The California Air Resources Board, or CARB, approved new policies for vehicles that is said will boost demand for electric-vehicle technology while decreasing pollution and the adverse effects of cars and trucks on public health.
The most striking detail of the plan is a change to the Zero Emissions Vehicle program that requires battery, fuel cell, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to account for up to 15% of the state’s new-vehicle sales by 2025 (so we'll be waiting at least a decade then!!) . The board said the program will result in more than one million of these “green” vehicles being sold in California from 2018 to 2025.
The rule could be a big boost for the electric-car industry, which has suffered of late from a lack of consumer demand.
now comes the cheesey quote - “California is putting the pedal to the metal on electric cars and healthier air by strengthening its clean-car standards,” attributed to David Friedman, deputy director of the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Clean Vehicles program.
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Monday, 30 January 2012
Warm Front energy scheme - £30 million free grants uncalimed
Up to 16,000 vulnerable households could miss out on help from a Government scheme to help cut their energy bills
Consumer Focus and National Energy Action fear the Warm Front scheme, which helps the poorest households in England make their homes warmer, simply won't help enough people.
They say £30 million-worth of grants could go unclaimed, and when this happens, the money doesn't roll into the next year's budget, it just goes back into the Treasury's pocket.
Initiative offers heating and insulation improvements - apply before 31 March
The Warm Front scheme, offers heating and insulation improvements to those on certain income-related benefits who live in poorly insulated homes or do not have central heating.
The total fund for this financial year (April to April) is £143 million - but up to a fifth of this is expected to go unclaimed.
According to figures from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), this money could help up to 16,000 households struggling to afford their energy bills cut their costs by an average of £650 per year, although some could get much more in grants.
Drop in applications
Consumer Focus and National Energy Action say a combination of factors have led to a fall in applications, which include stricter eligibility criteria and the fact the Government did not advertise the scheme as it was anticipated demand would exceed supply.
The lobby groups also say the milder winter weather may have deterred applications.
The initiative has seen a dramatic decline in applications for help. In April to December last year fewer than 40,000 people applied, compared to over 130,000 applications in the same period in 2010.
But while the scheme was oversubscribed in 2010, the funding was cut by almost two-thirds this financial year, from £366 million to £143 million.
'Put a claim in now' - Direct Gov link!!! go on click it. its free, honest guv
It isn't too late to apply for the scheme. Consumer Focus and National Energy Action urge those eligible to submit a claim now, before the funding for this year ends on 31 March.
Audrey Gallacher, director of energy at Consumer Focus, says: "The poorest pensioners and families will have been hit particularly hard by high energy prices. Many are living in cold homes, which could put their health at risk.
"It is very disappointing that people who need Warm Front help to make their homes warmer and cheaper to heat are likely to miss out. We'd urge anyone who thinks they may be eligible to put in a claim.
"This help is free and can make a big difference in affording your energy bills and keeping warm and well."
A DECC spokesperson says: "Warm Front is now better targeted to make sure the poorest and most vulnerable get the help they need.
"We're also doing a lot of other things, like helping around two million households this year under the Warm Home Discount Scheme, continuing the winter fuel payments and providing emergency payments for the most vulnerable when it gets really cold.
"In the longer term, we'll be helping people use less energy through the Green Deal, giving extra help to those who need it most."
How to claim
You can submit a claim for a Warm Front grant either by post, phone or online. For more information, see the Directgov website.
act now!
Consumer Focus and National Energy Action fear the Warm Front scheme, which helps the poorest households in England make their homes warmer, simply won't help enough people.
They say £30 million-worth of grants could go unclaimed, and when this happens, the money doesn't roll into the next year's budget, it just goes back into the Treasury's pocket.
Initiative offers heating and insulation improvements - apply before 31 March
The Warm Front scheme, offers heating and insulation improvements to those on certain income-related benefits who live in poorly insulated homes or do not have central heating.
The total fund for this financial year (April to April) is £143 million - but up to a fifth of this is expected to go unclaimed.
According to figures from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), this money could help up to 16,000 households struggling to afford their energy bills cut their costs by an average of £650 per year, although some could get much more in grants.
Drop in applications
Consumer Focus and National Energy Action say a combination of factors have led to a fall in applications, which include stricter eligibility criteria and the fact the Government did not advertise the scheme as it was anticipated demand would exceed supply.
The lobby groups also say the milder winter weather may have deterred applications.
The initiative has seen a dramatic decline in applications for help. In April to December last year fewer than 40,000 people applied, compared to over 130,000 applications in the same period in 2010.
But while the scheme was oversubscribed in 2010, the funding was cut by almost two-thirds this financial year, from £366 million to £143 million.
'Put a claim in now' - Direct Gov link!!! go on click it. its free, honest guv
It isn't too late to apply for the scheme. Consumer Focus and National Energy Action urge those eligible to submit a claim now, before the funding for this year ends on 31 March.
Audrey Gallacher, director of energy at Consumer Focus, says: "The poorest pensioners and families will have been hit particularly hard by high energy prices. Many are living in cold homes, which could put their health at risk.
"It is very disappointing that people who need Warm Front help to make their homes warmer and cheaper to heat are likely to miss out. We'd urge anyone who thinks they may be eligible to put in a claim.
"This help is free and can make a big difference in affording your energy bills and keeping warm and well."
A DECC spokesperson says: "Warm Front is now better targeted to make sure the poorest and most vulnerable get the help they need.
"We're also doing a lot of other things, like helping around two million households this year under the Warm Home Discount Scheme, continuing the winter fuel payments and providing emergency payments for the most vulnerable when it gets really cold.
"In the longer term, we'll be helping people use less energy through the Green Deal, giving extra help to those who need it most."
How to claim
You can submit a claim for a Warm Front grant either by post, phone or online. For more information, see the Directgov website.
act now!
Sunday, 29 January 2012
Saturday, 28 January 2012
Sanyo microwaves recall
Sanyo microwaves recall announced over 'severe electric shock' fears
Electricals giant Sanyo has announced a recall of thousands of microwaves sold in the UK and Ireland between March 2010 and January 2012 over fears they can cause 'severe electric shock'.
The company has released a recall notice on its website warning consumers of the recall, saying the models in question - Sanyo EM-C8787B UK2 (a black colour) and EM-C8787W (a white colour) - have 'the potential of electricity leakage'.
'Sanyo Sales & Marketing Europe regrets to announce the discovery of a
possible defect in [some] microwave oven models... manufactured from February 2010 and sold in the UK and Ireland from March 2010 until January 2012,' the statement reads.
'If you are using either of these models please stop using it immediately, unplug the power cord and contact Sanyo.'
Electricals giant Sanyo has announced a recall of thousands of microwaves sold in the UK and Ireland between March 2010 and January 2012 over fears they can cause 'severe electric shock'.
The company has released a recall notice on its website warning consumers of the recall, saying the models in question - Sanyo EM-C8787B UK2 (a black colour) and EM-C8787W (a white colour) - have 'the potential of electricity leakage'.
'Sanyo Sales & Marketing Europe regrets to announce the discovery of a
possible defect in [some] microwave oven models... manufactured from February 2010 and sold in the UK and Ireland from March 2010 until January 2012,' the statement reads.
'If you are using either of these models please stop using it immediately, unplug the power cord and contact Sanyo.'
Friday, 27 January 2012
The language of electric cars
New technology invariably means all of us have to learn a new language. As electric and alternative fuel vehicles roll out, a whole new set of abbreviations and acronyms have entered the automotive lexicon. Here is a current glossary of terms:
• AC motors - Alternating Current motors
Some EVs (Chevrolet Volt, Ford Azure Dynamics Transit Connect) use an Alternating Current induction motor. Some can be three-phase AC motors, which are more compact and less costly as a single-phase motor.
• BEV - Battery Electric Vehicle
Used by Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi i MiEV, etc.
• CHAdeMO - an abbreviation of CHArge de MOve
According to Wikipedia it is an abbreviation of O cha demo ikaga desuka in Japanese. This roughly translates as "How about some tea?" - a reference to having to wait while an electric vehicle charges. The CHAdeMO protocol is a proposed global standard that can deliver up to 62.5 kW of high-voltage direct current to a car's battery. This means it can charge a 16-kWh battery to 80 per cent capacity in 20 minutes.
• Conductive coupling
The transfer of electricity by means of physical contact of a conductive medium. This is how the current EVs are charged.
• CNG - Compressed Natural Gas
Used by the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-sized vans.
? DCPM - Direct Current Permanent Magnet
Describes the type of electric motor used in a number of EVs.
• EREV - Extended Range Electric Vehicle (e.g. Chevrolet Volt).
In this configuration the vehicle has both a petrol (gas) engine and electric motor. But the petrol / gas engine never powers the wheels. When the battery runs low, the petrol engine runs to generate electricity to power the electric motor.
• EV - Electric Vehicle (also referred to as a BEV- Battery Electric Vehicle)
• EVSE - Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Commonly referred to as an EV's charging station - but from a technical standpoint it is not a charger. This equipment is connected to a power source and serves as an interface that controls the flow of electricity to an EV.
They are typically mounted on a wall or pedestal. Installed in a residential garage, they can be plugged into a dedicated 240 volt socket (identical to an electrical clothes dryer) or directly wired into a home's circuit box.
• FCV - Fuel Cell Vehicle (e.g. Honda Clarity)
• gCO2/km - grams of carbon dioxide produced per kilometre of driving
A measure of how much carbon dioxide a vehicle produces per kilometre. Over the typical life cycle of a passenger vehicle, fuel use accounts for 75 per cent of a vehicle's CO2 emissions. Of the balance, 19 per cent is attributed to fuel production, four per cent for the extraction or raw materials to make the vehicle and two per cent to the assembly process.
• Le/100 km - Litre equivalent of fuel used per 100 km of driving
This new standard adds an "e" to the typical fuel consumption numbers to help consumers understand and make comparisons between electric and regular fossil fuel.
• Li-Ion - Lithium ion
The most common battery type for EVs currently. Also found in laptops and other electronic devices.
• kW - Kilowatt (used here to indicate an electric motor's power output)
• kWh - Kilowatt Hour (used to compare battery capacity)
A unit of energy equal to one kilowatt (1 kW) of power expended over one hour of time.
• PHEV - Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (e.g. Toyota Prius PHEV)
In this configuration, the vehicle has both a gasoline-electric engine and electric motor. Both propel the vehicle. Batteries are smaller than a dedicated BEV so its all-electric range is lower.
• AC motors - Alternating Current motors
Some EVs (Chevrolet Volt, Ford Azure Dynamics Transit Connect) use an Alternating Current induction motor. Some can be three-phase AC motors, which are more compact and less costly as a single-phase motor.
• BEV - Battery Electric Vehicle
Used by Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi i MiEV, etc.
• CHAdeMO - an abbreviation of CHArge de MOve
According to Wikipedia it is an abbreviation of O cha demo ikaga desuka in Japanese. This roughly translates as "How about some tea?" - a reference to having to wait while an electric vehicle charges. The CHAdeMO protocol is a proposed global standard that can deliver up to 62.5 kW of high-voltage direct current to a car's battery. This means it can charge a 16-kWh battery to 80 per cent capacity in 20 minutes.
• Conductive coupling
The transfer of electricity by means of physical contact of a conductive medium. This is how the current EVs are charged.
• CNG - Compressed Natural Gas
Used by the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-sized vans.
? DCPM - Direct Current Permanent Magnet
Describes the type of electric motor used in a number of EVs.
• EREV - Extended Range Electric Vehicle (e.g. Chevrolet Volt).
In this configuration the vehicle has both a petrol (gas) engine and electric motor. But the petrol / gas engine never powers the wheels. When the battery runs low, the petrol engine runs to generate electricity to power the electric motor.
• EV - Electric Vehicle (also referred to as a BEV- Battery Electric Vehicle)
• EVSE - Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Commonly referred to as an EV's charging station - but from a technical standpoint it is not a charger. This equipment is connected to a power source and serves as an interface that controls the flow of electricity to an EV.
They are typically mounted on a wall or pedestal. Installed in a residential garage, they can be plugged into a dedicated 240 volt socket (identical to an electrical clothes dryer) or directly wired into a home's circuit box.
• FCV - Fuel Cell Vehicle (e.g. Honda Clarity)
• gCO2/km - grams of carbon dioxide produced per kilometre of driving
A measure of how much carbon dioxide a vehicle produces per kilometre. Over the typical life cycle of a passenger vehicle, fuel use accounts for 75 per cent of a vehicle's CO2 emissions. Of the balance, 19 per cent is attributed to fuel production, four per cent for the extraction or raw materials to make the vehicle and two per cent to the assembly process.
• Le/100 km - Litre equivalent of fuel used per 100 km of driving
This new standard adds an "e" to the typical fuel consumption numbers to help consumers understand and make comparisons between electric and regular fossil fuel.
• Li-Ion - Lithium ion
The most common battery type for EVs currently. Also found in laptops and other electronic devices.
• kW - Kilowatt (used here to indicate an electric motor's power output)
• kWh - Kilowatt Hour (used to compare battery capacity)
A unit of energy equal to one kilowatt (1 kW) of power expended over one hour of time.
• PHEV - Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (e.g. Toyota Prius PHEV)
In this configuration, the vehicle has both a gasoline-electric engine and electric motor. Both propel the vehicle. Batteries are smaller than a dedicated BEV so its all-electric range is lower.
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Milton keynes charging points
I was walking through MK today I come accross the electrcic car charging points between the theatre dist and snowzone. believe it or not all the charging bays were full of cars with standard petrol / diesel engines.
is it just me that thinks this is mad?
now you may blame the drivers, but then I looked at the sign
that "or", rather changes it... but it doesnt bode well if you want to charge your care
CMK council / Vinci - someone will have to commit to keeping these bays clear, or just admit you fittied them for good PR. how can somone charge their car if the bays are all full?
is it just me that thinks this is mad?
CMK council / Vinci - someone will have to commit to keeping these bays clear, or just admit you fittied them for good PR. how can somone charge their car if the bays are all full?
Choreographing dance of electrons
Reaching into the silicon crystal and choreographing the dance of 100 billion infinitesimal particles is an impressive achievement on its own, but it is also a stride toward developing the technology for powerful machines known as quantum computers.
"Standard computers have come to their limit and cannot do some of the things we want," said Tyryshkin, a research scholar in the Department of Electrical Engineering. "We are trying to find a different way of doing computing, using additional degrees of freedom involving quantum computing and things like spins."
Using the spins of subatomic particles such as electrons offers a path to developing a machine that would apply the reality-bending rules of quantum mechanics to arrive at new and powerful ways to approach difficult mathematical problems. But maintaining that control for long enough to build a working computer has proven incredibly difficult.
Until recently, the best attempts at such control lasted for only a fraction of a second. But researchers at Princeton led by Stephen Lyon, a professor of electrical engineering, have found a way to extend their control over the spins of billions of electrons for up to 10 seconds.
The researchers, part of an international team, reported their results online Dec. 4 in Nature Materials. The research at Princeton was supported by the National Science Foundation and the National Security Agency.
Lyon said the key to the new results lies in the use of a highly purified sample of silicon. The experiment uses a small silicon chip the size of a pencil lead made almost entirely of a particular isotope of silicon: silicon-28.
"Standard computers have come to their limit and cannot do some of the things we want," said Tyryshkin, a research scholar in the Department of Electrical Engineering. "We are trying to find a different way of doing computing, using additional degrees of freedom involving quantum computing and things like spins."
Using the spins of subatomic particles such as electrons offers a path to developing a machine that would apply the reality-bending rules of quantum mechanics to arrive at new and powerful ways to approach difficult mathematical problems. But maintaining that control for long enough to build a working computer has proven incredibly difficult.
Until recently, the best attempts at such control lasted for only a fraction of a second. But researchers at Princeton led by Stephen Lyon, a professor of electrical engineering, have found a way to extend their control over the spins of billions of electrons for up to 10 seconds.
The researchers, part of an international team, reported their results online Dec. 4 in Nature Materials. The research at Princeton was supported by the National Science Foundation and the National Security Agency.
Lyon said the key to the new results lies in the use of a highly purified sample of silicon. The experiment uses a small silicon chip the size of a pencil lead made almost entirely of a particular isotope of silicon: silicon-28.
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Zap those power bills NOW!!!!
after a few 'meagre' cuts to bills by energy giants this month, using less gas, electricity and water is the only way to make quite significant savings. It's worth paying a few quid for the best energy-saving devices for the money they save.
we like the - Standby Buster's plug and remote control, for example, costs about £15 from Amazon and elsewhere, but since it allows users to switch off any electrical appliances left on standby around the house, it could soon save far more.
Each remote controls up to four plugs, so homeowners can switch off all their TVs, radios and more from the sofa. Which? reckons it will save homes up to £40 a year on electricity.
Tadahh!!! how do you like that?
we like the - Standby Buster's plug and remote control, for example, costs about £15 from Amazon and elsewhere, but since it allows users to switch off any electrical appliances left on standby around the house, it could soon save far more.
Each remote controls up to four plugs, so homeowners can switch off all their TVs, radios and more from the sofa. Which? reckons it will save homes up to £40 a year on electricity.
Tadahh!!! how do you like that?
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Volt electric car's 2011 sales below goal at 7,671
I guess you would call it a failure when you project sales of 10,000 and get only 2 thirds of that...
Tata unveils cheap electric car
India's Tata Technologies unveiled the prototype for a $20,000 electric car that can carry up to four passengers in Detroit as it set out to challenge more costly rivals.
"The eMO project symbolizes the coming of age of Indian automotive engineering," said Warren Harris, president of Tata Technologies.
"It is a tangible example of the capability of Tata Technologies to engineer a full vehicle -- a first for any India-based engineering services company."
Tata Technologies does extensive consulting work for clients such as Ford and Chrysler, offing the "competitive advantage" of its experience in both developing and mature automotive markets, Harris said.
The prototype is Tata's "business card," said Kevin Fisher, who heads the group's vehicle development team.
dont tell Jeremy Clarkeson :)
"The eMO project symbolizes the coming of age of Indian automotive engineering," said Warren Harris, president of Tata Technologies.
"It is a tangible example of the capability of Tata Technologies to engineer a full vehicle -- a first for any India-based engineering services company."
Tata Technologies does extensive consulting work for clients such as Ford and Chrysler, offing the "competitive advantage" of its experience in both developing and mature automotive markets, Harris said.
The prototype is Tata's "business card," said Kevin Fisher, who heads the group's vehicle development team.
dont tell Jeremy Clarkeson :)
Monday, 23 January 2012
Sunday, 22 January 2012
First Aid / Electric shock – What should I do?
What to do if you believe someone has had, or is getting, an electric shockIt may not be immediately clear that someone is getting an electric shock. Smoke won’t be pouring from their ears! If you think someone is suffering from electric shock, approach with extreme caution.
The first step is to separate the person from the source of electricity as quickly as possibly. The best way of doing this is to turn off the supply, for example by unplugging the appliance or by turning the mains off at the fusebox (consumer unit).
If this isn’t possible, then try to remove the source of electricity from the person using a piece of insulating material, such as a length of wood.
NEVER touch the person receiving the electric shock, or you could suffer one too.
After removing the person from the source of electricity, if the person is unconscious call for an ambulance immediately. Only those with the necessary knowledge and skill should carry out first aid.
Where the person is conscious and seems well, it is still advisable to monitor their condition, as the effects of an electric shock may not be immediately obvious. In worst case conditions, an electric shock may lead to a condition known as electroporation, where cells within the body rupture, leading to tissue death. Additional problems might include deep-seated burns, muscle damage and broken bones.
Use an RCD. Using an RCD will help to protect you from dangerous electric shocks. Although not a guarantee of absolute safety, it limits the time current can flow through the body if a person comes into contact with a live source of electricity.
We strongly recommend that anyone using electrical appliances in the garden ensures that they are protected by an RCD, preferably one fitted in the main household fusebox (consumer unit).
Alternatively, a dedicated RCD-protected socket or a plug-in RCD should be used.
The first step is to separate the person from the source of electricity as quickly as possibly. The best way of doing this is to turn off the supply, for example by unplugging the appliance or by turning the mains off at the fusebox (consumer unit).
If this isn’t possible, then try to remove the source of electricity from the person using a piece of insulating material, such as a length of wood.
NEVER touch the person receiving the electric shock, or you could suffer one too.
After removing the person from the source of electricity, if the person is unconscious call for an ambulance immediately. Only those with the necessary knowledge and skill should carry out first aid.
Where the person is conscious and seems well, it is still advisable to monitor their condition, as the effects of an electric shock may not be immediately obvious. In worst case conditions, an electric shock may lead to a condition known as electroporation, where cells within the body rupture, leading to tissue death. Additional problems might include deep-seated burns, muscle damage and broken bones.
Use an RCD. Using an RCD will help to protect you from dangerous electric shocks. Although not a guarantee of absolute safety, it limits the time current can flow through the body if a person comes into contact with a live source of electricity.
We strongly recommend that anyone using electrical appliances in the garden ensures that they are protected by an RCD, preferably one fitted in the main household fusebox (consumer unit).
Alternatively, a dedicated RCD-protected socket or a plug-in RCD should be used.
Saturday, 21 January 2012
engineers use light to beam music
Using a laser to beam music from one place to another? It’s not science fiction, it’s a reality thanks to some BYU electrical engineering students.
The system is called a free space optical transmission device.
"We have our music coming in from an iPod, or some other music device, and then it comes in, converts it to digital and then sends it across this laser to our receiver and that converts it back so you can listen to it on your speakers," said Matt Seamons, a student who worked on the project.
But it's not just about making music more mobile. There are potential real world applications beyond just the convenience wireless portability.
Encrypted military communications are broadcast everywhere when they use electromagnetic waves, making them available to anyone who wants to do the work of breaking the code.
"This actually has a very narrow beam width, so when they are transferring the information ... it's not as easy to tap into," Seamons
There are other possibilities as well. One can easily imagine using a system of these lasers to connect government offices, businesses or any other party that needs no prying eyes.
The system is called a free space optical transmission device.
"We have our music coming in from an iPod, or some other music device, and then it comes in, converts it to digital and then sends it across this laser to our receiver and that converts it back so you can listen to it on your speakers," said Matt Seamons, a student who worked on the project.
But it's not just about making music more mobile. There are potential real world applications beyond just the convenience wireless portability.
Encrypted military communications are broadcast everywhere when they use electromagnetic waves, making them available to anyone who wants to do the work of breaking the code.
"This actually has a very narrow beam width, so when they are transferring the information ... it's not as easy to tap into," Seamons
There are other possibilities as well. One can easily imagine using a system of these lasers to connect government offices, businesses or any other party that needs no prying eyes.
Friday, 20 January 2012
LED replacement for T8 tubes
the lamp on the right is a typical 2' 18w fluorescent tube, the three others are different types of LED replacement...
will pay for themselves in energy saving alone - comments please
Self-healing electronic chip tests may aid space travel
Self-repairing electronic chips are one step closer, according to a team of US researchers.
The group has created a circuit that heals itself when cracked thanks to the release of liquid metal which restores conductivity.The process takes less than an eye blink to bring the circuit back to use.
The researchers said that their work could eventually lead to longer-lasting gadgets as well as solving one of the big problems of interplanetary travel.
The work was carried out by a team of scientists and engineers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is published in the journal Advanced Materials.
The process works by exploiting the stress that causes the initial damage in the chips to break open tiny reservoirs of a healing material that fills in the resulting gaps, restoring electrical flow.
Cracked circuits
To test their theory the team patterned lines of gold onto glass to form a circuit.
They then either placed microcapsules 0.01mm wide directly onto the lines or added a thin laminate into which they embedded larger 0.2mm microcapsules.
In both cases the microcapsules contained eutectic gallium-indium - a metallic material chosen for its high conductivity and low melting point.
This device was then sandwiched between another layer of glass and acrylic and connected to electricity.
The researchers then bent the circuit until it cracked causing the monitored voltage to fall to zero.
They said the ruptured microcapsules then healed most of the test circuits within one millisecond and restored nearly all of the measured voltage.
The smaller capsules healed the device every time but were a little less conductive than the larger ones which had a slightly lower success rate. The team suggested that a mix of differently sized capsules would therefore give the best result.
The devices were then monitored for four months during which time the researchers said there was no loss of conductivity.
Safe space travel
The leader of the group said the theory could prove a boon to the space industry.
"The only avenue one has right now is to simply remove that circuitry when it fails and replace it- there is no way to manually go in and fix something like this," aerospace engineering professor Scott White told the BBC.
The research team hope to adapt the process to create longer lasting rechargeable batteries http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16291943?print=true
clever eh!!!!
Thursday, 19 January 2012
10w LED lamp
to give you an idea of scale, this lamp is the size of the old style GLS lamps, we were very impressed with it.
after running it for three hours the heat sink was still quite cool, it can be pulse switched such as a zebra crossing light and we are being told it will be compatativly priced (shop prices are typically £19.00 for a lamp like this) we will update you when we know
BC - is availible too
what do you think?
after running it for three hours the heat sink was still quite cool, it can be pulse switched such as a zebra crossing light and we are being told it will be compatativly priced (shop prices are typically £19.00 for a lamp like this) we will update you when we know
what do you think?
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
the internet...
Its funny isn’t it… America
Tim Berners-Lee (graduated from the Queen's College at Oxford University , England
The internet was developed in the US
However, all of a sudden all this openness and freedom is inconvenient, now both Govt and Business (Business controls govt) wants emergency powers to seize control of, or even shut down, portions of the internet.
The legislation says that companies such as broadband providers, search engines or software firms that the US Government selects "shall immediately comply with any emergency measure or action developed" by the Department of Homeland Security. Anyone failing to comply would be fined.
That emergency authority would allow the Federal Government to "preserve those networks and assets and our country and protect our people,"
The rest of us are concerned about "unintended consequences that would result from the legislation's regulatory approach" and "the potential for absolute power.”
Why, because recent publications of Govt documents has sent The US diplomatic corp into a worldwide diplomatic crisis.
We now know, Saudi Arabia put pressure on the US to attack Iran Washington
I wonder what will happen next.
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Regulations
a lil bit of the history of the UK electrical regs
Requirements for safe wiring date back to 1876 when Mr Musgrave Heaphy, an engineer with the Phoenix Assurance Company, started investigating the possible fire risks from the installations of electrical systems. In June 1882, the Society of Telegraph Engineers and Electricians, which later became the Institution of Electrical Engineers, published the Rules and Regulations for the Prevention of Fire Risks arising from Electric Lighting. This first edition of the IEE Wiring Regulations was a simple four-page document, but has now become the technical standard for all installers carrying out electrical installation work. In 1991 it became British Standard 7671: Requirements for Electrical Installations.
got it?????????
Requirements for safe wiring date back to 1876 when Mr Musgrave Heaphy, an engineer with the Phoenix Assurance Company, started investigating the possible fire risks from the installations of electrical systems. In June 1882, the Society of Telegraph Engineers and Electricians, which later became the Institution of Electrical Engineers, published the Rules and Regulations for the Prevention of Fire Risks arising from Electric Lighting. This first edition of the IEE Wiring Regulations was a simple four-page document, but has now become the technical standard for all installers carrying out electrical installation work. In 1991 it became British Standard 7671: Requirements for Electrical Installations.
got it?????????
Monday, 16 January 2012
promote something you cant get till 2013.. will we get bored?
all-electric vehicles have entered the consumer culture, the advance hype machine has even more reason to switch on fast and early, since it’s no longer targeting just the same old replacement-car buyer anymore. This is a fresh, early-adopter audience we’re talking, which means new, more unpredictable and higher stakes for auto manufacturers.
With more than a year to go before its i3 concept car is actually available on the market, BMW is already aggressively promoting the all-electric “megacity vehicle” through multiple campaigns, both online and off. It’s teamed up with Mashable to sponsor weekly features on innovation in urban mobility. It’s working with Wallpaper* on a Sustainable Neighborhoods project. It’s rolling out an interactive and location-wise app for smartphones. And it’s pushing the i brand via Twitter and Facebook.
With more than a year to go before its i3 concept car is actually available on the market, BMW is already aggressively promoting the all-electric “megacity vehicle” through multiple campaigns, both online and off. It’s teamed up with Mashable to sponsor weekly features on innovation in urban mobility. It’s working with Wallpaper* on a Sustainable Neighborhoods project. It’s rolling out an interactive and location-wise app for smartphones. And it’s pushing the i brand via Twitter and Facebook.
Sunday, 15 January 2012
science in 2012
Exploring other worlds
Space science got off to a quick start in 2012 with NASA’s GRAIL-A and GRAIL-B probes entering orbits around the earth’s moon on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day respectively. Between now and March, the twin spacecraft will adjust their orbits until they are just 34 miles above the surface, at which point they will begin to measure tiny variations in the moon’s gravity that should illuminate details of its internal structure in unprecedented detail. Those answers, scientists hope, will illuminate how the moon formed out of collisions of smaller bodies, and perhaps why its near surface is smoother than its far side.
Stem cells by any other name…
Biomedical research in 2012 will continue to be transformed by the ease and affordability of reading the genomes of patients, pathogens, malignant tissues and more. All indications are that this year technology will succeed in delivering a $1,000 human genome — and that price is only a benchmark of success, because the cost will keep dropping. The challenge will be to make sense of that DNA sequence information: biomedical researchers are still struggling to understand the genomic underpinnings of most health conditions.
Catastrophic weather
Scientists and nonscientists alike will be scrutinizing the weather in 2012 for evidence of extreme events that might be laid at the doorstep of global warming, just as they were during the extraordinary droughts, storms, forest fires, floods and other catastrophes of 2011. Don’t expect anyone’s conclusions to sharply change the policy debate on the subject: the natural variations in weather patterns and the murky (and frustrating) debates about what actually causes weather-related disasters create wiggle room for people to believe what they wish. It doesn’t help that Republicans in Congress succeeded in cutting the research budget of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and opposing other measures that would have helped with monitoring climate change and its effects.
Books and television programs invoking the Mayan calendar and ominous talk of “galactic alignment” to the contrary, the world will not end next December (see April 1st blog - sorry you will have to wait!!! :)
Space science got off to a quick start in 2012 with NASA’s GRAIL-A and GRAIL-B probes entering orbits around the earth’s moon on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day respectively. Between now and March, the twin spacecraft will adjust their orbits until they are just 34 miles above the surface, at which point they will begin to measure tiny variations in the moon’s gravity that should illuminate details of its internal structure in unprecedented detail. Those answers, scientists hope, will illuminate how the moon formed out of collisions of smaller bodies, and perhaps why its near surface is smoother than its far side.
Stem cells by any other name…
Biomedical research in 2012 will continue to be transformed by the ease and affordability of reading the genomes of patients, pathogens, malignant tissues and more. All indications are that this year technology will succeed in delivering a $1,000 human genome — and that price is only a benchmark of success, because the cost will keep dropping. The challenge will be to make sense of that DNA sequence information: biomedical researchers are still struggling to understand the genomic underpinnings of most health conditions.
Catastrophic weather
Scientists and nonscientists alike will be scrutinizing the weather in 2012 for evidence of extreme events that might be laid at the doorstep of global warming, just as they were during the extraordinary droughts, storms, forest fires, floods and other catastrophes of 2011. Don’t expect anyone’s conclusions to sharply change the policy debate on the subject: the natural variations in weather patterns and the murky (and frustrating) debates about what actually causes weather-related disasters create wiggle room for people to believe what they wish. It doesn’t help that Republicans in Congress succeeded in cutting the research budget of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and opposing other measures that would have helped with monitoring climate change and its effects.
Books and television programs invoking the Mayan calendar and ominous talk of “galactic alignment” to the contrary, the world will not end next December (see April 1st blog - sorry you will have to wait!!! :)
Saturday, 14 January 2012
Internet growth: Problems and challenges
India should piggyback on mobile phones to increase penetration and speed of Internet, says an expert.
Ramesh Govindan, Professor of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at the University of Southern California, says growth of Internet is both a challenge and an opportunity.
Govindan, who heads the Embedded Networks Laboratory at the USC, says liberalisation does not mean innovation will follow
that could work globally... :)
Ramesh Govindan, Professor of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at the University of Southern California, says growth of Internet is both a challenge and an opportunity.
Govindan, who heads the Embedded Networks Laboratory at the USC, says liberalisation does not mean innovation will follow
that could work globally... :)
Friday, 13 January 2012
“Nanowiggles:” Scientists Discover Graphene Nanomaterials With Tunable Functionality in Electronics
Electronics are getting smaller and smaller, flirting with new devices at the atomic scale. However, many scientists predict that the shrinking of our technology is reaching an end. Without an alternative to silicon-based technologies, the miniaturization of our electronics will stop. One promising alternative is graphene — the thinnest material known to man. Pure graphene is not a semiconductor, but it can be altered to display exceptional electrical behavior. Finding the best graphene-based nanomaterials could usher in a new era of nanoelectronics, optics, and spintronics (an emerging technology that uses the spin of electrons to store and process information in exceptionally small electronics).
Scientists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have used the capabilities of one of the world’s most powerful university-based supercomputers, the Rensselaer Computational Center for Nanotechnology Innovations (CCNI), to uncover the properties of a promising form of graphene, known as graphene nanowiggles. What they found was that graphitic nanoribbons can be segmented into several different surface structures called nanowiggles. Each of these structures produces highly different magnetic and conductive properties. The findings provide a blueprint that scientists can use to literally pick and choose a graphene nanostructure that is tuned and customized for a different task or device. The work provides an important base of knowledge on these highly useful nanomaterials.
Scientists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have used the capabilities of one of the world’s most powerful university-based supercomputers, the Rensselaer Computational Center for Nanotechnology Innovations (CCNI), to uncover the properties of a promising form of graphene, known as graphene nanowiggles. What they found was that graphitic nanoribbons can be segmented into several different surface structures called nanowiggles. Each of these structures produces highly different magnetic and conductive properties. The findings provide a blueprint that scientists can use to literally pick and choose a graphene nanostructure that is tuned and customized for a different task or device. The work provides an important base of knowledge on these highly useful nanomaterials.
Thursday, 12 January 2012
Bet you dont unplug your charger when its not in use!!!!
as part of our green campaign... we want to let you know, you dont need to buy a £30k electric car to save the planet, start small.... your lap top and or mobile phone charger is using your power even when its not charging your phone...
how much do you think you waste?
Nine out of ten people keep gadgets on permanent charge, despite the potential damage to the battery life, the environmental impact and the possibility of saving on average £60 a year on their energy bill.
UK households waste £134 million a year by leaving gadgets plugged in despite the device being fully charged, according to a study.
The most overcharged devices are laptops, which constitute 43 percent of the total, with mobile phones accounting for 41 percent and iPods ten percent. Other culprits include electric toothbrushes, handheld vacuum cleaners and cordless phones.
One in ten admitted that they were simply too lazy to unplug the gadgets despite the benefits, with people aged 18 and 24 four times more likely to leave them plugged in than those aged 55 or older. It also seems that no demographic is exempt, with one in five children leaving toys on charge.
“It’s crucial that we keep an eye on how much money and energy we’re wasting keeping them charging when we don’t need to,” commented EON’s Emma Thompson. “When you plug in a charger, think about how long it needs to reach full charge, rather than just leaving it on overnight.”
“Generally mobile phones only take two hours to charge but most people leave them plugged in overnight. By unplugging your gadgets once they’re charged, you’ll be helping to reduce your energy bills,” she added.
as a guide - a lap to on charge typically uses 300ma, fully charged, 200ma, plugged in the socket but not plugged in to the lap top still uses 100ma...
200ma over a year (at 15p per Kwh) = £56 for a year...
how much do you think you waste?
Nine out of ten people keep gadgets on permanent charge, despite the potential damage to the battery life, the environmental impact and the possibility of saving on average £60 a year on their energy bill.
UK households waste £134 million a year by leaving gadgets plugged in despite the device being fully charged, according to a study.
The most overcharged devices are laptops, which constitute 43 percent of the total, with mobile phones accounting for 41 percent and iPods ten percent. Other culprits include electric toothbrushes, handheld vacuum cleaners and cordless phones.
One in ten admitted that they were simply too lazy to unplug the gadgets despite the benefits, with people aged 18 and 24 four times more likely to leave them plugged in than those aged 55 or older. It also seems that no demographic is exempt, with one in five children leaving toys on charge.
“It’s crucial that we keep an eye on how much money and energy we’re wasting keeping them charging when we don’t need to,” commented EON’s Emma Thompson. “When you plug in a charger, think about how long it needs to reach full charge, rather than just leaving it on overnight.”
“Generally mobile phones only take two hours to charge but most people leave them plugged in overnight. By unplugging your gadgets once they’re charged, you’ll be helping to reduce your energy bills,” she added.
as a guide - a lap to on charge typically uses 300ma, fully charged, 200ma, plugged in the socket but not plugged in to the lap top still uses 100ma...
200ma over a year (at 15p per Kwh) = £56 for a year...
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
six things that confuse scientists
1. DARK MATTER of an unknown form makes up most of the matter of the universe. This matter is not predicted by the standard physics models. The so-called "Theory of Everything" does not predict and does not understand what this substance is.
2. THE LAW OF GRAVITY appears to be seriously broken. Experiments by Saxl and Allais found that Foucault pendulums veer off in strange directions during solar eclipses. Interplanetary NASA satellites are showing persistent errors in trajectory. Neither of these is explained or predicted by the standard theory of gravity known as Einstein's General Relativity.
3. COLD FUSION. The Cold Fusion phenomenon violates physics as we understand it, and yet it has been duplicated in various forms in over 500 laboratories around the world. Studies by the Electric Power Research Institute, a large non-profit research organization funded by power companies, found that Cold Fusion works. A Navy study once also verified the reality of Cold Fusion, and the original MIT study which supposedly disproved Cold Fusion has been found to have doctored its data. Present day physics has no explanation for how it works, but it does work.
4. CHARGE CLUSTERS. Under certain conditions, billions of electrons can "stick together" in close proximity, despite the law of electromagnetism that like charges repel. Charge clusters are small, one millionth of a meter in diameter, and are composed of tens or hundreds of billions of electrons. They should fly apart at enormous speed, but they do not. This indicates that our laws of electromagnetism are missing something important.
5. COSMOLOGY. Quasars, which are supposed to be the most distant astronomical objects in the sky, are often found connected to nearby galaxies by jets of gas. This suggests that they may not be as far away as previously thought, and their red shifts are due to some other, more unusual physics which is not yet fully understood.
6. SPEED OF LIGHT,once thought unbreakable, has been exceeded in several recent experiments. Our notion of what is possible in terms of propagation speed has been changing as a result.
2. THE LAW OF GRAVITY appears to be seriously broken. Experiments by Saxl and Allais found that Foucault pendulums veer off in strange directions during solar eclipses. Interplanetary NASA satellites are showing persistent errors in trajectory. Neither of these is explained or predicted by the standard theory of gravity known as Einstein's General Relativity.
3. COLD FUSION. The Cold Fusion phenomenon violates physics as we understand it, and yet it has been duplicated in various forms in over 500 laboratories around the world. Studies by the Electric Power Research Institute, a large non-profit research organization funded by power companies, found that Cold Fusion works. A Navy study once also verified the reality of Cold Fusion, and the original MIT study which supposedly disproved Cold Fusion has been found to have doctored its data. Present day physics has no explanation for how it works, but it does work.
4. CHARGE CLUSTERS. Under certain conditions, billions of electrons can "stick together" in close proximity, despite the law of electromagnetism that like charges repel. Charge clusters are small, one millionth of a meter in diameter, and are composed of tens or hundreds of billions of electrons. They should fly apart at enormous speed, but they do not. This indicates that our laws of electromagnetism are missing something important.
5. COSMOLOGY. Quasars, which are supposed to be the most distant astronomical objects in the sky, are often found connected to nearby galaxies by jets of gas. This suggests that they may not be as far away as previously thought, and their red shifts are due to some other, more unusual physics which is not yet fully understood.
6. SPEED OF LIGHT,once thought unbreakable, has been exceeded in several recent experiments. Our notion of what is possible in terms of propagation speed has been changing as a result.
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
Ultracold science finds new method to get even colder
Ultracold science finds new method to get even colder
Atoms can be held in place using light, forming an "optical lattice", cooled to extremely low temperatures
Researchers have developed a clever way to achieve the coldest temperatures ever recorded on Earth.
Achieving such temperatures is necessary to study fundamental properties of matter and the strange effects caused by quantum mechanics.The new method relies on "optical lattices" of atoms from which only the hottest atoms are selectively removed.
The approach, reported in Nature, may be well-suited to create memory for future quantum computers.
The limits of low temperature have been constantly pushed in recent years, and the current best lies somewhere in the nanoKelvin regime - that is, within just billionths of a degree of "absolute zero" at zero Kelvin or -273.15C.
That ultimate limit is set formally as the lowest possible entropy, or disorder, that is achievable.
Optical lattices are an ideal system in which to attain temperatures ever nearer that limit. The peaks and troughs of intensity in crossed beams of light form a kind of "egg-crate" structure in which atoms are inclined to remain in the troughs - a point of lowest energy.
Continue reading the main story
Kelvin and the very cold
- 310K - human body temperature
- 273K - water freezes
- 217K - dry ice
- 184K - lowest temperature ever recorded on Earth's surface
- 2.7K - average temperature of deep space
- 1K - lowest known temperature in space: expanding gas of the Boomerang Nebula (above)
- 0.000000001K - coldest temperatures routinely achieved in laboratories
- 0K - absolute zero
As the atoms are added to each trough - or each point in the lattice - it becomes more difficult to add another, in a situation called a blockade.
But researchers from Harvard University have invented a modification to this effect called orbital exchange blockade.
Monday, 9 January 2012
Homes not houses
Grand Union Housing Group’s Chief Executive, Alan Humphreys, has called for the Government to stop thinking of houses as just properties and start thinking of them as our homes.
In response to Housing Minister Grant Shapps’ comments on the Government’s housing strategy in a recent edition of Inside Housing, Alan Humphreys said: “We need to get people to start thinking of their homes as just that, somewhere they are happy to live, and not as a potential investment which will continually increase in value.”
“Good quality affordable housing is vital for the wellbeing of individuals and the country as a whole and far too important to be treated merely as an investment opportunity for some.“
Mr Humphreys also repeated the sector’s call for the Government to build more homes.
“The simple truth is that we need to build more homes and in particular more affordable homes, any measures which help us do this have to be welcomed.”
http://www.grandunionhousing.co.uk/news/homes-not-houses/
In response to Housing Minister Grant Shapps’ comments on the Government’s housing strategy in a recent edition of Inside Housing, Alan Humphreys said: “We need to get people to start thinking of their homes as just that, somewhere they are happy to live, and not as a potential investment which will continually increase in value.”
“Good quality affordable housing is vital for the wellbeing of individuals and the country as a whole and far too important to be treated merely as an investment opportunity for some.“
Mr Humphreys also repeated the sector’s call for the Government to build more homes.
“The simple truth is that we need to build more homes and in particular more affordable homes, any measures which help us do this have to be welcomed.”
http://www.grandunionhousing.co.uk/news/homes-not-houses/
Researchers Develop Paint That Generates Electricity!
Its Sun-Believable! This is what scientists from University of Notre Dame, Indiana are saying nowadays. Hinting of moving away from the present day Silicon based technology the team led by Prashant Kamat, John A. Zahm Professor of Science in Chemistry and Biochemistry and an investigator in Notre Dame’s Center for Nano Science and Technology (NDnano) has developed a paint that produces electricity that can be tapped and utilized for domestic applications. However if you are thinking of buying this paint and applying on your electrical gadgets then you stand a chance of improving the efficiency of your gadgets.
The paint that the team came up with consists of nanoparticles that covert the solar light into electricity. The materials that the group used are the Titanium Dioxide (TiO2), Cadmium Selenide and Cadmium sulfide. The compounds of Cadmium were used along with Titanium Dioxide alternately to produce two different colors. When TiO2 was coated with Cadmium Sulfide, it produced a yellow paint while the Selenide alternative made a dark brown paint. Then the team converted this mixture to a paste by mixing it with water-alcohol combination. When this paste was tested experimentally it was found that it surely converted a tiny fraction of the Sunlight into electricity.
The paint that the team came up with consists of nanoparticles that covert the solar light into electricity. The materials that the group used are the Titanium Dioxide (TiO2), Cadmium Selenide and Cadmium sulfide. The compounds of Cadmium were used along with Titanium Dioxide alternately to produce two different colors. When TiO2 was coated with Cadmium Sulfide, it produced a yellow paint while the Selenide alternative made a dark brown paint. Then the team converted this mixture to a paste by mixing it with water-alcohol combination. When this paste was tested experimentally it was found that it surely converted a tiny fraction of the Sunlight into electricity.
Sunday, 8 January 2012
ONLINE SHOPPING 4 electricals....
The ESC’s Product Safety Unit recently put a range of electrical health and beauty products to the test and found a number wanting in the safety department. It has also undertaken regular testing of chargers – a necessary ‘add-on’ for most electrical gifts – many of which were found to be unsafe.
“Electrical grooming products are always popular Christmas presents but shoppers need to make sure that they are not only buying goods from reputable sellers but that the product and its accessories are safe”, explains Phil Buckle, Director General of the ESC. “In recent tests, we found only one item without any issues or faults”.
The ESC tested a total of 17 products, which included a selection of hair clippers, curling tongs, hair dryers, massage devices and hair straighteners. Only one of these items (a hair clipper) passed the test programme with no concerns or defects noted.
Product problems ranged from loose live pins in a fitted plug, dangerous parts becoming accessible when the product was dropped, insufficient electrical insulation for protection against live parts and a lack of proper information in the manufacturers’ instructions.
Although some issues were fairly minor, such as imperfect user guides, others were much more serious. For example, one of the hair straighteners purchased was still dangerously hot – 115oC - five minutes after being unplugged. This not only poses a fire risk but could also cause a serious burn or injury, particularly to children.
“Electrical grooming products are always popular Christmas presents but shoppers need to make sure that they are not only buying goods from reputable sellers but that the product and its accessories are safe”, explains Phil Buckle, Director General of the ESC. “In recent tests, we found only one item without any issues or faults”.
The ESC tested a total of 17 products, which included a selection of hair clippers, curling tongs, hair dryers, massage devices and hair straighteners. Only one of these items (a hair clipper) passed the test programme with no concerns or defects noted.
Product problems ranged from loose live pins in a fitted plug, dangerous parts becoming accessible when the product was dropped, insufficient electrical insulation for protection against live parts and a lack of proper information in the manufacturers’ instructions.
Although some issues were fairly minor, such as imperfect user guides, others were much more serious. For example, one of the hair straighteners purchased was still dangerously hot – 115oC - five minutes after being unplugged. This not only poses a fire risk but could also cause a serious burn or injury, particularly to children.
Metal undergoes novel transition under extreme pressure
Under extreme pressures and temperatures, one of the main materials of the Earth's interior has exhibited a never-before-seen transition.
Iron oxide was subjected to conditions similar to those at the depth where the Earth's innermost two layers meet.At 1,650C and 690,000 times sea-level pressure, the metal changed the degree to which it conducted electricity.
But, as the team outlined in Physical Review Letters, the metal's structure was surprisingly unchanged.
The finding could have implications for our as-yet incomplete understanding of how the Earth's interior gives rise to the planet's magnetic field.
Saturday, 7 January 2012
Village where nothing works after electrical signal failures
Kingsclere on the Hampshire-Berkshire border is having trouble...
Villagers were left unable to use their showers, doorbells and even car key fobs for several days in the latest case of suspected wireless interference.
One family, the Smiths, were baffled when their heating, shower, doorbell and even their car’s remote-control door locks refused to work.
They then discovered similar problems were being experienced by their neighbours.
Chris Smith, whose wife’s birthday on Christmas Eve was ruined by the systems failure, spent more than £250 trying to fix the heating and shower but neither worked until late on Dec 27.
A spokesman for Ofcom, which oversees radio communications, said: “Often these problems can be caused by a video sender that transmits a television signal to other sets in the house. They are not the source of all the problems but in a lot of cases interference is tracked down to those devices.”
Mr Smith, who had the heating system installed 18 months ago, said he did not know of anyone nearby with a video sender.
In October, people living in a street in Southampton reported that their remote car key fobs had stopped working. The problem was tracked down to a faulty video sender which was “leaking” a frequency which interfered with the fobs.
Residents in a street in Windermere, Cumbria, had similar problems in March 2010, which were eventually traced back to a wireless device used to take orders at a nearby restaurant.
Mr Smith has now concluded that the common link between the failed devices was that they all used radio-frequency identification (RFID).
But he said: “The question is: what caused the blocking of the RFID frequency in the village and how do you even begin to find out?
“Kingsclere is in the shadow of the Hannington television transmitter, so it could have been engineering work that went wrong and unnoticed over the holiday period.”
The Hannington transmitter serves the surrounding area. Arqiva, the company responsible for it, admitted that a strong signal could affect RFID devices, but said on this occasion it was not to blame.
In October, people living in a street in Southampton reported that their remote car key fobs had stopped working. The problem was tracked down to a faulty video sender which was “leaking” a frequency which interfered with the fobs.
Residents in a street in Windermere, Cumbria, had similar problems in March 2010, which were eventually traced back to a wireless device used to take orders at a nearby restaurant.
Mr Smith has now concluded that the common link between the failed devices was that they all used radio-frequency identification (RFID).
But he said: “The question is: what caused the blocking of the RFID frequency in the village and how do you even begin to find out?
“Kingsclere is in the shadow of the Hannington television transmitter, so it could have been engineering work that went wrong and unnoticed over the holiday period.”
The Hannington transmitter serves the surrounding area. Arqiva, the company responsible for it, admitted that a strong signal could affect RFID devices, but said on this occasion it was not to blame.
Save a life today... essential first aid from the red cross
This could save someone's life
Would you know what to do if someone as choking? What if your neighbour was having a heart attack?
At Aragon Housing Association we are very grateful to the British Red Cross for producing a handy First Aid leaflet which you may find very useful to have around the home.
It is packed with hints on how you could use everyday items like frozen peas, cling film and even beer to help someone in the event of an accident or injury.
Running alongside the leaflets are a series of videos which also contain useful information. You can watch these at redcross.org.uk/everydayfirstaid .
The Red Cross has worked closely with the tenants’ organisation TPAS to produce the leaflet in the hope people will take a few minutes to remind themselves what to do in the event of an emergency.
All the information is presented in clear, simple steps with diagrams and pictures and tells readers what to do in the event of, among other things, someone having a heart attack, a stroke, being burned or being unconscious.
Why not take a few minutes to have a look through – it may save a life.
At Aragon Housing Association we are very grateful to the British Red Cross for producing a handy First Aid leaflet which you may find very useful to have around the home.
It is packed with hints on how you could use everyday items like frozen peas, cling film and even beer to help someone in the event of an accident or injury.
Running alongside the leaflets are a series of videos which also contain useful information. You can watch these at redcross.org.uk/everydayfirstaid .
The Red Cross has worked closely with the tenants’ organisation TPAS to produce the leaflet in the hope people will take a few minutes to remind themselves what to do in the event of an emergency.
All the information is presented in clear, simple steps with diagrams and pictures and tells readers what to do in the event of, among other things, someone having a heart attack, a stroke, being burned or being unconscious.
Why not take a few minutes to have a look through – it may save a life.
Friday, 6 January 2012
Scotish Government urged to act over cars - not enough green!!!
Calls have been made for the Scottish Government to "take action" after it was revealed that only 14% of its fleet of cars are green vehicles.
Out of the 208 cars the Government has, 26 are hybrid vehicles and three are electric.
The figures were released in answer to a Parliamentary Question by Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Jim Hume.
He said: "The SNP love to say that they are world leaders on climate change, making the most of every opportunity to talk the talk on the environment. However these answers reveal that the SNP are not taking enough action in Government to back up their warm words.
"With only 14% of their fleet either hybrid or electric, they are not setting the example that we would hope for from a government that has set significant climate change targets.
"The technology for electric or hybrid cars is improving and the cost of electric vehicles has dropped significantly so it would be good to see this SNP Government making more use of them.
"By opting for vehicles with cleaner emissions they could be setting a real example for the rest of the country to follow.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Our priority is to ensure the Government car service is delivered in the most efficient and cost-effective manner, offering the best deal for the taxpayer.
"Our fleet includes hybrid and electric vehicles and the typical vehicle now purchased for use by Ministers has CO2 emissions that are 31% lower than the vehicles used by ministers before 2007.
"Electric vehicles are suitable for short urban use, rather than for travel across Scotland as ministers and officials do on Government business."
Out of the 208 cars the Government has, 26 are hybrid vehicles and three are electric.
The figures were released in answer to a Parliamentary Question by Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Jim Hume.
He said: "The SNP love to say that they are world leaders on climate change, making the most of every opportunity to talk the talk on the environment. However these answers reveal that the SNP are not taking enough action in Government to back up their warm words.
"With only 14% of their fleet either hybrid or electric, they are not setting the example that we would hope for from a government that has set significant climate change targets.
"The technology for electric or hybrid cars is improving and the cost of electric vehicles has dropped significantly so it would be good to see this SNP Government making more use of them.
"By opting for vehicles with cleaner emissions they could be setting a real example for the rest of the country to follow.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Our priority is to ensure the Government car service is delivered in the most efficient and cost-effective manner, offering the best deal for the taxpayer.
"Our fleet includes hybrid and electric vehicles and the typical vehicle now purchased for use by Ministers has CO2 emissions that are 31% lower than the vehicles used by ministers before 2007.
"Electric vehicles are suitable for short urban use, rather than for travel across Scotland as ministers and officials do on Government business."
Plug pulled on free electric (Hull)
Just over 100 lucky council tenants in Hull stand to get free electricity during the day after the Government cut subsidies.
The city council had hoped to install photo-voltaic panels, which create electricity from sunlight, on 500 council homes in the city - but the Coalition’s decision to halve subsidies means only 120 are likely to get installed.
According to a council report, 38 homes had the panels installed by the cut off date on December 12.
The council is considering installing a further 82 at a cost of up to £770,000 - over £9,000 each - which should pay for themselves within the 25-year life of the project.
It says they can’t go any further as that would mean “directly subsidising individual tenant electrical fuel bills from the General Fund.”
PV panels are one of the measures councils are using to tackle fuel poverty - defined as a household which needs to spend more than 10 per cent of its income on fuel.
However the report reveals that technical issues - such as the strength of a roof and which direction it faces - is the deciding factor.
It says targeting individual households which fall within the government’s current definition of fuel poverty would be “resource intensive and administratively difficult.”
The scheme - which would have cost some £4.38m for 500
Tenants stood to get free electricity during the day with any excess going to the National Grid and creating an income for the council.
The city council had hoped to install photo-voltaic panels, which create electricity from sunlight, on 500 council homes in the city - but the Coalition’s decision to halve subsidies means only 120 are likely to get installed.
According to a council report, 38 homes had the panels installed by the cut off date on December 12.
The council is considering installing a further 82 at a cost of up to £770,000 - over £9,000 each - which should pay for themselves within the 25-year life of the project.
It says they can’t go any further as that would mean “directly subsidising individual tenant electrical fuel bills from the General Fund.”
PV panels are one of the measures councils are using to tackle fuel poverty - defined as a household which needs to spend more than 10 per cent of its income on fuel.
However the report reveals that technical issues - such as the strength of a roof and which direction it faces - is the deciding factor.
It says targeting individual households which fall within the government’s current definition of fuel poverty would be “resource intensive and administratively difficult.”
The scheme - which would have cost some £4.38m for 500
Tenants stood to get free electricity during the day with any excess going to the National Grid and creating an income for the council.
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Scrap metal industry faces crackdown
Britain's £5bn-a-year scrap industry is facing tougher regulation as part of a government crackdown on metal theft.
People selling scrap could be required to register and face identity checks.
And cash payments could be banned, to make metal transactions easier to trace, Home Office minister, Lord Henley told the BBC.
Tougher regulation would be welcome according to an industry spokesman, but a cash ban could be counter-productive, he warned - encouraging illegal trades.
Hospitals, the rail network, utility companies, churches and war memorials have all been targeted in recent years by thieves attracted by the rising prices of non-ferrous metals such as copper.
"I think it likely that we will have to regulate," said Lord Henley, the Home Office minister responsible for crime prevention.
"We will have to improve the 1964 Scrap Metal Dealers Act which colleagues have been saying is well past its sell-by date."
Legislation could be in the form of a private member's bill currently before parliament, but Lord Henley said the government would need to see the proposals in detail before deciding whether to back them.
IBM Predicts Home Electricity From Your Bike, Mind-Reading Computers
You will make your own energy: Anything that moves has the potential to create energy. Your running shoes, your bicycle and even the water flowing through your pipes can create energy. Advances in renewable energy technology will allow individuals and scientists to collect this energy and use it to help power our homes, offices and cities.
You will not need a password: Your biological makeup is the key to your individual identity, and soon, it will become the key to safeguarding it. Each person’s unique biometric data such as facial definitions, retinol scans and voice files will be composited through software to build your DNA-unique online password. You will be able to log into your mobile phone or have access to an ATM machine by simply speaking your name or looking into a camera.
Mind reading is no longer science fiction: Scientists are researching how to link your brain to your devices, such as a computer or a smartphone, so you just need to think about calling someone and it happens. Scientists have designed headsets with advanced sensors to read electrical brain activity that can recognize facial expressions, excitement and concentration levels, and thoughts of a person without them physically doing anything.
The digital divide will cease to exist: In five years, the gap between information haves and have-nots will narrow considerably due to advances in mobile technology. Growing communities will be able to use mobile technology to provide access to essential information and better serve people with new solutions such as mobile commerce and remote healthcare.
Junk mail will become priority mail: Think about how often we’re flooded with advertisements we consider to be irrelevant or unwanted — it doesn’t have to be that way anymore. In five years, unsolicited advertisements may feel so personalized and relevant it may seem spam is dead. Systems will be able to filter and find only the data that’s important and relevant to you and will bring you the information without you having to ask for it.
You will not need a password: Your biological makeup is the key to your individual identity, and soon, it will become the key to safeguarding it. Each person’s unique biometric data such as facial definitions, retinol scans and voice files will be composited through software to build your DNA-unique online password. You will be able to log into your mobile phone or have access to an ATM machine by simply speaking your name or looking into a camera.
Mind reading is no longer science fiction: Scientists are researching how to link your brain to your devices, such as a computer or a smartphone, so you just need to think about calling someone and it happens. Scientists have designed headsets with advanced sensors to read electrical brain activity that can recognize facial expressions, excitement and concentration levels, and thoughts of a person without them physically doing anything.
The digital divide will cease to exist: In five years, the gap between information haves and have-nots will narrow considerably due to advances in mobile technology. Growing communities will be able to use mobile technology to provide access to essential information and better serve people with new solutions such as mobile commerce and remote healthcare.
Junk mail will become priority mail: Think about how often we’re flooded with advertisements we consider to be irrelevant or unwanted — it doesn’t have to be that way anymore. In five years, unsolicited advertisements may feel so personalized and relevant it may seem spam is dead. Systems will be able to filter and find only the data that’s important and relevant to you and will bring you the information without you having to ask for it.
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Globally, renewable energy is on the retreat
Globally, renewable energy is on the retreat, to the point where last month the Ernst & Young accountancy firm warned that, should the eurozone debt crisis worsen, a climate funding gap of $45bn (£29bn) worldwide could emerge by 2015.
Even if government cuts do not deepen, which is unlikely, the Ernst & Young report claimed that a gap of $22.5bn on investment in renewable energy and subsidies is likely to emerge across 10 leading world economies in less than four years. Among them is the UK where the shortfall is estimated to be $5bn, while in Spain – effectively confirming Kistner's fears – it would be $6bn.
Even if government cuts do not deepen, which is unlikely, the Ernst & Young report claimed that a gap of $22.5bn on investment in renewable energy and subsidies is likely to emerge across 10 leading world economies in less than four years. Among them is the UK where the shortfall is estimated to be $5bn, while in Spain – effectively confirming Kistner's fears – it would be $6bn.
extended warranties just not worth it
Brits spend £750million a year on appliance insurance / warranties – but they are on the whole a total waste of of your money
a study found that five-year extended warranties — sold to cover the cost of repair or replacement should the item break — can come to more than TWO THIRDS the price of an appliance. And some brands only have a one in 33 chance of ever breaking down.
Which compared five-year warranties for washing machines, TVs and fridge-freezers being offered by major UK electrical stores. They also discovered the likelihood of each brand's different products breaking down by quizzing 10,000 members on the reliability of their appliances.
A Bosch washing machine at Comet costs £342 and a five-year warranty £170. Yet only one in eight of the manufacturer's products has packed up within five years.
A Sony Bravia 40in LED TV costs £799 at Currys with a five-year warranty priced at £269. After five years just three per cent of Sony devices will have broken down.
on the whole --- poor value, most extended warranties are.
The Financial Ombudsman Service said it had received 895 complaints about warranties over the last year, with 69 per cent of those being upheld.
a study found that five-year extended warranties — sold to cover the cost of repair or replacement should the item break — can come to more than TWO THIRDS the price of an appliance. And some brands only have a one in 33 chance of ever breaking down.
Which compared five-year warranties for washing machines, TVs and fridge-freezers being offered by major UK electrical stores. They also discovered the likelihood of each brand's different products breaking down by quizzing 10,000 members on the reliability of their appliances.
A Bosch washing machine at Comet costs £342 and a five-year warranty £170. Yet only one in eight of the manufacturer's products has packed up within five years.
A Sony Bravia 40in LED TV costs £799 at Currys with a five-year warranty priced at £269. After five years just three per cent of Sony devices will have broken down.
on the whole --- poor value, most extended warranties are.
The Financial Ombudsman Service said it had received 895 complaints about warranties over the last year, with 69 per cent of those being upheld.
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Chemists Propose Explanation for Superconductivity at High Temperatures
It has been 25 years since scientists discovered the first high-temperature superconductors—copper oxides, or cuprates, that conduct electricity without a shred of resistance at temperatures much higher than other superconducting metals. Yet no one has managed to explain why these cuprates are able to superconduct at all. Now, two Caltech chemists have developed a hypothesis to explain the strange behavior of these materials, while also pointing the way to a method for making even higher-temperature superconductors.
Superconductors are invaluable for applications such as MRI machines because they conduct electricity perfectly, without losing any energy to heat—a necessary capability for creating large magnetic fields. The problem is that most superconductors can only function at extremely low temperatures, making them impractical for most applications because of the expense involved in cooling them.
A value known as the maximum Tc indicates the highest temperature at which a material can superconduct. The superconductor used in MRI—the metal alloy niobium tin—has a maximum Tc of -248˚C. Cooling this material to such a frigid temperature requires liquid helium, a scarce and extremely expensive commodity.
Superconductors are invaluable for applications such as MRI machines because they conduct electricity perfectly, without losing any energy to heat—a necessary capability for creating large magnetic fields. The problem is that most superconductors can only function at extremely low temperatures, making them impractical for most applications because of the expense involved in cooling them.
A value known as the maximum Tc indicates the highest temperature at which a material can superconduct. The superconductor used in MRI—the metal alloy niobium tin—has a maximum Tc of -248˚C. Cooling this material to such a frigid temperature requires liquid helium, a scarce and extremely expensive commodity.
Monday, 2 January 2012
Back to the serious stuff I am afraid - today Cables
What markings should I look for on cable, how can I be sure it’s compliant?
To help safeguard against the risk of installing cable which is substandard, contractors should ensure that the cable supplied by the distributor is the correctly specified cable and check the markings on insulation or the cable sheath - not just the packaging. BASEC has a simple guide to help contractors check their cable markings.
Look for:
Independent third party approval such as BASEC or HAR
Name of cable manufacturer - their identification stamp
Standard number the cable should be made to (BS)
Purchase records – keep them!
Environment – ensure the cable is compliant for its use
CE marking on packaging
Traceability information to track cable through supply chain
Make sure checks are made on delivery to ensure it complies before installation. If a company installs unsafe cable, not only do they risk costs that could put them out of business but they will have also contravened health and safety regulations
To help safeguard against the risk of installing cable which is substandard, contractors should ensure that the cable supplied by the distributor is the correctly specified cable and check the markings on insulation or the cable sheath - not just the packaging. BASEC has a simple guide to help contractors check their cable markings.
Look for:
Independent third party approval such as BASEC or HAR
Name of cable manufacturer - their identification stamp
Standard number the cable should be made to (BS)
Purchase records – keep them!
Environment – ensure the cable is compliant for its use
CE marking on packaging
Traceability information to track cable through supply chain
Make sure checks are made on delivery to ensure it complies before installation. If a company installs unsafe cable, not only do they risk costs that could put them out of business but they will have also contravened health and safety regulations
Sunday, 1 January 2012
New year... what we gonna do?
Well thats it all over and done then...
What are we going to do now... how is your head? feeling a bit grey?
just how long do you think you will keep up your new years resolution?
good luck!
What are we going to do now... how is your head? feeling a bit grey?
just how long do you think you will keep up your new years resolution?
good luck!
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