|
|
|
Capacitor: An Overview
Anybody in the field of electronics would doubtless be familiar
with a capacitor, but what exactly is it?
A capacitor is, simply, a gadget that is capable of storing
energy in an electric field between two conductors on which
equal but...
Excerpts from THE ENCHANTED SELF, A Positive Therapy
In my years as a psychologist, I have come to believe that most people seeking psychotherapy are unhappy not only because of earlier hurts and traumas, as well as present frustrations and problems, but because they cannot access earlier happy...
Globular Nature of Earth
The holy quran is the word of Allah . it is our way of worship up to the judgement day . this means that there is no contradiction between what it says and what the new scientific discovers say . however , quran must be understood properly so that...
Metaphors of the Mind
The brain (and, by implication, the mind) have been compared to the latest technological innovation in every generation. The computer metaphor is now in vogue. Computer hardware metaphors were replaced by software metaphors and, lately, by...
Putting Flower Essences on the Map.
Putting Flower Essences on the Map.
In this world of greater understanding that all things are
connected, the idea of sending healing, love and blessings is
not so impossible. We have science backing up metaphysics, such
as String Theory....
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nature's Calling
Throughout history mankind's progress has been charted and
referred to by his use of materials. Throughout the stone,
bronze iron and steel ages these materials made a major
contribution to mankind's development. But now in the 21st
century, we live in the age of materials. For technology to
advance further we need to improve all sorts of materials,
looking to nature for inspiration.
This exiting field of research is known by several names
Bionics, Biomimetics, or Biomimicry. Wikipedia define
Biomimetics as
".. the application of methods and systems found in nature to
the study and design of engineering systems and modern
technology. This technology transfer is desirable because
evolutionary pressure typically forces natural systems to become
highly optimized and efficient. A classical example is the
development of dirt- and water-repellent paint (coating) from
the observation that the surface of the lotus flower plant is
practically unsticky for anything (lotus effect). Examples of
bionics results in engineering include hulls of boats imitating
the skin membrane of dolphins, sonar, radar, and medical
ultrasound imaging imitating echolocation of bats."
Biomimetics has also been one of the most significant forms of
inspiration for 21st century experimental computer science.
Seeking Natures advice has lead to the conception and
development of cybernetics, artificial neurones, artificial
neural networks, and swarm intelligence. One field of
experimental computing has superseded nature by simulating
evolution, which has produced highly optimised solutions that
have not arisen in nature. This exiting field is known as
evolutionary computing (Who'd have guessed that one?).
There are countless
inventions already created through the
biomimetic approach. Perhaps the most famous of these was
created by Swiss engineer George De Mestral in 1948, who after a
walk one day, was cleaning his dog of burrs and suddenly
realised how they worked, and shortly afterwards created Velcro.
As computing experts and microprocessor designers are rapidly
reaching the limits of what can be done with silicone, the need
for natural solutions such as those based on the human brain
(neural networks) or those that use DNA to store and process
data (DNA computing) becomes ever more important.
The significance of Biomimetics is perhaps said best in the
following quote:
"Nature has been conducting evolutionary experiments for
millions of years, so if we're lucky enough to find something
close to what we require in nature, then it's very likely to
have been highly optimised, and we're unlikely to do much
better." -Greg Parker
Personally, I feel that this something that we should all bear
in mind, one flash of inspiration from nature could benefit all
of mankind forever. Anyway if reading this has sparked your
interest in Biomimetics be sure to check out the following pages:
http://www.biomimicry.net/case_studies_materials.html
http://www.biomimicry.net/case_studies_processes.html
http://www.bath.ac.uk/mech-eng/biomimetics/about.html
About the author:
The Disgruntled Wogbeast is a dark and cynical creature that
lives in the bowels of the earth somewhere beneath a country
called Wales in the UK. Please check out the link below to the
DWB's only line of communication to the outside world.
the
Disgruntled Wogbeast
|
|
|
|
|
| Science/AAAS | Scientific research, news and career information |
| International weekly science journal, published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). |
| www.sciencemag.org |
|
| Science/AAAS | Table of Contents: 1 December 2006; 314 (5804) |
| This Week in Science: Editor summaries of this week's papers. Science 1 December 2006: 1349. ... 2006 American Association for the Advancement of Science. ... |
| www.sciencemag.org |
|
| Science.gov : FirstGov for Science - Government Science Portal |
| Science.gov is a gateway to government science information provided by US Government science agencies, including research and development results. |
| www.science.gov |
|
| ScienceDaily: Your source for the latest research news and science ... |
| ScienceDaily -- the Internet's premier online science magazine and science news web site -- brings you the latest discoveries in science, health & medicine, ... |
| www.sciencedaily.com |
|
| Science News - New York Times |
| Find breaking news, science news & multimedia on biology, space, the environment, health, NASA, weather, drugs, heart disease, cancer, AIDS, mental health ... |
| www.nytimes.com |
|
| Science News Online |
| Weekly magazine offers featured articles from the current issue along with special online-only features. Includes photo collection, archives, ... |
| www.sciencenews.org |
|
| Science in the Yahoo! Directory |
| Explore the fields of astronomy, biology, geology, mathematics, and physics and all of their related disciplines with resources designed for professionals, ... |
| dir.yahoo.com |
|
| Open Directory - Science |
| Agriculture (2454); Anomalies and Alternative Science (525); Astronomy (4208); Biology (20593); Chemistry (4852); Computer Science@ (2358) ... |
| dmoz.org |
|
| BBC - Science & Nature |
| The best of BBC Science and Nature, from TV and radio, to the web and beyond. Take a tour from the smallest atoms, to the largest whales and the most ... |
| www.bbc.co.uk |
|
| Science - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
| Sciences versus Science: the plural of the term is often used but is difficult to ... Science education is also a very vibrant field of study and research. ... |
| en.wikipedia.org |
|
| Popular Science |
| Monthly magazine about current science and technology. |
| www.popsci.com |
|
| Science/AAAS | ScienceNOW: The Latest News Headlines from the ... |
| AAAS web magazine. Some free sample stories, subscription required for full text. |
| sciencenow.sciencemag.org |
|
| ScienceCareers.org | Science Jobs, Funding, Meetings, and Advice ... |
| Searchable database of jobs, sorted by field specialty. Can post resume and curriculum vitae. Includes tips for improving the workplace for employers and ... |
| sciencecareers.sciencemag.org |
|
| American Association for the Advancement of Science |
| Research news, issue papers. Educational programs, science policy (US and international). |
| www.aaas.org |
|
| NASA - Science@NASA |
| News and features about NASA research, aimed at the general public. Includes sections on astronomy, space science, beyond rocketry, living in space, ... |
| science.nasa.gov |
|
| Science NetLinks: Resources for Teaching Science |
| Resources for K-12 science educators. |
| www.sciencenetlinks.com |
|
| Cool Science for Curious Kids |
| Fun and interactive site to help kids appreciate science. Why are snakes like lizards, and monkeys like moose? Find out here. |
| www.hhmi.org |
|
| Welcome to the Science Museum |
| London museum and library of science. Exhibitions cover all areas of science and technology. Includes online exhibits and a learning area. |
| www.sciencemuseum.org.uk |
|
| New Scientist - International News, Ideas, Innovation |
| Weekly science and technology news magazine, considered by some to be the world's best, with diverse subject matter. Articles from current issue and ... |
| www.newscientist.com |
|
| CNN.com - Science and Space |
| Offers news stories related environmental issues, archeology, astronomy, technology, geology and other science topics. |
| www.cnn.com |
|
|