6 The Most Controversial Games

By increasing sales, not a game developer or publisher to insert a variety of scenes that invite controversy. So what a lot of games that invite controversy?

As quoted from Gameinformer, Friday, (20/11/2009), 6 the most controversial game that invites a lot of criticism that is: Six Days in Fallujah Game third person shooter brings players to a special operation in Iraq pernyergapan. This of course infuriated a number of citizens who are victims of war. They felt angry with the presence of gaming is besutan Atomic Games.

LittleBigPlanet
This game really is one game that is anticipated her presence, until the late emergence Sony caught using verses from the Qur'an. The use of the verses of the Qur'an in the game was not unusual, Sony confuse the words in the Koran with a musical.

Fallout 3
Fallout 3 is a game with graphics that look pretty amazing, this game tells the public life after a nuclear explosion that occurred in Washington DC. This game is actually quite popular. However, anti-terrorist organization considered that these games inspire al-Qaeda network was left to do a new attack.

Mass Effect
This game has quite often get criticism, from the gamers due to have a lot of sex scenes in it. Despite receiving much criticism, but Bioware have considered what they do in Mass Effect is still categorized within reasonable limits. Even Bioware also announced want to use a similar scene in the next game.

Resistance: Fall of Man
Tells of an alien invasion to planet Earth. It usually is, but this game focuses a war in the neighborhood church. As a result, this game certainly getting harsh criticism from the Christians.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Game is the most controversial. How could I not, from a high level of violence to the bed scene clearly in this game. Finally, at the launch of Grand Theft Auto IV, Rockstar reduce some scenes are too vulgar. Read More......

Mobile Applications Monitor Noise

A mobile phone application developed by Sony Computer Science Laboratory will help make the environment more peaceful and far from noise pollution.

Nicolas Maisonneuve from Sony's labs in France and his team have developed a software application that can be downloaded named NoiseTube. NoiseTube use of smartphone users, to monitor the noise pollution that occurred in its place. "His goal is to make the phone as environmental sensors," said Masionneuve.

Initially this application works with a microphone to record sound through the phone. User then prompted to label the tape that they had to gather information such as sound source, before it is sent to the server NoiseTube.

Once the data is labeled with the name of the street and the city, this data is then converted by a software center in a format that can be used in Google Earth. Software in this server would then mark the location of which was considered noisy, with a danger label.

DetikINET of Newscientis launched on Friday (20/11/2009), so far the application can only operate in the smartphone of Sony Ericsson and Nokia. But like many people who are interested in the applications 'environment of love' is. Read More......

Found, Oldest Spider Net

Fine net spider made about 140 million years ago was found preserved in amber. Nets are found in Sussex, England, was preserved when the sap of resin before it hardens and wet stone. In the same stone was also found in the rest of the plant, insect droppings, and ancient microbes.

"This is a spider web of the oldest ever found by our fossil record," said researcher Martin Brasier of Oxford University, Saturday (31/10).

Brasier and colleagues using a computerized technique called confocal microscopy to reconstruct and examine the net and knot. Some things, including the nodes which are connected using a sticky fluid, indicates that the net was made by a spider that is related to spiders modern garden.

"This spider is also placed along the sticky nets to trap their prey," Brasier said. "The remains of the sticky liquid come preserved in amber.

The analysis of these nets also provide clues about the food of spiders. I think, based on web forms, this animal preys on flying insects such as flies and bees ancestors, wasps, and beetles, "Brasier said.

In 2006, the researchers found cobwebs are also preserved in amber. He was about 136 million years. Read More......

Robot Okonomiyaki - cooking Robot

Japan creates endless robots that can assist human task. Last innovation is the robot cooker. As the name implies, a robot named Robot Okonomiyaki can cook bread unique to Japan, Okonomiyaki. Robots are very good at cooking to serving.

Was so expert, he can do all the details of the process of mixing the ingredients in a bowl, pour it into the hot pan, turning the dish to be cooked evenly, and serve it on a plate. He also can directly present the results of food with two hands and even offered to bring additional flavor or type of sauce you want.

The ability is demonstrated in the International Food Machinery and Technology Exhibition in Tokyo, Tuesday (9 / 6). Okonomiyaki is a robot made by Toyo Riki Co., a robot designer company in Osaka. Read More......

DNA Can Motivate Ourself

Deoxyribunucleic Acid (DNA) has always been known to identify lineages. In fact, DNA not only can be learned from the medical side. Psychologist Miriati, Psi, express, DNA can also be highlighted from the science of Psychology. What are the benefits? Apparently, the DNA can be optimized to generate your own potential. Want to know, how to activate the DNA?

How to enable DNA to potential?

There are several ways to activate the DNA. Miriati explained, at least there 6 positive character can be grown in every individual. First, open up to absorb a broad perspective. Broad insights will stimulate desire. Second, the desire or dreams, can generate positive energy in yourself.

Not only from yourself, can also turn distimulus DNA from the surrounding environment. The third way, inspiring moments encountered.

"One can rely on his own with what is in him. Everywhere, we can inspire the origin of life presents consciousness so that we can make sense of an event," he said.

Fourth, always think positive, grab it first and do it! That is, always thinking positive for any new opportunities. And fifth, always doing exercises that continuous activation of the DNA will be generated spontaneously and positive implications for the potential.

Miriati also warned, if you have a dream or desire, share with the people who are believed to be able to give encouragement. Positive encouragement would spur obtained active DNA. "Do not tell the same people who have not been put before your spirit," said Miriati. Read More......

NASA denied the Resurrection in 2012

LONDON - A Hollywood movie titled '2012 'has attracted the attention of citizens of the world. The reason is, a prediction that was circulating on the internet said the same thing, that the world and all its contents will end in that year.

In fact, Big News Network was launched on Wednesday (11/11/2009), some emails that spread among the internet users have accused the U.S. space agency (NASA) to cover up the truth about the condition of the planet Earth today. But NASA has denied these allegations and considers the news only 'hoax'.

NASA itself was not yet sure if the end would happen in the year 2012. The reason is, if the predictions are saying will happen collision between the earth with other planets in our solar system, surely the world's astronomers can predict the previous decades. Even before the crash occurs, there are a few planets and close to the earth can be seen with the naked eye because it is getting closer to the earth.

"The scientists and astronomers of the world would have the same answer, that they have not seen signs of doom will occur in 2012," said the NASA. Moreover, continued the NASA, the planet Earth is still in good condition although it has been aged for more than four million years.

This theory could doom rose and mention of Resurrection will occur in May 2003. But when the theory is not proven, end dates and then changed to December 21, 2012, coinciding with the solstice events contained in the ancient calendar of the Maya. NASA was still insisting that the ancient Mayan calendar does not mean that the world would end on that date. Even NASA does not detect any planetary alignment in space in the decades ahead.

"Despite the alignment of planets in there, as he had predicted, the effect was still able to avoid," said the NASA. Read More......

ROPID - Cute Robot

Humanoid robots already been developed at this time. Various countries racing go bring homemade robots. There are impressed funny, there is also a strong impression.

This time, let us glance at the cute robot on this one. This robot is ROPID small size and very cute, but can dance with slow movements, this robot is also reportedly capable of jumping.

Tomotaka Takahashi artificial robot behind Panasonic Evolta bots, not just ordinary plastic robot. This robot is also able to spin when a leap, able to run and jump over objects. Currently still being developed technology that can support the concept of this robot balansitas so stay standing, but held ROPID thumb deserves because it is fast growing and visible life.

This course is supported by funding that is not less when performed experiments. Also present ROPID reportedly able to respond to various commands via voice well. Takahashi himself had designed the robot itself.

You are interested to see the action from this robot? Please see the following video:
Video 1 ; Video 2 Read More......

Spider Bot Toys

For some people, the spider is a scary beast, especially if the shape of animals large and black, impressed a spider poisonous.

Although existing Spiderman movie that makes us admire the hero figure of the spider, but if you are confronted by a robot that looks like the above, chances are you chilling to stand for shock.

Though just a robot and do not sting, spider bot was created as a horror game. This robot is driven by a micro controller Axon, which makes this small robot capable of carrying 2 times the weight of his body. Applications used on this robot said to be free, this application also allows movement of the robot spider that can be synchronized to move six feet at the same time as the original spider. Additional features to the next was to put sensors in the feet and connect to the remote control.

According to the forum Trossen Robotics, this robot was created as a new toy and will be ready to be distributed next year. Well, it looks like this robot would be a weapon for the bad boys ya later. Read More......

3G For The World

The development of technology and 3G networks have been able to change the world of telecommunications. 3G gives the appearance of fresh and fulfill its function in improving the quality of telecommunications, increased bandwidth and supports a variety of more diverse applications.

Qualcomm and a telecommunications industry research institution named Pyramid Research and discuss about the development of 3G technology in developing countries, particularly Asia Pacific.

In an official statement received Qualcomm Okezone, found some interesting things about this third-generation technology.

Qualcomm findings and Pyramid mention that 3G is the potential to be the new standard of wireless networks in developing countries. This prediction is not without reason. So, now the government in developing countries began to think that providing more coverage of broadband and voice services standard facilities and the message becomes a very important thing.

In addition, the spectrum licenses would help the government find new revenue sources. This is also supported by a growing number of inexpensive handsets. Some vendors come from China even able to produce 3G devices at low cost.

These findings also mention the expansion of 3G customer segments. At the beginning of the emergence of 3G, operators are targeting the customers who come from upper middle class. But now, the consumer 3G services is more extensive and can be enjoyed by all those who came from among the young.

But unfortunately, the growth of 3G network users are not matched well with the quality of the network itself. The results of a survey conducted mention Qualcomm and Pyramid, the need for content and other services are still not fulfilled its full potential. This was due to the limited development of infrastructure and distribution network, particularly in remote areas.

That is why, the operators are advised to develop their own 3G networks to ensure the fulfillment of the needs of a larger capacity. They also must continue to increase their involvement in the development of devices and services. That way, these steps can help them in maintaining and improving customer loyalty in the service.

The role of government is also very important in applying the basis for the growth of 3G networks such as by providing 3G networks capable of providing greater capacity, providing adequate incentives and tools for developers, as well as pushing the price reduction for the content and services. Read More......

Google Dashboard

More trying to convince, recently Google has launched a new feature that allows users to view personal data stored, and to control or remove some.

Google Dashboard summarizes the data for each product and provide consumers with a direct link to control personal settings. Users will be able to see a summary of their email, search queries, and so on in one place.

This dashboard includes more than 20 products and services, including Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Web History, Orkut, YouTube, Picasa, Talk, Reader and Alerts.

"The scale and level of detail Dashboard unprecedented, and we are pleased to become the first Internet company to offer this - and we hope this will become the standard," Google said.

Of course there is a good chance that when the user actually see how much Google's watching them, and they will not find it particularly convincing. Read More......

Artificial eyes can See through the wall

A method to track the movement behind the wall or in total darkness has been developed. This application is very useful when the hostage crisis to take care to seniors.

Technique called Radio Tomography Imaging (RTI), using a wireless radio transceiver targeted zone. Both send and receive radio signals.

By analyzing variations in signal strength, a computer program can produce black and white images of objects movement. This approach is similar to medical tomography computing, in which a program to analyze a series of X-ray scanner to produce images of internal organs.

Joey Wilson and Neal Patwari of the University of Utah, examine the RTI with the transceiver 24 to 34 tubes. Transceiver that is used similar to that used in the Zigbee network, which connects the same home thermostat and automated device or home other factories. This system was successfully tested inside and outside the room and through walls.

"Radio tomography can assist law enforcement and emergency management so that they know where to focus our attention," writes Patwari and Wilson. Read More......

Large meteor explosion in the Netherlands

Hundreds of people in the Netherlands and Germany reported seeing a fireball shot across the sky at dusk, around 7 o'clock local time.
Robert Mikaelyan amateur photographers to get pictures of rare when a large fireball exploded in the sky. The incident happened shortly after he came out to take photos of the old sugar factory Netherlands.

Mikaelyan managed to get a picture a few shots of the fireball swinging low over the northern city of Groningen, before finally breaking into pieces smaller.

"I suddenly saw the light in the sky came quickly ... and rushed to get a picture," said Mikaelyan.

A few seconds after the fireball had been seen, the witness heard an explosion followed by a low rumble that shook the windows.

The object is most likely the space rock that shattered after hitting the earth's atmosphere, said experts who also speculated that the pieces of the meteor may land on the North Sea.

"This is a big event," said Theo Jurriens, the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute at the University of Groningen.

At present the earth constantly bombarded by debris smaller than comets, asteroids, and even the other rocky planets in the solar system.

But the ball of fire with such size and bright light may be visible only every 20 to 25 years, Jurriens estimate. Read More......

URINE Is New energy

Increasing depletion of oil reserves for fuel, made of experts around the brain to develop renewable energy sources. Now, there are recent findings that allow a motor vehicle fuel be replaced by the urine. Scientists have created a catalyst that can extract hydrogen energy sources originating from urine.
Catalyst not only can be a source of energy for hydrogen-fueled cars in the future, but also can help clean the environment, especially in the handling of waste water. Such information is quoted from the Times of India, Friday (10/7/2009). Gerardine Botte and his team from Ohio University utilize elektrolik approach to produce hydrogen from the urine. Substances urine is the most abundant waste in the world largely composed of elements of urea. Meanwhile, urea is a potential element to serve as hydrogen. In each molecule of urine, there are four hydrogen atoms joined to each other. Hydrogen atoms in the urine is stronger than the hydrogen atoms in water molecules. Botte and his team use electrolysis to separate these molecules, to develop nickel-based electrodes to oxidize efisien.Selama urea in the electrochemical process, urea is absorbed by the nickel electrode surface and the electron flow is needed to break down molecules, "Botte said. To break the molecules , the electricity required by 0:37 V. The element for separating water, require less electrical energy than 1:23 V.

Read More......

End of The World On 2012 ?

Sony Pictures created a site called the Sustainability Institute that predicts human catastrophe on earth happened three years from now.

Institute was declared "after two decades of research astronomer, mathematician, geologist, physicist, engineer, futurist, now we know that in 2012 a series of great power will wreak havoc on our planet".

Even the site explains, how the election after the 2102 world leader, offers a survival kit and ask people to sign up for a lottery to be saved.

But this website is a vehicle to promote disaster movie about the end of the world in 2012 based on the Mayan calendar prediction.

The movie starring John Cusack and directed by Roland Emmerich, who was behind the blockbuster movie Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow. The film contains scenes of tsunami slammed into the mother ship White House and Los Angeles became the ocean.

According to the website that the scientists have managed to track down Planet X by a previously unknown, and is located on the edge of the solar system and on track to hit Earth.

Dr David Morrison, senior scientist at the NASA Astrobiology Institute said he has received more than 1,000 questions from community members concerned.

There's even a teenager who said they would rather kill myself than watch the end of the world. Dr Morrison said the site was "ethically wrong". Read More......

Milan Karki - The Electric man

The young man was named Milan Karki, believing that he had just found a solution to world energy needs. He also claimed invention allows the availability of environmentally friendly alternative energy and cheap.

"At first I just wanted to provide electricity at my house, and the village where I live. But now, I started thinking to provide electricity for the whole world," said Milan was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail, Monday (19/10/2009).

Milan went on to explain that the hair has replaced the function of silicon, because the components are almost the same as commonly used in solar panels. That means, the panel can be made with low cost for those who do not have access to electricity.

In Nepal itself which includes the world's poorest countries, many rural areas without access to electricity. In fact, in some places that have been illuminated by any power, its use is limited to 16 hours per day.

It was later inspired Milan to create a solution. Along with four of his friends, he then experimented making solar panels from the hair. According to Milan, very easy to use hair became conductor in a solar panel and can update the issuance of energy.

Solar panels are capable of producing power for 9 volts. To him, it takes a fee of 23 Euros, or approximately $ 32 alone.

Milan said, if mass produced could be half the selling price or a quarter of the initial capital needed to make it.

Melanin, the pigment in hair coloring, very sensitive to light. It also can function as a conductor. Moreover, the hair is much cheaper than silicon, so the cost can be minimized to make it. Solar panels can also charge the phone for both providers of electricity throughout the night. Read More......

What is the biggest threat in the world today? If you answered swine flu or bird flu, a big one ..

Medical journal The Lancet and the researchers from University College London, UK, concluded that climate change is the biggest global health threat in the 21st century.
They agreed, public health services also have to adapt. What to do? Apparently, the world adapt to the increasingly warmer temperatures. This is the key to global health infrastructure improvements. Because many diseases are affected by the global climate. For example the series of viruses that is currently more vivid.

"We must act immediately to save billions
lives. We try to spread this message throughout the world, "said climatological Lecturer University College London (UCL), Mark Maslin, as reported by the BBC.
Researchers agreed to emphasize the issue of carbon mitigation and explain in more detail how the global climate change affects the health of the world. They intend to voice this message to the more vocal to the politicians and policy makers. "We must make a priority now. What we do will be very influential. Start of conference calls on climate change issues, writing, collecting evidence, and much more. Change your policy through science," said Lancet editor Richard Horton.

Read More......

Sosrobahu technique

Sosrobahu technique is a construction technique that is used mainly to play the shoulders of concrete road layang arm and found by Tjokorda RAKA Sukawati. With this technique, arms roads "layang" placed parallel to the street below, and then rotated 90 ° so that the development does not disrupt the flow of traffic on the streets below.

This technique is considered very helpful in making "layang" roads in big cities in the obvious constraints that have limited space given to the city, especially during the construction and operation of infrastructure development should not disrupt the activities of the community, particularly traffic flow and the vehicle can not be stopped only because of the way.

In the 1980s, Jakarta is already experiencing traffic congestion problems, build roads "layang" many as one of the solutions to improve traffic infrastructure. As a contractor at the time, PT. Hutama order to get a paper road on the road pass by A. Yani where development should ensure that the road should still work.

With the problems, the directors discussed Hutama paper after layang order to build the road between Tanjung Priok Cawang until around 1987. Diurai complex issues, which needed to sustain the body the way it is aligning concrete pole, the other one is 30 meters, on top of concrete pillar selebar extends 22 meters. Trunk vertical (Pier shaft) hexagon-shaped ribbed middle 4 meters, standing in the median. This is not difficult, the most difficult thing is fill the arms with cement (Pier head). If the conventional way, which is done is install iron buffer (bekesting) under the arms exposition, but it will clog bekesting road below. Another way is by hanging bekesting but costs more expensive.

When Tjokorda improve kendaraannya, nose-made Mercedes cars in 1974 was appointed with his jack, so the two rear wheels rest on the floor because of the slippery oil spillage ceceran accidentally. Once the car is left out, rotate the body of the car with a jack shaft axis. One thing he recorded, in the science of physics to negate moving style, objects as heavy any will be easy to move. Gen. earlier provide inspiration hydraulic pump that can be used to lift heavy objects, and when is based on a slippery surface, things are easy to move. Shade Tjokorda friction arm is 480 tons of concrete seberat it.

Tjokorda then create an experiment to create the linear cylinder 20 cm, are made as a hydraulic jack and load concrete seberat be 80 tons. The result can be lifted and can rotate a bit but can not get off when removed. Is in fact a jack sloping position. Tjokorda then to improve it. Its position is determined exactly in center of gravity arm on top of concrete.

To create a design that fit, basic primary law Pascal says: "When the liquid in a closed space given pressure, the pressure will be all the way." Liquid oil is used oil (lubricant). When pressure P is inserted in the space of A, it will rise to the style (F) of P multiplied A. The formula is combined with a few parameters and gives the name of Sukawati formula, according to his name. This formula original idea because until that time there were no books for membahasnya not have needs.

Another problem that appears to have mempengaruhinya variables, including type of oil that is used that should not be damaged kekentalannya (viskositas). Affairs of oil into the oil because this is crucial to continue the pressure to lift the weight of the concrete.
1. Build a pillar of the road.
2. Arms concrete road built in the path between two streets, a street parallel with the solid underneath.
3. Concrete way of playing arm by 90 degrees. Layang any way and then built on this arm.

After all finished, Tjokorda the final draft of a platform play for concrete arm named Platform Play Free barriers (LBPH). Two disc shaped (discoid) iron ribbed middle 80 cm of each other menangkup. Although the thickness 5 cm, plates of cast iron FCD-50 is capable of holding 625 tons burden.

Into the space between the two disc dipompakan oil is oil. A seal (cover) rubber insulate the cavity between the edge of the iron plates to keep the oil is not pushed out, although in the high pressure. Through small pipes, oil in tangkupan plate is connected with a hydraulic pompoa. Hydraulic system that is able to lift the load when the load is given 78 kg/cm2 pressure. This figure is in fact a number of mystery Tjokorda at that time. Read More......

2G to 3G EVOLUTION

2G networks were built mainly for voice data and slow transmission. Due to rapid changes in user expectation, they do not meet today's wireless needs. Evolution from 2G to 3G can be sub-divided into following phases:

* 2G to 2.5G
* 2.5G to 2.75G
* 2.75G to 3G

From 2G to 2.5G (GPRS)

The first major step in the evolution to 3G occurred with the introduction of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). So the cellular services combined with GPRS became 2.5G.

GPRS could provide data rates from 56 kbit/s up to 114 kbit/s. It can be used for services such as Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) access, Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), and for Internet communication services such as email and World Wide Web access. GPRS data transfer is typically charged per megabyte of traffic transferred, while data communication via traditional circuit switching is billed per minute of connection time, independent of whether the user actually is utilizing the capacity or is in an idle state.

GPRS is a best-effort packet switched service, as opposed to circuit switching, where a certain Quality of Service (QoS) is guaranteed during the connection for non-mobile users. It provides moderate speed data transfer, by using unused Time division multiple access (TDMA) channels. Originally there was some thought to extend GPRS to cover other standards, but instead those networks are being converted to use the GSM standard, so that GSM is the only kind of network where GPRS is in use. GPRS is integrated into GSM Release 97 and newer releases. It was originally standardized by European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), but now by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

From 2.5G to 2.75G

GPRS networks evolved to EDGE networks with the introduction of 8PSK encoding. Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Enhanced GPRS (EGPRS), or IMT Single Carrier (IMT-SC) is a backward-compatible digital mobile phone technology that allows improved data transmission rates, as an extension on top of standard GSM. EDGE can be considered a 3G radio technology and is part of ITU's 3G definition, but is most frequently referred to as 2.75G. EDGE was deployed on GSM networks beginning in 2003—initially by Cingular (now AT&T) in the United States.

EDGE is standardized by 3GPP as part of the GSM family, and it is an upgrade that provides a potential three-fold increase in capacity of GSM/GPRS networks. The specification achieves higher data-rates by switching to more sophisticated methods of coding (8PSK), within existing GSM timeslots.

EDGE can be used for any packet switched application, such as an Internet, video and other multimedia.

From 2.75G to 3G

From EDGE networks the introduction of UMTS networks and technology is called pure 3G. 3G Bandwidth 5 MHz

Migrating from GPRS to UMTS

From GPRS network, the following network elements can be reused:

* Home location register (HLR)
* Visitor location register (VLR)
* Equipment identity register (EIR)
* Mobile switching centre (MSC) (vendor dependent)
* Authentication centre (AUC)
* Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) (vendor dependent)
* Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN)

From Global Service for Mobile (GSM) communication radio network, the following elements cannot be reused

* Base station controller (BSC)
* Base transceiver station (BTS)

They can remain in the network and be used in dual network operation where 2G and 3G networks co-exist while network migration and new 3G terminals become available for use in the network.

The UMTS network introduces new network elements that function as specified by 3GPP:

* Node B (base station)
* Radio Network Controller (RNC)
* Media Gateway (MGW)

The functionality of MSC and SGSN changes when going to UMTS. In a GSM system the MSC handles all the circuit switched operations like connecting A- and B-subscriber through the network. SGSN handles all the packet switched operations and transfers all the data in the network. In UMTS the Media gateway (MGW) take care of all data transfer in both circuit and packet switched networks. MSC and SGSN control MGW operations. The nodes are renamed to MSC-server and GSN-server.

Read More......

NANOTECHNOLOGY

At the beginning of a new century, three powerful technologies have met on a common scale — the nanoscale — with the promise of revolutionizing both the worlds of electronics and of biology. This new field, which we refer to as biomolecular nanotechnology, holds many possibilities from fundamental research in molecular biology and biophysics to applications in biosensing, biocontrol, bioinformatics, genomics, medicine, computing, information storage and energy conversion.

Over the past few decades, the fields of science and engineering have been seeking to develop new and improved types of energy technologies that have the capability of improving life all over the world. In order to make the next leap forward from the current generation of technology, scientists and engineers have been developing Energy Applications of Nanotechnology. Nanotechnology, a new field in science, is any technology that contains components smaller than 100 nanometers. For scale, a single virus particle is about 100 nanometers in width.

An important subfield of nanotechnology related to energy is nanofabrication. Nanofabrication is the process of designing and creating devices on the nanoscale. Creating devices smaller than 100 nanometers opens many doors for the development of new ways to capture, store, and transfer energy. The inherent level of control that nanofabrication could give scientists and engineers would be critical in providing the capability of solving many of the problems that the world is facing today related to the current generation of energy technologies.

People in the fields of science and engineering have already begun developing ways of utilizing nanotechnology for the development of consumer products. Benefits already observed from the design of these products are an increased efficiency of lighting and heating, increased electrical storage capacity, and a decrease in the amount of pollution from the use of energy. Benefits such as these make the investment of capital in the research and development of nanotechnology a top priority.

Economic Benefits
The relatively recent shift toward using nanotechnology with respect to the capture, transfer, and storage of energy has and will continue to have many positive economic impacts on society. The control of materials that nanotechnology offers to scientists and engineers of consumer products is one of the most important aspects of nanotechnology. This allows for an improved efficiency of products across the board.

A major issue with current energy generation is the loss of efficiency from the generation of heat as a by-product of the process. A common example of this is the heat generated by the internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine loses about 64% of the energy from gasoline as heat and an improvement of this alone could have a significant economic impact. However, improving the internal combustion engine in this respect has proven to be extremely difficult without sacrificing performance. Improving the efficiency of fuel cells through the use of nanotechnology appears to be more plausible by using molecularly tailored catalysts, polymer membranes, and improved fuel storage.

In order for a fuel cell to operate, particularly of the hydrogen variant, a noble-metal catalyst (usually platinum, which is very expensive) is needed to separate the electrons from the protons of the hydrogen atoms. However, catalysts of this type are extremely sensitive to carbon monoxide reactions. In order to combat this, alcohols or hydrocarbons compounds are used to lower the carbon monoxide concentration in the system. This adds an additional cost to the device. Using nanotechnology, catalysts can be designed through nanofabrication that are much more resistant to carbon monoxide reactions, which improves the efficiency of the process and may be designed with cheaper materials to additionally lower costs.

Fuel cells that are currently designed for transportation need rapid start-up periods for the practicality of consumer use. This process puts a lot of strain on the traditional polymer electrolyte membranes, which decreases the life of the membrane requiring frequent replacement. Using nanotechnology, engineers have the ability to create a much more durable polymer membrane, which addresses this problem. Nanoscale polymer membranes are also much more efficient in ionic conductivity. This improves the efficiency of the system and decreases the time between replacements, which lowers costs.

Another problem with contemporary fuel cells is the storage of the fuel. In the case of hydrogen fuel cells, storing the hydrogen in gaseous rather than liquid form improves the efficiency by 5%. However, the materials that we currently have available to us significantly limit fuel storage due to low stress tolerance and costs. Scientists have come up with an answer to this by using a nanoporous styrene material (which is a relatively inexpensive material) that when super-cooled to around -196oC, naturally holds on to hydrogen atoms and when heated again releases the hydrogen for use.

Ultracapacitor
Using nanotechnology, researchers developed what they call “ultracapacitors.” An ultracapacitor is a general term that describes a capacitor that contains nanocomponents. Ultracapacitors are being researched heavily because of their high density interior, compact size, reliability, and high capacitance. This decrease in size makes it increasingly possible to develop much smaller circuits and computers. Ultracapacitors also have the capability to supplement batteries in hybrid vehicles by providing a large amount of energy during peak acceleration and allowing the battery to supply energy over longer periods of time, such as during a constant driving speed. This could decrease the size and weight of the large batteries needed in hybrid vehicles as well as take additional stress off the battery. However, as of now, the combination of ultracapacitors and a battery is not cost effective due to the need of additional DC/DC electronics to coordinate the two.

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Nuclear technology

Nuclear technology is technology that involves the reactions of atomic nuclei. It has found applications from smoke detectors to nuclear reactors, and from gun sights to nuclear weapons. There is a great deal of public concern about its dangers and possible implications. Therefore, every application of nuclear technology is reviewed with care.

Nuclear Reactor
Nuclear Reactor is a device in which nuclear chain reactions are initiated, controlled, and sustained at a steady rate, as opposed to a nuclear bomb, in which the chain reaction occurs in a fraction of a second and is uncontrolled causing an explosion.

The most significant use of nuclear reactors is as an energy source for the generation of electrical power (see Nuclear power) and for the power in some ships (see Nuclear marine propulsion). This is usually accomplished by methods that involve using heat from the nuclear reaction to power steam turbines. Most reactor systems employ a cooling system that is physically separate from the water that will be boiled to produce pressurized steam for the turbines, like the pressurized water reactor. The energy released in the fission process generates heat, some of which can be converted into usable energy. A common method of harnessing this thermal energy is to use it to boil water to produce pressurized steam which will then drive a steam turbine that generates electricity.

Uranium
Uranium is a silvery-gray metallic chemical element in the actinide series of the periodic table that has the symbol U and atomic number 92. It has 92 protons and 92 electrons, 6 of them valence electrons. In nature, uranium atoms exist as uranium-238 (99.284%), uranium-235 (0.711%), and a very small amount of uranium-234 (0.0058%). Uranium decays slowly by emitting an alpha particle. The half-life of uranium-238 is about 4.47 billion years and that of uranium-235 is 704 million years,making them useful in dating the age of the Earth.
Uranium is used as a colorant in uranium glass, producing orange-red to lemon yellow hues. It was also used for tinting and shading in early photography. The 1789 discovery of uranium in the mineral pitchblende is credited to Martin Heinrich Klaproth, who named the new element after the planet Uranus. Eugène-Melchior Péligot was the first person to isolate the metal, and its radioactive properties were uncovered in 1896 by Antoine Becquerel. Research by Enrico Fermi and others starting in 1934 led to its use as a fuel in the nuclear power industry and in Little Boy, the first nuclear weapon used in war. An ensuing arms race during the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union produced tens of thousands of nuclear weapons that used enriched uranium and uranium-derived plutonium. The security of those weapons and their fissile material following the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 is a concern for public health and safety.

Classification by type of nuclear reaction

* Nuclear fission. Most reactors, and all commercial ones, are based on nuclear fission. They generally use uranium as fuel, but research on using thorium is ongoing (an example is the liquid fluoride reactor). This article assumes that the technology is nuclear fission unless otherwise stated. Fission reactors can be divided roughly into two classes, depending on the energy of the neutrons that are used to sustain the fission chain reaction:
o Thermal reactors use slow or thermal neutrons. Most power reactors are of this type. These are characterized by neutron moderator materials that slow neutrons until they approach the average kinetic energy of the surrounding particles, that is, until they are thermalized. Thermal neutrons have a far higher probability of fissioning uranium-235, and a lower probability of capture by uranium-238 than the faster neutrons that result from fission. As well as the moderator, thermal reactors have fuel (fissionable material), containments, pressure vessels, shielding, and instrumentation to monitor and control the reactor's systems.
o Fast neutron reactors use fast neutrons to sustain the fission chain reaction. They are characterized by an absence of moderating material. Initiating the chain reaction requires enriched uranium (and/or enrichment with plutonium 239), due to the lower probability of fissioning U-235, and a higher probability of capture by U-238 (as compared to a moderated, thermal neutron). Fast reactors have the potential to produce less transuranic waste because all actinides are fissionable with fast neutrons,[5] but they are more difficult to build and more expensive to operate. Overall, fast reactors are less common than thermal reactors in most applications. Some early power stations were fast reactors, as are some Russian naval propulsion units. Construction of prototypes is continuing (see fast breeder or generation IV reactors).
* Nuclear fusion. Fusion power is an experimental technology, generally with hydrogen as fuel. While not currently suitable for power production, Farnsworth-Hirsch fusors are used to produce neutron radiation.
* Radioactive decay. Examples include radioisotope thermoelectric generators and atomic batteries, which generate heat and power by exploiting passive radioactive decay.

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