Space elevator

Humankind has always been interested in discovering alien space. The greates accomplishment from outer space is the International Space Station (ISS), which goes around the Earth 16 times in a day with merely 27 000 km/h . Not all of us are very happy when we talk about flying outer space. Althoug , Japanese are planning to travell outer space with an elevator and for good reason because they’ll have to cover only 36 000 km. How the’ll do this? They want to connect/link a geostationary satellite to a fixed point on Earth using very resistant and very light cables. In order to achieve this, they must build a counterweight positioned 100.000 km from Earth. The cables will be made of carbon nanotubes, which are considered to be the strongest and most rigid materials on Earth ( a cable of 1 square mm in diameter can sustain 6300 kg). The costs are estimated around less than $10 billion. I don’t know what to think but it doesn’t seem impossible when it comes to japanese. We will know for certain when the construction will be decided upon.

A critical tool for Neuroscience and Image Guided Interventions

Revolutionary robots guided by real-time 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning would enable reliable and precise minimally invasive operations with minimal recovery time. On the other hand, using a robotic interface in conjunction with functional MRI (fMRI) would enable neuroscientists to 'view' and investigate the brain mechanisms involved in performing tasks with arbitrary dynamics. There is, however, a major problem for robots working within an MRI environment: conventional materials, actuators and sensors interfere with the static magnetic field, switching magnetic field gradients and radio frequency (RF) signals generated by the MR scanner.














In this project we are developing a comprehensive robot technology compatible with MRI and fMRI, i.e. actuators, sensors, electronic hardware and software able to exert computer-controlled force/torque simultaneously to the imaging. These manipulators are safe, and smooth enough to interact with human motion. The control is based on existing PC technology and can be synchronized with commercially available scanners. We have developed several haptic interfaces to investigate the control of wrist, arm and finger movements as well as tactile sensing, for neuroscience groups in Europe and Japan.

This is a collaborative project between the group of Hannes Bleuler at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) and the group of Etienne Burdet at Imperial College London, which currently involves Dominique Chapuis at EPFL and Roger Gassert at Imperial.

Japan Creates the Future

Science and technology have become deeply intertwined with everyday human lives, industries, and societies. In November 1995, Japan enacted the Basic Law on Science and Technology, requiring the government to increase its spending on research and development and mandate reforms in science and education. Today, Japan leads the way in technology and new product innovation. Look around: your computer, your car, your stereo, your robot - where were they made? Get a glimpse of Japan’s latest creations, hear from some of its leading innovators, and discover why Japan loves its robots in this intriguing program.

Opening the discussion is Dr. Mamoru Mohri, executive director of the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, Tokyo, who asserts that science and technology are an integral part of human culture. Dr.Mohri discusses the "state-of-the-art knowledge and innovation" stemming from Japan’s quest to become a scientifically and technologically creative nation.

Robots are the wave of the future and the pinnacle of Japanese innovation today. Journalist and author Tim Hornyak joins the discussion, talking about Japan’s robot design and its unique relationship with technology. From Edoperiod wooden automatons to popular animation icons and the high-tech labs of current researchers in robotic motion and intelligence, Hornyak traces a journey of passion and discovery.

Tomotaka Takahashi, futuristic robot creator, scientist, and founder of Robo Garage, a venture company of Kyoto University, talks about Chroino, a small humanoid robot he created that is complete with friendly appearance and sophisticated movements. He also describes the recently created FT (or "Female Type"), one of the first robots designed and arranged to simulate a feminine body line.

The Smarty

Aside from being prime eye-candy, Japanese cars are typically made to be more fuel efficient, eco-friendly vehicles.

The most obvious of these is the new gas-electric hybrid, the Smart Car. Needless to say, the name suits the car perfectly. Sure, you might think it looks like the equivalent of Hotel-Pillow Mint on the road but, in the case of the Smart Car, looks aren't something to be mocked. It not only has stylish lines but takes the prize for the most environmentally sound car on the market. What's more is that it's the first of its kind to sell internationally and succeed at edging into the old-school car economy. The technology for alternative fuel-based cars has been a possibility for years and finally it has come to fruition! Honestly, it’s a huge milestone!

Utilities Suggest Huge Electric Vehicle Orders

Utilities are among the groups now considering mass orders of electric vehicles from the U.S. automobile manufacturing sector, to help the auto companies make the biggest manufacturing realignment since since WWII.

The exploratory discussions are being conducted at top levels and among firms like PG&E who see plug in hybrid and all electric vehicles as a solution to uneven grid loads. Utilities have invested a great deal of research using the vehicle to grid (V2G) capabilities of plugged in electric vehicles to stabilize the grid.

The idea being considered would involve joining together to put in a substantial order to put weight behind development of Plug In Hybrids (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs). The idea is that large fleet orders would provide the certain market car makers need to make the initial move away from fossil fueled vehicles.

With their buying power (they could order 50,000 electric vehicles for their fleets) utilities could provide a solid beginning to switching Detroit to entirely new vehicle markets.

s with automakers have occurred individually and through the electric industry’s primary trade organization, the Edison Electric Institute, and include Xcel, Progress Energy, PG&E, Edison International and Wisconsin Energy Corp.

Dick Kelly, chief executive of Xcel Energy in Minneapolis said, “If we get enough of us together, we could put in a very large order and maybe a big down payment.”

Utilities gain less in increased electricity sales than in grid stabilization; evening out the load with the prospect of being able to swap electrons back and forth between a fleet of vehicles and the grid. PHEVs draw only about 1.4–2 kW of power while charging; only about what a dishwasher draws.

The benefits for the nation are huge. Plug-In Hybrids leave their Hybrid counterparts in the dust, in mileage.

For example, where the Ford Escape Hybrid gets mileage in the 20’s or 30’s, a Plug In Escape would get over 80 MPG. It has now completed a year of successful testing with Southern California Edison.

The many aftermarket Prius conversions boast over 100 MPG as Plug In Hybrids compared with about 50 MPG as a first-gen Hybrid. Aftermarket Ford truck conversions similarly get about twice the mileage of their non plugged in hybrids.

And the Chevy Volt Extended-Range EV is designed from the ground up as an EV that only gets a boost for long-distance from gas. It would get also get over 100 MPG in cross-country driving, and not need gasoline for trips under 40 miles a day.

Further development to get these to market are endangered by the auto meltdown. In fact, to some extent, we have stopped buying new vehicles precisely because we are waiting for the switch to the post gasoline era vehicles.

So, Mark Duvall, a researcher at the EPRI suggests that the best help for automakers would be a multiyear order placed in one group from utilities fleets.

That’s because early models may be money losers, so multiyear orders would help automakers achieve profitable production. He estimates fuel savings, for utilities, at $10,000 to $15,000 per car. This kind of certain ongoing manufacturing order is a very safe way to grow small businesses from scratch, and could even help restabilize the large automanufacturers in the same way now that their future is under threat.

“I would do it,” says Gale Klappa, CEO of Wisconsin Energy, adding that his utility has about 3,000 vehicles in its fleet and replaces 20% each year. Bill Johnson, chief executive of Progress Energy Inc. said, “Our industry is interested in reducing carbon-dioxide emissions, and it seems like a good idea for auto makers and us to pull together,”

He added that the idea is in a formative stage and is “gaining momentum.”