Virtual Realistic Tourist

ScienceDaily (2009-03-04) -- To date, though, Virtual Reality devices have not been able to stimulate simultaneously all five senses with a high degree of realism. Scientists believe they have now been able to pinpoint the necessary expertise to make this possible, in a project called "Towards Real Virtuality."

What was it really like to live in Ancient Egypt? What did the streets there actually look, sound and smell like? For decades, Virtual Reality has held out the hope that, one day, we might be able visit all kinds of places and periods as 'virtual' tourists.

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To date, though, Virtual Reality devices have not been able to stimulate simultaneously all five senses with a high degree of realism.

Scientists from the Universities of York and Warwick now believe they have been able to pinpoint the necessary expertise to make this possible, in a project called 'Towards Real Virtuality'.

'Real Virtuality' is a term coined by the project team to highlight their aim of providing a 'real' experience in which all senses are stimulated in such a way that the user has a fully immersive perceptual experience, during which s/he cannot tell whether or not it is real.

Teams at York and Warwick now aim to link up with experts at the Universities of Bangor, Bradford and Brighton to develop the 'Virtual Cocoon' – a new Real Virtuality device that can stimulate all five senses much more realistically than any other current or prospective device.

For the user the 'Virtual Cocoon' will consist of a headset incorporating specially developed electronics and computing capabilities. It could help unlock the full potential benefits of Real Virtuality in fields such as education, business and environmental protection.

A mock-up of the Virtual Cocoon will be on display at 'Pioneers 09', an EPSRC showcase event to be held at London's Olympia Conference Centre on March 4.

Professor David Howard of the University of York, lead scientist on the initiative, says: "Virtual Reality projects have typically only focused on one or two of the five senses – usually sight and hearing. We're not aware of any other research group anywhere else in the world doing what we plan to do.

"Smell will be generated electronically via a new technique being pioneered by Alan Chalmers and his team at Warwick which will deliver a pre-determined smell recipe on-demand. Taste and smell are closely linked but we intend to provide a texture sensation relating to something being in the mouth. Tactile devices will provide touch."

A key objective will be to optimise the way all five senses interact, as in real life. The team also aim to make the Virtual Cocoon much lighter, more comfortable and less expensive than existing devices, as a result of the improved computing and electronics they develop.

There has been considerable public debate on health & safety as well as on ethical issues surrounding Real Virtuality, since this kind of technology fundamentally involves immersing users in virtual environments that separate them from the real world.

Professor David Howard says: "In addition to the technical development of the Virtual Cocoon, we aim to closely evaluate the full, far-reaching economic and other implications of more widespread application of Real Virtuality technologies for society as a whole."

Funding was provided by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.



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Generating Electricity, Water, Fuel from Waste materials

Can You believe that waste/garbage can create Distilled water,Electricity,Metals,Chemicals etc...
I know it is hard to believe but looking at this technology it is really hard to believe,plasma arc gasification is the latest trend in the waste management.



Plasma Arc Gasification technology is a relatively new for disposal of wastes. A large number of organisations, the world over, are developing plasma gasification systems for treating trash of various kinds and generating useful byproducts, while minimizing the environmental pollution using proprietary processes. Plasma gasification technology is particularly suitable for disposal of hazardous and radioactive waste. It is now being seen as an attractive option for disposal of municipal solid wastes as well. This technology has a edge over the other processes involving combustions as it can turn solid municipal wastes (organic as well as inorganic) into a clean, green, renewable fuel in form of synthesis gas (Syngas) with almost no residues that require further isposal In India, about 30 million tonnes of municipal solid waste and about 4400 million cubic metres of liquid waste are generated annually. The municipal sold waste generation ranges from 0.25 to 0.75 kg/day per capita with an average of 0.45 kg/day per capita. In addition, large quantities of solid and liquid wastes are generated by the industry. Most of the generated wastes find their way into land and water bodies without proper treatment, causing severe water pollution. These also emit greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide, adding to air pollution. There exists a potential for generating an estimated 1700 MW of power from the urban and municipal wastes, and about 1000 MW from industrial wastes in the country.


Plasma Gasification provides for a sustainable waste solution for all types of waste streams, including MSW , hazardous wastes, and even RADIOACTIVE waste, which delivers tangible economic and environmental benefits

Plasma Gasification does not produce hazardous bottom ash and fly ash.

Plasma Gasification is "fueled" by the "free" waste, and is "powered" by electricity, and can be turned off with the flip of a switch.
Plasma Gasification unit does not need to be brought up to temperature over 24/36 hours burning expensive fuel oil as does mass burn incineration .

Plasma Gasification systems require very little maintenance and unlike traditional power plants, do not need to be shut down for weeks at a time for cleaning and maintenance while waste-streams back-up.

Plasma Gasification is just as efficient in smaller-scale systems (25 and 50 TPD units) as large-scale systems.

Plasma Gasification can provide a high degree of flexibility over the longer term and it can operate at less than 100% of capacity so there is flexibility when waste-stream decline.

Revolution In Newspaper Industry

Scientists at Sony have developed an electronic version of ink, currently used in the E-Reader, that enables thousands of books to be carried around in one portable, energy-efficient case. Ink movement is possible because of millions of transparent, liquid-filled spheres sandwiched between a plastic film. Positively charged white particles and negatively charged black particles float inside the spheres, depending on how the electrical charge is applied to the plastic. Either the black or white particles move to the front of the spheres, forming crisp patterns of black and white.

Newspapers can be cumbersome, books can take up space, and computer screens can be difficult to read. But now a unique technology may revolutionize the way we read.

E Ink Imaging Film is electronic paper that is currently used in the Sony Reader. Thousands of titles, pictures and audio files can be downloaded into one portable, leather-bound case.

"The, the broadest, most dramatic application is electronic publishing -- the ability to have an entire library in a single electronic book," Michael McCreary tells DBIS. He's a physical organic chemist at E Ink Corporation in Cambridge, Mass.

Once an E Ink page is displayed, the Reader uses virtually no power until the page is turned and, unlike a computer screen, can be read in bright light.

"Basically, the way it works is by moving "ink" around,"
Ink movement is possible because of millions of transparent, liquid-filled spheres sandwiched between plastic films. Positively charged white particles and negatively charged black particles float inside the spheres, depending on how the electrical charge is applied to the plastic. Either the black or white particles move to the front of the spheres, forming crisp patterns of black and white.

E Ink scientists are now developing ways to revolutionize the newspaper industry. Consumers would hold a paper-like display but be able to download an infinite number of stories.

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"In addition to being immediate, it can be customized to you," McCreary says. "Every newspaper doesn't have to be the same."

The Sony Reader can store and display documents like Adobe PDF files, blogs, RSS feeds, photos and e-books. Scientists are also working on ways to use E Ink in supermarket shelf labels and signs along the highway. Its low-level power consumption is also making E Ink popular in cell phones and watches.


>> BACKGROUND: >>
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BACKGROUND: Sony Reader is a new electronic book device that uses a new display technology called electronic ink. Developed by E-Ink, a company based in Cambridge, Mass., the display provides a natural reading experience with no backlight, unlike reading standard computer screens. Other prospective uses for electronic ink include displays on credit cards that won't break when they are bent; fresh food shelf labels where the price can change throughout the day; and watch and cell phone displays.
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>> HOW IT WORKS: >>
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HOW IT WORKS: Sandwiched between layers of plastic film are millions of transparent, nearly microscopic liquid-filled spheres about the diameter of a human hair. Inside these "microcapsules" float even tinier black and white particles; the black particles are negatively charged while the white particles are positively charged. Depending on how the electrical charge is applied to the plastic film, either the black or white particles rise to the top of the spheres, forming patterns of black and white. For instance, when a negative electric field is applied, the white particles rise to the top, while the black particles are pulled to the bottom of the spheres. The surface will appear white at that spot. When a positive electric field is applied, the black particles rise to the top, and the white particles are pulled to the bottom, so the surface appears dark in that spot.
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>> BENEFITS: >>
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BENEFITS: The E-Ink technology is reflective, so it uses almost no power; even large displays will use a minimum amount of electricity. So the Sony Reader need not be turned off; it can be set aside just as one would do with a printed book. The current page remains on the screen without draining any battery power. In fact, a single charge is good for 7,500 page turns. The screen is easily readable outdoors. And E-Ink can be used to coat almost any surface, so it is ideal for flexible display applications. Also, studies have shown that users reported increased readability and minimal eyestrain compared to other electronic book technology.

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The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society and IEEE-USA contributed to the information contained in the TV portion of this report.

Source :: www.sciencedaily.com

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>> BACKGROUND: >>
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BACKGROUND: Sony Reader is a new electronic book device that uses a new display technology called electronic ink. Developed by E-Ink, a company based in Cambridge, Mass., the display provides a natural reading experience with no backlight, unlike reading standard computer screens. Other prospective uses for electronic ink include displays on credit cards that won't break when they are bent; fresh food shelf labels where the price can change throughout the day; and watch and cell phone displays.
)


>> HOW IT WORKS: >>
(
HOW IT WORKS: Sandwiched between layers of plastic film are millions of transparent, nearly microscopic liquid-filled spheres about the diameter of a human hair. Inside these "microcapsules" float even tinier black and white particles; the black particles are negatively charged while the white particles are positively charged. Depending on how the electrical charge is applied to the plastic film, either the black or white particles rise to the top of the spheres, forming patterns of black and white. For instance, when a negative electric field is applied, the white particles rise to the top, while the black particles are pulled to the bottom of the spheres. The surface will appear white at that spot. When a positive electric field is applied, the black particles rise to the top, and the white particles are pulled to the bottom, so the surface appears dark in that spot.
)


>> BENEFITS: >>
(

BENEFITS: The E-Ink technology is reflective, so it uses almost no power; even large displays will use a minimum amount of electricity. So the Sony Reader need not be turned off; it can be set aside just as one would do with a printed book. The current page remains on the screen without draining any battery power. In fact, a single charge is good for 7,500 page turns. The screen is easily readable outdoors. And E-Ink can be used to coat almost any surface, so it is ideal for flexible display applications. Also, studies have shown that users reported increased readability and minimal eyestrain compared to other electronic book technology.

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Source :: www.sciencedaily.com

Future of Internet after 5,000 Days

Do you know what would be the future of the Internet .. ?
after 5000 days from now ,
and what was it before 5000 days .. ?
well ,
I think one would know what was it before 5000 days since Internet has grown so gigantic in such a short time spam , it is very difficult to know what the future would be ?
what would you call that technology as .. ?
the whole world of internet would take a new change and new face with a very different idea ..

Everything that you see would become ONE thing ,(if you search for one thing on the internet you could see the place,thing or even the seat number of your flight with the picture, in short it will directly link you to that place) the web would become one source for all information or would become a center,and there would not be any operating system.. the OS would be one which the whole world will follow or use , that is installed only on ONE computer. sounds intresting right !
to know more about it just check out this video .

Or give me your ideas about the future of internet. or the unknown / unnamed technology..

Grow your mobile in a pot? Maybe someday, say Nokia research

"With a mobile phone you can make calls on the go, shoot photos and pinpoint your position on a map. And who knows, maybe one day you'll be able to grow your phone in a pot, if the futuristic ideas of technology researchers come true.Nokia is not just looking to expand its product portfolio but also for new services to expand it. The Research .."

read more | digg story

How Nuclear Reactor Works

Let us share some knowledge of Nuclear Reactor.

The two largest producers of uranium are Canada and Australia.
nuclear reactor produces and controls the release of energy from splitting the atoms of elements such as uranium and plutonium. In a nuclear power reactor, the energy released from continuous fission of the atoms in the fuel as heat is used to make steam. The steam is used to drive the turbines which produce electricity (as in most fossil fuel plants

Electricity Generation

Nuclear reactors produce electricity by heating water to make steam. The steam is then used to drive turbines that generate electricity. In this sense nuclear reactors are similar to other thermal power stations, where the heat from burning coal or gas is used to produce stream. A key difference of nuclear reactors is that they don't emit carbon dioxide. A nuclear chain reaction is so-called because when a U-235 atom splits (or fissions) in the reactor's core the neutrons released cause other uranium atoms to also undergo fission. A moderator slows down the neutrons to achieve this. The nuclear reactor uses control rods to ensure that this chain reaction occurs at a controlled rate.

Source : www.world-nuclear.org
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Used Fuel Management

Used fuel from a nuclear reactor is first stored to allow most of the radiaoactivity to decay. Then it can either be reprocessed to recover the reusable portion, or it may be disposed of directly as waste. In reprocessing, the used f fuel is dissolved and the uranium and plutonium in the used fuel are separated from the waste fission products. Plutonium can then be combined uranium to make Mixed Oxide Fuel (MOX), which can be used in many modern reactors. Reprocessed uranium can be used in new uranium oxide fuel.

http://www.world-nuclear.org

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Wealth of Data For Phoenix Scientists Found On Mars

ScienceDaily (2008-06-27) -- NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander performed its first wet chemistry experiment on Martian soil flawlessly yesterday, returning a wealth of data that for Phoenix scientists was like winning the lottery.

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http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080626214804.htm

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Colors Illusion

Watch this...its truly amazing!!!


If your eyes follow the movement of the rotating pink dot, you will only see one color, pink.

If you stare at the black + in the center, the moving dot turns to green.

Now, concentrate on the black + in the center of the picture. After a short period of time, all the pink dots will slowly disappear, and you will only see a green dot rotating.

It's amazing how our brain works. There really is no green dot, and the pink ones really don't disappear. This should be proof enough, we don't always see what we think we see.