and runs the latest Intel dual-core processors. The stylish aluminum case has adjustable backlighting, making it easy to use the computer in the dark. By the way, for the first time the company offers the XPS 700 barebone configuration as an option. The Dell XPS M1210 weighing less than 2 kg has a magnesium alloy case, a 12,1-inch widescreen display and is distinguished by its original design. Interesting details - an integrated Web-camera, software for IP-telephony (Skype) and video chat, a headset with noise reduction. ... >>

Lifebook T4210 21.07.2006

Fujitsu Siemens has released a convertible PC Lifebook T4210 weighing less than 2 kg. The device is equipped with a 12,1 XGA (1024x768) TFT screen. It uses an Intel Core Duo processor and Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 OS. The display can be rotated 360° and provides high quality graphics even when working outdoors. Communications are carried out via WLAN, IrDA and Bluetooth. ... >>

Picasa will be updated 20.07.2006

Picasa, a digital photo collection program offered by Google free of charge, will soon be supplemented with the ability to maintain online photo albums. This feature will first be made available to a limited number of first-subscribed Gmail users. ... >>

Skin blood vessels 19.07.2006

Two patients in Argentina suffering from lower limb vein thrombosis received veins made from their own skin. Doctors took skin samples the size of a postage stamp from patients under local anesthesia, placed them on a nutrient medium and grew a thin layer of cells. Then they rolled this layer into rolls 17 centimeters long and half a centimeter in diameter, allowed the new vessels to grow together into tubes and transplanted them to patients, replacing the parts of the veins affected by thrombosis. The threat of amputation of the legs disappeared. In England, a clinical experiment was successfully carried out with the replacement of grown vessels of narrowed coronary vessels of the heart. ... >>

The moon got brighter, the sun dimmed 18.07.2006

Long-term measurements of the brightness of the Moon, conducted by astronomers from the Institute of Technology in Newark (USA), show that in recent years the Earth has begun to reflect more light onto its natural satellite. As a result, the moon shines brighter. In 2005 this increase was 3% compared to 1985-2000. At the same time, satellite observations showed that the cloud cover of our planet had increased, which is why it began to reflect more sunlight, preventing it from reaching the Earth's surface. This happened due to global warming: the waters of the oceans and seas began to evaporate faster, hence more clouds. ... >>

Waste sorting machines 17.07.2006

The English company "Kinetic" has created an automatic line for sorting household waste. Waste coming through the conveyor is inspected in turn by sensors and analyzers: wide range spectrometers, photometers, metal detectors, video cameras and other devices. Many of the sensors used here were originally developed for the military as target detection and acquisition sensors in fighters and tanks. The data is sent to the computer. A special recognition program allows him to decide which category of garbage this item belongs to, and a jet of compressed air dumps it into the appropriate container. The system can recognize paper and plastic bags for drinks, magnetic and non-magnetic metals, glass and plastic. The automatic line can process 36 tons of garbage per year. Now sorting is done manually, and in England 23% of all municipal solid waste is sorted and somehow disposed of. The task was set to bring this share to 2010. ... >>

Who marked in the cave 16.07.2006

On the walls of caves where prehistoric people used to visit, one can often find their handprints made using natural ocher. It is difficult to say whether it was some kind of religious ritual or the cave visitors, not yet able to write "Kisa and Osya were here", just wanted to leave a memory of themselves on the wall. Using the fact that for women the index finger, as a rule, is longer than the ring finger, and for men - on the contrary, French archaeologists and computer scientists created a program that determines the gender of the person who left the palm print. Using this program, they processed a picture of handprints on the wall of one of the caves of the island of Borneo. In a few seconds, the computer marked with blue circles men's hands, red - women's, yellow and green - two palms, the belonging of which could not be accurately determined. ... >>

Toads are evolving before our eyes 15.07.2006

Poisonous toads-aga, they are also cane, spread extremely quickly throughout Australia. Perhaps this is due to the fact that in the process of evolution, which took only a few decades, the legs of the toads became longer. Toads were introduced to Australia from the Hawaiian Islands in 1935. They were supposed to help control insect pests on sugarcane plantations. But soon the toads themselves became pests. The toxic substance bufotoxin, which these amphibians produce, makes them invulnerable to any predators. Toads have already captured about a third of the territory of the Australian continent. From the 1940s to the 1960s, they spread at a rate of about 9,7 kilometers per year, and now - 48,3 kilometers. To find out what this acceleration is connected with, scientists studied those toads that appear first in the new territory. It turned out that in the "avant-garde" the length of the legs is 45% of the body length, while in the lagging behind - no more than 40%. Perhaps over time this one species will separate ... >>

Starry sky guide 14.07.2006

A small device, the size of a video camera, produced by the American company Celestron, can largely replace a planetarium. It is worth pointing the "Starscout" (this name of the device translates as "star scout") to a bright star - and the name of the object will appear on the display. The Starscout memory contains the coordinates of more than 6000 stars and planets, including binary and variable stars, 88 constellations and 100 deep-space objects - galaxies, nebulae and star clusters. By connecting the device to a computer, you can enter the coordinates of additional objects into it, for example, recently appeared comets. To determine what is currently visible in the eyepiece, the device uses sensors of the Earth's magnetic field and the direction of gravity and communicates with navigation satellites. About two hundred of the most popular celestial bodies, Starscout is able to read a whole lecture through headphones. The device can also be used to search for the luminaries of interest to you - the keyboard allows you to enter the name ... >>

Window like a subwoofer 12.07.2006

The subwoofer (woofer) of the car's speaker system is usually placed near the rear window or in the trunk. Swedish engineers from A2 Acoustics, led by Urban Emborg, while working to reduce the level of noise in a car, accidentally discovered that the rear window can serve as an excellent membrane for emitting low-frequency sounds. On the underside of the glass are mounted piezo elements associated with the audio system. "Preliminary studies have shown," says Emborg, "that at very low frequencies glass distorts the sound less than the best modern subwoofers." In addition, the new system will facilitate the assembly of the car, since instead of a separate installation of a subwoofer, it will be possible to simply insert a pre-assembled assembly into place - glass with piezo elements. Now mass production of new items is being prepared, so the accidental discovery turned out to be quite serious. ... >>

Written on nails 11.07.2006

The ancient Romans used the following trick to convey secret messages: they shaved the head of a slave, wrote a text on the skin and allowed the hair to grow, after which the slave was sent to the addressee. Since Roman slaves did not have the habit of washing their hair, the recipient again shaved the secret bearer (who himself did not know the contents of the letter) and read what was written. Something similar is offered by Japanese physicists from the University of Togushima Island. They record with a pulsed laser up to 800 kilobytes of information (this is the volume of a brochure of 150 pages) on a human nail, filling the nail with dots with a diameter of 3 micrometers with intervals between rows of dots of 1 micrometers. The inscription is almost invisible, especially if you cover the nail with varnish. To read, the varnish must be washed off and put your finger under a fluorescent microscope. ... >>

Xenon - the savior of nerve cells 10.07.2006

When, as a result of a stroke, the access of oxygen to nerve cells is blocked, they begin to die off, and the biochemical program of "suicide" of cells is activated. As German doctors discovered, within four hours after a stroke, inhalation of xenon noble gas saves dying cells. Xenon stops the work of enzymes that break down the protein of neurons. It takes about an hour to breathe air with an admixture of xenon. Xenon mixed with oxygen is sometimes used as anesthesia during operations. This is an ideal solution, as the noble gas is odorless, environmentally friendly and does not harm the body. But it is about ten times more expensive than conventional anesthesia. ... >>

confectionery electricity 09.07.2006

At the University of Birmingham (England), a strain of bacteria was bred that, by absorbing sugar, produce hydrogen. By placing these bacteria in a special reactor, they were fed diluted sweet waste from the production of caramel and nougat from a nearby confectionery factory. The resulting hydrogen was sent to a fuel cell, which provided enough electricity to turn a small fan. ... >>

Silicon clock, not electronic 08.07.2006

Silicon microcircuits are used in electronic digital watches, and their very pulsating "heart" - a quartz crystal - is silicon dioxide. And recently, the well-known Swiss company "Patek Philippe" has found the use of silicon in high-class mechanical watches. Using the photolithography method, which is used in the manufacture of microcircuits, Swiss watchmakers cut out the thinnest spiral from a silicon plate with a thickness of just over a tenth of a millimeter. She replaced the steel hair of the balance in the watches of the latest model. Unlike steel, silicon is non-magnetic, so the new watch is not afraid of magnetic fields. The material is also insensitive to temperature changes. But the main thing is that the silicon spiral contracts and expands much more evenly than the steel one, which made it possible to increase the accuracy of the stroke. The first batch of dozens of silicon watches priced at $20 went on sale in Basel in the spring of 2006. ... >>

Asphalt cleans the air 07.07.2006

The Italian company "Ital-sementi" after ten years of scientific research has developed a road surface that purifies the air from automobile exhaust gases. This is asphalt with the addition of nano-particles of titanium dioxide. Under the action of sunlight, a chemically active additive converts unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen and sulfur oxides into water, carbon dioxide and solid salts. Experiments carried out in a sealed chamber showed that titanium asphalt, illuminated by fluorescent lamps, decomposes 400% of nitrogen oxides in 99 minutes. The remaining harmful gases, when the road surface is illuminated with sunlight (these experiments were carried out in natural conditions, on the road), decompose by 5%. It is calculated that if only 75% of the streets and squares of a big city are covered with new asphalt, the air in it will become twice as clean. So far, 15 tons of titanium asphalt have been produced. Its deliveries are planned to 900 countries, including France, India and China. ... >>

The cage backs up 06.07.2006

American biologists from the Foundation for Medical Research forced the clawed frog cell to reverse the process of division. The cell, which has already almost split into two, seems to "change its mind", and both halves merge again. So do the chromosomes, already lined up for distribution to two future cells. They again return to a single core. This result is achieved by targeting two proteins that control cell division. In the future, the method of stopping cell division may be useful in the treatment of cancer. ... >>

Lake Chad dried up 04.07.2006

Australian geologists say that only 6000 years ago, the African Lake Chad could compete in size with the modern Caspian Sea. In images taken from an artificial satellite, researchers from the University of Melbourne saw a sand bank with a total length of more than 2300 kilometers along the perimeter of the lake, but far removed from the current water line. This is the ancient coast of Chad. Due to climate change in Africa, the lake gradually dried up. Now its surface is only one percent of the previous one, and the average depth has decreased from 160 to 10 meters. ... >>

Rome is older 03.07.2006

Archaeologists have long doubted the accuracy of the legendary founding date of Rome. The traditional version says that the city was founded on an empty spot by Romulus in 753 BC. e. Recently, under the ruins of the ancient Roman forum, a burial was discovered about three thousand years old, that is, about 250 years older than the traditional date. A funerary urn and several vases were found in the grave. Apparently, the forum was founded on the site of a much more ancient necropolis. ... >>

Irregular pulsars 02.07.2006

Pulsars - neutron stars with a strong magnetic field, regularly emitting bursts of radio emission at regular intervals - were discovered almost 40 years ago. The accuracy of the repetition of radio pulses is such that they can be used to check atomic clocks. But an international team of astronomers working on a large radio telescope in Australia recently discovered 11 neutron stars emitting radio signals of 2 to 30 milliseconds at a completely random rate. The pause between impulses of the same star can last from four minutes to three hours. The reasons for this behavior of the new type of pulsars are unclear. Note that the signals of the first discovered pulsar, due to their exact repeatability, were at first mistaken for signals from another civilization. Maybe erratic periodicity is a surer sign of signal intelligence? ... >>

LCD monitors and TVs are getting cheaper 30.06.2006

The launch of new production lines and weak demand have led to the fact that the price of LCD monitors and TVs began to fall. Moreover, according to analysts' forecasts, this trend will continue in the future, and prices are expected to stabilize only by the end of the year. Manufacturing companies believe that the trend of lower prices and improved quality of the panels will only attract potential buyers. LG Philips and Samsung Electronics continue to increase production capacity and increase the volume of LCD products delivered to the market. Taiwanese company AU Optronics, as well as other major industry players, are also set to open new lines towards the end of this year to support the overall pricing policy. Analysts expect LCD and laptop prices to fall by 10 percent between April and June. For LCD TVs, this trend is weaker and the decline will not be strong. ... >>

Little Wi-Spy Scout 30.06.2006

The young company MetaGeek (Idaho, USA) has released the world's smallest and most inexpensive spectrum analyzer. Wi-Spy is no bigger than a USB storage device, weighing just 8g and costing less than $5, 100 times less than the nearest competitor. The spectrum analyzer can find noise-free portions of the spectrum in the frequency range from 40 to 2 GHz and solve problems associated with cordless phones, Bluetooth and ZigBee devices, 4b/g networks, and other wireless systems that use this frequency range. . The analyzer with built-in antenna and trigger connects to a USB 2 or 485 port on a Windows, Linux, or Mac host computer and scans the entire operating frequency range in 802.11 ms at 1.1 MHz and 2.0 dBm resolution. The control and display software is supplied with the analyzer and provides a spectral display of the measured data in various coordinates (amplitude, frequency, time). TO ... >>

Fiber Optic Ethernet Transceiver 29.06.2006

Avago Technologies has announced a high-speed Ethernet fiber optic transceiver that is RoHS compliant and optimized for industrial Ethernet ProfiNet systems. Avago's AEBR-5978Z is the first industrial high-speed Ethernet fiber optic transceiver with a digital monitoring and diagnostic interface (DMI). DMI features allow real-time monitoring of transceiver performance and system stability even in cross-connect environments, resulting in increased plant network availability. Industrial High Speed ​​Ethernet uses Fieldbus networks with speeds up to 125 MBaud compared to 2 MBaud for Interbus, 12 MBaud for Profibus, and 12 MBaud and 16 MBaud for SERCOS. It provides an open architecture, multi-protocol interface, and device interoperability. The use of industrial high-speed Ethernet allows you to assign factory devices I ... >>

Analog Devices Blackfin Flash DSP 28.06.2006

Analog Devices introduced the ADSP-BF539 and ADSP-BF539F, two of the latest members of the Blackfin processor family. Both elements have CAN and MOST bus interfaces. The ADSPBF539F is the first Blackfin processor with integrated Flash. In addition, Analog Devices is announcing another family of Blackfin processors whose members, the ADSP-BF538 and ADSP-BF538F elements, also contain Flash memory and are targeted by ADI for industrial, medical and biometrics applications. The Blackfin ADSP-BF539F contains a choice of 512KB or 1MB Flash memory. This is a processor with a clock frequency of 500MHz, operating in the automotive temperature range and supporting the real-time operating system Integrity from Green Hills Software. The processor can perform a series of real-time signal processing tasks and supports features such as Vehicle Network Stacks, DiagnoseCode, and Download. ADSPBF538 and BF538F elements have ... >>

Samsung paves the way for semiconductor business 27.06.2006

The Korean conglomerate, whose brand name is well-known in television technology and cell phones, and later also in memory chips, is going to become the market leader in semiconductor manufacturing. Over the next six years, the company will spend $33 billion on capital construction and equipment for six new 300mm wafer production facilities. The company will continue to operate as a manufacturer of equipment based on its own technologies. At the same time, the development of commercial semiconductor production will begin, which involves the most modern technological processes and a high level of customer service. ... >>

New way to remove hydrogen from silicon surface 26.06.2006

Removal of hydrogen atoms (gray and violet) from a silicon surface (yellow) by a laser (red lines). A group of American scientists have demonstrated a new technology for removing hydrogen atoms from the surface of silicon using a laser. In the future, the development can reduce the cost of manufacturing microcircuits, solar cells and other semiconductor devices, according to the official website of the US National Science Foundation. Currently, microcircuits are produced by superimposing layers of silicon on top of each other. The process uses hydrogen to prevent oxidation of the silicon surface, which binds its free atoms. Before applying the next layer, hydrogen atoms must be removed, for which the crystal is heated to 550°C. At such a high temperature, the structure of the lattice may collapse, and the microcircuit will be inoperable. To solve this problem, the scientists tuned the laser to the frequency at which its light is absorbed by the bond between the hydrogen atoms in the molecule. As a result ... >>

Honeywell and Crossbow create wireless measurement products 25.06.2006

Honeywell has announced its intention to partner with Crossbow Technology (Crossbow), a leading provider of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) platforms, to develop products for the fast-growing wireless sensor network segment. Honeywell plans to launch wireless sensors as part of its XBW product line, which will be based on the Crossbow wireless sensor networking platform. Because traditional wired measurement and control applications are inconvenient and expensive, wireless sensor networks can reduce costs and improve operational efficiency. Honeywell customers can now easily develop cost-effective metering solutions with reliable wireless metering components integrated directly into plant information and control systems. ... >>

Sony and Samsung continue the LCD race 24.06.2006

Global consumer electronics giants Samsung Electronics and Sony announced their intention to invest $2 billion in the joint production of eighth-generation TFT LCD panels. This will allow Samsung to expand its business in the large LCD market and Sony to strengthen its brand in the large LCD TV segment by challenging global leader Sharp. The launch of the eighth generation TFT LCD is scheduled for autumn 2007. Estimated planned capacity of the new line, which will be opened at the plant of S-LCD Corporation in South Korea, is about 50 LCD panels per month. ... >>

Intel to move to tri-gate transistors in 2010 24.06.2006

Intel Corporation may begin production of processors based on tri-gate transistor technology towards the end of this decade. The transition to the new methodology will either reduce the power consumption of the chips by 35 percent or increase their performance by 45 percent compared to modern Intel processes. With the increasing miniaturization of microchips, gates began to suffer from current leakage, which leads to false alarms and increased power consumption. One way to solve this problem is to increase the gate area. This can be achieved by placing several gates on one transistor at once. It is assumed that three-gate transistors will initially be used in Intel chips manufactured using 45-nm technology. Subsequently, the technique will make it possible to establish the production of microcircuits using 32-nm and 22-nm technologies. Currently, other methods are being developed, which in the future can be used in the manufacture of new generation processors. ... >>

Ultra-low power DACs from National Semiconductor 23.06.2006

The presented DACs have a typical settling time of 3 ... 6 μs in the supply voltage range from 2,7 ... 5,5 V. 122 mW at a supply voltage of 085 V, and in the off state - less than 12 μW (typical consumption). The low power consumption of DACs makes them suitable for use in battery-powered portable devices in the industrial, medical, and consumer markets. As another example, the DAC2S1,5 is a 3,6-bit, 0,2-channel DAC, with a typical integral non-linearity (INL) of less than +124 least significant bits (LSB) and a typical differential non-linearity (DNL) of less than +085 LSB. Each DAC provides a rail-to-rail output signal swing, uses an external voltage reference, and has an operating temperature range of -12...4°C. In addition, the frequency of the clock signal can be 2 MHz at a supply voltage of 3 ... 0,15 V. The advantage of the ADC and DAC company ... >>

RS485 transceivers do not require terminating resistors 22.06.2006

Linear Technology introduced two new ICs: LTC2859 and LTC2861, which are half-duplex and full-duplex RS485 transceivers, their distinctive feature is the presence of a built-in plug-in terminating resistor. Traditionally, when creating networks based on the RS485 protocol, the user had to independently install 120 ohm terminating resistors. Their installation locations were determined depending on the topology of the connecting lines and the location of the network nodes. As the network expanded, the user had to install additional terminating resistors. The control program has the ability to connect terminating resistors in the LTS2859/LTS2861 transceivers, while ensuring matching for the required number of network nodes - without any physical participation from the user. ... >>

iSuppli predicts a downturn in the consumer electronics market 21.06.2006

Although the global consumer electronics market currently remains positively developed, analysts at iSuppli predict a slowdown in 2006, which will be expressed in its reduction to a few percent. As an explanation for such a conclusion, two "lying on the surface" facts may come to mind - the ongoing inconsistency with the formats of high-capacity optical media and the delay in the release of new generation game consoles, but in fact, the cause of the crisis, according to the company's specialists, will be other reasons. The real reason for the slowdown in market growth, according to iSuppli, will be related to manufacturing, whose revenues are declining so unexpectedly fast that by 2010 they may turn into losses. Further calculations are obvious: less income from production - less production - less supply - slowdown in market growth. Another reason may be the raising of interest rates on loans by banks, which, according to experts, ... >>

LCD TVs get cheaper thanks to Sony and Samsung 19.06.2006

Insight Media recently published the results of its market survey of the LCD TV market, showing some success for Sony and Samsung in this business. It looks like the two companies, using their joint brainchild S-LCD, provoked a strong price reduction in May for LCD TVs with a diagonal of 40 to 44 inches. According to Insight Media, this ultimately led to a drop in the cost of TVs of these diagonals in May by 5,8%, against a typical 1% for other segments. In monetary terms, the average price of LCD TV in 40...44 inches decreased by 182 US dollars, from $3142 to $2960. So far, plasma TVs of similar diagonals of 40...44 inches will cost the buyer about 20% cheaper than LCD TV. But the price gap between technologies is steadily shrinking. Sony and Samsung account for approximately 2/3 of the entire LCD TV market with a resolution of 1366x768 and a diagonal of 40...44 inches. Samsung recently introduced 5 new models and lowered the price by ... >>

The fastest robot 18.06.2006

Basque roboticists have made the fastest robot for unfolding small things. When you need to do some kind of monotonous work, the production manager faces a dilemma: hire a low-skilled visiting worker for little money or buy an industrial robot for big ones. If the goal is to obtain the highest possible profit, then the first solution would seem obvious. However, social factors can make the latter advantageous. Apparently, guided by these considerations, robotics continue to improve their creations. For example, engineers from the Basque company Fatronik have made the fastest robot for packing anything into boxes. He demonstrated the speed record at the Bilbao exhibition held in March 2006: he lays out and aligns 200 small (up to 2 kg in weight) objects per minute, which is 20% more than any other existing robot of this type performs. The stacking robot can rotate around its axis and make movements with manipulators. ... >>

Hydrogen biobattery 17.06.2006

British scientists have replaced platinum in the fuel cell with enzymes. Typically, a fuel cell has a membrane, on both sides of which there are electrodes coated with a platinum catalyst. Thanks to him, a hydrogen molecule disintegrates on one electrode, and a water molecule gathers on the other. For those microorganisms that live by the oxidation of hydrogen, the same process, thanks to enzymes, goes much easier. Scientists have long tried to apply this biological method in a fuel cell. Another success in this matter was achieved by the group of Professor Fraser Armstrong from Oxford University. In the design proposed by him, enzymes isolated from a hydrogen-oxidizing microorganism are deposited on two electrodes. Since enzymes are selective, that is, each of them accelerates a single reaction, there is no need to separate the reacting gases with a special membrane. Namely, its extremely high price makes the fuel cell an expensive pleasure, which, without the help of g ... >>

Electric price tag 16.06.2006

British scientists are developing liquid crystal cells that will greatly facilitate the life of the owners of supermarket chains. Dr. Tim Spencer from the University of Sheffield says: “Imagine that you are the owner of a thousand stores and you need to change the price of jars of green peas in all stores at the same time. You will need to make a lot of new labels, and besides, no one is safe from error. it's easier if the same thing can be done with the push of a couple of buttons on a single computer.This is where the electrical labels we design come in handy." The new labels are liquid crystal displays, and they need electricity only when the picture changes. The rest of the time the display shows it without power consumption. The store owner almost does not bear the cost of maintaining electric labels and at the same time gets rid of a mountain of small pieces of paper. Yes, and it is more convenient for buyers - the true information is always reflected on the price tag. ... >>

What sticks to teflon 15.06.2006

As you know, nothing sticks to Teflon, so pans, tablecloths and ties are covered with it. However, employees of the University of Erlangen (Germany) found substances sticking to this ultra-smooth plastic. They turned out to be some expensive chemical catalysts containing, like Teflon, fluorine atoms. So, in order to capture the catalyst from the reagent solution in order to reuse it, it is enough to pass the mixture over a Teflon tape. ... >>

Hospitals are too noisy 14.06.2006

Employees of the Johns Hopkins University (USA) regularly measure the noise level in several large hospitals. Since the 60s of the last century, daytime noise in the wards has increased from 57 to 72 decibels, and night noise - from 42 to 60 decibels. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization recommends that noise in hospitals should not exceed 35 decibels. The reasons for the increase in noise are the presence of many new medical devices that make noise during operation, as well as portable receivers, tape recorders and televisions used by patients. Air conditioners and refrigerators are noisy, doctors' pagers are beeping, mobile phones are ringing. Moreover, the authors of the study emphasize, there is an amplification effect: due to the high background noise, both staff and patients begin to talk to each other in raised tones, which makes it even noisier. Noise not only disturbs sleep, but also raises blood pressure, which is unsafe for already unhealthy people - increases the risk of heart attacks, new research has shown. ... >>

stone age dentists 13.06.2006

Archaeologists from the University of Poitiers (France), led by Roberto Macchiarelli, discovered that the inhabitants of Pakistan were familiar with dentistry already 7-9 thousand years ago, in the Neolithic. In burials of 9 adults in the Pakistani village of Mergarh, dating back to this period, 11 teeth with drilled holes were found. These are molars, so they were not drilled for decoration (some peoples today file or drill their front teeth for cosmetic purposes). In addition, four teeth show signs of caries. All this suggests that ancient dentists, like modern ones, drilled teeth to get rid of the disease. The drills on the teeth are 1,3-3,2 mm in diameter, and 0,5 to 3,5 mm deep. Perhaps they had unpreserved fillings. During the excavations, jeweler's tools were also found - wooden sticks with a sharp fragment of flint at the end. These tools were used to make beads for necklaces - they drilled shells, turquoise and other materials. Having made ... >>

vegetable mine detector 12.06.2006

Danish botanists have bred a variety of small weed - rezushki, the leaves of which change color if a mine or explosive is found in the soil under the plant. Under the influence of small doses of nitrogen dioxide, which is slowly released during the decomposition of TNT, the leaves of the cress turn red. You can visually identify the mines left in the ground after the hostilities. ... >>

Global warming will hit the US especially hard 11.06.2006

A detailed model of climate development by the end of this century, created on American supercomputers, taking into account factors that could not be taken into account earlier, shows that the US climate will change almost catastrophically in the next 80-90 years. Throughout the country, summers will become significantly hotter, winters will shorten. In the southwest of the United States there will be a shortage of water for people, livestock and crops, on the Gulf Coast it will become hotter and more rainy. The northwest will suffer from the heat. Change can be detrimental to the economy. To test the reliability of the model's predictions, computers fed the same weather data from 1961-1985 and calculated the US climate for 2005. The match is almost complete. ... >>

Old people benefit from computer games 10.06.2006

American neurologist Henry Mahnke, having recruited a group of 95 people with an average age of 80, asked them to spend one hour every day for eight weeks on a simple computer game. Another similar group used the computer for the same amount of time to listen to lectures on various topics over the Internet. During the experiment, those who played improved the result of standard tests of memory and attention by an average of 5 points, while those who looked at the lecturers improved only by two points. In general, in terms of memory capabilities and level of attention, the group of players seemed to be 5 years younger. ... >>

Water-cooled capital 10.06.2006

Japan's climate warming is four times faster than global warming. Tokyo is particularly affected, where the average temperature has risen by three degrees Celsius over the past hundred years. In front of the parliament building in the center of the Japanese capital, a new method of lowering the air temperature is being tested. Pumps, powered by wind and solar energy, pump out water seeping into the subway tunnels from underground and spray it onto the asphalt. In summer, when the air temperature is over 40 degrees Celsius, the asphalt in the center of the capital often warms up to 60 degrees. Spraying water made it possible to reduce its temperature by 10 degrees, and the air temperature above the pavement - by one degree. The main reason for the unbearable summer temperatures in Tokyo is the construction and asphalting of all free areas, the disappearance of parks, squares and lawns, as well as the increased work of air conditioners. Pumping heat from the premises to the street, the air conditioner adds to it the heat that occurs during its operation. As a result from ... >>

Record rope 09.06.2006

In the spring of 2006, the heaviest steel cable ever made in the world was delivered from Germany to America. The cable is 3 kilometers long and 4 millimeters in diameter and weighs 140 tons. Out of respect for such dimensions, he even received a proper name - "Big Hydra". The cable has been ordered by an American oil company and will be used to lay a pipeline in the Gulf of Mexico at a depth of 320 meters. Weaved the "Big Hydra" for more than two years. ... >>

Light from the sewers 08.06.2006

Six UK wastewater treatment plants use the biogas generated from the biological processing of waste to generate electricity. The gas released as a result of the assimilation of organic matter from waste by microorganisms consists of 62% methane. It is burned to generate electricity, and the heat generated during combustion is used to dry liquid decay waste - a powdered organic fertilizer is obtained. Six cleaning stations produce 12 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, which is partly used for the needs of the stations themselves, and partly goes to the general network. Three more such stations will soon also be equipped with equipment for capturing and using biogas. ... >>

Elephant speaking 07.06.2006

In the reserves of Kenya and South Africa, elephants began to distribute cell phones. A cheap model phone in a waterproof case is hung around the elephant's neck. Every hour the device sends a signal by which it is possible to determine where its carrier is located. Thanks to this, the cost of tracking animals has decreased by 60%, and even if you are on another continent, you can find out via the Internet where this particular individual is. ... >>

Dinosaurs Hearing Test 06.06.2006

What sound frequencies were available to hearing dinosaurs? The German paleontologist Otto Gleich from the University of Regensburg undertook to find out. He compared the sizes of the bone parts of the hearing aid preserved in fossils in modern birds, Archeopteryx and two dinosaurs - the Allosaurus, which weighed one and a half tons, and the Brachiosaurus (75 tons). The larger the details of the inner ear, the lower the range of frequencies perceived by it. Archeopteryx perceived sounds in the same range that modern birds hear (whether Archeopteryx himself sang remains unknown). Allosaurus heard sounds best at 1100 hertz, and the highest sound it could hear was 3000 hertz. Brachiosaurus best heard sounds with a frequency of about 700 hertz, and above 2400 hertz did not hear anything. It can be assumed that dinosaurs, like modern elephants, perceived infrasound. ... >>

Aral quietly receives water from the Himalayas 05.06.2006

As an international group of hydrogeologists led by the Swiss specialist Philippe Renard has established, fresh springs spring from the bottom of the Aral Sea, originating in the Himalayas. Water from the mountains seeps into the underground layers and leaves the bottom of the Aral Sea. Unfortunately, it is not enough to restore the former volume of this salt lake. Scientists began looking for additional sources of water after calculations showed that the inflow of two rivers flowing into it was not enough to maintain the current sea level. ... >>

Reconstructed appearance of Nicolaus Copernicus 04.06.2006

In November 2005, Polish archaeologists excavated the Cathedral of Frombork, where the great astronomer, Canon Nicholas Copernicus (1473-1543) served. The exact place of his burial was not known, but archaeologists used the indications of historians that it used to be customary to bury a priest under the altar at which he served. However, only during the life of Copernicus did five more canons use the same altar with him. In total, 13 burials were found under the altar, but to establish with high certainty which of the skulls belongs to the astronomer was helped by the fact that four or five centuries ago, few, like Copernicus, lived to be 70 years old. The rest of the bones belonged to much younger people. Using the method of the Soviet scientist M. Gerasimov, Polish criminologists and anthropologists restored the portrait of Copernicus from the skull and found a high resemblance to lifetime images, including a self-portrait. ... >>

Luminous target of the surgeon 03.06.2006

The parathyroid gland consists of two pairs of small, a few millimeters, outgrowths on the back of the thyroid gland. This gland produces a hormone that regulates calcium metabolism in the body. Sometimes there is a benign increase in the parathyroid gland, the hormone is released too much, which threatens with diseases of the bones and kidneys. In such cases, surgeons remove part of the gland. The operation is painstaking and time-consuming due to the small size of the removed organ. Physicians at the University Hospital in Mannheim (Germany) have found a substance that selectively accumulates in the parathyroid tissue and glows red when illuminated by the blue rays of the spectrum. This natural compound, protoporphyrin, is an integral part of the hemoglobin molecule and does not harm the body in any way. A few hours before surgery, the patient swallows a protoporphyrin capsule. Glowing red fabric is easy to find and remove. The duration of the operation is reduced by almost half. ... >>

Shower from triangular holes 02.06.2006

The Irish physicist Paul McGuinness of the University of Dublin showed that for spraying water into small droplets, not round, but triangular holes in the head through which water is sprayed are most effective. And if the sides of the triangle are made concave, the volume of drops decreases by 33% compared to those that fly out of a round hole. The discovery is useful not so much in the shower as in computer printers: by reducing the size of the drop of ink flying out of the print head, you can get sharper images. ... >>

Keyboard in bulk 01.06.2006

The German company "Ergodex" offers a computer keyboard for self-assembly. The buyer is given a board - the base station of the device, connected to the computer in the keyboard slot, and a bag with keys. Each key has an adhesive bottom surface, and you can arrange them on the board in any order. The set also includes stickers on the keys with different characters. The signal about pressing a particular key is transmitted to the base station by radio waves. The innovation is intended mainly not for those who type texts on a computer - the arrangement of letters on the keyboard has already been established, and many people are unlikely to want to change it - but for programmers and computer gamers who use a relatively small set of keys. ... >>

Panasonic and Sony - new AVCHD technology 30.05.2006

Panasonic and Sony have announced that they have developed AVCHD technology, which allows high-definition (HD) video to be recorded on standard DVD media. Manufacturers will limit their technology to camcorders, as it would be unwise to compete with their own promoted Blu-ray. AVCHD will allow HD digital camcorders to record 1080i and 720p video on 8cm DVDs. For video compression, the technology involves the use of the MPEG-4 AVC / H.264 codec, for audio - Dolby Digital (AC-3) or Linear PCM. Panasonic and Sony expect the AVCHD standard to be picked up by other camcorder manufacturers, the source said. Panasonic separately announced its intention to port the technology to SD memory cards. ... >>

Blu-ray Format Specifications Completed 28.05.2006

The Blu-ray Disc Association has finally finalized the specification list for the future format and is now ready to license BD-ROM, BD-RE and BD-R. From now on, content providers and simple producers can actually start mass production of BD products. The organization was able to reach a final verdict on January 2, 2006. In terms of standards, only single-layer Blu-ray Disc (25 GB) and dual-layer (50 GB) have been approved so far. In a statement, Blu-ray Disc Association Promotions Committee Chairman Victor Matsuda said that the finalization of the specifications is an important step that will greatly accelerate the advancement of next-generation optical discs. Well, we, ordinary consumers, can expect the appearance of new films, recorded on nice BD, within the next few months. ... >>

Nikon shuts down production of film cameras 28.05.2006

The Japanese corporation Nikon plans to abandon the production of film cameras and lenses for them. According to a press release from Nikon UK, the company's division operating in the UK, today 95% of products sold are digital devices. And this share continues to grow. Obviously, there is no point in releasing film cameras and accessories to them. Nikon will soon curtail their production and focus its resources on digital developments that are in demand by the market. So far, it has been decided to continue the production of only two film cameras - the top model among SLR film cameras Nikon F6 and inexpensive mechanical non-autofocus model Nikon FM10. True, the M10 will not be available in Europe. Previously released film cameras and their accessories are planned to be sold before the summer of 2006. Warranty and post-warranty service for all "film" products will be carried out as usual, in accordance with the declared obligations. ... >>

New Toshiba Regza HDD TVs 26.05.2006

Toshiba has announced three new lineups of the REGZA LCD TV line. The C series will include devices with display diagonals from 26 to 37 inches, the H series - from 32 to 47 inches, and the Z series - from 37 to 47 inches. The resolution in the models of the first two series will be 1366x768, which is classified by the manufacturer as HD Ready, while the models of the top Z series are already characterized as Full HD and will have a resolution of 1920x1080. A distinctive feature of all new models will be the use of the proprietary TV Meta Brain system, which actually means that the device has a specialized computer with HDMI and Ethernet interfaces, as well as a 160 GB hard drive. As a result, it is possible to record digital video both on local media and on shared network resources, and playback from the same sources. ... >>

New VCRs from Sony 24.05.2006

Sony continues to advance High-Definition Digital Video (HDV) by announcing two new video recorders, the HVR-M25U and HVR-M15U. The devices support recording and playback of HDV 1080i, DVCAM and DV SP formats, making it easy and painless to upgrade to high definition. Other features of the decks include extensive connectivity (i.LINK (IEEE-1394) supported, component output, composite, analog and S-Video I/O). The HVR-M25U is equipped with a 2,7" LCD display for enhanced control and Edge Crop, Duplicate Plus functions. A HVR-M15U, for example, can be installed both vertically and horizontally, making it a welcome addition to even the tightest of spaces. Incidentally, both VCRs use standard film (for HDV professionals, Sony recommends Digital Master). ... >>

TV for mobile phones: crazy growth expected 23.05.2006

At CeBIT in Hannover, mobile operators promised to make watching TV on mobile phones easier and cheaper. This should boost demand for cell phone TV services from the current 1 million subscribers to 250 million by 2010. T-Mobile, part of the largest European telecommunications holding Deutsche Telekom, announced that it will soon begin broadcasting the MTV music channel for mobile subscribers in Germany and Austria. The service will then be made available in the UK. T-Mobile is currently expanding its cellular networks, especially in Germany, where the company is deploying HSDPA networks with Nokia. It has a data transfer rate of up to 14Mbps, which ensures fast and smooth video loading without delay. ... >>

diamond diode 22.05.2006

British scientists have made a transistor from amorphous carbon. Semiconductors based on an amorphous substance, such as amorphous silicon, promise to revolutionize electronics by making huge, cheap, flat-panel monitors. After all, such a microcircuit does not need to be placed on a piece of a single crystal, which means that its size is practically unlimited. Unfortunately, electrons move too slowly through a grid of disordered atoms, and the gigahertz speeds required for good displays are beyond their strength. However, as it should be, in addition to the direct path, a roundabout one also leads to the cherished goal. It's called a "resonant tunnel diode". Such a microcircuit consists of nanometer-thick layers in which quantum phenomena begin to play an important role. For example, electrons can move between layers due to the tunnel effect. In a three-layer structure, such movements can be controlled by changing the composition and thickness of the layers and obtain regions with negative resistance. ... >>

graphene chip 20.05.2006

Scientists from France and the USA have created a microcircuit from single-layer graphite. About two years ago, American scientists obtained another (if we count in the series graphite-diamond-carbine-fullerene-nanotube, then the sixth) form of carbon, namely a graphite sheet one atom thick. This form was called graphene. As it turned out, such a substance may well compete with nanotubes in future devices of micro- (more precisely, nano-) electronics. Nanotubes are considered very promising because they conduct electric current well, while the electron in them exhibits interesting quantum properties. But it is difficult to assemble microcircuits from nanotubes. This requires non-standard equipment made on the basis of probe microscopes. And soldering nanotubes to other circuit elements is not easy. “We came up with the idea that a nanotube is actually nothing more than a sheet of graphene rolled into a roll,” says Professor Walt de Heer of the Georgia Tech University. “Using thin strips of graphene, we ... >>

Yahoo! Instant Search 19.05.2006

Yahoo! launched the Instant Search function in test mode, which ensures the delivery of search results simultaneously with the preparation of the request. They appear in the window that appears below the line for entering a query. The user can go to the desired Web page by clicking on the link, or open the topmost site in the list using the Ctrl-Enter combination. If these results are not enough, then by clicking on the search button, you can switch to the normal mode of operation. ... >>

Sanyo Hacti HD1 compact camcorder 17.05.2006

At the Hannover CeBIT 2006 exhibition, Sanyo demonstrated the world's lightest and most compact (according to its developers) Hacti HD1 camcorder. Its dimensions are 80x119x36 mm, and its weight is 205 g. The device is capable of recording high-quality video in HDTV 720p format (1280x720 pixels), and in total there are six modes with different picture quality - from the one mentioned above to the Web version (320x240). The camera has a "pistol" design and is equipped with a 10x zoom lens with a built-in ND filter. The creators of the novelty pay attention to the fact that its design is extremely convenient and accessible even for inexperienced users. The numerous functions of the device can be easily operated with one hand. The device is capable of performing the functions of a camera, recording 5-megapixel images. An SD card is used as a storage for video and photo information. The lithium-ion power supply has a capacity of 1200 mAh and ensures the operation of the camera in t ... >>

Mobile phone LG U880 16.05.2006

For the first time the device LG-U880 was shown to the public within the framework of the 3GSM exhibition. This model is an example of a stylish 3G music phone in a clamshell format. This is the most elegant of all 3G-devices. Its thickness is only 18,2 mm, and its weight is 99 grams. Among the features - the ability to store 20 songs in memory in various formats (MP3, AAC, MIDI, AMR, WAV), side buttons to control the player, support for video telephony, 1,3-megapixel camera, 2-inch LCD display with a resolution of 176x220 pixels and support for 262 thousand colors, 75 MB of internal memory. The available memory capacity can be increased with Transflash (MicroSD) cards. In addition, the U880 is equipped with Bluetooth and USB interfaces. Battery life 244 min / 297 h in active and sleep modes, respectively. There are several options for the appearance of the device. The famous Italian designer Roberto Cavalli worked on the design of one of them. ... >>

Windmills are not a hindrance to birds 15.05.2006

Since October 2003, a power plant has been operating in the sea off the southern coast of the island of Lolland (Denmark) with 72 wind-electric generators installed on towers 69 meters high. They produce 595 million kilowatt-hours per year. Conservationists have raised concerns that the three-blade rotors, each 82 meters in diameter, will kill passing birds or scare them away, forcing them to change their migration routes. However, conducted twice a year, in autumn and spring, radar observations show that birds, without changing course, bypass the power plant. Only one in a hundred birds is dangerously close to the rotating blades. ... >>

Logs in glass 13.05.2006

The agents used so far for the impregnation of structural timber in order to protect against fire, decay, insects and fungi, as a rule, are based on compounds of arsenic, chromium and other toxic elements. Copper compounds are not as toxic, but corrode nails and other metal fasteners. The American company "Timbersil" uses sodium silicate - liquid glass - to impregnate wood. It is injected into logs and boards under pressure, and then the wood is kept at a high temperature. Liquid glass is baked, and now the tree is not afraid of termites, fungi, moisture, or fire. ... >>

Electric train with a speed of 369 km/h 11.05.2006

The new Spanish electric train set a European speed record on rails - 369 kilometers per hour. The special shape of the locomotive hood, designed for the least air resistance when overcoming tunnels, gave the Spaniards a reason to call the train "El Pato" - a duck. So far, the country's railway network is not adapted to such speeds, so for about a year the speed of trains will not exceed 200 kilometers per hour. Later, the speed of regular traffic will increase to 330 kilometers per hour, and it will be possible to get to any major city in Spain from Madrid in a maximum of four hours. ... >>

plastic bridge 10.05.2006

In the state of Wisconsin (USA), an outwardly unremarkable concrete bridge was built on one of the highways. However, instead of the usual steel reinforcement, a plastic grating is hidden under the concrete. A plasto-concrete bridge, according to the calculations of its creators, will last at least twice as long as a reinforced concrete one, since its polymer reinforcement is not afraid of corrosion from salt water seeping through cracks in the concrete surface in winter. The cost of a plastic bridge is 35% higher than normal, but in areas with cold winters where salt fights ice, this expense will pay off in the long run. ... >>

Why is a teddy bear dangerous? 09.05.2006

Plush toys can accumulate potentially dangerous air pollution. The stuffing of these toys is almost identical to materials used in chemical laboratories to clean the air of harmful gases and then analyze them, says Caitlin Gorbitt of Chatham College in the UK. She and her colleagues examined the outer fabric and padding of 11 soft toys, testing for 13 pesticides and 7 flame retardants. Most toys contained a wide range of chemicals with the greatest concentration on the outside rather than in the stuffing. It is possible that the toys were sprayed with fire extinguishers during manufacture, and "during operation" they absorbed other pollutants from the air. The content of toxins in toys made using recycled materials is especially high. Most toys even contained remnants of the long-banned insecticide DDT. Apparently, soft toys should be washed regularly. ... >>

You can drink from a puddle 07.05.2006

In Denmark, the production of a portable water filter has begun, which makes it possible to purify water from any dirty puddle to drinking standards. The device is something like a pipe 25 centimeters long and 3 centimeters in diameter. The drawn-in water first passes through a filter made of polyethylene fibers, which retains particles with a diameter greater than 100 micrometers. The second filter, made of polyester fibers, retains particles with a diameter of 15 micrometers. The water then passes through a chamber filled with polymer beads soaked in iodine, which kills pathogens of cholera, typhoid, dysentery and other diseases. The next chamber is filled with activated carbon granules, which eliminate the unpleasant taste and smell of water, and at the same time take most of the iodine out of the water. Some iodine remains, which is good, because in many third world countries for which the filter is intended, the population suffers from iodine deficiency. The filter is able to purify 700 liters of water, which corresponds to the annual need of an adult. ... >>

Sociology of organ transplant 06.05.2006

A Gallup poll of 1900 people in the United States found that more than half of American adults would not mind transplanting their organs after death to those in need. The willingness to donate their organs is the same in men and women, but varies in different age groups and races. At the age of 35 to 44, more than 75% of the population are ready to donate their organs, at the age of 18 to 24 - 55%, and over 65 - only 38% (perhaps because they mistakenly think that the organs of older people are nowhere to be found). fit). The racial breakdown is as follows: among whites and people of Asian origin, 62% agree to donate their organs to those in need, among Hispanic Americans - 47%, and among blacks - only 25%. Among black Americans, there is a high level of distrust not only in transplantology, but in medicine in general. However, it is precisely in this group that most of all need a transplant. Although African Americans make up 13% of the US population, waiting lists for a kidney transplant (the most common ... >>

Man and chimpanzee: the differences are not so great 05.05.2006

An international group of American biologists has completed the deciphering of the chimpanzee genome and its comparison with the human one. It turned out that our DNA differs from the DNA of the closest living human relative by only four percent. The chimpanzee is the fourth mammal whose genetic text has been read in its entirety. The rest are man, mouse and rat. Humans differ from chimpanzees about 60 times less than from mice, and about 10 times less than mice and rats differ in DNA. It turned out that some genes in humans and monkeys evolved especially quickly compared to the corresponding genes in other mammals. These are, for example, genes responsible for the accelerated transmission of signals along the nerves, for the perception of sounds, for the transport of ions through cell membranes. It is possible that it was thanks to the rapid evolution of these genes that primates were able to occupy such a prominent place in the animal kingdom. ... >>

With a load on my head 03.05.2006

The Belgian physiologist Norman Heglund studied the process of carrying weights on the head by Nepalese porters - Sherpas, who usually accompany European climbers to the mountains. They carry loads mainly on their heads. The physiology of Sherpas aged 11 to 68 was studied on a mountain path at an altitude of 2800 meters above sea level. Men carried loads on average 93 percent of their own weight, but some carried up to 183 percent. Women carried an average of 66 percent of their body weight. Portable recorders attached to some of the porters showed that the energy consumption was half that of young Europeans who carried the same load in backpacks. True, Sherpas walk slowly and often stop to rest. ... >>

The pants of the emperor are being studied 01.05.2006

Swiss surgeon Alessandro Lugli, who works at the University Hospital of Basel, is interested in the history of Napoleon. As you know, the self-proclaimed Emperor of France died in exile on the island of Saint Helena at the age of 52. The autopsy performed by his personal physician was done at a level quite worthy of modern doctors. The cause of death was stomach cancer. Nevertheless, for almost two centuries, various other assumptions have been put forward about Napoleon's fatal illness. Lugli decided to confirm the conclusion of the emperor's personal doctor. Gastric cancer is characterized by rapid weight loss shortly before death. Data on Napoleon's weight does not exist, but Lugli measured the waistband of 12 pairs of Napoleon's trousers, including the last one. Knowing the height of a person, the weight can be calculated from the waist. The results of the study showed that while in exile, Napoleon put on weight, but in the last six months he began to lose a lot of weight. Waist shrunk by almost five inches, corresponding to weight loss 2 ... >>

Robot helps repair knee 29.04.2006

British doctors are convinced that with the help of a robot, it is possible to perform knee surgery much more accurately. King's College London summed up the results of testing a new technique for replacing the patella. Fourteen patients were operated on in the usual way, and in the other thirteen cases, the surgeon was assisted by a specially designed Acrobot robot. Tests have shown that the help of the robot delays the operation for several minutes, but all the details of the prosthesis can be aligned almost perfectly, with an accuracy of two degrees. In operations without a robot, such accuracy is obtained in only 40% of cases. “The robot does not perform the operation, it only supports the surgeon’s hand in such a way that he does not make mistakes. And this is very convenient!” says Professor Justin Cobb. “By increasing the accuracy, we cause less trauma during the operation, the knee works better after it, and the patient leaves the hospital sooner." It remains to add to this that the robot-surgeon was made by a special small research and production company with ... >>

Zaurus Sharp 27.04.2006

The new model Zaurus SL-C3200, presented in Japan by Sharp, is a traditional product for this company with an integrated QWERTY keyboard, belonging to the category of standard PDAs without communication functions that is gradually losing popularity. The device has rather large dimensions (124x87x25 mm) and weight (298 g), but it is equipped with a 3,7-inch VGA pressure-sensitive display and a built-in 6 GB hard drive. The SL-C3200 runs on a Linux operating system (Lineo uLinux), uses an Intel PXA270 processor with a frequency of 416 MHz, 64 MB RAM and 128 MB ROM. Data exchange is provided through SD and CF card slots, USB and IrDA ports. The product comes with Windows Media Player 10 software and supports MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4 (MP4), Windows Media Video, DivX Video, DV (AVI) video formats. In the Japanese market Zaurus SL-C3200 will be sold at an estimated price of $640. ... >>

Sony PS3 25.04.2006

At the end of March, at a special meeting with Japanese developers, Sony Computer Entertainment President Ken Kutaragi finally officially announced the launch date for the PlayStation 3, the next-generation console expected by the entire gaming community. For a long time, high-ranking officials from Sony assured the public that everything was going according to plan and next-gen-prefix will go to stores this spring. However, life has made its own adjustments, and, according to Kutaragi's latest statement, the launch of the PS3 will take place in November 2006. It should be noted that the console will appear almost simultaneously in stores in all three key regions for the gaming industry - Japan, the US and Europe. Recall that around the same period, Nintendo intends to release its mysterious Revolution. ... >>

Panasonic 10x cameras 24.04.2006

A series of three innovative models of Panasonic Lumix digital cameras was recently introduced, including DMC-TZ1, DMC-FX01, DMC-LS2. Equipped with a LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens, the 1-megapixel DMC-TZ10 is the smallest digital camera with 112x optical zoom (58x1, 40x2, 2mm). It comes with a 5-inch LCD display and a next-generation Venus Engine III image processing chip that delivers 20x noise reduction and 12,5% less power consumption while improving performance. Extra Optical Zoom (EX) brings the optical zoom up to 3x at 1600 megapixel resolution, while High Sensitivity mode automatically sets the maximum light sensitivity (ISO 01) to reduce blur when shooting moving subjects. The 3-megapixel DMC-FX6 is equipped with a wide-angle lens with a 5x zoom (the EX function increases it to XNUMXx), while the XNUMX-megapixel DMC ... >>

Computer of the future from Intel 22.04.2006

Just recently, Intel unveiled a platform codenamed Florence, billed as the "PC of the future", and now TCL (China's second largest electronics manufacturer), Alienware, Winbook and Medion are gearing up to ship products based on Florence's innovative design and technology. Intel Viv. In the near future, other companies will join this four. Florence, resembling an LCD monitor with a thickness of only one inch, is a complete digital entertainment center and a full-featured PC. It has a 17-inch screen, a built-in TV tuner, a remote control and a wireless keyboard that folds away into the case. It seems that the platform has very good prospects. Information about the directions of further development of this technology is already appearing. For example, some versions of the Florence will have 19" and 23" displays. ... >>

ASUS Skype phone 20.04.2006

ASUS has introduced a Skype phone with an integrated 802.11g wireless interface. The device has an LCM-screen (128x64), LED keyboard backlight, and can be charged via USB. Standby time - 25 hours, talk time - 2 hours. ASUS Skype phone can also serve as a remote control for Windows Media Player. ... >>

Diseases of Napoleon's army 19.04.2006

An archaeological study involving biologists showed that not only Kutuzov, partisans and frost, but also microbes participated in the defeat of Napoleon's army in Russia. In 2001, in Vilnius, during the construction of a foundation pit for construction, they found a mass grave of at least two thousand French soldiers who died during the retreat from Russia. Completed at the end of 2005, the genetic analysis of the bone material made it possible to identify the DNA of the pathogens of typhus and trench fever in a third of the soldiers. When sifting two kilograms of grave earth, in addition to bone fragments and fragments of uniforms, chitinous parts of five lice were found. Of the half-million French army that broke into Russia in the summer of 1812, 25 reached Vilnius during the retreat, and only XNUMX were able to go further west. It is now clear that diseases played a significant role in these losses. ... >>

Olive oil as a pain reliever 17.04.2006

Australian and American pharmacists have discovered the compound oleocanthal in olive oil, which has the same analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect as the drug ibuprofen, used for arthritis, myalgia, and toothache. True, 50 milliliters of olive oil relieve pain 10 times weaker than the usual dose of ibuprofen, but there are no side effects. Olive oil also acts as a cancer and stroke prevention. It is believed that a regular diet of olive oil and olives, as is customary in the Mediterranean countries, improves the health of the heart and blood vessels. ... >>

Milk for ulcers 15.04.2006

For stomach ulcers, a milk diet has long been recommended, but since the discovery that a special microbe is to blame for this disease, it has become clear that antibiotics are needed for treatment, not so much a diet. However, the Australian company "Agribiotech" offers milk that really helps with ulcers. It is obtained from cows that have been vaccinated with a weakened strain of ulcerative bacteria, Helicobacter pylori. Antibodies are excreted in milk and neutralize the bacteria in the stomach of a person who has drunk milk. Since Helicobacter is often found in healthy people, without causing illness for the time being, milk with antibodies can also serve as a preventive measure. ... >>

Ball with a secret 14.04.2006

Specialists from the Institute for Reliability Problems and Microintegration in Berlin (Germany) built a sensor into a golf ball that measures the force of impact on the ball and the acceleration imparted by the impact. The information comes through the radio channel to the coach, who can immediately make adjustments to the style of play of a novice athlete. ... >>

swivel socket 12.04.2006

The large dimensions of the plugs of modern electrical appliances often do not allow you to plug two devices into a double socket at once - one plug interferes with the other. Therefore, in the USA they began to produce swivel sockets. Each of them can rotate 360 ​​degrees, which is provided by three copper rings with current collectors (the third ring is for grounding, which is mandatory in American electrical networks). ... >>

A phone that can ruin your appetite 11.04.2006

Employees of the Center for Technical Research at the University of Kuopio, Finland are developing a system that turns a mobile phone into your personal nutritionist. With a digital camera now found in most mobile phones, you take a picture of the barcode printed on every package in the grocery store. The phone sends this snapshot to the central computer, and in a few seconds data on the composition of the product and its energy value appear on the phone's screen. After that, the phone, based on the owner's personal data entered into it in advance (height, weight, age, and so on), shows how much and what physical exercises you need to do in order to burn the calories in the product. And then it's your decision to buy or not. Field trials have been completed and the system should be operational in Finland in a year and a half. ... >>

Men and women have different dreams 09.04.2006

The German psychiatrist Michael Schroedl and the sociologist Edgar Peel conducted surveys of thousands of men and women in their country about the content of their dreams. It turned out that we see different dreams. In the dreams of men, there is more physical violence, aggressiveness, weapons are more common. There are many dreams about work and professional topics. Dream characters are mostly men too. In the dreams of women, aggression is also found, but it is directed mainly at the sleeping woman herself. The content of dreams more often than in men is tinged with sadness and depression. Among the characters equally often there are people of both sexes, mainly relatives and family members. More often than men, the action takes place indoors, and more dreams of household items and clothing. Comparison with similar surveys conducted in 1956, 1970 and 1981 showed that the observed differences are stable over time. Although over the past half century, German women have become much more emancipated, educated and less likely to confine themselves to ro ... >>

Do meteorites affect the climate 08.04.2006

Australian geophysicists analyzed by means of laser sounding a cloud of dust that arose in the upper atmosphere when a rather large fireball with a diameter of 3-2004 meters and a mass of 7 tons burned down there on September 10, 1500. The explosion occurred over the South Atlantic, between the southern tip of Africa and Antarctica. It was equal in power to the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima and produced 1000 tons of dust. Until now, it was believed that the dust particles arising from such explosions are nanometer in size, but it turned out that they are a thousand times larger and reach micrometer sizes. This is important because it is precisely this kind of dust that scatters sunlight especially strongly and thereby affects the climate, reducing the amount of light falling on the Earth. In addition, meteor dust particles serve as centers for the condensation of water droplets, increasing the frequency of rainfall. Dust also facilitates the chemical reactions in the atmosphere, leading to an increase in the ozone hole. Approximately 40 ... >>

South Telescope 06.04.2006

The largest telescope in the southern hemisphere of the Earth has come into operation in South Africa. The diameter of its mirror is 11 meters. It is impossible to cast such a solid mirror, so it was assembled from 91 hexagonal mirrors with a diameter of one meter, fitting one to the other with great accuracy. The telescope will make it possible to study stars and galaxies located at a distance of up to 150 light years and invisible from the Northern Hemisphere. The sensitivity of the telescope is such that, theoretically, it could see a candle lit on the moon. ... >>

Plastic with memory 05.04.2006

German chemists have synthesized a shape memory polymer. Tapes or rods from it can be severely deformed, but the former shape is restored after illumination with ultraviolet light. To do this, light-sensitive molecules were added to the polymer mixture. When they are irradiated with ultraviolet light at a certain wavelength, these molecules link together, holding the base polymer chains in place. A dose of ultraviolet light of a different wavelength breaks the bonds. To demonstrate the properties of the new polymer, its strip was rolled into a spiral and irradiated with ultraviolet light. Then, after being irradiated with light of a different wavelength, the spiral again became almost a straight strip. The new material may find application in medicine. A straight piece of plastic thread is inserted through a syringe into a narrowed blood vessel, then the thread is irradiated with ultraviolet light through a fiber light guide, and it coils into a spiral that protects the vessel from falling off. ... >>

DNA and a clean city 04.04.2006

It is estimated that almost 12 tons of droppings are left on the streets, squares and squares of German cities every day. And although the owners must clean up after their pets, they do not always fulfill this duty. Therefore, the city council of Dresden decided that at the next annual re-registration, a DNA sample (a few hairs, a drop of saliva or blood) would be taken from each of the 500 domestic dogs living in the city. Street cleaners will take a sample of every "pile of dogs" found on the pavement, and the city's forensics lab will be able to identify the culprit. The fine for dirt on the street is 750 euros. It is expected that due to fines, the entire system will pay off in seven months, and then the dogs will begin to bring net profit to the municipality. Of course, only if the owners of the dogs do not draw the proper conclusions for themselves. ... >>

Runners stop setting records 02.04.2006

British specialists in sports physiology have analyzed world records since 1910 in various types of running, up to the marathon, and have come to the conclusion that the growth of records will stop in the coming decades. At the beginning of the last century, when athletes were honest amateurs, running speed grew gradually. Around the middle of the 80th century, athletics began to become professional, and the growth of records accelerated. Since the 1500s, it has slowed down again, new records are set less and less. For example, the last world record for women in the 1993 meters was set in 1980, and the previous one in 2020. If we continue the curve built by physiologists, it turns out that men will stop increasing their running speed somewhere between 2060 and 1, and before that records will grow by only 3-XNUMX% compared to modern ones. Women will "stop" even earlier. Unless, of course, something unexpected happens: for example, bigwigs of business, which is now professional sports, can allow the reception of some ... >>

Our tiny cousin 01.04.2006

The smallest of the primates was discovered by Swiss zoologists in Madagascar, and in the most seemingly well-studied region of the island. This new species of lemur weighs only 50 grams as an adult. This brings the number of known species of lemurs to 49, and they all live either in Madagascar or in the nearby Comoros. ... >>

ZL33020 Chip for Ethernet use 31.03.2006

The ZL33020 chip from ZARLINK SEMICONDUCTOR is designed for use in an Ethernet network. It is a 24-port switch with 480KB of built-in memory for storing databases and a data frame buffer. Operation speed switchable: 10, 100 and 1000 megasamples per second. ... >>

New DG series analog switch ICs 30.03.2006

Microcircuits of analog switches DG2731, DG2732, DG2733 from VISHAY INTERTECHNOLOGY have a pass resistance in the open state of only 0,4 Ohm, and the spread of these resistances does not exceed 0,03 Ohm. Supply voltage range from 1,6 to 4,3 V. Can be used in mobile phones, players, modems, personal secretaries. ... >>

TR2015x LED Display 29.03.2006

TR2015X LED display from TOSHIBA ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, INC. has a high brightness of 5000 cd per m2, dimensions 480x480 mm, weight 12,5 kg. Can be used to display information in public places. ... >>

Step-down voltage converter TPS62350 29.03.2006

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS has developed a buck converter with internal switching frequency up to 3 MHz and I2C interface TPS62350. The presence of the interface allows you to quickly change the output voltage in the range from 0,75 to 1,53 V. The converter can operate from one lithium-ion battery at the input, and provides a current of up to 800 mA at the output. ... >>

Chips of RF synthesizers STW81101 and STW81102 28.03.2006

The new STW81101 and STW81102 RF synthesizer ICs from STMICROELECTRONICS have the lowest phase noise of any synthesizer in the industry. The measured values ​​are 0,2° at 1 GHz, 0,5° at 2 GHz and 1,3° at 4 GHz. The new synthesizers have a large frequency coverage (from 750 MHz to 4,65 GHz), which makes it possible to cover the requirements of a large number of communication systems. Chips are available in QFN-28 packages. ... >>

Digital camera Sony DSC-R1 27.03.2006

SONY CORPORATION produces a large series of digital compact cameras. In particular, the DSC-R1 digital camera has a 10,3 million pixel CMOS image sensor. The cameras are equipped with LCD displays ranging in size from 2 to 3 inches (5 ... 7,5 cm). ... >>

AUP ESD Logic Series 27.03.2006

PHILIPS SEMICONDUCTOR Corporation has developed a series of ESD protected AUP logic circuits with a voltage of 5 kV, twice that of the commercially available (2,5 kV). It is pointed out that in modern devices with very low power consumption, electrostatic protection becomes a very important factor. ... >>

Dual independent analog NLAST9431 26.03.2006

The dual independent analog switch (each with two inputs and two outputs) type NLAST9431 manufactured by SEMICONDUCTOR offers fast switching, low latency and on-state contact resistance much less than other switches of this type, higher linearity. The microcircuit is produced in the QFN-16 package. ... >>

Step-down voltage regulator LM26001 25.03.2006

NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR introduces the LM26001 step-down voltage regulator with an output current of 1,5 A. Its input voltage range is from 4 to 38 V, the output voltage is 3 V. The internal operating switching frequency can be adjusted from 150 to 500 kHz. The quiescent current (when there is no load) is only 40 µA. The output voltage is maintained with an accuracy of 1,5%. Additional features: soft start, protection against overvoltage and short circuit current. ... >>

Smartphone Motorola Q 24.03.2006

The new Motorola Q smartphone is twice as thin as its predecessors (1,2 cm), but at the same time retains all their qualities. It provides excellent voice quality, good data and multimedia capabilities. The smartphone has a 6 cm color screen, a 1,3 megapixel camera with flash, MPXNUMX and video capabilities, stereo speakers, Internet access. It is possible to communicate with computers via Bluetooth wireless technology. ... >>

PIC16CR - new microcontrollers MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY 23.03.2006

The new PIC16CR microcontrollers from MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY enable seamless switching between ROM and flash memory. Microcontrollers PIC16CR73, PIC16CR74, PIC16CR76, PIC16CR77 are the first in this family and can replace the popular PIC16F73, PIC16F74, PIC16F76 and PIC16F77. It is assumed that such a replacement will give greater flexibility to the company's products. ... >>

A new family of highly integrated real-time clocks 23.03.2006

INTERSIL has introduced a new family of highly integrated, low power real-time clocks for consumer and industrial applications, the ISL12026/27/28/29. Microcircuits have a current consumption of 800 nA. The microcircuits have a built-in non-volatile memory of 4 kbit with the possibility of 2 million rewrites and supervisory functions for microprocessors. The microcircuits are frequency-tuned, which makes it possible to maintain high stability of the oscillation frequency. ... >>

New synchronous DC/DC voltage converters 22.03.2006

INTERNATIONAL, the world leader in power products, has released two new synchronous DC/DC converters up to 30 V: IRF7835PbF and IRF7836PbF. The converters are designed for applications that require small size, high efficiency and high power density (microprocessors, telecommunication systems). Chips are produced using lead-free technology. ... >>

MAC7135 - 32-bit microcontroller 21.03.2006

The FREES CALE SEMICONDUCTOR MAC32 7135-bit MCU is designed specifically for automotive applications. It has 768 KB program flash, 32 KB data flash, 40 KB RAM, two 16-channel 10-bit ADCs, a 16-channel timer subsystem, a number of serial interfaces, 144 I/O ports. The chip is available in a BGA package with 208 pins. ... >>

FLUKE Pressure Calibrators 20.03.2006

FLUKE CORPORATION has released the 717 and 718 series of 9 pressure calibrators. The devices are 20 cm long and weigh about 1 kg. The pressure calibrators have ranges of 68, 9 mbar, 2 bar, 7 bar, 20 bar, 35 bar, 69 bar, 103 bar, 207 bar and 345 bar. The pressure measurement accuracy is 0,015%. ... >>

New SPM Series Power Modules 19.03.2006

FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR introduces three new SPM series power modules designed for power factor correction of electric motors in the power range from 3 to 6 kW. Chips FPDB20PH60 (600V/20A), FPDB30PH60 (600V/30A), FPDB50PH60 (600V/50A) allow you to get a power factor of 99% and save 50% of space compared to discrete solutions. Available in 44x26mm MiniDIP packages with lead-free technology. ... >>

Epson Perfection Professional Flatbed Scanners 18.03.2006

EPSON introduces two new professional flatbed scanners: the Epson Perfection V750 and V700 Photo models. The Epson Perfection V750 is the ideal solution for professional photographers, while the Epson Perfection V700 Photo is ideal for digital photography enthusiasts and experienced amateur photographers. These are the first sub-$800 scanners worldwide to offer users up to 6400x9400 dpi resolution. ... >>

Audio Switches DALLAS SEMICONDUCTOR-MAXIM 18.03.2006

Audio switches MAX4910, MAX4911, MAX4912 from DALLAS SEMICONDUCTOR-MAXIM have a very low on-state resistance (0 ohms). There are 37 switches per IC, but in MAX4 and MAX4910 the switches are controlled in pairs (two control signals), while in MAX4912 all 4911 switches are controlled by one signal. The supply voltage ranges from +4 to +1 V, and the lower limit of the switched voltage is +8pit-5 V. The harmonic distortion of the audio signal is only 5%. Chips are available in TQFN-11 5 packages with dimensions of 5x0 mm. ... >>

ATA6026 Highly Integrated Motor Driver 17.03.2006

ATMEL CORPORATION announced the release of the ATA6026 chip, a highly integrated electric motor driver. It consists of two drivers: for the left glass wiper motor and for the right wiper motor. The microcircuit contains a voltage regulator, an on-duty timer and requires a small number of external components. Available in a miniature QFN32 package. ... >>

RF Integrated Circuits ADL537x 16.03.2006

ANALOG DEVICES announced the release of the ADL537x series of RF integrated circuits with pin-compatible quadrature amplitude modulators in the range from 250 MHz to 4 GHz. The series is designed to support mobile phones in GSM, CDMA, TDS-CDMA, W-CDMA, CDMA2000 standards, as well as for other applications. ... >>

CMOS image sensor 2 megapixels 6 mm thick 15.03.2006

AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES announces the launch of its ADCC-6 2mm thick CMOS image sensor with 4050 megapixels with auto focus. The sensor automatically adjusts to a wide range of lighting conditions, producing bright colors and high contrast. It is designed for installation in camera phones (mobile phones with a video camera). For a resolution of 800x600 pixels, it is possible to work at a frequency of 30 frames per second, for a resolution of 1600x1200 pixels - at a frequency of 15 frames per second. ... >>

Class D amplifier with 240W output power and 0,1% distortion 14.03.2006

Texas Instruments and the Technical University of Denmark have developed a Class-D (Class-D) amplifier with 240W output power and less than I/O distortion. A TI spokesman said that "this is the best known product of its kind, and the output power level is unprecedented for monolithic output stages." To achieve low THD, an open-loop feedback was used, which is preferable to closed-loop, which cannot easily be added to an all-digital signal path. The amplifier is built on n-channel horizontal (lateral) DMOS transistors, which are used both in the output stages and in the pre-amp stages. Distortions initially affect the timing and electrical characteristics of the prestages. Reduced distortion is achieved by optimizing the size of the transistors of the preliminary and output stages. The amplifier is manufactured according to 0,4 µm / 1,8 µm high voltage ... >>

MEMS microphones from Akustica: a new word in sound processing 13.03.2006

Akustica, which creates "silicon" acoustic components using MEMS technology, has announced the availability of a new product - the AKU2000 single-chip microphone. The digital signal output device contains a silicon membrane and is well suited for operation in "microphone array" configurations (microphone array) used in cases where a high degree of protection against noise is required. An acoustic transducer, an output amplifier, and a fourth-order sigma-delta modulator are integrated into the crystal. The CMOS process technology is used for manufacturing. The novelty is designed for surface mounting and should replace the electret condenser microphones (ECM) used for fifty years in millions of portable devices. According to Akustica, its product has a higher noise immunity than EKM. A huge advantage of using a new microphone compared to existing solutions is the absence of lines through which an ... >>

Flash drive 16 GB 13.03.2006

At CeBIT 2006, the Korean company Iocell introduced a 16 GB USB flash drive. Today it is the most capacious flash drive available on the market. So far, not much is known about the new device: only that it will be connected to a computer via USB 2.0, which provides good data transfer speed, and that additional drivers are not required for the USB drive to work. ... >>

HDD TV from Sanyo 12.03.2006

Sanyo has prepared a 32-inch YTV LCD TV with a built-in 160GB hard drive. The HDD works in conjunction with a proprietary Freeview tuner that allows you to record video signals. Users can set up weekly video saving via the Electronic Program Guide schedule. The TV includes HDMI and component input interfaces. The model will go on sale in May and will be available in white and black versions. Optionally, a metal or glass stand can be purchased for the YTV. Note that Sanyo is serious about capturing the LCD TV market. She recently entered into an agreement with Quanta, which will allow both to establish a full-scale production of quality models. ... >>

Laser shoe fitting 11.03.2006

The technology created by the Europeans will help make more comfortable shoes. Old-timers say that there was a time when X-ray machines were in shoe stores, with which you could check how well the shoes fit the foot. Then, due to the obvious harmfulness of this method, the devices were removed, and for many years it was possible to choose the right shoes only by touch. Engineers from the Spanish Institute of Technology for Shoes (INESCOP) decided to correct the situation with the support of the European Commission. The problem of improving the quality of shoes and boots for Europeans is very relevant: now only 800 million pairs are sewn on the continent, while Asians supply twice as many to the world market. By making shoes more comfortable, European shoemakers hope to win the competition. "Traditionally, shoemakers are interested in mass production, not customer convenience," says project manager Enrique Montiel. "We have created hardware and software that ... >>

Gorilla takes a stick 10.03.2006

Until now, gorillas have been the only great apes that have never been seen using tools. Unlike, for example, a chimpanzee, a gorilla is so strong that it does not need tools: it breaks termite mounds with a blow of its fist, and cracks hard nuts with its teeth. German zoologists first observed a gorilla in one of the national parks of the Congo, which, in order to cross a swampy river, took a stick and began to probe the bottom with it, measuring the depth. Then, leaning on the same stick, the monkey successfully crossed to the other side. ... >>

Keep your feet warm 10.03.2006

This old recommendation was confirmed by an experiment conducted at the University of Cardiff (England). Ninety volunteers spent 20 minutes with their feet in a basin of cold water. In the next five days, 29% of them caught a cold. The same number of subjects sat for the same 20 minutes, taking off their shoes and socks, but not putting their feet in cold water. Among them, 9% fell ill. The authors of the experiment believe that the blood vessels of the legs and the nasal mucosa are reflexively interconnected. When the vessels in the legs contract from cold, the vessels in the nose also contract. If cold viruses are carried in the air, they get into the nose, and immune blood cells hardly penetrate the constricted vessels of the nose and cannot destroy the viruses. ... >>

Odysseus didn't live in Ithaca 09.03.2006

For the last three thousand years, the exact location of the birthplace of Odysseus - Ithaca has remained a mystery. There is a Greek island with that name, but none of its features match Homer's descriptions. This has led many historians to believe that the whole story of Odysseus' return home is just a poetic fiction. Recently, however, British businessman Robert Beatlestone, who is fond of the works of Homer, found, as he believes, the place where the palace of Odysseus was located. Beatlestone used for this indications available in the Odyssey, as well as geographical, archaeological data and satellite photographs. According to an amateur archaeologist, the palace was located on the western coast of the island of Kefalonia, closest to modern Ithaca, near the village of Paliki. Apparently, this piece of Kefalonia was once an independent island, but after a major earthquake, the narrow strait that separated the island from Kefalonia was filled up. ... >>

Banana in a Mercedes 08.03.2006

The Swiss company "Riter Management" has developed a new material for the automobile concern "Daimler-Chrysler" - polypropylene reinforced with fiber from a textile banana growing in the Philippines. It is the strongest of plant fibers and is used to make the famous manila ropes. Usually fiberglass is mixed into polypropylene for strength, but banana is more environmentally friendly. The bottom of the trunk in the new "Mercedes" class A is now made of polypropylene with a banana. ... >>

triple asteroid 07.03.2006

As shown by German and American astronomers working on a large telescope in Chile, the asteroid Sylvia, discovered back in 1866, actually consists of three bodies. The second, named Romulus, was discovered in 2001, and Remus was also recently discovered. Sylvia has a diameter of about 250 kilometers, Romulus - about 20, and Remus - only 7 kilometers. ... >>

Ancient noodles 06.03.2006

It seems that the dispute about who invented pasta - Italians, Arabs or Chinese, is forever settled in favor of the latter. The expedition of the Beijing Institute of Geology and Geophysics found in the floodplain of the Yangtze, in silty deposits at a depth of three meters, a clay bowl with petrified spaghetti-type noodles up to half a meter long. Apparently, the village of the ancient Chinese was covered by a mud landslide, which preserved a household dish with food. The find is 4000 years old, almost two thousand years older than known evidence of pasta in China, and much older than the documented occurrence of such products in Europe or the Middle East. The study of DNA preserved in the noodles showed that the basis was flour from two local types of millet. ... >>

clockwork laptop 05.03.2006

At the UN Conference on the Information Society in Tunisia, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology presented a cheap laptop that they hope will be widely used in third world countries. The computer, protected from the vicissitudes of the climate of hot countries, is powered by a built-in generator, which must be rotated by a crank. A minute of rotation is 40 minutes of laptop operation. Although the technical data of the computer is modest - the operating frequency of the processor is 500 megahertz, the hard drive is replaced by a memory chip with a capacity of one gigabyte, the display diagonal is only 7 inches - a cheap laptop allows you to access the Internet and do programming. Free public programs are put on it. The creators hope that the car will be sold in developing countries for only a hundred dollars, possibly with an installment plan of five years, to be affordable even for poor families. Brazil and Thailand have already expressed their desire to purchase such computers for a million dollars. ... >>

Electronic warfare in the fish kingdom 04.03.2006

Some fish generate a weak electric field that helps them navigate space, detect obstacles, and communicate with their own kind. However, Apteronotus leptorhynchus also uses its electrical abilities for other purposes: it "jamming" the signals of rivals. When another member of the same species invades a territory that a fish claims to be its own, the knife blower raises the frequency of its discharges to throw off the intruder's navigation system. This fact was established by American zoologists from the University of San Antonio. They recorded the frequency of electrical signals at the moment when one fish rushed menacingly to another or to a dummy generating electrical signals. Disorienting the opponent, the attacking fish tried to grab him by the tail, in which the electric organ is located near the knife-makers. Such deliberate jamming of other people's signals came as a surprise to scientists. Knife blower does not store enough energy to hit the victim with an electric shock ... >>

Strength sports are not suitable for children 04.03.2006

For two years, researchers from the University of Bergen (Norway) followed five hundred boys aged 10-12 who began attending sports sections of boxing, wrestling, weightlifting and martial arts. It turned out that as a result of playing sports, the guys began to start fights more often, commit petty thefts and skip school. Compared to classmates who did not participate in sports or athletics at all, novice strength athletes are five times more likely to exhibit antisocial behavior. The authors of the work emphasize that the deterioration in behavior is not due to the fact that, as many coaches say, mainly hooligan boys are interested in power sports. In this study, the behavior of children was compared before the start of sports and after entering the section, so that the variant with initially inherent behavioral features was excluded. It is curious what spoils the behavior of children and weightlifting, where martial arts take place only with a barbell and antisocial people ... >>

tattooed pear 03.03.2006

The American company "Durand Wayland" intends to deprive bananas, oranges, apples and other fruits of the usual colored stickers with the name of the company. As a result of ten years of research, the company's engineers have created a device the size of a suitcase and weighing 136 kilograms, which engraves any inscriptions and logos on the skin of the fruit with a laser beam. The beam burns out the pigments in a layer of peel several micrometers thick, leaving an inscription. The area on which the signs are applied does not become more prone to decay than the surrounding areas. In a second, the device labels 17 fruits, which is almost twice as fast as the fastest machine, adhesive labels. ... >>

The effect of pepper on sleep 02.03.2006

As shown by experiments conducted at the University of Tasmania, hot red chili peppers affect sleep. Twenty-five volunteers received 30 grams of finely chopped peppers throughout the day for a month. As a result of this diet, the participants of the experiment began to go to bed an average of two hours later and in the morning to get up 20 minutes earlier than before the experiment. And besides, they slept more peacefully, and in the morning they felt more cheerful than usual. ... >>

glasses with music 01.03.2006

The German company "Katcorner" has launched the production of sunglasses with a built-in digital player. They are slightly larger and heavier than ordinary glasses, but they entertain their wearer with music. The "shanks" of the glasses end with headphones. The memory capacity is enough for four to five hours of listening. Like any good digital player, the glasses also have a radio and voice recorder. You can charge the batteries from the mains, from a car cigarette lighter or from a computer from which music is downloaded into the glasses. ... >>

Tomatoes must ripen on the bush 01.03.2006

Tomatoes are often harvested while still green or slightly pink to ripen in storage or transit. Employees of the National Institute for Agricultural Research in Avignon (France) showed that tomatoes ripened in natural conditions are not only tastier, but also healthier. They have more vitamin C and carotenoids. But if for some reason you have to remove the fruits from the bush ahead of time, then they should not ripen in the dark, but in the light, at 18-25 degrees Celsius. Then the content of useful substances is close to normal. ... >>

Super bright blue LED display CVD-5572CB00 27.02.2006

Shariight Electronics Co., Ltd. Super bright blue LED display CVD-5572CB00 has been developed. The display can be widely used in all kinds of instruments, ticker indicators, etc. ... >>

White LEDs based on gallium nitride and silicon carbide 26.02.2006

Kingbright Electronic Co., Ltd. announced the licensing of US Patent 6600175 for a new technology for the production of white LEDs based on gallium nitride and silicon carbide. The technology allows to achieve a higher brightness of the glow while reducing the size of products. ... >>

New series of MINI DORADO LEDs 25.02.2006

New series of MINI DORADO LEDs from Cotco International Ltd. designed for applications such as automotive and road lighting, indoor and outdoor architectural design, entertainment, landscape lighting. The series can be used in applications such as personal digital assistants and other hand-held equipment to enhance the brightness of the screen. Lead-free technology is used in the production of LEDs. ... >>

Ultra-bright white LED 24.02.2006

Avago Technologies has developed the ultra-bright ASMT-FJ10-ADH00 surface mount white LED for home lighting applications. The LED has an illuminating angle of 8°, which implies the use in sets for remote lighting (such as a table lamp), as well as a flash lamp for cameras. The LED has dimensions of 4,8x4,8x5,3 mm and can be mounted in automated soldering complexes. LEDs are produced on tapes in the amount of 1 pcs. on one tape. ... >>

Samsung fuel cells for players 23.02.2006

Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), a division of the company, has announced the development of a fuel cell for portable media players (PMPs). The presented prototype allowed the MP3 player with a consumption of 1,5 W to work for four hours. You can recharge the battery with a replaceable fuel cartridge containing methanol. The company has invested $3,9 million in the development of the technology. Prospective studies started in 2004. When creating a fuel cell, scientists used nanocomposite membranes applied by printing electronic circuits to flexible materials for auxiliary components and a silent process for supplying fuel (methanol). Samsung plans to commercialize the technology in 2007 or 2008. Soon, together with SAIT, Samsung will introduce another type of PMP fuel cell. The innovation will allow the players to work up to 10 hours without changing the cartridge. SAIT specialists have also developed a fuel cell for PDAs. source p ... >>

The release of analog TVs is curtailing 22.02.2006

The Japanese corporation Matsushita Electric (trademark Panasonic) was the first to announce the cessation of development in the field of analog television. Existing models of CRT TVs will be supplied mainly to developing countries where the transition to digital TV is unlikely to take place in the foreseeable future, including Russia. Probably next month Panasonic will stop developing analog TVs and focus on the release of digital models. The reason for this is the decrease in the profitability of production. Thus, in 2005, Panasonic sold 2,3 million TVs in the Japanese market, of which 30% were analog models. The net profit from the sale of these TVs was significantly lower than the profit from the sales of "figures". ... >>

FMS6151 ICs for communication of cell phones with large screens 21.02.2006

Fairchild Semiconductor has introduced a miniaturized integrated video frequency amplifier and filter designed to transmit a cell phone image to a TV, computer monitor, or other large display. The fifth-order filter used in the chip is said to provide high image quality when viewed on standard definition devices, and the low current consumption (3,8 mA in operation and 25 nA in idle state) has a positive effect on battery consumption of the phone. The product is housed in a microscopic MicroPak package with 6 pins, its size is only 1,45x1,0x0,55 mm, which gives the developers reason to call the FMS6151 the smallest device in its class. Obviously, the tiny size will please the designers of mobile technology. The price of the microcircuit is 35 cents in a batch of 1000 pieces. Evaluation samples and demo boards are currently available. By the way, according to some estimates, in 2006 ... >>

Blu-ray disc cost 20.02.2006

Panasonic has announced the estimated cost of Blu ray discs (BD), which will soon begin selling in the US. Americans will be offered four types of new media, each of which will differ not only in features, but also in price: recordable 25-gigabyte single-layer BD - $17 (US); recordable 99 GB dual-layer BD $50; rewritable 42 GB BD $99; rewritable 25 gigabyte BD $24 A regular Blu-ray "blank" is recorded at 99 speed and can later be played on consumer video equipment, personal computers and other devices that can read the new format. Paying $50 for new media from Panasonic isn't cheap, but you get 59 to 99 GB of free space and increased scratch protection (thanks to inorganic lightfast materials and sensitive film). ... >>

Slim, flexible NEC battery charges in 30 seconds 19.02.2006

The Japanese company NEC announced the development of a flexible and very thin rechargeable battery that has a very short charge time - only 30 seconds. Electricity is generated in it by an electrochemical reaction involving radicals of organic compounds. That's why NEC named it organic radical battery (ORB). The working substance in it is an organic polymer compound RTMA, and there are no heavy metals (mercury, lead or cadmium) at all. So it also does not pollute the environment. The battery is only 0 mm thick, so it is planned to be used in RFID smart cards and "electronic paper", although there are other low-power applications. According to NEC, the battery will last for several weeks of RFID card operation. The 3 sq. cm was embedded in a plastic card the size of a credit card. There was also an LED on this card, which ... >>

Russian video recorder on flash memory 18.02.2006

The Russian company "Center of Television Technologies" has released a digital video recorder based on flash memory. The write streaming speed per device is 330 MB/s, which is equal to the performance of the best SCSI RAID arrays and, according to the manufacturer, makes the novelty the fastest device in the world among similar devices. The recorder is comparable in size, weight, and power consumption to a 5-inch optical drive. The absence of mechanical parts eliminates the reliability and vibration tolerance issues associated with disk drives. The device is designed to record streaming video without compression. The maximum amount of memory that can be installed in the recorder is 25 GB. This is enough to record 160 minutes of high definition video (20x1920, 1080p, 25 bit, YUV 10:4:2). Several device configurations are provided: with SD/HD, SDI, SMPTE2/259 interfaces, optical interface and LVDS interface for OEM installation. For control ... >>

Artificial sun for Tyrol 17.02.2006

Austrian engineers figured out how to give sunlight to the inhabitants of narrow gorges. The city of Rattenberg in the Austrian Tyrol was built in the Middle Ages near the Rat Mountain. Its founder was only interested in the fortification capabilities of the fortress, and the fact that a mountain 900 meters high hides the settlement from the sun for three winter months was not taken into account. Now this circumstance has turned out to be decisive for the life of the city: the inhabitants of Rattenberg are gradually leaving for places with a more hospitable climate. Austrian engineers from Bartenbach LichtLabor decided to change the situation with the help of the European innovation support initiative EUREKA. They propose to install heliostats 400 meters from the city - giant mirrors on movable supports. These mirrors track the movement of the Sun and transmit its light to reflectors that will be mounted on the castle hill. Unlike heliostats, reflectors are rigidly fixed and illuminate a particular area. "We can't light up the whole Rattenbe ... >>

Wavy transistors 16.02.2006

Scientists at the University of Illinois have made harmonica-like transistors. To make semiconductor harmonicas, scientists from the University of Illinois (USA), led by Professor Yongan Huang, deposited ultra-thin strips of semiconductor devices from single-crystal silicon onto a standard silicon substrate. Then, using etching, they were cut off, obtaining ribbons 100 nm thick, and a sheet of stretched rubber was placed on top. Silicon strips stuck to it and separated from the substrate. When the rubber sheet shrunk, the result was a wavy surface similar to accordion bellows. Like a real accordion, it can be squeezed and stretched many times, and this does not affect the operation of semiconductor devices. "Expandable silicon diodes and transistors are just two examples of wavy electronic devices that can be made with our technology," says Yongan Huang. ... >>

New iMac desktop models 15.02.2006

What has been said for several months has come to pass. At MacWorld, Apple boss Steve Jobe unveiled new iMac desktops and Mac Book Pro laptops powered by dual-core Intel Core Duo processors. Compared to the PowerPC G5 chips previously used in Apple computers, Jobs said the new CPUs can double and triple performance in some applications. The iMac is already on sale in the US in two configurations (1 GHz and 83 HGz processors). ... >>

flexible hours 14.02.2006

Citizen Watch and E Ink showcased the world's first electronic paper display (EPD) watch, measuring 53x130cm. It is unique in that it is flexible and only 3mm thick. The display is characterized by increased brightness and contrast, which allows the device to be used both in darkened rooms and in bright sunlight, in addition, the viewing angle is almost 180°. The watch weighs only 1,5 kg, despite its solid size. ... >>

Friction welding wood 12.02.2006

We are accustomed to welding metals and thermoplastic polymers, in a word, materials that can melt and solidify again. But in one of the laboratories of the French Institute of Agronomic Research, they accidentally discovered that a tree can be welded by friction. Conventional liquid wood adhesives take a long time to dry. In the laboratory, experiments were carried out on connecting wooden parts with hot-melt adhesive, which solidifies almost instantly after heating. Glue powder was placed between the parts and one of the parts was rotated; the heat generated by friction melted the adhesive. Once the laboratory assistant forgot to fill in the powder, but the parts still stuck together. It turns out that some polymers that make up wood - lignin and hemi-cellulose at a temperature of 180 degrees Celsius melt and their fibers merge with each other. The setting is fast, the process is completely environmentally safe, inexpensive, suitable for joining coniferous and hardwoods. This glue is mainly interested in furniture manufacturers ... >>

electric airship 11.02.2006

The French company Airship Company demonstrated last summer a small 250 cubic meter airship filled with helium. It moves at speeds up to 50 kilometers per hour, carrying one pilot on the suspension. The battery charge is enough for two to three hours of operation of three electric motors with maximum power. The company hopes to soon release a double-sized model, designed for a pilot with a passenger. The aircraft is intended mainly for environmental observations and atmospheric research. ... >>

The mobile phone recognizes the owner by gait 10.02.2006

Perhaps Finland will soon begin production of a mobile phone that recognizes its owner by walking. VTT has developed a prototype of the device, which has a motion sensor added. In a few hours, the phone gets acquainted with the manner of walking of its owner and then turns on only if it "understands" that it is in its hands. If the gait of the person who wants to use the phone seems unfamiliar to the device, it requires you to enter a password. Alien is correctly recognized in 98% of cases. The phone mistakenly does not recognize the owner in only 4% of cases. But, like a pedometer, it is advisable to wear it on your belt, and not in your pocket or bag - then the features of the gait are smoothed out. In addition, the proportion of errors increases if the owner of the phone switches from ordinary heels to stilettos, if the gait has changed due to a leg injury, and if the owner is under the influence of alcohol. But it is possible that in the latter case, he will not be able to enter the password either. ... >>

Fare payment by phone 09.02.2006

In Hanau, a town near Frankfurt am Main (Germany), an experiment is being conducted to pay for bus fares using a cell phone. When entering the bus, the participant of the experiment brings the phone, in which an additional microcircuit is built in, to a special sensor. The fare is debited from the phone account, and the payment is made at the end of the month. If you traveled a little, each trip is paid at full cost, if you travel a lot - as for a monthly pass, with a significant discount. ... >>

Electronic viewfinder for conventional DSLR 08.02.2006

Everyone dealing with digital cameras quickly gets used to a convenient color viewfinder screen, many cameras have a rotary one. Korean corporation "Securine" proposes to add this device to conventional film SLR cameras. A small attachment is attached to the eyepiece of the viewfinder and shows everything that is visible through the lens on a rotary screen with a diagonal of about two inches. The kit includes adapters for Nikon, Canon and other common cameras. ... >>

At 80, old age is just beginning. 07.02.2006

So says Irish physician Ian Robertson, head of research at the Dublin Institute of Neurology. He drew attention to the fact that the stroke is aging. If in 1984 the average age of stroke victims was 72, by 1999 it had reached 82. In other words, the Irish brain is getting younger. In just a short 15 years, people have become 10 years younger. In this regard, according to Robertson, it is necessary to revise the accepted age limits. The median age, and not just for the Irish, now runs from 50 to 80. Our brain is plastic, it is shaped by the experience of life, learning, thinking. Like the rest of the body, it must be constantly kept in shape. Even such simple exercises as daily crossword puzzles are good here. And yet, says Robertson, your own sense of age is very important. If you think of yourself as being in your 60s, you will be XNUMX at any age. ... >>

Evidence built on sand 06.02.2006

The quartz sand database will soon be made available to Scotland Yard. Employees at Oxford University studied under an electron microscope more than 40 samples of quartz soil grains from a thousand places in England and found that the entire variety of grains of sand can be divided into about 40 varieties. In the soil of each locality, these four dozen types of sand grains are found in a special ratio. If the same combination of grains of sand is found in two soil samples, the scientists say, it is very likely that the samples were taken from the same place. Based on these data, a double murder committed in 2002 has already been investigated. The same combination of quartz grains was found on the filter of the vacuum cleaner used to clean the interior of the suspect's car, as where the bodies of the dead were found. And the same combination is contained in the dirt stuck to the bottom of the car. In the future, scientists hope to expand the database and include soil samples, first from the continent of Europe, and then from other continents. ... >>

Wasps against ticks 05.02.2006

German biologists from the Agricultural University in Hohenheim have found a natural enemy of ticks that carry dangerous diseases. It is a small, two-millimeter wasp, Lariophagus distinguendus, which lays eggs in ticks. After a few days, the hatching larvae eat the tick almost entirely. Entomologists believe that it is possible to arrange the breeding of beneficial wasps and their release in places of mass reproduction of ticks. ... >>

geiger clock 03.02.2006

The American firm "Gamma Watch" has started the production of dosimeter watches. A wristwatch weighing 170 grams (with a steel bracelet) shows the time with hands and a digital display and simultaneously measures the intensity and the total accumulated dose of radiation. These indicators are also displayed on the dial. The owner of the watch can set a certain threshold, after which an audible alarm will sound. ... >>

Rabbits threaten heritage 02.02.2006

Almost two thousand years ago, in 122 AD, the Roman emperor Hadrian visited Britain, which had been captured by the Romans. The authorities of the colony complained to him about the constant attacks of barbarian tribes from the still unconquered north. And then Adrian ordered to build a protective wall across the entire island. This structure, partly an earthen rampart, partly a stone wall with a deep moat, was built in five years, with almost all the work carried out by the soldiers of the three Roman legions permanently stationed in Britain. The surviving sections of Hadrian's Wall are considered a valuable monument of history and architecture. Now the remains of the defensive structure are threatened by rabbits, digging the wall with their holes. In places, the base of the wall is so pitted that it looks like a lunar landscape. Sooner or later the foundation of the wall will give way and it will collapse. Archaeologists are pushing for the introduction of biological control measures against rabbits. In the 50s of the last century, the number of rabbits reached one hundred million heads, and it was necessary to ... >>

Switching stabilized power supply 12V/100A 31.01.2006

BVP ELECTRONICS provided a 12V/100A switching stabilized power supply with a built-in timer/stopwatch, weighing 3,5 kg. The features of the source include: the presence of a current stabilization mode; current adjustment from 1 to 100A; digital indication of the timer, voltmeter, ammeter; the presence of a sound signal when the timer expires. There are protections against voltage surges in the network, short circuit at the output, overheating of the unit. The source can be used in aggressive environments (galvanization). ... >>

Stereo audio subsystem LM4934 Boomer 30.01.2006

NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR Corporation announced the release of the LM4934 Boomer stereo audio subsystem, the industry's first subsystem to integrate both digital and analog inputs for multimedia and Internet telephones. The subsystem includes a digital input, three analog inputs, audio amplifiers with controlled gain. Power amplifiers are also available: with a power of 500 mV for driving an 8-ohm loudspeaker and with a power of 30 mV for driving headphones. The microcircuit is produced in a miniature package with dimensions of 3,3x3,9 mm. ... >>

MOTOROLA FV500AA Compact Radio 30.01.2006

MOTOROLA's compact FV500AA radio allows for two-way conversations at distances up to 14 km. Output power 1W, 22 channels, 121 private codes. The radio requires 3 AA batteries to power it. Radio station dimensions 17x6x3 cm, weight without battery 110 gr. ... >>

3-channel analog amplifier MCP2030 29.01.2006

The MCP2030 IC from MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY is a 3-channel analog amplifier with 1 mV input sensitivity for 2D position sensors. The supply voltage range is from +3,6 to +125 V. It has an external SPI interface with a bandwidth of up to XNUMX kbps. The microcircuit is manufactured using lead-free technology. ... >>

Low Dropout Voltage Regulators (0,4V) 29.01.2006

INTERNATIONAL RECTIFIER, the world leader in power electronics, has announced the launch of a new range of low dropout (0,4V) voltage regulators, fixed voltage or tunable. A series of regulators is presented in the table. A distinctive feature of the series is resistance to radiation. ... >>

Indium antimonide transistor prototype 28.01.2006

INTEL CORPORATION announced the creation of a new ultra-fast but low-power prototype transistor using new materials, which should form the basis of microprocessors that will be released in the second half of this decade. The material used in such a transistor is indium antimonide InSb. It is expected to increase the speed by 2 times while reducing power consumption by 10 times, which will reduce heat generation in advanced microprocessors. ... >>

MPC17C724 - motor driver chip 27.01.2006

The FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR MPC17C724 motor driver IC is ideal for portable electronic applications such as bipolar stepper motors, camcorder DC motors. The chip is very small (3x3 mm), so it can be used in mobile phones with a built-in digital camera function. ... >>

726 Series Accurate Multifunction Process Calibrator 26.01.2006

FLUKE CORPORATION has introduced the 726 Series Precision Multifunction Process Calibrator. The instrument has an accuracy of 0,01% and measures voltage, current, resistance, frequency, pressure and temperature. The device can store up to 8 measured values ​​in memory, measure percentage deviations. ... >>

FMS6501 Video Switch Matrix 25.01.2006

FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR announces the most integrated video switch array type FMS6501 for HDTV applications. The matrix has 12 inputs, each of which can be connected to any of the 9 outputs. The matrix supports all known video formats and resolution standards. ... >>

Pressure sensors with a quartz oscillator and high measurement accuracy 24.01.2006

EPSON Corporation introduced pressure sensors with a quartz oscillator and high measurement accuracy of the TSU series. The sensors have a frequency output: in the absence of pressure, the frequency is 39 kHz, with a maximum pressure, the frequency is 4 kHz. Supply voltage +12 V, operating temperature range from -10 to +70°C, humidity range from 0 to 95%. ... >>

Transimpedance operational amplifiers up to 2,1 GHz 23.01.2006

The MAX3744 and MAX3745 ICs from DALLAS SEMICONDUCTOR-MAXIM are transimpedance operational amplifiers with a bandwidth of up to 2,1 GHz. The noise level in this band, normalized to the input, is 330 nA. With supply voltages from 3 to 3 V, the consumption is 6 mA. Due to the wide frequency band, microcircuits can be used in optical information receivers. ... >>

A new device for radio-controlled aircraft and helicopters 22.01.2006

The single-chip (Programmable Radio-on-f-Chip - PRoC) developed by CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR has been adopted for radio-controlled aircraft and helicopters. The device has high noise immunity, operates at a frequency of 2 GHz. It can be easily integrated into other systems (work with an onboard microcontroller, etc.), saving space and power consumption. A number of other applications of the instrument are possible. ... >>

New power supply 0 to 32 V 21.01.2006

The new PRECISION VK power supply, model 1794, has a supply voltage range of 0 to 32 V and a current range of 0 to 30 A. It can operate in both constant voltage and constant current modes. The stability of the parameters and the adjustment accuracy are +0,01%. Can be controlled from a remote object (computer). ... >>

New ATtiny 24/44/84 processors 20.01.2006

ATMEL CORPORATION announced the launch of three new 14-pin processors of the tinyAVR family: ATtiny 24/44/84. The devices have 12 inputs-outputs, built-in flash memory, EEPROM and static. The operating frequency of the processors is 20 MHz. There is a USI interface that can be configured as SPI, UART and TWI. Other built-in features include three 8-bit timers and one 16-bit, dual 10-bit ADC, programmable signal amplifiers, and a comparator, allowing you to connect various sensors directly to the inputs. ... >>

Powerful PWM amplifier MSA240 20.01.2006

The powerful MSA240 PWM amplifier from APEX MICRONECHNOLOGY has an output power of up to 2 kW (voltage up to 100 V and current up to 20 A). The switching frequency can vary widely. The amplifier can be used as a driver for electric motors, as a class D sound amplifier, as a driver for powerful magnetic actuators. The block has a low cost. ... >>

ADAV400 multi-channel audio codec 19.01.2006

In the near future, ANALOG DEVICES will release the ADAV400 multi-channel audio codec for advanced audio signal processing. The microcircuit has 4 analog stereo inputs and 4 analog stereo outputs, a digital tunable delay line up to 400 ms, a PWM interface for digital amplifiers. The microcircuit will be produced in the LQFP-80 package. ... >>

53151A Microwave Frequency and Power Meter 18.01.2006

AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES has introduced a new device - a microwave frequency and power meter 53151A. The range of measured frequencies is from 50 MHz to 26 GHz. Frequency and power can be measured simultaneously from one input. The device can work both from a network, and from batteries. It has standard GPIB and RS-5 interfaces. ... >>

TOSHIBA Unveils Fuel Cell Audio Player Prototypes 18.01.2006

The Japanese company Toshiba announced the development of two fuel cell prototypes designed for digital audio players. These DMFC passive fuel cells run on methanol. One of them has an output power of 100 mW, and the second one has an output power of 300 mW. Accordingly, the first of them is aimed at players with flash memory, and the second - at players with hard drives, which have higher power consumption. According to Toshiba, the first 100mW fuel cell measures 23mm x 75mm x 10mm. It is filled with 3,5 ml of concentrated methanol (99%), and this filling is enough for about 5 hours of the player with flash memory. In a large fuel cell with a power of 35 mW, the housing size is 300x60x75 mm, 10 ml of methanol is placed in it. As stated, this should be enough for 10 hours of the player with a hard drive. Such a player has more impressive dimensions (60x65x125 mm) and weight - 27 grams. ... >>

Car DVD players for Russian roads 17.01.2006

Mustek introduced the PL8 series of car DVD players. The junior model PL8C70 is equipped with a 7-inch TFT LCD widescreen display, Dolby Digital decoder and is compatible with all DVD and CD formats, as well as Secure Digital /MultiMediaCard flash drives. PL8C70 also "understands" such formats as DivX, MPEG-4, MP3. The PL8D70 is distinguished by the possibility of connecting a second display and a slightly different design than the PL8C70. Mustek PL8A90 and PL8B84 have significantly larger screen sizes (9 and 8 inches respectively) and a wide range of supported formats. Moreover, the new products have an anti-shock system that allows you to freely view videos even when driving on bumpy roads, of which there are plenty in our country. The Mustek PL4A8 is currently priced at $90, the PL415C8 is $70, the PL285D8 is $70 and the PL160B8 will go on sale at the end of September for around $84. ... >>

Device for contactless identification by fingerprint 16.01.2006

Mitsubishi Electric has released a device called Finger Transmission Authentication Device, designed for fingerprint identification. The novelty is designed using the company's own development, which provides identification without direct contact with the surface of the finger (it is alleged that the development of Mitsubishi specialists is the world's first device of this kind). The method used in the design is based on taking into account the amount of light passing through the tissues of the finger. As a result, the new scanner can verify the authenticity of a fingerprint no matter how dry or wet the skin is (remember, wet skin makes it difficult for traditional biometric sensors to work). The device will be available in two versions: DT-TP and OPG-TP. The DT-TP variant is designed for use in devices such as safes or cabinets, since all its components, including the processor and memory, are enclosed in a compact housing. The OPG-TP variant is focused on the use ... >>

Miracle laptop with 6,8 GHz processor 1 TB RAM 16.01.2006

Atom Chip Corporation has announced a prototype laptop that impresses with its technical characteristics: the processor operates at a frequency of 6 GHz, the amount of RAM is 8 Tbps, and the permanent memory is 1 Tbps. The memory subsystems use non-volatile quantum-optical (quantum-optical) synchronous memory. The new type of memory, according to the developer, is characterized by high storage density and high speed. Non-volatile integrated optoelectronic Random Access Memory (NvIOpRAM) is used as RAM. It provides a storage density of 2 Gb per cubic millimeter. The work of NvIOpRAM is based on the magnetic quantum-optical effect in porous silicon, named after the discoverer Gendlin Effect. The write speed of the new memory is 3 Gb / s, the read speed is 2 Gb / s. The AtomChip Quantum II processor runs at frequencies ... >>

25 inch nanotube TV 15.01.2006

Applied Nanotech showcased a working prototype of a 25-inch carbon nanotube color display built in collaboration with six Japanese companies. Of course, there is still work to be done on the image quality, but at the same time, the fact is noted that such a display completely lacks the effects inherent in liquid crystal and plasma displays due to their inertia. The prototype resolution is only 280x200, but in fact, the technology is proposed to be used in larger displays with a diagonal of 60 to 80 inches and a resolution of 1280x720 (HDTV), on which the image will look much less grainy. It is assumed that the use of displays based on nanotubes will significantly reduce the price of TVs with large diagonals due to the use of relatively inexpensive inkjet printing technologies in the production and the compatibility of such displays for the necessary control voltages with cheap CMOS binding. ... >>

NEC: the world's first HD-DVD drive 14.01.2006

NEC commercializes the HR-1100A, the world's first HD-DVD drive. Of course, not only them, but also all previous generations of optical discs, including DVD and CD. The device uses the know-how of NEC - an optical head that can use both blue and red lasers. The drive is not able to write. The price of the device has already been announced, it is 500 euros. The HR-1100A will be available to order as early as October, but will not ship until January 2006. ... >>

Electron studies nanostructure 14.01.2006

Swiss scientists have figured out how to study nanostructures with electrons. The first pocket CD players had four batteries, which were enough for one disc. As a result of painstaking work, materials scientists have reduced energy consumption by fifty times. However, the dynamics of the material at the nanometer level is still not clear to us. "I don't know who and how will use my device, but I have no doubt that it will help solve this problem," says Professor Benoit Deveaux-Pleedran from the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne. The device for studying nanostructures was made from an electron microscope, into which a gold photocathode 20 nanometers thick was inserted. It is illuminated with an ultraviolet laser, which knocks out electrons from the photocathode at a frequency of 80 million pulses per second. And each of these impulses contains no more than ten electrons. Getting on the sample, the electrons excite it, causing flashes of light, which are recorded by the spectrometer with a resolution of 10 picoseconds. This device is a test ... >>

Nanotube switch 13.01.2006

French researchers have made a switch from a nanotube. Scientists from the research division of the French Commissariat for Nuclear Energy have made an interesting electromechanical device out of a carbon nanotube. A successful experiment was preceded by an accurate calculation. He showed that if both ends of a nanotube are fixed, suspended above a conductor, and an electrical voltage is applied to it, the nanotube will bend under the action of an electrostatic force. The magnitude of this bend can be influenced by changing the length or type of the nanotube, the potential difference, and many other parameters. Scientists have made such a device and found that the nanotube really bends. And bending over, it can touch the electrode and become a switch, that is, close the electrical network - after all, carbon is a good conductor. Moreover, after touching the electrode, van der Waals forces begin to act, which do not allow the nanotube to straighten out, even if the voltage in the filament that attracted it ... >>

artificial ear 12.01.2006

American engineers have created an artificial hearing device. Every mammal has a cochlea in its middle ear, a cunningly curved organ filled with fluid and equipped with nerve endings. It recognizes the vibrations of the ossicles of the front ear and prepares an electrical signal that goes to the brain. The artificial snail was created by Karl Grosz of the University of Michigan and his student Robert White with the support of the National Science Foundation (USA). Its main advantage is that all parts can be made using the same methods that microchips are grown, that is, mass production methods, which means that their cost will not be high at all. So, a microelectromechanical snail consists of a piece of hard glass in which a channel is etched. Silicone oil is poured into this channel, and a cone-shaped silicon nitride membrane is located on top. Its narrow part catches high-frequency vibrations, and its wide part catches low-frequency vibrations. Another nitride membrane replaces the stirrup - a special bone in the ... >>

Gmail mobile 12.01.2006

Google has created a special version of the Gmail mail service, which provides mobile phone owners with quick access to their email. The new service is addressed only to Americans so far. It is designed for cellular devices with a Web browser function. Users can view photos and documents attached to emails, and call the message's author if their phone number is in their Gmail account. ... >>

Laptop for $100 11.01.2006

The slogan "A laptop for every child" perfectly fits the spirit of One Laptop Per Child, a non-profit project in which the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) developed the concept of a $100 laptop designed to equip educational institutions. It is designed in such a way as to provide maximum strength, versatility and self-sufficiency. For example, the AC adapter cord also acts as a strap for carrying the device. In addition, it is equipped with a hand-operated electric generator (a minute of winding gives an average of 10 minutes of computer operation). The display can be folded in several ways, rather than one, as in conventional laptops. To improve visibility outdoors, it is possible to switch the screen from color mode to high-contrast black and white. Some key specifications are already known: the device will be equipped with an AMD processor with a clock speed of 500 MHz, flash memory instead of a hard drive, and ... >>

Asimo's humanoid robots continue to improve 10.01.2006

Honda Motors continues to improve the Asimo family of humanoid robots. On September 13, a new model with improved physical data was presented. In addition, the androids of this series are able to perform simple office tasks. Asimo can pass and take small objects (for example, a folder for papers), hold a person by the hand and move with him, move the cart, etc. With the same height (130 cm) and weight (54 kg) as its predecessor, the running speed of the new member of the family is doubled (from 3 to 6 km/h). The new Asimo model will begin "working" at the Honda Wako Building in spring 2006. ... >>

Largest active matrix panel 10.01.2006

Plastic Logic at the international conference International Displays Workshop in Takamatsu (Japan) demonstrated the world's largest (according to it) active matrix panel on a flexible plastic base. The presented 10-inch SVGA screen has a resolution of 110 ppi and displays each pixel in four shades of gray. The thickness of the panel does not exceed 0 mm. Its manufacturing technology (electrophoretic E Ink Imaging Film applied to a low-temperature organic PET substrate) provides increased strength compared to alternative solutions based on glass or foil. At the same time, the screen has sufficient flexibility. ... >>

RBC Waltz 09.01.2006

Indian scientist Deepak Masur from the Institute for Basic Research in Bombay discovered that human red blood cells, if a circularly polarized laser beam is directed at them, begin to rotate around their own axis. The rotation speed reaches one hundred revolutions per minute. The erythrocyte is not damaged. It is assumed that the accidentally discovered phenomenon is explained by the interaction of ions unevenly distributed inside the cell with the electromagnetic field of the laser beam. Curiously, unlike healthy red blood cells, erythrocytes infected with a malaria parasite rotate even under the influence of a laser beam with conventional linear polarization. This phenomenon can be used for early diagnosis of malaria. Scientists hope, moreover, that erythrocytes rotating under the influence of a laser beam can be used as motors in nanotechnological devices in the near future. ... >>

Centaur, descendant of Segway 09.01.2006

The American company that produces the two-wheeled Segway electric scooter decided to add two more wheels to it and call its new creation "Centaur". The result was a much more stable battery-powered vehicle with high cross-country ability, reaching speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour and capable of traveling up to 25 kilometers on a single charge. Like the Segway, gyroscopes help maintain balance. The "Centaur" is controlled by a bicycle-type steering wheel and, like its predecessor, by shifting the driver's body weight to the side, back and forth. The issue of serial production has not yet been resolved, but it is believed that the Centaur may find demand among fans of extreme sports. ... >>

Panoramic attachment for digital camera 08.01.2006

The French company Panosmart has released a digital camera attachment that allows you to take 360-degree panoramic shots with a single press of the shutter button, instead of taking several frames and then "stitching" them. The idea is simple: a conical mirror and an additional lens are installed in front of the lens, fitting everything around in one frame. The frame is obtained with large spherical distortions, but the program attached to the nozzle turns it into a normal panoramic shot. ... >>

Scientists make mistakes 07.01.2006

And especially medical scientists. This conclusion was reached by the Greek epidemiologist John Ioannides, after analyzing 49 scientific papers published in the most authoritative medical journals in the world from 1990 to 2003. Moreover, articles were selected that had a great response among colleagues: each of them was cited in other papers at least a thousand times. It turned out that the results of 14 out of 49 works (almost a third!) were later refuted by other researchers. Moreover, when Ioannides mathematically processed the data relating to the testing of the effectiveness of drugs or treatments contained in all 49 articles, it turned out that in many cases they were statistically unreliable. Either the number of patients in the experiments was too small, or the author of the study discarded those results that diverged from his expectations. In general, more than half of the analyzed works raise serious doubts. Ioannides hopes that in more exact sciences, say in mathematics, physics, chemistry, things may be better. ... >>

Mother's sleepless nights 07.01.2006

Curious results were obtained by a study of the sleep patterns of young mothers and their babies, conducted by British sociologists. Modern mothers sleep 30% less than their parents used to sleep. It takes an average of 56 minutes to put a child to bed in the evening (twice as long as it took 30-40 years ago). A small child wakes up an average of three times at night, and each time it takes about half an hour to calm him down. In the 60s and 70s of the last century, babies woke up only twice a night, and it took 20 minutes to put them back to bed. As a result, the modern young mother manages to sleep for only three and a half hours a night without interruption, and her mother could not wake up for five hours. Therefore, two-thirds of new mothers in England are constantly irritated, 62% are ready to burst into tears, 57% complain of forgetfulness, and 37% have signs of depression. How are babies put to sleep? In half of the families, the mother breastfeeds or bottle feeds the baby before bed until he falls asleep. ... >>

Remote control teacher 06.01.2006

Schools in the US and UK have a new classroom survey technique. Each student is armed with a remote control like a conventional TV, and on the teacher's desk is a computer that can receive infrared signals from the remotes. The teacher asks a question or writes it on the board, offering options for answers, and each student, clicking the remote control, chooses the correct option, in his opinion. As a result, during the lesson, you can repeatedly poll the entire class. The computer fixes the results. With signals, the student can also attract the attention of the teacher to ask a question or ask him to come and help. There are about half a million such remotes in use in US schools alone. ... >>

The most powerful computer in Europe 05.01.2006

The supercomputer has been operating since April 2005 at the Barcelona Polytechnic University (Spain). The computer, called "Mage Nostrum" (as the ancient Romans called the Mediterranean Sea), is capable of performing 40 trillion operations per second. In the world list of supercomputers, it is the fourth in terms of power and size. Suffice it to say that there are only processors in Nostrum Magician 4564. The Barcelona computer is assembled from components available on the open market and is used for research in the field of genetics, biology, construction, aerodynamics and technology. "Mage Nostrum" is located on an area of ​​2182 square meters in the former building of the university church. It is curious that in our Moscow State University, on the contrary, in 1995 part of the space in the old building on Mokhovaya Street was converted into a church. ... >>

vacuum lift 05.01.2006

In Argentina, the production of an elevator of a new system has been launched, which sucks in a cabin with people or goods, like a vacuum cleaner. The cylindrical cabin moves upward like a piston in a tube of transparent polycarbonate plastic under the influence of vacuum created above the cabin by a vacuum pump. For descent, a valve opens, gradually letting air into the space above the cabin. No cables or counterweight required. The safety system provides a quick stop in the event of loss of tightness and air intrusion into the upper section of the pipe. The elevator stops after only 5 cm of fall. So far, the installation is designed for two-three-story houses and lifting one or two people, but more powerful models are being designed. ... >>

Add Magnesium to the Car Body 04.01.2006

Thin rolled steel, from which car bodies are made, is coated with a layer of zinc to protect against corrosion. Engineers from the Dortmund Center for Surface Physics (Germany) found that it is possible to significantly enhance the anti-corrosion properties of such a coating if magnesium is added to zinc. In a pilot plant built at the Dortmund Center, a 7-micrometer-thick zinc-coated steel strip passes at a rate of meters per second through a vacuum chamber where magnesium vapor is blown over it. Locks are installed at the entrance and exit of the chamber, the air from which is pumped out by powerful pumps so that it does not penetrate into the chamber. Zinc is covered with a layer of magnesium a few nanometers thick. After additional heat treatment, magnesium atoms diffuse into the zinc surface. The resulting layer is more than ten times more resistant than conventional zinc coating. In a special chamber where fog is created from a five percent solution of common salt (imitation of conditions on a winter road), galvanized steel ... >>

Heart attack awaits on the road 03.01.2006

A study in Germany has shown a link between travel and heart attacks. Doctors interviewed about 700 people who had had a heart attack in the last 30 months. All respondents live in Augsburg, a small town in southern Germany. They were asked questions about their lifestyle in the last four days before the disease and about the time when they felt unwell. It turned out that an hour before the heart attack, most of the recovered patients were on the road, mainly in their personal cars. The respondents traveled mostly within their city. In general, in the first hour after a trip, the risk of a heart attack increases three times compared to the hour period after other activities. For those who traveled by public transport, on a motorcycle or bicycle, the frequency of heart attacks increased somewhat less, but the noted effect exists for them. The probability of a heart attack is higher, the more time spent on the road. The reasons for this phenomenon are unclear. Maybe it's a psycho ... >>

Miniature hard drive 03.01.2006

In the second half of 2005, the Japanese company Hitachi began producing the smallest computer hard drive in the world. The model, called "Mickey", holds up to 10 gigabytes of information. The diameter of the disk itself is 2 centimeters, and the dimensions of the entire assembly are 54x40x30 millimeters, which is comparable to a domino. "Mickey" is intended for embedding in mobile phones equipped with a camera, digital video cameras and players. If you use a microdisk in a digital player, then it will fit up to 5 songs. ... >>

Gold floats in liquid air 02.01.2006

A group of physicists from the University of Nottingham (England) discovered a new physical effect: substances immersed in a vessel with liquid oxygen placed in a strong magnetic field float up in liquids, whatever their density. The heaviest metal will also float - osmium, which sinks even in mercury. The buoyancy force depends on the density of the material and its magnetic properties, so objects are located at different levels in a tube with liquid gas. The effect can be used in industry, for example, for separating diamonds and other minerals from the host rock, for sorting parts from materials of different densities. But in practice, liquid oxygen is better replaced by liquid air, which is cheaper and less flammable. ... >>

A new kind of dolphin 01.01.2006

A new species of dolphin has been discovered off the northeast coast of Australia, called the Australian beakless dolphin. According to preliminary estimates, their herd consists of about two hundred individuals. The closest relatives live in Burma, in the Irrawaddy River, as well as in the seas of Southeast Asia, from Madras to Bangkok. This is the first time a new species of dolphin has been discovered since 1956. ... >>

anti nicotine drink 01.01.2006

The Japanese company SSP has launched a carbonated soft drink, accelerating, according to the developers, the neutralization of nicotine in the liver and its excretion. The recipe includes medicinal plants - green tea, Chinese quince, mulberry leaf, ginkgo seeds, Chinese wolfberry and others. True, the drink does not protect against other harmful components of tobacco smoke - tar and carbon monoxide. ... >>

Problems with CANON and NIKON digital cameras 31.12.2005

CPA manufacturers talk about possible problems with their products. It all started with a statement from Fujifilm, now it has been followed by such giants as Canon and Nikon. Although, in case of confirmation of the presence of the malfunctions described in the statements, they promise to fix the latter free of charge, it’s still a troublesome business, and it’s already somehow unpleasant to be the owner of a “time bomb”, even if the malfunction has not yet manifested itself. So, Canon has announced possible problems with some DSCs and digital camcorders using CCD matrices. A manifestation is the complete absence of an image or distortion in the image. The probable cause is the destruction of the connecting conductors in the matrix under the influence of high temperature or humidity. DSC models that may have the problem are PowerShot A60, PowerShot A70, PowerShot A75, PowerShot A300, PowerShot A310, Digital IXUS V3, Digital IXUS II, Digital IXUS lis, the same can be observed in MV600i, MV630i, MV650i, MV700i camcorders , M ... >>

SHARP Announces Millionth Contrast LCD Display 25.12.2005

Sharp has announced the development of an LCD display that it calls "mega-contrast". It has an absolutely incredible contrast ratio of 1000000:1 (a million to one). Recall that in modern LCD monitors that can be bought in a store, the contrast ratio is about 1000:1 (sometimes less - 700:1), and the highest contrast display, which belongs to the professional category, has a ratio of 3000:1. True, SED, which is a joint venture between Canon and Toshiba, recently launched an LCD TV with a contrast ratio of 100000:1. The contrast of the "mega-contrast" display exceeds the theoretical limits for CRT, plasma and organic electroluminescent displays. According to Sharp, this was achieved through the use of a combination of "unique" technologies developed by Sharp over the past few years. Moreover, Sharp emphasizes that the extremely high contrast ratio did not affect the power consumption of the display. It is ... >>

Samsung has released a mobile phone with a hard drive 23.12.2005

Samsung Electronics is launching its new SPH-V7900 mobile phone, which is notable for having a hard drive inside. Moreover, this is the second model of a mobile phone from Samsung equipped with a hard drive. The previous phone of this type - SPH-V5400 - was released in December 2004. Its hard drive capacity was 1,5 GB, and the new SPH-V7900 has a 3 GB hard drive (for comparison, most modern cell phones have 100 MB internal memory ). Of course, any data can be written to 3 GB, but if these are audio, photo or video files, then they can be played directly on the SPH-V7900 phone (MPEG-4 / H.264 video files and MPEG-4 audio files are supported AAC, AAC+ and MP3). The available 2 GB is enough for 3-700 hours of video or 240 songs. The phone also has a function of converting music into visual images. The main TFT LCD screen of the phone has a resolution of QVGA (320x26 pixels) and supports XNUMX ... >>

SAMSUNG introduced a line of giant TVs 21.12.2005

Samsung presented at the international exhibition of consumer electronics IFA-2005 three of the world's largest TVs, created by different technologies. The largest of them is plasma. It has a diagonal of 102 inches and works with a resolution of 1920x1080. Samsung representatives noted that the TV is capable of displaying 68,7 billion shades of colors thanks to DNIe (Digital Natural Image engine) technology. The contrast of the novelty from the South Korean manufacturer is 2000:1, and the brightness is 1000 cd/m2. In addition, the TV sound system should please even discerning buyers: the device is equipped with a surround sound system SRS TruSurround XT Sound System. The next largest (82 inches) TV in its class is an LCD TV. It supports a resolution of 1920x1080, has a brightness of 500 cd / m2, a fast response time (8 ms) and a high contrast ratio (8000: 1). The TV also has a digital HDMI interface. The latest model presented is ... >>

Stratostatic Internet 19.12.2005

In Sweden, tested transmitters mounted on a stratosphere balloon. Participants of the European project "Kapanina" (named after the cafe where the main idea of ​​the project originated) want to provide all the inhabitants of the planet, and especially those living in remote areas, with the possibility of broadband access to the global network. To do this, they propose to place repeaters on stratostats - huge airships flying in the stratosphere. Such an organization of communication will be very cheap, since it is not necessary to build numerous masts in difficult places. In October 2005, important tests were carried out in Sweden. On a stratospheric balloon with a volume of 12 thousand cubic meters, devices for transmitting radio and optical signals were fixed, and then it was raised to a height of 24 km. During the nine hours of the flight, it was possible to send and receive information more than once, and the ground points at which this was done were located at a distance of 60 kilometers from the launch site. And the stratospheric balloon itself was constantly moving, obeying the air currents. ... >>

Write a letter on your knee 18.12.2005

European scientists have created a device that will allow you to write an SMS message literally on your knee. Looking at the passengers of the Moscow metro, one cannot fail to notice how quickly a person acquires numerous electronic devices for processing information: all sorts of cell phones, handheld computers and other smart MP3 players. And in all these devices, in some sometimes, and in others very often, you have to enter information by pressing small and uncomfortable buttons. The European Commission decided to make life easier for the owners of such devices, which in 2002 financed an international consortium, which included, in particular, such consumer electronics giants as the Dutch Philips and the Japanese Sanyo. The three-year effort culminated in success, namely the creation of a smart pen prototype. It is equipped with a high-precision scanner that determines the trajectory of movement, remembers it, and then turns it into letters. The program embedded in the pen immediately recognizes ... >>

Venice is sinking 17.12.2005

It is known that Venice gradually sinks into the sea, more precisely, into the liquid silt of the Venetian lagoon. Over the past hundred years, the city has sunk 23 centimeters. And how did this process go in earlier centuries? It turned out to be possible to establish this from a painting by the Italian artist Canaletto (1697-1768). Scientists from the Institute of Atmospheric and Climate Sciences in Padua studied more than 200 paintings by the old master. They are especially valuable as evidence of history because Canaletto, in his sketches of the city, used a camera obscura to speed up his work, which made it possible to register landscapes with almost photographic accuracy. Comparing the current position of the water level with that depicted in the picture of 1735, the researchers found that the building depicted in the picture has sunk by 270 centimeters in 69 years. Other landscapes by Canaletto and his nephew Bernardo Bellotto (1721-1780) give roughly the same meaning. ... >>

Fear inspires 14.12.2005

As German entomologists have discovered, when attacked by predators - ladybugs, wingless aphids secrete a "substance of alarm". Having smelled its smell, the rest of the aphids pick up their legs and fall from the branch. If the attacks are often repeated, the offspring of very frightened aphids acquire wings and fly away wherever their eyes look in search of a safer place. It is assumed that by spraying plants with a synthetic analogue of this pheromone, it will be possible to remove aphids from plants. ... >>

Television and school grades 13.12.2005

Researchers at a university in the New Zealand city of Otago tracked how television viewing is linked to children's mental development. Over the years, they recorded the mode of use of television in 1000 children aged 5 to 15 years, and later, when the subjects reached 26 years of age, they asked about their success in universities. It turned out that those who watched the least TV between the ages of 5 and 11 were the most likely to go to university and graduate from it. And those who, between the ages of 13 and 15, were especially fond of television programs, were most likely to drop out of school without completing their studies. At the same time, the work of American researchers was published, confirming this dependence. It turned out that third-grade students (eight-year-olds), who watched more TV programs, wrote worse test control types of our USE. Those who started watching TV before the age of three had worse marks in arithmetic and reading than those who did not watch TV until the age of three ... >>

Large-brained birds acclimatize more easily 10.12.2005

An international team of biologists from Barcelona (Spain) and Montreal (Canada) analyzed the available information on the results of 645 human attempts to acclimatize 195 bird species in new places, for example, on an island or even a continent where this bird species did not exist before. In 243 cases, the birds managed to establish themselves in a new place and create a breeding population. It turned out that the larger the bird's brain in relation to body size, the easier this species overcame the problems associated with a new place of residence: for example, how to find food in unfamiliar places or how to defend against previously unseen predators. The members of the parrot family, whose brain is very large, migrate most successfully. They adapted to a new place on average three times better than partridges and pheasants, which were not endowed with a large brain. ... >>

mechanical dragonfly 08.12.2005

The firm "Silmash" (Besançon, France) has created a prototype of a dragonfly robot. About 180 "artificial muscle fibers" one micron wide and 150 microns long are galvanochemically engraved on its wings, which are three centimeters long and one hundredth of a millimeter thick. They contract and relax in rhythm with the alternating tension applied to the wings. Each such micromotor weighs only 9 nanograms, but its power per gram is as much as 100 watts. As a result of the combined action of these microscopic muscles, dragonfly wings beat at a frequency of 10 hertz and an amplitude of 40 degrees, like a real insect. The total weight of a dragonfly with a battery is 120 milligrams. ... >>

The fastest plant 06.12.2005

The fastest movement in the kingdom of flora was discovered by American botanists. They filmed the release of pollen from a Canadian turf plant. In this case, equipment was used that is used to film experiments with car collisions, recording one hundred thousand frames per second. When the flower petals first open, they release four stamens. Flexible stamens, previously bent in the bud, straighten up and throw pollen upwards at an acceleration of 24 thousand meters per second per second. True, since such an acceleration lasts only half a millisecond (the time during which the stamens straighten), the vertical speed of the pollen reaches only 11 kilometers per hour, but this is also a lot for a plant no more than half a meter high. The action of the stamens is based on a mechanism similar to a catapult. ... >>

Chlamydomonas as a draft force 04.12.2005

Biologists from Harvard University (USA) made the single-celled alga Chlamydomonas carry heavy loads. Algae, moving with the help of two flagella, swim towards the light. Near the light source, the experimenters placed polystyrene beads coated with a special adhesive that decomposes under ultraviolet light. When the chlamydomonas touches the ball, it sticks to the algae. The light is turned off and a new beacon is lit at the other end of the aquarium. When chlamydomonas with a load, the mass of which can reach the mass of the cell itself, swims up to the light, they give a flash of ultraviolet light. The load is peeling off. The light is turned on again at the other end of the path, and the empty seaweed is sent for a new load. So far, this is just an interesting experiment, but in the future, chlamydomonas may serve as assemblers of nanotechnological devices. ... >>

Milk began to drink in the Urals 02.12.2005

According to experts, more than half of the world's population is unable to digest milk in adulthood. The babies of all mammals have a special enzyme for digesting milk sugar - lactose. But in most mammals, and in many humans, the lactose-producing gene is turned off as adults, and milk is no longer digested. A group of Finnish biologists led by Lena Peltonen from the University of Helsinki, after analyzing DNA samples from different peoples from four continents, came to the conclusion that the mutation that allowed the lactose gene to work in adults occurred for the first time among the peoples living between the Urals and the Volga. It happened 4800-6600 years ago. From here, during the migrations of peoples, a useful gene spread to Europe (especially to the north of Europe, where the majority of the population absorbs milk well) and to the Middle East. In addition to the love of milk, these peoples brought with them the languages ​​that we now call Indo-European. ... >>

Video combine from PANASONIC 30.11.2005

Matsushita Electric launches the Panasonic DMR-EH80V home video recorder, a 4-in-1 combiner. The device can record and play video and audio streams using four media - a 200 MB hard drive, VHS cassettes, DVD discs (DVD-RAM, DVD-R, +R and DVD-RW), as well as Secure Digital multimedia memory cards (SD). Future users don't have to worry about missing interesting shows. According to the developers, up to 355 hours of video is placed on the device's hard drive, which can then be transferred to any of the listed media. ... >>

SAMSUNG: hard drives have no future 28.11.2005

"Hard drives have no future - in the near future they will be replaced by solid-state flash memory," said Dr. Chang Gui Gwang, executive director of Samsung's semiconductor division. Samsung has launched a 16 GB solid-state NAND flash memory module using 50 nm technology. Prior to this, the volume of record-breaking cards reached 4 GB, and the announced SD cards with a capacity of 8 GB have so far been released. "The amount of NAND flash memory is doubling every 12 months," Mr. Gwang said. This means that in the near future, the chips, which currently have a capacity of 16 GB, will "migrate" from PDAs to mobile and then desktop computers, which Samsung plans to mass-produce 2006 GB non-volatile memory cards for notebooks based on 2007 GB chips by 32 or 16, according to Tech World. Switching to a 2006nm process means ... >>

KODAK Launches WIFI-Connected Digital Camera 27.11.2005

Kodak announced the launch of the EasyShare One digital camera, which the company claims is the world's first camera to offer Wi-Fi connectivity and hence radio access to the Internet. So the owner of this camera will be able to exchange the photos taken by e-mail, while being within the range of some hotspot. It is also reported that users of the EasyShare One camera will receive a subscription to a trial version of the service of T-Mobile, which is a network provider of 12 hotspots located around the world, when purchasing this camera. The technical characteristics of the EasyShare One camera are as follows: 4-megapixel matrix; 256x optical zoom; 3 MB internal memory; 640-inch swivel touch screen (electronic pen supported); support for recording videos with a resolution of VGA (480x30) at a frequency of XNUMX frames per second; slot for SD/MMC expansion cards; already mentioned WiFi module in ... >>

See, Smell, Touch - Tomorrow's TV 25.11.2005

According to Japanese experts, in 2020, real 3D television will settle in homes. A new generation TV will allow you to even smell and interact with the projected image. The video will be output at the level required by the user through the screen installed in the floor. Just imagine that while watching a cooking program, we will be able to feel the dishes being prepared in real time. Or, touch the advertised item, for example, a soft leather sofa. Of course, the technologies described so far seem like science fiction. However, 3D projected image developments are reported regularly. Devices for creating odors have also been described a few years ago, although many difficulties have arisen in their practical implementation. The transmission of touches can be carried out through ultrasound, electrical stimulation and directed air flows. The Japanese government is seriously interested in the creation of 3D television, also setting the condition for the improvement ... >>

Robot on the weed 24.11.2005

A Swedish engineer has come up with a robot that can weed a vegetable garden. Anyone who does not want to use herbicides and other chemicals, that is, is engaged in organic farming, which is fashionable in Europe, is forced to weed out the weeds by hand. It is not at all easy to do this now - native Europeans do not want to do such work, and not everyone likes to attract guest workers. As a result, weeds cause considerable damage. For example, losses per hectare of sugar beets can reach two thousand dollars. “The Lucas robot we have developed can cut these losses in half,” says Bjorn Astrand, a PhD student at Halmstad University. “This robot can weed not only beets, but any crop that is planted in rows, lettuce, cauliflower, and carrots.” Lucas' main device is plant recognition systems. He has three of them. With the help of an infrared camera, he determines the position of the rows and weeds out everything that he finds in the aisle. In a row, he uses a different camera, which gives color ... >>

water drop sucker 22.11.2005

An American chemist figured out how to make a suction cup out of a drop of water. "Once I heard from an entomologist colleague that the palm weevil, escaping from the enemy, releases 120 micron droplets of an oily agent, which are so firmly connected by surface tension to the leaf that no one can tear the beetle away from it. This news struck me so much, that I decided to create something similar in the laboratory. And the plan was quite successful, "says Cornell University professor Paul Steen. The device he created consists of a porous plate, electrodes and a 5 V battery. A millimeter drop of water is applied to the plate, an electric current is turned on, and the ions dissolved in water draw the drop into the pore channels. As a result, micron droplets are obtained on the other side. They stick the plate to any surface. If the electric current goes in the other direction, then in a second the droplets will be drawn in and the plate will peel off. "Our device is quite scalable, and with its ... >>

Silent phone conversation 21.11.2005

Silently talking on the phone allows a device developed in the United States. It looks like a collar worn around the neck. Electronics "collar" captures biocurrents generated in the vocal cords and muscles of the larynx during the mental, soundless pronunciation of words. The microcomputer recognizes what is intended and issues unpronounced phrases in a synthetic voice into the communication line. The device is intended primarily for the military, who need to communicate, but must not give out their presence by voice or are in noisy places, such as in a tank or plane. In the future, peaceful applications are also possible, up to cell phones. But it will not be possible to recognize the caller in this way by voice. ... >>

inflatable movie screen 20.11.2005

The world's largest film mover was created by the German company Cine-Project. A white screen measuring 40 by 20 meters is stretched on an inflatable frame. In addition to two film projectors with 14 kilowatt lamps and a six-channel sound system with 150 speakers, the kit includes a compressor that inflates the frame in a few hours. In the case of winds stronger than 7 points, the air from the frame quickly descends, and the screen falls to the ground. ... >>

Mathematics to help the postman 19.11.2005

Mathematicians are familiar with the so-called traveling salesman problem. It is proposed to calculate the shortest route between a certain number of points, and each point can be visited only once. When there are many points, the task becomes extremely difficult. So, on a standard modern personal computer, calculating a path between just a hundred points will take several years of continuous work. The French company "Eurobios" has developed a new program that allows you to quickly solve such problems. Starting from February 2005, the Danish Post started testing the program "Eurobios" to calculate the shortest path for postmen when delivering mail on the island of Funen. The first week of testing showed that the program speeds up the delivery of mail by 10% and, moreover, reduces the path of each postman by as much as 20%. Meanwhile, in the delivery of mail (at least in Denmark), the most expensive thing is not its transportation between different cities, but delivery from the post office to the apartment. It takes up to 70% of the total cost of work ... >>

Dry impregnation of fabrics 17.11.2005

The French company "Fibrolin" has developed a method for impregnating fabrics and non-woven materials with water-repellent, fire-fighting and other agents, which does not require either water or other solvents. According to the principle of operation, the process resembles photocopying and was invented by a Belgian engineer who previously worked at Xerox. The powder of the substance with which the textile is to be impregnated is introduced into the fabric by a high-voltage electrostatic field. The penetration depth, for example, in felt is up to three centimeters. After embedding, the fabric is subjected to heat to melt the powder and bind to the fibers. The process is used in the manufacture of fabric upholstery for car interiors, car seat covers and other textile products. ... >>

Hydroelectric power plants also warm up the climate 16.11.2005

Although hydroelectric power plants, unlike thermal power plants, do not emit combustion products into the atmosphere that contribute to global warming, indirectly, hydroelectric power plants make a large contribution to this process. Brazilian scientists came to this conclusion. When creating a hydroelectric power station, large areas are flooded with water, usually covered with vegetation. Trees and bushes begin to rot underwater, releasing carbon dioxide and methane, which is 21 times more effective than carbon dioxide at shielding infrared rays, preventing heat from dissipating into space. Even when, after many years, the plants at the bottom rot completely, the process will not stop. The water level in the reservoir of a hydroelectric power station, as a rule, fluctuates, the water is released, when it is required for irrigation or more electricity is needed, then it is accumulated. In seasons of low water, the drained coastal strip is inhabited by plants, which then flood and rot. It turned out that due to these processes, the Brazilian Curua Una hydroelectric power plant produces 3,5 times more greenhouse gases than if this ... >>

What color should the trains be? 14.11.2005

It is desirable that train cars be painted light green. Experiments conducted at the Technical University of Munich (Germany) showed that such a train seems to be less noisy. The subjects were played at the same volume a recording of the sounds of a passing train, while demonstrating on the screen an image of a train painted with a computer in different colors. The light green train seemed to be the quietest, the train with white cars (that's how electric trains in Germany are painted) seemed to be a little noisier, and the red cars seemed the noisiest. ... >>

Street heating 12.11.2005

The climate of Germany is milder than ours, but even there in winter there are big problems with the removal of snow and ice from the streets. Railconcrete is testing a heating system for bus stops in Chemnitz. In the concrete slab on which the stop pavilion stands, coils are built into the edge of the sidewalk and the roadway, through which non-freezing liquid is pumped from a well drilled in the ground. The depth of the well depends on the area to be heated. A heat pump (a device capable of concentrating and pumping heat from where there is little to where it is even less) maintains a temperature sufficient for melting. The sensors turn on the heat pump when the concrete temperature drops below zero and turn it off when the temperature rises. Even with heavy snowfall, the sidewalk in this place remains clean. A larger trial is planned for winter 2005/06 at a large number of Dresden bus stops. The experiment should show what is cheaper - to introduce such systems or to remove snow and ice ... >>

Automatic submarine record 11.11.2005

The Japanese automatic submarine "Urashima" has set a world record for independent diving, having made a journey of 800 kilometers in Suruga Bay at a depth of 317 meters. The voyage took 56 hours, in which the automaton was guided by sound beacons that were previously placed at the bottom of the bay at intervals of 25 kilometers, as well as using a laser gyroscope. The automatic underwater probe is powered by fuel cells and can be used to explore the ocean floor to a depth of 3500 meters, to predict underwater earthquakes and tsunamis, and to search for oil deposits. ... >>

Micro robot with a brush 10.11.2005

A self-propelled microscopic robot with its own muscles has been created at the University of California (USA). This is an elastic metal bow 50 micrometers long, on which a layer of rat heart cells is grown. When the device is placed in a glucose solution, which is the food for the cells, the muscle layer begins to contract, then pulling the ends of the arc towards each other, then releasing them. As a result, the robot crawls along the substrate at a speed of up to 40 micrometers per second. In another American laboratory, they learned how to grow brushes from carbon nanotubes one hundredth of a millimeter long. In the future, perhaps, doctors will be able to launch self-propelled robots with brushes into the circulatory system to clean blood vessels from cholesterol deposits. But first, the creators of the nanobrush want to test how durable it is, and whether individual bristles will fall out along the way, harming the cells lining the vessel. ... >>

Sea in the pipeline 08.11.2005

According to Dutch hydrologist Vincent Post, long before rising ocean levels due to global warming flood coastal cities with salt water, their water supplies will be spoiled. Most cities use groundwater, and seawater will seep into aquifers as sea levels rise. This phenomenon has already been seen in the Philippine capital Manila, as well as in the Pacific islands of Tuvalu. In the world now more than two billion people drink water from underground sources. ... >>

Obesity Vaccine 07.11.2005

The Swiss pharmaceutical company Cytos is developing an anti-obesity vaccine. More precisely, it is a vaccine against hunger. The feeling of hunger is caused by the hormone ghrelin, which is produced by the cells of an empty stomach. The vaccine, developed by Swiss scientists, causes the immune system to produce antibodies against ghrelin. Antibodies bind the hunger hormone, and the person's appetite decreases. Inoculated mice gained weight 15% more slowly than controls. Clinical trials are being prepared on people who want to lose weight in a new way - there were more than a hundred such volunteers. Other approaches to the problem are also proposed. So, British researchers, instead of suppressing the hunger hormone, are experimenting with the satiety hormone - oxinto-modulin. This compound is produced when a person is full and reduces appetite. By introducing a synthetic satiety hormone from the outside, it will be possible to reduce food intake. ... >>

Glacier under the blanket 05.11.2005

Part of the Gorschen glacier near the picturesque resort of Andermatt (Switzerland) was covered from the sun's rays with a synthetic blanket with an area of ​​three-quarters of a football field. If the experiment pays off, local authorities intend to similarly protect other alpine glaciers at altitudes over 2600 meters above sea level. Over the past 15 years, 20% of the surface of Swiss glaciers has melted, and scientists predict that due to global warming, another 70% of what remains will disappear in the next three decades. The plastic cover not only effectively reflects the rays of the Sun, but also protects the ice from dust, which accelerates its melting. ... >>

Pocket Nuclear Resonance Scanner 04.11.2005

A conventional installation for chemical analysis by the method of nuclear magnetic resonance occupies a whole table, and a person is freely placed in a diagnostic device based on this method - a tomograph. However, at the Higher Technical School of Aachen (Germany), a pocket nuclear magnetic scanner has been created. It allows you to study the chemical composition and mechanical properties of objects on the spot, without delivering them to the laboratory. The device will be useful to geologists, engineers, forensic scientists, archaeologists. Similar portable devices are also being worked on in France and the United States. ... >>

Disposable video camera 02.11.2005

Disposable cameras are no longer a novelty, and now a disposable digital video camera is on sale in the US. It will come in handy for those who shoot rarely, from time to time, and do not want to acquire an expensive, heavy and rather difficult to use conventional camcorder. The $30 pocket size device looks more like a digital camera. The picture quality is worse than "normal" digital camcorders, but on par with older analog models. The camera is controlled by four buttons: on / off, record, rewind and erase bad frames. Everything that you have rewound is erased, so you cannot select and erase individual frames in different places in the recording (you can only erase the last episode). A simple lens has a fixed focal length. Recording is carried out on a memory card with a capacity of 128 megabytes. The recording duration is only 20 minutes, after which the device must be returned to the store, where for half an hour and an additional $ 13 you will ... >>

underground corn 01.11.2005

In recent years, genetic engineers have learned how to insert genes into plants to produce certain drugs. For example, tomatoes and bananas have appeared that produce antibodies to certain microbes and are thus able to replace vaccination through a syringe with eating a delicious vegetable or fruit. Plant varieties have been obtained that synthesize hormones and enzymes necessary for physicians. But many conservationists fear that the cultivation of such transgenic varieties will lead to the release of not only pharmacologically active substances into the environment, but also the corresponding genes, for example, with pollen carried by wind or insects. The possible consequences of this are difficult to predict. The American firm Controlled Pharming Ventures found a way out: it grows medicinal transgenic corn underground under artificial lighting in an abandoned mine in southern Indiana. No genes can break through to the surface from there, especially if you place an installation for extracting the active substance from ... >>

Digital home through the eyes of the people 30.10.2005

According to Accenture research, the cost and complexity of high-tech devices is discouraging consumers from making their homes "digital". In addition, potential buyers are very worried about the problems associated with the launch of a single home system. Of the 2600 respondents (British), 70% wished that the task of combining devices together was solved by one company, although many companies just undertake to solve the problem partially. 80% of respondents said that it is unrealistic to raise money to buy all the devices. According to the results of the study, it was possible to determine what types of "digital homes" are in demand. 42% want a home entertainment system. 37% chose the home system for health care, and the least popular was the idea of ​​a "digital home" in the form of a virtual office or some system that organizes the user's life and work - 28%. When asked why they need additional "gadgets" at home, 56% of respondents answered that it would help save money, 46% said that it would make their life easier. ... >>

LG's first wall-mounted projector 28.10.2005

LG has released the original multimedia projector AN110. A distinctive feature of the device is that it can be hung on the wall. This is a fairly compact device, whose dimensions in length, width and height are only 443x254x92 mm. The declared performance characteristics of the devices are impressive. The "native" resolution of the projector is 1280x768 pixels, the contrast ratio is 3000:1, the noise level is very low - about 25 dB. The MTBF of the projector lamp is 4000 hours. ... >>

SAMSUNG and LG mobile phones will harm mobile operators 26.10.2005

Samsung and LG have announced that they intend to use UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access) technology in their devices, which is developed by the American company Kineto Wireless and allows the phone to switch from a cellular network to WiFi without interrupting the conversation. Thus, the call is transferred from the cellular network to VoIP, which significantly reduces the cost of the conversation, reports Silicon.Com. Samsung is now licensing the technology, and LG is already partnering with Kineto to create dual-mode phones. LG has also announced its intention to use UMA-compatible Kineto client software in its future handsets. The approximate date of appearance of new phones has not yet been reported. The new technology is called UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access). It is designed to improve the quality of communication in rooms where GSM signals are weak, while WiFi signals, on the contrary, are quite strong. It can also help reduce the load on cellular networks. UMA trials have already begun, but service providers are not ... >>

Last year, OLED displays were sold for $101 million. 23.10.2005

DisplaySearch has published the results of a study of the OLED display market. Sales were $101 million, up 17% from the fourth quarter but down 37% from the first quarter of 2004. A total of 9,9 million devices were sold. Analysts explain the "strange" behavior of the OLED market by reducing the supply of displays for mobile phones. Manufacturers of MP28 players took the first place, two-fifths of whose products are equipped with organic displays. The organic display market is represented mainly by passive matrices, mainly based on small molecules. In the first quarter, Samsung SDI sold devices for $19 million, RiTDisplay for $80 million. The top five also included Pioneer, Univision and Philips, which, together with SDI and RiTDisplay, cover XNUMX% of the OLED market. ... >>

Fuel batteries - capacity tripled 21.10.2005

Fujitsu Laboratories, in collaboration with NTT DoCoMo, has developed a high-capacity fuel cell prototype as well as a prototype methanol-powered external mobile phone charger. In both cases, methanol of a higher concentration is used - over 99%, instead of the previously used 30%. This allows you to charge the batteries of three mobile phones with a consumption of only 18 ml. methanol. In theory, fuel microbatteries with the same occupied volume are ten times more efficient than typical lithium ion batteries and three times more efficient than the stored energy density. In addition, methanol can be obtained from biological waste, which makes it possible to reduce environmental pollution along the way. According to Fujitsu, a single fuel microcell using high concentration methanol can produce 1 watt of power. ... >>

Computer for 10 rubles 19.10.2005

In Brazil, a nationwide project "Computer for 1 real" (the real is the local currency, about 10 rubles) has been launched. For this price, anyone gets a rewritable CD on which you can fix your preferred settings for the most common computer programs included in the Microsoft "Office" package, as well as record all the necessary texts, pictures or melodies. In the future, having come to any place where there is a computer - to an Internet cafe, a library, a school, or just to a friend who has a computer at home, the owner of the "computer for 1 real" inserts his disk into the drive and works as at his usual computer. Everything that he writes or downloads from the Internet is recorded on the same disk, and no traces of the work remain on the computer. ... >>

pollen monitor 17.10.2005

In Germany, 12 million people suffer from seasonal pollen allergies. Each case is individual: one is harmful to the pollen of alder or hazel, the other - pine, the third - cereals. The German weather service makes forecasts for wind-blown pollen, but the process of analyzing air samples for pollen is complex and time-consuming, so the reports are a day or two late. The Institute for Physical Measurement Methods in Freiburg created an automatic device that finds pollen in the air, determines which plants it belongs to and its concentration. This is a kind of automatic microscope. The air is filtered and the particles extracted from it are illuminated with ultraviolet rays. Pollen glows in them, ordinary dust does not. A high-resolution video camera shoots pollen at high magnification, and the image is analyzed by a computer, which contains microphotographs of pollen from common plant species for comparison. While the device is being tested, but by next spring it is planned to create a network for the whole country to ... >>

Washing with clean water 15.10.2005

Australian scientists from the University of Canberra suggest washing clothes without any powders or soaps. Richard Pashley, professor of physical chemistry, found that completely degassed water, devoid of all dissolved gases, washes out even greasy stains. The test was carried out by smearing the white fabric with petroleum jelly - it was completely washed off. Fat in the form of microscopic droplets rises to the surface in a few minutes. Pashley believes that microscopic air bubbles hold dirt particles together, creating a surface tension between them, and "glue" these accumulations to the fabric. If the bubbles are completely removed, the impurities break into many particles that are easily removed from the fabric. Now the researchers are busy comparing the cleansing power of ordinary water with the addition of washing powder and degassed water. After that, it remains to be seen whether degassing water at home will not cost more than conventional laundry detergents. ... >>

Wobbling bicycle 13.10.2005

In Taiwan's ninth international bicycle design competition, the first prize was won by a new American children's bicycle that converts from three-wheeled to two-wheeled on the go. For a learner to ride a bicycle, the moment of starting is the most difficult, but on this model the trip begins with three wheels. As the rider accelerates and shifts body weight forward, the divergent rear wheels first become parallel and then converge, becoming almost a single wheel. There is no need to support the child on the run or to attach additional rear wheels during training. Now the possibility of mass production of such a bicycle is being considered. ... >>

You can predict something by the hand 11.10.2005

As Canadian scientists from the University of Alberta found, the ratio of the lengths of the index and ring fingers in a man may indicate his propensity for physical violence. Anthropologists measured the fingers of three hundred young women and men, and then each subject filled out a special questionnaire, which can be used to judge the degree of aggressiveness of a person. It turned out that those men whose index finger is shorter than the ring finger are more prone to physical aggression than others. Women have no such dependence. Earlier studies have found that men with a long ring finger are especially fertile, and in women, a long index finger indicates a high ability to bear children. Men with relatively short ring fingers have an increased risk of heart attack. ... >>

The divine wind was helped by hack-workers-shipbuilders 09.10.2005

As you know, the Japanese word "kamikaze" means "divine wind". In 1274-1281, a serious threat loomed over Japan: the Mongol Khan Kublai, who then owned China, twice sent a large fleet to the shores of Japan. But both times, a typhoon, not uncommon in these parts, wrecked most of his ships and the invasion attempts failed. These storms, which destroyed a large fleet, were called the "divine wind" by the Japanese. Archaeologist Randall Sasaki found the remains of 4400 Kublai ships that died in 1281 at the bottom of the Sea of ​​​​Japan off the island of Takashima. The study of the found ship hulls and their fragments showed that the fleet was unsuitable for sea navigation. It consisted of flat-bottomed river junks, moreover, made from old boards that had already been in business. No boards are longer than three meters, and most pieces of wood are between 10 centimeters and one meter long. Often, nails to strengthen the boats that crumbled on the move were driven into almost one place, up to 5-6 nails nearby. So effe ... >>

Return to Edison 08.10.2005

Chinese physicists are proposing to replace the tungsten filament in an incandescent light bulb with carbon nanotubes. It turned out that nanotubes glued into a beam shine brighter than tungsten at the same voltage, do not burn out for a long time and withstand more than 5000 switching on and off of the current. According to the developers, new lamps, essentially repeating Edison's invention at a new level, may go on sale in five years. ... >>

How many dinosaurs have not yet been discovered 06.10.2005

For 150 years of studying fossils until 1990, paleontologists discovered 285 genera of these reptiles (a genus is a group of related and similar species, although in many genera there is only one species - if the newly discovered animal "does not fit" into any of the known genera). Since then, says American paleontologist Peter Dodson, who conducted a census of now known pangolins, another 222 genera have been discovered. The rate of discovery of new dinosaurs is increasing. Until 1, on average, 969 new genera were found over 10 years. Since 12 - about a hundred in 1990 years. There are especially many new finds in Argentina and China. Based on the rate at which new dinosaurs were discovered, Dodson calculated that 10% of dinosaur genera that have ever lived have not yet been discovered. This means that almost two thousand finds await paleontologists. ... >>

Seismograph for plumber 04.10.2005

The British company "Metrika" has patented a portable seismograph that allows you to detect the location of a leak in an underground water pipe. The seismograph, placed over the supposed place of the leak, registers for half a minute the oscillations propagated by the flow of water coming out of the hole in the pipe. You can even estimate the flow rate. To ensure that the measurements are not disturbed by vibrations from passing vehicles, several measurements are taken every half a minute and all non-permanent vibrations are subtracted (the flow of water from a broken pipe is constant, unlike temporary vibrations from cars). ... >>

Inconspicuous reefs 02.10.2005

It seems difficult not to notice a hundred-kilometer-long coral reef. However, just such a natural structure was recently discovered off the northern coast of Australia. There are no busy sea routes in this area, there are almost no settlements on the coast, and a reef can be seen from a satellite only if it is no deeper than 20 meters under water. And the new coral reef, stretching from Mornington Island to the Gulf of Carpentaria, is located at depths of 20-30 meters. ... >>

Demand for LCD panels is on the rise 30.09.2005

LCD monitors are increasingly replacing CRT monsters, especially in the mass segment - the market offer is very extensive, and prices are constantly decreasing. Thanks to this, an ordinary buyer can afford to buy a monitor with a large diagonal. Increasingly, consumers are opting for 19" models. Accordingly, the demand for large-sized LCD panels, which are used in the production of LCD monitors and TVs, is growing. In particular, demand for LCD TV panels in the third quarter will be 5,2 million units. units, and in the fourth it will rise to the level of 7,5 million. ... >>

32 inches at its peak 29.09.2005

Taiwan's LCD TV market has reached a new level. During the five months of this year, LCD TV shipments increased to a record high of 90 units (2004 were sold in the whole of 96000). According to BenQ's Digital Media Business Group general manager Peter Chen, 36-inch models dominate the market, reaching a 36% share of total sales in May. BenQ "holds" 16% of this sector of the market, followed by Panasonic and Sampo, with 14 and 13 percent, respectively. Despite the plans of Taiwanese industrialists to start manufacturing and selling 37-inch LCD TVs in the second half of the year, Mr. Chen still leaves 32-inch models in the near future. ... >>

Solar oil from greenery 28.09.2005

Someday the source of diesel fuel will not be oil wells, but plants, an American scientist believes. James Damsik and his colleagues from the University of Wisconsin-Madison propose to rely on carbohydrates, which make up 75% of the dry weight of plants, for the manufacture of biofuels, but not to turn them into ethanol, but to go the other way: directly convert vegetable carbohydrates into long hydrocarbon chains - they are and are diesel fuel. Because oil and water are immiscible, these hydrocarbons will float on the surface of the reactor where they can be easily scooped out. In order to turn the short and sometimes closed carbon skeletons of plant carbohydrates into long molecules of diesel fuel, scientists conducted several reactions involving catalysts and hydrogen, and H2 is supposed to be extracted again from plants. The experiment has so far been delivered in its pure form - chemists used carbohydrates themselves. Plants, apparently, will have to be subjected to preliminary ... >>

Mobile phone base for $20 27.09.2005

The German company Infineon Technologies AG has announced the ULC platform for mobile phones. Development costs only $20 and is almost a finished cell phone. Judge for yourself: there is a keyboard, display and charging system, as well as software for simple functions and SMS support. Motorola and Philips have already announced that they plan to create an inexpensive mobile phone based on the new platform. It seems that now everyone will have a cell phone. After all, so far, according to statistics, 3,5 billion people cannot afford to buy such a necessary device. The difference between the Infineon platform and the existing ones is that it contains less than a hundred electronic components, while in more complex models there are from 150 to 200. The processor, the transmitting and receiving electronics are installed on board the novelty. And this means that there is no need for numerous filters, resistors and capacitors. The size of the ULC is three times smaller than similar modern times ... >>

Atomic transistor 26.09.2005

British physicists have made a transistor controlled by a single atom. A transistor is an electronic device with three pins. Two of them are included in the electric current transmission network, and a control signal is applied to the third, which either allows the current to flow between the first two, or prohibits it. As physicists from the University of Liverpool, led by Professor Werner Hofer, have shown, such a device can be built from a molecule and a single atom. To do this, a layer of hydrogen atoms was applied to the surface of a silicon wafer, and it became an insulator. Then styrene molecules were placed on it, which lined up in lines up to hundreds of nanometers long. Next, hydrogen was pulled from one of the silicon atoms located next to such a line, and an electric charge formed on it. After that, it only remained to attach two probes of an atomic force microscope to the ends of the molecule and pass a current between them. It turned out that by varying the charge on silicon, it is possible to change the current strength tenfold. ... >>

Wasteful fuel from the green 25.09.2005

An American scientist has calculated that by making liquid fuel from plants, you will spend more energy than you will get from the subsequent combustion of this fuel. "There is no energy gain from turning soybeans, corn or sunflowers into liquid biofuels. Plants cannot be a renewable source of energy," said Cornell University professor David Pimentel. In the production of biofuels, that is, ethyl alcohol, from corn, wood or millet, as well as diesel fuel from soybeans or sunflowers, energy is spent primarily on sowing and harvesting, the production of fertilizers, pesticides, the processing of fields and melioration. Then follows the fermentation of biomass, the distillation of pure alcohol from water and the processing of foul-smelling waste. The result of a full calculation of energy costs is downright deadly to the idea of ​​replacing fuel from oil with fuel harvested from the fields. It turns out that ethanol from corn, when burned, will give 29% less energy than it needs to be spent on its manufacture, from millet - by ... >>

Moon base shield 23.09.2005

American scientists propose to protect the lunar base using electromagnetism. One of the main dangers that awaits future colonists on the Moon is electrically charged particles: electrons, protons and naked nuclei flying at great speed from the Sun and distant supernovae. How to deal with it? Nuclear reactors, for example, are covered with concrete blocks. If there was water on the satellite, the protective bunkers could be built from ice and lunar dust. Charles Buhler and John Lane of NASA came up with an unexpected and simple way - to use a force field. Dangerous radiation will be removed from the settlers by 5-6 inflatable conductive balls with a diameter of about five meters, charged up to hundreds of megavolts. The voltage is huge, but the currents are very small, since the charge on the spheres is static, and it does not take much energy to maintain it. The spheres, covered with the thinnest layer of gold, are proposed by scientists to be made from the thin and durable material Vectran, from which the balls are made, which softened the recent landings of the rovers. One ... >>

The heart of a woman does not grow old 21.09.2005

Why do women live longer than men? In developed countries, the gap in life expectancy is 5-6 years, in poor countries it is less (due to the underdevelopment of health care, the death rate of women during childbirth is relatively high). But there are no countries where there would be no difference. Why? There are two possible answers here. One is evolutionary: if a woman lives to such an age that she manages to take part in raising her grandchildren, this is beneficial not only for the family, but for the entire species of Homo sapiens. Another answer, purely medical, was recently given by British researchers from John Moores University in Liverpool. It turns out that the female heart almost does not age. The British studied the power of the heart as a pump in 250 healthy, but not engaged in physical education men and women aged 18 to 80 years. The ejection volume at each contraction, blood flow velocity and blood pressure were measured. Ultrasound was used to measure the volume of the heart chambers and the thickness of the muscle walls. It turned out that by the age of 70, the power of a man's heart is falling. ... >>

tsunami gifts 19.09.2005

The catastrophic tsunami that killed more than 26 people in Southeast Asia on December 2004, 250 brought an unexpected gift to India: a giant wave deposited a layer of titanium ore along almost 500 kilometers of coastline. It is brought from the depths of the sea. The thickness of the layer in some places exceeds three meters. These deposits, abandoned by a wave about one and a half kilometers from the coast, are estimated at 40 million tons. The global demand for titanium is growing, but the sudden gift of the elements will last for a long time. And in the Madras area, a wave washed away coastal sand deposits, revealing stone figures of a lion, elephant and horse. It is believed that this is part of a temple complex built in the XNUMXth century AD. According to legend, there must be seven pagodas here, built in time immemorial and later swallowed up by the sea. ... >>

Dinosaur blood vessels 17.09.2005

The bones of a tyrannosaurus rex found in Montana (USA) were delivered to a scientific institute for research by helicopter. The thigh bone did not fit in any way, and it had to be cut with a circular saw. The spongy fossilized mass found inside interested paleontologists, and it was placed in acid for several days to free it from minerals. It turned out that this is the bone marrow, and in it - blood vessels with blood remnants. In structure, they resemble vessels in the bone marrow of an ostrich. Moreover, after soaking in acid, they become flexible and can be carefully stretched with a dissecting needle, after which they return to their original shape. Apparently, the 68-million-year-old fossils contained proteins that formed the basis of the walls of blood vessels. But the chances of finding dinosaur DNA in the bone marrow are virtually non-existent. ... >>

Potato and electrons 15.09.2005

Japanese scientists from the Institute of Nutrition in Ibaraki propose to treat potato tubers before storage with a low-energy electron beam to guarantee against germination. Result: Treated potatoes keep at room temperature for four months without sprouting, while untreated potatoes start sprouting after two months. The bombardment of electrons does not change the taste of the potato. ... >>

Stonehenge for southern skies 13.09.2005

A "southern Stonehenge" was built on the North Island of New Zealand, consisting of a 30-meter stone circle of 24 columns and six "heel stones" placed outside the circle. All details of this copy of the famous English megalithic structure are made of concrete. The stones are arranged in such a way as to mark the time and place of the rising and setting of the Sun, the Moon, and the major stars and constellations at turning points in the astronomical calendar. ... >>

What can be seen in soap 11.09.2005

As you know, soap is a salt of fatty acids. A solution of one of these salts, sodium myristic acid, was heated by Indian chemists and then slowly cooled, examining the stages of crystallization under an electron microscope. As the soap molecules cooled, they gathered into strands, which then folded into rings, and later three-dimensional structures began to grow from the rings, resembling goblets, bowls and other ceramics. ... >>

Only the old man Hottabych can survive in a copper jug 10.09.2005

Indians have long known that storing water in copper vessels prevents disease. A new study by microbiologists from the University of Northumbria (UK) and Punjab University (India) has confirmed the antimicrobial properties of copper jugs. The scientists filled jars, found in every Indian home, with samples of sterile water laced with E. coli culture and samples of water from polluted rivers. In all the jars, the bacteria count dropped from a million per milliliter of water to zero in two days. At the same time, the number of microbes in water in plastic or ceramic jugs remained the same. Apparently, trace amounts of copper, dissolved in water, kill microbes. ... >>

Samurai brushing their teeth 08.09.2005

Japanese dentist Joichi Oyamada and his colleagues from the University of Nagasaki studied the teeth of 357 samurai and 1211 ordinary Japanese buried from the 8th to the 20th century in the cemetery of the city of Kokura. It turned out that an adult samurai had, on average, half as many rotten teeth as an ordinary city dweller. The samurai who died young had 3 times fewer diseased teeth than their ordinary peers. The toothbrush and toothpowder appeared in Japan in the early XNUMXth century. The brush at first was a wooden stick, chewed at the end into a brush. The skulls of XNUMX percent of samurai and only XNUMX percent of ordinary Japanese bear traces of regular brushing of their teeth. ... >>

The discovery made by pigeons 06.09.2005

The restorers of one of the cathedrals of Valencia (Spain) noticed that there is a hole in the ceiling of the cathedral through which doves fly in and out. Putting a TV camera through the hole, the restorers discovered that there was a cavity above the ceiling, and above it - another ceiling, painted with frescoes in the 1670th century. The "modern" ceiling of the cathedral was made in the Baroque style in XNUMX, while the "primary" ceiling was painted by Italian artists Francesco Pagano and Paolo de San Leocadio. The fresco depicts angels against the backdrop of a starry sky. Now art historians are at a loss: both ceilings are monuments of art, and it is not clear what to do with them, which one to save or how to save both. ... >>

Churches of Halley 05.09.2005

Everyone knows Halley's comet, but only historians of science remember that this professor of geometry at Oxford University published a scientific article in 1714 on "variations of the magnetic compass." In 1711, the English Parliament passed a program to build 50 new churches in East London to combat atheism and false beliefs. As a result, however, only 12 churches were built (the political situation has changed). Now archaeologists have noticed that the foundations of two of these buildings - the churches of Christ the Savior and St. Anna are oriented along the east-west axis with great accuracy. Considering that the architect of these two temples was familiar with Halley for thirty years, and the professor himself was a member of the London building commission and actively attended its meetings in 1714, it is very likely that he used the results of his research on the deflection of the magnetic needle to help the builders. The irony of history: now in many areas of London it is impossible to accurately navigate using a compass, as they interfere ... >>

How the ant hurried home 04.09.2005

Ants of one of the South American species, living in the Amazon rainforests high in the crowns of trees, are able, falling from a height of several tens of meters, to somehow control their fall. The wind, swinging the branches, often throws the ants off, but as a result, they almost always land on the trunk of the same tree from which they fell. American entomologist Stefan Janovyak dropped 120 ants from a branch at a height of 27 meters. Of these, 102 hit the tree trunk, and after 10 minutes most returned to the same branch. How the ants do this is not clear, it is only noticed that in the air they turn over to fall head first. A slip past the native tree means almost certain death for the ant - the brothers in the neighboring trees will not accept it. ... >>

It's time to boil the laundry 03.09.2005

It is customary in Swiss hospitals to disinfect hospital sheets and clothing with hot water at 80 degrees Celsius for one minute or 66 degrees Celsius for half an hour. Swiss experts in household appliances from the Federal Technical Testing Laboratory drew attention to the fact that modern washing powders make it possible to wash clothes well at low water temperatures - only plus 40 and even 30 degrees Celsius. This saves energy, but does not allow the laundry to be disinfected. According to French data, in 43% of cases, the housewife sets the temperature on the washing machine to 30 degrees Celsius. Experiments conducted in the laboratory have shown that after such washing, many microorganisms remain alive. They can also remain on the walls of the washing drum. Therefore, Swiss engineers recommend running an "empty" wash on the machine from time to time with a water temperature of 90 degrees Celsius. This is not very important if you do laundry at home, so ... >>

artificial northern lights 01.09.2005

Even 30 years ago, as part of a Soviet-French experiment, scientists caused artificial aurora over the Arkhangelsk region by injecting electron beams into the ionosphere from a rocket specially launched to a height of 150-200 kilometers. And recently, American scientists were able to repeat this experience without climbing up. From the territory of Alaska, a beam of radio waves was sent into the sky, and the sky lit up with green light. The experiment will help decipher the still not very clear nature of the natural aurora. And some enthusiasts hope that in the future, artificial aurora can be used to illuminate cities at night and even for glowing advertising in the sky. However, for the experiment, a radio wave generator with a power of one megawatt and an antenna field with an area of ​​​​more than a hectare were needed. It is probably easier and cheaper to illuminate cities in the traditional way. ... >>

FUJITSU develops RFID chip with FRAM memory 29.08.2005

Fujitsu has announced the FerVID MB89R119 chip, designed for use in increasingly popular wireless identification (RFID) systems. The main difference between the new development and existing implementations is the use of ferroelectric memory (FRAM). Its volume is quite small - only 256 bytes, but this is quite enough for identification tasks. Compared to the EEPROM type memory commonly used in such chips, FRAM has an advantage in read speed up to 50 times, and in write speed - twice. In addition, the use of FRAM eliminates the need for the burn circuits required in EEPROM, which reduces the footprint on the substrate. The MB8 9R119 chip is manufactured using a 0,35 micron process, operates at a frequency of 13,56 MHz, has a range of 70 cm, and a bandwidth of 26,48 Kbps. Samples are available now at a price of $0,46, mass production will begin on August 1, and the planned output is 5 million units per month. ... >>

The first broadband TV comes out 28.08.2005

The Chinese company Haier and the American Freescale Semiconductor introduced the world's first wideband (Ultra-Wideband, UWB) high-definition LCD TV (HDTV). The new solution allows you to "split" an HDTV into two components - a screen and a multifunctional media server - without cable connections between them. at speeds up to 2 MB/s. According to the developers, there are currently no analogues of Freescale wireless technology. For real-time transmission of high-definition or MPEG-20 video, a data rate of at least 110 Mb/s is required. The Haier TV has a 2-inch 20i high-definition LCD screen that can also play standard definition video. The model is equipped with a component DVI connector and a built-in UWB antenna. None before ... >>

CRT monitors will disappear faster than expected 27.08.2005

LCD monitors continue to confidently replace CRT devices in the global market, according to new data from analysts. And this is happening even faster than previously thought. To date, LCD monitors with diagonals of 15, 17 and 19 inches are the most popular, but larger models are gradually gaining popularity. The global PC LCD market grew 1% qoq to 7 million units in the first quarter of this year, in line with analysts' forecasts, according to a new study by DisplaySearch. Compared to the same period in 22,7, the market grew by 2004% in quantitative terms. The rise in price of LCD panels is already beginning to affect the retail price of LCD monitors for the consumer market (this segment is currently on the rise). This usually leads to a slowdown in the growth of the LCD market, especially during periods of seasonal decline in demand. However, according to DisplaySearch, if there are ... >>

SEAGATE will automatically encrypt all contents of your hard drive 25.08.2005

Seagate Technology, a well-known manufacturer of hard drives, is going to release Hardware-Based Full Disc Encryption (FDE) next year. Initially, this technology will be bundled with some models of hard drives for laptops, which should significantly complicate the lives of those who steal laptops with valuable information. Reportedly, FDE technology automatically encrypts absolutely all data entering the computer for writing to disk. That is, the encryption process is performed before the information is converted into bits of magnetic domains in the recording layer of the disc. So, according to the developers of FDE, a hard drive thief, even one who is highly skilled in extracting data from recording media, will only be able to read an incoherent set of characters. We also note that the FDE technology uses the popular Triple DES (Data Encryption Standard) data encryption standard. According to Seagate, the encryption process over t ... >>

Giant LCD TV from SHARP 24.08.2005

In August this year, Sharp plans to start selling the 65-inch LC-1GE65 AQUEOS giant LCD TV. The screen of the device is a liquid crystal panel with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. The new TV supports Hi-Vision High Definition Television (HDTV). To reduce the response time of the matrix, Sharp has used proprietary Quick Shoot technology, so now the viewer should not have any problems when watching movies and sports programs. The estimated cost of the largest LCD TV to date is $13125. ... >>

ADC and DAC in an audio codec can operate simultaneously at different frequencies 21.08.2005

Wolfson Microelectronics offers an audio codec in which ADC and DAC can operate simultaneously at different sample rates. Such codecs can be used in devices that require separate independent ADC and DAC in the audio signal transmission path, for example, in TV and video systems with simultaneous recording and playback. The WM8591 codec has an analog programmable amplifier to adjust the sensitivity of the analog inputs to ensure a constant (stable) recording level and to prevent overload. The signal-to-noise ratio of the codec is 110 dB for DAC and 102 dB for 24-bit sigma-delta ADC. Analog gain control is carried out in the range from +24 to -21 dB in 0,5 dB steps, digital gain control from -24,5 to -103 dB is also in 0,5 dB steps. The output word length is from 16 to 32 bits, the sampling frequency is from 32 to 96 kHz. ... >>

New JVC camcorders use hard drives instead of film 20.08.2005

Japanese manufacturer of video equipment JVC has introduced new models of camcorders. A feature of the new products, which have followed the path paved by portable music players, is the recording on the built-in hard drive. Depending on the model, the disk capacity is from 20 to 30 GB. According to the company, the maximum capacity is enough for seven hours of DVD-quality video recording. The C range, which launched in the fall, was aimed at the video enthusiast. The new models, united in the G series, are aimed at the mass consumer, who chooses according to the criteria of functionality and cost. The range is represented by four models: GZ-MG20 (price - about $800), GZ-MG30, GZ-MG40 (both - $900) and GZ-MG50 ($1000). ... >>

Electron microscopy - for children 19.08.2005

American scientists and teachers have created a program that will allow children to work with what looks like a real electron microscope. “Today, children handle all sorts of technological innovations as freely as their parents - with books; they live in a technical world,” says Lynn Landis, a high school teacher in Pittsburgh (USA). “When the electronic world became part of my lessons, I felt that the school came closer to real life." And the fact is that a group of scientists and teachers, with the support of the National Science Foundation, has collected a large collection of images from a scanning electron microscope and created software that allows you to study these images as if they were seen in a real microscope. The scientists wanted to create a new generation virtual laboratory that would enable teachers to work with modern analytical instruments, and they were quite successful in this. With the help of an electronic laboratory called ... >>

Roof instead of gas tank 17.08.2005

American engineers believe that it is time to equip the roofs of cars with solar cells. “If only half a kilowatt of solar power was put on the roof of every one of the two hundred million American cars, they would generate a seventh of the entire electricity in the country,” says Stephen Letendre, an assistant professor at Vermont Green Mountains College. “Now there are already hybrid cars that They are powered by both gasoline and electricity, which means that there is a niche for such a technical solution." The solar panel is calculated to increase the price of a car by $XNUMX and generate enough power to drive an additional five thousand miles a year in the south of the country and just under a thousand miles in the north. That is, the fuel savings are not particularly great - even at current gasoline prices, the battery will pay off in five years. Therefore, the main reason that will force the driver to lay out money is the danger of being without fuel due to interruptions in its supply. Then the hybrid ... >>

Underwater typhoons 15.08.2005

Until recently, the deep waters of the oceans were considered quiet and inactive. But four years ago, German oceanologists installed recorders in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Brazil, at a depth of 2000 meters, recording the speed of the current. Once a year, recorders pick up and take their readings. It turned out that every 60 days here from north to south, ring currents sweep at speeds up to 150 kilometers per hour. The diameter of such a deep whirlpool, reminiscent of catastrophic typhoons in the atmosphere, can be 300 kilometers. The reason for the emergence of powerful spiral currents is not entirely clear, but they do not pose a danger even to submarines, since they go too deep. ... >>

Robot Experimenter 14.08.2005

The robot, which itself builds hypotheses about the function of a particular gene in the gene set of a yeast cell and itself develops experiments that can test its hypotheses, was created at the University of Wales (Great Britain). There are about 6000 genes in a cell of ordinary baker's yeast, and the function of 30 percent of them is not yet clear. To understand why a particular gene is needed, biologists remove it from a single cell, and then watch how this cell grows and multiplies on different nutrient media. This is what the robot does, which contains information about yeast and their biochemistry. It mixes chemicals, creating different nutrient media with the presence of one or another substance that is not required by ordinary yeast, but is supposedly needed by mutants with one missing gene. Spilling the resulting nutrient mixtures into special flat vessels, the robot places mutant cells there and watches how they multiply. Scientists can only accept the results of the experiment from the robot. results and ... >>

Heated sail 12.08.2005

Brothers Gregory and James Benford from the University of California (USA) improved the idea of ​​a solar sail. A sail made of a thin film coated with a reflective layer has long been proposed to be used to accelerate spacecraft due to the pressure of sunlight. The Benford brothers propose to cover the sail with a special paint that, when heated, emits gas - methane or hydrogen. As a result, the sail will also receive a reactive pushing force. The inventors intend to heat the sail from the Earth, directing a 300-megawatt beam of microwaves to the apparatus launched into near-Earth orbit with an apogee of about 60 kilometers. According to calculations based on laboratory experiments, such a beam will accelerate a spacecraft with a sail with a diameter of 100 meters to 60 kilometers per second in an hour, which will make it possible to fly to Mars instead of a year in about a month. True, so far the most powerful space communication systems used for contacts with the Huygens-Cassini probe have a power of only half a megawatt. ... >>

Video on the battlefield 11.08.2005

The Israeli army received a new reconnaissance tool: a miniature television screen with a diagonal of about three inches is fixed on the soldier's wrist, which receives an image from an automatic reconnaissance aircraft flying over the area of ​​​​the anti-terrorist operation. Such airplanes with a wingspan of up to two meters have been used in Israel for about a quarter of a century, but until now the image from them has been received only on large screens that were available at the headquarters. Now every private can see the situation from a bird's eye view. Armored personnel carriers and tanks have larger screens, the size of a postcard. ... >>

light from the asphalt 09.08.2005

The Dutch firm Philips has developed a "dynamic road marking" system, which consists of LEDs embedded in asphalt. Their bright light is visible even during the day. The system allows you to turn on and off the marking lines depending on the conditions on the road. For example, in the morning, when there are traffic jams on the road leading to the city (people from the suburbs go to work), you can fence off one rad for those who want to leave the city, and let three into the city. During the evening rush hours, when many people tend to get out of town, traffic controllers do the opposite. Light lines may be limited to rows allocated only for public transport, or cycle paths. The system, tested on a small stretch of road near Rotterdam, has proven to be reliable in a wide variety of weather conditions and is now being taken up by German traffic authorities, where traffic jams are a problem for 10 kilometers of roads. ... >>

global dimming 08.08.2005

In addition to global warming, we are also threatened by global darkening. This conclusion was reached by geophysicists, summing up the results of half a century of measurements of daylight illumination in different parts of the globe. British scientist Jerry Stanhill, who works in Israel, found that over the past 50 years, daytime illumination of this region has fallen by 22%. After reviewing data from other countries, he found that during this time in the United States it became darker by 10%, in some areas of the former USSR - by almost 30%, in the British Isles the illumination fell by 16%. This conclusion is confirmed by Australian experts. The phenomenon appears to be related to air pollution. Tiny particles of soot from car exhausts and factory chimneys block out some of the sunlight and increase the reflectivity of clouds and the atmosphere in general. So far, this effect is not noticeable to the naked eye, but it will undoubtedly affect many aspects of life on Earth - from climate to solar power plants and even plant photosynthesis. ... >>

Vaccination against atherosclerosis 06.08.2005

About a decade ago, Swedish researcher Jan Nilsson of Lund University, while studying the development of sclerotic plaques in blood vessels in mice, injected small amounts of low-density lipoprotein into experimental animals. This is a protein-fat complex, the main carrier of cholesterol in the blood. However, to Nilsson's surprise, the amount of cholesterol deposits on the walls of blood vessels in mice did not increase, but decreased. This led the experimenter to the idea that small doses of low-density lipoprotein can protect blood vessels from cholesterol deposition. Recently, two Swedish laboratories reported the success of such an "atherosclerosis inoculation", again in mice. In animals that received lipoprotein injections, the number of plaques decreased by 70 percent, and the existing ones stopped growing. Apparently, small doses of a dangerous carrier of cholesterol lead to the production of antibodies against it. Nilsson believes that it will be possible to prevent atherosclerosis in old age by vaccinating children, and ... >>

Alarm signal - in every house 05.08.2005

The German company "2wcom" has developed a radio receiver with a built-in alarm system. In the event of an earthquake, tsunami, major catastrophe or terrorist act, the radio stations of the civil defense system broadcast a special signal, which is picked up by the receiver's decoder, and a loud siren is turned on. At the same time, the text of the announcement about the incident appears on the display of the device, then the same text sounds through the loudspeaker. The receiver has a built-in battery, so it does not depend on the mains. Sweden has already ordered 15 alarm radios for installation in houses located near nuclear power plants. ... >>

Safe magnetic socket 03.08.2005

German engineer Klaus-Dieter Fritsch invented the electrical outlet with a plug. Yes, not simple, but safe. You can pick a nail in it, a child can stick a finger in it - nothing bad will happen. Contact occurs only when the plug of the electrical appliance is inserted into the socket. The secret is in the magnets that are hidden in the socket and in the plug. The plug serves as a magnetic key to the socket. When the poles of the magnets match, voltage is applied to the socket contacts. If in a room, for example, in a laboratory or workshop, there are two electrical networks with different voltages, then by changing the location of the magnets in the plugs, you can make the outlet supply the voltage assigned to each device. A small batch of magnetic plug-socket sets was ordered by Fritsch in Hungary and was successfully sold out. But the inventor does not have the funds to compete with the major manufacturers of wiring devices, and they do not want to rebuild the established production. True, the Fritsch system became interested in auto ... >>

Poultices for David 02.08.2005

Michelangelo di Lodovico di Lionardo di Buonarroti Simoni, better known by his first name, created his famous statue of David by order of Florence in 1504. More than 500 years ago, a marble figure 516 centimeters high and weighing 5,5 tons appeared on Signoria Square. In subsequent centuries, David often suffered from the forces of the elements and human aggression: lightning struck the statue, in 1527, during a popular uprising, her left arm was broken, hooligans broke off her toes “for memory”. In 1873, the masterpiece was transferred to the gallery of the Academy, and a copy was placed on the square. The original from time to time was subjected to "cleaning" and polishing with acid solutions, which did not do him any good. In 2003, they decided to clean David from centuries of dust and dirt, which continued to accumulate in the gallery. As a result of long disputes, it was decided to abandon the chemicals and, after vacuuming, wash the statue with distilled water and wipe it with paper towels. On the most polluted places applied to 1 ... >>

Japan dominates the OLED market 30.07.2005

According to iSuppli's latest report, Japan has lost its position in the display market in recent years under strong pressure from Korean and Taiwanese manufacturers, but Japanese firms are leading the way in OLED development. Two Japanese companies - Tokki Corp. and Ulvac Inc., pioneered the production of industrial OLED deposition equipment. A number of other firms, such as DaiNippon Screen and Hitachi, offer industrial plants for OLED production. Analysts at iSuppli believe that, terrified at the prospect of losing technological advantages, Japanese OLED makers are seeking to stake out key technological processes and operations. This is facilitated by the insufficient level of standardization of processes that are still not optimized and whose parameters are constantly changing. The report notes the lack of inkjet printing equipment, which can significantly reduce the cost of OLED. But the Japanese developers of such equipment are showing enviable activity. ... >>

Solar Powered Wireless Sensor Module 29.07.2005

The German company Startup EnOcean GmbH offers a wireless sensor module powered by solar cells. The STM100 module contains three analog and two digital inputs for connecting sensors, an embedded microprocessor, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, a two-stage (two-stage) solar panel and an energy storage device. The dimensions of the module are 2x20x40 mm, it can work both indoors and outdoors with a minimum illumination of 10 lux. For comparison, the typical level of illumination in the halls of buildings is 200 lux, on the desktop - 200 lux. The energy reserve is enough to work for five days in complete darkness. The power of the RF transmitter is 500 μW, the range is 50 meters (indoors through walls). The signal is transmitted in short (about 300 μs) pulses (packets). The module supports several types of sensors, including sensors for measuring humidity, illumination, position and pressure. The cost of the STM1 module is $100 in industrial lots. ... >>

CDT advances P-OLED technology 27.07.2005

With a continued focus on the emerging polymer light-emitting diode (P-OLED) technology, Cambridge Display Technology (CDT) has achieved remarkable results. An intensive two-year research program led to the appearance of displays with the so-called "upper radiation". The purpose of the program is to prepare the production process for the manufacture of a transparent cathode P-OLED device. Due to this, the service life and efficiency will be increased compared to devices with "lower radiation". An additional result of the program is the "know-how" associated with the manufacture of a transparent cathode. The development of CDT is already planned to be used by large manufacturers of information display devices. It is expected that improvements in P-OLED technology will speed up the release of finished products based on new panels, including TVs and computer monitors. ... >>

PHILIPS OM6777 Stereo Wireless Headset 25.07.2005

Philips has unveiled a new reference design for its Bluetooth 1.2 wireless headset. The device provides stereo sound and voice transmission. With it, you can listen to music played on your portable player or mobile phone without the risk of missing a phone call. The need for an all-in-one wireless headset is growing as the market for high quality mobile audio and video players expands and the integration of related capabilities into cell phones. The development uses Philips Lifevibes Voice and LifeVibes Music technologies, which improve the sound quality. LifeVibes Voice performs noise reduction and enhances speech intelligibility even in noisy environments, while LifeVibes Music enhances stereo reproduction in audio recordings and dynamically adjusts bass boost. The wireless headset, designated OM6777, is designed to be used ... >>

Plasma takes off 23.07.2005

After last year's crisis caused by oversupply and low demand, plasma panel manufacturers again have a reason to drink champagne. In a matter of months, the crisis was completely over. "While we were short of interested customers last year, orders now far exceed our production capacity," said Ryu Jaehwa, chief executive of LG Electronics. "We were unable to complete about 10% of orders." Samsung SDI, the world's largest PCB manufacturer, is also unable to keep up with increased customer demands. According to a source at Samsung, global consumption of plasma displays increased by 20% in the last quarter to 1,4 million units. ... >>

beta battery 21.07.2005

Scientists from the US and Canada have created a new battery that is powered by beta electrons from the decay of tritium. While many scientists are trying to turn the sun's rays into electricity, some of their colleagues are trying to tame the electrons produced by beta decay. A radioactive battery is needed in order to supply energy for a long time to one or another device, say, sensors that monitor the condition of bridges, climate monitors or satellites. Scientists from the University of Rochester and Toronto managed to make a fully functional battery out of porous silicon, which was implanted with tritium atoms. This beta radioactive element lives for quite a long time - a half-life of about 12 years. The scientists used standard microelectronics methods to deposit a semiconductor film on silicon pores. The result was a three-dimensional semiconductor structure, which, with a thickness of half a millimeter, is able to trap all the beta electrons of tritium and turn ... >>

ferromagnetic semiconductor 20.07.2005

Finnish scientists have made a gallium-manganese nitride heterostructure that is ferromagnetic at room temperature. A ferromagnetic semiconductor is an old dream of microelectronics scientists, more precisely, spintron scientists: its properties can be controlled not only with an electric signal, as is usually done, but also with a magnetic field. It is believed that such a material will make it possible to make a big step forward in the field of spintronics - electronics of the 5st century, which uses not only an electric charge, but also the direction of the electron spin to work with information. Namely, in a ferromagnet, the spins of electrons under the action of a magnetic field line up in the same direction and retain this orientation after the field is removed. However, until recently, ferromagnetism at high temperatures was inherent only in good conductors: metals - iron, manganese, as well as intermetallic compounds like SmCoXNUMX or alloys of the Nd-Fe-B system. For semiconductors, this property was not noticed. scientists ... >>

Created the strongest acid 18.07.2005

At the University of California (USA), with the participation of employees of the Institute of Catalysis of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Novosibirsk), an acid has been created that is a million times stronger than concentrated sulfuric acid. The paradox is that the new acid is not at all aggressive towards materials. The compound, called carboranoic acid, is the first "super acid" that can be stored in glass bottles. This softness of the new acid is due to its unusually high chemical stability. Like all acids, the new substance interacts with other compounds, giving them a positively charged hydrogen ion. However, the remaining negatively charged anion is so stable that it does not react further. But it is this secondary reaction that is very significant in corrosion. For example, hydrofluoric acid corrodes glass, which is mostly silica, by reacting its negatively charged fluorine ion with silicon and its hydrogen ion with oxygen. New sour ... >>

Swallow surgeon 17.07.2005

In the Italian medical center of St. Anne in the city of Pontedera, a prototype of a surgical robot measuring 2,5 by 1 centimeter has been created. The patient swallows this capsule, the built-in television camera transmits by radio an image of the stomach and intestines. Under the control of a doctor, the robot can perform microsurgical operations. The robot moves on six thin legs, unable to damage the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. Experimental checks are ahead, first on animals. ... >>

The air became heavier, the kilogram felt better 15.07.2005

A kilogram weight actually weighs 15 micrograms less than it should. This conclusion was made by specialists of the Paris Chamber of Weights and Measures, where the main standard of the kilogram is stored. The fact is that in the air every object is affected by the Archimedean buoyancy force, the value of which depends on the density of the air. Meanwhile, when the kilogram standard was created, the content of argon in the air was taken at 0,917 percent, and the latest measurements give 0,933 percent. It turns out that the air density, on which the Archimedean force depends, was incorrectly calculated. For particularly accurate weighings, this correction should be taken into account. The question of whether physicists made a mistake in their measurements more than a hundred years ago, or whether the argon content has changed over this time, remains open. ... >>

Problems of overweight people 14.07.2005

Among the US population, 100-108 million people are overweight, that is, more than a third of the country's inhabitants are obese. Moreover, a study conducted by sociologists from the University of Chicago found that an emigrant who moved to the United States from a less "well-fed" country has a high chance of getting fat pretty quickly. A survey of several thousand "fresh" emigrants showed that after a year or several months of living in a new place, obesity was characteristic of only 8 percent of the migrants. But after 10 years of a new life, their share begins to increase and after 15 years already reaches 19 percent. This is true for Europeans, Arabs, Hispanics, Asians, but not for immigrants from Africa. Meanwhile, environmentalist Paul Higgins of the University of California offers a simple way to lose weight, which at the same time will allow you to reduce oil consumption and fight global warming. Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States recommends for maintaining a healthy and slim figure ... >>

The Age of the Active Sun 13.07.2005

In the last 60 years, our luminary has been more active than at any time in 8000 years. German geophysicists came to this conclusion. Although astronomers directly observe and record the expression of the turbulent processes occurring on the Sun - sunspots are only four hundred years old, since the telescope appeared, there is another way to measure the activity of the Sun, allowing you to look much deeper into the past. Cosmic rays, hitting carbon dioxide molecules, generate the carbon isotope C-14 in the upper atmosphere. The stronger this radiation, the more C-14. The intensity of cosmic rays depends on the activity of the Sun: when it is high, the magnetic field of the star partially shields the Earth from cosmic particles. And since plants feed on carbon dioxide, taking it from the atmosphere along with the isotope, it is possible to measure the C-14 content in the tree rings of fossil wood and estimate what solar activity was at the time when this tree was growing. So far, scientists have been able to look ... >>

openwork bike 11.07.2005

Engineers from Briham Young University (USA) created a bicycle in the style of either the Eiffel or the Shukhov Tower. Its openwork frame is made of heavy-duty carbon fibers intertwined with fibers of a polyamide polymer - Kevlar, used in bulletproof vests. The weight of the frame is one and a half kilograms, and the developers hope to reduce it even more. In addition to strength and lightness, the openwork bike has excellent aerodynamics: the headwind simply whistles through. ... >>

Around the world in 46 days 10.07.2005

Biologists from the British Antarctic Survey have been tracking the flights of grey-headed albatrosses for five years. Tiny coordinate recorders connected to a satellite positioning system were attached to the paws of birds. Most albatrosses flew from the Antarctic island of South Georgia, where their traditional nesting areas are located, to the southwestern Indian Ocean. But some males flew much further, and some even made round-the-world flights - of course, not along the equator, where the path would be 40 thousand kilometers. The fastest of them completed a flight along the ring route around Antarctica with a length of more than 22 thousand kilometers in 46 days. Three birds made two round-the-world flights in a year and a half. The gray-headed albatross, a bird with a wingspan of up to two and a half meters, can cover up to 900 kilometers in a day. ... >>

Desktop mobile phone 08.07.2005

The Czech electronic company "Yablotron" has launched the production of a desktop cell phone GDP-02. It is intended for older people who want to use all the services provided by cellular communication, but do not need the portability of a telephone set. In addition, they hardly get their fingers on the tiny keys of an ordinary cell phone and have difficulty seeing the numbers and letters that appear on a miniature screen. The GDP-02 has a large swivel screen, conventional number keys and a full set of alphabetic keys arranged in the same order as on a typewriter or computer keyboard. This makes it easy to send CMC messages. The phone has a memory for 200 numbers, it is powered by the mains, but it also has a backup battery. The device can also be used where the telephone cable cannot reach, for example, in the country. In addition, it allows cellular operators to compete with wired communications: in Western Europe, many subscribers refuse regular telephone numbers, but, being at home, would like ... >>

Light dosimeter 07.07.2005

The mode of lighting throughout the day greatly affects not only our biological clock, mood (in winter, depression is more common, and it is treated with bright light), but also directly on bodily health. According to some reports, people who work night shifts with artificial lighting during hours when it should be dark have an increased incidence of cancer. To study the effect of light on the human body, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (USA) created a wearable light dosimeter that records illumination and its spectral composition around the clock. By changing these indicators, physiologists note changes in human behavior and biorhythms. ... >>

The mountains are getting lower 05.07.2005

Chinese scientists intend to clarify the height of Chomolungma (Everest). Now the figure of 8885 meters is officially accepted, and due to the drift of the continents (collision of continental plates), the height of the mountain increases by one centimeter annually. But at the top of the mountain there is a thick layer of snow and ice, and due to their melting associated with global warming, the peak is getting lower. The magnitude of the decline is tentatively estimated at 130 centimeters, but the figure needs to be clarified. Earlier, French scientists found that Mont Blanc, due to the melting of its ice cap, became lower by as much as 15,5 meters. ... >>

Night milk is healing 04.07.2005

Finnish dairy farms are producing a new product: night milk. It turns out that if you milk a cow at night or in the morning, but in a darkened room, the milk contains 10 times more melatonin, the sleep hormone, than in ordinary morning, afternoon or evening milk. Melatonin is also produced in the human body, but with age and under the influence of stress, its secretion is greatly reduced. Therefore, drinking a glass or two of nightly milk before bed is recommended for all older people and those who find it difficult to fall asleep. The novelty is in great demand in Finland. Hundreds of farms have switched to night milking, especially since the new sort of milk is noticeably more expensive than usual. In addition, physiologists have found that night milking increases the fertility of cows. But in Switzerland, where a farmer tried to take advantage of the Finnish experience, night milk was banned shortly after it appeared on store shelves. The reason is the strict Swiss laws on food, drugs and dietary supplements. ... >>

phone with projector 02.07.2005

Employees of the Institute of Silicon Technology in Itzehoe (Germany) have developed a prototype subminiature multimedia projector that can be built into a cell phone or a PDA. Its heart is a laser diode of the type used in laser pointers and scopes. The laser beam is deflected by a mirror with a diameter of one and a half millimeters, which is mounted on two torsion suspensions and can oscillate in two planes under the action of a video signal from a phone or computer. In a second, the mirror performs several thousand oscillations, drawing scanning lines on any white surface, which form the image. Unfortunately, it can only be reddish so far: laser diodes of other colors give light too weak for projection and are short-lived. ... >>

Chocolate for cough 01.07.2005

Tired of coughing? Eat chocolate and drink cocoa! In a study commissioned by the Hungarian pharmaceutical company Quinoin, pharmacologists found that the alkaloid theobromine contained in cocoa fruits is one-third more effective against persistent coughs than codeine, which is considered the best cough medicine. And, unlike codeine, which is a drug, theobromine is not addictive or drowsy. Until now, this medication has been used as a vasodilator for angina pectoris or cerebral vasospasm. ... >>

New Voice over Internet (VoIP) Platform 30.06.2005

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS Corporation has implemented a new platform for the transmission of voice signals over the Internet (VoIP). This platform is implemented in the new digital signal processor TNETV2520. Based on the TMS320C55x architecture, the TNETV2520 processor provides seamless voice and fax communication for traditional and packet telephony. Thanks to the large amount of internal memory, there is no need to connect an external memory. The processor allows you to simultaneously process 64 channels with pulse code modulation, 32 channels using the G.729AB protocol and 24 channels using the G.723.1A protocol. ... >>

2,5" ATA HDD Driver Series for Laptops 29.06.2005

SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS launched a series of 2,5" ATA hard disk drivers for notebook applications. The series includes HM040HI (40 GB), HM060II (60 GB) and HM080JI (80 GB) drivers. The drivers operate at a spindle speed of 5400 rpm. The driver includes an 8 MB cache. Drivers use a new type of electric motors that provide quiet operation. ... >>

New Tantalum Organic Polymer SMD Capacitors 29.06.2005

VISHAY INTERTECHNOLOGY launched a new series of tantalum capacitors with organic polymer for surface mounting. Capacitors are available in the capacitance range from 47 to 2200 microfarads with a standard tolerance of +20%. Capacitors have a very small equivalent series resistance, which is at a frequency of 100 kHz from 25 to 90 milliohms. ... >>

NCP1603 Power Factor Correction Controller 28.06.2005

ON SEMICONDUCTOR has released the NCP1603 power factor correction controller. It has an extremely low power consumption, which makes it very attractive for applications such as adapters for laptops, TV monitors, etc. The chip is available in a SOIC-16 package. ... >>

New BiCMOS Manufacturing Technology for VIP50 Analog ICs 27.06.2005

NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR introduced a new BiCMOS manufacturing technology for VIP50 analog ICs. This technology will allow the production of a new generation of operational amplifiers with very low consumption and low supply voltage. 6 new microcircuits based on this technology have already been released. For example, the LMV651 amplifier saves up to 90% of energy compared to other types of amplifiers. ... >>

Biometric identification station Printrak LiveScan Station Portable 26.06.2005

Motorola has released the Printrak LiveScan Station Portable biometric identification station. This compact and lightweight device can capture and store a variety of biometrics such as fingerprints, photographs, signatures, as well as demographics and documents. The data may be transmitted electronically to an Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). ... >>

New Semicube Electronic Platform 25.06.2005

SEMIKRON has introduced a new Semicube electronics platform that is expected to further increase integration and complexity over previous platforms. The Semicube Half is produced with a board size of 154x306 mm, which can operate with powers from 60 to 110 kW. In six different modifications, operating currents from 160 to 1550 A. ... >>

PIC8F16 639-bit PIC microcontroller with Flash memory 25.06.2005

MICROCHIP has released an 8-bit Flash PIC microcontroller with a three-channel low-frequency repeater with an analog front-end and embedded Keeloq cryptographic peripherals. All of this is done with MICROCHIP's low power nanowatt technology in a small 20-pin SSOP package. The PIC16F639 microcontroller is ideal for a wide range of security and general purpose applications. This includes Passive Keyless Entry (PKE) and Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) automotive systems, property and identity recognition systems, and security systems such as smart keys, remote security sensors, etc. The XNUMX-way repeater with an analog front end provides bi-directional low frequency communication, which is commonly used in PKE and radio frequency identification (RFID) systems. ... >>

New digital potentiometers 24.06.2005

INTERSIL announces the launch of the new ISL90460, ISL90461 and ISL90462 digital potentiometer family, the world's smallest 32-pin potentiometers. They are designed to adjust contrast and brightness in mobile phones, personal digital assistants and GPS receivers. The resistance range of the new potentiometers is from 10 kΩ (available in a 5-pin SC-70 package) to 100 kΩ (available in a 6-pin SOT-23 package). The supply voltage of the new potentiometers is from 2,7 to 5,5 V. Microcircuits are produced using lead-free technology. ... >>

75 and 100 MOSFET family expanded 24.06.2005

INTERNATIONAL RECTIFIER has expanded its 75V and 100V MOSFET family with the addition of the IRF2907ZS, which is rated up to 160A. Since the standard 3-pin D2Pak package does not carry more than 100A, the new transistor comes in a 7-pin package. When on, the transistor has a resistance of only 3,8 milliohms, which is the lowest in the industry. The transistor is produced using lead-free technology. ... >>

New 32-bit TMP92CZ26XBG processor 23.06.2005

TOSHIBA ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS Corporation has introduced a new 32-bit processor TMP92CZ26XBG, which will go into production in early 2006. The processor has low consumption (only 60 mW) and high speed (clock frequency 60 MHz). The processor has a built-in color LCD controller for 4096 colors, a USB controller, and controllers for various types of memory. The processor is designed to service mobile devices. ... >>

Servers based on Intel Xeon processors 23.06.2005

Servers based on Intel Xeon processors are designed to run the widest range of 32-bit and 64-bit solutions. They have the flexibility and plenty of headroom to deliver outstanding performance for today's applications, while at the same time ensuring a rapid transition to 64-bit computing environments in the future. Efficient PSI Express I/O technology delivers scalable throughput and fast network performance to match next-generation serial interconnect performance. ... >>

New Version of DC/DC Converter LT1936 22.06.2005

LINEAR TECHNOLOGY has released a new version of the LT1936 DC/DC converter with a junction temperature increased up to 150°C. The LT1936 converter operates with input voltages from 3,6V to 36V. An operating frequency of 500 kHz allows the use of miniature circuit elements. The microcircuit is produced in the MS0P-10 package. ... >>

FTR-H3 relay series from FUJITSU COMPONENTS 22.06.2005

FUJITSU COMPONENTS' new FTR-H3 relay series, with contacts rated up to 10A and 250V, is designed for demanding consumer applications such as digital television. The relays have a very low noise level, even when mounted on a printed circuit board. The relays have dimensions of 28,8x13,7x18,8 mm. Standard operating voltages for relay coils are 5, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 48 V, power consumption up to 530 mW. Guaranteed up to 100000 operations at full contact load. The voltage between coil and contacts is guaranteed up to 5 kV. Relays are produced using lead-free technology. ... >>

A new type of blue LEDs with increased light output 21.06.2005

KINGBRIGHT has released a new type of blue LEDs with increased light output (up to 1000 mcd at a current of 20 mA L-7113PBC-A). The LEDs are available in 3mm, 5mm, and surface mount packages. ... >>

New digital signal processors based on 90nm technology 21.06.2005

FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR has released the new MSC8122 and MSC8126 digital signal processors based on 90nm technology. A feature of the processors are four computing cores on one substrate. With low power consumption, the new chips operate at clock speeds up to 500 MHz per core and perform up to 8 gigabytes of multiply and accumulate operations with a power dissipation of just 2 watts. The scope of new DSPs is unusually wide: audio and video information processing, packet telephony, faxes and modems. The company is the world's second largest manufacturer of digital signal processors. ... >>

New FLUKE Insulation Testers 20.06.2005

FLUKE Corporation announced the launch of the new compact, rugged, and affordable Model 1503 and 1507 Insulation Testers. The 1503 and 1507 digital testers have special probes with a push button on the probe that allow one-handed operation in tight spaces. The Model 1507 tests insulation resistance up to 10 GΩ with five output voltages from 50 to 1000 V, and the Model 1503 tests insulation resistance up to 2000 MΩ with voltages of 500 and 1000 V. The insulation test is immediately terminated if there is a voltage greater than 30 V at the node under test. ... >>

Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor FGA25N120ANTD 20.06.2005

FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR has released a new FGA25N120ANTD insulated gate bipolar transistor for induction heating systems. A feature of the transistor is resistance to an avalanche increase in power. The transistor withstands 450 mJ of avalanche power, which allows you to ensure safe operation in any conditions (voltage surges in AC networks, failure of any node, etc.). The transistor is designed to operate at voltages up to 1200 V and is produced in the TO-3 package using lead-free technology. ... >>

Powerful HPI series inductors 19.06.2005

Powerful inductors of the HPI series from EPCOS cover the inductance range from 0,5 to 3,92 μH and operate with currents up to 30 A. Depending on the value of the inductance, the height of the product is 4,95 or 5,95 mm with an area size on the board of 11x13,1 mm . Electrical resistance range from 1,1 to 6,0 milliohm. Small size and high currents make the inductors ideal for DC/DC converters, voltage regulators. The new components are made with lead-free technology. ... >>

MAX5945 Ethernet Power Controller 19.06.2005

The new MAX5945 controller from DALLAS SEMICONDUCTOR-MAXIM is designed to transmit power over Ethernet (Power over Ethernet - PoE). In full compliance with the IEEE802.3af protocol, the controller provides detection, classification, current limit, and AC and DC disconnection detection of the controlled device. The device, in accordance with the IEEE802.3af protocol, can develop a power of 15.4 W through the RJ45 port. The controller is available in the SSOP-36 package. ... >>

New stand CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CY4619 18.06.2005

CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR has developed a new stand CY4619, which allows the EZ-USB FX2LP controller to install the new MTP protocol (Media Transfer Protocol), which is the basis of portable media players. The stand uses a new memory access technology that increases the speed of writing or reading from hard drives. ... >>

Memory programmer BK PRECISION 848 17.06.2005

The new Model 848 Memory Programmer from BK PRECISION allows you to perform all ROM operations (reading, copying, programming, jumper burning). The programmer has a low cost, a convenient slot for installing memory chips, a parallel printer interface port. To control programs, there is a connection to a PC with any Windows OS. ... >>

ATA5558 Low Frequency RFID Device 17.06.2005

ATMEL Corporation announced the release of the ATA5558 chip, which is a low frequency RFID device. Such identification is used to identify animals, linen in laundries, industrial automation, chip cards. The chip can read multiple codes at the same time using a sophisticated anti-collision mechanism. The chip has a 1Kb memory which allows for a lot of data storage and password protection to prevent unauthorized persons from accessing the information. ... >>

Analog Devices Blackfin Digital Signal Processor 16.06.2005

An Analog Devices Blackfin digital signal processor has been incorporated into the Yamaha Corp. audio-video center. This center is a new category of products that provides playback, storage and distribution of digital music, video and photos in any room of the house. The center can display multi-channel, multi-zone output from a variety of sources, including set-top boxes, DVDs, mobile audio players, internal hard drive, mobile storage devices, and Ethernet. Yamaha Corp. chose this processor because this processor equally easily processes both audio and video and photo images. ... >>

10 Gbps fiber optic transmitters 16.06.2005

AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES announced the production of three fiber optic transmitters designed for 10 Gigabit/s applications. They have an XFI serial interface and a 3,3 V supply voltage. The transmitters are designed for single-mode fiber and operate at a wavelength of 1310 nm. The HFCT-711XPD transmitter supports 10,3125 Gigabit/s Ethernet, 10 Gigabit/s fiber up to 10,51875 km, 9,9532 Gigabit/s SONET/SDH, and more. The HFCT-721XPD transmitter is designed for Ethernet and fiber channel only. The HFCT-741XPD transmitter supports 10,3125 Gigabit/s Ethernet, 10 Gigabit/s fiber up to 10,51875 km, and 64 Gigabit/s STM-9,9532. ... >>

SONY and TOSHIBA disagree on video format 15.06.2005

Talks in Tokyo between Japanese giants Matsushita, Sony and Toshiba about a future unified next-generation DVD format are likely deadlocked. The talks brought together 230 representatives from 80 Blu-ray companies and 120 delegates from 64 DVD HD companies. The other day (May 16), two separate meetings were held behind closed doors, as a result of which it became clear that, most likely, each manufacturer will continue to go its own way. Kayoshi Nishitani, senior vice president of Sony, acknowledged that the companies are unable to reach an agreement. Yoshihide Fujii, President and CEO of Toshiba Digital Media Network Co., said that if the merger talks condemned both technologies as equals, everything would be fine. But if Sony insists on a 0,1mm disc format, that's their problem... Negotiations are still ongoing. HD DVD Promotion Group has confirmed that it is going to start production ... >>

INFINEON will join the development of a new kind of memory 15.06.2005

German memory maker Infineon intends to join IBM and Macronix in the development of "state variable" memory - PCM. Variable state memory uses a substance that changes its state from amorphous to crystalline instead of electrical charges to store information. According to scientists, such memory has the potential to speed up work and increase capacity. Currently, most of the research will be conducted at IBM's TJ Watson Research Center in New York and at the Almaden Research Lab in San Jose, California. ... >>

PHILIPS has updated its line of LCD TVs 14.06.2005

Philips introduces another product, the 32PF9956 LCD TV. With Pixel Plus technology, it delivers improved picture quality. The presence of a device for reading digital media allows you to use multimedia memory cards. Applied technology Digital Natural Motion eliminates jerky images that are noticeable when moving on the screen, making it smoother and more natural. The ultimate sharpness and flicker-free display of the Philips 32PF9956 TV is achieved through progressive scanning. The model also uses Active Control technology, which adjusts the brightness of the image depending on the lighting conditions. The 32PF9956 TV features Philips' innovative sound reproduction technology, Incredible Surround. It increases the stereo width. The presence of a built-in subwoofer based on wOOx technology contributes to improved reproduction of low frequencies. HDMI technology provides a fully digital RGB connection ... >>

LCD TV with over 68 billion colors 13.06.2005

According to The Korea Times, LG-Philips will unveil a prototype 42-inch high-resolution LCD panel displaying 68,7 billion colors at the Society for Information Display (SID) exhibition in Boston on May 27, 2005. The new development was created using 12-bit LCD System technology and reproduces 4 times more color than current panels. Conventional LCD panels now display about 16,7 million colors. In addition, the new TV eliminated the effect of "blurring" when showing a moving object. ... >>

ARCHOS launches ultra-compact audio player with 3 GB hard drive 13.06.2005

Archos, the consumer electronics manufacturer and leader in portable digital entertainment solutions, has unveiled the Gmini XS 100 ultra-portable audio player. The Archos Gmini XS 100 is a compact 3 GB hard drive-based audio player that can hold up to 1500 songs and supports the Microsoft PlaysForSure platform. The dimensions of the device are 91 x 43 x 14 mm, and the weight is 80 grams. Also Gmini XS 100 has a 1,5-inch screen with a bluish backlight. Other features include playback of MP3, WAV and WMA (including protected) music files, a fully Russified menu with Cyrillic support in file names and MP9 tags, support for the PlaysForSure platform, file synchronization with Windows Media Player 10 or XNUMX. ... >>

OLED instead of incandescent bulbs 12.06.2005

The Dutch company Philips and the German company Novaled have developed a white OLED with a brightness of 1000 cd/m2 and a record efficiency of 25 lm/W. Scientists from the Philips Lighting Division selected the materials, developed the optical matching technology and OLED topology, and Novaled developed the doping technology. According to Klaas Vegter, chief technologist at Philips Lighting, this development showed the possibilities of OLED in terms of their use in lighting applications. The results of the research will be applied in future developments, ongoing projects and the recently launched European project OLLA (Organic LEDs for Lighting Applications - organic light emitting diodes in lighting applications), in which both companies participate. ... >>

40" OLED panel for ultra-thin displays and TVs 12.06.2005

At the Society of Information Display 2005 International Symposium, Seminar and Exhibition, which opens next week in Boston, Samsung is due to present its new development - a prototype of a very thin 40-inch OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) panel. . Its thickness is 2,2 cm, so, according to Samsung, we should expect TVs no more than 3 cm thick after a while. Recall that OLED displays are good, first of all, because their power consumption is lower than traditional LCDs. -displays due to the fact that they do not require backlighting. In addition, the image resolution on OLED displays is higher than on LCD displays. However, until recently it was not possible to make OLED displays large enough at reasonable prices, so for now they are being built into cell phones and other devices with small screens. But work on creating large OLED displays is going pretty well. ... >>

Lie detector for eggs 11.06.2005

British and Australian scientists have figured out how to distinguish between eggs laid in a poultry farm and in a village barn. "A hen always lays a wet egg. And when it comes into contact with the floor, whether it's the mesh bottom of the cage or the straw of the nest, specific traces of dust remain on the shell. These can be seen by irradiating the shell with ultraviolet rays," says Professor Neville Gregory from the Royal Veterinary College London . Scientists have done a lot of work: they studied more than eleven thousand eggs that laying hens laid in three different places - in cages, in village barns and right in the field. As it turned out, the cage leaves very clear traces on the eggshell - two white lines at a distance of 2-2,5 cm. The calculation shows: if there are at least five pieces with such white stripes in a batch of 90 eggs, then with a probability of 0,999 regrading takes place . Perhaps the supplier is trying to slip dietary eggs from the poultry farm instead of peasant or farm eggs. Dusty footprints naturally disappeared ... >>

Protein semiconductor 11.06.2005

Israeli scientists have come up with a technology for assembling a semiconductor from amino acids. "It's a wonderful thing to manipulate proteins, their synthesis is as simple as playing with a children's construction kit, and you don't need to invent a new chemical process to attach the next amino acid," said Nir Tessler, a professor at the Israel Institute of Technology "Technion" Nir Tessler. sequences, we can be sure that we will get the required properties." Professor Tessler took up the assembly of protein semiconductors, in which he is assisted by an automatic synthesizer - a computer-controlled machine for connecting artificial amino acid sequences. It will be possible to use "live" semiconductors primarily in laptop displays - protein light-emitting diodes not only glow with all the colors of the rainbow, but require less energy (therefore, laptop batteries will last for a longer time), as well as in flexible solar panels, which, if desired, can be rolled into roll and pe ... >>

Trash sensor 10.06.2005

Norwegian engineers have come up with a cheap sensor for sorting garbage. In each country, the problem of sorting garbage is solved in its own way. In our country, for example, people of free professions, who have taken root near landfills, are engaged in this business. But, say, in Norway they come up with machine guns. A simple and reliable device is needed for sorting packages of various materials. It was the engineers who made it from the commercialization of Sintef technologies. This spectrometer (which, with all the necessary electronics, costs one and a half hundred euros) is as simple as a CD covered with a thin layer of gold. A hologram is imprinted on its surface, which forms a beam of light. This beam is then either reflected from the material under study or passes through it, and the instrument software analyzes the change in the spectrum and determines the type of material from it. As a result, it is possible to recognize seven types of plastics, find out the color of glass, and also distinguish an aluminum jar from a steel one. In the sorting machine, each kind ... >>

Reusable paper 10.06.2005

The ancient Romans wrote with a sharp stick on a board covered with wax, and then erased the writing by heating the wax and smoothing it. Two Japanese firms have released "Thermo-Mag" material, also based on wax, which allows you to repeatedly print text and drawings, and then erase them. This is a thin "sandwich" of transparent polymer sheets with a layer of wax between them. Black or colored magnetic particles are scattered in the wax. A special printer with a thermal print head melts the wax along the contours of the letters, and the sheet is immediately passed under a powerful magnet. The magnetic dye is pulled from the melted areas of wax to the surface, and letters appear on the sheet. To remove the text, it is heated again and passed over a magnet, and the pigment is pulled inward. The process can be repeated any number of times. The resolution of the new print material is 100 dpi. ... >>

There is enough wind for energy for everyone 09.06.2005

If humanity wanted to satisfy its needs for electricity only at the expense of wind, an area equal to Saudi Arabia would have to be occupied by wind power generators, and electricity would have doubled in price. This is the result of a study conducted by employees of the University of Utrecht (Holland). They divided the entire land area, except for mountains, densely built-up areas and nature reserves, into 66 sites and assessed the wind energy potential of each. At the same time, it is assumed that it is economical to use the wind if its average speed in this particular section exceeds 4 meters per second. It turned out that 20% of the land area has such an average annual wind speed. If we use all this potential, we would receive annually 96 petawatt-hours of electricity, which is six times more than the world's consumption in 2001. But at the same time, electricity would have risen in price by 26 times. However, if we limit ourselves to the level of 2001 and install four wind turbines per square kilometer with a capacity of n ... >>

Embryos in stone 09.06.2005

In the province of Yunnan (southwest China), unique fossils of eggs and embryos of the first arthropods were found. Primitive centipedes, from which crustaceans, spiders and insects later evolved, lived at the beginning of the Cambrian, 535 million years ago. It is surprising that thousands of their small testicles are preserved in the schist, both before the start of cleavage and at its various stages - from 2, 4, 8, 32 and up to hundreds of cells in one embryo. In size, these spherical formations correspond to the head of a pin; individual cells are clearly visible on them. Fossilized embryos are about 10 million years older than the first known adult arthropod fossils. ... >>

Liquid that solidifies when heated 08.06.2005

In fact, such liquids have long been known. For example, when heated, the protein of a chicken egg hardens. But when cooled, it does not become liquid again, but the composition obtained by French chemists reacts in this way to changes in temperature. The find was made by accident. In one experiment, chemists at the Laue-Langevin Institute mixed a small amount of water, a large volume of 4-methylpyridine (a carcinogenic solvent) and some cyclodextrin (a type of sugar) in a test tube. When the tube was heated to 45 degrees Celsius, this clear mixture turned milky white and solidified. If you continue heating to 95 degrees or cool the test tube below 45 degrees, the mixture becomes liquid again. This curious physical and chemical phenomenon has no practical application yet. ... >>

No antimicrobial additives needed 07.06.2005

Researchers from Columbia University (USA) studied how effective antimicrobial detergents and household cleaners are. Over 48 weeks, they compared the incidence of minor infections in 238 families of at least three people, of which one was a child of preschool age. Moreover, some families used products with antimicrobial additives for washing floors, cleaning plumbing, wiping tables and stoves in the kitchen, as well as washing dishes and hands, and some used ordinary products without additives. Neither the organizers of the experiment, nor its participants knew which funds were given to whom, since all the preparations were packaged in identical vessels without inscriptions, only with conditional numbers. At the end of the experiment, it turned out that there was no difference in the incidence of mild infectious diseases such as a runny nose, a cold with a rise in temperature, or minor stomach upsets between the two groups of families. True, experimenters do not say that detergents with anti ... >>

Linguistic abilities of rats 06.06.2005

Rats can be taught to hear two languages. Spanish psychologists from Barcelona, ​​under the direction of Juan Toro, trained a group of eight rats to press the feeder lever when they were played phrases in Dutch, and another similar group in Japanese. Rats quite confidently distinguished "their" language from "alien". They distinguished languages ​​even if they were presented with phrases that they had never heard before. Until now, the ability to distinguish languages ​​by ear was known only in humans and tamarin monkeys (the smallest of the higher primates). ... >>

LED car headlight 05.06.2005

The well-known German company Hella, which produces lighting equipment for cars, showed a prototype LED headlight at the next International Automobile Exhibition in Frankfurt am Main. The module is about the size of a typical modern headlight and combines the functions of high beam, low beam, turn signal and daytime driving headlight. According to the developers, serial production may begin in the next two to three years. LEDs have several advantages over an incandescent bulb: low power consumption, long service life (over 10 thousand hours), compactness and insensitivity to shocks. ... >>

Hearing aid for ornithologist 05.06.2005

The American company "Walker" produces a hearing aid with a special amplification of the frequencies characteristic of birdsong. As the developers say, this miniature device does for the ears of an ornithologist or just a nature lover the same thing that binoculars do for his eyes. The degree of amplification of sounds and the frequency range can be adjusted. ... >>

There are lees to every wine 04.06.2005

Tests carried out at the Institute for Solar Energy Systems in Freiburg (Germany) showed that the actual efficiency of various solar battery systems does not correspond to the declared one, being much lower in mass production. Thus, thin-layer solar cells based on copper diselenide and indium or gallium, from telluride and cadmium selenide, from amorphous silicon give an efficiency of about half the values ​​measured by their creators in the laboratory. Polycrystalline silicon batteries instead of the promised 16,7% give 13%, monocrystalline - instead of 22%, they have an efficiency of 17,4%. The fact is that very thin and expensive technologies are used in research institutes when developing new solar batteries. In real production, one has to compromise, reducing the cost of production. In addition, in scientific laboratories, the characteristics of individual elements are measured, and in practice, entire modules. ... >>

leprosy gene 04.06.2005

Leprosy now affects more than a million people worldwide. Although the bacillus that causes leprosy and effective remedies for it have long been known, leprosy remains a serious disease. Observations of the spread of disease among members of the same family have long suggested that heredity plays a role. There is now direct evidence for the role of genes in leprosy. French geneticists, having studied DNA samples of two hundred Vietnamese families, among which there are patients with leprosy, found that the mutation of two genes, namely the Parkin gene and the adjacent PACRG gene, increases the risk of getting leprosy five times. These data are confirmed by the study of DNA samples from about a thousand inhabitants of Brazil. Interestingly, the Parkin gene got its name because it is known to be the gene responsible for some forms of Parkinson's disease. ... >>

New alloys for cars 03.06.2005

The Iron Research Institute in Düsseldorf (Germany) has developed and tested new alloys for car bodies. Particularly strong was steel with 15% manganese and additives of aluminum and silicon, 3% each. A rod made of such an alloy can be stretched by more than 50%, and it can withstand a stretch of 1100 megapascals, which is equivalent to the weight of ten elephants suspended from a rod with a cross-section of a postage stamp. Conventional steel used in car bodies breaks already at 700 megapascals. Another alloy, characterized by a high content of manganese - 25%, is less durable, but it is stretchable in length by 90% and quickly absorbs shock loads. It is especially good for use in the front of the body, which must fold like an accordion in the event of a collision, absorbing the impact energy. According to the authors of the development, their alloys will find application in the German automotive industry in four years. ... >>

Centenarians in focus 02.06.2005

An international project to study centenarians has been launched. It involves scientists from 11 European countries, as well as from Israel and China. They survey 5600 siblings who have now lived to 90 years or more, as well as an equal number of older couples, to find out how centenarians differ from the rest of the population. The focus is primarily on mitochondria, which are believed to play a special role in the aging process and the regulation of lifespan. Scientists hope to discover a gene responsible for repairing damage that occurs during the operation of mitochondria and other parts of the cell. ... >>

Water tap with silencer 02.06.2005

Having tested the noise level of faucets and faucets sold in Germany, specialists from the Institute for Building Physics in Stuttgart found that 70% of them make louder noise when running water than the norms allow: the accepted standard allows a fully open faucet to make noise no louder than 30 decibels. In one of the mixer models, even 47 decibels were noted, which corresponds to a loudly turned on radio. The cheapest brands turned out to be especially noisy, and the more expensive brands indicate the level of noise emitted on the packaging, and such taps even have built-in silencers. ... >>

Crafted by prehistoric carpenters 01.06.2005

In the Hallstatt salt mine in northern Austria, archaeologists have found the oldest wooden staircase in Europe. She is at least three thousand years old. It was discovered in a shaft 120 centimeters in diameter, pierced in the XNUMXth century BC, and made of round logs into which board steps are cut. The material - pine and spruce - thanks to salt impregnation, has been preserved as if the staircase had been made two or three years ago. So far, the length of the excavated part is about six meters, but the stairs clearly go deeper. ... >>

Illegal sensor 01.06.2005

Since England is connected to the mainland by a tunnel across the English Channel, the authorities have been worried about the constant influx of illegal immigrants through this tunnel - according to some reports, up to a thousand people a month. Who walks through the tunnel, who hides in freight trains, and who - in heavy trucks with trailers. The driver, as a rule, does not participate in this "game of hide and seek", but it is he who is very sensitively fined when an illegal passenger is detected at the border in one way or another. To detect people hiding in a cargo van, the British firm Arkitekta offers a carbon dioxide sensor released during breathing. It is installed in the van and does not require any special cables for connection: the information goes to the driver's cab through the existing electrical wiring of the car. The instrument display is simply plugged into the cigarette lighter on the dashboard. Seeing the alarm signal, the driver can contact the border authorities by phone. The firm intends to sell its ... >>

SMS from Joulupukki 30.05.2005

Finnish engineers have created a northern lights alert service for the convenience of tourists. In the far North, one can observe the most beautiful natural phenomenon - the northern lights. Its cause is the streams of solar wind particles, which in the region of the poles from time to time break through the planet's radiation belts and reach the dense layers of the atmosphere. For example, in the Lapland village of Rovaniemi, the residence of the Finnish Santa Claus, it happens almost every day from November to March. However, no one can predict the exact time, and an inquisitive tourist is forced to look at the sky for many hours so as not to miss the beauty. "We decided to help people," says Miikka Raulo, director of the Lapland Center of Expertise for Industrial Development. "Now tourists can receive a message about the northern lights directly on their cell phone. This service is already very popular." The service works like this. The tourist either orders the service via the Internet before the trip, or takes it at the airport ... >>

Robot reinforces the slopes 29.05.2005

European engineers have tested a robot that strengthens the slopes. Usually, Europeans drill deep holes in a landslide-threatening slope and hammer stakes or metal pins into it. And before that, bulky scaffolding is being built. Both are time-consuming work: for every ten square meters of a dangerous slope, there is a ten-meter-deep hole that must be drilled into the rocky ground. In addition, builders are exposed to considerable danger - at any moment they can bring down loose rock on themselves, especially when it comes to a steep slope. And landslides in mountainous areas are frequent, in Northern Italy alone 400 slopes are destroyed in a year, causing damage of a billion euros and claiming dozens of human lives. Scientists from the European Space Agency and D'Appolonia, with financial support from the European Commission, helped solve this problem. As a result, Roboclimber appeared - the heaviest (about 4 tons) robot in the world. He presents with ... >>

Step to Plasmon Crystals 27.05.2005

Physicists from Germany and Korea measured the lifetime of a plasmon. The creation of femtosecond lasers, that is, those in which the light pulse lasts less than one oscillation of an atom in the lattice of a solid, gives rise to a fundamentally new optics before our eyes. It is associated with the so-called plasmonic crystals. The fact is that an ultrashort pulse of light, hitting the surface of a solid body, is not capable of vibrating atoms and all its energy is converted into an excitation of an electron gas, which takes the form of a special quasi-particle - a plasmon, more precisely, a surface plasmonic polaritron. After some time, this excitement again turns into light. The most interesting thing is that by creating a periodic pattern of nanoholes and nanogrooves on this very surface, the fate of plasmons can be controlled. The way is opened both to the study of the properties of nanomaterials, and to the creation of plasmonic waveguides that will deliver the qubits of quantum computers of the future where necessary. Another property of plasmon ... >>

People's seismograph 25.05.2005

Impressed by the aftermath of the earthquake in Southeast Asia, Randall Peters, professor of physics at Mercer University (USA), built a public seismograph. It can be installed in any dwelling in earthquake-prone areas, is battery powered, does not require supervision and raises an alarm when underground vibrations appear with an amplitude 3000 times less than the thickness of a human hair. The device is based on the plumb line principle. The heavy pendulum is suspended from a thin steel wire and surrounded by capacitive sensors. When the load deviates from the rest position, the electrical capacitance of this system changes and an alarm is activated. Residents of the coastal region can run away from the coast in time and climb the mountain to hide from the tsunami. The cost of the device is estimated at one hundred dollars, and in mass production - even less. True, skeptics say that every elephant passing by the hut will cause a seismic alarm. But the inventor points out that the threshold of sensitivity of the "people's ... >>

Coca-Cola in the fields and on the hunt 23.05.2005

The Coca-Cola drink was invented back in 1886, but its new, hitherto unknown properties continue to be discovered. Some Indian farmers have begun to use Coca-Cola instead of insecticides. The drink turned out to be 350 times cheaper, but no less effective. However, this does not mean that Coca-Cola is poisonous: it seems that sugar and flavorings make, for example, red ants more actively eat harmful insect larvae. A professional hunter with cardiac arrhythmia was admitted to the Brisbane Medical Center (Australia). After lengthy analyzes and questioning, it turned out that for three years the hunter drank 3-4 liters of Coca-Cola per day, and when going on a night hunt, he took 10 liters of the drink with him so as not to fall asleep (Coca-Cola contains caffeine). As a result, potassium, necessary for the normal functioning of the heart, almost disappeared from the blood of the victim. Actually, Coca-Cola is not to blame here either: the result would be the same if the hunter drank in such volumes any drink that did not contain ... >>

Burglar alarm for laptop 21.05.2005

The Korean corporation "David & Chris" has patented an "anti-theft device" for portable computers. If you are afraid that the laptop might be stolen while you leave it on the table in the library, for example, go to the bookshelves, you can turn on the alarm - and if you try to take the computer away, the motion sensor based on the accelerometer will turn on the siren. Only the owner can turn it off by entering a password known to him from the keyboard. ... >>

The nurses will scrub the copper 19.05.2005

Staphylococcus aureus, resistant to antibiotics, was bred by the efforts of doctors and patients who used antibiotics where needed and not needed. It occurs on the skin and on the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity in about a third of healthy people and does not harm them in any way. But in a body weakened by disease, staphylococci can multiply, causing persistent infections of the skin, bones, lungs, or blood poisoning. According to English statistics, this happens in almost 10% of hospital patients, and the number of deaths in England has increased 1995 times since 15. If we take all cases of staphylococcal infections, including those that ended safely, then their number increased from 210 to 5309. Bill Keevil, a professor at the University of Southampton, who studies the antiseptic properties of copper, suggests replacing stainless steel in hospitals with copper alloys that are toxic to microbes. Stainless steel is considered the most hygienic and antiseptic material for medical instruments, furniture, plumbing and clinic fittings. ... >>

sea ​​sheep 17.05.2005

Sheep are known to eat grass. However, on the islet of North Ronaldsay (Orkney Islands) in Scotland, since the middle of the 5000th century, sheep have been accustomed to feed on seaweed thrown ashore by the surf. The owners of the meager meadows and pastures on the island did not want to waste the grass required for horses on sheep. French biologists have studied the composition of the tooth enamel of sheep that lived on the Orkney Islands XNUMX years ago, when animal husbandry first appeared in these parts. It turned out that even then the sheep ate sea plants. Apparently, this is why the direct descendants of the Orkney sheep were relatively easy to reorient to the marine diet. ... >>

Libyan desert craters 16.05.2005

While testing radars designed for robotic probes to be launched to Mars and Venus, French researchers have been airborne surveying the Libyan desert in western Egypt and found unusual ring structures under the sand. It turned out to be the largest meteorite field known so far in the world. About 50 million years ago, numerous large meteorites fell here, disintegrating as they passed through the atmosphere. Over an area of ​​more than 5000 square kilometers, a hundred craters with a diameter of 500 to 2000 meters were counted. Some of them are hidden under a thick layer of sand, but some are visible on the surface. In 2004, a team of scientists began to map the area accurately. It may be possible to find fragments of meteorites. ... >>

Golden treasure in the valley of roses 14.05.2005

Bulgarian archaeologists have unearthed a tomb belonging to the Thracian kingdom in the Valley of Roses near Kazanlak. Under six stone blocks weighing two tons each, many works of art were found, the most valuable of which is the golden mask of the Thracian king. It is believed that this is Seut III, who ruled in 330-313 BC. The weight of the mask is 650 grams. Precious figurines of Hercules, Priapus and Bacchantes were also found. In this area, the cradle of the Thracian culture that gave the world Orpheus and Spartacus, dozens of burials are known, and not all of them have been excavated. ... >>

ultrasonic microphone 12.05.2005

Israeli engineers Yaharon Mayer and Boris Decovich patented a microphone without moving parts. Since the sound does not have to swing the membrane in this system, the microphone picks up much weaker sounds than conventional models. It consists of a tube, at one end of which an ultrasound generator is installed, at the other - its detector. On the way, ultrasonic vibrations pass by a hole in the wall of the tube, through which sounds from the outside enter it. Adding up with ultrasound, they generate beats. An electronic circuit compares these beats with the original ultrasound of a known frequency and reconstructs the incoming sound. ... >>

Beware the bridge 10.05.2005

According to road statistics, every day in England, five buses or trucks crash with their roofs into a too low bridge over the road or into the arch of the entrance to the tunnel. There are also human casualties, and many hours of traffic jam in each such case is guaranteed. The British company Bridge Clear has developed a system that warns the driver with an audible signal that he is approaching a bridge that is too low. The system is based on a satellite navigation device, which contains a map of the road indicating the height of all obstacles encountered above the road. The device also remembers the height of the van or bus itself. ... >>

Diamond tool in the stone age 08.05.2005

American physicist Peter Liu, studying the composition of four stone axes found in ancient Chinese burials near Shanghai, found that they are composed mainly of corundum. This is the second hardest natural mineral (after diamond), meanwhile, the axes, whose age archaeologists estimate at 4500-6000 years, are polished to a mirror shine. Until now, it was believed that the ancient inhabitants of China used quartz sand for grinding, but quartz is too soft compared to corundum. Taking the same rock, Liu tried to grind it on a modern grinding machine using three common abrasive powders - quartz, corundum and diamond. It was possible to obtain a surface of such purity as on Stone Age axes only with the help of diamond powder. By the way, about 300 kilometers from the place of discovery, two diamond placers are known. ... >>

The neck is the weak point of a football player 07.05.2005

Sports doctors from Ankara (Turkey) examined the cervical vertebrae of football players and people of the same age who do not play football on x-rays. Result: leather ball knights have a cervical spine that looks 10-20 years older than non-football players. According to the authors of the study, the reason is that players often take the ball on their heads, and the impact force at the same time reaches 200 kilograms. ... >>

Printed scheme from under the chicken 05.05.2005

Another option was found for using chicken feathers, which are left in large quantities by chicken producers. At the suggestion of specialists from the University of Delaware (USA), their main component, keratin, is isolated from feathers, and then boards for electronic printed circuits are pressed from it. The keratin base is not only strong, light and degrades quickly in a landfill without polluting the environment, but also has special electrical properties, which allows new printed circuits to work faster than conventional ones made on getinaks. The well-known computer firm "Intel" became interested in the invention. ... >>

Wind turbines affect the climate 03.05.2005

It is well known that the hydroelectric reservoir changes the climate in the surrounding area, and the thermal power plant, emitting carbon dioxide, affects the global climate. But now there is evidence that large wind farms, consisting of hundreds of windmills, can have a small but real impact on the climate of the surrounding area. The height of modern wind turbines is up to 100 meters, the blade span is up to 50 meters, and even larger installations are being designed. Computer simulations conducted at Duke University (USA) showed that large groups of windmills can increase wind speed near the ground by an average of 0,6 meters per second and increase air temperature by 0,7 degrees Celsius. At the same time, the evaporation of moisture from the soil will increase around the wind power plant by 0,3 millimeters per day. All these data are averaged over 24 hours, and in the early morning the changes will be greater: the wind speed will increase by 1,5 meters per second in a few hours, and the temperature will increase by 2 degrees Celsius. The total capacity of the power plant out of 44 ... >>

Decaffeinated coffee has grown 01.05.2005

Brazilian botanists led by Paulo Mazzafer discovered in Ethiopia a variety of wild coffee tree, the berries of which contain only 0,76 milligrams of caffeine per gram of dry weight, which is 16 times less than in the usual Arabica variety. The leaves of these plants lack one enzyme that is involved in the production of caffeine. There are also similar trees in Madagascar, but the coffee from them turns out to be tasteless. Demand for decaffeinated coffee now accounts for one-tenth of the world's total coffee demand, and the caffeine is removed from regular varieties with chemical solvents, which alter the taste and aroma of the drink. It is believed that by crossing wild animals with cultivated plants, it will be possible to develop a variety that has almost no caffeine, but retains all other properties. It may hit the market in five years. ... >>

New Series of Thick Film Power Resistors 30.04.2005

VISHAY INTERTECHNOLOGY has released a series of thick-film power resistors with a power of 30, 50 and 100 W in standard transistor TO-220 and TO-247. The resistors have a silicon package that can be mounted directly on metal heatsinks. Resistor ratings from 0,015 Ohm to 1 MΩ. ... >>

DVD-R high density disc 29.04.2005

The development team, which includes Toshiba, announced the successful completion of the development of a high-density DVD-R disc - up to 15 GB per layer. A feature of the disc is that it can be produced on serial equipment for DVD-R discs. To read the information, a blue laser with a wavelength of 450 nm is used. ... >>

TEKTRONIX TDS6154C - the world's widest bandwidth oscilloscope 28.04.2005

TEKTRONIX's TDS6000 series digital oscilloscope family has released the world's widest bandwidth oscilloscope, TDS6154C, with a bandwidth of up to 15 GHz. In a survey conducted by EE Times magazine, this series of oscilloscopes was ranked first in the world for its technical parameters. ... >>

New frequency synthesizer chip CDCM7005 27.04.2005

The new CDCM7005 frequency synthesizer IC from TEXAS INSTRUMENTS has a jitter removal system that allows you to get a very clean signal. Phase noise is only -219 dB/Hz. Synthesizer frequency range up to 2,2 GHz. The microcircuit operates with a supply voltage of 3,3 V in the temperature range from -40 to + 85C. Available in BGA-64 and QFN-48 packages. ... >>

Chips P5CT072 for passports on plastic cards 26.04.2005

PHILIPS SEMICONDUCTOR Corporation has mastered the production of P5CT072 chips for passports on plastic cards. With a large amount of EEPRQM memory (72 Kbytes), the microcircuit can store large amounts of various information (digital photographs, images of the iris, fingerprints). The parameters of the microcircuit exceed the requirements of the Civil Aviation Organization (ICAQ). A high level of information security is also provided. ... >>

New miniature chips for battery maintenance 26.04.2005

NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR has introduced new miniature microcircuits for battery maintenance. The LP3947 lithium-ion battery charger IC charges from the mains adapter. The LP3655 microcircuit protects microcircuits from voltage and current overloads, monitors the battery status. LP3947 is available in a miniature LPP-16 package with dimensions of 4x4 mm, LP3655 is available in a SMD-25 package with dimensions of only 2,5x2,5 mm. ... >>

Analog to Digital Converter LTC2255 25.04.2005

Analog-to-digital converter LTC2255 from LINEAR TECHNOLOGY has 14 digits, high conversion rate up to 125 megasamples per second, low supply voltage (from 2,85 to 3,4 V). This ADC does not skip codes. It has a flexible input voltage range: from 1 to 2 V (peak-peak). Produced in a QFN-32 package with a size of 5x5 mm. ... >>

New Intel Celeron D351 processor 24.04.2005

The new Intel Celeron D351 processor has 64-bit addressable memory, making it possible to expand the 64-bit physical and virtual memory that is currently needed in digital media applications. The processor is produced using 90-nm technology in the LGA755 package. The processor has a bus of 533 MHz and a speed of up to 3,2 GHz. ... >>

16-bit microcontroller of the HCS12X family 23.04.2005

FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR has launched a new 16-bit microcontroller of the HCS12X family. The microcircuit has a high clock frequency (40 MHz), but its main difference is that the microcontroller processes interrupts without interfering with the central processor. The microcontroller software includes 172 instructions for improved memory access and 32-bit calculations. ... >>

PM6690 High Speed ​​Counter Timer Frequency Analyzer 22.04.2005

FLUKE Corporation introduced the PM6690 High Speed ​​Counter/Timer/Analyzer. In the counting mode, the device can operate at frequencies up to 8 GHz, has a resolution of up to 12 digits. There is an internal memory that can store up to 750000 measurement results. There is an interface for connecting to a personal computer. The device has a graphical display for presenting data in the form of a bar graph. ... >>

Three Port Video Switch FSAV433 21.04.2005

FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR introduced the industry's first three-port video switch, the FSAV433. It optimizes operations for a liquid crystal display that requires high-speed switching of either color or color difference signals. The switch has a frequency band of up to 550 MHz, low phase distortion (up to 0,1), low resistance (not higher than 6,5 Ohm), very low current consumption (less than 1 μA). The microcircuit is produced in the TSSQP-20 package. ... >>

New series of tantalum capacitors 20.04.2005

EPCOS is developing a new series of tantalum capacitors based on multi-anode technology with a polymer coating - TOPcap (Tantalum Organic Polymer Capacitors). Main advantages: low value of equivalent series resistance - units of mΩ, high specific capacitance, stability, low aging effects. This allows you to significantly reduce the number of capacitors on the board, for example, in DC/DC converter circuits for mobile devices. Voltages from 2,5 to 16 V, capacitances from 33 to 1500 uF, temperatures up to 105 degrees. ... >>

Epson AcuLaser 2600 Printer 19.04.2005

EPSON has launched the Epson AcuLaser 2600 printer, which works in both black and white and color modes, and in black and white it prints up to 30 pages per minute, and in color - up to 7,5 pages per minute. It is possible to install 4 monochrome cartridges at once, thereby increasing the volume of printing. The printer can print up to 120000 monochrome pages per month. ... >>

MAX9701 - Class D Audio Power Amplifier 18.04.2005

The DALLAS SEMICONDUCTOR-MAXIM MAX9701 is a Class D audio power amplifier. It delivers up to 1,3W into 8 ohms and is up to 87% efficient. A feature of the new microcircuit is a patented modulation method, due to which electromagnetic radiation is drastically reduced. The microcircuit operates in the supply voltage range from 2,5 to 5,5 V and is available in QFN-EP-24 and TSSOP-20 packages. Designed for portable applications (cell phones, players, laptops, etc.). ... >>

New Model Spectrum Analyzer 17.04.2005

B&K PRECISION introduced the Model 2658 spectrum analyzer, which has a frequency range up to 8,5 GHz and fits in the hand. The features of the device include: power measurement in the main and side channels, measurement of electric and magnetic fields, measurement by markers, search for maxima, auto-tuning, printout of screen data, etc. ... >>

New family of ATA542x transceiver chips on a single chip 16.04.2005

ATMEL CORPORATION presents a new family of ATA542x transceiver chips on a single chip for receiving and transmitting signals in the 315/345/433/868/915 MHz bands. The microcircuits do not require external filters and external switches. Achieved downsizing due to fewer passive components. Chips consume 10 mA in receive mode and 15 to 20 mA in transmit mode. The speed of receiving and transmitting data is up to 40 kbps. There is an SPI port through which the microcircuit is programmed. ... >>

Triple Differential Receiver AD814 15.04.2005

ANALOG DEVICES introduced the AD8143 Triple Differential Receiver, a compact, single-chip solution for receiving differential signals over twisted pairs up to 10 V and outputting a unipolar signal. The chip is designed to accept a tri-color RGB (red, green, blue) signal with a resolution of up to 1600x1200 or less. The AD8143 is paired with the AD8133 Triple Differential Signal Amplifier for twisted-pair signaling. The microcircuit is produced in the LFCSP-32 package with dimensions of 5x5 mm. ... >>

New data digitizers 14.04.2005

AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES announces 40 MHz digitizer with 14 bit resolution and 78 dB dynamic range for use in 6,7 band spectrum analyzers; 13,2 and 26,5 GHz. The study of the envelope spectrum of signals at these frequencies is necessary in applications such as radar, satellite communications, 3G wireless systems, and military applications. ... >>

In 2007 the Russians will be in control 13.04.2005

The government has approved an action plan for the introduction in Russia of passport and visa documents containing biometric information. All technological solutions must be introduced by the end of 2006. These measures will help counteract crime and, in particular, terrorism. The creation of a state system for the production, execution and control of new generation documents was entrusted to the Ministry of Information and Communications, as well as to all interested federal executive bodies. It is planned to introduce all technological solutions by the end of 2006. That is, by the time when passports with biometric information are introduced in Europe, the production and issuance of foreign passports and visa documents of a new type should begin throughout Russia. As noted, the project to introduce a new generation of foreign passports is aimed at ensuring the possibility of Russian citizens traveling abroad, as well as counteracting terrorist organizations. It is especially emphasized that ... >>

Organic conductor sensor 12.04.2005

Swedish scientists have come up with cheap humidity sensors made from an organic conductor. Polymer transistors, like light-emitting diodes or batteries, have a huge advantage over silicon chips: they can be printed with an inkjet printer, and by no means in an expensive clean room. PhD student David Nilsson from Linköping University (Sweden) came up with a humidity sensor based on them. According to his idea, water molecules affect the conductivity of the polymer, which inevitably affects the behavior of the polymer transistor. And the battery that is needed for the operation of the device, and the sensor, and the display that reflects the readings, the scientist suggests printing on the same piece of paper. "In a similar way, you can make sensors for the acidity of solutions or blood sugar meters," says David Nilsson. However, the most interesting application of polymer transistors is flexible displays: if you apply an electrical signal to each pixel, you can, by changing the ... >>

Internal points 11.04.2005

Replacing a clouded lens with an artificial plastic cataract has been practiced for a long time, and now American oculists have proposed correcting myopia with a lens added to the lens. A lens made of a transparent material based on collagen (a natural substance of connective tissue) is inserted under local anesthesia through an incision in the cornea. Since the material of the lens is soft, before insertion it rolls up into a tube, is easily inserted through a three-millimeter incision, and in place, in front of the lens, it unfolds itself. Tests over three years showed that 95 percent of those operated on improved their vision dramatically, and 60 percent became perfect. The number of dissatisfied with the results of the operation was less than one percent. ... >>

Car for the elderly 10.04.2005

Since life expectancy in Japan is one of the highest in the world, Japanese society is aging. Therefore, the automobile firm "Nissan" intends to produce a special car for the elderly and disabled. The chairs in it are made swivel to facilitate exit and landing. When the trunk is opened, a miniature crane rises from there to help unload suitcases or a folding wheelchair. And Toyota presented at an exhibition in Tokyo a car seat that slides out of the passenger compartment and turns into a wheelchair. ... >>

Build buildings like hornets 09.04.2005

Employees of the Swiss Institute of Materials Science believe that when designing and building residential buildings, it is necessary to take into account the experience of hornets. These large wasps build light but strong nests with excellent thermoregulation from thin wood shavings, planed with sharp jaws and held together with saliva. In the nest, until late autumn, the temperature is maintained at 29 degrees Celsius, which is necessary for breeding juveniles. And in the summer heat, the nest remains cool. In the walls of the nest there are air chambers that conduct heat poorly. The hygroscopic material of the walls accumulates water on cool, humid nights, and evaporates it on a hot day, cooling the nest. By creating such materials for building houses, a person could save a lot of energy used to heat and cool homes. ... >>

Breathing gets harder 09.04.2005

Stations scattered around the world that measure carbon dioxide in the air, for the second year in a row, have noted an unusually large increase in this indicator: more than three parts per million parts of air per year. The oldest such station has been operating in the Hawaiian Islands since 1958, and such cases of sustained growth have not yet been observed. The increase for the year ranged from 0,8 to one and a half parts per million. True, in some years there were two and almost three parts per million, but this happened during the El Niño years - the activation of warm currents in the ocean. Warm water can hold fewer gases in solution than cold water. But in recent years there have been no strong El Niños. Perhaps, say some ecologists, the ability of the biosphere to absorb carbon dioxide emitted by burning fuel has been exhausted. Too many forests have been cut down. If this is so, then we are waiting for a rapid, by historical standards, and a radical change in the Earth's climate. According to another theory, excess carbon dioxide is released into the air ... >>

Tennis racket electronic shock absorber 08.04.2005

Approximately six out of every ten professional or amateur tennis players suffer from what is known as "tennis elbow" or, scientifically, lateral epicondylitis. This is a painful inflammation of one of the ligaments of the elbow joint due to the vibration that occurs when the ball hits the racket and is transmitted through the handle to the elbow. Due to sensitive pains, sometimes you have to quit the game for a while. The Austrian firm HEAD, which specializes in tennis rackets, has released a model with electronic damping of harmful vibrations. There are four piezoelectric sensors in the frame of the racket. They perceive the vibrations from the impact of the ball and send signals to the handle, where the microcomputer is hidden. He analyzes the vibrations and sends the same rackets to the handle, but opposite in phase. The vibrations cancel each other out. Tests conducted on 82 players aged 24 to 66 showed that 91 percent of those who suffered from acute pain in the elbow stopped pain and improved. Piezoelectric ... >>

Radiofied football players 07.04.2005

David Evans, a student at the University of Northumbria (England), intends to radio football players. He designed a T-shirt with electronic sensors that constantly measure heart rate and perspiration. A miniature radio transmitter, sewn into the shirt, sends the measurement data to the laptops of doctors and trainers who sit at the edge of the field. If the information received worries the specialists, they can ask the player to come to the coaches' bench - the signal sent from the laptop will make the sleeve of the T-shirt vibrate. The electronics used in the T-shirt are not afraid of washing. The inventor hopes that in the 2006 World Cup competitions the English team will already be playing in his jerseys. Going forward, Evans intends to build a pressure sensor into his boots to determine whether the pitch is playable on the go. ... >>

Movie Chest 06.04.2005

The American company "Kaleidescape" offers a system for storing favorite movies on computer hard drives. This is a small chest that stores up to 180 full-length pictures with image and sound quality equivalent to DVD (the owner of the system overwrites the information in the storage from DVD discs). If there are several TVs in the house (up to seven), you can simultaneously broadcast from the box to them as many different movies. As the video library grows, the movie buff can add new hard drives to the box, increasing the storage capacity to 500 movies. ... >>

Gravity and earthquake 06.04.2005

Using supersensitive gravimeters, Japanese scientists from the University of Tokyo found that after an earthquake, the force of gravity at its epicenter changes. For example, in the Tokachi region on the island of Hokkaido, where an earthquake of magnitude 8 occurred in September 2003, gravity increased by one part in a billion. This is explained by two reasons: the shift of the tectonic plates changed the distribution of masses inside the Earth, and the terrain dropped a little, becoming a little closer to the center of the planet. ... >>

Radio in hours 05.04.2005

Monaco-based ITT has launched a watch with a built-in walkie-talkie on the market. The radio operates on 22 channels in the range of 446 megahertz, in urban conditions the range is 200-300 meters, in an open field - up to 2,5 kilometers. These watches are sold in pairs for about a hundred euros. ... >>

Temple air is dangerous to health 05.04.2005

An air pollution study conducted in two churches in Maastricht, Holland, showed that spending an hour in a temple, breathing candle smoke and church incense, is 20 times more harmful than standing on the side of an autobahn with heavy traffic for an hour. The content of particles in the air with a size of 10 micrometers or less, penetrating deeply into the lungs, and from there into the blood, even before the start of the service, was 3-5 times higher than on the side of a busy highway. After nine hours of service, which is typical for Sundays, hazardous particles that cause emphysema, heart failure and cancer have exceeded the dangerous limit of one milligram per cubic meter of air set by European health standards. In addition to soot particles, high levels of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and free radicals were found in the air of temples. ... >>

You don't need a white screen for a movie 04.04.2005

Graduate students at the University of Weimar in Germany have created a computer projector that can display movies and TV shows on any surface without the need for a white screen. Uneven walls of any color, walls with wallpaper, and even a wall occupied by bookshelves are fine. The system consists of a computer, a video camera and a multimedia projector. Before the demonstration begins, the projector throws a test chart with lines and geometric shapes in different colors onto the wall. The camcorder sends the visible image to the computer, where it is compared with the original table, and the original is distorted so that the wall, regardless of its color and relief, produces an even image of the correct colors. After that, the same distortions are introduced into the movie shown by the projector. The quality is a little worse than on a flat white screen. ... >>

You can follow the growth of mountains by the leaves of plants 04.04.2005

Geologists have long understood how mountains grow: either due to volcanic activity, when lava pours out of the bowels, or due to folding, when two continental plates collide. But how to measure the speed at which mountains grew? American geologist Jennifer McIlwain drew attention to a pattern known to botanists: the lower the carbon dioxide content in the air, the more microscopic holes on the leaves of plants - stomata, through which the plant absorbs this gas. And the carbon dioxide content decreases with height. Having calculated the density of stomata placement on the leaves of modern plants from different heights, the researcher revealed a correlation between these factors. The leaves of the Californian black oak, which grows at altitudes from 60 to 2440 meters above sea level, were used to calibrate the altitude scale. To determine the growth rate of mountains, stomata are counted on leaf fossils preserved in different rock strata. This ... >>

Household gas outlet 03.04.2005

Natural gas could be used not only in the kitchen, if it was distributed throughout the apartment as conveniently as electricity through sockets. Such a system was developed by the German company Mertik Maxitrol. Gas pipes are laid in the walls of the apartment or cottage, and in each room, on the balcony, on the terrace there is a socket into which the plug of any gas appliance is inserted - a barbecue grill, a clothes dryer, a gas heater. The design of the outlet guarantees the supply of gas only if the device is connected to it. In addition, the gas supply is turned off if its flow through the outlet increases greatly or if the connection temperature exceeds 90 degrees Celsius. ... >>

Non-alcoholic beer is good for the heart 02.04.2005

Beer that has had the alcohol removed appears to be good for heart patients. A study conducted at the Wiesbaden Clinic (Germany) showed that non-alcoholic beer reduces blood clotting. The participants in the experiment were divided into three groups: one was given three liters of regular beer, the other - non-alcoholic, and the third group drank a four percent solution of ethyl alcohol in water. It was necessary to drink these three liters in three hours. Those who drank non-alcoholic beer had reduced blood levels of the enzyme thrombin, which causes platelets to stick together and cause blood to clot. Ordinary beer and a weak solution of alcohol, on the contrary, increased clotting. The researchers believe that non-alcoholic beer may be able to partially replace the drugs that reduce blood clotting, which are prescribed to patients recovering from a heart attack. Which component of beer acts this way is not yet clear. ... >>

Bicycle anti-theft system 01.04.2005

The American company "Sci-Jack" proposes to embed an anti-theft system in the tubular frame of a bicycle, which is a transceiver with a unique number assigned to it. If the bike is stolen, the owner must call the police, and special transmitters start broadcasting the number of the stolen bike. Its anti-theft system responds by sending its own signal, which is easy to find. During the ride, the anti-theft battery is constantly powered by a bicycle speaker. ... >>

Radar sports speedometer from TI 31.03.2005

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS has released a radar sports speedometer, which also combines an electronic watch and a heart rate monitor. The instrument is based on the digital signal processor MSP430F412. It calculates speed, distance, average speed, determines the pulse and displays the data on the display. ... >>

First multi-standard interface for 90nm disk drivers 30.03.2005

ST MICROELECTRONICS introduces the first multi-standard 90nm interface for disk drivers. The device allows driver manufacturers to reduce costs by using only one interface chip. The microcircuit has various additional functions (frequency synthesizer with low jitter, etc.). ... >>

New S5H1406 Chip for Digital TV Receiver 30.03.2005

SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS announced the completion of the development of a new chip S5H1406 for digital television receiver. The chip allows you to receive digital television signals both from the antenna and via cable. The chip processes signals with a high level of noise, with multipath propagation. ... >>

Chip TDA15600 to control the LCD TV screen 29.03.2005

PHILIPS SEMICONDUCTOR released the TDA15600 chip for controlling the LCD screen of serial TVs. The chip processes color signals in NTSC, PAL, SECAM systems, processes audio signals in a 24-bit digital signal processor, can work with PC monitors, supporting SXGA and WXGA formats, teletext up to 100 pages and other features. ... >>

Bluetooth car communication device 28.03.2005

IHF1000 block from MOTOROLA INC. is an in-vehicle Bluetooth wireless communication device. The device receives external calls for a mobile phone, can connect to the owner's headset, which turns out to be hands-free, and can record in memory, stores up to 20 phone numbers in memory and can dial the number by the owner's voice (recognizes the owner's request in 5 languages). Up to four mobile phones of people traveling in a car can be connected to the device. ... >>

The world's first Ethernet system controller type ENC28J60 27.03.2005

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY has launched the world's first ENC28J60 Ethernet system controller, which is an efficient remote communication solution. Previous controllers were bulky and came in packages with more than 80 pins. The ENC28J60 is available in a 28-pin package and has an output to the industry standard SPI serial interface, which requires only four wires to communicate with the server controller. ... >>

Linear Voltage Regulator LT3021 26.03.2005

LINEAR TECHNOLOGY has launched the production of a linear voltage regulator LT3021 with a very low voltage drop across the regulator (only 160 mV). Voltage regulation range from 0,9 to 10 V, output current from 0 to 500 mA. There is protection against overcurrent, from the reverse inclusion of the battery, from overheating. The microcircuit is available in DFN-16 packages (5x5 mm in size) and in SO-8. ... >>

Chips EL4342 and EL4340 for video multiplexers 25.03.2005

INTERSIL announced the release of ICs for EL4342 and EL4340 video multiplexers with switching frequency up to 500 MHz (the fastest in the world), which allows supporting UXGA resolution and HDTV. The microcircuits have a fixed gain of 1 and are available in miniature 5x5 mm QFN-32 packages. ... >>

New synchronous boost converter chipsets 24.03.2005

INTERNATIONAL RECTIFIER has announced two new DirectFET synchronous boost converter chipsets. The first chipset consists of IRF6617 (control) and IRF6611 (synchronous FET) chips and is designed for operating voltages up to 30 V and operating current up to 20 A. The second pair consists of IRF6637 (control) and IRF6678 (synchronous FET) chips and is designed for even higher operating currents. It is noted that the devices are produced using lead-free technology. ... >>

Dual core processors 23.03.2005

Intel Corporation announced the beginning of the era of dual-core processors. The first processors in this series are the Intel Pentium Processor Extreme Edition 840 at 3,2 GHz and the Intel 955X Express Chipset. This platform benefits users in the areas of high-definition television, high-quality sound and XNUMXD visualization. Two (or more) processor cores work simultaneously, which dramatically increases work efficiency. ... >>

Type MC33897 Single-Wire CAN Interface Transmitters 22.03.2005

FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR introduced MC33897 single wire CAN interface transmitters designed for automotive applications. Chips can also work on a two-wire CAN line. Chips are available in 8- and 14-pin packages. ... >>

Power supply modules type SPM 21.03.2005

FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR announced the production of SPM power modules that provide efficient motor control for applications such as washing machines and air conditioners. The modules are designed for powers from 300 W to 13 kW and output currents from 3 to 30 A. Case dimensions are reduced to 44x26,8 mm. There is protection when the supply voltage is out of range, as well as protection against short circuits. ... >>

MFP Stylus Photo RX600 20.03.2005

The EPSON CORPORATION Stylus Photo RX600 combines a photo printer, scanner, slide module, copier and card reader in one. Provides 6-color photo printing at 5760x1440 dpi. It has a built-in 2,5" LCD display for operation without a computer. It scans with a resolution of up to 2400x4800 dpi. It scans films and saves to a memory card without a PC. ... >>

DS2711, DS2712 - NiMH charger ICs 19.03.2005

DALLAS SEMICONDUCTOR-MAXIM has started production of microchips for chargers for nickel-metal hydride batteries of types DS2711, DS2712, designed to charge 1 or 2 AA or AAA batteries. Temperature, voltage, charge time are continuously monitored, and changes are made to the charge algorithm. When alkaline cells are installed, the microcircuits detect them and do not turn on the charge, and the charge of nickel-cadmium batteries is maintained. DS2711 operates in linear mode and DS2712 operates in switching mode. Chips are available in SO-16 or TSSOP-16 packages. ... >>

Two Families of Inexpensive High-Speed ​​USB Controllers 18.03.2005/XNUMX/XNUMX 18.03.2005

CYPRESS introduces two families of low cost, high speed USB controllers. The NX2LP controller is specially designed for NAND flash memory chips. It is extremely useful for recording large amounts of information (music, presentations, etc.). The AT2LP controller is designed for magnetic cards, micro drivers, optical drivers (CD-R/RW and DVD-R/RW). The devices can be configured for a wide range of applications (television, video recorders, etc.). ... >>

Universal programmer with USB interface 17.03.2005

B&K PRECISION has released a universal programmer with USB type 866 interface. It can program chips in SOIC, TSOP, DIP, TQFP, SSOP, PSOP and QFP packages. The device supports the programming of 15406 various chips, can work with PCs and laptops that have a parallel port, and is compatible with all types of Windows. Has a printout. ... >>

New color sensor type HDJD-S722-QR999 16.03.2005

AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES presents a new HDJD-S722-QR999 color sensor with dimensions of only 5x5x1 mm. The sensor determines the presence of a certain color and outputs its color coordinates in the form of voltages for the R (red), G (green), B (blue) components. The sensor is a 3x3 array of photodiodes with color filters. The supply voltage is 5 V. The body of the device is leadless for surface mounting. ... >>

SAMSUNG introduced the first DVD recorders 15.03.2005

The Russian representative office of "Samsung Electronics" presented a range of new products - DVD-recorders. These are the first devices of this type in the company's lineup. Feature of all recorders is support of Multi-format of record: DVD-R/-RW/- RAM. The following formats are also supported: DVD-Video, DVD-R/-RW/-RAM, CD-DA/-R/-RW, MP3, JPEG. There are DV, RCA, S-Video connectors on the front panel of each device. The DV digital output will allow you to copy the film captured on the camera in digital quality directly to DVD. Each recorder comes with a 9,4 GB DVD-R AM disc that can record up to 12 hours of video. The "Smart RP" processor has been specially developed for Samsung's new recorders, allowing recording to start at the touch of a button. The DVD-R100E and R100EA models open the line. Next comes the DVD-VR300 combo recorder. The DVD-R100 and DVD-R100EA models differ only in the different front panel design and support for the Show View function of the latter model ( ... >>

New series remote control 14.03.2005

Pogo Products has introduced a battery-free remote control. The EZPower Universal has a built-in handle that only needs to be twisted a little to generate the energy the device needs for seven days. Thus, the remote control is not only "friendly" to the environment and to your hands, but it is also capable of operating devices such as TV, VCR, Cable, SAT, AUX and DVD player. The remote control will first appear in the US for about $25. ... >>

Microwave oven that chooses how to cook food 13.03.2005

What the creators of "smart" refrigerators from Electrolux stumbled on was commercially successfully implemented by the developers of Salton. Their microwave oven is equipped with a barcode scanner and memory, which contains about 4 products. After reading the code using a convenient scanner-pen, mounted on the front panel, the electronic "brain" of the stove finds the desired recipe in the database and starts the appropriate mode of operation. Additional data is loaded into memory using special Smart Appliance Network Interface (SANI) cards. Product codes and programs can also be entered manually. The oven has a power of 850 W, an internal volume of 25000 cubic centimeters and a large LCD display with trendy blue backlight. ... >>

Fog Screen 12.03.2005

Finnish engineers have begun manufacturing fog screens. Three years ago, scientists from the Seinäjoki Technology Center proposed making a screen for showing films, slides and other beautiful pictures not from a sheet, like the Lumiere brothers, or plastic, but from fog. The main advantage of this device, which is more like a special effect of a science fiction film, is that you can easily pass through the image shown on the fog. An ultrasonic water atomizer is used to create fog. The smallest droplets are picked up by an even, without a single vortex, air flow and deliver them to the condenser. The amount of water required to create the mist is so tiny that if you run your hand inside the screen, it stays dry. And to form an image, you need a projector with an aperture ratio of at least 3000 lumens. As it should be for this kind of technique, the darker the room, the better. "We started by making screens of the same size, one and a half by two meters, but I hope that the day is not far off when ... >>

The restaurant starts with a TV camera 11.03.2005

The client is just approaching the restaurant and does not know what he will choose from the menu, and his order is already being prepared in the kitchen. Is it possible? Maybe if "Bob" works in the restaurant. "Bob" is the name of a computer system for roadside fast food restaurants created in Pennsylvania (USA). There are video cameras on the roof of the restaurant that feed the image of the cars arriving and the hungry customers exiting them to a computer running image recognition software. To find out what the visitor will order, two parameters are used - the type of car and the height of the visitor. Statistics say that arriving in a truck or a hefty jeep most often takes an extra large hamburger and coffee. A large "family" car drove up - expect to order chicken pieces in batter, fried potatoes and Pepsi or cola. Large people coming to the door of the restaurant are likely to order hamburgers, and small people, that is, children, need to prepare children's favorite dishes. Also counted ... >>

Live fast - live longer 10.03.2005

It would seem that a slow, sluggish metabolism should prolong life, in the same way that a car can work longer if it is spinning at a lower speed. However, Scottish biologists at the University of Aberdeen have found that, at least in laboratory mice, this is not the case. John Speakman and his colleagues measured the oxygen consumption of 42 mouse tribes, which indicates metabolic activity. The result: mice with a high metabolism lived more than a third longer than mice with a slow metabolism. Speakman believes that the reason for this phenomenon lies in the mitochondria - the energy stations of a living cell, where organic food substances are burned using oxygen. With a high exchange rate, the combustion efficiency is higher and less toxic waste products are produced - free radicals that damage the delicate mechanisms of the cell and thereby contribute to aging. Speakman intends to study the possibilities of increasing metabolism in humans. If we recalculate the results obtained ... >>

Lead free piezoceramic 09.03.2005

Piezoceramic materials are widely used in modern technology. A piezoceramic plate has the ability to create an electric charge with any deformation and, conversely, change its shape when an electric voltage is applied to it. The first property is used, for example, in piezoceramic heads for turntables or in gas stove lighters. The second - for example, in cell phone calls. The most common and most effective piezoceramic material today is lead zirconattitanate, in which lead is 60% by weight. Once in landfills, used electronics pollute the soil and water with lead. A new type of piezoceramics, which does not contain lead, has been created in the laboratory of the Japanese company Toyota, but in preliminary tests it showed no worse results than lead. It is a polycrystalline material consisting mainly of sodium and potassium niobate with small additions of lithium, tantalum and antimony. Given that ... >>

Genetic engineering during a thunderstorm 08.03.2005

Moderate-intensity electrical discharges have long been used in genetic engineering to punch microscopic holes in cell membranes through which a foreign gene can enter the cell. French geneticists from the University of Lyon suggested that a similar process can occur in nature with soil bacteria when lightning strikes the ground during a thunderstorm. Although at the point where the lightning directly strikes, bacteria certainly die, in neighboring areas, where the action of the current is weaker, they can survive and exchange genes through the pores that have opened in the shell. Biologists have asked physicists simulating lightning strikes in the lab to shock cultures of bacteria. It turned out that the soil bacteria Pseudomonas and the laboratory strain of E. coli do take on foreign DNA when lightning strikes them. The researchers suggest that the exchange of genes during thunderstorms may be widespread in nature. It accelerates the evolution of bacteria. ... >>

Floating houses are not afraid of floods 07.03.2005

After the catastrophic floods that have befallen Western Europe in recent years, a block of flood-proof houses has been built in the Dutch town of Maasbommel. The house, entirely wooden, is planted on concrete piles and can slide on them, floating up to a height of up to 360 centimeters. Each house has three rooms with a living area of ​​65 square meters. ... >>

Unsatisfied eyes tempt the stomach 06.03.2005

American nutritionists Barbara Kahn and Brian Wansing offered a group of students multi-colored lollipops, and some of the lollipops were sorted by color into separate cups, and some were mixed in one cup. It turned out that the experimental students ate the colored placer 69% faster. In another experiment, volunteers were offered two bowls of multi-colored chocolates. One contained pills of seven colors, the other ten. The second mixture was eaten 43% faster. "The more different colors we see, the more we eat," the authors of the study say. How powerfully the visual factor affects appetite has been shown by other experiments. It turned out that cinema goers eat 50% more popcorn if it is packaged in oversized paper bags. This happens even if the treat is stale and slightly musty. And office workers eat more if the food is within sight or right on the desktop. Especially if the packages have already been opened, and the boxes with ... >>

Eternal microgravure on diamond 05.03.2005

Scientists from the Institute for Solid State Physics and Materials Science in Dresden (Germany) have developed a way to store documents in supermicroscopic form indefinitely. On a diamond film deposited from a carbon plasma, a text or picture is engraved with the tip of a tunneling microscope. When a voltage is applied to the needle, the diamond film is bombarded by electrons flowing from the needle. Where a jet of electrons hits the film, the diamond turns into graphite. The density of graphite is less than that of diamond, so at this point a tubercle of carbon atoms is obtained. Ten thousand of these tubercles can form a square image with a side of 1,2 micrometers, for the reproduction of which, again, it is necessary to scan it with the needle of a tunneling microscope. With such a density of information recording, one postcard can contain photographs of all six billion inhabitants of the Earth. The authors of the method claim that, due to the exceptional stability of graphite and diamond, records will be able to ... >>

If a bee stings a bacterium 05.03.2005

Bee venom may be able to replace antibiotics. The main component of bee venom, mellitin, a peptide (small molecule protein) consisting of 26 amino acids, has been found to kill bacteria by destroying their shells. Moreover, bacteria that have developed resistance to antibiotics also succumb to it. Biochemists from the Queen's University in Belfast (Ireland) identified two types of mellitin: one is especially toxic to microbes, but destroys the shell of human red blood cells, the other does not harm red blood cells, but is not very dangerous for bacteria either. Scientists hope to use genetic engineering to combine both molecules into one, retaining only useful properties in this hybrid. ... >>

magnetic painting 04.03.2005

A group of Mexican geophysicists led by Avto Gogichaishvili has found a new method for dating rock art. Since the red paint with which the Indians of pre-Columbian America painted their frescoes on the walls of caves contains particles of magnetic minerals - hematite and magnetite, these drawings record the direction of the magnetic field at the time when the frescoes were applied to the stone. Since the record of the changes in the magnetic field is also preserved in the surrounding rocks, it is possible to determine from the magnetism of the drawings when they were made. The age of the studied frescoes is from eight hundred to a thousand years. ... >>

sea ​​bus 03.03.2005

The British company "Covelink Marine", engaged in the production of amphibious all-terrain vehicles, has developed a floating bus with 28 seats. A diesel engine with all-wheel drive allows it to reach speeds of up to 110 kilometers per hour on a good road, and after launching, a jet propulsion unit is turned on, accelerating the sea bus to 55 kilometers per hour. Options are produced for the military, customs officers, rescuers, lovers of tourism, hunting and fishing. ... >>

Halley's comet on Armenian coins 03.03.2005

Armenian astrophysicist V. Gurzadyan, together with an employee of the Museum of History of Armenia R. Vardanyan, studying a rare series of ancient copper and silver coins, discovered on the tiara of King Tigran the Great an image of a star with a crooked tail. It appears to be Halley's comet. Tigranes the Great, who ruled from 95 to 55 BC, could see the comet when it was at perihelion. The reverse of the coins of the same series depicts a crowned goddess sitting on a stone with a palm branch in her hands, which, without a doubt, is an image of the statue of the goddess Tyche by Eutykhides, a student of the famous ancient Greek sculptor Lysippus. As you know, Tigranes the Great conquered the Greek city of Antioch, where this giant bronze statue was located in one of the temples, in 83 BC. Thus, the time of coinage was established - after 83 BC, and the closest visit to Halley's comet took place in 87 BC. ... >>

Aliens better hurry 02.03.2005

Alien civilizations that want to get to know us better hurry up: they have only half a century left to search for our coordinates in the Universe. So says one of the pioneers of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, Frank Drake. Although several attempts have been made to send specially crafted radio messages to other civilizations into space, the Earth has been inadvertently radiating ultrashort waves of television stations in all directions for half a century, since the advent of mass television. Drake believes that aliens have a chance to notice this radiation, which has already spread to a distance of about 50 light years. In the ultrashort wavelength range, the Earth looks like a bright star. There are no natural sources of VHF of such power. But in another half century, he says, this radio star will go out, as cable and satellite are confidently replacing terrestrial television. The average television broadcast transmitter has a power of one megawatt. Cable TV doesn't broadcast signals at all. ... >>

Phone not for talking 02.03.2005

In the US, a cell phone-sized device has been launched that works on cell phone networks, but does not transmit conversations, but only CMC messages and e-mails. The texts appear on the color screen. The exchange of written messages is especially fashionable among young people, but apparently the deaf and dumb will also use the new apparatus. ... >>

impure blood 01.03.2005

The World Wildlife Fund has tested the blood of 44 members of the European Parliament for the presence of dangerous synthetic compounds introduced by humans into the environment. 101 substances belonging to four groups of chemicals were determined: organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, phthalates and perfluorates. Parliamentarians were subjected to examination voluntarily. All the deputies who donated blood were found to have representatives of all four classes of compounds. There are 13 potentially toxic substances most commonly found in blood, including the breakdown products of DDT, banned in Europe in 1972, and polychlorinated biphenyls, banned since 1987. Among the compounds with the highest concentration in the blood is one of the phthalates, diethylhexyl phthalate, widely used as a plasticizer in plastics, synthetic carpets, paints and varnishes. Until January 2003, diethylhexyl phthalate was even used in cosmetics, but it was banned as soon as it was found that it affects the end ... >>

house on a corkscrew 01.03.2005

The German company Kezeas produces a line of screw piles that can replace a concrete foundation. Such a pile, about one and a half meters long, is screwed into any soil, including swampy, and holds a load of 25 times its weight. On several piles, you can strengthen a country house, a bridge, a water tower, a windmill tower or a television antenna, even an oil platform in the sea. Smaller models are screwed by hand, with a crank, larger ones require a special drilling rig. ... >>

New digital TDM switch 28.02.2005

ZARLINK SEMICONDUCTOR has introduced a new TDM (Time Switching) digital switch type ZL50031. The new device complies with the H.110 data interface and is used to transmit voice signals in packet data networks. ... >>

Miniature Reflective Optical Sensor TCND3000 27.02.2005

The new miniature reflective optical sensor TCND3000 from VISHAY INTERTECHNOLOGY allows you to work in bright sunlight up to 200 kilolux. The device provides detection at distances up to 2 cm and can be used in systems such as mobile phones, automotive systems, home applications and video cameras. ... >>

First cable modem and PCX5000 router 26.02.2005

The PCX5000 from TOSHIBA ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, INC is the industry's first cable modem and router. It includes wired and wireless options, four 10/100 ports and an 802.11b wireless interface. This allows the user to connect many computers to the Internet, to ensure security. No separate cable modem needed, no phone line connection needed. ... >>

Highly integrated microcontroller with built-in programmable logic 25.02.2005

ST MICROELECTRONIC has introduced a highly integrated microcontroller with built-in programmable logic type STW21000 for wireless communication applications. The microprocessor has a dynamic memory of 16 Mbit, a programmable logic block (FPGA) and a wide range of analog and digital peripherals. The presence of a programmable logic block provides the device with high flexibility, the ability to use it with a wide variety of interfaces and protocols. Applications include HDLC controllers, 10/100 Ethernet, and more. ... >>

Digital music player SONY NW-E107 24.02.2005

The digital music player NW-E107 from SONY CORPORATION provides up to 70 hours of continuous playback on a single battery charge, has a built-in memory of 1 Gbps, and a liquid crystal display. Plays in ATRAC3 and MP3 audio formats. ... >>

The world's largest TFT liquid crystal display 23.02.2005

SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS has developed the world's largest 82-inch (more than 2 m diagonally) TFT LCD screen. It took 6,22 million TFTs to achieve 12,44 million pixels. The viewing angle of the screen reaches 180°. It is reported that the new screen provides the world's highest contrast ratio of 1:1200, high color saturation, 8 ms information change speed. ... >>

PNX1700 Single Chip Media Processor 22.02.2005

PHILIPS SEMICONDUCTOR announced the release of the PNX1700 single-chip media processor, the latest member of the Nexperia family. It has been designed to provide unparalleled picture quality for movies, digital photos, news and TV programs. Applications for the device include digital media adapters, personal video recorders, videophones, and televisions. ... >>

Boost Voltage Converter NCP5007 21.02.2005

ON SEMICONDUCTOR NCP5007 step-up voltage converter is designed to power a set of 5 white LEDs, for which it provides an output voltage of up to 22 V at a supply voltage of 2,7 to 5,5 V. The microcircuit has built-in overload protection, standby mode, in which consumes only 0,3 μA, thermal protection and a low level of external radiation. Available in a compact TSOP-5 package. ... >>

LM5115 high-frequency regulator-controller microcircuit 20.02.2005

NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR Corporation announced the release of the LM5115 high-frequency regulator-controller microcircuit, which operates in power supplies with an output voltage of up to 75 V. When paired with a DC / DC converter, the overall synchronization of these devices is ensured. ... >>

New cordless phone MD761 19.02.2005

New cordless phone MD761 from MOTOROLA INC. operates at a frequency of 5,8 GHz and has a built-in answering machine, speakerphone and caller. The device is built on digital technologies and provides improved speech clarity, batteries provide an unlimited duration of conversation. ... >>

New hot swap controller 18.02.2005

The ISL6173 chip from INTERSIL is a "hot-swappable" controller in the supply voltage range from 2,5 to 3,3 V. The thresholds for regulating the load current are set by two external resistors. The chip is designed for automotive applications. ... >>

New ICs for power factor correction in rectifiers 17.02.2005

INTERNATIONAL RECTIFIER presents a new series of IR1150 chips for power factor correction in rectifiers. The compact microcircuit in the SO-8 package allows you to work in circuits with power from 75 W to 4 kW. The device allows you to bring the power factor to 0,999, while the coefficient of nonlinear distortion does not exceed 4%. ... >>

Ultra-thin, lightweight and flexible touch panels for mobile applications 16.02.2005

FUJITSU COMPONENTS Corporation has launched ultra-thin, lightweight and flexible touch panels for mobile applications. The panels have a thickness of 0,65 mm, diagonal dimensions from 4,5 to 15 cm, transparency up to 87%, and are designed to transmit up to 100000 words of information about touch coordinates. ... >>

ScopeMeter 190 handheld oscilloscope 15.02.2005

The FLUKE CORPORATION ScopeMeter 190 handheld oscilloscope has an input bandwidth of up to 200 MHz, a sampling rate of up to 2,5 Gsamples per second, and an internal memory of 27500 time points. The device is powered by batteries and is indispensable for field measurements. ... >>

New DC/DC converters FAN2011 and FAN2012 14.02.2005

FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR presents new DC/DC converters FAN2011 and FAN2012 with output current up to 1,5 A. New converters operate at 1,3 MHz, have 95% efficiency and are the best in this indicator on the world market. The devices are available in a 6-pin MLP package with dimensions of 3x3 mm. The output voltage is adjustable from 0,8 V to the input. The FAN2012 converter has a contact for external switching on and off. ... >>

New IC Series S1R77000 13.02.2005

EPSON CORPORATION's new S1R77000 series of ICs includes four analog input ICs for scanners, multifunction printers, faxes, and other scanning applications. The microcircuits include components such as automatic level control, quantization, and analog-to-digital conversion. There are CCD sensors along with sweep generators for them. ... >>

New router for communication networks DS33Z41 12.02.2005

The new DALLAS SEMICONDUCTOR-MAXIM DS33Z41 communication router covers the Ethernet 10/100 network segment and is designed for bidirectional transmission of four non-overlapping PDH/TDM streams. The router communicates with transmitters and T1/E1 framers. It is possible to connect an external static memory of 16 MB. Supply voltage 1,8 V, 3,3 V sources can be connected at the input. ... >>

New family of USB microcontrollers on M8 11.02.2005

CYPRESS introduces a new family of USB microcontrollers based on the popular M8 architecture for applications that use human contact devices (keyboards, mice). The family includes microcontrollers CY7C639xx, CY7C638xx and CY7C633xx. ... >>

Model 4012A Sweep Generator 10.02.2005

B&K PRECISION launched the Model 4012A sweep generator operating in the frequency range from 0,5 Hz to 5 MHz. The output signal of the generator can be sinusoidal, triangular, rectangular and sawtooth. Swing frequency setting - coarse and fine. The device has a 4-digit LED display. Frequency swing is possible both linearly and logarithmically. The output level can be set to 20Vp-p into a 1MΩ load and up to 10Vp-p into a 50Ω load. ... >>

New microcontrollers for electronic lamp ballasts 09.02.2005

ATMEL CORPORATION announced the release of four new microcontrollers designed for use as electronic lamp ballasts: single or multiple fluorescent lamps, high brightness halogen lamp systems. The AT90PWMx microcontroller belongs to the AVR class and includes the AT90PWM3 and AT90PWM2 variants with 8K Flash and the AT90PWM1 with 4K Flash. The AT83EB5114 microcontroller belongs to the C51 class and has a 4-kilobyte ROM and a 256-kilobyte EEPROM. Electronic ballasts with these microcontrollers operate at high frequencies, include power factor correction devices. Microcontrollers are available in SO-24 and SO-32 packages. ... >>

New types of acoustic resonators for frequencies of 1,8...2,0 GHz 09.02.2005

AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES has presented new types of acoustic resonators for frequencies of 1,8...2,0 GHz. The ACMD-7401 receive-transmit switch provides 1,8 dB transmission loss, while receiving 2,2 dB, the ACPF-7002 transmission channel filter provides 2,5 dB loss in the 1850 ... band 1910-33 MHz. In the same range, the ACPF-1930 transmission channel filter provides at least 1990 dB attenuation. The devices are produced in housings 7003x35 mm in size and 5 mm thick. Operating temperature range from -5 to +1,4°С. ... >>

virtual telekinesis 08.02.2005

Austrian engineers have taught the computer to be controlled by the movement of thought. “Managing the space around us with the help of thought will soon be not a fantasy, but a reality,” says Dr. Christoph Guger. “Thirteen years ago, only two dozen laboratories were engaged in this task, and now their number has exceeded a hundred.” In particular, the company, headed by Dr. Guger, within the framework of the European research project "Presencia" has created equipment and software that teaches a computer to control the movement of the cursor solely by human power. The main part of the equipment is the electrodes for taking the encephalogram, with the help of which the pocket computer captures the electrical activity of the brain. Sitting in front of a personal computer screen, a person with electrodes on his head tries to mentally imagine the movement of the cursor on the screen to the left and then to the right. The whole procedure is repeated twenty times, after which the computer builds a pattern of this brain activity corresponding to the representation ... >>

The laser puts nanodots 08.02.2005

American scientists have come up with a new technology for mass production of quantum dots. A quantum dot is good because it is able to re-emit the absorbed light, and its wavelength strictly depends on the size of the dot. However, until now, scientists are not very good at either obtaining exactly the same nanodots or arranging them in a strict order and are constantly looking for new techniques. For example, scientists from the University of Missouri Rola (USA), led by Dr. Massimo Berti, offer such a method. Two components are mixed in silica gel - cadmium nitrate and thiourea. At room temperature, these substances react to form particles of a semiconductor substance, cadmium sulfide. To slow down the reaction, the gel is immediately cooled. Then an infrared laser beam passes over the gel; it heats up the smallest, micron-sized areas of the surface, and there a reaction begins, which gives nanometer particles of cadmium sulfide. These are nanodots, and they are built in strict ... >>

Braille display 07.02.2005

German engineers have created a display for the blind out of metal with shape memory. In order for, say, a programmer, even who has lost his sight from countless hours spent in front of the monitor, to continue to delight society with the fruits of his creative work, as well as to enable all blind people to use information technology, engineers design displays for the blind . They are based on the same Braille alphabet that is used in books - a set of raised dots; they are felt with fingers and read the text. A new solution to the problem was proposed by German scientists from the center "CAESAR" (Center for Advanced European Research and Research), headed by Dr. Bernhard Winzek. The display they proposed is based on thin films of several shape memory alloys deposited on a silicon substrate. Under the action of current, the metal heats up, bends and pushes the plastic pin. It is the person working behind such a display who feels it. Another electrical signal returns ... >>

Glass to protect secrets 07.02.2005

British engineers have figured out how to protect information that can fly through window glass. Computers in the office are now usually connected to each other not with wires, but with radio waves. And they easily pass through glass, which means that any attacker can gain access to confidential information. Scientists at the University of Warwick have created a method for making glass that understands which radio signals can and cannot be emitted outside a building. To achieve this, an electrical circuit is applied to the glass - a tunable dipole grating. It is made using thin film technology from optically transparent components and freely transmits light. Such a lattice has three advantages over conventional, non-adjustable ones. Firstly, it is possible to block exactly the frequency at which computers communicate with each other, and in which case this setting can be easily changed. Secondly, there is no need to develop a special lattice for each window size - one is enough ... >>

virtual tourism 06.02.2005

The ETH Zurich (Switzerland) created a computer model of the Swiss Alps, on which virtual tourists walk. Real alpine landscapes are shown on the computer screen, and they can be changed: plant a grove or instantly cut it down to its roots, let a herd of cows, fill a ravine, pave a path, arrange a picnic area. Each time, a “tourist” is allowed through the changed landscape, who then expresses his opinion about the beauties encountered and about the ease of overcoming the route. You can build a lift or funicular in a certain place and see if it will be popular with travelers. The program is based on data from surveys of real tourists who traveled through the Alps. They were asked about which sections of the route and the beauty of mountain landscapes aroused the greatest admiration, why they chose this or that route, which places they would like to visit again, and what they did not like on the road. Model recommendations carry over ... >>

Bioceramics absorb metals 06.02.2005

German scientists from the Research Center for Atomic Physics in Rossendorf near Dresden have developed a "live" filter that actively absorbs heavy metals from water. The filter is based on bioceramics, a highly porous material that has been used for years for bone replacement. In 1995, physicists discovered a strain of bacteria in uranium-bearing rock heaps that quickly and in unusually large amounts concentrate uranium in their cells from water seeping through the heaps. Now the bacteria have been "tamed", they have been settled in numerous pores penetrating bioceramics. By passing water contaminated with uranium compounds through this porous material, clean drinking water is obtained at the output - from 86 to 99% of uranium is absorbed. Uranium is not poisonous to bacteria, since their cells contain a protein that tightly binds this heavy metal. They are also capable of removing lead, cadmium, copper and nickel from water. ... >>

Poetry and health 05.02.2005

Curious statistics on the life expectancy of writers was collected by James Kaufman from the University of California (USA). Based on 1987 life dates of outstanding novelists, poets, playwrights, non-fiction writers from Eastern Europe, North America, China and Turkey, Kaufman calculated that the average life expectancy of poets is 62,2 years, playwrights - 63,4 years, novelists - 66 years, documentary filmmakers - 67,9 years. The largest gap between poets and authors of "literature of fact" was noted in North America: 66,2 and 72,7 years, respectively. The author of the study believes that the life of poets is shortened by their increased emotionality. But perhaps the whole point is that modern poets write in the wrong size. Research by German physicians shows that true classical poetry can be beneficial to health. Scientists at a private German university forced 20 volunteers to march in a gym in silence or by reciting Homer stanzas. It turned out that the declamation ... >>

high speed train in korea 05.02.2005

Since March 2004, the first high-speed railway line has been operating in the Republic of Korea. She connected Seoul with Busan. French technology is used, but the compositions are made mainly in Korea. The length of the line is 412 kilometers, of which 190 kilometers are tunnels and 120 kilometers are bridges and viaducts. The train runs this way in 2 hours and 40 minutes. ... >>

Language and color vision 04.02.2005

In some languages, blue and green colors are not distinguished; there is only one name for them. Studies by physiologists from the United States have shown that strong ultraviolet light can damage those cones in the retina that react to blue light. As a result, a person ceases to distinguish blue from green. Among peoples living in the tropics, where the ultraviolet radiation of the Sun is stronger than at higher latitudes, a single name for blue and green is more common. The Welsh language spoken in Wales (UK) does not have names for colors such as blue, gray or brown. In the Dani language (the people living in Indonesia), there are only two color designations - black and white, more precisely, all light colors are called "mola", and all dark colors are called "miles". But the physiological basis of these linguistic features is not yet known. ... >>

Amoeba on a rubber track 04.02.2005

Pascal Zilbertsan from the Curie Institute (France) was able to measure the force with which the amoeba rests on the substrate during its movement. He drives the protozoa along a rubber track, consisting, like bathroom rugs, of "pimples" one micrometer in diameter and 10 micrometers high. By measuring the deflection and deflection of the rubber posts under a microscope, you can calculate how much force is applied to them. It turned out that when crawling, the amoeba almost does not touch the substrate in the middle, leaning on the path mainly with the edges of its iridescent body and pulling itself up with its front end. ... >>

Solar power plant on a roll 03.02.2005

In one of the works of the now forgotten Soviet science fiction writer Vladimir Nemtsov, a "solar fabric" appeared - a flexible solar battery made of semiconductor filaments that could be folded, cut, cut and sewn together. Something similar is already produced by the American company "IOP Technologies". These are flexible, rollable solar panels of different power - from 5 to 40 watts, they all give a voltage of 16,5 volts and are designed to charge batteries of various portable electronics - from a mobile phone to a laptop or a small TV. The most powerful of the batteries weighs about 1700 grams. ... >>

How many people are in the car 03.02.2005

To force car owners not to drive alone, but to take neighbors as fellow travelers, thereby saving fuel, space on the road and reducing air pollution, the British road authorities have introduced a separate lane for cars with passengers on some roads. But it turned out to be quite difficult for the police to make sure that the "individual farmers" did not occupy this row. Scientists from Loughborough University have created an infrared video camera and software for it, allowing a computer with a connected camera in a stream of cars to highlight those in which there is no one but the driver. The system does not confuse with the head of the passenger sitting in the car either the muzzle of a large dog sitting next to the driver, or the head restraints available on each seat. Even if the driver, wanting to deceive the machine, puts his open right hand on the headrest of the seat next to him, the program will not mistake his hand for a person's face. The number of the violator is registered, and a receipt for the fine is issued. ... >>

Women in sports will overtake men in 2156 02.02.2005

Andrew Tatham from the University of Oxford (England) analyzed data on world records for men and women in the 1900 meters at the Olympic Games from 2004 to 1908. Women have been participating in this sport only since 2156, but the gap between them and men is gradually narrowing. If you extrapolate from the observed trends, it turns out that at the 8,079 Olympic Games, a woman will become the world champion in sprinting. She will show a result of 8,098 seconds at a hundred-meter distance, and a male competitor - XNUMX seconds. Tatham himself admits that his calculations are a bit of a stretch, but emphasizes that the growth of women's records for almost a hundred years has been surprisingly linear. ... >>

Minibus without a driver 02.02.2005

The first pilot taxi line without a driver was launched in June 2004 in the city of Antibes in southern France. This is a joint development of several European companies. An electric bus travels at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour on a 1400-meter road from the port to the city center. The road is marked with magnets embedded in the asphalt every three meters, and the automatic driver is guided by them. To avoid collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians, various sensors, including a video camera with an image processing program, allow. In 2005, similar minibuses without a driver, controlled by a satellite navigation system, will appear in Rotterdam (Holland). ... >>

Neolithic art gallery in Somalia 01.02.2005

In the west of Somalia, near the border with Ethiopia, French archaeologists found, at the suggestion of local residents, several grottoes, decorated with one and a half hundred Neolithic frescoes. Their subjects are shepherds with herds of cows. Previously, the age of the drawings was determined at 4-5 thousand years, but archaeologists hope that some of the paints used by the Stone Age artists were mixed with milk. In this case, scrapings of paints can be dated more accurately by radiocarbon dating. The drawings give an idea of ​​the life of the early pastoral societies in this part of the continent. This is the largest find of prehistoric painting in Africa after frescoes discovered about half a century ago in the Tassili highlands. ... >>

Latvia regulates smells 01.02.2005

In 2003, the European Union, of which Latvia is a member, introduced standards for the measurement of malodors. Most often, residents of Latvia complain about the suffocating smoke of stokers, the fumes from burning waste, including old tires. There are many complaints about odors from the production of charcoal, from oil refineries and gas stations, from sewage treatment plants, from the production of fishmeal. In agriculture, the most "fragrant" pig farms and poultry farms. According to the rules adopted in Europe, the permissible concentration of an unpleasant odor in residential areas is five units, in agriculture - eight, and in production - ten. This rate is allowed to exceed no more than seven days a year. Now, after complaints from the population, an air sample is taken in a plastic bag and sent for analysis to Finland, but in 2005 an odor laboratory should be organized in Jurmala. Scientists at the Latvian Institute of Solid State Physics have created an artificial nose that is not able to determine whether a given smell is pleasant. ... >>

M25P64 serial flash chip 30.01.2005

ST MICROELECTRONICS has announced the release of M25P64 serial flash memory chips with a capacity of 64 Mbit for storing code information. The memory is very fast - up to 50 MHz, so it takes a little time to overwrite it. It can be used in printers, CD and DVD players. The company guarantees up to 100000 write and erase cycles. ... >>

New ferroelectric memory chip FM25L16 29.01.2005

RAMTRON announced the release of a new ferroelectric memory chip FM25L16, which operates with a supply voltage of only 3 V and develops speed up to 20 MHz. The microcircuit has a serial SPI interface and is intended primarily for automotive applications. ... >>

MG4200 GPS Receiver Chip 28.01.2005

by MOTOROLA INC. Launched production of MG4200 GPS receiver chip. The microcircuit receives GPS signals directly to the antenna at a frequency of 1,575 GHz, performs complete signal processing and outputs the results to the SPI and UART interfaces. Available in a 64-pin BGA package measuring just 7x7mm. ... >>

New 16-bit DSPs 27.01.2005

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY announced the start of production of two 16-bit digital signal processors dsPlC30F4011 and dsPIC302F4012, which allow you to work with information processing speeds of 20 and 30 million instructions per second, respectively. The microcircuits have 48 Kbytes of flash memory and a CAN interface. They are designed to control power conversion systems and electric motors. The dsPIC30F4011 is available in a PDIP-40 package, while the dsPIC302F4012 is available in an SDIP-28 package. ... >>

High Speed ​​Amplifier Types LT1991 and LT1995 26.01.2005

LINEAR TECHNOLOGY introduced high-speed amplifiers of the LT1991 and LT1995 types with a choice of gain. In conventional amplifiers, the gain is selected using external resistors, in the LT1991 and LT1995 amplifiers, precision resistors are already inside. The choice of gain is carried out by installing jumpers between the outputs. The LT1991 chip has eight precision resistors that allow gains to be obtained with an accuracy of 0,04%. The bias voltage drift is only 1 µV/°C and the supply voltage range is 2,7 to 36 V. The LT1995 also has 8 precision resistors. But it is faster: the rate of change of voltage at the output is 1000 V/µs. The supply voltage range is from +2,5 to +15 V. Both microcircuits are produced in small-sized MS0P-10 packages. ... >>

Bright and slim surface mount digital displays 25.01.2005

KINGBRIGHT has produced the world's brightest and thinnest surface mount digital displays, measuring just 3mm thick. They are available in 1, 2, 3 and 4 digits, while the size of the digit varies from 5 to 14 mm. The displays are ideal for compact instruments with digital readouts. ... >>

Electromagnetic relay FUJITSU COMPONENTS FTP-K3 24.01.2005

FUJITSU COMPONENTS has introduced a new type FTP-K3 electromagnetic relay for commercial and industrial applications. The relay operates with switched voltages up to 250 V and currents up to 20 A, while its power consumption is only 780 mW. The relay is produced in a housing with dimensions of 30x15,7x23,3 mm and is designed for 2 million mechanical operations. Operation voltages are selected from the range: 5, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 V. ... >>

New three-phase power quality analyzer 23.01.2005

FLUKE CORPORATION has launched a new three-phase power quality analyzer 430. The device measures voltages and currents in three phases and neutral, as well as power, power consumption, harmonic content and much more. Designed for voltages up to 600 V. ... >>

New MOSFET transistor FDC6020C 22.01.2005

FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR has introduced a new MOSFET FDC6020C in the smallest package (3x3x0,9 mm) for surface mounting. Despite its small size, the transistor can operate at a continuous current of up to 1 A and has excellent on-resistance characteristics (52 mΩ). ... >>

Cheap ICs - Signal Generators 21.01.2005

DALLAS SEMICONDUCTOR-MAXIM announced the release of cheap signal generator chips, in which the frequency is set by the manufacturer. In the DS1088L chip, the frequency is set in the range from 312 Hz to 133 MHz with an accuracy of + 0,3%, in the DS1099 chip - in the range from 0,25 Hz to 1,048 MHz with an accuracy of + 1,0%. Microcircuits are produced in miniature cases 3x5 mm in size and cost 0,38-0,45 dollars. ... >>

Portable spectrum analyzer with analysis bandwidth up to 3,3 GHz 20.01.2005

B&K PRECISION has released the Model 2650 Handheld Spectrum Analyzer with an analysis bandwidth of up to 3,3 GHz. Thanks to this frequency band, the device can be used in numerous applications such as CDMA, GSM, Wireless LAN, Bluetooth. The device can measure electric and magnetic fields, calculate average values, has a printout and a number of other useful properties. ... >>

New family of laser diode drivers 19.01.2005

ATMEL CORPORATION has announced the release of a new family of ATR084x low voltage differential laser diode drivers designed for DVD+RW/CD-RW combo drivers with speeds up to 16x for DVD and 52x for CD. The new family includes 5 types of four-channel devices with two outputs, one of which is designed for a diode with a wavelength of 780 nm, the other for a diode with a wavelength of 650 nm. The ATR0842 has a 408nm blue laser diode. The rise and fall time of the signal is less than 0,8 ns. The devices are available in leadless QFN-24 packages and have dimensions of 4x4x0,9 mm. ... >>

Powerful amplifier MSA260 with PWM modulation 18.01.2005

APEX MICROTECHNOLOGY has launched a powerful amplifier with PWM modulation MSA260. The amplifier operates with supply voltages up to 450 V and output current up to 20 A (output power up to 9 kW). Pulse frequency. PWM can vary widely. The microcircuit is designed to power electric motors, and can also work as a class D sound amplifier. ... >>

Variable Gain Amplifier 17.01.2005

ANALOG DEVICES introduces the industry's first single-chip variable gain amplifier, the ADL5330 attenuator. The amplifier has a frequency range of 1 MHz to 3 GHz and a gain control range of 60 dB (+20 to -40 dB), never before achieved on a single chip. The chip is available in a 24-pin 4x4 mm CSP package. ... >>

Surface Mount AMMP Chips 16.01.2005

AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES has announced additional surface-mount AMMP chips for portable radios up to 20 GHz. These add-on chips are the AMMP-5618 amplifier, AMMP-6530 mixer, AMMP-6420 power amplifier, AMMP-6220 low noise amplifier, and AMMP-6120 frequency multiplier. In total, this series includes 16 chips, on which you can build portable radio stations for various purposes. ... >>

American solar power 15.01.2005

American engineers have begun testing a system for generating electricity, which consists of small solar power plants. Our system, unlike the existing ones, consists of small modules, and the power plant can be put into operation gradually," says Chuck Andarka, project manager from the Sandia National Laboratory of the US Department of Energy. Actually, it was at the site of this laboratory that tests of the system began, consisting of six modules made by the second participant of the project - the company "Stirling Energy Systems Inc.. One module consists of 82 small mirrors placed on an aluminum honeycomb structure in the form of a bowl. These mirrors focus sunlight on an absorber. It turns light into heat and transfers it to the engine cylinder, where hydrogen is located - expanding when heated, it moves the piston and transfers heat into mechanical energy, and then into electrical energy. The conversion efficiency is quite good - 30%. "In principle, the solar field ... >>

Counting gazelles from space 14.01.2005

Zoologists from New York have figured out how to count gazelles and giraffes at the zoo and in the reserve from a satellite. High above the Earth, 280 kilometers from the surface of the planet, the private American satellite "Fast Bird" flies. It was the cameras installed on it that made it possible to fulfill the order of zoologists from the Bronx Zoo, who wanted to count gazelles, giraffes and other animals grazing in spacious enclosures using photographs from space. Indeed, in the resulting images, all animals were seen very clearly. The question arises: was it not easier to count them from the ground? Simpler, but this experiment was only the first stage of a program conceived by Dr. Eric Sanderson. In the zoo, the method of counting animals from heaven is just being tested. And the real task is to monitor the state of the reserves, where you can’t look in any other way than from space. “With the help of space technology, we can, from the comfort of a New York laboratory, observe elephant families in the Serengeti and ... >>

Fullerenes can be neutralized 13.01.2005

Recent studies have shown that fullerenes - round hollow molecules, consisting of several tens of carbon atoms, can damage the cells of living organisms. It is believed that these carbon balls, interacting with the fatty substances of the cell, cause the formation of free radicals. Active molecules of radicals break the cell, since its membrane consists of two layers of fatty substances. Now the experiments of biochemists from Rice University in Houston (USA) allow us to hope that the toxicity of hollow supermicroscopic balls can be largely removed by changing the composition of their surface. By attaching hydroxyl groups to 24 of the 60 carbon atoms that make up the fullerene molecule, scientists have reduced toxicity to human skin cell culture by seven orders of magnitude. Without such surface modification, fullerenes, even at low concentrations, kill skin cells. This discovery is important for practice, since fullerenes are increasingly used in technology - as an additive ... >>

Trouble swimming in syrup 12.01.2005

More than three hundred years ago, preparing for the publication of his famous work "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy", Isaac Newton argued with Christian Huygens about whether it would be easier or harder to swim in syrup than in water. With neither a swimming pool nor enough sugar at their disposal, physicists limited themselves to a theoretical dispute. Newton argued that it was more difficult to swim in a viscous fluid, and Huygens insisted that although the resistance of the medium would be higher, it would also provide more support for the swimmer's propellers - arms and legs, which means that thrust would also be higher. The researchers did not come to a single conclusion, and Newton included both versions in his work. In our time, physicist Edward Cussler, who works at the University of Minnesota (USA), has managed to resolve a long-standing dispute. He threw more than 25 kilograms of guar gum into the university's 300-meter swimming pool. Derived from a tropical legume, this substance is used as a thickener in mayonnaise, ice cream, shampoos, and other products. ... >>

O formidable rocks are crushed with the roar of the wave 11.01.2005

The sound of the ocean surf, it turns out, is heard throughout the Earth. So says a professor of geology from the University of California (USA) Barbara Romanovich. In 1998, Japanese seismologists found that the Earth is constantly buzzing at a very low note, below infrasound - at frequencies from 2 to 7 millihertz, that is, one oscillation every few minutes. These tremors are very weak, but if concentrated in one focus, an earthquake of magnitude 5,7 would be obtained. Their reason remained unknown. Using two networks of seismographs - in the US and Japan, a group of scientists led by B. Romanovich followed the "hum of the Earth" for two years. To exclude loud interference, records were cut off for all days when noticeable earthquakes with a magnitude of 5,5 or more occurred anywhere on Earth. In two years, there were about 130 quiet days. Networks of seismographs, like spaced microphones, made it possible to track where this constant hum comes from. It turned out that when it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the noise comes mainly from ... >>

Needle found in Greenland 10.01.2005

German glaciologists found a pine needle in a core taken from the very bottom of the three-kilometer layer of ice covering Greenland. She is about 123 thousand years old. Then Greenland was covered with dense forests, and the average temperature of the Earth was 2-5 degrees Celsius higher than now. Since the needle was not petrified, but simply frozen into the ice, it is hoped that it will be possible to isolate the DNA of an ancient pine from it for comparison with modern trees. ... >>

Poplar deciphered 09.01.2005

Specialists of the National Institute of Agronomic Research (France) reported on the complete reading of the poplar genome. American, Swedish and Canadian geneticists also participated in the work. The poplar was chosen as the first tree for deciphering, since its genome is relatively small - only 19 pairs of chromosomes, about 40 thousand genes (the pine genome, for example, is 50 times larger). The information obtained will help to understand how to increase the resistance of trees to drought and pests. ... >>

Thermal power plant on vegetable oil 08.01.2005

The Anglo-Belgian concern, with the participation of the German company Siemens, has commissioned a thermal power plant in the city of Bregenz (Austria), in the furnaces of which waste edible oil is burned, which remains after frying donuts, potato chips, popcorn and other products in fast food establishments. The power of the station, which consists of three blocks, is 3,4 megawatts. Excess heat is used to heat the neighboring quarters of the city. Since edible oil contains virtually no sulfur, the smoke from burning it is not as harmful as from burning fossil fuels. However, the cleaning filters installed at the CHPP ensure the elimination of nitrogen oxides and the appetizing smell of fried food, which, in too large doses, can cause dissatisfaction among the townspeople. ... >>

The computer fetters the imagination of the designer 07.01.2005

In many design bureaus, drawing boards have been replaced by computer monitors, and design engineers do not draw, but combine their designs from ready-made drawings of individual assemblies and parts stored in the computer's memory. Computer-aided design greatly speeds up and simplifies the work of an engineer, but, as an experiment conducted at the Technical University of Dresden (Germany) showed, in the early stages of design, work in the old fashioned way, with whatman paper, pencil and drawing pen, is preferable. 66 students, future engineers who can work with computer programs for design, were asked to design a barbecue grill. At the same time, 22 students were given only paper and preparations, another 22 had to draw their own sketches on a computer tablet using an electronic pencil, and a third group was armed with computers with the latest automatic design software. The results of the first two groups not only surpassed the successes of computer designers, but also ... >>

The pendant will protect from criminals 06.01.2005

Englishwoman Liz Williams, a designer by profession, after reading newspaper reports about street crime in London, has developed a device for protection that looks like a massive pendant. When meeting with a hooligan or a bandit, it is worth pulling out the ring - and the attacker is enveloped in a cloud of fine powder, which, upon contact with moisture, turns into bright red paint. The paint stays on the skin or clothes for 72 hours, despite attempts to wash it off. In addition, the pendant contains a radio beacon that starts beeping on the frequency of police radios and continues to do so for also 72 hours. ... >>

ancient multiplication table 05.01.2005

During excavations in the Chinese province of Yunnan, a wooden board with a multiplication table from the times of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD) was found. The table begins with multiplication not by one, as it is now, but by nine. In total, about a hundred such tables were found, they contain laws, medical prescriptions, government documents and calendars. Earlier Chinese bamboo tablets are known with examples of multiplication of different numbers (XNUMXst century BC), but they are made in the form of lists, not tables. ... >>

The first wars in human history 04.01.2005

When did people start fighting among themselves? Archaeologists have studied the remains of ancient human settlements in the Oaxaca Valley (Mexico). Approximately 3600 years ago, nomads began to establish permanent settlements here with adobe huts. In the largest of the villages, there were more than a hundred inhabitants. As shown by carbon isotope dating, 200-300 years after the founding of these settlements, they began to be surrounded by high wooden fences. And two thousand years ago, many men who lived here began to wear metal helmets. Apparently, somewhere in this period, wars between people began. The Mexican finds support the theory of the American anthropologist Raymond Kelly, according to which nomadic hunter-gatherer societies had murders but no fights between large groups of people. When permanent settlements arose, relations between people changed, and the essence of conflicts also changed. The murder of one villager began to be seen as an attack on the entire village, for which ... >>

diamond watch 03.01.2005

The German company "GFD" by order of Swiss watchmakers began to make the most important parts of wristwatches from artificial diamonds. This is an escape wheel (a wheel, the teeth of which, touched by an anchor fork, allow the entire mechanism to gradually turn) and a balance hair - the thinnest spring that supports balance fluctuations. Diamond parts are strong, characterized by reduced friction and wear, and almost do not change dimensions with temperature changes. The company is silent about the manufacturing technology, indicating only that "no force is used in the process and no sawdust remains." Most likely, the details are cut from thin plates of synthetic diamond with a laser beam. ... >>

The stadium generates electricity 03.01.2005

An indoor stadium in the suburbs of Bern (Switzerland) is being turned into a solar power plant. Solar panels with a total capacity of 850 kilowatts are mounted on its roof. When they occupy the entire roof (its area is 12 square meters), the stadium's capacity will reach 1300 kilowatts, which will provide energy for about 300 single-family cottages or apartments. ... >>

Fern against arsenic 02.01.2005

It was found that the pteris ribbon fern is able to purify water from arsenic. Experiments conducted by American botanists showed that this plant extracts more than 98% of the arsenic contained in it per day, which makes the water suitable for drinking (according to WHO standards, arsenic content up to 0,01 milligrams per liter of water is considered harmless). The discovery is especially relevant for some areas of India and Africa, where well water contains arsenic compounds. ... >>

To the hospital - no tie 02.01.2005

A medical student who practiced at a large New York hospital noticed that a doctor's hanging tie, when examining a patient lying on a bed, sometimes touches the patient. The student became interested: could the ties of doctors (American doctors believe that one should be “at the parade” at work in order to inspire more confidence in patients) serve as carriers of nosocomial infections? Microbiological analysis of 42 ties of doctors and assistants showed that 20 of them had dangerous microorganisms on the surface, including Staphylococcus aureus, the causative agents of pneumonia. For control, they took 10 ties from the guards of the hospital - only one turned out to be contaminated with germs. The transmission of diseases through a tie is unlikely, but for patient safety it is best when the doctor is dressed in a gown that is tightly buttoned under the chin, the author of the study concluded. ... >>

Hydrogen scooter 01.01.2005

The Japanese firm "Honda" intends in 2006 to produce a small installation series of the FCX electric scooter, running on hydrogen. The gas is produced from methanol and is used not for explosive combustion in the cylinders of an internal combustion engine, but for generating electric current in fuel cells. The current rotates the electric motors built into the wheel hubs. The company does not provide details, but admits that in terms of consumer properties, a hydrogen scooter is still inferior to a gasoline one. The machines will be tested in Japan and California. Yamaha is also working on a similar model. A group of Swiss and Japanese engineers have created a miniature robot "Amouse" (Artificial Mouse, that is, an artificial mouse), which uses real mouse whisker hairs to navigate in the environment. They are attached to sensitive condenser microphones that convert the vibrations of the whiskers into electrical vibrations, and according to this information, the "brain" of the robot chooses the route of movement. In a later invention ... >>

Door to the world of dreams 01.01.2005

Swiss doctors from the University Hospital in Bern examined a 73-year-old woman who had suffered a stroke. The only thing that the disease affected was that the woman stopped having dreams, and before that she watched them every night, long and very interesting. Such cases have occurred before, but usually with some side effects (for example, the victim also lost the ability to recognize acquaintances in the face). A study on magnetic resonance imaging showed that part of the visual cortex in the right hemisphere of the brain was affected. Apparently, this area is responsible for the appearance of dreams. Another observation on a Swiss patient refutes, or at least casts doubt on the established theory, according to which dreams occur during moments of active movement of the eyeballs under the eyelids of the sleeping person. These movements were preserved in the patient after the stroke, but there were no dreams. However, about three months after the stroke, the woman's dreams reappeared, but they are rare and their intensity is reduced. How ... >>

Keychain - the lord of TVs 30.12.2004

A certain Mr. Altman, aged 47, came up with the TV-B-Gone keychain. "When I was with friends in a restaurant, instead of warm communication, we had to shout over the TV, which no one could turn off," he recalls. Now this novelty allows you to turn off TVs almost everywhere from airports to restaurants. By pressing one button, a program is launched to enumerate 200 infrared codes, which are used to turn on or off about 1000 of the existing TV models. Most TVs respond in 17 seconds, and it takes about a minute to go through the entire range of codes. The $15 TV-B-Gone keychain has already received hundreds of orders, according to the seller. ... >>

VCRs are fading away 28.12.2004

The era of video recorders is irreversibly fading into the past. One of the proofs of this is that Dixons, the largest specialized retail chain in the UK, has announced that from now on it will stop selling them altogether. Thus ends the era of devices that completely changed the nature of the relationship between television and viewers, stretching for a quarter of a century. Thanks to VCRs, people finally gained a breath of freedom and were able to freely leave their homes without fear of missing their favorite programs. Dixons' management expects to sell off stocks of what is becoming antique merchandise in its warehouses over the Christmas holidays. At the same time, the company notes that the demand for VCRs during the 90s was significantly reduced. No holy place is empty - VCR has been replaced by DVD. Users are attracted by its speed and unattainable image and sound quality for VCRs. ... >>

Four inches for players 25.12.2004

Samsung has announced its ambitious plans to take the lead in the small screen LCD market by 2006. As a secret weapon designed to provide the South Korean company with a warm place as a leader, a 4-inch display currently being created in Samsung laboratories, designed exclusively for portable players. The aspect ratio of the screen is 16:9, the device is capable of displaying 16,7 million colors. At the same time, the maximum display brightness is increased by 20% compared to mobile phone screens. ... >>

Wireless TV 23.12.2004

Wireless technologies are increasingly entering our lives. Wireless TVs are now being added to wireless peripherals and acoustics. Just such a TV was announced by LG. Apart from the lack of wires, the TV is a regular LCD TV with a diagonal of 15 inches. The package also includes a special docking station, to which all the wires are connected - for example, from a DVD player or any other video signal source. Accordingly, the docking station broadcasts the signal that the TV receives. The weight of the TV is only 4 kg, so even the fairer sex can carry it from room to room. ... >>

LCD TV with hard drive and DVD recorder 21.12.2004

Toshiba announced the release of a 17-inch LCD display with built-in hard drive and DVD burner. The capacity of the hard drive is 160 GB. It allows you to save 284 hours of video recorded at a bit rate of 1 Mbps. Model RD-17V1 weighs 8,4 kg. At the same time, the dimensions of the novelty are 430x364x250 mm. ... >>

LCD TVs are ready to push the plasma 20.12.2004

Sharp Corporation announced the creation of an LCD TV with the world's largest screen. Its diagonal is 65 inches (1,64 m). Apparently, the plasma panel market will have to face a new competitor. Sharp promises to sell a new model called Aquos at a price comparable to the cost of plasma panels. Sharp launched the world's first 14-inch LCD TV in 1988. In 2000, the company launched a 28-inch LCD TV, a 30-inch TV in November 2001, and a 37-inch TV in November 2002. The market for TVs with a diagonal of more than 40 inches quite recently belonged undividedly to the manufacturers of plasma panels. Sharp and Samsung Electronics were the first manufacturers to release LCD models larger than 40 inches. In August, Sharp announced a 45-inch LCD TV, and now a new 65-inch model is ready. Its screen size is 1428x804 mm, and the diagonal size is 1639 mm. The resolution of the new TV is 6 ... >>

SAMSUNG SDI launches 38cm thick CRT TV 18.12.2004

Samsung SDI has developed a 32-inch CRT monitor with a kinescope only 38 cm thick. At the moment, the CRT TV market niche is occupied by classic "boxes" with a thickness of 50 to 60 cm. The Samsung SDI display is only 10 cm thicker than a plasma panel. CRT TV will cost about $1000, the novelty has a high contrast - 5000:1 and brightness of 800 cd/m2, and power consumption is 190 watts. The future plans of the company include the creation of a TV with a thickness of 20 cm, but we will not know about this until 2006. ... >>

The counterfeiter's trap of the XNUMXst century 16.12.2004

American scientists have come up with a method by which you can identify which printer printed a counterfeit bill, passport or any other document. Previously, when computers had not yet appeared, and typewriters were in use, detectives could easily find out which typewriter a particular document was printed on and get on the trail of a criminal. The fact is that the letters on the hammers of each typewriter were erased differently and an "individual handwriting" arose. The advent of laser and inkjet printers, it would seem, forever buried this method of searching for intruders. In fact, what kind of individual handwriting can a powder that pours onto a sheet of paper have? It turns out it can. This conclusion was made by scientists from Purdue University, led by Professor Edward Delp, who were involved in correcting the print quality on laser printers: the stripes that inevitably occur during printing are individual for each printer and the cartridge inserted into it. "To know the handwriting precisely when ... >>

Post radio box 15.12.2004

The German firm Postin offers a mailbox alert system so that the tenant of an apartment on the top floor will instantly know that something has been thrown into the mailbox. A flat radio transmitter is glued on the inside of the box door, which reacts to each opening. It transmits a coded radio signal to a receiver that looks like an ordinary electronic clock and can be placed on a table or hung on a wall. When the postman opens the box door, the receiver emits a beep and a symbol appears on its screen - a flashing image of an envelope. The time of receipt of correspondence is also recorded. The radio signal reception range is approximately up to the seventh or eighth floor. The variety of codes used is so great that the signal cannot get to the receiver of another apartment by mistake. ... >>

Pneumothorax at the disco 12.12.2004

Pneumothorax is an operation used for certain pulmonary diseases in order to temporarily stop the respiratory movements of the diseased lung, to give it a rest. Air is introduced into the narrow gap (pleural cavity) surrounding the lung. As a result, the pressure difference between the pleural cavity and the interior of the lung disappears, and it stops moving, although the chest continues to expand and collapse. But recently, a group of Belgian doctors described four cases of pneumothorax that occurred spontaneously because of too loud music. Three young men were injured at a rock concert, a fourth was listening to too loud stereo music in the enclosed space of his car. According to doctors, low-frequency sounds are especially dangerous. They cause resonance in the internal organs. The lungs begin to vibrate, as a result, cracks can form in the surrounding tissues and air enters the pleural cavity through them. The authors of the study indicate that cases of spontaneous ... >>

Hydrogen record 10.12.2004

The world's first internal combustion engine was supposed to run on hydrogen. Christian Huygens in the 12th century proposed something like a steam engine, in the cylinder of which explosive gas would explode. As far as is known, the idea has never been tested in practice. However, now the German company BMW has designed a car based on this principle. Liquid hydrogen is stored in a tank with thermal insulation, slowly evaporates and in gaseous form is fed into a 2004-cylinder engine, where it mixes with air and explodes. In September 302,4, a unique car set a speed record for this (frankly, not numerous) class of crews - XNUMX kilometers per hour. In the future, the company intends to mass-produce "hybrid" cars with hydrogen and conventional gasoline tanks. ... >>

Translator for the language of touch 08.12.2004

The German company "ABTIM" has developed in cooperation with the University of Wuppertal a portable device that allows the blind to read. It consists of a miniature television camera, which is placed on a book, magazine or cell phone screen, and a computer unit. In this block, the image of letters, symbols or pictures is converted into signals that push 4 pegs out of the 4x256 cm panel, exactly repeating the outlines of the image received from the camera. Feeling the panel with his hand, the blind can read letters and symbols or "look" at pictures. While the device is quite large (the size of a solid book) and expensive. But engineers are working to improve it. In particular, the next version, instead of showing enlarged outlines of letters, will translate letters into Braille characters. ... >>

On the issue of transgenic products 05.12.2004

There is an ongoing debate in scientific labs and in the press about whether genetically modified foods are harmful to health. The first concrete data indicating that such products still have some unusual effect on the body were obtained by biologists from the University of Urbino (Italy). They fed a group of mice genetically modified soybeans, from plants genetically engineered to be immune to insect pests, while a control group received common soybeans. Then the experimenters studied the liver of mice - this organ is one of the first to react to the intake of harmful substances. It turned out that in those mice that received genetically modified soy, the nuclei in the liver cells acquired an irregular shape. In addition, the number of microfibrils in cells increased - microscopic fibers consisting of protein molecules. Both signs indicate an increase in metabolism in the liver, but what is the mechanism of this increase and how much ... >>

Weekend sickness 04.12.2004

Some of us get sick only during vacations or on weekends, but we don’t miss a single day of work due to illness. The Dutch psychologist Ad Wingerhuts became interested in this phenomenon. After interviewing 1893 people, he came to the conclusion that over three percent of the Dutch suffer from the so-called "free time syndrome": they get sick mainly on weekends or during holidays. Among the most common ailments are constant fatigue, muscle pain, flu and colds. Moreover, a cold appears mainly in the first week of vacation. According to the sufferers interviewed by the psychologist, the cause of the disease is the difficulty of switching the body from a working rhythm to rest. Apparently, the stress that comes when preparing for a vacation, when it is necessary to urgently settle both work and household affairs, also affects. Many of those who are sick in their free time take their work very seriously and do not know how to relax, although they spend no more time at work than those not affected by this syndrome. As a rule, they are not more often ... >>

Juggler - intellectual specialty 02.12.2004

Until now, scientists believed that the adult brain does not grow, and from a certain age even decreases due to aging. Researchers from the Universities of Regensburg and Jena (Germany) proved that this is not the case. The experimenters divided a group of 24 young men and women with a mean age of 22 into two equal subgroups. Members of one of them were taught to juggle for three months, the other did nothing. With the help of magnetic resonance imaging, the brain sizes of the subjects were compared before and after learning to juggle. It turned out that the trainees clearly increased the layer of gray matter (that is, neurons) in the left posterior sulcus in the cerebral cortex, located between the upper and lower lateral lobes of the brain. It is believed that this area perceives the movements of objects in three-dimensional space. In the control subgroup, which was not trained in juggling, such an increase in gray matter was not found. True, after the jugglers stopped training, they acquired additional ... >>

The TV is preparing to force the computer out of the apartment 30.11.2004

Manufacturers of computer equipment, cherishing exactly the opposite plans, run the risk of being very upset. The new standard, proposed Monday by members of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), calls for an interface that lets you control all your household utensils from a conventional TV screen. Unlike its predecessors, the standard, called CEA-2027, allows you to fully control any electronic device connected to your home local area network using the FireWire protocol (in the future, support for Ethernet networks may appear). Moreover, according to CNET, the functionality of the "server TV" depends primarily on the functionality of controlled devices and, therefore, can be expanded as more and more advanced electronic toys are purchased, such as digital recorders and smart coffee makers. ... >>

Recorder XORO HSD-R545 - heavy artillery DVD 29.11.2004

Recently, DVD recorders have begun to attract the attention of amateurs. The relatively low cost of these devices, the relative cheapness of recordable and rewritable discs, coupled with their high capacity, the emerging trend towards multiformat among the main manufacturers gives such recorders real chances to fill the vacancy that appears in connection with the abandonment of VHS video recorders. The Xoro HSD R545 recorder, introduced by the company in the summer of 2004, is equipped with a built-in TV tuner and allows you to record video from various sources to DVD+R/RW discs at home. The Xoro trademark belongs to MAS Elektronik AG (Germany). ... >>

LCD TVs with the ability to record to external network drives 28.11.2004

Toshiba has planned to release 32" and 37" LCD TVs that will support a host of features that are still more typical of a computer. For example, for the first time it will be possible to record programs (and, accordingly, subsequent playback) on an external hard drive connected to a home network. In addition, recording is also provided on SD memory cards in MPEG-4 format, the ability to interact with digital cameras and surfing websites, which can be organized in a separate window without interrupting TV viewing. You can connect a keyboard to the USB port. The implementation of all these and many other features is not surprising, given the use of an embedded Linux variant. Naturally, there is also a processor, which is only known to be 64-bit. Toshiba called its intelligent control system for the many functions of the TV "meta brain". As for "direct duties", it goes without saying for Japan once ... >>

SAMSUNG prepares 0,85-inch hard drives, TOSHIBA plans to produce them 27.11.2004

By the end of the year, Toshiba plans to begin mass production of its 0,85-inch hard drives, however, the company has not yet finally decided on the storage capacity - whether these will be 2 or 3 Gbit drives. Recall that 0,85-inch drives were presented by the company in December last year, and the start of mass production was planned for 2005. Devices are positioned for the same equipment as 1,8-inch HDDs: portable audio players, mobile phones. Toshiba's competition in the market of miniature disks can be made by Samsung, which also announced plans to introduce its own devices of this standard size. R&D is currently underway in this area, so there is no information on the readiness of final products yet. The opinion of analysts regarding the sector of miniature hard drives is interesting: according to IDC, cell phones of the future will have to be able to store up to 4 GB of data, where, of course, I can ... >>

Internet comes to TVs 25.11.2004

Norwegian company Opera Software is preparing to release a new web rendering technology specifically designed for TVs. Thanks to TV Rendering technology, websites will look perfectly clear on any TV screen. As you know, websites are usually optimized to be displayed on high resolution monitors: for example, 1024x768, 800x600 or 640x480, while a regular TV screen has far fewer pixels, so when displayed on a TV screen, colors are distorted and text can be unreadable. . The new technology TV Rendering (TVR), developed by Opera, is able to eliminate all these shortcomings. ... >>

Sony to release zoom TV 24.11.2004

Sony Corporation has developed a computer chip that allows you to zoom in on any part of the television picture to see in more detail, for example, your favorite football player or named guest on a surveillance camera recording without losing image clarity. The zoom feature is implemented in a new line of Sony TVs, which will go on sale in the US this month, and in Japan - in November this year. However, in order to use the new chip, it is not at all necessary to buy a new TV - you can purchase a separate set-top box that allows you not only to enlarge the picture, but also to improve the quality of a regular television signal, endowing it with high definition. The developers noted that although the set-top box with the implemented zoom function can be sold separately, the date of its release to the market and the price have not yet been determined. The new technology is called Digital Reality Creation Multifunction v2. It was demonstrated in Tokyo on September 8 on a regular TV from ... >>

Step to desktop accelerator 23.11.2004

British and American physicists have managed to accelerate electrons almost to the speed of light, and the length of the accelerator was a fraction of a millimeter. "Our work shows that sooner or later a scientist will not need multi-kilometer accelerators of international centers like CERN to study high-energy physics. The laser accelerator will be located in a university laboratory," says Professor Karl Krushelnik from King's College London. But the fact is that the team of scientists headed by him from London, Strathclyd and Los Angeles managed to accelerate electrons up to 70 MeV using a terawatt femtosecond laser, and this happened at a distance of only 0,6 mm. The idea of ​​such an accelerator is not new: it was proposed in 1979 by Toshi Tajima and John Dawson. The gas in a powerful focused laser beam is ionized, turns into a plasma, and a wave can appear in it, which moves at a speed close to the speed of light. The strength of the electric field in such a wave is a hundred times greater than in ... >>

Glass softens from weak laser light 20.11.2004

American scientists have discovered a strange effect: very small changes in the power of an ultra-weak laser can greatly change the hardness of germanium-selenium glass. “It all started when my graduate student Yared Gump, who measured the hardness of the GeSe system glasses, began to bring me data every day that differed greatly,” says the head of the work, Ohio University professor Ratnasingham Suryakumar. “After a while, we guessed what these changes represent is an objective reality." This glass, an alloy of 80% Ge and 20% Se, is a very interesting material used in electronics. Germanium is hard and selenium is soft. The proportion of 4:1 corresponds to the critical point - such a substance is no longer hard, but also not soft. To understand the reason for the change in properties, scientists examine hardness. And they do this by measuring the speed of sound - in a solid it is greater than in a soft one. And it is here that a beam of a super-weak laser appears on the stage, as thin as a hair. ... >>

Underwater photo will become clear 19.11.2004

Scientists from Israel have created software that will allow you to take very clear underwater photographs. "Even in crystal clear water, it is impossible to take a clear photograph - it will always have a veil from scattered light," says Professor Iov Shekhner from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. "PhD student Nir Karpel and I found a way to remove this veil." Scientists used a conventional polarizing filter costing 20-100 dollars and software: a specially developed algorithm calculates those distortions in the image taken through this filter that led to the appearance of a veil. Unlike common image enhancement programs that work with the image as a whole, the one created by Israeli scientists calculates the distance to the objects that are in the frame and makes its own adjustments for each of them. "Our program can be easily embedded into a microchip and built into a camera or video camera," says Prof. Schechner. ... >>

Glass in cosmetics 18.11.2004

The German concern "Schott", known mainly for its optical glass and glass laboratory glassware, has launched the production of so-called biologically active glass, designed for use in cosmetics. This glass is a fine powder of silicon, sodium, calcium and phosphorus oxides of high purity, taken in certain proportions. To obtain bioactive glass, the components are mixed and melted, then the thinnest petals are formed from the melt, which are ground. The result is a silky to the touch powder with particles a few microns in diameter. It is not yet clear why, but, according to manufacturers, tested in foreign laboratories, this powder kills bacteria and relieves inflammation. Creams, deodorants, eye shadows and lipstick with glass will hit the market this year. In addition, as you might expect, the fine powder promotes the absorption of minerals by the skin and other human tissues, which is why it has already begun to be added to toothpaste. ... >>

Leonardo - inventor of plastics 17.11.2004

According to Alessandro Vedzossi, director of the Leonardo da Vinci Museum, the great Italian was the inventor of the first plastics. Studying his workbooks, Vedzossi discovered recipes for some mysterious concoctions, consisting mainly of vegetable and animal glues. According to Leonardo's commentary, these mixtures, when solidified, form a material from which one can make very durable knife handles, chessboards, cups, vases, and even women's jewelry - pendants, bracelets. Vedzossi tested one recipe and got a material resembling Bakelite in properties - one of the first synthetic polymers, widespread until about the middle of the last century. ... >>

Green CD 15.11.2004

The Japanese firms Sanio and Mitsui have developed a process for the production of CDs based on a lactic acid polymer derived from corn. The "corn" disk is in no way inferior to ordinary ones, but does not require non-renewable raw materials - oil - for the manufacture. In addition, after getting into a landfill, such a disc is relatively quickly decomposed by fungi and microbes. One disc takes 85 corn kernels. ... >>

water croquette 13.11.2004

A curious physical effect was demonstrated by employees of the University of Arizona (USA). They placed water droplets on a water-repellent surface created by growing a "lawn" from silicon "blades" of 20 to 50 nanometers in diameter on a silicon wafer. On such a surface, the droplet gathers into an almost perfect ball. Silicon "blades of grass" were dressed with a light-sensitive water-repellent compound spiropyran, which becomes hygroscopic under the influence of ultraviolet light. If we now direct a narrow beam of an ultraviolet laser at the area of ​​the coating in front of the water droplet, this spot will begin to attract water, and the droplet will move towards it. By moving the beam, you can drive the water ball along trajectories of any complexity. The new effect will be useful when creating micropumps for ultra-small volumes of various aqueous solutions. For example, a microchip laboratory is being designed that will be able to carry out up to 30 different tests on one drop of blood, saving the patient from giving ... >>

Reconstructed the navel of the earth 12.11.2004

Where is the "navel of the earth"? It turns out that this is not an idiom, but a real point in the Greek city of Delphi. According to the myth, Zeus, wishing to know where the center of the world is, released two eagles to the east and west. Where they met is the "navel of the earth." The Greeks marked this place with a cone-shaped marble stone weighing about a ton, which is now located near the destroyed by an earthquake in 373 BC. Physicists from the University of Cagliari (Italy) used the magnetic characteristics of minerals to estimate the temperature of a cloud of volcanic ash and stones ejected by Vesuvius during the famous 79 AD eruption that killed the city of Pompeii. Minerals are formed from a melt, acquiring magnetization from the Earth's magnetic field upon cooling. If subsequently they were heated, this magnetization changed or completely disappeared. Therefore, by measuring the magnetic properties of the cobblestones and ash ejected by the volcano, it is possible to determine what temperature these fragments experienced. Proanali ... >>

Computer access under control 11.11.2004

To prevent the databases of the Criminal Investigation and other intelligence agencies from being sold openly, as is the case in some countries, 160 senior Mexican law enforcement officials, including the Attorney General, received special implants. A microcircuit the size of a grain of rice, planted under the skin of the wrist, responds to a radio signal sent by a special sensor in the office computer's keyboard and tells the computer the user's individual number. So access to official information on criminals from the database of the Ministry of Justice is received only by those who are allowed to do so. Moreover, the computer registers who requested what data, and in case of leakage, the culprit will be found. ... >>

Water armor for cars 10.11.2004

Armored vehicles, designed to protect VIPs, are forced to carry many hundredweights of heavy armor even on empty flights. Norwegian engineers have patented the idea of ​​building flat tanks made of aluminum and carbon fiber into car doors and filling these tanks with water before a dangerous trip, which dampens bullet energy well. When the armor is not needed, the water descends. Even without water, the composite material of the tanks provides some protection from bullets. ... >>

anti-terrorist chair 08.11.2004

The American firm "Ekko Design" has designed an office chair that will help to survive a terrorist attack on the building where the office is located, as well as in the event of an explosion, fire or earthquake. A fire-protective jacket with a respirator and a helmet, a first aid kit, a sharp knife and a cable are hidden in the back of the chair. A radio beacon is built into the jacket, which facilitates the search for a person under the rubble, there is also a miniature radio receiver. The back itself is mounted on one of the armrests and turns into a shovel for clearing debris. The other armrest can serve as a curved crowbar for opening jammed doors and moving various obstacles. Only a leg with wheels, oddly enough, did not find any emergency use. ... >>

How did the tyrannosaurus grow 07.11.2004

An adult tyrannosaurus lizard weighed about five tons. If it grew at the same rate as modern reptiles like crocodiles, it would take 100 years to reach that weight. However, as American paleontologists calculated from the rings on the cuts of fossil bones, teenage tyrannosaurs had a period of very rapid growth between the ages of 14 and 18 years. At this time, the young lizard was gaining more than two kilograms in weight daily, which corresponds to the growth rate of young elephants. By the age of 18, the Tyrannosaurus reached 70% of the weight of an adult and then grew slowly. The oldest lizard ever studied by the Americans lived to be 28 years old. ... >>

warm windows 06.11.2004

Heat-reflecting coatings for glass have been known for a long time and are often used in the windows of south-facing buildings. In hot weather, they reject the infrared rays of the Sun, maintaining an acceptable temperature in the rooms. But, unfortunately, in winter, when heating by the sun's rays would not hurt, these glasses continue to reflect heat. This is not how a new glass coating developed by English chemists from University College London and the University of Liverpool behaves. Several decades ago, scientists discovered that vanadium dioxide, which transmits infrared rays at ordinary temperatures, becomes opaque to these rays if it is heated above 68 degrees Celsius. English chemists, by adding traces of tungsten to vanadium dioxide, were able to reduce the transition temperature to 29 degrees Celsius. When newly coated glass is heated to this temperature, it begins to reflect heat rays. In the meantime, the temperature of the glass is lower, it passes them and heats the room. P ... >>

If aliens exist, we will know about them in the next 20 years 04.11.2004

This is the opinion of Seth Shostak, astronomer, senior researcher at the Institute of Extraterrestrial Civilizations (USA). He tried to estimate the possible number of civilizations capable of transmitting radio signals in our Galaxy and came to the conclusion that there could be from 10 thousand to a million. There are about 100 billion stars in the galaxy. Shostak figured out how quickly, with existing and under construction radio telescopes, we could listen to their surroundings and how quickly our computers would be able to analyze the received radio signals and identify suspicious ones among them. At the same time, he proceeded from the assumption that the computing power of computers will double every 2015 months until 18, as has been the case for the past 40 years, and then its growth will slow down and doubling will occur only every 36 months. In this case, it will be possible to complete the "examination" of the Galaxy in search of radio signals of artificial origin in 20 years. However, not all experts agree with these calculations. He ... >>

Radioactivity of mineral water 02.11.2004

Chemists from the University of Veszprem (Hungary) measured the radioactivity of some brands of Hungarian mineral waters. It turned out that three of the 18 varieties of mineral waters sold in stores contained fairly high concentrations of radium-226. Regular consumption of this water can exceed the safety limit recommended by the World Health Organization. A person who drinks at least a liter of such water per day can receive a dose of one hundred microsieverts per year. The initiator of the study, Tibor Kovacs, says that radioactive water is especially dangerous for children aged 12-17, since at this time their bones are actively growing, which radium harms. Previous studies have shown that some mineral waters from Austria, Germany, France and Portugal also contain high levels of naturally occurring radionuclides. ... >>

Ultrasonic lenses 01.11.2004

This seems to be a trick of a magician: a disk of transparent material, enclosed in a metal frame, suddenly, while maintaining the plane-parallel sides, turns into a collecting or diverging lens. The secret of flat lenses developed in one of the laboratories of Triton Systems (USA) lies in ultrasound. Piezoelectric ultrasound emitters are enclosed in a frame around a transparent silicon rubber disk. Passing through the rubber, ultrasound waves either slightly push the molecules apart, or compress them, making the material either more rarefied or denser. Dense areas refract light more. The frequency and phase of the emitters in the frame on the sides of the disk can be chosen such that due to the interference of waves in the center of the disk, a stable region with a reduced density is formed, and hence with a reduced refractive index of light. A flat transparent disk turns into a diverging lens. So far, the successes of researchers are small - only the central zone transversely changes its optical properties. ... >>

Controlling plasmons 29.10.2004

Scientists from the UK and Spain have found a way to control the movement of light in the optical computers of the future. In a microcircuit, electrons move between transistors along conductors. It is logical to assume that in an optical scheme, light must travel along an optical fiber. Yes, that's bad luck, its diameter - fifty microns - exceeds the size of a modern microcircuit, not to mention the elements applied to it. A possible way out is suggested by a theoretical study undertaken by scientists from King's College London and the Universities of Madrid and Zaragoza. They found a way to control the movement of surface plasmons. These quasiparticles, discovered by Rufus Ritchie in the 1950s, are something like an excited electron cloud. They arise at the moment when the surface of a substance absorbs a quantum of light. Their behavior, reminiscent of the waves of an electron sea, has long been the subject of the game of the mind of theoretical physicists. And now it turned out that the behavior of plasmons can be controlled ... >>

Home warmth - almost for free 26.10.2004

In just one day, American defense workers assembled a two-story cottage, the heating and cooling of which will cost 45 cents a day. Scientists from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory of the US Department of Energy have developed a project for a house with almost zero energy consumption and even put it into practice in the form of a two-story cottage for a resident of Lenoir City, Tennessee. The house has taken all measures to protect the premises from uncontrolled heat and air exchange with the environment, as well as to utilize free energy such as Earth's heat or solar radiation. The first floor of the house and the foundation are built from ready-made concrete blocks with thermal insulation, the second floor - from heat-insulating panels. In addition, the roof and walls are painted with "cold" paint, which reflects infrared rays, protecting the house from overheating. For heating, a water heater is used, built on the principle of a heat pump; in it, heat is transferred from a cold volume to a warmer one due to ... >>

Insect Camera 25.10.2004

German engineers have created a camera with a thickness of 400 microns. What if we put more than one lens into the camera, as in the human eye, but copy the structure of the insect eye and use many small lenses? Thinking this way, the staff of the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering created a faceted camera with a thickness of only 400 microns. Each photosensitive element is equipped with its own microlens. The great advantage of the camera is that the field of view is not limited to a small lens diameter, but is distributed over a large area. Just like the compound eye of an insect, this camera does not provide a sharp image, but it can be useful for solving problems related to pattern recognition. And there are many applications. For example, a plate camera attached to the dashboard of a car and connected to an on-board computer: it monitors where the driver’s eyes are directed, and if he looks away for too long, he warns of a dangerous situation with a sharp signal. ... >>

Watches on belts instead of gears 23.10.2004

The Swiss watch company "Tag-Heuer", having spent 20 months on research, developed the world's first wristwatch on drive belts. The mechanism uses 13 polymer toothed drive belts half a millimeter wide. According to the company, such a mechanism, compared with a conventional gear transmission, can significantly reduce energy losses due to friction. Yet without a few gears in the clock could not do. They do not rely on ordinary stones, but on subminiature ball bearings. The automatic winding is powered by a 4,25-gram platinum ingot, which moves back and forth with the movements of the wrist and, with its serrated side, winds four springs through the straps. To make all this machinery visible, the dial is kept to a minimum, and the back of the watch is made transparent. ... >>

Portable tomograph for rats 21.10.2004

The rat is too mobile an animal to be able to study the work of its brain with the help of a tomograph. It is impossible to apply rigid fixation or immobilizing chemicals: the picture of brain activity will be distorted. Therefore, a portable positron emission tomograph for rats was made at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (USA). The "collar" contains radiation detectors. The rat is injected with radiolabeled glucose into the blood, and sensors determine which areas of the brain use this energy source when the animals perform various tasks. ... >>

Take a photo before the explosion 18.10.2004

To neutralize bombs planted by terrorists, suspicious mail, or packages forgotten in a public place, which may also contain a bomb, sapper robots are often used. The robot shoots a suspicious object with a powerful jet of water or even blows it up. In any case, the police can only hope that they will be able to pick up fragments of an explosive device on which there will be fingerprints, which would greatly facilitate the investigation. Engineers from the University of Calgary (Canada) proposed to add a device for developing fingerprints to a demining robot. The prints are made up of traces of fat and amino acids secreted by the skin. Cyanoacrylate reacts with these compounds - the very substance that instant glue consists of, and the prints become visible. The robot is equipped with a vessel with liquid cyanoacrylate. The vessel is heated by an electric spiral to 65 degrees Celsius, and the cyanoacrylate evaporates and its vapors are directed by a fan from the nozzles ... >>

nitrogen diamond 17.10.2004

A group of scientists led by Mikhail Yeremets from the Max Planck Institute of Chemistry (Germany) obtained the polymer nitrogen predicted about ten years ago. Enclosing nitrogen in a microscopic diamond chamber with a piston, they subjected it to a pressure of a million atmospheres, while heating it with a laser to 1725 degrees Celsius. The nitrogen sample turned into a transparent crystal. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that this is polymeric nitrogen, similar both in appearance and in molecular structure to diamond. ... >>

Metals in champagne 15.10.2004

A reliable way to distinguish real champagne from Soviet champagne has been found: the composition of trace metals in Champagne wine is unique. Spanish chemists from the University of Seville measured microdoses of 16 metals in 18 samples of sparkling white wines from Spain and 17 samples of real champagne using atomic spectroscopy. It turned out that the samples clearly differ in the composition of these trace elements passing into wine from the local soil. So, real champagne contains twice as much zinc and half as much strontium as Spanish wines. The analysis distinguishes between the surrogate and the original with XNUMX% accuracy. ... >>

Underwater lumberjack 13.10.2004

The Canadian company Triton has built a remote-controlled submarine designed to collect trees flooded in hydroelectric reservoirs. According to experts, there will be about 200 million such trees around the world. Wood that has been soaked in water for a long enough time acquires a special value. The boat, named "Sawfish", dives to a depth of 30 meters. A chain saw is mounted on her nose. The operator, sitting on the escort barge, controls the boat by wire, using a picture from eight television cameras, and in muddy waters, from sonar. An inflatable rubber bag with a lifting force of about 230 kilograms is attached to the sawn trunk, which is enough to lift a tree 23 meters high and one meter in diameter at the base. A tree that has stood under water for 60-70 years dries up in the summer in the sun for two weeks, and especially large specimens are dried in a high-frequency installation. ... >>

Winter is the season of volcanoes 12.10.2004

Geophysicists at the University of Cambridge (England) analyzed data on the start time of 3200 volcanic eruptions that occurred from 1700 to 1999. It turned out that during this long period in the Northern Hemisphere in winter (November - March), eruptions occurred 18 percent more often than in summer. This effect is especially pronounced along the margins of the Pacific Ocean - in the Andes, Central America and Kamchatka. It is also observed on individual volcanoes. For example, the Japanese volcano Sakurajima most often wakes up in November. Scientists believe that the matter is in the water cycle. In winter, the earth's crust in the Northern Hemisphere sags slightly under the weight of ice, snow, and rainwater, making volcanic activity more likely. So, the Japanese islands in winter sink deeper into the ocean by 2-3 centimeters. ... >>

Can pinch bacteria 09.10.2004

Ted Hubbard, an engineer at the University of Halifax (Canada), has made microelectronics microscopic silicon tweezers that can grab cells, including bacteria up to several microns in size. The tweezers are equipped with a dynamometer, which allows you to determine the force with which it compresses the cell. By measuring the elasticity of the cell with one pinch, you can assess its condition. ... >>

Seasickness indicator 07.10.2004

Putting another indicator on the dashboard of a car is recommended by Dutch inventor Jelte Bos. He developed a small device that warned the driver that with this style of driving, his passengers, especially children, would soon get sick. Three accelerometers register accelerations along three spatial axes, and a microcomputer analyzes the results and displays on the screen the percentage of people who will react painfully to one or another driver's maneuver. However, only a prototype is equipped with such an informatively rich display, and the serial version of the device will have only three LEDs - green, yellow and red, signaling the degree of danger of seasickness in the car. ... >>

Hangover cactus, taken orally 05.10.2004

As American doctors have proven, an extract from prickly pear cactus, which is common even in homes, significantly alleviates the symptoms of a hangover. The experiments were carried out according to all the rules at the University of New Orleans, they were attended by 64 students aged 20 to 30 years. Volunteers received a capsule with prickly pear extract or a neutral substance, then after three hours they were offered lunch and two hours later - plentiful portions of alcoholic beverages. The next morning, it turned out that those who received the cactus extract suffered less hangover symptoms such as dry mouth, lack of appetite and nausea. In addition, they had less of the stress hormone - cortisol and a protein in their blood, indicating inflammatory processes in the body. True, symptoms such as headache or dizziness are not relieved by a cactus. One US pharmaceutical company has already launched this hangover cure. ... >>

Eurohummingbirds are early birds 04.10.2004

Two fossils of the most ancient hummingbirds have been found in a clay quarry in southwestern Germany. Their age is estimated at 30-34 million years. Until now, the oldest specimens of hummingbirds were considered to be "only" a million years old, found in a cave in Central America. Now there are more than three hundred species of these small birds with a long beak adapted for sucking nectar from tubular flowers. Modern hummingbirds live only in America. Therefore, the European find fully deserved the scientific name "Eurohummingbird unexpected." ... >>

sounding wall 02.10.2004

The German chemical company Bayer, together with the electrical engineering company Siemens, has developed a composite polyurethane foam material, on the basis of which sound panels with a thickness of 7 millimeters are made, built directly into the walls of any room. The panels transmit sound vibrations from a coil glued to it, such as a conventional speaker head. The room is no longer cluttered with bulky stereo speakers. The sound becomes richer and full surround effect is achieved. True, it is undesirable to hang carpets or paintings on a sounding wall. ... >>

Samsung has released the first mobile phone with a hard drive 28.09.2004

Samsung has introduced the world's first mobile phone in Japan with a built-in 1,5 GB hard drive. Samsung has made an important new step towards further improvement of mobile phones by placing for the first time in the world a miniature one-inch hard drive with a capacity of 5400 GB in a mass-produced mobile phone model SPH-V1,5. Despite the fact that such a step was predicted by experts for a long time, a number of technical problems still did not allow starting mass production of phones with "hard drives". The SPH-V5400 is equipped with a miniature built-in 1,5 GB 320-inch hard drive. The clamshell model is equipped with a megapixel camera, an internal LCD display with a resolution of 240x128 pixels and an external resolution of 128x3 pixels, made using OLED technology. Additional phone features include an MPXNUMX player and an electronic dictionary. The South Korean company said that the powerful built-in microphone improves ... >>

Home theater system with automatic speaker setup 25.09.2004

The Japanese company Yamaha announced at the beginning of September an inexpensive (about $400) home theater set DVX-S150. The system includes an AV receiver/player, a front pair of speakers (two 50 mm speakers, 100 Hz...25 kHz), rear satellites, a subwoofer (160 mm LF driver, 30 Hz...200 Hz) and a center speaker. The main unit of the system supports playback of DVD+R/RW, CD-R/RW, MP3, JPEG, and Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS, Dolby ProLogic II audio standards. The power of the built-in amplifier is 225 W (45 Wx5 channels). In addition, the DVD receiver is equipped with the YPAO function, automatic speaker setup for the environment. It is produced using a highly sensitive microphone, which is installed in the place where the viewer is supposed to be. The back of the receiver has D2, S-Video and two composite inputs, as well as optical, analog and bass audio outputs. ... >>

XNUMXD echography 24.09.2004

Scientists from the University of Navarra are improving a technique for obtaining three-dimensional images of babies in the womb using ultrasound. Three-dimensional ultrasound echography is the latest method of ultrasound examination, which is already used by doctors in the clinic of the University of Navarra (Spain), equipped with the most advanced equipment. It allows you to get a detailed image of any object inside the human body, such as a baby in the womb, and one image takes several seconds, and the entire study takes no more than fifteen minutes. With the help of a series of images, future parents can not only see the features of the child from different angles, but also see how he moves. According to some experts, such "acquaintance" strengthens the bond between parents and children. Well, doctors have received a powerful device that allows you to monitor the development of the fetus. They will now notice developmental disorders of the face or spine in time, and as soon as possible they will be able to offer ... >>

Smart t-shirt 23.09.2004

A British student came up with a T-shirt that monitors the health of an athlete. I thought for a long time that it would be a good idea to monitor the health of an athlete directly during the game, but when in 2003 Cameroon midfielder Mark Vivien Foumer was on the field from a heart attack, I decided to take it seriously, "says David Evans from Northumbria University. The result is a "smart" T-shirt. An ECG sensor is attached to it, which captures the electrical activity of the heart and sends data through a micro-radio transmitter sewn to the hem of the T-shirt to the trainer's computer. Sweat sensors based on silica gel tourniquets stretch along the athlete's back. And another one is hidden in the sleeve sensor - it receives a radio signal from the coach and with a slight vibration informs the player: look at the team bench, they want to tell you something.Having information about the work of the heart, especially about its violations, the coach and doctors can understand in time that the player is tired and it is time to replace him .Decreased perspiration ... >>

Solar rooftops of the British Isles 19.09.2004

To promote new energy, British scientists have built several houses with solar panels on the roofs. Through a project funded by the UK Department of Trade and Industry, Dr Abu-Bakr Bahaj from the University of Southampton has fitted nine new homes with solar panels. During the day, they provided the main part of the electricity, and additional power was supplied from the city network. As it turned out, if you use 80% of solar electricity, you can save 132 pounds per year of those 250-500 pounds that the British pay for electricity. True, for this, the inhabitants of the experimental houses had to change their lifestyle somewhat: turn on such energy-hungry appliances as a washing machine and dishwasher at the height of the day. "Energy bills are a constant headache, especially for the poor," says Dr. Bahaj. ... >>

Associated gas will burn profitably 17.09.2004

Engineers from North Dakota want to use gas microelectric turbines in oil fields. Associated gas, which, together with oil, flies out of the well, is by no means always used. Either the quality is not very good, or the quantity is not enough - it is unprofitable to build a gas pipeline to the nearest plant, or something else. In general, most oilmen burn this gas, polluting the environment and contributing to the greenhouse effect without any benefit to humanity. "We believe that by installing microelectric turbines in the mines, it will be possible to both generate electricity and reduce emissions of harmful substances by three-quarters," says John Harju from the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies at the University of North Dakota. Now the center's engineers have begun testing such turbines in their state's oil fields. The microturbine is specially designed for gas with a high sulfur content, up to 1,5% (this is the gas that comes from the Dakota subsoil); its power is 30 kW. This is quite enough to provide electricity ... >>

coal foam 16.09.2004

By heating carbon to 10000 degrees Celsius with a laser, a group of Greek, Russian and Australian physicists working at the University of Canberra (Australia) obtained the fifth modification of carbon. As a result of heating in vacuum, a carbon foam was obtained, which, unlike the four previously known modifications (graphite, diamond, fullerenes and nanotubes), has magnetic properties. In addition, carbon foam exhibits the properties of a semiconductor and has an extremely low density: only two milligrams per cubic centimeter. This is about 750 times less than the density of hard coal. ... >>

Ears need noise 13.09.2004

Hearing needs constant training to stay in shape, and those who live in constant silence are as deafened as workers in a forge and press shop. German researchers came to this conclusion. A group of physiologists led by Gerald Fleischer from the University of Giessen (Germany) measured the hearing acuity of more than 10 thousand people around the world over several years. At the same time, the noise level of their environment was also recorded. As expected, people exposed to extremely loud noises at work, such as construction workers, have reduced hearing. But the inhabitants of the quiet countryside are just as deaf. It turned out that, in general, urban residents have better hearing than residents of quiet villages. People in professions such as orchestra musicians and pilots, despite the constant noise during working hours, have unexpectedly sensitive hearing. Fleischer believes that it is not constant noise that is harmful to the delicate mechanism of the inner ear, but shock loads - individual very loud sounds. On the contrary, stay ... >>

Bloodhound Mouse 12.09.2004

Biologists from the University of Florida in Tallahassee (USA) have bred a breed of mice, the sense of smell in which is significantly enhanced compared to ordinary mice. Oddly enough, for this it was not necessary to add a gene to mice, but to eliminate one of the existing ones. The knocked-out gene produces a protein called Kv1.3, which is involved in the formation of "valves" in the nerve cell membrane that control the flow of potassium ions in and out of the cell. And the rate of flow of potassium ions depends on how quickly and actively the nerve cell reacts to stimuli. The Kv1.3 protein is present in the cells of the olfactory bulbs, and the scientists thought that turning off its gene would lead to a weakening of the mouse's sense of smell. But it turned out that the sense of smell, on the contrary, is enhanced by 1000-10000 times. No other anomalies have been found in the new breed of rodents. ... >>

With the mouse at the ready 11.09.2004

Those who work a lot with a computer mouse often complain of numbness in their fingers and pain in their right wrist. To save computer scientists from discomfort, specialists from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Iowa (USA) offered a mouse that resembles a pistol in shape. When working, it is kept on weight. ... >>

The light went out - the air became cleaner 09.09.2004

On August 2003, 50, as a result of a major power failure (a short circuit on a high-voltage line due to tree branches touching it), 2004 million residents of Canada and the United States lost electricity for almost a day. The cascade of blackouts resulted in the shutdown of the generators of more than a hundred power plants, mostly thermal ones. The accident also had unexpected good consequences: the air became cleaner. Meteorologist Russell Dickinson and his staff flew the aircraft through the center of the accident shortly before power was restored. In the spring of 2002, the report of this group was published. Air samples taken from the plane showed about the same amount of pollution associated with car exhaust as on the same hot August day in 90. But the content of sulfur dioxide in the air fell by 50%, ozone by about 40% (poisonous ozone is formed during the photochemical reaction of air pollution with oxygen), and visibility increased by XNUMX kilometers. In general, during the stop ... >>

electric bullets 07.09.2004

I remember sailors from the Nautilus shooting sea monsters with electric bullets, which were miniature Leyden jars. A similar, but not lethal, ammunition was developed by the American company Teknosis. Electric bullets are intended mainly for the police and will replace rubber bullets, which often cause quite serious injuries. Under the rubber shell of an electric bullet is a piezoceramic core. When hitting a target, a bullet develops a short-term electric discharge of 50-250 kilovolts, which immobilizes the attacker for several tens of seconds. During this time, the police manages to twist him. Shooting is effective at a distance of up to one hundred meters. Industrial production of electric bullets should begin in the spring of 2005. ... >>

Microbes and nuggets 05.09.2004

A characteristic picture of many gold deposits: gold occurs in the form of the smallest particles scattered in the main rock, and in some places more or less large flakes and even nuggets come across. Australian geologists have studied one of these deposits in New South Wales and concluded that the flakes and nuggets of gold are created by microbes. On the surface of gold flakes, formations similar to bubbles are often visible under a microscope. Sensitive analysis made it possible to find traces of bacterial DNA in them. Taking fungi and bacteria from a gold mine, geologists placed them in solutions of gold compounds. On the surface of the colonies of microorganisms, the deposition of atomic layers of gold began, repeating the shape of the colony. This is the beginning of the formation of a nugget. The process is very slow, and the appearance of large nuggets weighing hundreds of grams and kilograms took, apparently, millions of years. Knowing which types of microorganisms concentrate gold, geologists will be able to discover new ones by their presence in the soil. ... >>

Electricity from wheels 03.09.2004

Until now, there were only two ways to power a bicycle headlight and brake light: either from a dynamo pressed against a wheel tire, or from a battery. The Japanese company "TOP" has proposed a new method. 14 permanent magnets are fixed on the spokes of the front wheel of the bicycle, and induction coils are on the fork. Passing by the coils, the magnets excite an electric current in them, the energy accumulates in capacitors and is fed to the headlight (it has three white LEDs instead of a light bulb) and to the rear brake light, where the red LED works. The benefits of the new solution are clear. The number of moving parts is kept to a minimum. The corrugated head of the dynamo does not rub the tire bead. LEDs are characterized by long life and low power consumption. ... >>

Fishing lantern 02.09.2004

A simple invention of two American fishing enthusiasts, patented in 1993, will not find a manufacturer or investor. The device that exists in one copy is a gas lantern placed on a round float. The device is anchored in the evening in a pond, the lamp is lit. Bugs, moths and other insects flock to the light, many of them, burning their wings, fall into the water. Small fish gather for this food, large predators come after it. Here the angler casts his line. The tests were successful. ... >>

Sauna for the heart 01.09.2004

Japanese doctors from the University of Kagoshima claim that staying in the sauna is beneficial for patients with chronic heart failure. Twenty patients spent 15 minutes daily in a steam room at 60 degrees Celsius for two weeks, and then lay in bed under a thick blanket for 30 minutes to maintain a high body temperature. A control group of 10 patients simply lay in bed for 45 minutes without a blanket. At the beginning of the experiment, the severity of symptoms of heart failure was approximately the same in both groups. But after two weeks, those who had been in the bath had significantly fewer cases of arrhythmia and the levels of two hormones in the blood decreased, the presence of which indicates damage to the heart muscle. ... >>

PHILIPS introduced its mirror TVs in Russia 29.08.2004

Philips has announced the start of sales in Russia of MiraVision TVs, which are wide-panel LCD screens with a mirror coating. First of all, such devices are intended for institutions of the hotel and entertainment industry, the cost of each of them is about ?3000. Mirrored LCD TVs appeared about 2 years ago. Widescreen TVs of the MiraVision brand were introduced in the US and Europe already in the middle of last year. However, to date, 20 such devices have already been sold in Russia. Models MiraVision 17HM8801 and MiraVision 23HM8801 have a screen size of 17 and 23 inches, respectively. In these devices, the LCD screen is specially attached to the mirror and occupies only part of its surface. ... >>

Falcon will produce equipment under the Akai brand 27.08.2004

On July 28, Akai Universal and Consumer Electronics Sokol entered into a long-term exclusive agreement to organize the licensed production of a full cycle of TVs and other consumer electronics under the Akai brand in Russia. The general list of products covered by the terms of the agreement includes CRT and LCD TVs, plasma panels, DVD players and home theaters In addition, under the terms of the agreement, Sokol receives the right to distribute in Russia and the CIS countries all of the above products manufactured under the Akai brand, along with some other major representatives of retail chains household appliances and wholesale companies. ... >>

Radio receiver VICTOR RA-BF3 with sound delay system 25.08.2004

The Japanese company Victor Company of Japan, known in Russia by the JVC trademark, has released a new Victor RA-BF3 radio receiver with a sound delay system. A little earlier, the same company introduced a TV with a similar system. NHK's proprietary audio slowdown system improves speech intelligibility, particularly in radio news broadcasts. The received sound is recorded in the built-in buffer, after which it slows down, deciphering the "patters" of the speakers. The system automatically monitors the duration of pauses in programs and adjusts the speed of audio playback. The Victor RA-BF3 model is capable of receiving radio broadcasts in the FM and AM bands, as well as the sound of television broadcasts in the meter range. The receiver has an analog tuning system and features large buttons for ease of use. The device reproduces monaural sound, has a built-in 10 cm loudspeaker and output for ... >>

Microwave to the heart 23.08.2004

Engineers from Australia have designed a device that allows you to treat arrhythmia of the heart muscle using microwave radiation. The device was designed by engineers from the University of Technology Sydney (Australia) under the leadership of Hank Chiu. With this device, microwave radiation heats individual, precisely selected, sections of the heart muscle up to 55°C. "This procedure only takes a few seconds, and the result is damage that blocks the wrong electrical signal," explains Hink Chiu. Removing a piece of tissue is a common way to deal with arrhythmia (frequent irregular heartbeats). One of the methods is radio emission, when a needle is inserted into the heart and a high-frequency signal is transmitted through it, burning a spot with a diameter of five millimeters. However, if the heat is strong, the blood can clot and form a blood clot. Microwave radiation for the treatment of arrhythmias is also used, but only in combination with surgical methods. "We hope to make ... >>

Nanoelement for soldering ready 20.08.2004

Scientists from Israel attached gold tips to the nanotransistor, and now it is easy to attach it to an electric nanocircuit. In stories about the brilliant future of nanotechnology, the miraculous nanoparticles themselves take center stage. However, the ways of connecting them, for example, into some kind of working electrical circuit, are the subject of reflection for many learned men and women. Really, isn't it possible to manually collect billions of particles? In addition, good electrical contacts are needed, but how to attach them so that the properties for which everything is intended do not disappear? Scientists from the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at the University of Jerusalem paved the way for solving both problems: they attached two gold particles to the ends of an extended nanocrystal with strong chemical bonds. The result is something that looks like an aerobic dumbbell. "Due to the chemical bonds, electric current flows easily through this structure," says research team leader Prof. Uri Banin. " ... >>

Mouse left 18.08.2004

Controlling a computer mouse with your left hand is better for your spine, joints and muscles than using the conventional way when the mouse is to the right of the keyboard. Alvin Delyle of the Institute of Occupational Health and Safety in Montreal, Canada, asked 27 right-handed computer workers to move their mice to the left for a month. It turned out that in this case, the shoulder, arm and wrist make fewer movements and these movements have a much smaller amplitude than usual. Meanwhile, it is precisely these repetitive movements that can lead to occupational diseases of a computer engineer. The reason for the improvement in ergonomics when using a mouse with the left hand is that the standard computer keyboard is not symmetrical. Directly in front of the typist are rows of letter keys. On the left, the keyboard ends with one row of service keys, and on the right, in addition to three rows of cursor control keys, there is also a numeric keypad for entering numbers and calculations, consisting of four rows of keys. ... >>

Dogs look like their owners 17.08.2004

Observant people have been talking about this for a long time, but a scientific assessment of the degree of similarity between dogs and their owners has been carried out for the first time. Psychologists from the University of California at San Diego (USA) went to a park where local dog owners walk with their pets and photographed 45 dogs (25 purebreds and 20 mutts) and their owners. They were filmed separately and against different backgrounds. Then the obtained photographs were shown to 28 students and asked to arrange the pictures in pairs "dog - owner". The similarity was considered proven if more than half of these "arbitrators" correctly made one or another pair. Result: the owners of 16 out of 25 purebred dogs were identified correctly, but with the mutts the task turned out to be more difficult. Only 7 out of 20 were recognized as similar to the owners. It was found that the degree of similarity does not depend on how long the person and the dog live side by side. The authors of the study cannot give a clear explanation for their results. Perhaps, they say, in the case of purebred dogs, each picks a pet, ... >>

Hydrofoil car 16.08.2004

At the Geneva Motor Show, held in March 2004, a small Swiss company "Rinspeed" showed the world's first hydrofoil amphibious car. Double car "Splash", which in English means "Splash", driving into the water, releases a propeller from the trunk. Folding wings depart from the sides of the hull and fall under the bottom. The spoiler is lowered - in the water it turns out to be the rear wing. The 140 horsepower two-cylinder engine can run on natural gas or gasoline. On land, speeds up to 200 kilometers per hour develop, on water - about 80 kilometers per hour. ... >>

Fullerenes can be dangerous 14.08.2004

Preliminary studies by American hygienists suggest that fullerenes - round hollow molecules consisting of several dozen carbon atoms - can be harmful to the body. Fullerenes were first obtained in 1985; they can be used in microelectronics, as an additive to lubricants, in fuel cells. Pharmacists want to use these nanometer-sized beads (a nanometer is one thousandth of a micrometer) as supermicroscopic pills, filling them with drugs and injecting them into the patient's bloodstream. They are also used in cosmetics, filling with cosmetics. However, experiments on fish conducted at the University of Dallas (USA) have shown that fullerenes can accumulate in liver cells and brain neurons, changing the functioning of genes in these cells and damaging cell membranes. The degree of toxicity of ultramicroscopic carbon balls is estimated as average between nickel and benzopyrene, a carcinogen contained in t ... >>

Orange sky 12.08.2004

This is the name of a tanker for the transport of orange juice from South America to Europe, recently launched in Bremerhaven (Germany). There are only two such tankers in the world. The vessel, 172 meters long, has 15 tanks with a total capacity of 11 cubic meters. On the way, the tanks are cooled by a powerful refrigeration system. The air above the surface of the juice is replaced with nitrogen to prevent oxidation. Most of the tanks are usually filled not with juice, but with its concentrate. Water is evaporated from the juice in a vacuum, and its volume is reduced by about six times. Due to the high content of acids and mineral salts, the concentrate can be cooled on the way without freezing down to minus 10 degrees Celsius. Upon arrival in Germany, the juice is reconstituted by diluting with distilled water. The average German citizen drinks almost 10 liters of orange juice a year. ... >>

Refalt - instant asphalt 10.08.2004

The Austrian company "Vialit" produces a mixture of "Refalt" for instant repair of asphalt road surfaces. The black powder, supplied in sealed containers, is poured into the pothole, water is added and leveled. After a few minutes, the hardened new coating can be driven on. Repairs are easily carried out both in rain and in winter, at low temperatures. Old Refalt, like ordinary asphalt, can be reused. ... >>

Microbes eat oil 09.08.2004

The content of hydrocarbons in the effluents of Ukrainian metallurgical enterprises exceeds the permissible norms by 5-40 times. Existing mechanical, chemical and biological cleaning methods are laborious, slow, expensive, and in some cases harm the environment no less than the oil products they are supposed to rid nature of. Known microorganisms that can eat various fractions of oil. Ukrainian scientists were able to intensify this process. Specialists from the Institute of Botany of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine have selected the optimal complex of microorganisms. As a result of their vital activity, oil-containing effluents from metallurgical plants turn into compounds that do not harm nature. The final product of microbiological decomposition is humic acids, which can serve as a fertilizer. ... >>

Milk inoculation 07.08.2004

Five-year-old Australian Alexander N. was taken to a clinic in Jena (Germany) to be treated for a rare and severe type of allergy: the boy could not tolerate cow's milk proteins. One thousandth of a percent of these proteins (and they are sometimes added to the most unexpected food products) was enough for the child to develop a swelling of the larynx that blocked breathing. The treatment turned out to be simple in principle, but requiring strict medical supervision. For five days the child was given the same cow's milk, but in greater dilutions. We started with a homeopathic dilution a million times: for a thousand liters of water (per cubic meter) one milliliter of milk. And then every twenty minutes the dilution was halved. Already on the fourth day, Alexander began to receive pure milk, and nothing terrible happened. Now, in order for the results of the treatment to be preserved, he must drink half a glass or a glass of milk daily. The method is not suitable for all cases of food allergies. For example, it is unsuitable ... >>

Mountains and deserts of Mars 05.08.2004

In January 2004, two American mobile vehicles, Spirit and Opportunity, landed on Mars. Mars rovers that have landed on different sides of the planet are quite briskly driving around the red desert and transmitting photographs of Martian landscapes and scientific data on the composition of the soil and atmosphere to Earth. Mars rovers are equipped with infrared spectrometers, which determine the mineral composition of soil and rocks. The European Space Agency's (ESA) Mars Express research vehicle, launched from Baikonur, went into orbit around Mars and is transmitting spectacular landscape images, but its Beagle 2 lander went missing while trying to land on Mars. ... >>

Shockproof music center 03.08.2004

The German company "Bosch" has begun production of a music center for construction sites. The electronics of the center are surrounded by a solid frame made of steel tubes and rubber shock absorbers. At an exhibition of construction equipment held in the USA, a company representative demonstrated the strength of the product by throwing a working "music box" from end to end of the hall. At the same time, the CD being played did not even stutter. Without harm to itself, the music center also endures a fall from the second floor. The electronics are protected not only from shock, but also from moisture penetration, so that they can work in the rain. Works both from batteries, and from a network. ... >>

Warmer in Europe 02.08.2004

Swiss climatologists from the University of Bern, after analyzing data on summer temperatures in Europe over several centuries, came to the conclusion that since the Middle Ages, the climate of the continent has been steadily warming. The last 30 years have been the warmest in more than five centuries. Regular and relatively accurate measurements of air temperature have been conducted for only about 150 years, so scientists used indirect evidence, for example, measurements of the width of annual rings on saw cuts of old trees from Scandinavia and the oxygen isotope ratio in Greenland ice cores. In addition, there are phenological records that were kept in some European monasteries. The monks noted, for example, the time of snow melting, the time of flowering of wild and cultivated plants, the period of ripening and harvesting of grapes. It turns out that the coldest in Europe for 500 years was the winter of 1708/1709, and the warmest was the winter of 1989/1990. The hottest during this period was the summer of 2003, when over ... >>

Bank collapse 01.08.2004

In the German city of Hagen, a hundred-meter skyscraper of one of the banks was recently demolished by an explosion. The demolition was carried out in public. The building, which stood for about thirty years and largely determined the skyline of the city, became too expensive to operate due to its high-rise building. More than two hundred kilograms of explosives were distributed over 1500 holes drilled at key points in the structure. For the first time in the world, during such a large demolition operation, the fuses were controlled by a computer. The explosion was not loud, not a single window was damaged in the surrounding buildings. The building sank in five seconds. The dismantling of the skyscraper would take 10 months. Fire hoses created a curtain of water that prevented the dust from flying, and yet, in the surrounding car parks, cars were covered with a thin whitish coating. From a safe distance, 40 residents of Hagen and the gathered tourists watched what was happening. For them, special platforms were built in advance. After the explosion, the crowd burst into applause. ... >>

The popularity of LCD TVs is growing 30.07.2004

Authoritative Taiwanese sources report the rapid growth in popularity of LCD TVs. If in the first quarter of this year the global demand for this type of high-tech products amounted to about two million pieces, then in the second quarter these figures will be exceeded. As for the second half of the year, analysts estimate the demand for LCD TVs at 5-6 million units. The most optimistic sources believe that in 2004 global demand will be 14-15 million units, but more cautious observers say that manufacturers simply cannot afford to ship such a number of TVs, so the real boom should happen next year. In addition, analysts believe that by 2006 19-inch LCD monitors will become the most popular among those sold on the market. ... >>

NEC has declared war on pirated batteries 29.07.2004

With the growing popularity of digital cameras and mobile phones, the number of manufacturers of "non-native" batteries that do not meet quality and safety standards has increased. As a result, according to the original developers, devices deteriorate. NEC Electronics has introduced a new software for microcontrollers of mobile devices that determines the authenticity of batteries. According to the Japanese company, its development is the most progressive through the use of its own Cipherunicorn-5 technology. The advantages of the technology are 5x smaller code size and 18x speed increase compared to analogues. Thus, the program can be used in any standard 8-bit microcontroller. The code written by the company's programmers will simply not allow such batteries to work. The battery is prompted for encrypted data, which, if not matched, will result in a failure to operate from the "wrong" power source. Acceleration of work was achieved in ... >>

CMYK TVs 27.07.2004

For nearly 50 years, all TVs have been displaying three RGB colors (red, green and blue). However, the Israeli firm Genoa Color Technologies has shattered the RGB stereotype and proposed complementing RGB with yellow, cyan and bright red (CMYK), which will increase the display of the visible color spectrum from the current 55% to 95%. As a result, on such a multi-color screen (MPC - multi-primary color) a high-quality and bright image of the film level should be obtained. Royal Philips Electronics also joined the project, hoping to release LCOS projection televisions based on composite color technology. Already in the third quarter of 2004, Genoa will produce the first chips supporting MPC technology. ... >>

Siemens A65: state employee with polyphony 25.07.2004

The division of Siemens for the production of equipment for mobile communication (Information Communication Mobile, ICM) introduced a new handset code number A65. The mobile phone is positioned as inexpensive, simple and easy to use and, at the same time, a multifunctional device equipped with a 4-position navigation key. The screen of the new mobile phone supports 4096 colors. An external camera with a flash is available as an optional accessory to the phone. Siemens A65 is the only budget A-class mobile phone that allows you to use the camera and send just taken pictures using MMS messages. The developers also pay attention to the design of the keyboard - the numeric buttons are clearly separated from each other for the convenience of the user. The new mobile phone operates in three bands - GSM 900/1800/1900. ... >>

PDA BrailleNote PK for the blind 24.07.2004

Pulse Data International, a company specializing in the production of computer equipment for the blind and visually impaired, has introduced the most compact PDA to date, designed specifically for this category of users. Dimensions of the new PDA BrailleNote PK - 174x92x32 mm, weight 450 g. The device runs under Windows CE and is equipped with 24 MB of built-in ROM and 64 MB of RAM, as well as 8 MB of non-volatile memory for storing user data. BrailleNote supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing the blind to use a wide range of external devices that support this protocol, as well as use wireless Internet access. In addition to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, BrailleNote is equipped with a serial and USB port, as well as a slot for Compact Flash cards. 1 GB MicroDrive disk media and ATA memory cards are supported. BrailleNote RK is equipped with an 18-character Braille display - "the alphabet of the blind", allowing them to "read" the text of the blind ... >>

Light bulbs go wireless 23.07.2004

Rapidly penetrating into our lives, wireless devices for various purposes have reached the most conservative strongholds of "wired" technologies - in particular, electric lighting. According to a press release from the American nuclear research laboratory Sandia National Laboratories, wireless light sources based on nanocrystals have been developed in the United States, which in the future can replace incandescent lamps or fluorescent lights that are familiar to us. In addition to the absence of electrical wires, the new lamps have another advantage - very high efficiency. The wireless light sources were developed as part of a joint project between Los Alamos National Laboratories and Sandia Laboratories. The emitting elements in them are nanocrystals. Semiconductor structures known as "quantum wells" are used as energy sources. Their ultraviolet radiation is effectively absorbed by nanocrystals, after which it is re-emitted in the form ... >>

Bluetooth adapter for Motorola phones 21.07.2004

The new Motorola Wireless Adapter DC600 makes it easy for owners of select Motorola phones to get Bluetooth wireless capabilities. The small device attaches to the bottom of your phone and allows you to connect to Bluetooth headsets, speakers and car systems. For audio and data transfer, the adapter is compatible with the following devices: Motorola wireless car kit, portable wireless speakers, HS800, HS810, HS820 series wireless headphones and Bluetooth USB PC adapter, and Motorola T720, T720i, T720c, T721, T722, T722i series phones , T730, T731, V400, V300, V60p, V60i, V60it Color, V60x, V66i, E310, V810, V120t, V120X and V120e. The following models only support audio: Motorola V60c, V60t, V60g, V120c, V66, and V70. The dimensions of the console are 39 x 42 x 16 mm, and it weighs only 17 g. The cost of such an adapter is 40 USD. ... >>

Flying at 68 terabitometers per second 20.07.2004

Scientists from Switzerland and the USA set another record for data transfer speed over long distances. Scientists from CERN and the California Institute of Technology set another record in the speed of information transfer over the Network: the distance of 11 thousand kilometers sent gigabits covered at a speed of 68 terabitometers per second, that is, the bandwidth of the communication channel was 431 gigabits per second. This is ten thousand times the capacity of a broadband access channel. For the record, the usual IP data transfer protocol version 6,235 and the existing global network were used, to which dynamic optical path switches were added. "The record brings us closer to the coveted threshold of ten gigabits per second," says Oliver Martin, head of CERN's external networks sector. According to a study by the US Department of Energy, in the next decade, ... >>

Magnetic heads polished with green tea 19.07.2004

Engineers from Arizona have figured out how to make a cheap and, most importantly, biodegradable liquid for polishing magnetic heads based on green tea. The reading heads of magnetic disks must be polished very carefully: if bumps occur on the surface, their height should not exceed ten angstroms. To wash off all kinds of dust particles, as well as particles of polishing powder, a liquid with sticky additives is used. As you might guess, usually these substances are specially synthesized, and, being too tough for soil microbes, they pollute the environment after use. The volume of such waste is not small - more than 160 million hard drives are produced per year. Therefore, there is a desire to replace synthesized substances with natural ones: they were originally intended for food by microorganisms. In a magnetic head polishing liquid, engineers from the small company "Ventana Research Corporation" while working on a grant from the National Science Foundation (USA), allocated under the program ... >>

oily water 15.07.2004

The English company "Aqualider" has developed a new composition for extinguishing fires. This is "Fok-Stop" - a granular, highly hygroscopic polymer, like the one used in diapers. When 0,1-0,2% polymer is added to water, a transparent, rather viscous mass is formed that can be pumped through a fire hose. Firefighters nicknamed this mass "greasy water." Unlike rapidly flowing water, it sticks to vertical burning surfaces and remains in place for a relatively long time, smothering the fire. "Fok-Stop" is not dangerous for living organisms, does not pollute the environment (similar polymers are used in agriculture to retain moisture in the soil). The new composition is especially effective in forest fires, protecting tree trunks. In England it is already used by 55 fire brigades. Interest was shown by Australia, Hong Kong; 15 European and 21 Latin American countries. ... >>

Electronic blackboard 14.07.2004

Ten schools in Berlin are testing electronic blackboards. This is a white board with a pressure sensitive surface. On it, as on a screen, the projector throws the image from the computer monitor to which the board is connected by a wire. They write and draw on the surface of the board with a special electronic pencil, they also erase and change what is written. If a student at the blackboard solves mathematical examples, the board (or rather, the computer that controls it) can be asked to check the solution and give the correct answer. The teacher can send everything written on the board to the Internet, so that a sick student can follow the lesson in real time at home on his computer. So far, tests have revealed only one drawback: standing at the board blocks part of the projector beam. However, even a person who writes on an ordinary school board blocks part of what is written with his back. In addition, the problem can be dealt with by making the board translucent and placing the projector at the back. ... >>

Drug test 12.07.2004

About seven million American adults use drugs regularly. Therefore, the issue of their detection in suspected drug addicts is acute. Dragwipe has released a miniature device for detecting four main groups of drugs in human sweat - these are opiates, cocaine, amphetamines and cannabis drugs. The analysis takes one to two minutes, it is enough to pass the sensitive element of the device over the skin of the person being tested several times. If a person refuses to be analyzed, traces of drugs can be detected on objects that the suspect touched: steering wheel, computer keyboard and mouse, door handles and electrical switches in the apartment. ... >>

The brightest star 11.07.2004

An international team of astronomers has discovered the largest and brightest star at the other end of the Galaxy, which received the index LBV1806-20 in star catalogs. This star, which is 45 thousand light-years away, is 150 times more massive than our Sun, its diameter is 200 times greater, and its brightness is 40 million times greater than the sun. This blue giant is estimated to be very young, less than two million years old (the Sun is about five billion years old). Despite the enormous brightness of the newly discovered star, it is almost invisible from Earth: 90 percent of the light is absorbed by clouds of cosmic dust and a large distance, so that the apparent brightness corresponds to the eighth magnitude (stars no weaker than the fifth are visible to the naked eye). The existence of such a giant does not fit into generally accepted astronomical theories: it was believed that there could be no stars more than 120 times the mass of the Sun. ... >>

Sun and wind for home 10.07.2004

The British government has set a target: by 2015, the country should receive 15 percent of its energy from renewable natural sources. The English firm "Nuaire" proposes to attach a system of solar collectors to the cottages. The sun bears part of the cost of heating the house and heating water, and the built-in heat accumulators are so efficient that they continue to heat the house even at night and in cloudy weather. The system is suitable not only for England with its relatively mild climate, but also for the countries of Scandinavia. Another British firm, Windsave, has developed a model of a small wind-electric generator that can be easily mounted on the roof of any house. Such a windmill develops power up to 750 watts, providing 15% of the electricity consumed by the average English family. ... >>

Dry cleaning of birds 09.07.2004

A new way to save seabirds smeared with oil that fell into the sea during a tanker accident was proposed by Australian environmentalists. Usually, the feathers of unfortunate gulls, guillemots and cormorants are washed with gasoline or detergents, and the natural fatty coating of the feathers is also washed off. Working with one bird takes an hour. John Orbell of Victoria University of Melbourne suggested dusting the soiled bird with fine iron powder, which absorbs oil, and then picking up the sticky mixture with a strong magnet. In a few minutes, 92-98 percent of contaminants are removed from feathers. In the future, you can separate the oil from the iron and reuse the powder. ... >>

turtle diver 08.07.2004

The leatherback sea turtle has set the diving depth record for a reptile. This largest of all species of turtles can exceed two meters in length, the largest specimen found weighed 916 kilograms. It lives in all oceans except the Arctic. The species is listed in the Red Book. English zoologists from the University of Wales, having placed depth gauges-recorders on the shells of several individuals, discovered that one of the experimental turtles dived in the Atlantic, away from the coast, to a depth of 640 meters. Unpublished data suggest that turtles of this species are able to dive a kilometer. Leatherback turtles feed on jellyfish and other gelatinous plankton, and since this food is about 98 percent water, they have to work hard to find food. The previous record, recorded close to the coast, was 475 meters. ... >>

After the dinosaurs, mushrooms ruled the earth 07.07.2004

As far as is known, the extinction of dinosaurs 65 million years ago was caused by the fall of an asteroid that left a crater with a diameter of 180 kilometers on the Yucatan Peninsula and in the sea off its coast. The asteroid crashed into the Earth at a speed 40 times the speed of sound. The dust raised by the impact, smoke and soot from the forest fires that had arisen covered the Earth from the sun's rays, the vegetation living by photosynthesis died, followed by animals that fed on plants, and then predators. Swedish and New Zealand paleontologists in many parts of the Earth have found a thin, four-millimeter layer of coal left by this catastrophe. A lot of fungal spores and remains of their mycelium were found in the coal layer. Apparently, fungi, which do not have photosynthesis and therefore do not need sunlight, then multiplied all over the Earth, feeding on the remains of dead plants and animals. Above is a layer 60 centimeters thick, in which remnants of regenerating vegetation were found. Popes were the first to appear after the global catastrophe ... >>

Treatment of herpes with infrared light 04.07.2004

"Fever" on the lips - a manifestation of the herpes virus, which infects about 95% of the population - is usually treated with either home remedies or special antiviral creams. The English firm Virulight has begun production of a pocket device for the treatment of herpes. The razor-sized device, powered by a built-in battery, irradiates damaged skin with infrared light at a wavelength of 1072 nanometers. Usually, two irradiation sessions of three minutes are enough to eliminate the virus, in more complex cases - up to seven sessions. If you capture the disease at the initial stage, when it manifests itself only in tingling in the corners of the lips, one session is enough. The entire treatment takes half the time of an antiviral cream treatment. The light actually does not affect the virus, but the immune cells of the skin, stimulating their activity, and they drive the virus into a dormant state when it does not manifest itself. ... >>

Feed the cows rapeseed 03.07.2004

Researchers at the University of Northern Ireland in Belfast fed 64 dairy cows rapeseed, so that each animal received up to 600 grams of rapeseed oil per day. As a result, milk has become healthier: the proportion of saturated fatty acids, from which cholesterol is produced, has decreased, and the content of unsaturated fatty acids, useful for the heart and blood vessels, has increased. Thus, the amount of palmitic acid fell by 26 percent, while the content of oleic acid increased by 35 percent. The cows didn't mind the new feed. The butter obtained from the milk of these cows has a lower melting point, it is softer than usual and spreads well on bread, even when it has just been taken out of the refrigerator. ... >>

Turbine from the other side of the world 01.07.2004

In 2009, the Three Gorges power plant on the Yangtze River (China) is to be put into operation. The reservoir, the creation of which had to relocate almost two million people from 13 cities, 116 towns and about 4500 villages, is larger in area than Switzerland. For the first stage of the power plant, eight turbines were ordered in France, three of them will be delivered from there, and five were built by French specialists at a plant in China. The first of three turbines has just arrived on site. The turbine plant is located in Grenoble, and the cargo was supposed to be sent from the port of Marseille. However, since not all bridges on the road from Grenoble to Marseille could withstand a load with a diameter of 11 meters and a weight of 450 tons, the turbine was delivered to Marseille in parts and assembled there. For this, an assembly shop was built on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Having sailed 20 kilometers on a ship to Shanghai, the turbine was loaded onto a barge and followed the river almost to the very dam. The last 30 kilometers had to be overcome by land, on a cargo platform ... >>

SONY will build a super-TV on the CELL processor 30.06.2004

Sony has announced plans to use high-performance Cell media processors to make next-generation TVs that will receive signals directly from the Internet. According to Reuters, citing the Japanese business newspaper Nihon Keizai Shimbun, development of the new television should be completed in 2006. It is assumed that the TV will be able to independently receive digital video directly from the Web, without resorting to the help of a computer. In principle, Cell-TV will actually be a computer with a slightly truncated functionality. Ideally, the TV should work in conjunction with the next generation Sony PlayStation game console, which will also be built on Cell processors and, in parallel with its main task - games - will also perform the functions of a home multimedia server. Thus, the duo being developed by Sony Cell engineers will obviously compete with "home computers" running "multi- ... >>

PIONEER car system with hard drive 29.06.2004

Pioneer introduced the Carrozzeria HDD (Cyber ​​Navi) in-car navigation system, equipped with a 30 GB Toshiba removable hard drive. The hard drive can be inserted into the Living Kit system, connected to the Internet, connected to a TV or other equipment. Users can create travel itineraries or record their favorite music on the hard drive. The new system also has a traffic jam prediction function. The hard drive has a database of past traffic conditions, analyzed seasonally, by time of day, day of the week, and other indicators. The system can issue traffic maps with predicted traffic levels for a specific date and time and suggest the best traffic plan based on past and current traffic information. The AVIC-ZH900MD has a 7-inch touch panel and DVD/MD/CD drives. Its price is about $3500. Another model AVIC-ZH900 is similar to AVIC-ZH900MD but without MD player and costs ... >>

SHARP DV-HRW30 - VHS VCR, DVD and HDD recorder 28.06.2004

Sharp Corporation demonstrated the DV-HRW30 video recorder. Due to the abundance of electronics, cassette mechanisms and DVD transport, the recorder turned out to be large, or to be more precise - 430x377x100 mm. Its mass is also not small - 7,2 kg. In the "bowels" of the DV-HRW30 "lies" a DVD-R/RW recorder with the ability to read DVD+R/RW discs, a VHS player, and an 80 GB hard drive designed to record video from TV and other video sources (you can record a maximum of up to 100 hours of video). To connect external components, there are analog audio and composite inputs; composite, stereo, D2, S-Video, coaxial and optical outputs. ... >>

Law against the IT industry 27.06.2004

A bill has been submitted to the US Senate that, if passed, will lead to dramatic changes in the IT industry. The bill, called the Stimulus Act, was lobbied by powerful copyright holders concerned about the growing popularity of P2P networks. As critics of this bill say, it interprets copyright too broadly. Thus, the "Incentive Act" introduces liability for copyright infringement, expressed in "aiding, abetting, stimulating, recommending or providing." Phillip Corvin, a lobbyist for Sharman Networks (Kazaa) remarked, "If you make a dual-use product and you know it's being used to infringe copyright, you could be held liable." If the "Stimulus Act" is adopted, not only P2P networks will be hit, but even manufacturers of consumer video equipment, CD-RW and DVD-RW devices, as well as related software that allows wasps ... >>

Samsung is going to release a mobile phone with a built-in satellite TV 26.06.2004

In the third quarter of this year, Samsung is going to release a mobile phone that can receive satellite TV signals. At the same time, the Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) service will begin, thanks to which the owners of such phones will be able to watch up to 40 television channels on their screens. At first, only South Koreans will be able to enjoy a satellite TV in their pocket. The DMB service will be operated by South Korean satellite TV operator SK Telecom. Regarding mobile satellite TV pricing, Samsung's management says it will be quite affordable and will likely charge a flat monthly fee. It should be noted that this is not the first experience of creating "television" phones for Samsung. Last year, Samsung released a phone that receives TV signals from ground stations, but the number of channels received in this case was very limited. True, the prospects for a mobile spa ... >>

Passion around video formats 25.06.2004

The active struggle of supporters of two alternative optical formats of the future continues. On one side of the barricades are Sony, Pioneer, Samsung, Matsushita Electric, Philips and Microsoft, with their Blu-Ray format. The other side is represented by Toshiba and NEC, which are actively promoting their HD-DVD format. Now there is some parity between the parties. On the one hand, Sony has already sat down to release a number of albeit very expensive, but quite commercial products based on Blu-Ray technology. Philips is also threatening to release similar devices soon. Supporters of the HD-DVD format do not yet have finished commercial products. But recently they enlisted the support of such an authoritative organization as the DVD Forum. Taiwanese manufacturers are neutral. They are ready to start manufacturing disks and drives of any approved standard, or even both at once. So the HD-DVD proponents once again managed to create a stalemate, although it seemed to many that the victory of Blu-Ray was ... >>

Remote control 24.06.2004

An increasing number of families in Europe are acquiring remote control systems for their apartment, which is a set of specialized software and a number of webcams installed in the apartment that can be remotely controlled via the Internet. The owner has the opportunity to constantly or periodically monitor the situation in his apartment. Moreover, you can get by with just one mobile phone connected to the Web. The cost of the systems is $200...300, and analysts suggest that the growth in sales of these surveillance systems will be one of the most dynamic trends in the tracking systems market in the next five years. ... >>

Mobile phones with 3-megapixel cameras will appear this year 22.06.2004

Three Korean mobile phone makers - Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and Pantech Group - are preparing to introduce handsets with 3-megapixel cameras as early as this year, the Korea Times reported, citing industry sources. If that happens, then the resolution of phone cameras will triple a year after Samsung and Pantech released megapixel copies. Samsung is first going to catch up with its rival LG and release an intermediate version with a resolution of 2 megapixels, as well as a built-in MP3 player. LG Electronics has already released the LG-SD330 with such a camera, and is preparing to introduce a 3-megapixel camera phone this summer. Pantech is about the same level as Samsung. Currently, commercially available camera phones have a resolution of 300 pixels, which is incomparable to the quality of even the simplest digital cameras. The three-millionth milestone of matrices will make a separate digital camera nickname ... >>

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC introduced fur lamps 21.06.2004

Very funny-looking lamps are called "PuffMuff", and give a very soft diffused light. "PuffMuff" are available in two versions - hanging and desktop. For decoration, white fur or white with black spots like a cow is used. The PuffMuff pendant lamps are 45,5 cm in diameter and 21 cm long. The table lamps are 19 cm in diameter and 27 cm high. ... >>

PHILIPS DVP 630: budget DVD player for the Russian market 19.06.2004

According to Philips, deliveries of the new Philips DVP 630 DVD player will begin on the Russian market in June. The device is designed for the lowest price category, so the recommended retail price should be $120. The body height of the DVP 630 is just over 40 mm. The video stream is upsampled four times, it is possible to output a progressive scan signal in PAL through the component output. There is also an S-Video connector, composite and traditional Scart (RGB). The device's audio path uses 24-bit/192 kHz digital-to-analog converters with a signal-to-noise ratio of 105 dB. ... >>

Video recorder for mobile phones 18.06.2004

Mitsubishi Corporation Division Mitsubishi Plastics has released the Pyramid video recorder, designed to record television programs on SD or miniSD memory cards for playback on mobile phones or PDAs. The dimensions of the Pyrami recorder are 115x115x70 mm, it supports SD and miniSD memory cards. The recorder connects to a TV or VCR with a cable and can record up to two hours of video on a 128 Mbit memory card. Ten models of mobile phones with support for video viewing and SD and miniSD memory cards are currently available in the Japanese market, eight are offered by NTT DoCoMo (N900i, F900i, SH900i, P900i, P2102V, F2102V, N505iS and F505i) and two models by Vodafone (J-SH53 and V601SH). The cost of the Pyramid recorder is 20000 yen (approximately $185). ... >>

MOTOROLA taught TVs to understand human speech 16.06.2004

With the help of small company AgileTV, Motorola has redesigned its DCT2000 cable TV set-top box so that it can now be controlled by voice. To tell her something, it is not necessary to shout at the whole apartment. To do this, you can use the microphone built into the remote control. The DCT2000 program is capable of handling approximately 100 words and phrases in multiple languages ​​and understands simple command combinations. For example, for the phrase "Find the Sopranos", the prefix will display a list of channels on which the series "The Sopranos" is or will be on. Before releasing the updated DCT2000 for sale, it was tested for more than a year among American cable subscribers. "Our users who have tried this feature have given it a high rating. Many of them have even discovered interesting channels they didn't know about before," says Jim Faircloth, CEO of cable TV provider USA Media. in fact, the desire of the cable operator ... >>

PENTAX Stops Production of Compact and SLR Analog Cameras 15.06.2004

According to Pentax, despite the worldwide recognition and uniqueness of PENTAX film cameras, the corporation is ceasing production of both compact and SLR analog cameras. Of the entire line of film cameras, PENTAX will continue to produce exclusively professional medium format photographic equipment. Thus, Pentax Corporation became the first company from the so-called "big five" photo brands, which will fully concentrate on the most relevant line of digital cameras of various classes today (including professional and amateur digital "reflex cameras"), as well as the production of "hybrid photo-video cameras. However, there is still a chance for consumers to purchase film cameras such as the Espio 24EW (a high-end compact camera with a 24-105mm ultra-wide-angle zoom lens) or the Espio 140V (one of the best value for money cameras in its class). And for enthusiastic photography lovers, perhaps ... >>

Tomograph for seed sorting 13.06.2004

German scientists have taught an X-ray tomograph to automatically sort seeds. As you know, what you sow is what you reap, but germination tests are now the only way to check the quality of seeds. "Testing takes a lot of time, especially in a large seed company like ours, which packs four thousand tons of sugar beet seeds per year," says Dr. decided to create an installation that will allow you to control up to a dozen parameters of each seed." An X-ray microtomograph scans individual seeds, while a computer builds sections of each seed, creates a three-dimensional image, recognizes various tissues from it and measures their volume. According to the results of the analysis, he immediately sorts the seeds, and very quickly, hundreds of pieces in a couple of minutes. In addition to working out the recognition algorithm, scientists have solved another important problem - they have established a connection between morphology and ... >>

Chip cooling with a plasma fan 11.06.2004

American engineers have come up with a new concept for cooling microcircuits - using a cold plasma fan. To activate the plasma fan, invented by scientists from Purdue University, USA, the air is ionized and the resulting plasma cloud is driven over the microcircuit by an alternating electric field. Air molecules collide with it in the same way as with the feathers of an ordinary fan, and change, that is, cold particles come to the place of hot ones near the surface of the microcircuit and it cools down. "Air exchange at the surface of the chip is a headache for electronics engineers," says Suresh Garimella, director of the university's Center for Research on Cooling Technology. "That's why there is always a fan in the computer. Not only is it noisy, it also consumes energy. In addition, you need a heat sink - a heatsink attached, for example, to the processor. Our device is completely silent; it simultaneously cools the microcircuit and performs air exchange. " The ions for the plasma fan will be ... >>

Gamma-ray telescope in the Canary Islands 08.06.2004

A new gamma-ray telescope, designed by scientists from Germany, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland and Spain, went into operation on the island of Palma (Canary Islands). The telescope registers gamma-ray fluxes from space not directly, but by Cherenkov radiation, which gamma particles generate in the upper atmosphere. A 234-square-meter swivel mirror made of carbon fiber and aluminum captures the flashes that occur at altitudes of 10-20 kilometers, when gamma rays strike air atoms and create charged particles rushing towards the Earth. The rays of light reflected by the mirror are concentrated on a camera of 577 highly sensitive sensors. The computer, analyzing the data from the camera, calculates the trajectory of the initial beam of gamma rays. This will allow physicists to understand the nature of radiation sources. The telescope can look into the depths of the universe for eight billion light years. ... >>

There are no more lefties 07.06.2004

According to a study conducted by historians from the University of Montpellier (France), the number of left-handers has not changed over the past 30 thousand years. Paleolithic people often applied their palm prints to the walls of caves, pressing their hand to the stone and covering a section of the wall with ocher powder with the other hand (according to some reports, the powder could be applied from a pipe into which the artist blew). Apparently, handprints were made for magical purposes, or maybe this is an analogue of the inscriptions left on the rocks by modern tourists. Having studied 507 such prints aged 10-30 thousand years in 26 caves in France and Spain, Charlotte Forier and Michel Raymond found that 23% of them belong to the right palms, that is, the authors of these drawings acted with the left hand. Then the historians asked 179 French students to use the same method to leave their prints on sheets of cardboard. It turned out that 22,9% preferred to act with their left hand, receiving an imprint with their right. ... >>

liquid lens 05.06.2004

The Dutch firm "Philips" has created a zoom lens based on the property of an oil drop to spread or concentrate under the influence of an electrical voltage. Previously, Philips used the same effect, but on a miniature scale, to create a paper-thin television screen. A drop of aqueous electrolyte and a drop of oil are placed in a glass cylinder. Liquids do not mix; a flat interface appears between them. But it is worth applying tension to the ends of the cylinder, as a drop of oil bends, turning into a convex lens. When the poles are reversed, the oil recedes, forming a concave surface. By smoothly changing the voltage and its sign, it is possible to obtain lenses with different focal lengths - from 50 millimeters to infinity (when the interface between oil and water is flat). Switching across the entire zoom range takes less than ten milliseconds. Such a lens is useful for digital cameras built into cellular bodies. ... >>

Wine in tablets 04.06.2004

Medical statistics show that in countries with a traditionally high consumption of dry red wine, the level of cardiovascular diseases is reduced. But, judging by the fact that the consumption of vodka does not save from these diseases, the point here is not in the alcohol itself, but in the accompanying substances of red wine. Employees of the Pharmaceutical Institute in Pavia (Italy) have developed a preparation containing all the useful components of wine. Tablets are made from the liquid mass remaining after alcohol is distilled from the wine must to produce strong drinks such as cognac. Sugar and some amino acids are added to the mass. The mixture is filtered and then dried under vacuum. Tablets are pressed from the resulting powder, each of which is equivalent to a glass of red wine in terms of preventive action. ... >>

Giant dump truck 02.06.2004

The world's largest, according to the manufacturer - the German company "Liebherr", a quarry dump truck was shown at the exhibition of construction machines in Munich. The length of the car is 14,5 meters, the width is almost 9 meters. The body holds 363 tons of ore or coal. A 3647 horsepower diesel engine with 20 cylinders accelerates the dump truck to 64 kilometers per hour. The fan behind the radiator grill has a diameter of 2 meters. ... >>

Savings at ATMs 01.06.2004

Too much money is bad when it's wasted in an ATM. More than 50 ATMs have been installed in Germany, and the amount charged into each of them for payments is up to 400 euros. As a rule, this is too much, customers do not have time to sort them out before the next visit of the collector. In the meantime, extra money (an average of 20 to 40 thousand from each ATM) could be spinning in the German economy. Siemens has developed a computer program that helps calculate how much money to put into a particular ATM. According to experts, the program will return more than 50 million euros to circulation per year. ... >>