World Magic Moments: 2012

Saturday, 14 April 2012

The World First Transparent Loudspeakers Made Out of Graphene

We all know that graphite is a soft, black carbon mineral that conducts electricity. It is composed of many layers of sheets that look like the atomic-scale equivalent of a chicken wire or a honeycomb. Each of these stacked sheets is called graphene.

Recently, Korean researchers Keun-Young Shin, Jin-Yong Hong and Jyongsik Jang used graphene to create loudspeakers by using a simple four-step process. Using the same method previously developed by other researchers, the team synthesized Graphene Oxide (GO). They then utilized sound waves to exofoliate the GO in water which was then flushed with more water to wash away impurities. This produced graphene “ink” which the researchers then deposited inside an emptied and thoroughly cleaned inkjet printer cartridge.

Next, the researchers needed a surface/material on which to print the graphene ink. They manufactured the material they needed by treating the surface of a piece of Poly (vinylidene fluoride), or PVDF, with low temperature, oxygen plasma.

Using a commercial inkjet printer, the graphene ink was printed repeatedly on both sides of the treated PVDF to create graphene electrodes. The resulting product was then immersed in a solution of hydrazine and ammonia for three minutes; this was done in a vacuum. The sheet was then hooked up to acoustic electronic parts so that the graphene speakers can generate a piezoelectric effect which, in turn, creates sound waves.

The process was not only straightforward but also only used readily available materials. As a result, the graphene speakers that were developed did not produce great sound quality and the research team is continuing to improve their method and product. The Korean researchers said that their product is not yet ready to be made available to the market as it still leaves a lot to be desired in terms of sound quality.

Once perfected, the lightweight and extremely thin loudspeakers can be attached to a computer screen or a window, according to the researchers.

5 most beautiful libraries in the world

Below is a list of 5 most beautiful libraries in the world according to Internet users. Of course, this book makes this library so special, but many of them by themselves - true works of art and the attractions of cities and universities.

Death by Heat: Heatstroke Can be Life-threatening

With the recent heat waves that swept through the country, it is important to be aware of how dangerous it can actually be. Heat advisories were issued for many states and history tells us that extreme heat kills; 3,442 people died between 1999 and 2003 due to extremely hot weather. Scientists say that very young, very old and very sick are at the greatest risk of suffering heat stroke. In addition to heatstroke, heat cramps which are much milder can also occur. Heat exhaustion is more dangerous than heat cramps but less dangerous than heatstroke and manifests as increased body temperature, nausea and vomiting.

The reason heatstroke is so dangerous because it affects the brain which can lead to confusion and dizziness. The body loses its ability to sweat, resulting in a dramatic increase in body temperature. Organ function can also be impaired due to heatstroke. Fewer cases of heatstroke are seen in the South where summers can get extremely hot and some health experts believe that is because people living there grow acclimated to the temperatures.

Heatstroke can require a hospitalization where a patient’s body temperature is decreased and closely monitored. A two day stay may be necessary to stabilize the patient. If the patient has no breathing and circulation problems, one of the techniques used to lower the body temperature involves taking his or her clothes off and spraying them with cool water while a fan is running. IV fluids that have been refrigerated may also be used to counteract dehydration that often accompanies heatstroke.

Preventing heatstroke is the best option and can be done in several ways. Outdoor temperatures are highest from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. so it is best to avoid outdoor physical activities between these times if possible. If outside activity is necessary, drinking water at half-hour intervals will help keep you hydrated and seek temporary relief in a cool spot. Light clothing in both material and color along with a wide-brimmed hat can also help in keeping you as cool. Look at the color of your urine and if is a dark yellow, it is too concentrated and you need to drink more water. People who suffer from renal, hepatic and cardiovascular problems should take extra precautions to prevent heatstroke.

The most important you can do to prevent heatstroke is to remember to drink water!

8 Things You Might Not Have Known About Google

We all know what Google is (well I hope you do if you're on this page), we've all used it, and I'm going to bet a fair number of us love it. There's more to this company than just fantastic search engines, office suites, and Google Earth however! Here's eight different things you might not have known about Google.

1. The first Google storage system was built in 1996 and housed in a lego storage container. The actual storage capacity of the storage system was 40 gigabytes, less than many hand held devices today. The reason they chose Lego is that they needed a cheap and easily expandable material to build the housing out of.

2. The name Google was actually an accident. It was a spelling mistake made by the founders who thought they were spelling Googol. A Google is a huge number, 1 with 100 zero's after it or 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000.

3. Google's first twitter post was I'm feeling lucky, typed out in binary.

The Tweet was

“I’m 01100110 01100101 01100101 01101100 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01101100 01110101 01100011 01101011 01111001 00001010.”

On a side note, the "I'm feeling lucky" button is apparently hardly ever used. Google found that removing the button reduced the user's experience however, and decided to keep it.

4. Google uses goats instead of lawn mowers.

At Google HQ, Google rents out 200 goats from California Grazing to keep weeds to a minimum. The operation includes a herder and a border collie, and is better for the environment than mowers. Google also stated that it's “A lot cuter to watch than lawn mowers.”

5. Google was added as a verb to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2006.

This actually didn't make Google very happy, as they replied to the news as follows:

“We’d like to make clear that you should please only use ‘Google’ when you’re actually referring to Google Inc. and our services,”

The reasoning being that they didn't want people using the term in reference to say, Yahoo or Bing, and wanted to make sure that the term "Google it" referred only to their brand. Who can blame them? It took alot of work on their part to become the search engine giant they are today.

6. They have a full T-Rex skeleton at the Googleplex

Google has tons of decorations at their offices, but perhaps the most unique is a full scale T-rex skeleton! The Skeleton has been dubbed "Stan" after another nearby dinosaur that was uncovered.

7. The Lunar Google X Prize

Google is actively encouraging space exploration, and offering cash prizes to do so! They are offering a total of $30 million in prize money to the first of a group of privately funded teams to land a robot on the moon. The teams robot must travel 500 meters or more across the surface and send back information (pictures, video, etc) back to earth, and they have until 2015 to do this!

8. There is a Google Moon and Google Mars in addition to Google Earth!

In addition to mapping out the world, twice, Google has a Google earth style Google Moon and Google Mars. The really cool thing about it is that you can look at pictures from the apollo landing on Google Moon, as well as spacecraft activity on Google Mars as well!