Researchers have used rapid pulses of light to transmit information at speeds of over 500 megabytes per second at the Heinrich Hertz Institute in Berlin. Dubbed Li-Fi (not to be confused with Light Fidelity) is this a viable competitor to conventional wifi ?
“At the heart of this technology is a new generation of high-brightness light-emitting diodes” says Harold Hass from the University of Edinburgh ”Very simply, if the LED is on, you transmit a digital 1, if it’s off you transmit a 0. They can be switched on and off very quickly, which gives nice opportunities for transmitting data.”
It is possible to encode data in the light by varying the rate at which the LEDs flicker on an off to give different strings of 1s and 0s. The modulation is so fast that the human eye doesn’t notice.
“There are over 14 billion light bulbs world wide, they just need to be replaced with LED ones that transmit data”.
This may solve issues such as the shortage of radio-frequency bandwidth and also allow internet where traditional radio based wireless isn’t allowed such as aircraft or hospitals. One of the shortcomings however is that it only work in direct line of sight.
A rain water harvesting system will soon be fully functional, with other features including cavity wall insulation, double glazing, door insulation, a condensing boiler and energy efficient radiators.
All the alterations to his home have led to the 1958 bungalow using a third of the gas and electricity that it required in 1992, he added.
Monday 29 August 2011
I looked around and thought 'if I had a bicycle
"I was fortunate enough to be with the feeders, up, close and personal with these sharks. I touched them as they passed and when I did, I felt their power, their precision in the water and the peace with which they went about in this world.
"It was beautiful. Their existence there ensured that the world down there stays beautiful. The reef was alive, the colours so vibrant, it was awesome that I did not want to come up.
"I looked around and thought 'if I had a bicycle, I would just take a scenic tour up and down the mountains and valleys'."
Manoa's thoughts went back to ancient times and that relationship between Fijians and sharks.
"I wondered what brought about the end of that relationship. What did we do wrong? When did fear come in? After that experience, I believe we still have that understanding with them."
Thanks to the shark-feeding operators - Aquatrack and Beqa Divers, which operates just close by in the passage the stories of old will remain.
And while shark-feeding may contradict with the aims of conservation to leave sharks be to feed in their natural environment, Manoa believes the feeders in the Beqa passage have done what he has been trying to the past few years ù prove that Fijians have a special relationship with the sharks.
"These tourists bring in a lot of money to see these sharks but better still, here we have a chance to learn of this old relationship and understand just what these fish mean to us.
"It was beautiful. Their existence there ensured that the world down there stays beautiful. The reef was alive, the colours so vibrant, it was awesome that I did not want to come up.
"I looked around and thought 'if I had a bicycle, I would just take a scenic tour up and down the mountains and valleys'."
Manoa's thoughts went back to ancient times and that relationship between Fijians and sharks.
"I wondered what brought about the end of that relationship. What did we do wrong? When did fear come in? After that experience, I believe we still have that understanding with them."
Thanks to the shark-feeding operators - Aquatrack and Beqa Divers, which operates just close by in the passage the stories of old will remain.
And while shark-feeding may contradict with the aims of conservation to leave sharks be to feed in their natural environment, Manoa believes the feeders in the Beqa passage have done what he has been trying to the past few years ù prove that Fijians have a special relationship with the sharks.
"These tourists bring in a lot of money to see these sharks but better still, here we have a chance to learn of this old relationship and understand just what these fish mean to us.
Friday 26 August 2011
Gators leaning on Murphy for offense as season opens
A first-team All-American last season, Murphy is the Gators’ leading returner in kills (337) and one of five seniors suiting up for coach Mary Wise’s squad as it opens its season at 7:30 tonight against Boston College in the O’Connell Center.
“She’s a pretty cerebral type of player,” Wise said. “She’s not the most emotional player by any stretch, but what she is is a go-to player.”
In terms of leadership, Murphy could be considered the type of player who sets an example for her teammates with her play on the court.
As her kill numbers indicate, Murphy is an offensive force, but she also showed her versatility by recording the third-most digs (239) for UF last season.
“Kelly has the skills, whether it’s behind the service line, whether it’s setting or attacking, she has the skills,” Wise said. “She wants the ball, she wants to make the plays at crunch time, and she can deliver. That’s what you want in a senior, an experienced player.”
However, being a leader is more than putting together a good effort on the court each match.
Murphy now shoulders the responsibility — with her fellow seniors — of keeping the Gators focused on competing for the Southeastern Conference and national titles.
Add the increased national attention for her efforts during the 2010 campaign to the equation, and Murphy is dealing with quite a led spotlight.
“There’s definitely a little bit more pressure,” Murphy said. “Being a senior, there’s a lot more responsibility because you’re the oldest on the team, so everybody’s looking up to you. You definitely have that pressure to perform all the time when the team’s doing well, when the team’s not doing well.”
“She’s a pretty cerebral type of player,” Wise said. “She’s not the most emotional player by any stretch, but what she is is a go-to player.”
In terms of leadership, Murphy could be considered the type of player who sets an example for her teammates with her play on the court.
As her kill numbers indicate, Murphy is an offensive force, but she also showed her versatility by recording the third-most digs (239) for UF last season.
“Kelly has the skills, whether it’s behind the service line, whether it’s setting or attacking, she has the skills,” Wise said. “She wants the ball, she wants to make the plays at crunch time, and she can deliver. That’s what you want in a senior, an experienced player.”
However, being a leader is more than putting together a good effort on the court each match.
Murphy now shoulders the responsibility — with her fellow seniors — of keeping the Gators focused on competing for the Southeastern Conference and national titles.
Add the increased national attention for her efforts during the 2010 campaign to the equation, and Murphy is dealing with quite a led spotlight.
“There’s definitely a little bit more pressure,” Murphy said. “Being a senior, there’s a lot more responsibility because you’re the oldest on the team, so everybody’s looking up to you. You definitely have that pressure to perform all the time when the team’s doing well, when the team’s not doing well.”
Thursday 25 August 2011
LED backlight competition hots up
Full revenue for backlight and lighting applications hit $7.2 billion in 2010, but should reach $12.7 billion in 2014. Suppliers have realised there is top dollar to be had and have pushed up capacity.
There should be, according to DisplaySearch, global capacity of 180 billion units for this year, up to 227 billion by 2013.
Penetration of LED backlights in LCD monitors and LCD TVs is still growing, while LED packages per set decrease. Backlight demand will be 45.9 billion this year overall. LED-backlit LCD TVs account for half of total backlight demand, but will reach its top level in 2012, when it will slightly drop after 2013 because of an LED decrease per unit.
Regionally, Japan holds the highest market share for this year at 63 percent. It will drop to 40 percent in 2014, thanks to bulb growth in China, North America and Europe.
Korean companies have so far carried the torch for LED supply, but Taiwan plans to usurp it when the year is through. The biggest suppliers in the second quarter this year, looking at 500x500 chip size, were S-LED, LGIT and Epistar, says DisplaySearch. As Taiwan increases output, China too has realised this is a lucrative market. The analysts describe it as a "wild card" thanks to all the investment.
Competition is set to increase heavily this year and onwards thanks to a stock surplus - meaning big price drops for 2011. In turn, we can expect higher LED adoption rates.
There should be, according to DisplaySearch, global capacity of 180 billion units for this year, up to 227 billion by 2013.
Penetration of LED backlights in LCD monitors and LCD TVs is still growing, while LED packages per set decrease. Backlight demand will be 45.9 billion this year overall. LED-backlit LCD TVs account for half of total backlight demand, but will reach its top level in 2012, when it will slightly drop after 2013 because of an LED decrease per unit.
Regionally, Japan holds the highest market share for this year at 63 percent. It will drop to 40 percent in 2014, thanks to bulb growth in China, North America and Europe.
Korean companies have so far carried the torch for LED supply, but Taiwan plans to usurp it when the year is through. The biggest suppliers in the second quarter this year, looking at 500x500 chip size, were S-LED, LGIT and Epistar, says DisplaySearch. As Taiwan increases output, China too has realised this is a lucrative market. The analysts describe it as a "wild card" thanks to all the investment.
Competition is set to increase heavily this year and onwards thanks to a stock surplus - meaning big price drops for 2011. In turn, we can expect higher LED adoption rates.
Monday 22 August 2011
Energy-efficiency investments paying off
Since Doug Miles moved his Seacoast Volkswagen dealership from Portsmouth to a new building and location seven years ago, finding the best way to deal with high energy costs has been a priority.
"It's always a sound business decision," Miles said about the investments he has made over the years. He has installed passive solar units, three small, computer-controlled natural gas boilers and a 35-foot wind turbine. More recently, the dealership added an 80-panel photovoltaic array to produce electricity and is changing to energy-efficient LED light bulbs in all of the property's parking lot light fixtures.
"We've had so many different projects, and we're just fortunate to be in the position to pursue them," Miles said of the various state and federal grants and tax incentives he has utilized to add one piece of the energy efficiency puzzle after another.
Though energy prices are down from a year to two years ago, commercial electricity and energy costs have been a consistent top concern for business owners in the region, along with skyrocketing health care costs, taxes and regulation.
Michael Licata, an energy policy expert with the New Hampshire Business and Industry Association, said energy costs overall in New England have been higher for more than two decades, in part because the regional power grid has been more reliant on natural gas for electricity generation than most any other part of the country.
"Right now natural gas is really cheap and there are a lot of reasons. It's simple supply and demand. The economy is really bad and people aren't using as much," Licata said.
While natural gas prices have been volatile, deregulation has given large-scale energy users the opportunity to find favorable electricity contracts. "Businesses need to be on the cutting edge to remain competitive in a global marketplace. They have been able to find pretty favorable contracts on the open market," he said.
"It's always a sound business decision," Miles said about the investments he has made over the years. He has installed passive solar units, three small, computer-controlled natural gas boilers and a 35-foot wind turbine. More recently, the dealership added an 80-panel photovoltaic array to produce electricity and is changing to energy-efficient LED light bulbs in all of the property's parking lot light fixtures.
"We've had so many different projects, and we're just fortunate to be in the position to pursue them," Miles said of the various state and federal grants and tax incentives he has utilized to add one piece of the energy efficiency puzzle after another.
Though energy prices are down from a year to two years ago, commercial electricity and energy costs have been a consistent top concern for business owners in the region, along with skyrocketing health care costs, taxes and regulation.
Michael Licata, an energy policy expert with the New Hampshire Business and Industry Association, said energy costs overall in New England have been higher for more than two decades, in part because the regional power grid has been more reliant on natural gas for electricity generation than most any other part of the country.
"Right now natural gas is really cheap and there are a lot of reasons. It's simple supply and demand. The economy is really bad and people aren't using as much," Licata said.
While natural gas prices have been volatile, deregulation has given large-scale energy users the opportunity to find favorable electricity contracts. "Businesses need to be on the cutting edge to remain competitive in a global marketplace. They have been able to find pretty favorable contracts on the open market," he said.
Thursday 18 August 2011
A Monstrous Gaming Powerhouse
The Asus G74SX is designed for gamers. Though its simple appearance might not tip you off, its size certainly will. In spite of a few flaws--such as a noisy keyboard and not-noisy-enough speakers--the Asus G74SX packs excellent performance into an attractive chassis. It's worth checking out if you're looking for a "mobile" gaming powerhouse.
Our review model, priced at $1979 (as of August 17 2011), sports a second-generation Intel Core i7 processor (the i7-2630QM) and offers 16GB of RAM plus 910GB of storage space spread over a 750GB hard drive and a 160GB solid-state drive. The G74SX is also one of the first laptops to come preloaded with Nvidia's new GeForce GTX 560M graphics card. Additional features include built-in Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth connectivity, and a Blu-ray Disc player. The G74SX runs the 64-bit version of Windows 7 Home Premium.
In PCWorld's WorldBench 6 benchmark tests, the Asus G74SX earned an impressive score of 150, which is quite good even for the desktop replacement laptops category. That result is just one point behind the mark of the Dell XPS 17 3D. The G74SX also did well in our graphics tests, with frame rates of 48.8 frames per second and 46.3 fps on our Dirt 2 and Far Cry 2 tests, respectively (both at high quality settings and 1920 by 1080 resolution). Those numbers surpass the XPS 17 3D's frame rates, which were 32.5 fps (Dirt 2) and 30.8 fps (Far Cry 2).
At nearly 10 pounds, with a 2-pound power brick, the G74SX isn't really portable, unless you define that as merely meaning "possible to move." This whopper measures 16.5 inches wide by 12.7 inches long, and is 2.4 inches at its thickest (the computer tapers off near the front).
Our review model, priced at $1979 (as of August 17 2011), sports a second-generation Intel Core i7 processor (the i7-2630QM) and offers 16GB of RAM plus 910GB of storage space spread over a 750GB hard drive and a 160GB solid-state drive. The G74SX is also one of the first laptops to come preloaded with Nvidia's new GeForce GTX 560M graphics card. Additional features include built-in Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth connectivity, and a Blu-ray Disc player. The G74SX runs the 64-bit version of Windows 7 Home Premium.
In PCWorld's WorldBench 6 benchmark tests, the Asus G74SX earned an impressive score of 150, which is quite good even for the desktop replacement laptops category. That result is just one point behind the mark of the Dell XPS 17 3D. The G74SX also did well in our graphics tests, with frame rates of 48.8 frames per second and 46.3 fps on our Dirt 2 and Far Cry 2 tests, respectively (both at high quality settings and 1920 by 1080 resolution). Those numbers surpass the XPS 17 3D's frame rates, which were 32.5 fps (Dirt 2) and 30.8 fps (Far Cry 2).
At nearly 10 pounds, with a 2-pound power brick, the G74SX isn't really portable, unless you define that as merely meaning "possible to move." This whopper measures 16.5 inches wide by 12.7 inches long, and is 2.4 inches at its thickest (the computer tapers off near the front).
Tuesday 16 August 2011
Money is the root of all evil in our political system.
I don't know what the solution is, but I know the system is broken because of the influence of money. Need proof? Consider this: In 2010 there were 14,000 lobbyists in Washington. Total lobbying spending that year was $3.51 billion.
But money spent lobbying isn't the only problem. Regulated and unregulated money in political campaigns is making a mockery of our political system – which completely ignores the middle-class but relies on it to pay all the bills.
"We the people" are just as self-serving as the career politicians we elect.
We've got a huge debt problem crippling our nation's economy, with no end in sight. Yet how many among us are willing to accept the personal sacrifices it will take in order to end our nation's crack-like addiction to spending money we don't have?
Democrats don't want to give up all their government freebies, and Republicans don't want to accept the fact that you don't get out of $14 trillion of debt without raising taxes. The question is, why do we keep electing these people? The answer: We're selfish.
I'm convinced a better understanding of these issues and how government and politics really works is a valuable public service and a far better use of this space than defending political consultants.
But what do I know? The lady at the credit union thinks I'm no better than a strip club operator.
In my career as a lowly political consultant I've conducted some of this research. In fact, I helped do some of the research that led spotling to the use of the term "opportunity scholarship" when referring to what is more commonly known as a school voucher. "Opportunity scholarship" sounds better, so conservatives who want to reform our broken education system are encouraged to use that term when what they really mean are vouchers. In politics, word choice is important.
But money spent lobbying isn't the only problem. Regulated and unregulated money in political campaigns is making a mockery of our political system – which completely ignores the middle-class but relies on it to pay all the bills.
"We the people" are just as self-serving as the career politicians we elect.
We've got a huge debt problem crippling our nation's economy, with no end in sight. Yet how many among us are willing to accept the personal sacrifices it will take in order to end our nation's crack-like addiction to spending money we don't have?
Democrats don't want to give up all their government freebies, and Republicans don't want to accept the fact that you don't get out of $14 trillion of debt without raising taxes. The question is, why do we keep electing these people? The answer: We're selfish.
I'm convinced a better understanding of these issues and how government and politics really works is a valuable public service and a far better use of this space than defending political consultants.
But what do I know? The lady at the credit union thinks I'm no better than a strip club operator.
In my career as a lowly political consultant I've conducted some of this research. In fact, I helped do some of the research that led spotling to the use of the term "opportunity scholarship" when referring to what is more commonly known as a school voucher. "Opportunity scholarship" sounds better, so conservatives who want to reform our broken education system are encouraged to use that term when what they really mean are vouchers. In politics, word choice is important.
Friday 12 August 2011
It wasn't immediately clear if Risher had an attorney
Man Sought in Stabbing That Led sporting to Girl's Car Death Surrenders to Police
A man accused of stabbing a loan shark who then tried to flee in an SUV but ended up running down a 13-year-old girl has turned himself in to police.
Police had been searching for Kenneth Risher, 51, since the incident last Saturday. Risher surrendered to authorities Wednesday, police said. He was charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon.
It wasn't immediately clear if Risher had an attorney.
Police believe Risher stabbed Sean Lewis, who may have been trying to collect from Risher.
Lewis, who later died from his stab wounds, tried to drive a few blocks but the SUV quickly got out of his control. It flew down a Brooklyn street, where 13-year-old Kira Goddard ushered several other children out of the way before she was struck.
The children had been at the entrance of their apartment building in Brownsville when they noticed Lewis in a Range Rover, approaching erratically down Pacific Street.
Goddard managed to shepherd the others into the building. But everything happened so fast, witnesses said, that Goddard had no time to save herself.
A man accused of stabbing a loan shark who then tried to flee in an SUV but ended up running down a 13-year-old girl has turned himself in to police.
Police had been searching for Kenneth Risher, 51, since the incident last Saturday. Risher surrendered to authorities Wednesday, police said. He was charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon.
It wasn't immediately clear if Risher had an attorney.
Police believe Risher stabbed Sean Lewis, who may have been trying to collect from Risher.
Lewis, who later died from his stab wounds, tried to drive a few blocks but the SUV quickly got out of his control. It flew down a Brooklyn street, where 13-year-old Kira Goddard ushered several other children out of the way before she was struck.
The children had been at the entrance of their apartment building in Brownsville when they noticed Lewis in a Range Rover, approaching erratically down Pacific Street.
Goddard managed to shepherd the others into the building. But everything happened so fast, witnesses said, that Goddard had no time to save herself.
Thursday 4 August 2011
San Jose Taiko Drumming to the Beats of a New Generation
For decades married couple Roy and PJ Hirabayashi have led San Jose Taiko, but now their rhythmic beats are being played under the leadership of the group’s next generation.
About a decade ago the Hirabayashis, knowing they couldn’t lead the company forever, began talks of how they would pass down the leadership of San Jose Taiko to the next generation, said Roy Hirabayashi.
It was decided a few years later that long-time members Wisa Uemura and Franco Imperial, who are also married, would become the next executive director and artist director.
Letting go of the reins of San Jose Taiko was a bittersweet moment for the Hirabayashis.
“Both Roy and I, we don’t have children. So San Jose Taiko has been pretty much our children for the last 38 years,” said PJ Hirabayashi, 61. “So to invest our time in raising and cultivating the potential of what the children can be, of course there’s that very intimate connection of feeling a natural loss, creating the empty nest syndrome. But at the same time it’s very liberating.”
Having founded San Jose Taiko in 1973, Roy Hirabayashi says the timing was perfect for a leadership change.
“For me it is kind of a bittersweet situation. Having to spend so much time developing not only the organization but the art form in general has been a real passion to see that grow,” said Roy Hirabayashi, 60.
San Jose Taiko is known as one of the first three taiko groups to form in North America, continuing the art form of kumi-daiko, or taiko ensemble that began in Japan after World War II. The other first groups include Seiichi Tanaka’s San Francisco Taiko Dojo and Kinnara Taiko.
Keeping with tradition, the leadership of San Jose Taiko was passed down to another married couple: Wisa Uemura and Franco Imperial.
Wisa Uemura, 36, auditioned with San Jose Taiko in 1998 after graduating from Stanford University, where she had been playing with Stanford Taiko since 1993.
“Franco and I did meet while auditioning for the San Jose Taiko performing company in 1998, so we have San Jose Taiko to thank for bringing us together,” Uemura said. “I find it extremely rewarding to be able to share my passion for taiko with my husband in such a real, practical way.”
Franco Imperial also started training with San Jose Taiko in 1998.
“I was initially attracted to taiko from a musical perspective but once I joined San Jose Taiko I learned what it meant to truly be part of something greater than one’s self,” Imperial said. “As Roy and PJ have taught us, taiko is a powerful tool of expression.”
About a decade ago the Hirabayashis, knowing they couldn’t lead the company forever, began talks of how they would pass down the leadership of San Jose Taiko to the next generation, said Roy Hirabayashi.
It was decided a few years later that long-time members Wisa Uemura and Franco Imperial, who are also married, would become the next executive director and artist director.
Letting go of the reins of San Jose Taiko was a bittersweet moment for the Hirabayashis.
“Both Roy and I, we don’t have children. So San Jose Taiko has been pretty much our children for the last 38 years,” said PJ Hirabayashi, 61. “So to invest our time in raising and cultivating the potential of what the children can be, of course there’s that very intimate connection of feeling a natural loss, creating the empty nest syndrome. But at the same time it’s very liberating.”
Having founded San Jose Taiko in 1973, Roy Hirabayashi says the timing was perfect for a leadership change.
“For me it is kind of a bittersweet situation. Having to spend so much time developing not only the organization but the art form in general has been a real passion to see that grow,” said Roy Hirabayashi, 60.
San Jose Taiko is known as one of the first three taiko groups to form in North America, continuing the art form of kumi-daiko, or taiko ensemble that began in Japan after World War II. The other first groups include Seiichi Tanaka’s San Francisco Taiko Dojo and Kinnara Taiko.
Keeping with tradition, the leadership of San Jose Taiko was passed down to another married couple: Wisa Uemura and Franco Imperial.
Wisa Uemura, 36, auditioned with San Jose Taiko in 1998 after graduating from Stanford University, where she had been playing with Stanford Taiko since 1993.
“Franco and I did meet while auditioning for the San Jose Taiko performing company in 1998, so we have San Jose Taiko to thank for bringing us together,” Uemura said. “I find it extremely rewarding to be able to share my passion for taiko with my husband in such a real, practical way.”
Franco Imperial also started training with San Jose Taiko in 1998.
“I was initially attracted to taiko from a musical perspective but once I joined San Jose Taiko I learned what it meant to truly be part of something greater than one’s self,” Imperial said. “As Roy and PJ have taught us, taiko is a powerful tool of expression.”
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