Monday 6 February 2017

Scientists Have Imaged Light Going Faster Than Itself

light
At the University of Washington in St. Louis a group of researchers have taken instances of a laser that generates an optical shock where a Mach cone is being equivalent to a sonic boom, only for light. It is necessary to have an optical Mach cone, which is a pulse of light to travel faster in comparison to the emitting waves.

But, the researchers have proved their excellence by developing features of a laser beam that will interact separately with velocity, wavelength, and frequency. They have tried and directed the laser beam pass through a nuanced confection of panels of silicone, aluminum oxide powder, and dry ice. The crux of the whole procedure was to figure out that light moves faster than the generating waves as they pass in terms with the layers, and leaves behind the Optical Mach cone.

In order to capture the cone, the researchers have set up CCD cameras beside the apparatus that generates cone. One of the camera was a steak one, which is very beneficial in exfoliating the movement of all the charged particles that will create a distinguished profile for the pulse that will enable the waveform to be characterized in 3-space over the time period.

With the use of steak camera and the CCD, the researchers have managed to capture a 2D sequence of the pictures from almost three perspectives that too in a single take. After this they stroked the picture like a CAT, inorder to scan it to make the cone into a 3D model.

light
The lead author of this experiment called Jinyang Laing has declared that this development is done not only in terms with physics, but in neuroscience as well. He further adds that such an imagining can capture and develop 100 billion frames that too in flick of seconds. He even added that if the temporal resolution is of this sort then the day is not far away when they will be able to get hold of neurons being fired in real time.

There are several epitomizing ways through which we can visualize several things which are actually invisible and goes at a speed that regulate shockwaves and these are none other than the Mach diamonds.

Mach diamonds are a set of waves that are invisible, present in the form of an exhaust plume and are most commonly found in the Raptor’s fiery tail. They are also known as thrust diamonds and there are ample reasons why they are a familiar sight to everyone and are seemed to be discovered behind F-16s, F-22s, and the SR-71 Blackbird. Though, a suitable attitude is desirable to get a clear vision of these thrust diamonds behind the Blackbird.

Shockwaves are quiet easy to be photographed if your camera setup is accurate. This is generally photographed with the help of a method called Schlieren, which ensures images being captured at a very high speed and it simultaneously compares the image with the background in order to be sure to locate the exact position through which the wave must have distorted through the frame.

New Smartwatch Software May Now Verify Your Signatures

Smartwatch
A new software has been unveiled by the researchers of Tel Aviv University and Ben-Gurion University that will enable the smartwatches to verify the handwritten signatures. We all know that a handwritten signature is still the most reliable verification of a person’s identity. In recent times there have been fake signatures that can lead to unjust verification of identities. But with this new development in the field of technology all such discrepancies can be avoided as this smart launch will now ensure the power to be in just hands as none will be able to escape from its spell and the true identity of the individual can be verified in no time.

This additional feature that will be included in the watches making the watches a smart watch will be enforced into the market by the year 2020. The way we are dependent on the justness of the signature this immediate remedy was very much needed.

These days we are all well aware that signatures on a digital pad or signing using an electric pen has replaced the traditional method of using pen and paper but all this advancements needs to be verified before accepting their accuracy.

The new software that is developed by Dr. Shmueli and Alona Levy, who is his student, in association with Professor Yuval Elovici from BGU, Department of Software and Information Systems Engineering along with his student Ben Nassi is capable of developing any common smartwatch into a remarkable verifier of signatures.

The technology is devised in such a way that it utilizes motion data, i.e. the wrist movement of a person with the help of an accelerometer or a gyroscope, that identifies the process of signing and helps to verify that whether the signature is genuine or fake.

This smartwatch is obviously a much preferable signature verifier in comparison to other devices, since it verifies the entire movement of your wrist than only basing the verification in terms with your arm or finger. From several years experiment in this field have been developed to base this system of verifying signature using motion data but its application has been fed for the first time in this newly manufactured smartwatch.

A rigorous test has also been taken to verify the efficiency of the device on 66 TAU undergraduates. All the students who were wearing smartwatches were asked to provide 15 samples of their signature on a tablet, using its digital pen. Then these students were shown certain video clips and were asked to figure out the signatures.

They were given sufficient time but yet they could not figure out the original signatures. There results were full of forgery. On the other hand, the smart watch has developed to become more smart in terms of its accuracy to verify signatures proved itself by providing top-notch accuracy in verifying signatures without any fallacies.

This is an amazing innovation that will benefit all aspects of one’s life. The hackers have reached up their extreme limit in doing forgeries but with this technology equipped in smartwatches will restrict all sorts of wrong doings.

Saturday 4 February 2017

Forget Snow Chains Use This Remote Controlled Claws

Remote Controlled Claws
The difficulty that one has to face while moving their vehicle on snow and ice is a major problem. There have been many instances when people have complained of this issue and do not even hesitate to pay a higher price for the cars that can move on snow-fed grounds without any discrepancy. Since, the grip cannot be produced on snowy platforms hence the car forbids to move forward. There is always a need to fit in snow chains or spikes to the tyres so that the grip can be developed.

An engineer called Peter Gross from Czech has found out a constructive resistance to this problem that will insure drivers with optimum grip on the surface covered with snow so that they can be saved from a troublesome situation where they have to fit in chains or spikes to the tyres to overcome the problem. This engineer has unveiled a contraption whose structure is like a doom that easily slips over the hubcap of the car, and smartly flicks out on a press and holds the tyre that provides desired grip on the grounds of snow and ice which enables the car to glide easily.

This innovative formula is structurally mechanized that sticks accurately to the wheel of the car and works with the help of a remote control using its four arms to get hold of the tyres by putting up spikes of steel for icy grounds and grips of plastic for snowy surfaces.

The engineer assures that his invention is not at all huge weighing just 6 kilograms and is very easy to deal with. He has also made a promotional video which highlights the features of this device depicting that how smoothly it works without leading to any hassle as on a press it adjusts properly to the wheels and saves you from the tension of snowy and icy grounds.

The Czech engineer said that he got the idea of inventing such a life saving device while he was getting ready for a business meeting. He accepted that he used to curse the entire universe when he had to make things fall in place in the middle of a filthy road adjusting his tyres to such adversities. This was the time when he hatched this plan to make the life of the drivers a bit easier.

The device is designed in such a manner that it will easily glide on to the wheels with a thickness of 15–18 inches. The contraption will fill utmost confidence amongst many who wish to go for winter vacation to a snowy place. A revolutionary device that will save the life of the drivers from all sorts of errors related to unfit surface to glide on. This snow grips is the ultimate solution that gives you the power to explore the world without experiencing any buffering. It is undoubtedly a major innovation in the field of automobiles that insures you a smooth journey.

NASA Unveils Spaceship Hatch 50 Years after Fatal Apollo 1 Fire

Apollo 1
In January 27, 1967, a massive fire broke out in the Apollo 1 capsule and the entire area filled with smoke, which caused the death of three of the NASA astronauts; Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Roger Chaffee and Edward White. This is the first of this kind of an accident in the earlier days of this space agency. After 50 years of that untoward incident, Nasa marked the anniversary of that fatal incident on 27 January 2017 and displayed that scorched hatch, which had trapped those three astronauts, during the normal pre-launch routine test, inside that execrable spaceship.

  •  The three men were badly stuck inside the spaceship and could not help themselves to get out of that capsule by opening up the three-part hatch and succumbed to death, as the entire area was engulfed by heavy and deadly smoke. 
  •  The Emergency rescue team rushed to the spot and tried their best to tame the fire but failed to do so as it was too late at the launchpad, which is now being known as the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It is now being uttered by several experts in this field that this lamentable incident helped in averting many accidents as the actual cause of the damage has been now in front of everybody. If this has happened in space, the actual cause of the incident would have been unknown to the world of space science and technology. 
  •  The destroyed hatch is now displayed at the Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex, which works like a reminder to all about the risk factors of the spacecraft. It is now been noted that the death of these three astronauts has helped the future generation of space traveler to avert that kind of an accident, which is helpful for both the science and the mankind. 
  •  In the investigation of that horrific accidents revealed some of the major mistakes in the design of the Apollo capsule, the most complex electrical wiring, an environment of pure oxygen and inflammable materials inside the cabin of the astronauts, are considered some of the major problems that instigated the fatal incident. 
  •  After that incident, NASA has made some of the most important changes in the design and safety features of the future spacecraft and resumed the flying since October 1968, which paved the way for the most glorious and historic Lunar mission and the Apollo 11 was safely landed on the moon surface in July 1969.
  •  The ceremony was a part of the series of other events, those are commemorating the awful incident, where NASA paid fitting tribute to the crew of Space Shuttle Challenger, who were killed in January 1986 during the launching and also to the astronauts of Shuttle Columbia, who had met with the most horrible accident as their spaceship was broken apart, while trying to enter the Earth's atmosphere on the day of February 1, 2003. 
  •  Members of the families of Grissom, White and Chaffee; gathered at the same place, where the gruesome accidents had occurred, to pay their respects.

Friday 3 February 2017

New Wave of Robots Set to Deliver the Goods

Robot
Ever thought about robots doing your everyday jobs while you relax all you want? That dream may not be that far from being reality as machines are being made that can deliver goods from markets to your doorstep. This unique and ground breaking idea is the new research project of Starship Technologies who are working to create automated six wheeled systems that can deliver groceries, parcels and prepared foods to consumers.

This entrepreneurial venture is created by the two founders of the popular video calling software Skype, AhtiHeinla and Janus Friis. Starship Technology has already begun testing these robots in various European countries.

How does the delivery system work? 

These automated robots can deliver light substances within a radius of 3 kilometers (2 miles). The delivery charges are kept within 1 dollar or less and the delivery is done within 15 to 30 minutes of the order. The robot avoids main streets while delivering and only moves through sidewalks and the consumers get a notification alerting the arrival of their goods through smartphone app. Starship intends to provide an easy delivery system so that elderly and handicapped people does not have to move around much. Delivery by robots also ensures that there are less cars and vans on roads which can lead to several beneficial effects.

How are they beneficial? 

Several retail giants like Amazon have made use of drones to deliver products. These delivery robots however are less expensive to build and maintain and does not have as many regulatory issues as the drone has. Although the robot moves a speed of four miles (six kilometers) per hour which is a lot slower than the drone, it provides a more economical and efficient delivery system. The delivery robot might have an advantage over urban demographic while the drones are suited better for rural and remote areas.

The Starship delivery robots are small but can carry loads over 20 pounds (9 kilograms) in weight. The one advantage they provide is their fast delivery and hence they do not need chilling and heating compartments, according to Starship Technology Spokesperson Harris-Burland. Customers can take the items from the robot as it does not have the ability to drop or leave the items.

The science behind Starship robots

So how does this clever little robot manage to make its way through the crowded city streets right to your doorsteps? By the use of visual localization, which is a strong point for Starship as said by its spokesperson. Each robot is equipped with nine high definition cameras that gives a real time map of its surrounding and thus it can avoid obstacles and stay on path. Mapping sidewalks might be a new and unique idea and all this is done by an artificial intelligence fit inside each Starship Delivery bot. the lids remain locked unless the customer opens it via the app hence ruling out cases of theft and vandalism.