Technology Advances

Seiman's Award (12.17.10)

Every year there is a competition where high school students can enter innovations that they have created for a chance to win $100,000.  This is a competition where great minds come together.  This year, the winners were two junior boys who worked together to create a voice-recognition algorithm.  This algorithm allows computers to "hear" the voice of a speaker and interpret the emotion being portrayed.  It utilizes frequencies and previously defined voice clips in order to determine what emotion the speaker is feeling.  It is currently very accurate in deciphering happy and sad, but still struggles when emotions like fear and anger are added into the mix.  The pair has big plans for this new technology.  One use they have in mind is at call centers, where extremely upset customers can be identified and sent to a real person more efficiently.  Additionally, they have plans to make a watch for autistic children.  In their minds, these watches will read what the speaker is portraying and display a face on the screen that will match the emotion.  The inspiration from the two boys came from the movie iRobot, where a robot identifies fear in its user and acts to protect the person.  The two students that can be credited with this amazing innovation are Matthew Fernandez and Akash Krishnan. 

Information from: http://www.npr.org/2010/12/08/131913220/Team-Wins-Siemens-Prize-For-Speech-Analyzer

Nanotechnology!!! IBM Nanophotonic Chip (12.8.10)

The world of nanotechnology is totally cool!!!  Obviously over the past few decades there has been an enormous jump in the world of computer technology, hence the need for a project on the race for technology.  IBM has made a great deal of jumps in the world of technology, and this is yet another great move forward.  The idea of connection through light has been tossed around some, but IBM has revealed a gel-silicon chip that uses light to send signals.  Although the technology to implement this new innovation is lagging in production, it is soon to come.  The great thing about this technology jump is that it is pressing for more to come.  It is challenging innovators to keep up, which is huge in the race for technology.  Because, no matter how much of a competition it is, the race for technology is all about working together and different countries pushing one another to find the next big thing.  In the end, everyone benefits.  These chips in particular are expected to begin shipping next year, and will very much increase the speed of computers for the future. 

Information from: http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-12/ibm-unveils-nanophotonic-chips-could-lead-exascale-computing-revolution

Clean Energy Race (10.22.10)

My senior project is really based around the question "How can society keep up with the growing world of technology?"  My research question is "What is the United States' position in the global technology race and how can today's youth be prepared to help boost our position in the near future?"  Since my research paper is due November first, it just might be time to get on the researching of this question.

I decided to look at the clean energy race and got some interesting information.  Although America has been leading in this race for quite some time, China is quickly catching up, and has the potential to surpass us in the near future.  China has declared itself the leader of clean energy in the world.  It put laws on the coal plants that state they install technology that will prevent sulfur dioxide from going into the atmosphere.  China has taken other measures to make sure they remain ahead in the race, making other countries look to them for help.  Now this is taking money away from the U.S, putting us even more in debt.  The U.S. is trying very hard to keep up, but judging by the rate of acceleration in China, they will soon surpass us. 

Despite the economic deficit we are facing, new jobs are also being made.  Chinese companies are coming to the US, supplying jobs for our citizens.  The real reason the US is falling behind is because we have not made it as far by means of clean energy.  We need to step our research up in order to keep up with the rest of the world.

Information from: http://washingtonindependent.com/100503/in-clean-energy-race-with-china-both-countries-come-out-ahead

Nanowire Skin!! (9.26.10)

Something that is really interesting to me is the whole world of prosthetics.  I recently found an article on new artificial skin technology while completing a project in my biology class.

The article is about new technology in artificial skin made out of nanowires.  Engineers from the University of California, Berkeley, have been working on finding a more realistic skin that can be used with prosthetics in order to make daily activities more normal for those who have lost limbs of any sort, especially hands.  This new skin is made of semiconductor nanowires, allowing for more sensitivity to touch.  The skin is the first to use inorganic single crystalline semiconductors.  They operate on low voltage because of their inorganic nature.  The single crystalline structure makes them very flexible.  These are two things that have not been achievable in the past. 

Also, the "printing" of this structure is much easier than it has been in the past.  It can be rubbed onto the desired surface as well as "printed" onto the material.  This new "e-skin" is highly sensitive, so it can pick up a glass or an egg without breaking it.  In order to live a normal life, these are all things that are very necessary.  It is durable and is almost as effective as human skin. 

Perhaps the best part of this new innovation is its call for more forward movement.  In order for the new skin to work, the technology that will connect the new feelings to the brain must develop.  The goal is that one day all of the technology will work together cohesively and the people who have lost their limbs will be able to live comfortably in normal daily life.

Information from: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100912151550.htm