Wednesday, July 18, 2012
New Helicopter Rotor Design
Recently in Germany, a group of researchers based a new helicopter design off of whales. The new rotors are based off of the bumps of the humpback whale's large fins. The bumps were shown to reduce drag, and cause stall later in water, so the researchers decided to scale the bumps to air, for helicopters.
When they tested the new blades in the wind tunnel, the results were well, so they test flew them on a helicopter. Since the flight went well, they are working on perfecting these new blades. They call them Leading Edge Vortex Generators.
Once the design is perfected, many existing helicopters will be able to have these installed, leading to better performance.
Information from Here
When they tested the new blades in the wind tunnel, the results were well, so they test flew them on a helicopter. Since the flight went well, they are working on perfecting these new blades. They call them Leading Edge Vortex Generators.
Once the design is perfected, many existing helicopters will be able to have these installed, leading to better performance.
Information from Here
Quantum Computers Coming Closer?
Quantum Computers, first proposed by Richard Feynman, part of the Manhattan Project, may be coming closer to creation and use. These high-tech computers can be many times better-performing than regular ones, yet are also hard to make..
Quantum Computers work by using electron spins, with positive or negative values, instead of ones or zeros by classical computers. Another comparison is that classical computers store data in "bits", while quantum computers store it in "qubits". A qubit contains both values, instead of only one, and will only contain one when it is acted on.
Qubits have an advantage over bits, in the property that 1000 bits will store 1000 pieces of data, while 1000 qubits will store up to 2^1000 pieces of data simultaneously. The only problem, is that managing 1000 qubits is infinitely harder than 1000 bits. The qubits can undergo unwanted reactions with their surroundings, causing the system to destabilize.
New research uses manipulation of electrons by electric fields. Electric fields are expected to be precise enough to let the calculations that can be done finish, which their magnetic counterparts, previously used in experiments, could not.
Quantum computers, could, in fact, be used to calculate so fast, that the user could break into any security at ease. Any company with a quantum computer could easily gain an edge on competitors, nations could find other's secrets with ease. It would be an electric spying device without contest.
The technical problems in making quantum computers work are difficult, and the consequences of success would change the world. Also, it is not entirely sure that making these computers is possible, but we plan to find out. By using electric fields, the new models could be the breakthrough that is needed to make quantum computers a feasible tool.
Majority of information from Here and Here
Quantum Computers work by using electron spins, with positive or negative values, instead of ones or zeros by classical computers. Another comparison is that classical computers store data in "bits", while quantum computers store it in "qubits". A qubit contains both values, instead of only one, and will only contain one when it is acted on.
Qubits have an advantage over bits, in the property that 1000 bits will store 1000 pieces of data, while 1000 qubits will store up to 2^1000 pieces of data simultaneously. The only problem, is that managing 1000 qubits is infinitely harder than 1000 bits. The qubits can undergo unwanted reactions with their surroundings, causing the system to destabilize.
New research uses manipulation of electrons by electric fields. Electric fields are expected to be precise enough to let the calculations that can be done finish, which their magnetic counterparts, previously used in experiments, could not.
Quantum computers, could, in fact, be used to calculate so fast, that the user could break into any security at ease. Any company with a quantum computer could easily gain an edge on competitors, nations could find other's secrets with ease. It would be an electric spying device without contest.
The technical problems in making quantum computers work are difficult, and the consequences of success would change the world. Also, it is not entirely sure that making these computers is possible, but we plan to find out. By using electric fields, the new models could be the breakthrough that is needed to make quantum computers a feasible tool.
Majority of information from Here and Here
Dragon makes history
The SpaceX capsule called "Dragon", made itself the first privately owned commercial space vehicle to visit the International Space Station, and to return safely to the Earth's Surface. The Dragon was lifted up into orbit by the SpaceX reusable medium lift vehicle, known as the Falcon 9. It is part of the family known as the "Falcon" rockets, made by SpaceX. The Falcon 9 get's its name from the nine powerful engines that boost it up. The Dragon was powered by several Draco thrusters, to help it on its way to the ISS. When it reached the ISS, the arm went out, to grab it, and take it to the docking door. After unloading the supplies, the astronauts on the station sent the Dragon back down, to splash into the Pacific Ocean, completing the first commercial flight to the International Space Station.
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| The SpaceX Falcon9 rocket being freighted to the launch site. |
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| The Falcon 9 takes off, with Dragon attached. |
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| Dragon attaches to ISS. |
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| Dragon docked at ISS. |
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| Dragon re-enters the atmosphere. |
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| Dragon lands in the Pacific, completing the mission. |
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