On this Post, you will provide a brief summary of a technology related article you recently read. The article should be approximately 2 pages long. The goal is to share something you have learned with me and the rest of our class. Make your comment in the format in the example below. A comment for a different article is due before the end of each marking period and will count as a project grade. Point values are in parenthesis.
Example:
Name: your first and last name (10)
Title: article title (10)
Source: Magazine Title or Website, issue date, pages, url if applicable (10)
Summary: minimum of 60 words that describe the article's content (40)
Interest: state why you chose this article in 40 words minimum (30)
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42 comments:
Name: Joshua Fechter
Title: Desktop B.C
Source: Popular Mechanics
Summary: The article describes the Antikythera Mechanism. It is believed to be a ancient analog computer dated back to 65 B.C. it is possibly the worlds first computer and composed or at least thirty interlocking bronze gears. The way they pieced it back together was by using computerized tomography. The technology uses low-energy X-Rays. When they combine this with high resolution techonology they are able to start pieceing this together.
Interest: The fact about them using high resolution technology to discover different thing about the "computer" was very interesting. Also how there might have been a computer around that long ago. Just the fact that we have the ability to discover something like this is amazing.
Name: Joe Osucha
Title: Nissan GT-R In Depth Test Drive; 2008's King of Design
Source: Popular Mechanics(internet)
Summary: My article was about the new 2008 Nissan GT-R. It is about 3900lbs, which is actually alot compared to some cars. It is 183.3 inches long, and 74.6 inches wide. It has a 3.8 liter V6 engine with a twin turbo setup that cranks out 473 horsepower. This engine is the most powerful production engine that Nissan has ever built. The twin turbo setup is integraded right into the exhaust manifold which is how most twin turbo setups are. The drivetrain is composed of a six speed transmission that is mounted in the rear of the car. The engine and the transmission are connected by a carbon fiber driveshaft. There is also a second driveshaft that goes up to the front differential. When you hit your foot on the gas power goes to all four wheels thanks to the ATTESA E-TS all- wheel drive specially designed by Nissan engineers. Then when you need to stop big 15 inch brembo brakes stop you quick. The only thing that stinks is that the price tag is $71,900. Overall the Nissan GT-R is a awesome machine.
Interest: I chose this article because ever since I was young I wanted a Nissan Skyline GT-R and ever since they started showing pictures online of the new one I knew that this would be the one that I would really want. The design of the new GT-R is amazing, and if i ever had the money to buy it I would buy it if I could.
Name: John Lukowski
Title: “backyard FLIERS”
Source: Magazine “Popular Mechanics”
Summary:
The article that I read was “backyard FLIERS.” This article was about the different types of ultralight aircrafts. An ultralight aircraft is an aircraft that hold five gallons of gas and weighs about 250 pounds. To pilot an ultralight aircraft a pilot’s license is not required. There are different types of ultralight aircrafts; they are plane glider parachute and my favorite the Pocket Chopper.
Interest:
The reason that I picked this article is because it looked interesting. The fact that people own there own aircrafts and fly them when they wasn’t to fly them. I would love to do that. If I could get any of the ultralight aircrafts I would get a pocket chopper.
Name: Travis Taylor
Title: Here Today, Nascar's Conroversal Car Tomorrow
Source Popular Mechanics
Summary: The article was about the new contraversal new car of nascar. This new car is being developed so there is a universal car that every team uses. The inly difference that the cars will have is their engines.
Some of the changes that are being worked in are a smaller fuel cell, the centering of the drivers, and somore support rails with impact foam by the doors.
These changes are all a result of making nascar safer. But in the long run if all teams use the same car it will save every one money without having to make different car for every track. This will increase competition in nascar.
Interest: I chose this article because I enjoy nascar. This new car could change the whole race of nacar. it is sick to think that a few changes could change the race so much.
Name: Tom Siudzinski
Title: More-forgiving headgear
Source: Magazine Title or Website,
issue date: November 21, 2007
Summary: This article decribes the new football hemlmet called the gladiator. This helmet is designed to promote the maximum amount of safety. It does this by protecting players from concussions as well as neck and spine injuries. The helmet contains a polycarbonate shell which reduces fatigue and stress becasue of its light weight. As a reult there is less risk of head to head collisions. Also, it has inflatable bladders and foam pads which relieve the impact force. Finally, the helmet is structured to not have any metal of straps. This is to allow helmet to stay on in case of MRIs, CT scans, and Xrays. By not having metal the helmet does not interfere with the imaging.
Interest: I chose this article for many reasons. For one sports are a great interest of mine. I feel that football players get hurt too much as a result of poor helmets. I feel that a helmet that can reduce concussions by 14% is very interesting. Also, i am interested in this article because it relates to my senior engineering project. My project is designed to protect baseabll players. Therefore, i found this article to be very interesting.
Title: Auto Tech
Source: Popular Science
Summary: The article basically describes new technological advances in the newer cars that are being produced. Some of the cars in this article are obviously not intended to be average consumer cars, concidering the new Bugatti Veyron cost millions of dollars. The article gives descriptions of new technologies, an example being in the new Honda Fit, which has one of the most sophisticated engines in it. It causes the fuel to get a higher efficiency transfer to the engine causing the car to get much better MPG, this particular car gets 38 MPG.
Interest: The things that drew me to this article were basically how good the cars looked. After looking into the article I found a lot that interested me. The fact that the new Bugatti has 1001 HP, and gets 0-60 in a mere 2.5 seconds its absurd.
Name: Mike Sitzman
Title: The Oil Rush
Source: Popular Mechanics
Summary: In Alberta Canada there is a reserve for crude oil. It is estimated at over 174 billion barrels of crude oil. This is the largest reserve of crude oil after Saudi Arabia. They produce 720,000 barrels of oil a day. The only problem is that the oil is mixed together with the sand, clay, and rock. They mine the ore in large turcks the use 1.25 gallons of diesel a minute. The trucks deliver the ore to a mill where it is broken into pieces no bigger than 18 inches. The ore is mixed into water where the dirt falls to the bottom and the oil floats to the top and is sucked off. The oil is then heated and refined and sent to a refinery to be turned into gasoline.
Interest: this article deals with a common problem today. Gasoline is huge today. As gas prices approach 3.50 a gallon people are now looking for alternatives to foreign and Middle East oil. This process is a way to become less dependent on Middle East oil. However, the process is expensive and hopefully in the future this can be used but at a lower cost.
Name: Kurt Schrader
Title: Cutting in Double Time
Source: Popular Mechanics
Summary: This article basically discusses the new products that are available on walk behind lawn mowers. There are many new features that are available. There is a blade brake clutch which allows you to stop the blade from spinning while the engine is still running. I would not like this feature because I like to stop the mower when I am not using it because having a running motor that you are not using just sitting around doesn’t seem very safe to me.
Interest: This article has interest to me because over the summer I cut a lot of grass and it would be nice to know what new options are available to a consumer.
Name: Greg Muench
Title: The Waireless Warrior
Source: Popular Mechanics May 2007 pages 70-75.
Summary. According to the article, the United States milatry has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into making the battlefield a more technologically advanced environment. They officials and researchers believe that these advances and new tools will aid in saving lives and getting the jobs done quicker and faster. officials from Washington D.C. think that by 2010, the battlefield will be completly connectected via sataliets and coordination through mobile and stationary command posts across the world. The officials in D.C. will be able to directly give commands to troops on the front line while troops can give instantaneous feedback to D.C. The concern of people in the article is mainly that the government is wasting money to some extent in making these advances. In several interviews with soldiers, they have stated that during practices and other simulations, the equipment works great for coordinating attacks and other aspects of battle. Once on the front line however, the equipment is often turned aside due to the neciesity to be spontaneous, changing environments, and unexpected and unprepared for occurences. Alot of the new equipment also adds weight to soldier's packs, often weighing in over 60 pounds. They say that it slows them down and makes them more vulnerable having to lug around electronics everywhere. Overall, the equipment may ease things in theory, but in reality, soldiers say it makes a gun twice the size it should be, adds wieght, bulk, and is just not used enough to have the government spending all the money on.
Interest: I chose the article because the military and the new technology that results from wars and conflicts are often very interesting and informative. It showed that even though most would think that military advances such as those mentioned and shown in diagrams within the article may lok good on paper and simulation, but in reality, when it comes down to the soldiers on the battlefield, the only thing that matters is brain, stealth, and personal skill, not satalite guided attacks and communications. To get the job done right, do it the old fashioned way.
Name: Matt Westfield
Title: More-forgiving Headgear
Source: Machine Design
Summary: The NFL next year is adopting a helmet in which players havce the option to use and it's supposed to have a great impact in decreasing head, neck, and spinal cord injuries. When two players meet head-on it is extremely dangerous and one of the most terrifying evcents in sports. Just this past year Buffalo Bills tigght end was carried off on a stretcher. This is not a sight any player wants to see even the fans wish not to. Industrial Designer Bert Straus at Protective Sports Equipment designed a prototype to help reduce the amount of head, neck, and spinal cord injuries called the Gladiator. This uses a soft-hard-soft design to help cushion the head as well as the contact between helmets to help reduce the force on muscles in the head area. They will also be lighter than helmets now because fatique is a known factor in head-down tackling which is a poor technique and and can lead to severe injuries.
Interest: I chose this article because it has to do with sports and sporting equipment. I love sports so i figured this article would interest me and a believe it did as it talked about a player from my favorite university within it.
Name: Eric Mrozek
Title: A Stadium That Goes From Indoors to Outdoors in a Flash
Source: Popular Science
Summary: The article explains how the new football stadium in Arizona works. This new football stadium features an innovative retractable field and a retractable roof. The 2.2 acre field at the touch of a button can slide in and out of the stadium in just about an hour. Also the 550 ton roof can slide open and closed while pumping energy back into the power grid.
Interest: This article interested me because it is awe-inspiring that the technology is available to do such things. It also inrerested me because I like and play football and it would be very fun to visit a landmark stadium like the Arizona Cardinals'.
Name: Scott Sosnowski
Title: Anatomy of a Swing
Source: Popular Mechanics, June 2007 Page 100
Summary: In this article of Popular Mechanics the swinging of a baseball bat is discussed. Every time a batter comes to the plate he is thinking about what the pitcher might throw to him. He has no time to analyze the physics that are involved every time a bat is swung to hit the baseball. A full swing takes about 150 milliseconds. The batter has just a quarter-second to identify the pitch, decide whether or not he should swing, and start the process. There is also a lot of information about the spinning of a baseball and how the spin effects the distance that a ball travels. There is also a good section about the sweet spot of the baseball.
Interest: This whole article is about the physics in baseball and how differences in swing speed effect other aspects of the game. I thought it was also a good idea to have an article about baseball and bats because my group is currently working on producing a knuckleball. It is also interesting how so many universities do a lot of research on baseball.
Name: Tony Guzzo
Title: How to Stop Squeaking
Summary: The article is generally about many methods to stop the squeaking of your car parts. These parts can range from chassis to springs. There is even a section on reducing squeak in your windows. The rest is based on a new invention called lubed-for-life parts. They mean exactly what their name says in that they'll never have to be lubed again.
Interest: The reason I chose to do this article was for 2 reasons. One because I am looking for a new car, and many do have a squeak problem in them. The second reason is just for down the line when I am older; I'm going to need the knowledge instead of purchasing a new vehicle.
Name: GR IV
Title: 'Wii-Hab' Sweeping Nursing Homes
Source: http://www.morningnewsonline.com/midatlantic/scp/morningnews.apx.-content-articles-FMN-2008-03-23-0008.html (Google News)
Summary: The article describes how Nintendo's most inovative game system, the Nintendo Wii, is not just for young people. Nursing homes are beginning to use them to give the senior citizens something to do besides the usual things. It not only provides something fun for the old folks to do, but gives them a little exercise and use those muscles.
Interest: I'm a Nintendo fan-boy above all else. My goal is to work for them one day. This article just goes to show why Nintendo is where they are today. Their production of the Wii has led them several steps ahead in the gaming industry. This is easily noted by their first step in affordable virtual reality (to some extent) and the fact nursing homes are using them. You don't see 360s or the ROPS3 (Rip-Off Play Station 3) in the homes.
Name: John Lukowski
Title: DIY Home “Drywall Made Simple”
Source: Magazine “Popular Mechanics”
November 2007
2nd article
Summary: This article is about how to get professional looking walls that you made with drywall. The article also explains to use self-gripping steel protection plates to stop drywall nails from puncturing the electrical wiring. If a wire is punctured by a drywall nail it can cause a fire. The finishing is the most important part, When the first coat dries you should apply another coat evenly as possible. Finally, smooth it out with your 6-in knives.
Interest: The reason I chose this article is because I will have to know how to do this as a homeowner. When the wall is damaged I can’t call a contractor or some who fixes damaged walls. That could get very expensive.
Name: Eric Mrozek
Title: Manufacturers Answer Call For More MRAPS
Source: American Machinist
Summary The article describes how the military is currently trying to replace the humvees. The humvees are not considered obsolete, but they are being considered to be semi-unprotected. They are unprotected in the sense that they have a flat shaped underbody which will not dissipate the force of a mine or an IED. The new vehicles that the military is currently working on all have v-shaped underbodies which will withstand a direct mine or IED hit.
Interest: The fact that the military sees a problem with equipment and is taking corrective measures leads to the belief that the government actually does care about the troops. The government in past conflicts has been called reckless in its efforts, but from the technical side there is a lot of technology, science and most of a precise engineering in the designing of a vehicle to replace the humvee.
Name: Tony Guzzo
Title: Blowin' in the Wind
Source: Popular Mechanincs
Summary: This article has a ton of information on wind power and many other facts on wind farms. It also states many of the advantages and benefits wind power has towards the environment. Costly and pollutant electricity compared to wind power seem almost like ancient technology. The way that wind power is made is using windmills. The windpasses over the blades which spin them cranking the generator.
Interest: The reason i have so interested in this article is for the environmental benefits. The coming of windpower over electric power is a huge breakthrough. Although the wind power technology has been around for a long time; it is finally becoming widely used.
Name: GR IV
Title: 'Mario Kart Wii' has users saying 'whee'
Source:http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bal-to.kart29apr29,0,6614672.story
Summary: Discusses the new Wii game, Mario Kart Wii. The game includes new characters, items, and motorcycles to keep the player interested, along with enhanced graphics from the last installment, Mario Kart DOuble Dash. The game utilizes the sensor bar like many games by inserting the Wiimote into a plastic steering wheel, which you use like any old steering wheel to do everything from make turns to popping wheelies and doing flips. It truely shows the versitiliyof the Wii's capabilities.
Interest: I love the Wii all around, and find it interesting to see that even a game like Mario Kart, which has been around for over a decade and a half, has yet to lose it's major fan base, along with gaining new fans.
Name: Tony Guzzo
Title: Busting Sky Gridlock
Source: Popular Mechanics
Summary: The beginning of the article talks about how effective technology has become for airlines. They can use up to the minute information to land planes safely in even the worst conditions. The Federal Aviation Administration has been using Alaska to test new technologies due to Alaska's generally rough conditions. Transfering from ground based radar to space based GPS. By bringing in the space technology, airlines can fly more efficiently and faster. Also more planes can be in the air at one time.
Interest: After having been recently on many airlines, I realized it takes a lot longer than it should to get places. Plus having 2-3 hour lay overs is a hassle. The implementation of gps will reduce both of these times, and make flying a much more enjoyable experience.
Name: Tom Siudzinski
Title: This is Your Brain...
Source: Popular Mechanics
Summary: This article is about researchers using FMRI scans to reveal how people think and see objects in their lives. An FMRI scan is a functional magnetic resonance imaging. With the use of this scan a neurologist was able to take his subject and examine his thoughts. During the process he felt that the subject was thinking about a penguin. After the testing, the subject concluded that he was indeed thinking about a penguin. This type of imaging does this by pinpointing oxygen in busy areas of the brain. FMRI may be used to determine liars as well as truth tellers for the US government. It may be a a reliable way to gain information of the war on terror. Even though this product could be an important part of the future there are many critics. For one, the neurons fire on a scale of milliseconds. This would be a tremendous challenge to read for the neurologist.
Interest: I chose this article for many reasons. For one, I have had many MRIs in my life. As a result I was curious about the difference between FMRIs and MRIs. I also chose it because this relates to my future. As a radiologist i would have to read MRIs. Therefore, FMRIs may be part of my future. Also i chose it because it was interesting to learn that people can tell what the subject is thinking.
Name: Kurt Schrader
Title: Dr. Nail vs. the Monster
Source: Popular Science, December 06, pg 106-109
Summary: The primary topic of this article is nails. A guy named Ed Sutt began to analyze why houses failed during hurricanes and earth quakes. What he began to realize was that during all of the failures the thing that failed was not the wood it was the nails that failed. The different failures that he noticed were the pull through which was when the nails head was pulled through the sheathing. Another failure was when the shank pulled through the frame. The last type of failure was when the nail was sheared off at the shank. Sutt designed a new nail that corrected all of the failures of the previous designs.
Interest: My interest in this article was that I am always building things or helping build sheds or put on roofs and having nails that are not prone to failure. It was also amazing how long the engineer took to design and test his product.
Name: Derek Falter
Title: "Battlefield Space"
Source: Popular Mechanics
Summary: The article is about how China had used a weapon to blow up one of their broken Weather Satellite's in space. This would seem to be no big deal, save for two reasons. One, the act can be viewed as China testing out a way to destroy another country's satellite, and is viewed as a step towards militarizing space. Two, the debris from the blown up Satellite can cause so much damage to any other Satellite because of the velocity the debris would be traveling. For example, a 0.025 cm hole (though very small) was obtained from a paint chip flying through space at Hypervelocity (typically over 3000 m/s, or 6700 mph). Although militarizing space is still far off, this may have brought us closer to the "abyss" of weaponizing space.
Interest: This article caught my interest because I love learning things about the military and about space. So combining the two just really caught my attention. I think it is pretty amazing how we can blow up satellites hundereds and even thousanda of MILES above the earth orbiting.
Name: Joe Osucha
Title: Ethanol
Source: Popular Mechanics
Summary: "The idea, ethanol is so appealing" is how the aritcle starts out. We can reduce our dependence on oil, stoping the United States from sending money to corrupt dictators, and stop spewing tons of carbon into the atmosphere, by replacing it with all American corn. Now some 134 ethanol plants are in operation now, consuming almost 1.6 billion bushel of grain, and 15 percent of all corn production last year. Last year farmers had to plant 93 million acres of cron last year just to full fill ethanol plant requirements, that is about 19 percent higher than the year before that's corn output. Ethanol is a pretty good alternative for fuel.
Interest: My interest in this is that I live on a farm and we grow about 15 - 20 acres of corn per year. That is barely anything in the ethanol world. Also, I think that ethanol will be the upcoming thing in alternative fuel, that is also why i am interested in in. I think ethanol will be a good thing for the economy too.
Name: Gregory Muench
Title: The 110 Volt Solution
Source: Popular Mechanics May 2007 Pages 64-69 and 144.
Summary. In the article, the author describes how the lithium battery has changed the world and how it is starting to revolutionize the autoobile industry. now that the battery is able to be implemented into cars and automobiles with other technologies such as hybrib cars, generators, and other types of fuel saving vehicles. the lastest tests with these new plug in hybrids was that they could reach speeds of 120, got 100 mpg fuel economy, could go 40 miles on a charge before the engine even fired up, and could be recharged in 30 minutes with a full charge in about 6 hours. most autmobile ndustries have been developing these new vehicles while other complanies have begun converting current hybribs into these cars for about $10,000. the base proce on some of these new cars is almost $100,000 while some are down in the $20,000 range. manufactures hope to have these vehicles on the market by 2010, possibly 2009.
Interest: I chose this article because the advancement of this technoolgy will not only help save the environment, conserve fossil fuels, and help keep the cash in the wallet, but it is a very fascinating subject to discuss. overall, it is amazing to think that futuristic movies from decades ago might acctually be coming true today and in the near future.
Name: Joshua Fechter
Title: Nissan GT-R In Depth Test Drive; 2008's King of Design
Source: Popular Mechanics
Summary: My article was about the new 2008 Nissan GT-R. The car weighs about two tons. It has a v6 3.8 liter engine with a twin turbo setup that puts out 473 horsepower. This is one of the most powerful engines Nissan has cranked out. Its eco-friendly design has made it a desirable car. It gets pretty good gas mileage for a car engine that size. If someone is looking for a nice sports car this is what you should choose.
Interest: I choose this article because i always love hearing about new tech. implemented into vehicles. Especially a vehicle this powerful. Its amazing how many new things they develop everyday. I like the fact this car has so much power. That is one thing that struck me as interesting, is how much power they are putting out with a v6, its almost un-imaginable.
hName: Travis Taylor
Title: DIY Planes
Source: Popular Science
Summary: This article was all about the cheaper more efficient way to but an airplane. The article talked about how most new smaller aircarft can be about $200,000 and but biulding one yourself you can cut the cost. it also talked about how a new company has a program that steps you through building the plane buy yourself so you can still get a cheaper plane classified as a kit model.
Interest: I chose this article because i always wanted to learn how to fly and in order to fky you need a plane. i think that it is great people can make their own planes so they can take pride in flying more. i also feel that it would be fun to build my own plane because than i could fix it if a problem ever accured.
Name: Tony Guzzo
Title: The coffee table that will change the world.
Source:Popular Mechanics
Summary: The basic idea is the use of touch screen technology and the application of it to more than just touch by a human's hands. Yes, the hands play a critical role in the use of this new "touch-table", but when a digital camera/phone is set on the table, it has the ability to read the picture and allows you to pull them up. The idea's behind this technology are simply mind boggling. It is almost disgusting how just by reading the chip through site, it can tell what information is contained in it.
Interest: The reason i chose this article is for 2 main reasons. One reason is because i am very interested in the way that technology will soon take over many roles humans play today. The other reason is because i just couldn't fathom how you could place an item on a table, and drag digital components to a physical object. This is an extraordinary breakthrough in technology, and i hope will soon be available in homes.
Name: Tom Siudzinski
Title: The Wireless Warrior
Source: Popular Mechanics
Summary: This article is about the land warrior system that the US infantry use during combat. Part of this package includes a digital display system that shows the surroundings as well as the rest of the company. However, many soldiers find these items unnecessary. This system equips the men with flipdown eyepiece that displays a map of the surroundings. This device is the first tool to ever show troops where each of his men are without verbally and physically contacting them. Also included in this package is a kevlar helmet equipped with headphones and signalling devices. Finally, guns include a digital scope that allows them to see around corners. This article states that even though this syatem sounds like a great idea, it has been more difficult to set up than anybody thought.
Interest: I chose this article because I knew soldiers were given special equipment. However, i was unaware of what each did and how they did it. After reading this article I learned what each is used for. Also, it was interesting to see how much technology has helped to improve soldiers conditions during war. Fianlly it proved interesting because i was shocked to read that soldiers do not like this system as of now.
Name: Scott Sosnowski
Title: Flying Underwater
Source: Machine Design
Summary: This article features a submarine that is able to fly underwater. Graham Hawkes of Hawkes Ocean Technologies are selling their fourth generation submersible, called the Super Falcon. These subs act a lot like airplanes. They have wings, ailerons, and rudders. However, the wings are upside down compared to a plane's. In the hands of a skilled pilot, this craft can bank through turns, snap rolls, and loops. The hull is cast-aluminum that conforms roughly to the pilot's shape. The prebuckled pressure hull is made of a proprietary isotropic composite. This material is incredibly strong. This whole submarine was also created on a CAD system. There is also a strong future expected for underwater aviation.
Interest: I chose this article because underwater travel sounded very exciting. The fact that these submersibles are being used like underwater planes is interesting. It's cool how the wings are put upside down to get the right effect underwater. Since this sub was created with a CAD system i feel that i know a little something about it. This was very interesting.
Name: Scott Sosnowski
Title: Another pair of arms for the space station
Source: Machine Design
Summary: The International Space Station will soon be getting a new pair of robotic arms. These are called the Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator. It was built by MDA in Canada which is the same company that built the Space Station's Canadarm and Mobile Base. Dextre resembles a human because it has a central torso that can pivot at the waist and a pair of shoulders that each support an arm. The arms have seven joints that make it very flexible. This helps with all of the projects that they have to complete on the space station. The 3.5 meter tall robot weighs about 3,656 lb and will be able to move 1,320 lb payloads. This will consume up to 2kW of power.
Interest: This article interested me because I am fascinated with space and everything that we do in space. The International Space Station is a great achievement that we have had over the years. The size of this new robotic arm is also quite amazing in itself. Hopefully we continue our space expansion.
Name: Matt Westfield
Title: Multitouch Computing
Source: Popular Mechanics
Summary: The article is giving exposure to a new technology that has been under development for decades, first being thought of by Bill Buxton in 1984 while working at the University of Toronto. He is now a principal researcher for microsoft and working harder than ever to finish his design. Apple's iPhone is the first innovation to feature a full multitouch screen which gives that even more to prove as the first multitouch screen product in the open market.
Interest: The fact that the touch screen is kind of new and that it just started generating buzz recently surprises me. Also that the iPhone is the first product with this capabilities means a lot to the technological world.
Name: Kurt Schrader
Title: Vive La Difference
Source: Popular Mechanics
Summary: This article discusses the advantages of having a European car from the late 1960s and the early 1970s. The make of the car was the Citroen which made a quality car for a small amount of money. These cars had small engines and were very reliable and had a very smooth ride. The cars were often mocked because of there small engine size and odd looks but they were very reliable. Unlike many American cars the motor was in the back of the engine which also caught a lot of heat from American can enthusiasts
Interest: I like old cars a lot and this article was very appealing to me because it was interesting to find out about different cars that people are into other that American built muscle cars. I did not know very much about European cars other than what I have seen on TV. These cars from the 60s and 70s were very reliable with smaller engines.
Name: Mike Sitzman
Title: Strike Zone
Source: Popular Mechanics, http://www.lightning.ece.ufl.edu/
Summary: Nitrogen oxide is emitted by cars and coal plants; however it is also emitted by lightning strike. The International Center for Lightning Research and Testing conducts more than 60 tests annually studying the NOx emissions from lightning strikes. They launch a rocket into the clouds during a thunderstorm. They have a wire attached to the rocket which causes the lightning to travel down the path of the wire in order to try and ground itself. Roughly half of the rocket launches yield a lightning strike. When the lightning does strike readings are taken on the NOx emissions. Also many tests are done from this research site such as testing electronic surge protectors, and the actual measurements of the electrical charges.
Interest: this article is very interesting because the institute is finding a way to manipulate lightning and use it for testing. Also in conclusion it turns out the cars and other man-made polluters are not completely responsible for the pollutant NOx, lightning creates more of the pollutant.
Name: Eric Mrozek
Title: The Wireless Warrior
Source: Popular Mechanics
Summary: The article describes and goes into great detail about the new Land Warrior system that Alpha company will be wearing into battle when they are deployed. This new technology may seem like a step in the right direction, but the reviews from all of the soldiers lead us to believe the contrary. The soldiers think it is bulky, glitch filled, and a distraction. One soldier even said that they should replace this useless system with a more useful item like guns.
Interest: I think that the Land Warrior system is a brilliant idea. If all of the the glitches are worked out and they can slim the weight down this system will prove itself effective over time. The soldiers just need some time to get used to the new system, once that happens they will be glad to give good reviews.
Name: John Lukowski
Title: Manufacturers Answer Call For More MRAPs
Source: American Machinist
Summary: The U.S. Department of Defense is demanding more Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles or MRAPs. The MRAPs are used as greater protection for solders. The Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles provide good visibility of what is happening around them. The Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles protect against gunfire. The Department of Defense has recently acquired more than 18,000 MARP vehicles, at a cost of $20 billion.
Interest: I chose this article because I thought it was interesting about what it does used for and how much it cost.
Name: Joe Osucha
Title: Six Mew Car Technologies in Your Not- So- Distant Future!!
Source: popular mechanics(internet)
Summary: This article is about 6 new technologies going into the car industry. The first is that there will be electronic sun visors. This is where there is an anti- glare system using an electronic matrix within the windshield glass controlled by a computer to block the rays. The second is Family tech. This is where in the back of the driver/passenger seat there will be an entertainment package to entertain the children on long trips and adventures. The third is traffic decongestion. This is to help when there is an accident and there is only one lane is avaliable to use. Instead of letting all cars slow down in the traffic flow, a car in the lane adjacent to the closed lane would be instructed to speed up just before reaching the snarl. That would create a space behind it for a car in the blocked lane—without coming to a near stop and trying to edge in at the last minute. A traffic management system, tricked out with cameras and computers to record and analyze the road, would provide instructions on when to stop and go. The fourth is hands off doze control. This means that Soon, sophisticated camera systems will be able to read highway markings and sound a gentle warning to alert the driver if the vehicle is drifting. The fifth is cleaner fuel. Some scientist's are taking a hard look at synthetic fuel, made by solid-to-liquid or gas-to-liquid processes. Most of these methods, including improved versions of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis invented in the 1920s, use catalysts (usually iron or cobalt) to convert solids like coal and agricultural waste or natural gas into liquid fuel. Also under development is ethanol produced from cellulose (straw, wood and various waste materials), rather than from corn or beets, which affect food supply. Biomass fuels, called “SunFuels” because of their renewable origin, are made by the same basic processes as other synthetic fuels. Synthetic fuel can be designed for the precise combustion characteristics needed for certain advanced engine technologies. Then, there is always talk about the hydrogen fuel cell to which might be in the car world sooner than you think. The last is future powerplants for cars. All vehicle manufacturers are developing Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engines that use spark ignition for heavy load operation but in light load can ignite a lean mixture throughout a cylinder without a spark. The “homogenous charge” is a uniform mix of air, fuel and up to 70 percent of the already-burned exhaust gas. Compression stroke brings the mixture to a controlled self-ignition state — no need for a spark. Because of the uniform mix in the cylinder, there’s no hot flame front, and the mixture burns almost instantaneously and completely throughout the cylinder. So there aren’t any “hot spots” to produce engine knocking. The engine requires spark plugs for starting and heavy loads, but in HCCI mode, it improves fuel economy about 10 to15 percent—close to a diesel. It does require a “designer” gasoline, perhaps a synthetic gasoline. Those are the 6 new technologies in the near future.
Interest: I am interested in the new technologies coming about in the car world because i will be getting my first car soon and I will now know what the upcoming things are for the car industries.
Name: Kurt Schrader
Title: Jet-Pack Buyer’s Guide
Source: Popular Mechanics
Summary: This article Talks about the different jet packs that are on the market. The two different jet packs that are on the market are the Tam rocket belt and the Jet pack H202. The Tam racket belt can reach a top speed of 60 mph and can fly for 30 seconds on one tank of fuel and it costs 250,000 dollars. The Jet Pack H202 can reach speeds of 70 mph and can fly for 33 seconds and costs 155,000 dollars.
Interest: I liked this article because it is cool that they have jet packs that could someday be used as transportation. The jet packs are extremely expensive and have a very small flight time. They also are not very safe. All in all the jet packs are not a plausible source of transportation but someday could come in handy.
Name: Mike Sitzman
Title: More-forgiving Headgear
Source: Machine Design
Summary: The NFL next year is bringing in a new helmet which players have the option to use and it's designed to decrease head, neck, and spinal cord injuries. When two players meet head-on there is an immense amount of energy transferred onto the players head, neck, and back. This impact can cause serious injury. Just this past year Buffalo Bills tight end was carried off on a stretcher with a very serious neck injury. This is a very grim scene when a player has to be taken off the field. Industrial Designer Bert Straus at Protective Sports Equipment designed a prototype called the Gladiator. This uses a 3 layer design to help cushion the head. Also the contact between helmets helps reduce the force on muscles in the neck area. These helmets will also be lighter. Because neck fatigue leads to leading with your head down, this is a poor technique and can lead to severe injury.
Interest: I chose this article because it has to do with sports. I love sports so this article instantly caught my attention. And this article was very interesting because it is about protecting players but also allowing them to make the decision if they want to use the new equipment or not.
Name: Joshua Fechter
Title: Auto Tech
Source: Popular Science
Summary: Ethanol needs to be used. This article explains how we need to conserve our nation’s use of gasoline. If we are able to eliminate all of our imported oil we would be able to save millions of dollars. The prices we pay for gas from other countries not is astronomical. Ethanol is made from corn. That is the one drawback to it. Yes it’s another fuel alternative but it also uses our nations corn supply. It is a good idea but if we use it to much then we will deplete our nation’s corn supply.
Interest: I was interested in this because I drive a car. The price of gas is killing my weekly paycheck along with many other people. If there is another fuel alternative I would greatly welcome it. But some things I heard about ethanol is that it is not as good for your car. Also it is costly to make and it ruins our corn supply. In my opinion I think they need to find another alternative.
Name:Travis Taylor
Title: The Wireless Warrior
Source: Popular Mechanics (pgs 70-75)
Summary:
Interest: I sought interest in this topic due to our country being at war and cool advances in tecnology. i enjoy seeing what our governemnt is putting our tax dollars together to work for us.
Name: Derek Falter
Title: Backyard Fliers
Source: Popular Mechanics
Summary:
The article that I read was "Backyard Fliers". The article discussed all different types of light-aircraft. An ultralight aircraft is an aircraft that holds about five gallons of gas and weighs about 250 pounds. I thought it was intersting that you do not even need a pilot's license to fly one of these ultra-light planes. There are different types of ultralight aircraft.
Interest:
I chose this article because of my love for aeronautics. I think it is very interesting that an ultralight plane only weighs about 250 lbs.. and you do not even need a license to fly it.
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