Quantum Superconductors Locked In A Magnetic Field

October 20, 2011 at 8:53 am | Posted in Regular Feature, Science News | Leave a comment
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The Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) just concluded their annual conference yesterday. For Science Thursday I thought we would look at one of the (pardon the pun) cooler displays. A superconductive magnet, super cooled with liquid nitrogen, to create a locked magnetic field. It is a simple demonstration, but the real world practical uses could include anything from “Mag-Lev” trains (alá the television series Caprica) to potential uses in artificial gravity or inertial dampening.

Tel-Aviv University demos quantum superconductors locked in a magnetic field (www.quantumlevitation.com). For an explanation of the physics behind this demonstration, visit www.quantumlevitation.com/levitation/The_physics.html.

With the theme “Knowledge that Works: From Theory to Practice,” the 2011 ASTC Annual Conference featured more than 100 sessions, which highlighted how science centers and museums are putting new ideas to practical use to serve their communities. The conference was hosted by the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore, October 15-18.

by Revmacd For Roqoo Depot – Where Science Meets Science Fiction

Science Fiction’s Take on the Future of Computers: Visionaries and Imaginaries

October 20, 2011 at 8:41 am | Posted in Sci-Fi, Speculation | Leave a comment
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What happens when you put authors Kevin J. Anderson, Michael A. Stackpole, Greg Bear, Mike Resnick, Robert J. Sawyer, Dr. Gregory Benford, and Christopher Paolini in a room together and ask them to foretell the future of computing? Well you get an interesting outlook of a society with cyber tattooed people moving through the world like Force empowered Jedi. Kevin J. Anderson tackles the old observation that sci-fi writers can predict the future, or more correctly, influence it. By talking with each author, he gets their opinions on where the future is heading. Will we see true, autonomous A.I.? Could the internet develop a mind of its own? What kind of threats could a technologically dependent future hold? And will we become cyborgs?

It’s an intriguing article with some wild, but viable concepts. You can read it here.

Posted By: Skuldren for Roqoo Depot.

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