Dutch electronics company, Phillips has created Bio-light, the greener lighting system that is part of their Microbial Home (MH) system.
The bioluminescent bacteria, which flourishes on waste generated in the average home, is housed in hand-blown glass cells, clustered together to form a lamp that could easily be displayed in a modern art museum.
Each cell is joined to the lamp's reservoir base by thin silicon tubes that pipe methane gas from composted bathroom solids and vegetable scraps via a kitchen dodad that digests bio-waste.
Till the time proper nutrients are supplied, the bio-light's living bacteria can be powered indefinitely. Although the light is not bright enough to fully replace conventional lighting, it does make people conscious of household forms of wasted energy that could be tapped.
"Designers have an obligation to understand the urgency of the situation, and translate humanity's needs into solutions," the Discovery News quoted Clive van Heerden, Senior Director of Design-led Innovation at Philips Design, as saying on the website.
"Energy-saving light bulbs will only take us so far. We need to push ourselves to rethink domestic appliances entirely, to rethink how homes consume energy, and how entire communities can pool resources," Heerden added.
Our own Ellen Rocco was in Albany yesterday with the group representing the North Country at the regional economic development competition being run by the governor's office.
It pits eight regions of the state against each other for economic development aid from the state. The four winning regions each get $40 million, the others split $40 million.
Ellen was there with two other people involved in one of the projects selected for presentation to the panel of judges: North Country Pastured, which hopes to get a mobile poultry processing facility going in the St. Lawrence Valley.
Kevin Elkin of Elkin Tree Service in Indian lake ( a passionate broadband proponent) and representatives of a company based in Syracuse and Ogdensburg that's working on advanced LED lighting technology. Leading were co-chairs Garry Douglas of the North Country Chamber of Commerce in Plattsburgh, Clarkson University President Tony Collins, and Kate Fish, a North Country Council member representing the Adirondack North Country Association.
Here's a link to the website with all the regions' full videos. (Don't worry…you should be able to fast forward to various bits.)
The co-chairs did the presentation, and each of the judges had questions, with interjections from time to time.
"We think we did the North Country proud," says Ellen. She says all the panelists said the North Country presentation stood out, partly because this region's council was the only team to bring actual people who could talk about their own projects. And the visuals were smart and looked good…not your typical "death by Power Point" presentation.
Showing posts with label leadership. Show all posts
Showing posts with label leadership. Show all posts
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Night before Thanksgiving has become a big night for clubs ... and State Police
Bob Pereira expects more than 1,000 people to spend the early hours of Thanksgiving at his nightclub, Providence, preceding their feast on turkey and cranberry sauce with vodka-tonics and beers.
"Without even blinking, we know that will happen," said Pereira, owner of three New York City clubs as well as the 11,000-square-foot venue at The Quarter in Tropicana Casino and Resort. "It's a marquee night in the history of nightlife."
The combination of college students coming home for the holiday and locals going out to celebrate their day off has made Thanksgiving Eve an alcohol-driven night of revelry nationwide. The night has earned the name "Black Wednesday" in some circles, in this case referring to the "blacked-out" state of many who drink beyond their limit.
"Historically, we were thinking of Thanksgiving as a time of families gathering," said Lt. Steve Jones, spokesman for the State Police, "but over the last several years it's become more of a drinking holiday."
From 2000 to 2009, 5,521 people died in car accidents nationwide over the Thanksgiving holiday period — more than any other holiday. About 36 percent of those deaths were attributed to drunken driving, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data show.
Jones said that five people were killed in accidents last year in New Jersey over the Thanksgiving weekend, from the Wednesday night before to the Monday morning after.
In the past, groups such as The HERO Campaign have handed out T-shirts to sober drivers at checkpoints to promote designated drivers. Mothers Against Drunk Driving makes an annual push for awareness of the dangers of excessive drinking over the holidays, pointing at Thanksgiving as the beginning.
The number of alcohol-related fatalities has decreased over the decades. In 1982, there were 601 fatalities of which 51 percent were due to a DWI. In 2009, there were 411 fatalities of which 34 percent were attributed to drunken driving, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data show.
But on nights like Thanksgiving Eve where there is the potential that other drivers could be drunk, staying off the roads is the best way to avoid an accident.
At Atlantic City's casinos, room rates are relatively low on the night before Thanksgiving, even at those hotels that expect to attract crowds of partygoers.
On Tuesday night, the lowest rate for a room at Tropicana on Wednesday night was $69.99, despite the several clubs that planned to be packed in its entertainment corridor The Quarter.
Providence is typically only open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, but Pereira said he has opened it every year on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
"We expect it to be as strong as a big Saturday and our biggest holiday nights," he said. "We staff our venue as we would for our busiest night."
On Tuesday afternoon, he drove from New York City to watch his staff install new LED lighting and perform and check the sound systems. The spacious club was aglow in shades of pink and blue, with spinning lights shining off the empty dance floor.
By 1 a.m. Thanksgiving morning, the inside is expected to be packed shoulder to shoulder, with a line of people waiting to get in. The club's capacity is almost 800, but he said they would admit more people than that over the course of the night as people come and go.
"Without even blinking, we know that will happen," said Pereira, owner of three New York City clubs as well as the 11,000-square-foot venue at The Quarter in Tropicana Casino and Resort. "It's a marquee night in the history of nightlife."
The combination of college students coming home for the holiday and locals going out to celebrate their day off has made Thanksgiving Eve an alcohol-driven night of revelry nationwide. The night has earned the name "Black Wednesday" in some circles, in this case referring to the "blacked-out" state of many who drink beyond their limit.
"Historically, we were thinking of Thanksgiving as a time of families gathering," said Lt. Steve Jones, spokesman for the State Police, "but over the last several years it's become more of a drinking holiday."
From 2000 to 2009, 5,521 people died in car accidents nationwide over the Thanksgiving holiday period — more than any other holiday. About 36 percent of those deaths were attributed to drunken driving, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data show.
Jones said that five people were killed in accidents last year in New Jersey over the Thanksgiving weekend, from the Wednesday night before to the Monday morning after.
In the past, groups such as The HERO Campaign have handed out T-shirts to sober drivers at checkpoints to promote designated drivers. Mothers Against Drunk Driving makes an annual push for awareness of the dangers of excessive drinking over the holidays, pointing at Thanksgiving as the beginning.
The number of alcohol-related fatalities has decreased over the decades. In 1982, there were 601 fatalities of which 51 percent were due to a DWI. In 2009, there were 411 fatalities of which 34 percent were attributed to drunken driving, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data show.
But on nights like Thanksgiving Eve where there is the potential that other drivers could be drunk, staying off the roads is the best way to avoid an accident.
At Atlantic City's casinos, room rates are relatively low on the night before Thanksgiving, even at those hotels that expect to attract crowds of partygoers.
On Tuesday night, the lowest rate for a room at Tropicana on Wednesday night was $69.99, despite the several clubs that planned to be packed in its entertainment corridor The Quarter.
Providence is typically only open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, but Pereira said he has opened it every year on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
"We expect it to be as strong as a big Saturday and our biggest holiday nights," he said. "We staff our venue as we would for our busiest night."
On Tuesday afternoon, he drove from New York City to watch his staff install new LED lighting and perform and check the sound systems. The spacious club was aglow in shades of pink and blue, with spinning lights shining off the empty dance floor.
By 1 a.m. Thanksgiving morning, the inside is expected to be packed shoulder to shoulder, with a line of people waiting to get in. The club's capacity is almost 800, but he said they would admit more people than that over the course of the night as people come and go.
Monday, 7 November 2011
Inovonics Partners With Radius Security to Provide Integrated Video Security Systems
Inovonics, the industry leader in high-performance wireless sensor networks for commercial and life safety applications, today announced a partnership with Radius Security, a manufacturer and integrator of high performance industrial grade IP video and audio systems. Recently, Radius Security leveraged the technology of Inovonics sensors for a solar-powered video security system that monitors a cement manufacturing facility at a remote location.
"We do a lot of specialty video projects that require solar power and cellular communications, which differentiates us from other integrators," said Jeff Sandine, sales manager at Radius Security. "Many of our customers have remote locations that lack power or internet access. Inovonics technology is unique because it is easily integrated with other solutions, like LED lighting systems and motion detectors, and can reliably operate in secluded, industrial locations. Best of all, its wireless sensor networks are proven to be reliable during instances when there is a legitimate security breech where timely notification is essential to saving a lot of money in stolen or damaged equipment."
For this project, Radius Security used a solar power plant to power megapixel IP cameras, LED white lighting, strobe lights, amplifier, loudspeakers and cellular communications. In order to enable after-hours security it enlisted Optex's outdoor motion detectors which are powered by Inovonics 900 MHz wireless EchoStream technology. If an unauthorized party enters the site, Inovonics sensors will send a signal that activates LED white lighting system and initiates a loud recorded message to ward off potential intruders. A snapshot also is taken by the cameras and emailed directly to a designated list, designed by the customer.
Should an intrusion occur, appropriate parties will receive immediate notification that they can access right from their home computer or smart phone. Additionally, a security monitoring company immediately is notified and can determine if the threat requires police action. The video security system is installed on a central tower at the cement facility that allows cameras to achieve a 360 degree view of the site.
"By partnering with Radius Security we can apply our wireless technology to some unique and intricate security applications," explained Mark Jarman, president of Inovonics. "Radius Security is known for offering high performance video security services to customers who want a system that will monitor their remote location facility at all times. Our wireless technology that is integrated within the Radius Security solution ensures real-time monitoring and notification that is unmatched in the security industry."
Inovonics' EchoStream technology features a full range of security end-points for burglary, intrusion monitoring and duress situations. It also features a hand-held survey kit to measure radio signal strength for easy, quick and accurate installations. EchoStream is the third generation radio platform from Inovonics and is the result of decades of experience developing wireless security applications for commercial customers. It delivers outstanding reliability, range and battery life that meets the security industry's needs today and well into the future because of its flexibility and network capabilities.
"We do a lot of specialty video projects that require solar power and cellular communications, which differentiates us from other integrators," said Jeff Sandine, sales manager at Radius Security. "Many of our customers have remote locations that lack power or internet access. Inovonics technology is unique because it is easily integrated with other solutions, like LED lighting systems and motion detectors, and can reliably operate in secluded, industrial locations. Best of all, its wireless sensor networks are proven to be reliable during instances when there is a legitimate security breech where timely notification is essential to saving a lot of money in stolen or damaged equipment."
For this project, Radius Security used a solar power plant to power megapixel IP cameras, LED white lighting, strobe lights, amplifier, loudspeakers and cellular communications. In order to enable after-hours security it enlisted Optex's outdoor motion detectors which are powered by Inovonics 900 MHz wireless EchoStream technology. If an unauthorized party enters the site, Inovonics sensors will send a signal that activates LED white lighting system and initiates a loud recorded message to ward off potential intruders. A snapshot also is taken by the cameras and emailed directly to a designated list, designed by the customer.
Should an intrusion occur, appropriate parties will receive immediate notification that they can access right from their home computer or smart phone. Additionally, a security monitoring company immediately is notified and can determine if the threat requires police action. The video security system is installed on a central tower at the cement facility that allows cameras to achieve a 360 degree view of the site.
"By partnering with Radius Security we can apply our wireless technology to some unique and intricate security applications," explained Mark Jarman, president of Inovonics. "Radius Security is known for offering high performance video security services to customers who want a system that will monitor their remote location facility at all times. Our wireless technology that is integrated within the Radius Security solution ensures real-time monitoring and notification that is unmatched in the security industry."
Inovonics' EchoStream technology features a full range of security end-points for burglary, intrusion monitoring and duress situations. It also features a hand-held survey kit to measure radio signal strength for easy, quick and accurate installations. EchoStream is the third generation radio platform from Inovonics and is the result of decades of experience developing wireless security applications for commercial customers. It delivers outstanding reliability, range and battery life that meets the security industry's needs today and well into the future because of its flexibility and network capabilities.
Monday, 5 September 2011
As Sports Medicine Surges, Hope and Hype Outpace Proven Treatments
It took her from doctor to doctor, cost her thousands of dollars and led her to try nearly everything sports medicine has to offer — an M.R.I. to show the extent of the injury, physical therapy that included ultrasound and laser therapy, strength training, an injection of platelet-rich plasma, a cortisone shot, another cortisone shot.
Finally, in February, she gave up.
“I decided this is never going to heal, so let’s get on with it,” she said.
And so Ms. Basle, a 44-year-old digital media consultant who lives in Manhattan, started running anyway. She has lost a lot of speed and endurance. And, she added, “the stupid hamstring is really no better.”
Medical experts say her tale of multiple futile treatments is all too familiar and points to growing problems in sports medicine, a medical subspecialty that has been experiencing explosive growth. Part of the field’s popularity, among patients and doctors alike, stems from the fact that celebrity athletes, desperate to get back to playing after an injury, have been trying unproven treatments, giving the procedures a sort of star appeal.
But now researchers are questioning many of the procedures, including new ones that often have no rigorous studies to back them up. “Everyone wants to get into sports medicine,” said Dr. James Andrews, a sports medicine orthopedist in Gulf Breeze, Fla., and president-elect of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.
Doctors love the specialty and can join it with as little as a year of training after their residency, as compared with the more typical two to four years for other specialty training. They see a large group of patients eager for treatment, ranging from competitive athletes to casual exercisers to retirees spending their time on the golf course or tennis court.
The problem is that most sports injuries, including tears of the hamstring ligament like Ms. Basle’s, have no established treatments.
Finally, in February, she gave up.
“I decided this is never going to heal, so let’s get on with it,” she said.
And so Ms. Basle, a 44-year-old digital media consultant who lives in Manhattan, started running anyway. She has lost a lot of speed and endurance. And, she added, “the stupid hamstring is really no better.”
Medical experts say her tale of multiple futile treatments is all too familiar and points to growing problems in sports medicine, a medical subspecialty that has been experiencing explosive growth. Part of the field’s popularity, among patients and doctors alike, stems from the fact that celebrity athletes, desperate to get back to playing after an injury, have been trying unproven treatments, giving the procedures a sort of star appeal.
But now researchers are questioning many of the procedures, including new ones that often have no rigorous studies to back them up. “Everyone wants to get into sports medicine,” said Dr. James Andrews, a sports medicine orthopedist in Gulf Breeze, Fla., and president-elect of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.
Doctors love the specialty and can join it with as little as a year of training after their residency, as compared with the more typical two to four years for other specialty training. They see a large group of patients eager for treatment, ranging from competitive athletes to casual exercisers to retirees spending their time on the golf course or tennis court.
The problem is that most sports injuries, including tears of the hamstring ligament like Ms. Basle’s, have no established treatments.
Monday, 29 August 2011
Li-Fi – Internet at the Speed of Light
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.
“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.
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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