2014 | TechieTonics

10 Photographs of NASA’s Abandoned Launch Sites: Space Program’s Forgotten History

November 23, 2014 Pooja Kashyap

Mr. Miller a passionate photographer journeyed across the US for a project, which required capturing stills from the abandoned NASA sites. He explored nearly 16 space launch sites including research facilities in Virginia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Kansas, Utah, New Mexico, and California. We are indebted to Mr. Miller’s effort because of which we were able to see the photographs of various space program’s forgotten history. Many of these sites have been demolished or repurposed especially the facilities at Cape Canaveral. Since the sites are still under the jurisdiction…

Chevy transfers the Chaparral 2X Vision Gran Turismo concept to the Physical World: Future of Racing Cars

November 21, 2014 Pooja Kashyap

Nissan rolled out the imaginary concept of Gran Turismo 6 beast from the virtual arena into the real world around June 2014. Now it seems, Chevrolet too is trying to move in the same direction. Lately, at the LA International Auto Show, Chevy came out with its Chaparral 2X Vision Gran Turismo (VGT).

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

November 21, 2014February 16, 2021 Pooja Kashyap

Thinking, Fast and Slow is a masterpiece written by the Nobel Laureate, Daniel Kahneman; in here, he is targeting human irrationality. He starts with the book by naming the two parts of a brain as System I and System II, where System I, is the ‘intuition part’, which operates automatically most of the times and is without logic; while System II denotes effortful mental activity, involving logics. It is because of the System I that humans suffer from cognitive biases or the unconscious errors that leads one to jump onto…

The Autonomous K5: A Bot for Predicting and Preventing Crime

November 20, 2014 Neha Shukla

Silicon Valley, the renowned center for invention and development, is always in news. Lately, Microsoft’s robo cop has been creating waves in the tech ocean of the Valley. Start-up, Knightscope has named its security robot K5. Makers of the robot using high tech robotics, predictive analytics and social engagement, wanted to use the bot in predicting and preventing crime. Till now, the company has designed seven robots and envisions positioning four more by the end of this year.

Nanoreactor developed for Discovering New Chemical Reactions: Virtual Chemistry Set

November 18, 2014November 18, 2014 Pooja Kashyap

In order to replicate ecosystem and chemical origin of life, Stanley Miller, under the supervision of Harold Urey, performed the breakthrough Urey-Miller experiment in 1952. The experiment initiated more than 20 major molecules that form the integral part of life. A team of researchers at Stanford believes that they can do one-step better.

Supplements do not Enhance an Individual’s Cognitive Performance: Balanced Diet is the Key

November 18, 2014November 18, 2014 Neha Shukla

For long, B group vitamins, especially B6, B12 and folic acid has been considered playing a pivotal role in keeping the human’s brain healthy. They are known to boost memory and avert risk of disease such as Alzheimer’s disease. Because of these benefits, the vitamin B has become a part of a healthy diet.

Robots would now Learn to Fall from Cats and Divers: Biomimicry

November 17, 2014 Pooja Kashyap

It’s not just the design but the falling mechanics too are being studied for implementation by researchers in biomimicry. In an attempt to develop natural reflexes in robots, scientists at the US are studying the techniques through which cats and athletes twist their body mid-air without being injured at the landing. By recreating the similar reflexes in droids, researchers aim to cut down the probability of robots crashing especially during hazardous missions like search-and-rescue operations.

Images from Rosetta’s lander Philae: Welcome to a Comet

November 13, 2014November 13, 2014 Pooja Kashyap

Philae, the European Space Agency (ESA) lander made the historic touchdown on comet 67P/ Churyumov-Gerasimenko although it lacked to latch on properly yet the position is said to be stable relatively. The agency has been able to get hold of its first image.

Internet Satellite Swarm: SpaceX to develop fleet of Micro-Satellites

November 12, 2014November 12, 2014 Pooja Kashyap

After creating a dent in the world of automobiles and aerospace by giving affordable electric cars and rockets, Silicon Valley entrepreneur Elon Musk is moving towards delivering cheap Internet across the globe. This time, Mr. Musk is collaborating with Greg Wyler, founder of WorldVu Satellites Ltd., which happens to control a huge chunk of radio spectrum. Wyler has been working with Google Inc. but 2 months back he had left the tech giant and currently, he has been working with Elon Musk and SpaceX.

Brain-Inspired Neuromorphic Chip: Machine starts Thinking

November 12, 2014November 11, 2014 Pooja Kashyap

Human brain mechanics has always been one of the most fascinating subjects for neuroscientists all across the globe. Many simulators and robots have been designed by mimicking neurons and synapses, yet the efficiency of brain has not yet thoroughly touched upon so far.

Phones to borrow Bandwidth from nearby Gizmos: Device-to-Device Networking

November 11, 2014November 11, 2014 Pooja Kashyap

By the beginning of 2015, 21Vianet, China’s largest internet provider, is looking forward to launch a cellular phone network that aims to offer downloads at relatively faster rate.

Biomimicry: Cyborg Cockroach would be the New Rescuers

November 10, 2014November 10, 2014 Neha Shukla

Cockroaches are one organism that is disliked by a majority of people but these creepy looking creatures is soon going to help in tracing humans trapped in disaster sites. Similar to penny sized micro robots, these tiny roaches can make its way through the extremely small spaces where others like dogs, camera or robots might not reach thus making rescue operation slow and risking lives of people.

Heart Disease starts from Stomach: Red Meat hardens the Arteries

November 5, 2014November 5, 2014 Neha Shukla

Though red meat is one of the richest source of a powerful antioxidant called, lipoic acid, apart from harboring other essentials like iron, creatine, minerals and vitamins, findings from various studies suggest that red meat consumption is linked to significant health risks such as an increased chance of developing cardiovascular disease and even bowel cancer.

Recycling Wood, Crop Waste into Valuable Chemicals: Renewable Biomass Material

November 4, 2014 Neha Shukla

Everyone realizes the importance of recycling potential wastes into useful products. This recycling process helps in reducing the requirement for raw materials, minimizing energy usage, curb water and air pollution, thus reducing greenhouse gas emission. Experts around the world are trying ceaselessly to look for new and innovative techniques to recycle wastes. In one such attempt, researchers have found an innovative method to recycle lignin, which is a biomass waste, into certain chemicals that can be put to use in other applications. Recycling Lignin Lignin is the complex material responsible…

Confession of a Buddhist Atheist by Stephen Batchelor

November 2, 2014February 16, 2021 Pooja Kashyap

Confession of a Buddhist Atheist is beautifully woven and presented by Stephen Batchelor in form of a written collage, as he himself mentions at the end of the book. Although the book is in narrative mode yet no where we found it a story presented by the writer in fact, while I was into the book, I felt as if Stephen is talking to me and describing the sequence of his life’s events which led him towards Buddhism and finally his discovery of motif in life.