Sony Launches High-power, Long-life Lithium Ion Secondary Battery
Association of Researchers in Construction Management
Schools of Mini Robofish Swim Where Humans Can’t
Seismic Design of Steel Special Moment Frames: A Guide for Practicing Engineers
How a differential gear works
Top 10 Internet Search Tips
Union Pacific Railroad: History and Photos
Micro-nano system for automatic handling of nano-objects
Engineering needs ‘radical overhaul’ to address staff shortages
Civil Aviation Authority Policy and guidelines on Wind Turbines
TTXGP, or "Tourist Trophy eXtreme Grand Prix
Sony Launches High-power, Long-life Lithium Ion Secondary Battery Using Olivine-type Lithium Iron Phosphate as the Cathode Material
"Sony Corporation today announced that it has launched a new type of lithium ion secondary battery that combines high-power and long-life performance, using olivine-type lithium iron phosphate as the cathode material. Shipment commenced in June 2009. The Olivine-type lithium iron phosphate used in this new battery is extremely suited for use as a cathode material due to its robust crystal structure and stable performance, even at high temperatures. By combining this new cathode material with Sony's proprietary particle design technology that minimizes electrical resistance to deliver high power output, and also leveraging the cell structure design technology Sony accrued developing its current "Fortelion series" lithium ion secondary battery line-up, Sony has realized a high power density of 1800W/kg and extended life span of approximately 2,000 charge-discharge cycles. "
Read about it at http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/200908/09-083E/index.html
Association of Researchers in Construction Management
"brings together all those interested in construction management research. Its aim is to further the advancement of knowledge in all aspects of management in construction by supporting education, dissemination and research. Our lively quarterly newsletter keeps members in touch with the latest news from members. The highly acclaimed annual conference brings together researchers from all over the world. Various research workshops provide a means to develop specific subject themes as well as general research methodology. Our publications form a very useful resource for all researchers in this field. "
See what they do at http://www.arcom.ac.uk/
Schools of Mini Robofish Swim Where Humans Can’t
"They look like plastic bath toys, but scientists say these tiny new robotic fish mimic the swimming style of real bass or tuna and can maneuver into crevices too small for traditional underwater autonomous vehicles. Schools of the mini robofish could be used to detect pollution or inspect underwater structures such as sunken boats and submerged oil pipes. Unlike other models of robotic fish, which are several feet long and contain hundreds or thousands of parts, the new five-to-eight–inch prototypes have only 10 components and cost just a few hundred dollars each. "
Read about them and watch the video at http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/08/robofish/
Seismic Design of Steel Special Moment Frames: A Guide for Practicing Engineers
"NEHRP Seismic Design Technical Brief No. 2. This Guide is written for practicing structural engineers to assist in their understanding and application of the ASCE 7, AISC 341, and AISC 358 documents in steel special moment frame design. The material is presented in a sequence that practicing engineers have found useful, with historic and general principles for seismic design discussed first, followed by system-specific analysis and design requirements. Although this Guide is intended especially for the practicing structural engineer, it will also be useful for building officials, educators, and students."
Read the guide at http://www.nehrp.gov/pdf/nistgcr9-917-3.pdf
How a differential gear works
sA 1930s video from Chevrolet "Around the Corner" that, even though it isn't new, clearly explains how a differential gear works. An added bonus is the trick motoorcycle sequences used to illustrate some of the concepts.
view it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4JhruinbWc
Top 10 Internet Search Tips
"There are about 3 million Internet users online daily in the U.S. and roughly half (49%) of them conduct Internet searches on a typical day. With over a trillion Web pages to search, just how effective are those 1.5 million Internet users in finding the information they want? According to IDC, a top provider of Internet research, at least 50% of the time, searchers are unable to find what they seek. Fortunately, by using the following top 10 search tips, you can greatly increase your chances of quickly and easily locating what you want on the Internet"
Make the most of the ideas from http://whitepapers.virtualprivatelibrary.net/SearchTips.pdf
Union Pacific Railroad: History and Photos
Telling the history of the Union Pacific Railroad is a tall order, but this delightful site does the job quite effectively with historical photographs, maps, and thematic essays. The materials on the site are divided into sections that include "Union Pacific History and Chronologies", "Historical Equipment", "Photos", and "Reference". In the "History and Chronologies" area, visitors can learn about the company's history, read up on their distinctive logo, and learn about key people from the company's past such as Edward Henry Harriman and Jay Gould. In the "Maps" area, visitors can view current and historical maps of the company, and also learn about the construction timeline for the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869. Finally, visitors will want to use the "Reference" area to learn about past and present jobs on the railroad. [KMG] Copyright Internet Scout, 1994-2008. Internet Scout (http://scout.wisc.edu/), located in the Computer Sciences Department of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, provides information about the Internet to the U.S. research and education community under a grant from the National Science Foundation, number NCR-9712163. The Government has certain rights in this material. Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of the entire Scout Report provided this paragraph, including the copyright notice, are preserved on all copies.
Read it at http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/history/index.shtml
Micro-nano system for automatic handling of nano-objects
"NanoHand is a European funded project, where leading researchers and industry collaborate to create the world’s first nanorobotic production system inside of a scanning electron microscope. Nanorobotics, controlled and even automated manipulation using nanoscale tools, manipulators and soldering techniques, will allow tiny carbon nanotubes to be placed as components anywhere in a circuit to replace ordinary components or to form altogether novel devices that could not be produced using conventional methods."
Read more at http://www.nanohand.eu/index.php?page=107
Engineering needs ‘radical overhaul’ to address staff shortages
"By Nick Smith. A new survey of companies in the engineering sector has found employers still struggling to fulfill their staffing needs despite the general economic downturn. The poll of nearly 120 heads of HR at organisations across the UK established that over 80 per cent felt sourcing suitably qualified engineers was either ‘difficult’ or ‘very difficult’. Only 18 percent of those questioned believed that they currently had strategies in place to successfully deal with the shortfall. "
Read the article at http://kn.theiet.org/news/aug09/ochre.cfm
Civil Aviation Authority Policy and guidelines on Wind Turbines
"The aim of this CAP is to provide assistance to aviation stakeholders when addressing wind energy related issues, thereby ensuring greater consistency across the whole aviation industry in the consideration of the potential impact of proposed wind turbine development. Additionally, this document can be referenced by planning authorities and wind energy developers during consultation and facilitation."
Read the revised paper at http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=33&pagetype=65&appid=11&mode=detail&id=2358
TTXGP, or "Tourist Trophy eXtreme Grand Prix
"On June 12th 2009, TTXGP became the world's first zero carbon, clean emission grand prix. Held during the Isle of Man TT on the prestigious Mountain Course, the event promises to have been the start of great change as we step into the future. 19 bikes from 17 teams, travelling from 6 different countries, tackled one of the most challenging circuits in the world. The race was designed to stretch the cutting edge of technology, married with the excitement and speed of open competition, and with an ultimate goal of providing alternative, greener transport"
Watch the races and see the bikes and ... at http://www.egrandprix.com/