Hey, everyone! Click the link below to get a load of the inking of the first page of our short comic, to be released at Mechacon this year as a precursor to "Wild Space Saga." ^___^
-Brandon
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MCOR Technologies White Paper: How 3D printing works.
Entertainment:
Last year’s blockbuster sci-fi thriller, Prometheus, owes some of its success to the visionary work of FBFX Ltd, a film industry model company, and to the 3D printers that brought their creations to life.
Set on a, shall we say, unhospitable planet, the characters in Prometheus are constantly wearing spacesuits. While the fabric portions of these spacesuits can be mocked up by costume designers, the high-tech, LED-filled helmets had to be created using 3D models. That job fell to Grant Pearmain, FBFX’s managing director, and his team.
Engineering:
One of the most difficult parts of integrating electronics with biological tissue is getting the numerous tissues and materials to meld. At a lab in Princeton, New Jersey scientists are making progress on this effort using 3D printing.
According to Michael McAlpine, an assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Princeton, “In general, there are mechanical and thermal challenges with interfacing electronic materials with biological materials.” In the past, researchers have attempted to overcome this hurdle by binding a piece of “seed” tissue to an electronic component.
But at McAlpine’s lab, that un-artful solution is being challenged with new state of the art techniques. “[O]ur work suggests a new approach -- to build and grow the biology up with the electronics synergistically and in a 3D interwoven format."
To do this, the Princeton team used 3D printing to create the complex topography of the human ear with a matrix of hydrogel and calf cells. Silver nano particles, which made up the structure of the antenna, were added to the ear's form to create a new audio receiver.
Anarchy:
Nearly a year ago the founder of Defense Distributed, Cody Wilson, announced his plans to create the world’s first 3D printed gun. In the coming days, Wilson plans to release his 3D Printed gun. Its name: “The Liberator”.
Over the course of the last year, Wilson and his team at Defense Distributed have made remarkable strides in creating 3D printed components like a magazine and lower receiver for the much maligned AR-15 assault rifle.
However, Wilson’s newest design is a complete departure from their previous work in that The Liberator is a standalone, fully functional 3D printed handgun. In fact, according to Wilson the only functional component in the gun that isn’t 3D printed is the weapon’s firing pin. To comply with the US Undetectable Firearms Act, The Liberator also contains a 6 oz. piece of steel to make it detectable by metal detectors, however, anyone who prints the weapon could simply decide not to add this component to their model.
Ironically: conservative icon near-demigod Ronald Reagan banned plastic weapons, so I expect the introduction of a single nail or cube of metal into the fuselage will be challenged in courts, as no such modification can be regulated, hence anarchy (both the domestic and international terrorist kind). Mike Weisser drops the science in an open letter to Wayne LaPierre. And, the gun industry will soon realize that 3D printing can be as detrimental to bottom-line capitalism as gun sales without selling paranoia that the government is going to take them: why walk in a gun store when you ARE the gun store?
Illustration showing the magnetic spins precessing with respect to the magnetic fields. (Courtesy: J Shi/Princeton University) |
An atomic magnetometer that can detect magnetic fields one hundred billion times smaller than the Earth's and does not require stringent shielding from the Earth's own field has been developed by an international group of researchers. The device is based on multi-pass atomic vapour cells and, the team says, can be used in various magnetic sensing applications such as measuring biological magnetic fields and land-mine clearance, as well as in geology and fundamental physics experiments.
Atomic magnetometers work by detecting how the energy levels of atoms are modified by an external magnetic field. This is the famous Zeeman effect – a quantum effect whereby the magnetic spin states in an atom split in the presence of an external magnetic field. This interaction between the atomic magnetic moment and external field is used to measure the field. This is normally done by using a pump laser to "polarize" the atoms by populating specific spin states, while a probe laser measures the spin precession, which is proportional to the magnetic field.
Physics World: Atomic magnetometer is most sensitive yet
Join us at the 2013 SACNAS National Conference “Strengthening the Nation Through Diversity, Innovation and Leadership in STEM" in San Antonio, Texas, October 3-6 and help us celebrate our 40th anniversary!
Join over 3,700 attendees for four days of scientific research presentations, professional development, networking, exhibits, culture, and community. One of the largest annual gatherings of minority scientists in the country, the interdisciplinary, and interactive SACNAS National Conference motivates and inspires. The SACNAS National Conference supports its diverse membership showcasing cutting-edge science and features mentoring and training sessions. Programming is specifically tailored to support undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and career professionals at each transition stage of their career as they move towards positions of science leadership.
Mission
SACNAS is a society of scientists dedicated to fostering the success of Hispanic/Chicano and Native American scientists—from college students to professionals—to attain advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in science.
SACNAS: 2013 SACNAS National Conference & Special 40th Anniversary Celebration
Kiera Wilmot |
Thomas Edison was known for explosions.
Throughout his childhood, Thomas Edison was full of curiosity about how things worked and always asked a lot of questions. He didn't do very well in a traditional school setting, and often got punished for annoying the teacher with too many questions. As a result, after the age of twelve, he was home-schooled by his mother. His interest in science was first sparked when his mother bought him his first scientific book, The School of Natural Philosophy. He thoroughly studied the book and performed all the experiments described in it at home. He soon set up his own laboratory in his room and began performing original experiments. After a few disasters, he was asked by his parents to move his laboratory to the basement. The explosions from the basement constantly shook the house, often upsetting his father.
But...the experiments did NOT stop.
A motivational speaker once used Edison as an example of perseverance.
Lab Assistant (exasperated after an explosion):
When are you going to give up this STUPID idea? That was the 9,999th time you have NOT invented this light bulb! You could have gotten us killed!
Edison:
That's right. This is the 9,999th trial. But, please make note of the explosive application that might prove useful later...
I've referenced my own 1st experiment as a spectacular explosion. It was my parents' support that carried me through some rough times in science, one of which my middle school science teacher called me "a big dummy" in front of class. I LAUGHED in his face! Did he want me to kowtow to his lowered expectations? Did he not know Lewis Latimer aided Edison in his "stupid idea"? Who DID he think he was? When you have confidence and support from loved ones, you automatically have chutzpah. As I did, this young queen should do so as well: hold your head high.
Sometimes, science can be dramatic, dangerous, and if you survive the adventure: thrilling and invigorating. Not de-emphasizing safety here, just access...to knowledge, and ultimately power and self-determination.
News of Kiera Wilmot’s arrest has seriously unnerved me. She is the Florida high school student who was experimenting with common household chemicals in science class that resulted in a minor explosion. There were no injuries and no damage to school property; however, she was taken away in handcuffs, formally arrested and expelled from school.1
A 16 year old Florida student with good grades, who is described by her principal as a “good kid”, is now facing felony charges for a science experiment gone wrong.2
Really?
A few probing questions...
Where was the teacher? Answered: this was done before classes began.
Who was harmed? Answered: no one.
What do we do with white collar computer hacks? Answered: we tend to hire them to IT firms.
What are we doing to give the next generation enthusiasm towards STEM careers in a globe increasingly complex, defined by science advancing at light speed, needing this kind of adventurous wonder, when life-and-death decisions are going to be predicated on how deep their critical thinking skills are, their sense of wonder is developed?
...Nothing!
And lastly: which side of the criminal justice system would you rather see Kiera on?
Answer: I'd prefer her in a research lab, or working at an engineering firm, personally.
1. SciAm The Urban Scientist: Florida teen charged with felony for trying science
2. Your Black World: 16 Year Old Charged With Felony After Science Project Goes Wrong
Change.org:
Bartow Police Chief, Tammy Glofelty - State PA: Drop Felony Charges and Release Kiera Wilmot
Get the third installment in The Returned series tomorrow for 99¢, but first, get the second installment for free. The Revelation is about a pastor who finds himself in a strange world that is familiar to him for reasons he doesn't yet know. The Earth itself has developed a resistance to mankind and he sees firsthand the monsters issued from its corrupted womb. The Bargain is about a teen thrust into the mantle of leadership who only wants to keep his brother safe when he strikes a deal with one if the monsters to sacrifice one of their group a month in exchange for safe passage. Here's the link: http://amzn.to/103ZIVo
The international team running the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) has announced the first results in its search for dark matter. They indicate the observation of an excess of positrons in the cosmic-ray flux. The results were presented by Samuel Ting, the spokesperson of AMS, in a seminar at CERN on 3 April, the date of publication in Physical Review Letters.
The AMS results are based on an analysis of some 2.5 × 1010 events, recorded over a year and a half. Cuts to reject protons, as well as electrons and positrons produced in the interactions of cosmic rays in the Earth’s atmosphere, reduce this to around 6.8 × 106 positron and electron events, including 400,000 positrons with energies between 0.5 GeV and 350 GeV. This represents the largest collection of antimatter particles detected in space.
CERN Courier: AMS measures antimatter excess in space
Okay! It's time to show-and-tell. Here's another chapter from my upcoming book "Ruins of the Fall: Rise of Ramsus"!!! This is only the wax of the story. I'm still working on the gold of this chapter. Feel free to critique, comment, and point out errors. It's still a little rough. If you want more background on this story, you can read the Black Section of "Squirrels & Puppies", out now.
©2013, Russell A. Mebane
Peace BSFS family, I had the chance to create some artwork for this campaign. Its aim is to create beautiful images of families you dont get to see at Cvs or Walgreens. These cards celebrate women of color, queer families, and the one I worked on celebrates fathers of color. These are easily shareable online, and customizable and they're free. Spread the word, another world is possible.
Feel free to use these images if you feel them. And check out this video
Live from CERN - Antimatter: Mirror of the Universe |
Geneva, 24 April 2013. The LHCb collaboration at CERN1 today submitted a paper to Physical Review Letters on the first observation of matter-antimatter asymmetry in the decays of the particle known as the B0s. It is only the fourth subatomic particle known to exhibit such behaviour.
Matter and antimatter are thought to have existed in equal amounts at the beginning of the universe, but today the universe appears to be composed essentially of matter. By studying subtle differences in the behaviour of particle and antiparticles, experiments at the LHC are seeking to cast light on this dominance of matter over antimatter.
CERN press office: LHCb experiment observes new matter-antimatter difference
There is a difference when science uses the word theory -- and the ubiquitous phrase "in theory" in conversation. A theory is a well-researched explanation of a hypothesis or group of hypotheses, corroborated by experimentation following the Scientific Method, peer review and repeated - often thousands of times - with reliable results. Thus, you have flu vaccines, AZT, GPS, nanotechnology, your cell phone; the Internet.
When someone ask me "do you believe in the Theory of Relativity and/or Theory of Evolution," my retort is always "do you believe in the Theory of Pythagoras (Pythagorean Theorem)?" I always get strange looks. Again: a2 + b2 = c2 fits the previous paragraph's description.
A fitting comparison for the genius that opened our understanding to the geometry of spacetime...
About 7,000 light-years from Earth, an exceptionally massive neutron star that spins around 25 times a second is orbited by a compact, white dwarf star. The gravity of this system is so intense that it offers an unprecedented testing ground for theories of gravity.
Scientists know general relativity, proposed by Albert Einstein in 1915, isn't the complete story. While it does very well describing large, massive systems, it's incompatible with quantum mechanics, which governs the physics of the very small. For something extremely small, yet extremely massive — such as a black hole — the two theories contradict each other, and scientists are left without a physical description.
Rare systems like this binary star pair offer a chance to probe the boundary between the two theories, and search for possible openings toward new physics that could reconcile them.
"We thought this system might be extreme enough to show a breakdown in general relativity, but instead, Einstein's predictions held up quite well," Paulo Freire, an astronomer at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Germany, said in a statement.
Space.com: Einstein's Gravity Theory Passes Toughest Test Yet, Clara Moskowitz
The two observed events from August 2011 (left panel) and January 2012 (right panel). Each sphere represents a DOM (digital optical module). Colors represent the arrival times of the photons where red indicates early and blue late times. The size of the spheres is a measure for the recorded number of photoelectrons. Credit: arXiv:1304.5356 [astro-ph.HE]
(Phys.org) —Researchers at the Antarctic research station IceCube are reporting that they've detected the highest ever energy neutrinos ever observed. In their paper they've uploaded to the preprint server arXiv, the team describes how in analyzing sensor data over the period 2010 to 2012 they found evidence of two neutrino induced events that were on an order of ten times the energy of any previous event.
Neutrinos are of particular importance to researchers because they have no charge and very little mass. This means they are free to travel through space without having their paths changed due to gravitational or magnetic forces, a trait that makes them very valuable for one day locating their source. The two neutrinos recorded at IceCube (dubbed Bert and Ernie) are of particular relevance because the odds are very good that they came from the far reaches of space, rather than as a by-product of a collision between cosmic rays and Earth's atmosphere—the researchers give it a confidence level of 2.8 sigma—meaning that the two neutrinos are very likely the first detected from outside the solar system since 1987, when detectors recorded neutrinos believed to have come from a supernova in the Large Magellanic Cloud.
Phys.org: Researchers at IceCube detect record energy neutrinos
First Cause is is a contestant in the Authors Database Book Cover Contest in the Science Fiction & Fantasy category. Check it out and give it a rating :)
http://www.authorsdb.com/book-cover-awards/science-fiction-fantasy/first-cause-1182
Meet Francisca Okeke, Professor of Physics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She recently received the L’Oreal-UNESCO for Women in Science Award for her significant contributions to the understanding of daily variations of the ion currents in the upper atmosphere which may further our understanding of climate change. She was also the Dean in the faculty of Physical Sciences at her University, from 2008 to 2010.
Professor Okeke spoke with us about her background and inspiration, the cultural challenges she overcame in achieving success and how she uses her position to encourage and inspire young women scientists in Nigeria.
What challenges did you face, in particular, with regards to the stereotypes of women and the culture in your country, Nigeria, when you decided to get involved in science?
In the past, the core sciences such as physics were regarded as male domains where women were expected not to be seen but to be heard. People used to think that when you get into these core science subjects, like physics, the characteristics that are most worthily accepted for women in our society, including passivity, emotionality, intuition and receptivity would no longer be possessed by that woman. Therefore they fought against women trying to embark on studying these core subjects.
But, my own case was a little different; my father was an old graduate of mathematics who was my mentor, so I did not face that in my family because he was supportive of everything about science. Not only did he encourage me, he was my mentor. He planted and watered the seed of my academic excellence which we are celebrating today. He laboured and inspired my love for science in general, and mathematics in particular. That love for mathematics later metamorphosed into a special love for physics.
"To a father growing old, nothing is dearer than a daughter." Euripides
Just released my second book on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com It is the sequel to The MisEducation of a Minor. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CKF7E0M Woot Wooty
Professor Edmund Zingu served on the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP) Council from 1999 to 2006, and was President of the SAIP from 2003 to 2004. He was in fact the first black President in the history of the SAIP[1].
He played crucial leadership roles in many projects, particularly in physics related development issues. He was Vice President of the IUPAP, and Chair of the C13 Commission on Physics for Development. He was primarily responsible for bringing to South Africa the iconic ‘Physics for Sustainable Development’ conference in 2005[2] as a part of the International Year of Physics. This conference cast a distinct spotlight on physics as an instrument for development in Africa.
We would like to specifically mention his tremendous contribution to two extremely important projects of the Institute. The first was the highly successful Shaping the Future of Physics, where he contributed to the design of the project and also served as chair of the Management and Policy Committee that oversaw the international review in 2003.
Professor Zingu began his physics career at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). He was a materials physicist, and with his collaborators at Cornell University invented a new method to study atomic diffusion by transmission electron microscopy[4]. Later he studied diffusion phase transitions in thin films due to induced thermal stress[5]. He had a period of employment at Turfloop, QwaQwa Campus, then as Head of the Physics Department and later Dean of Basic Sciences (1990-1993) at MEDUNSA. He later returned to UWC and served as Head of the Physics Department (1994-1998), and finally Vice Rector of Mangosuthu University of Technology in Umlazi, Durban until the time of his retirement.
Edmund was a pioneer for physics in post-apartheid South Africa, a visionary, a tireless campaigner for strengthening the discipline of physics* and, above all, a true gentleman. His leadership and contributions were characterized by sensitivity, perceptiveness, vision, ethics, wisdom, global standards and great industry. He will be sorely missed.
NSBP Multi Briefs: Professor Edmund Zingu
NSBP Vector: Professor Edmund Zingu
SAIP: Professor Edmund Zingu Passes On
Smashing White Dwarfs - Max Planck Institute |
97% of stars, including the Sun, will end their stellar lives as white dwarf stars. White dwarf stars no longer undergo fusion in their cores, so they slowly cool off. This cooling rate, along with the present temperature of a white dwarf, can be used to determine the age when stars began to form in a region. Merging white dwarfs are believed to be the cause for type Ia supernovae, which are used as the basis for most of our cosmology.
There are a number of different types of white dwarfs, identified and classified based on spectral characteristics. These characteristics also give some clues as to the progenitors of white dwarfs. For example, “DA” refers to a white dwarf with hydrogen lines. DBs have helium lines. DCs have no obvious lines (the C stands for continuum). DQs have carbon lines. DZs have metal lines and no hydrogen or helium. Additionally, astronomers will add a V at the end if the white dwarf is pulsating. The paper today presents data on a new DQV, a variable, carbon atmosphere white dwarf.
•Title: Photometric Variability in a Warm, Strongly Magnetic DQ White Dwarf, SDSS J103655.39+652252.2
•Authors: Williams, K.A., Winget, D.E., Montgomery, M.H. et al.
•First Author Institution: Texas A&M University – Commerce
Astrobites: A New Pulsating, Magnetic, Carbon Atmosphere White Dwarf
The PAnd0RA Ultimatum season finale' ends with 'Epilogue'. Many questions have arisen in the wake of the fiery end of the Transport DROMEDARY. Have the sinister forces completely undone Pandora and the crew? Was the unleashed technological nightmare destroyed before it could descend upon the Planet AIPOTU? Will the terrible weapon aboard the Attack Transport WHIPLASH be deployed thus condemning an entire star system? All these questions and more will be answered in the Fall of 2013 with the 2nd Season of 'THE PAND0RA ULTIMATUM!'
Not much to say about this one. It is currently in development and should be released soon and concerns a rehabbed serial killer who has his limits tested.