You must not forget that all 6 billion people do not have access to a computer (only about 10%), not everyone knows what an ipod is, and out of those who understand ipods (and mp3), not everyone wants one. If your logic is true, this should end somewhere around 11 months at best.
Or failure in current sensors? Solar cell power output is generally calculated by reading the current sensors attached in series to each string of cells. The sensors calculate current by reading the voltage drop across a small resistor in path of current. If the value of the resistor drops, for of any reason; like temperature, outgassed particles etc., the sensors will read a higher current, and will send the wrong value via telemetry.
2) it will encourage indian kids to get into science
Duh..around 80% indian kids are already into engineering and sciences. And talking about numbers, India has the largest pool of scientists and engineers in the world.
I paid 1500 to upgrade my rig, another 80 for buying this next BIG thing, got kicked out of my lab consultant job for playing it at work, and THIS is what Valve came out with??!! Wish I could do a ctrl+z on the last 2 weeks of my life. I am gonna sue you guys SO BAD! But in a country where Bush wins the chair again, I doubt I will find justice EVER!
Well,
Although the technology has been around for decades, the new thing to be tested and qualified is their miniaturized version (micro RTG power packs) to power small satellites and science instrumentation onboard sounding rockets. Is the miniaturized version they use for pacemakers. As you said, it won't be practical lugging a ton with laptop, and I believe it would be even more inonvenient lugging a ton for your pacemaker.
Its called the Radioisotope Thermionic Generator. NASA Glenn Research Center near Cleveland, OH is currently doing a lot of research on it. Expect to see the technology in your laptops soon (ofcourse after they space qualify and test it on their next mission....which, sadly is the biggest hurdle).
And the Power production of solar cells varies with ambient temperature. Cold cells produce more current and less voltage, while hot cells do vice versa. They need to be operated at their Imp and Vmp (maximum power points) to gain optimal power.
Actually, its the current that matters the most. Laptop batteries, or for that matter all batteries, are rated in terms of their capacity, which is the amount of charge stored in them. This is expressed in terms of Amp-hours. A 2.1 A-hr battery will last for an hour if it delivers 2.1 amps continuosly. So actually the current drawn out of a fixed voltage battery would depend on the load. The load is variable in a system like a laptop, where different subsystems (DVD player, hard drive, fans, speakers) turn on and off occassionally. The best way to decrease the power consumption of a device would be to use components which consume low current, or to design the system cleverly such that their duty cycles (ON times) are shorter with less overlaps. Modern laptop batteries have significantly higher capacities coupled with excellent mass and volume densities.
It amuses me a lot that most advancements in battery technology come from commercial non-critical applications like laptops while automobile and aerospace industries seem to need it the most. But I guess its the same with all kind of tech-products. Nice to see us consumers helping advance science and technology.
It was high time somebody sued the Linux distributor. I am an avid fan of Mandrake the magician comics (King features). And since the death of Lee Falk (the author), its become a very rare thing to find. There aren't many websites on information about Mandrake (the magician). And whenever I tried googling for it, I found 100s of irrelevant links leading to information about the Linux OS!
Similarly, whenever I search for another of King character (by Lee Falk), Phantom; I get loads of junk on Phantom of the Opera and other irrelevant stuff......Gawd!!
Let us fans have some peace, how would you feel if Microsoft introduces a new OS named "Lord of the Rings" or "Spiderman"?? THe first 25-30 pages of google search will reveal only BS! Thanks to King comics for protecting the great work by someone as great as Lee Falk.
If the tension in a cloth is too great, and it is backed by a hard srface like superman muscles, it can deflect bullets without absorbing too much impact energy itself. Most bullet proof jackets are made of layers that deaccelerate the bullets by absorbing the energy, and so they get holes. Try shooting at a piece of cloth tightly wrapped around a solid titanium block, the bullet will deflect, and the cloth will remain intact.
Slashdot Mirror
Not sure why this post got modded up on slashdot!
You must not forget that all 6 billion people do not have access to a computer (only about 10%), not everyone knows what an ipod is, and out of those who understand ipods (and mp3), not everyone wants one. If your logic is true, this should end somewhere around 11 months at best.
Or failure in current sensors? Solar cell power output is generally calculated by reading the current sensors attached in series to each string of cells. The sensors calculate current by reading the voltage drop across a small resistor in path of current. If the value of the resistor drops, for of any reason; like temperature, outgassed particles etc., the sensors will read a higher current, and will send the wrong value via telemetry.
Yeah, that will sure work. Even if you don't power up the laptop.
........most comments posted for this story come polished with rich grammar and spellcheck. A slashdot first!
Thinking USB?
I paid 1500 to upgrade my rig, another 80 for buying this next BIG thing, got kicked out of my lab consultant job for playing it at work, and THIS is what Valve came out with??!! Wish I could do a ctrl+z on the last 2 weeks of my life. I am gonna sue you guys SO BAD! But in a country where Bush wins the chair again, I doubt I will find justice EVER!
I know atleast one profession now, where people don't go home and play video games to relax. It must feel like they were putting overtime :O
Well, Although the technology has been around for decades, the new thing to be tested and qualified is their miniaturized version (micro RTG power packs) to power small satellites and science instrumentation onboard sounding rockets. Is the miniaturized version they use for pacemakers. As you said, it won't be practical lugging a ton with laptop, and I believe it would be even more inonvenient lugging a ton for your pacemaker.
Its called the Radioisotope Thermionic Generator. NASA Glenn Research Center near Cleveland, OH is currently doing a lot of research on it. Expect to see the technology in your laptops soon (ofcourse after they space qualify and test it on their next mission....which, sadly is the biggest hurdle).
And the Power production of solar cells varies with ambient temperature. Cold cells produce more current and less voltage, while hot cells do vice versa. They need to be operated at their Imp and Vmp (maximum power points) to gain optimal power.
Actually, its the current that matters the most. Laptop batteries, or for that matter all batteries, are rated in terms of their capacity, which is the amount of charge stored in them. This is expressed in terms of Amp-hours. A 2.1 A-hr battery will last for an hour if it delivers 2.1 amps continuosly. So actually the current drawn out of a fixed voltage battery would depend on the load. The load is variable in a system like a laptop, where different subsystems (DVD player, hard drive, fans, speakers) turn on and off occassionally. The best way to decrease the power consumption of a device would be to use components which consume low current, or to design the system cleverly such that their duty cycles (ON times) are shorter with less overlaps. Modern laptop batteries have significantly higher capacities coupled with excellent mass and volume densities. It amuses me a lot that most advancements in battery technology come from commercial non-critical applications like laptops while automobile and aerospace industries seem to need it the most. But I guess its the same with all kind of tech-products. Nice to see us consumers helping advance science and technology.
It was high time somebody sued the Linux distributor. I am an avid fan of Mandrake the magician comics (King features). And since the death of Lee Falk (the author), its become a very rare thing to find. There aren't many websites on information about Mandrake (the magician). And whenever I tried googling for it, I found 100s of irrelevant links leading to information about the Linux OS! Similarly, whenever I search for another of King character (by Lee Falk), Phantom; I get loads of junk on Phantom of the Opera and other irrelevant stuff......Gawd!! Let us fans have some peace, how would you feel if Microsoft introduces a new OS named "Lord of the Rings" or "Spiderman"?? THe first 25-30 pages of google search will reveal only BS! Thanks to King comics for protecting the great work by someone as great as Lee Falk.
If the tension in a cloth is too great, and it is backed by a hard srface like superman muscles, it can deflect bullets without absorbing too much impact energy itself. Most bullet proof jackets are made of layers that deaccelerate the bullets by absorbing the energy, and so they get holes. Try shooting at a piece of cloth tightly wrapped around a solid titanium block, the bullet will deflect, and the cloth will remain intact.