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Molecule Sorting Made Simple
Central to the method is an atomic force microscope (AFM) that performs nanoscale operations using a tiny cantilever with a cone-shaped tip at its end. When an electrical field is applied to the tip, molecules will slide up or down its surface at characteristic speeds. By modifying the tip's surface and varying the strength and duration of the electric field, different molecular species can be separated from each other within a few milliseconds, more than 1,000 times faster than today's methods. "Our initial tests used fragments of DNA - one with five base pairs, another with 16," said H. Kumar Wickramasinghe, IBM Fellow and co-developer of several different types of AFMs. "An electric field propelled these molecules down the 11.2-micron length of the AFM tip in 5 and 15 milliseconds, respectively. We controlled the passage of as few as 10 molecules, which indicates that this approach should be very useful for analyzing very small biological samples and in writing extremely small features"......... Posted by: Kevin Permalink Source Knock Code Technology will open your doorThe Israeli company E-lock has developed the first lock technology based on a Knock Code. This innovation is based on patented technology which uses a series of quick knocking sounds. The discrete mechanical knocks open the lock and are produced by a small device that can be carried by any authorized person. The device which opens the lock needs to touch the door (which can be made out of any material such as metal, wood, plastic or glass) to cause the lock mechanism to open. Since there is no keyhole or contact point on the door, this unique mechanism offers a significantly higher level of security then existing technology.The device which produces the knocking sounds, also known as a 'KnocKey', includes a small keypad for entering a personal code, only when the correct code had been entered the device will produce the knocking sounds. The device can either be carried by hand or be attached to the door externally (but is not connected directly to the lock mechanism in any way). Each 'KnocKey' can be used to open up to 100 different locks using different codes. This can be especially useful in offices with a number of restricted areas. The knock code is the combination of the time intervals between knocks produced by the 'KnocKey', and the knock code itself is encrypted and has billions of different combinations. Even more importantly, if an unauthorized person tries to record the knocking sequence and play it back in order to open the door, the lock will not open since the knocking sequence changes every time. Another advantage of the technology is that all 'KnocKeys' are the same, if the 'KnocKey' is lost or stolen, it is possible to simply buy another 'KnocKey' and enter your personal code. Both the 'KnocKey' and the lock consume fairly little energy and operate using Lithium ion batteries which can last a very long time......... Posted by: Kevin Permalink Source Rainbow of a Galaxy
NASA's Spitzer, Hubble, and Chandra space observatories teamed up to create this multi-wavelength, false-colored view of the M82 galaxy. The lively portrait celebrates Hubble's "sweet sixteen" birthday......... Posted by: Brooke Permalink Source Patients positively weigh in on liposuction
"Liposuction is one of the most satisfying procedures for patients and most effective at eliminating localized fat," said ASPS Spokesperson Jeffrey Kenkel, MD, co-author of study, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. "The majority of patients recognize their role in maintaining positive results and pursue a healthy diet and exercise. These patients typically maintain or lose weight after surgery, while those that do not may gain small amounts of weight. Ultimately, one's lifestyle can affect long term-results." As per the study, approximately 57 percent of patients reported no weight change after having liposuction - 46 percent of these patients actually reported a weight loss, losing an average of five to 10 pounds in less than six months. Forty-three percent of patients reported gaining weight, with the majority gaining between five and 10 pounds more than six months after surgery......... Posted by: Sean Permalink Source World Wind Add-on
NASA World Wind with my Observatories add-on data layer CREDIT: Stuart/NASA World Wind mentioned NASA World Wind in my prior post and said that it was possible to add data layers. I have been exploring the add-on possibilities and noticed that the. Telescopes add-on doesn't seem to be available at the moment. So, I have started to put together my own Observatory add-on with individual icons for each observatory and links to home pages. Below is a screenshot of Europe to show what it looks like so far......... Posted by: Brooke Permalink Source How To Attach Two Phone Wires To Make One
Steps. Cut the wires. Cut one plastic connecter (plug) off of each wire, you should used dykes or wire cutters, but if you don't have those a knife or scissors will do. It is important that you cut opposite sides off otherwise the you stand a 50/50 chance of screwing up step three. If you look at the connectors with the hook down you should see four wires in this order Black, Red, Green, Yellow from left to right and the other connector will have them in reverse order. Cut the connector with the wires in BRGY off the first wire then the connector with the YGRB off the second wire. (See diagram). Viewed with hooks facing down on all connectors. Cut the connector with the wires in BRGY off the first wire then the connector with the YGRB off the second wire. Strip the insulation back. Using a sharp knife or razor blade remove an inch of the outer plastic covering from the end you just cut. This should reveal four wires, strip 1/2" off of each of these individual wires. Property match the wires. If you cut the wires properly you should be able to match up the colors if you didn't just make sure the wire that is on the far left of one connector is on the far right on the other side of the wire. (See diagram)......... Posted by: Kevin Permalink Source No-Mow Grass May Be Coming Soon
Now, that vision of suburban bliss-and more-seems plausible as researchers have mapped a critical hormone signaling pathway that regulates the stature of plants. In addition to lawns that rarely require mowing, the finding could also enable the development of sturdier, more fruitful crop plants such as rice, wheat, soybeans, and corn. In a paper reported in the May 4, 2006, issue of the journal Nature, Howard Hughes Medical Institute researchers report they have deciphered the signaling pathway for a key class of steroid hormones that regulates growth and development in plants. "By manipulating the steroid pathway.....we think we can regulate plant stature and yield," said Joanne Chory, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, and the senior author of the new report. Manipulation of plant stature has been a longstanding goal in horticulture, agronomy, and forestry. The ability to precisely control plant size would have broad implications for everything from urban forestry to crop and garden plant development. Beyond perpetually short grass, trees could be made more compact for better growth in crowded cities, and berry bushes could be made taller for ease of harvesting......... Posted by: Jessica Permalink Source Sony KDE-W50A12U 50in plasma TV
The fond farewell option certainly seems more likely from the way the TV looks. It's truly a sight to behold with its sexy see-through glass strips to top and bottom, and bold blend of black and silver elsewhere. In fact, even though the set is already over 50in across, the design is so nice that we could happily have lived with even more of it! This style-meister's connectivity is mostly good, with one big disappointment. The good stuff includes HDMI and component sockets for digital and analogue HD sources respectively, three SCARTs (all of which, superbly, can take top-quality RGB signals), and a slot via which you can add subscription services to the set's built in digital tuner. The bad news is that there's no sign of any PC connectivity, shattering our dreams of playing World of Warcraft on a 50in scale. This really does seem a bit of an oversight on what is, after all, one of the costliest 50in plasma TVs in town. As you'd expect of a big flat panel TV costing in the region of £4k, the W50A12U is fully HD Ready, with its native pixel resolution coming in at 1,366 x 768. It can also handle the key HD format duo of 720p and 1080i, though 1080p is not an option......... Posted by: Kevin Permalink Source The Singing Keyboard Prank
Concept. Take the musical element from a musical greeting card and connect it to the caps lock LED on the user's keyboard. Each time the victim presses caps lock the music plays (and quite loud too). This is a great sleeping prank.....It might be found on the first day, or weeks from implementation. It's the perfect prank. Why Caps? True, most people don't use caps lock very often, if ever, but unfortunately not a number of other keys are linked to an LED. Also most keys are only pressed momentarily, which would require a solid-state bounceless switch; which I had trouble getting to work. The num lock LED turns on and off several times during boot time, so that's out and only leaves the caps lock as a viable solution. Disclaimer. If you decide to do this prank understand that it could be a career-limiting move if you do it to your boss and/or somebody without a sense of humor. I would also recommend to first experiment with a dummy keyboard that you don't mind destroying. I will not be held responsible for your problems. ;o)......... Posted by: Kevin Permalink Source Touchless Trashcan
Welcome to the 21st Century! Once you tried the Touchless Trashcan, you will never go back to the traditional or step-on trash can again. After all, it's your most use appliance everyday, make it easier! Touchless TrashcanTM is a patented new product widely recognized in Europe. And it has just been introduced to North America. Sold thousands on infomercial, QVC and HSN home shopping channels. It won the 2002 Invention Show - New Household Product Award. It is a 100% hands-free operated, wireless, lidded waste disposal system. The built-in Artificial Intelligent (AI) Smart-Chip knows when you need to open trash can, and do all the openings and closings for you without touching or step-on anything. How it works? The Touchless Trashcan uses patented invisible harmless infrared technology. Place hand or debris about 6 inches away from the infrared sensor near the lid. It will open instantly when you approach and will close automatically in 3-second after debris has been released and hand moves away. Lid will remain open if debris or hand is within 6 inches range of the infrared sensor. There are 2 buttons on the front to open and close the lid manually and an on/off switch on the back of the trashcan......... Posted by: Kevin Permalink Source |
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The KnocKey device can open up to 100 different locks| Net World Directory: Navigation |