What is interesting, is that you likely get more money from doing this, then if you had gone through an agent. The agent would have taken all sorts of charges, while typically asking a lot of you, and doing little.
Even in the original article, it states that a UA guy had the idea and developed the theory on this.
Basically, we are canceling out the starlight halo that otherwise would drown out the light signal of the planet," said Johanan (John) Codona, a senior research scientist at the UA's Steward Observatory who developed the theory behind the technique, which he calls phase-apodization coronagraphy.
In many science papers, all sorts of ppl will try to claim credit for contributing so much as a paper clip. In fact, some ppls names are put on paper just to give it credibility, even though the person had absolutely NOTHING to do with it. Heck, back in the 80's, one of the director of the lab that I worked at, put his name on every paper.
My guess is that the American's developed this technique, but tried it out on the bigger scopes, but only by agreeing that they credit everybody associated with the large scope (the price for access to other ppl's toys).
Having ore is NOT a problem. What is missing is the processing of the ore. That is what will not happen. And at this time, we have to send the ore to China to be processed. That is a BIG issue.
That is also why we need to start a fast program to process it.
While we will find alternatives for the magnets (in fact, probably better ones), I doubt that we will find alternatives for many of the uses. In particular, it is used in doping to improve conduction for many of the newer electronics. Basically, we need to not just mine, but process it.
It requires a LOT of money to fire it up. About 1 billion. That is money that my Congressman has a bill in CONgress to do a grant to start this. Sadly, the man does not have much spine and simply allowed it to fall to the byside. Personally, I would like to see CONgress quit giving money away and instead, lend it at 0% interest. And in this case, allow multiple companies to bid for this and perhaps lend to 2 companies. The fact is, that the world NEEDS REE, and there is no real good alternatives, save in Magnetics (REE's have MANY more uses than just magnets).
Sure.
I also know that China manipulates their money and IMF says that it wrong, but does little to nothing. Likewise, IMF says that heavy subsidization is wrong, yet China subsidizes energy, mining, manufacturing, etc. Again IMF says to not dump, yet, China is the worst for it.
The fact is, that China FLAUNTS their many treaties and legal obligations. W ignored it to America's downfall. Obama is at BEST, so-so with his handling of this (personally, I think that the current stuff has more to do with elections and will disappear after Nov. 3rd). And EU is now LOVING getting the loans of Dollars from China.
Re-starting mining is only 1-2 years of work. Starting a new mine may be 3-4 years depending on how big of an operation. CA is Re-opening Mountain Pass Mine, which was the largest mine at one time (and remains high in ore). In addition, it appears that mines in the west are going to be started. In particular, over in North West Colorado, by Rifle, Colorado.
The item that takes time AND MONEY, is the PROCESSING of the ores. That is what the feds should have backed Congressman's bill to spend upwards of 1 billion to re-start the processing. Sadly, W overrode DOD's objections and allowed China to take Magnequench. If not for that, we would still have processing here.
China DOES have the largest amount of currently cheaply available REE. BUT, they are not the only ones. However, they have ran around for the last 15 years trying to buy up mines, or put them out of business by ignoring the environmental issues, subsidizing the prices, and then dumping on the market. Right now, they have the vast majority of working mines.
China has the ONLY processing of REE. America had it with Magnaquench, but a bunch of neo-cons served as a front for China, bought it up, and then got W to override the DOD's object to the move of them company to CHina. And again, this WAS being subsidized, dumped, environmental regs ignored, etc by China.
So, where does this leave the world now? Well, China mines the majority of the ore, and processes all of it. In addition, they will only process it if THEY buy it. Basically, we have China able to stop exports and screw the world. And we saw that with Japan.
The best thing that the west can do, is re-start the processing of REE as quickly as possible. The smart thing is for the west to restart this in two or more different nations. That way, when China decides to move their cold war up the ladder, then we are still guaranteed production. In addition, it can keep prices down.
Or, you are taking pix around 12 am until say 5, when ppl are asleep, doors are not moving, no washing machine, no children playing, cars quiet, etc. And as to the light, create different scopes. Have some have filters on them. Around here, we have loads of Mercury vapor lights. A thin filter takes care of that.
Does it matter? What I am speaking of, is not just a distributed scope that builds an image of the sky, but one that distributes the costs of such. Now, this approach will not show us the edge of the universe, BUT, it will show us interesting fact about our solar system and beyond. Most importantly, it will give regular scopes places to investigate closely. After all, if you are running a 250 million to multi-billion dollar scope, would not like it if you could look every night into different locations and normally find something very interesting?
The vast majority of asteroids, and some moons, were discovered in this very fashion. While a number of planets were located via calculations, it is flashes of light from a surface that found the asteroids.
Keep in mind that c-type asteroids have an average albedo of 0.03. Basically, pretty damn dark. But there will be points on these that are not. They will be seen as flashes of lights, which are normally ignored. However, if you have a dozen scopes looking in the same area of sky and are very remote from each other, then it is likely something of interest.
Oddly, we are doing detection totally wrong. We have several scopes out there looking for asteroids. But they will be picking up monster ones. The ones that are far more likely to hit us will not be picked up as easily. So what is needed? A cheap cheap telescope that can be roof mounted, and uses POE to provide data/power. In doing that, it will encourage a number of geeks around the world to install these. Then the scope relays data back to a central server where pics are compared. In particular, if one gets a flash, not a big deal. OTH, if several spread around the world get a flash in the same area (basically sunlight glancing off an asteroid as it slowly turns), then it says that the area should be looked at. This approach will enable us to know WHERE to look for small to medium asteroids.
Copyrights and patents NEED to remain. The problem with copyrights is that the shear greed is pushing for longer and longer time. And the issue with patents is that it went from physical manifestations that take long times to create, to being applied on software, and methods.
Range solution is the solution to a problem. Sadly, most ppl do not understand that GM and the other companies are solving different problems then you or me. Their problem is how to make minimal changes and keep profits up. The volt, and in fact, all parallel hybrids, allow you to sell a regular fossil fuel vehicle WITH some add ons that will complicate the arch and force prices up.
Drinky,
Were you drunk? Normally, you make sense. A serial hybrid HAS range. You are obviously thinking that I said electric. Hummers, trucks and semis, need a serial hybrid with multiple small engine/generators and a small amount of batteries. Why Multiple Generators? For the semi's, they do a lot of cruising. THe ability to shut down one motor/generator is useful. In addition, if a semi/truck/Hummer loses one, they are still able to go (slow acceleration, but still going).
Also, serial hybrid trucks/hummers/semis are JUST NOW BEING DONE. So, no, these have not been rejected.
Basically, with Walmart, foreign companies, and the feds saying that semi's are to hybrids, I think that it is a forgone conclusion that it will happen.
Re-read. I said that Trucks, Hummers and Semis should be serial hybrids. More importantly, with two small engine/generators. The reason is that all of those have variable loads, but spend a LOT of time cruising at a set speed.
And the average daily distance driven is around 40 miles. The leaf is the perfect 2'nd car for the average American family. Why? Because these cars will be parked in a garage, easily charged at night, and with lower maintenance costs. And the leaf costs almost 1/2 of what the volt does. So, rather than buy 2 volts at 40K each, you can get a leaf at 20K and a nice 50K car on the other car.
Esp. in this case. They have a transmission now in there, which chews up fuel. But ignore that nightmare. The fact is, that an ICE that is tuned and runs at a single speed is MUCH more efficient than a variable ICE/Transmission. In fact, that ICE can run as high as 45%. OTH, the ICE/Transmission runs below 22%. And how efficient are generators/Motors? In the 90% levels.
The problem is that maintenance and weight will contribute to lost money/efficiency.
And yet, the Nissan Leaf has FAR FAR outsold the volt. Think that buyers are trying to tell your logic something?
Typically, 100 miles is MORE than enough for at least one person at home. And having 2 volts is more than 2x foolish. The reason is that now you have an ICE, A generator, a set of batteries that will require more frequent replacements, a motor and now, you find out that you will also have a transmission. Basically, the volt is a parallel hybrid with a more powerful motor. And that makes it JUNK. The ONLY reason for GM to have built it this way was to keep their profits high. Heck, when they are forced to move to a true electric vehicle, they will drop the gas tank, the ICE, the Generator, and the transmission. The later 3 are the items that require the most maintenance costs.
Let me guess. You live in a city. Live in the west, or the burbs, etc. Many of the ppl around here with Trucks would LOVE to have a generator to hook up to their job sites. In my dad's neck of the woods, he lives down by Jupiter Island, Fla. As such, he takes a lot of hits via hurricanes. Having a truck that generates power, would be great for him to providing power to the house during the many outages there. YOu have a house trailer and you want to provide power to it? Here you go.
In the end, it does not matter. With a truck, such as a F150, or F250, you will have plenty of power from electric motors, and even better mileage AND power than out of a gas or diesel engine.
Actually, I have suggested to Elon Musk that he provides a DC outlet on the back of all of his cars. More importantly, make the plug be a standard. Why do this? Because what will make cars sell, is NOT the car company. It is many forms of marketing that you see. Typically Add-ons. By having a standard hitch AND plug that has DC as well as controls, then it enables different companies to produce different solutions. Likewise, if they put a 6-8 port box in the car that can interface with the main touch panels and various items (speakers, mic, etc), then it would be possible to have more add-ons.
First, you missed the batteries. Those add weight, and complexity. Now, you say that you want to add a small motor/generator. Well, as I pointed out, the RIGHT place for such an arrangement is larger trucks. The fact is, that if you need a range extension, then do one of serveral things:
Buy a gas/diesel car. If you are going on long trips regularly, then you are better off doing this.
Buy/rent a trailer with the generator. Seriously, if you need a range extender say once a year, then simply rent a trailer that has the ability to provide the electricity. Of course, the car has to be rigged for that.
Buy a car that has fast charge.
But it makes ZERO sense to have a 'range extended' car esp. in what is now a parallel system. Basically, GM is shipping a car based on profits to themselves, not based on what is good for customers.
Slashdot Mirror
Perhaps you prefer a movie or something spells it all out for you?
What is interesting, is that you likely get more money from doing this, then if you had gone through an agent. The agent would have taken all sorts of charges, while typically asking a lot of you, and doing little.
And yet, I would stand a better chance of self publishing and getting rich than either going through a publisher OR playing lotto.
Even in the original article, it states that a UA guy had the idea and developed the theory on this. Basically, we are canceling out the starlight halo that otherwise would drown out the light signal of the planet," said Johanan (John) Codona, a senior research scientist at the UA's Steward Observatory who developed the theory behind the technique, which he calls phase-apodization coronagraphy.
In many science papers, all sorts of ppl will try to claim credit for contributing so much as a paper clip. In fact, some ppls names are put on paper just to give it credibility, even though the person had absolutely NOTHING to do with it. Heck, back in the 80's, one of the director of the lab that I worked at, put his name on every paper.
My guess is that the American's developed this technique, but tried it out on the bigger scopes, but only by agreeing that they credit everybody associated with the large scope (the price for access to other ppl's toys).
Having ore is NOT a problem. What is missing is the processing of the ore. That is what will not happen. And at this time, we have to send the ore to China to be processed. That is a BIG issue. That is also why we need to start a fast program to process it.
While we will find alternatives for the magnets (in fact, probably better ones), I doubt that we will find alternatives for many of the uses. In particular, it is used in doping to improve conduction for many of the newer electronics. Basically, we need to not just mine, but process it.
It requires a LOT of money to fire it up. About 1 billion. That is money that my Congressman has a bill in CONgress to do a grant to start this. Sadly, the man does not have much spine and simply allowed it to fall to the byside. Personally, I would like to see CONgress quit giving money away and instead, lend it at 0% interest. And in this case, allow multiple companies to bid for this and perhaps lend to 2 companies. The fact is, that the world NEEDS REE, and there is no real good alternatives, save in Magnetics (REE's have MANY more uses than just magnets).
Sure. I also know that China manipulates their money and IMF says that it wrong, but does little to nothing. Likewise, IMF says that heavy subsidization is wrong, yet China subsidizes energy, mining, manufacturing, etc. Again IMF says to not dump, yet, China is the worst for it.
The fact is, that China FLAUNTS their many treaties and legal obligations. W ignored it to America's downfall. Obama is at BEST, so-so with his handling of this (personally, I think that the current stuff has more to do with elections and will disappear after Nov. 3rd). And EU is now LOVING getting the loans of Dollars from China.
Re-starting mining is only 1-2 years of work. Starting a new mine may be 3-4 years depending on how big of an operation. CA is Re-opening Mountain Pass Mine, which was the largest mine at one time (and remains high in ore). In addition, it appears that mines in the west are going to be started. In particular, over in North West Colorado, by Rifle, Colorado.
The item that takes time AND MONEY, is the PROCESSING of the ores. That is what the feds should have backed Congressman's bill to spend upwards of 1 billion to re-start the processing. Sadly, W overrode DOD's objections and allowed China to take Magnequench. If not for that, we would still have processing here.
So, where does this leave the world now? Well, China mines the majority of the ore, and processes all of it. In addition, they will only process it if THEY buy it. Basically, we have China able to stop exports and screw the world. And we saw that with Japan.
The best thing that the west can do, is re-start the processing of REE as quickly as possible. The smart thing is for the west to restart this in two or more different nations. That way, when China decides to move their cold war up the ladder, then we are still guaranteed production. In addition, it can keep prices down.
Or, you are taking pix around 12 am until say 5, when ppl are asleep, doors are not moving, no washing machine, no children playing, cars quiet, etc. And as to the light, create different scopes. Have some have filters on them. Around here, we have loads of Mercury vapor lights. A thin filter takes care of that.
Does it matter? What I am speaking of, is not just a distributed scope that builds an image of the sky, but one that distributes the costs of such. Now, this approach will not show us the edge of the universe, BUT, it will show us interesting fact about our solar system and beyond. Most importantly, it will give regular scopes places to investigate closely. After all, if you are running a 250 million to multi-billion dollar scope, would not like it if you could look every night into different locations and normally find something very interesting?
The vast majority of asteroids, and some moons, were discovered in this very fashion. While a number of planets were located via calculations, it is flashes of light from a surface that found the asteroids.
Keep in mind that c-type asteroids have an average albedo of 0.03. Basically, pretty damn dark. But there will be points on these that are not. They will be seen as flashes of lights, which are normally ignored. However, if you have a dozen scopes looking in the same area of sky and are very remote from each other, then it is likely something of interest.
Oddly, we are doing detection totally wrong. We have several scopes out there looking for asteroids. But they will be picking up monster ones. The ones that are far more likely to hit us will not be picked up as easily. So what is needed? A cheap cheap telescope that can be roof mounted, and uses POE to provide data/power. In doing that, it will encourage a number of geeks around the world to install these. Then the scope relays data back to a central server where pics are compared. In particular, if one gets a flash, not a big deal. OTH, if several spread around the world get a flash in the same area (basically sunlight glancing off an asteroid as it slowly turns), then it says that the area should be looked at. This approach will enable us to know WHERE to look for small to medium asteroids.
Copyrights and patents NEED to remain. The problem with copyrights is that the shear greed is pushing for longer and longer time. And the issue with patents is that it went from physical manifestations that take long times to create, to being applied on software, and methods.
Range solution is the solution to a problem. Sadly, most ppl do not understand that GM and the other companies are solving different problems then you or me. Their problem is how to make minimal changes and keep profits up. The volt, and in fact, all parallel hybrids, allow you to sell a regular fossil fuel vehicle WITH some add ons that will complicate the arch and force prices up.
Or you simply allow different trailers to be made by different manufacturers. Then the buyers decide.
Drinky,
Were you drunk? Normally, you make sense. A serial hybrid HAS range. You are obviously thinking that I said electric. Hummers, trucks and semis, need a serial hybrid with multiple small engine/generators and a small amount of batteries. Why Multiple Generators? For the semi's, they do a lot of cruising. THe ability to shut down one motor/generator is useful. In addition, if a semi/truck/Hummer loses one, they are still able to go (slow acceleration, but still going). Also, serial hybrid trucks/hummers/semis are JUST NOW BEING DONE. So, no, these have not been rejected.
Finally, you only need a small amount of batteries with what I spoke of. And that is exactly what Peterbilt is now doing (though peterbilt does a parallel system so that they make fewer manufacturing changes). And hummer was investigating. Even though production just stopped 6 months ago, it is possible for them to restart. And likewise, the DOD is switching to serial hybrids. Why? for two reasons: To use less fuel since fuel costs run as high as $400/gal 3 years ago, and to generate electricity for electric weapons.
Basically, with Walmart, foreign companies, and the feds saying that semi's are to hybrids, I think that it is a forgone conclusion that it will happen.
Re-read. I said that Trucks, Hummers and Semis should be serial hybrids. More importantly, with two small engine/generators. The reason is that all of those have variable loads, but spend a LOT of time cruising at a set speed.
And the average daily distance driven is around 40 miles. The leaf is the perfect 2'nd car for the average American family. Why? Because these cars will be parked in a garage, easily charged at night, and with lower maintenance costs. And the leaf costs almost 1/2 of what the volt does. So, rather than buy 2 volts at 40K each, you can get a leaf at 20K and a nice 50K car on the other car.
and yet, cars are installing them
Esp. in this case. They have a transmission now in there, which chews up fuel. But ignore that nightmare. The fact is, that an ICE that is tuned and runs at a single speed is MUCH more efficient than a variable ICE/Transmission. In fact, that ICE can run as high as 45%. OTH, the ICE/Transmission runs below 22%. And how efficient are generators/Motors? In the 90% levels.
The problem is that maintenance and weight will contribute to lost money/efficiency.
And yet, the Nissan Leaf has FAR FAR outsold the volt. Think that buyers are trying to tell your logic something?
Typically, 100 miles is MORE than enough for at least one person at home. And having 2 volts is more than 2x foolish. The reason is that now you have an ICE, A generator, a set of batteries that will require more frequent replacements, a motor and now, you find out that you will also have a transmission. Basically, the volt is a parallel hybrid with a more powerful motor. And that makes it JUNK. The ONLY reason for GM to have built it this way was to keep their profits high. Heck, when they are forced to move to a true electric vehicle, they will drop the gas tank, the ICE, the Generator, and the transmission. The later 3 are the items that require the most maintenance costs.
Let me guess. You live in a city. Live in the west, or the burbs, etc. Many of the ppl around here with Trucks would LOVE to have a generator to hook up to their job sites. In my dad's neck of the woods, he lives down by Jupiter Island, Fla. As such, he takes a lot of hits via hurricanes. Having a truck that generates power, would be great for him to providing power to the house during the many outages there. YOu have a house trailer and you want to provide power to it? Here you go. In the end, it does not matter. With a truck, such as a F150, or F250, you will have plenty of power from electric motors, and even better mileage AND power than out of a gas or diesel engine.
Actually, I have suggested to Elon Musk that he provides a DC outlet on the back of all of his cars. More importantly, make the plug be a standard. Why do this? Because what will make cars sell, is NOT the car company. It is many forms of marketing that you see. Typically Add-ons. By having a standard hitch AND plug that has DC as well as controls, then it enables different companies to produce different solutions. Likewise, if they put a 6-8 port box in the car that can interface with the main touch panels and various items (speakers, mic, etc), then it would be possible to have more add-ons.
But it makes ZERO sense to have a 'range extended' car esp. in what is now a parallel system. Basically, GM is shipping a car based on profits to themselves, not based on what is good for customers.