360 TB data storage legacy for the future generation

The picture doesn't make you any wiser about this thing here? Well that's because this a modeled section. The thing we are talking about here is a disk, built by researchers at University of Southampton. A glass disk to be precise. And like any of the CD's, DVD's to Blur Ray's you may have come across, this one here stores data as well. So what's so special about this?

Firstly, the storage space offered- a MASSIVE 360 TB (here, which is Tera Bytes FYI ) of storage space is what this disk offers. That's huge, to the point that you may not realize actually how huge it is. So let me help you a bit - 360 Tera Bytes, or 360,000,000,000,000 or 360 Trillion bytes of data, which is equal to space in 941,400 DVD's!!! In short, its real huge!!!Secondly, this storage is designed to last a lifetime, or to be precise, the lifetime, of the entire humanity. With a life of what is said to be 1 Million years, this disk is set to outlive the human race (which is incidentally facing quite a few survival issues lately). Thirdly, this storage is durable, to the extent that it is fine with anything below 1832 Fahrenheit.

So, massive memory space, monstrous life, superman-level durability.... and we have a perfect candidate for transferring our legacy to future generations (if any survive) or maybe some future , smarter species, or even more fantastically, maybe some extraterrestrial species, to find about the 'wonders  that human race was destined for, had not it been for a few blips here and there' . Frankly, i believe it to be a great idea , for the future species to know about the civilization currently existing, and laugh at our primitiveness, which is better than at least what species 1 million years from us left for us to know

Unbelievably real interactive 3D with motion parallax simulating display

The zSpace 3-D display implements motion parallax by tracking the user's head movements to achieve a new level of realism (Image: Infinite Z)

A new interactive 3-D display developed by Californian startup Infinite Z can track hand and eye movements in real time to let users manipulate virtual objects in three dimensions in a highly intuitive way. The zSpace display could bring a new level of realism to computer-aided design, virtual reality simulations, and even gaming.

This is a major upping of 3D viewing , as the current 3D screens only simulate binocular parallax, i.e the variation of an image seen from both eyes due to distance between them, and the consequent correction by our brain. Those screens did not simulate motion parallax though, the depth cue by which we get a different point of view whenever we move our head with respect to an object.

In this screen, Infinite Z have embedded infrared markers into the companion glasses , allowing position of head to be tracked, and adjustment of image to occur (remember the cool see through screen used by Ethen Hunt in MI4, using a IR camera to track the security gaurd's eyes ??) The result is when wearing the glasses, the viewer is presented with a much more intuitive experience in which virtual objects can be viewed from different perspectives as their point of view changes.



Along with the eyes, it also tracks motion of the stylus, to create a realistic 3D interation. This, as it is called, Virtual Holographic 3D technology , which currently costs a pretty pinching $3,995 , will surely revolutionize the fields of virtual reality, 3D viewing and gaming as its price decreases in the future.Though, if you're a software developer who would like to create software that works with the display, however, the good news is that you can get your hands on one for considerably less – just $1,500.

The video below from Infinite Z showcases the zSpace display technology.




Source: Infinite Z via Technology Review , Gizmag

Harvard researchers fold proteins with D-Wave quantum computer

Back in 2007, the canadian firm D-Wave had claimed to have created a commercially viable quantum computer, much to the skepticism of many.. But now, in an article co-authored by D-Wave and Harvard in the latest issue of Nature's Scientific Reports , they are proving their claims all right."The D-Wave computer found the ground-state conformation of six-amino acid lattice protein models. This is the first time a quantum device has been used to tackle optimization problems related to the natural sciences," said Harvard professor Alán Aspuru-Guzik, the lead author of the paper.
Leaving the precise and complex details aside, they were basically looking for lowest energy configuration, and thus the most stable configuration of folded proteins, a normal state of biologically existing proteins.[The quantum computer correctly solved 13 times out of 10,000 for four-amino-acid and six-amino-acid sequences under the Miyazawa-Jernigan model of lattice protein folding.]
The authors are optimistically hoping "the approach employed here can be extended to treat other problems in biophysics and statistical mechanics such as molecular recognition, protein design, and sequence alignment." And Google has adopted the system to train image recognition software.

D wave has been working on 512 qubit computers since 2011, but for the experiment 128 qubit ones were used, which aint fast as even some of the high end desktops currently available, but what's interesting is that the 512 qubit one is 1000 times faster than 128 qubit, and the projected 2048 ones are another 1000 times faster than 512 ones, as stated in an interview with NextBigFuture!! So that IS some speed to await for all right!!
:D

Top 10 concept vehicles of 2012

Techno World's pick of the sexiest, most advanced and most noteworthy concept cars of 2012

Doomsday has passed without a gasp, so it looks like humanity still has a future. If the concept cars we saw during the past year are any indication, that future looks very bright. As we prepare to roll the calendars over to 2013, it's time to celebrate the finest concepts that 2012 bestowed upon the world. From voluptuous supercars, to green fuel misers, to the downright abstract and outlandish, it was a big year for concepts and design studies.

Sexiest Roadster: Lamborghini Aventador J

If there was one concept car that simply exuded four-wheeled sex appeal from every vent and crevice, it was the Lamborghini Aventador J. Lamborghini took the already gorgeous Aventador, cut the roof and windshield clean off, and created a one-piece sculpture effect by seamlessly blending the body with the cockpit. It's no surprise that the Geneva-debuted one-off concept fetched more than $2.75 million from its lucky buyer.

Coolest Off-Roader: Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force

The Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force and its "hydro-tech converter" (even Mercedes put quotations around that piece of non-existent componentry) won't be showing up to dirt roads anytime soon, but in an age when every real SUV is getting watered down into a bloated station wagon – we're looking at you Nissan Pathfinder – it was nice to see an automaker thinking about a future for one of the few real off-roaders left. Like the G-Class, the hydrogen-fueled Ener-G-Force was designed to tackle any muddy road, rock garden or slick hill thrown under its tires. The vision also included some helpful equipment like a pull-out toolbox and terrain scanner.

Most Radical Supercar Design: Peugeot Onyx

Given the sheer number of cars purporting to be "super" these days, it's not easy to design a car that truly is. Many supercar concepts look like old, tired designs dressed up with new badges and vents. So it was quite exciting when Peugeot gave the Paris Motor Show crowd a concept supercar that resembled no other. It started with a distinct face and body and brought the concept to superlative levels with copper wings and doors and matte-black carbon fiber bodywork. The functional artistry on the body was almost enough to make folks forget about the 600-hp V8 hybrid powertrain waiting to spin the wheels. As if the Onyx car needed any help, Peugeot designed a matching three-wheel scooter and a bicycle to go with it.

Coolest Concept That Will Never See Production: Volkswagen Hover Car

As much as the idea of a hover car brings out the little kid in us, we don't see the Volkswagen Hover Car hitting production in the near (or distant) future. The two-person flotation pod was the result of Volkswagen's People's Car crowd-sourcing project. The Hover Car may not be part of Volkswagen's 2014 line, but we commend the public for not just getting outside the box, but for shredding all evidence that such a box exists.

Coolest Concept Likely to See Production: Lexus LF-LC

Lexus debuted the LF-LC at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show with the strictest conceptual intentions. A positive reaction from Detroit visitors led the company to begin considering production. Reports about production plans have persisted since last winter, and a car based on the LF-LC could potentially transition into the role of a flashy sports flagship now that the last LFA has rolled off the assembly lines. Behind its sharp styling, the LF-LC concept housed a 500-hp Advanced Hybrid Drive System.

Best Conceptual Revival: Jeep Mighty FC

Jeep has been flirting with the idea of a bringing back a pick-up model for years, and the Mighty FC may have been the baddest conceptualization yet. Channeling Jeep's Willys heritage, the Mighty FC concept combined a 2012 Wrangler Rubicon cab with a full-sized cargo box. It may look less maneuverable than the average Wrangler, but Jeep showed video evidence that it was nimble enough to master some of the scorched-slickrock rambles of Moab, Utah.

EV We Most Want to be Seen in: Morgan Plus E

Modern day auto shows are filled with fanciful electric and green concepts, many of which are designed to appear futuristic. Sometimes they pull it off, and sometimes they fail. The Morgan Motor Company didn't take that chance. As it likes to do, Morgan went the opposite direction in terms of styling, sliding an electric powertrain into a retro-styled car that Dick Tracy could have emerged from. In addition to can't-miss looks, the Plus E had a rare combination of electric motor and five-speed manual transmission. Morgan showed it at the Geneva Motor Show to gauge public reaction.

EV We Most Want to Drive: Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG with electric drive claimed an early stake as king of electric supercars this year. The car's four motors put out 740 hp, which led Mercedes to declare it the "world's most powerful electric super sports car" (though the Rimac would certainly take issue with that point). Mercedes says those bolting ponies are enough to power the car to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.9 seconds and onward to a 155 mph (250 km/h) top speed. The AMG will hit the market late next year €416,500 (about US$550,000).

Best Production Car Turned Racer: Bentley Continental GT3 Concept Racer

Bentley left motorsport racing back in 2003, when the Continental GT was but an infant. Now that the car is all grown up, Bentley is returning to racing with the Continental GT3. Based on the Continental GT Speed, the GT3 will make its racing debut next year. Bentley is still developing the race car and has yet to announce the specs.

Hottest Concept We'll See Next Year: McLaren P1

It's almost not fair to put the McLaren P1 on a list like this. We've waited for the return of a flagship McLaren for so long, we would have been impressed with just about anything it rolled out. But, despite the difficulty of recapturing legend, the F1's successor managed to exceed all expectations. A truly unique and stunning design, the P1 looked like nothing we've ever seen. Every component and aerodynamic feature threw down a gauntlet at the world's most elite supercars, saying, "Think you can take me? 2013: Let's do it." McLaren has yet to reveal what "it" the P1 can do, but we know it will rattle track-side stands when it launches next year.

Honorable mentions

BMW Zagato

With so many incredible concepts to choose from, we ran out of spaces before we got to the BMW Zagato. Plus, we thought that including a "Best Combination of German Engineering and Italian Styling" category might have tipped the scales too far in favor of this car. First revealed as a coupe at Lake Como, the Zagato showed up to Pebble Beach without its roof.

Odorico Pordenone

Our focus was on vehicles that drive (at least theoretically), but if we included vehicles that get towed behind others, the Odorico Pordenonewould have made the cut. One of the most stylish mobile living quarters we saw in 2012, the concept camper used two hard-sided wings to commute nimbly in traffic and expand into a large, stable living space.

Magna Steyr MILA Coupic

The MILA Coupic concept, debuted at the Geneva Motor Show, was far from the prettiest concept we saw this year, and it seems unlikely it will show up to market in its specific form. However, we like the flexibility and utility of the 3-in-1 concept and see it as a useful solution for drivers that want the efficiency and fun of a small convertible with the space of a larger car or truck.

Infiniti Emerg-E

We stacked our list with green supercars like the Peugeot Onyx and Mercedes E-Drive, so the slot where the Emerg-E would have gone was already filled. Still, this 402-hp range-extender developed with the help of Lotus gets a nod for its combination of style, performance and hybrid power. It's also been the subject of production rumors, so maybe we'll see it again in 2013.

Have we missed something? Choosing from the array of concept cars we've encountered over the past 12 months has been no easy task and we'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter. Have your say in the comments section below.

SOurce : Gizmag

Vector-based video could mean no more pixels

A newly-developed codec could make pixels obsolete within five years, according to its creators

Unlike traditional bitmap graphics, which are made up of an array of pixels, vector graphics consist of lines, curves and shapes that are based on geometric formulas. Not only do they take up far less memory than bitmaps, but sections of them can also be enlarged without any loss of resolution. Currently, however, vector graphics aren’t well-suited to photorealistic applications, such as video. That may be about to change, though, as researchers from the UK’s University of Bath have developed a new program that is said to overcome such limitations – the scientists believe that the technology could make pixels obsolete within five years.

The main problem with vector graphics is that they tend to be made up of sharply-defined areas of solid color, lacking the subtle transitions between those areas that are seen in bitmaps. As a result, the graphics are good for things like posters and animation, but tend to look a little cartoon-like.

The new codec (a program that encodes or decodes a digital video stream) is reportedly capable of filling in the boundaries between the elements in vector images. No details have been released regarding how the process works. The result, however, is moving vector-based video that is said to be equal in quality to bitmap video.

“This is a significant breakthrough which will revolutionize the way visual media is produced,” said Prof. Phil Willis, of the university’s Department of Computer Science.

The codec was developed in partnership with tech firms Root6 Technology, Smoke & Mirrors and Ovation Data Services. Commercial partners are now being sought to develop the technology further.

Samples of the vector-based video can be seen at the UBath link below.

Source: University of Bath via PopSci , Gizmag

RSLSteeper launches third version of its bebionic myoelectric hand

 

Nigel Ackland could be mistaken for a cyborg. He has a high-tech robotic hand that looks like it started life as a Formula 1 car and its movements are alarmingly lifelike. It’s called the “bebonic3” and is the latest version of bebonic series of artificial hands produced by RSLSteeper of Leeds, U.K. The myoelectric hand has been under development for a couple of years now, but the bebonic3 is moving prosthetic limbs from Captain Hook to Luke Skywalker territory.
Artificial hands have come a long way in recent years, but it turns out the human hand is amazingly complex. With about 29 bones, 34 muscles, 48 nerves and 123 ligaments to operate it, the hand is a piece of engineering that is still streets ahead of current technology.

Patient Nigel Ackland

While there have been a lot of advances over the past fifty years (as evidenced by the i-LIMB, ProDigits and SmartHand), many artificial hands are little more than powered hooks or pincers that often require a great deal of effort to work. Worse, patients are often caught between the choice of hands that look realistic, but don’t do much, or ones that are functional, but look like something worn by a Bond villain.
The bebionic3 is designed to not only look human, but also to provide the wearer with a large degree of natural movement. Being myoelectric means that the hand is controlled by electrical impulses from the patient’s remaining forearm muscles rather than by wires and harnesses. This makes the hand less tiring to use, though it also makes it heavier and dependent on batteries.

The bebionic3 hand's silicone glove

Each finger is controlled by an individual motor controlled by microprocessors that allow the wearer to operate 14 “grip patterns” and hand positions. The hand can automatically adjust its grip to match the task or if it senses that an object is slipping and the fingers fold away realistically when brushing against people or objects. The wrist joint also comes in a variety of forms to suit individual patient needs. This customization extends to the controlling software, which allows the bebionic3 to be wirelessly monitored and configured by a physician.
One possible drawback of the bebionic3 is that its appearance is a bit dramatic, but a realistic-looking silicone glove is available to slip over it. The glove comes in 19 lifelike shades and jet black for those who prefer to keep the cyborg look.

Available wrist configurations for the bebionic3 hand

Though the bebionic3 is impressive, there is still a long way to go. Using some grips require the patient to move the mechanical thumb manually into a new position and the hand still lacks a sense of touch or proper haptic feedback. Also, the price hasn't been made public, but it’s likely to at the premium end of the market.
The video below shows the bebionic3 in operation.
Source: bebionic3 via Dvice , Gizmag

Flying saucers, glass roadways, subterranean caverns: three visions of the Grand Central Station of 2112

The 'UFO' viewing platform of SOM's Grand Central Terminal of tomorrow (Image: © 2012 SOM/Crystal)


Three leading architects gathered last week at the third annual summit of The Municipal Art Society to present their visions for the dramatic redevelopment of New York's Grand Central Terminal. Foster + Partners, SOM and WXY each put forward ideas to renew Grand Central's grandeur, while also making it fit for purpose for the the hundreds of thousands of people that will use the station on any given day in the next hundred years. The three schemes offer strikingly different visions for the future of the terminal, though only one includes an enormous flying saucer.
The call for ideas comes at a time when the station is seeing ten times the number of passengers than was the case when it was built. "The result is acute overcrowding," Foster + Partners says, with the effect that "connections to the rail and subway lines beneath the concourse are inadequate; and the arrival and departure experience is poor. Added to that, the surrounding streets are choked with traffic and pedestrians are marginalised. The rapid growth of tall buildings in the vicinity has all but consumed the Terminal."

Foster + Partners' emphasis on public space (Image: Foster + Partners)(Image: Foster + Partners)

Though the approach of Foster + Partners is the most understated (and perhaps therefore the most practical), the company has gone into surprising detail as to methods by which overcrowding at the station can be eased. Among its proposals were widening the 42nd Street entrance to take in the entire width of the facade, the widening and partial pedestrianizing of underground access tunnels and public areas, the pedestrianization of surrounding above ground spaces including the creation of a new civic center outside the west entrance, replete with "trees, sculpture and street cafes."

WXY's tapered skyscraper (Image: WXY)

WXY's focus, according to company Founding Principal Claire Weisz, was to "make the Grand Central neighborhood a place people enjoy being in not just running through." Several of its proposals are on a similar theme to Foster + Partner's, namely, pedestrianizing and creating public spaces near to the terminal itself, though its vision additionally includes the creation of an elevated pedestrian and cycle way with a transparent floor. WXY's proposal did include one other small detail: the construction of an enormous, tapering skyscraper with cantilevered "sky gardens" hanging at choice irregular intervals from its faces like gigantic window boxes.

SOM's grand vision for the Grand Central Terminal of the future (Image: © 2012 SOM)

Most eye-catching of all, though, was the proposal from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, which apparently includes the construction of three skyscrapers, two of which stand directly to either side of the station. Suspended between them, SOM proposes a huge circular observation deck with a diameter greater than the width of the existing terminal building. Oh yes, and the observation deck is also an enormous elevator. It moves up and down. Judging from the "flying UFO" nickname that already appears to be emerging for the design, its certainly capturing people's imagination (though anyone aware of what UFO actually stands for will certainly object to the unnecessary use of the preceding adjective).
In fact, the "Halo" observation deck (to propose an alternative nickname) is only one of three interventions proposed by SOM. It too proposes the creation of pedestrianized spaces, "corridors," as SOM describes them, as well as a "condensing of the public realm" with the creation of civic spaces above and below the terminal. A cut-away view provided by SOM reveals cavernous expanses below the station, as well as airy spaces in the lower levels of the surrounding buildings.
The joke, if there is one, is that even the more modest aspects of the proposals are, viewed in isolation, very ambitious (especially if the station were to remain open through construction). Just how much audacity one likes in their urban planning proposals is, ultimately, subjective, and will depend very much on the worldview of the individual. Should the original terminal building remain the star of the show, or serve merely as a gateway to a dramatically expanded civic complex?
Sources: Foster + Partners, WXY, SOM