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Articles archive for Year 2012

Tech»

Less power consuming and faster plastic electronics

By Damir Beciri
9 April 2012
plastic-electronics-1Researchers at the University of Cambridge’s Cavendish Laboratory made a breakthrough for plastic electronic circuits by adding new qualities aside low cost, transparency, flexibility and ease of production – they managed to make them less power consuming and faster. The technology could be used in various applications, ranging from radio frequency identification (RFID) tags on… »

Tech»

Using sunlight and zinc oxide in hydrogen production

By Damir Beciri
8 April 2012
koepf-erik-solar-reactor-1Current traditional methods used to produce hydrogen rely on natural gas which releases carbon dioxide during conversion. There are alternative ways that are yet to be improved, such as MIT’s Artificial Leaf and other artificial photosynthesis systems, and researchers from University of Delaware (UD) came up with a different approach by designing a reactor that… »

Robotics»

Children’s social interactions with a humanoid robot

By Damir Beciri
4 Comments6 April 2012
uw-robovie-social-study-1Although development of robots meant to help us in our everyday lives has been hindered by the economy, there are efforts to develop social robots for children that could be used to monitor them and guard them from harm. A group of researchers from University of Washington used a Robovie robot to explore how children… »

Tech»

ENE-FARM Type S – most efficient residential-use Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

By Damir Beciri
3 Comments3 April 2012
ene-farm-type-sOsaka Gas, Aisin Seiki, Kyocera Corporation, Chofu Seisakusho and Toyota Motor Corporation announced that they have completed co-development of a residential-use solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) co-generation system named ENE-FARM Type S. The system achieves power generation efficiency of 46.5% – currently highest level in the world when it comes to fuel cells for residential… »

Architecture»

Green architecture – Mill Valley Cabins

By Damir Beciri
2 April 2012
mill-valley-cabins-1Green roofs date back to the ancient times where they were used to provide additional insulation or to amaze visitors and provide more tranquil surroundings. We already wrote a fair share of articles about architectural solutions that are partially or fully covered with green roofs, however, the Mill Valley Cabins deserved their spot among these… »

Robotics»

Boston Dynamics Sand Flea – a recon robot that can jump

By Damir Beciri
5 Comments1 April 2012
sand-fleaAmong other characteristics, fleas are well known for their jumping ability because they are able to jump up to around 200 times of their own body length, making them the 2nd best jumper in the known world. Relying on previous joint development of Precision Urban Hopper robot, engineers from Boston Dynamics came up with Sand… »

Tech»

Converting polyethylene into carbon fiber

By Damir Beciri
30 March 2012
ornl-pe-carbon-fiberResearchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed a process that can be used to convert polyethylene into carbon fiber. Polyethylene is the most common plastic material, with annual production of approximately 80 million metric tons, and it is used for all sorts of packaging. The process is very useful since the… »

Bionics| Tech»

Mustard seed meal could be used as natural food preservative

By Damir Beciri
One Comment28 March 2012
mustard-seedAnonymously compiled Ancient Roman cookbook from the late 4th or early 5th century reveals that Romans used to mix unfermented grape juice (must) with ground mustard seeds (sinapis) to make “burning must” (mustum ardens) — hence the name “must ard”. Its production changed over time and researchers from University of Alberta (U of A) discovered… »