Posted on March 17th, 2011 by axb
An aerial view of damage to Wakuya, Japan, after March 11 earthquake and tsunami
Last Friday, Japan was hit with a devastating earthquake of 9.0 magnitude. In combination with the following tsunami, the earthquake caused immense damage to northeastern regions of Japan and severely compromised six nuclear power-plant reactors. Recent reports estimate the death toll at over 5,000, with another 9,000 people missing and 2,500 injured. Over 4 million households were left without electricity, and 1.5 million without running water.
Since the tragedy stuck, scientists and engineers have been working around the clock to find and help survivors, as well as to avert potential nuclear meltdowns.
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Filed under: Computer, e-News, Electrical, Environmental, Nuclear | 3 Comments »
Tags: Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Giving Back, Nuclear, Robotics
Posted on March 7th, 2011 by jxh
For the past week, prospective NFL athletes have been competing in the NFL Combine – an exhibition that tests players’ physical and mental abilities. Not only have NFL prospects been working hard to impress coaches with their strength, speed, and intensity, some also have been the first to wear the new biometric Under Armour E39 shirt.
The E39 may look like a typical Under Armour compression shirt, but it is equipped with electronic sensors that monitor heart rate and breathing as well as a triaxial accelerometer to gauge swiftness.
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Filed under: Computer, e-News, Materials | 6 Comments »
Tags: Computer, Materials, Sports
Posted on March 2nd, 2011 by axb
Should this be your new look? Let’s ask a computer
Everyone needs a good makeover once in a while, but what if one can’t afford a makeup artist? In the future, those trying to improve their appearance may be able to turn to computers for not just hair and fashion help, but virtual makeup consultation as well.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute in Germany have created software to do just that, using a webcam to capture a 3-D image of the subject’s face.
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Filed under: Computer, e-News | 5 Comments »
Tags: Art, Computer, Cosmetics
Posted on February 17th, 2011 by jxh
Former Jeopardy champion contestants face off against Watson in a test run at IBM Research Labs
It may just be the greatest man vs. machine matchup since chess champion Garry Kasparov squared off against Deep Blue.
This week, the two most celebrated and successful players in Jeopardy history matched wits in a three-day competition against Watson, an IBM supercomputer, and, as many predicted, the artificial intelligence program won by a landslide.
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Filed under: Biomedical, Computer, e-News, Electrical | 4 Comments »
Tags: Biomedical, Computer, Electrical
Posted on February 4th, 2011 by jxh
So far, 2011 has been full of winter storms and a whole lot of snow. And as a massive blizzard that just slammed the Midwest U.S. moves eastward, Japan might have a cute and innovative solution for scooping up all the snow.
Not only can shoveling be too strenuous for some people, such as the sick or elderly, but it can also leave massive piles of snow in roads or sidewalks.
Instead, winter storm victims could enlist the help of the self-guided robot Yuki-taro, which eats up snow and then excretes little snow-bricks.
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Filed under: Computer, e-News, Electrical, Mechanical | 3 Comments »
Tags: Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Green Technology, Mechanical, renewable energy, Robotics
