The Design Technology Blog

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  • Cellular Phone Impact On Humans

    Cellular phones or mobile phones are used today for long periods of time, often with people unaware of the degree and impact mobile phone radiation has. Reports from various sources achieve different conclusions about damage to human health; some stating that no conclusive evidence is available while others establish a direct correlation between brain tumors and health conditions to extended exposure to mobile phone radiation. However, these are the facts about cellular phone radiation.

    Cellular phones use radiowaves, wavelengths on the longer end of the electromagnetic spectrum, in the band of about 800 to 900 MHz (megahertz, [frequency]). Unfortunately, the human body is known to absorb the output radiation produced by cell phones in a measurement known as the  Specific Absorption Rate (SAR). The SAR measures the amount of energy absorbed by the body from handset radiation. The energy absorbed by the body decreases  with increases in distance as radiation is dissipated into the environment. The United States government regulates the maximum legal SAR for a handset to be 1.6 watts per kilogram. In the European Union, the maximum SAR is 2.0 watts per kilogram. The Unites States government measurement of SAR involves only testing the absorption of energy from talking on the phone and does not compensate the SAR for other radios waves from such sources as wifi, bluetooth, etc. These add to increased energy output in from the radiowaves. In addition, smart phones in particular produce increased amounts of radiation due to their internal components.

    Data exists that directly proves that exposure to radiation causes harm to cells, especially over long periods of time, in greater doses. Mutations, cancer, and even brain tumors have been a result of exposure to radiation with a more adverse or a quicker effect occurring at greater amounts of exposure.

    It is important to remember that modern day phones generally produce less radiation than those of the late 1980s and that steps are being taken to attempt to lessen hazards associated with cellular communication.

    Sources:

    http://reviews.cnet.com/cell-phone-radiation-levels/

    <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/101609/cell-phone>

    http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone1.htm

    http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/sar/

    http://en.kllproject.lv/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/cell-phone-radiation-spectru.gif

  • Processing

    CPUs or central processing units play a large role in the speed at which computers deal with information and give meaningful output. Today, the fastest running processor on the market is the Intel Core I7 Extreme Edition at 3.47 GHz. Giga Hertz (GHz) are used to measure the performance of a computer in terms of cycles per second. By comparison with past processors such the 486DX/2 66, the fastest desktop processor on the market in the late 1980s which ran at 33 MHz, and the fastest super computer of the late 1980s the Cray Y-MP C90, a modern day low end laptop out performs both at only a fraction of the price. Innovation allows the processing speed of computers to continue increasing while at the same time making faster processors cheaper. Every few years, a new high end processor hits the market that has a higher cycle rate than previous models.

    An interesting development in processors is the rate at which improvements are made. Computers are becoming faster at an increasing rate. The time between each improvement in computer speed is becoming increasingly less. Following data patterns from the 1980s, the difference in processing speed of a top quality desktop to a top quality super computer was about 1:30. Although now the difference is greater, using those trends it is  possible to predict that in 20 years desktop computers will also perform better than today’s fastest supercomputers made by IBM.

    Fastest Processor 2011 on the Market

    Fastest Super COmputer of the late 1980s

    Source:

    http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/classic-tech/the-80s-supercomputer-thats-sitting-in-your-lap/189

    “central processing unit (CPU).” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica, 2011. Web. 30 May. 2011. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/102611/central-processing-unit>.

    http://www.inetdaemon.com/tutorials/computers/hardware/cpu/

    http://www.howstuffworks.com/microprocessor.htm

  • Bitless Bridle

    Bitless Bridle

    The bitless bridle is a new form of bridle that has been around for a couple of years. It has been proven safer for the horse, and for the rider, and it provides good control of the horse and at the same time protects the horse from the entire problems associated with the bronze bit.

    The idea of the biltess bridle is that there is not bronze metal piece in the horse’s mouth in order to control it. This ensures that no pain or harm is done to the horse during the ride. This in turn makes the horse free to feel, and it make it listen more, and be willing to comply with what you need it to do. The biltess bride not only does it create a better moving horse, but it establishes a close relationship between the horse and rider, creating a relationship of trust, and love which is essential in the horse- rider relationship. The bridle also makes your horse less spooky, and willing to take

    A basic design of the bitless bridle with all the control parts

    more risks because nothing is bothering it in its mouth.

    The bitless bride ensures a pain free rein aid. The concept in controlling the horse under the bitless bridle is new and innovative, and it will ensure that he horse will comply with your demands.

    Steering: To steer your horse with the bitless bridle you simply open your hands towards the direction you would like the horse to move to. This will move the horse from the outside, and will ensure that it is not feeling any discomfort during the steering process

    Slowing and stopping: this is one of the best points of the bitless bridle, unlike the bit which causes a lot of pain to the horse especially when trying to stop it, with the bitless you simply pull slightly on both reins. This will create some pressure around the horse’s head, and it will automatically trigger the stopping and slowing action that is required from the horse.

    A prototype of the bitless bridle

    Problems solved by the bitless bridle:

    There is now a new and comforting relationship between the horse and rider

    No longer can the horse fit the bit under his tongue and ignore the rider’s actions.

    The horse will be willing to comply with the rider’s requests rather than have to abide by it.

    The rider will feel a better moving horse

    The rider will be able to take more risks and will have a much better advantage with a cooperating horse.

    Sources:

    http://www.bitlessbridle.com/cat/View+ProductsOrder.html

    http://www.bitlessbridle.com/

    http://www.nurturalhorse.com/

  • Environmentally Friendly Toilets

    A Swedish company is selling dry toilets to help countries where water or sewerage systems are a concern. These toilets work by keeping the urine and the solid waste separate and using the second to create manure for farms. So far, the company has sold about 2,000 dry toilets, but the demand is growing worldwide.

    These toilets work by keeping the urine and the solid waste separate and using the second to create manure for farms. So far, the company has sold about 2,000 dry toilets, but the demand is growing worldwide. Read more…

    Here are some short excerpts from the India News article.

    ‘Don’t mix, don’t flush, don’t waste’ is the slogan of a Swedish entrepreneur selling dry toilets – a revolutionary concept that not only saves water but also converts human waste into manure.

    Sven Ingvar-Nilsson, 77, has been successfully using the dry toilet design for the last 11 years at his massive farm on the outskirts of this small Swedish town. He says that the concept not only uses human waste but also saves a lot of water that is wasted every time you flush.

    The urine section is rinsed using approximately 0.1 litres of water each use. The urine is led to a tank where it is collected for further transport, preferable for spreading as fertilizer in garden or agriculture. Solids fall into a bin housed in an insulated container in which negative pressure is created by a fan and vent.

    The solid waste dries and thus bacteria and viruses are eliminated by a simple and reliable method. After a drying period of six months the solids can be composed, burned or dug down in the soil where it is quickly broken down. A standard bin (holding 80 litres) will need to be emptied every three months for normal family use.

  • Concentrated Solar Power

    Solar power has been around for a good amount of time now.  Solar panels are effective green sources of energy, but they don’t harness much power and they are very expensive.  The average house uses around 3.85 kw a day (http://www.solarpoweristhefuture.com/how-many-solar-panels-does-it-take-to-make-one-kilowatt.shtml) and you need around 5 panels to generate this power which cost around 280 dollars each according to (http://www.dmsolar.com/solar-module-1.html).  This may not seem too expensive, but if you consider powering thousands of houses through one solar plant then the space needed and the amount of panels needed increases.  With the increased panels comes an increased cost and it just isn’t practical considering the amount of power that comes from other sources of power.  However, concentrated sun power does require space, but cuts costs because it uses mirriors instead of a vast amount of panels to direct beams of sunlight to a central sun tower.  This slashes costs and utilizes the power of the sun more efficiently.

    CSP (Concentrated Solar Power) creates power from a steam turbine usually.  The directed sunlight is converted to heat energy which allows a heat engine to spin a steam turbine.  According to wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concentrated_solar_power) a typical concentrated solar plant can produce power at about $2.50-$4.00 per watt.  Therefore a typical plant producing around 250 megawatts costs around $600 million to $1 billion dollars to manufacture.  This for of power is a competitor for the transition from fossil fuel for multiple reasons.  One is that the power from the sun is free and unlimited if the plant is placed in strategic areas.  Another comparison that wikipedia mentions is that CSP plants can produce “12 to 18 cents per kilowatt-hour” which can be compared to a nuclear plant in Arizona which produce “1.65 cents per kilowatt-hour.”  The nuclear plant still more efficiently produces power, but the solar plant can be judged as a competitor in the green power category.  With continued advancement in CSP it could be possible to make them even more efficient and less expensive, but they are still much more valuable than the typical solar plant that doesn’t concentrate the sun’s power.

    Concentrated Solar power can be the wave of the future in the power industry.  All that need to be done is that it must become cheaper and more cost effect.  CSP is starting to pave the way to this much needed improvement to allow for the complete harnessing of the suns power and true renewable energy.

    Sources:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concentrated_solar_power

    http://www.dmsolar.com/solar-module-1.html

    http://www.solarpoweristhefuture.com/how-many-solar-panels-does-it-take-to-make-one-kilowatt.shtml

    Image soure: http://blog.hasslberger.com/img/concentrated-solar-power.jpg

  • Bass Guitars

    Summary

    The bass guitar, or electric bass or bass, is a stringed instrument that is primarily played with the fingers, thumbs, or using a pick. The thumb is used by plucking, slapping, popping, tapping, or thumping. The bass guitar has a similar design to that of the electric guitar. The bass has a longer neck and scale length (length of the strings). Also, basses can come with four, five, or six strings, the four-string bass being the most commonly used. The four string bass is tuned the same as the double bass. The bass is commonly used for keeping the beat of a song and is used in most styles of music.

    Design Consideration

    The body of a bass is usually made out of wood, but other materials including graphite have been used before. Many different types of wood may be used to make the body, neck, and fretboard of a bass. However, the most common type of wood used for the body of a bass is alder. For the neck, maple wood is commonly used and for the fretboard, rosewood is preferred. Mahogany, maple, ash, and poplar are other commonly used woods for the body of the bass. Mahogany for the neck is also used and maple or ebony for the fretboard.

    Handmade instruments by highly skilled luthiers (stringed instrument makers) are becoming more and more available. These lutheirs use exotic materials when making basses, such as the woods bubinga, wenge, ovangkol, ebony, and goncalo alves. Graphite composites are used to make lightweight necks, in some cases. Exotic woods are used in more expensive instruments. For example, Alembic (a bass and guitar making company) uses cocobolo as a body or top layer material because of its attractive grain. Warwick bass guitars are also known for having exotic hardwoods. Most of the necks are made of ovankol and the fingerboards are made of wenge or ebony. Solid bubinga bodies are used for tonal and aesthetic qualities.

    Strings

    The standard design for the bass guitar has four strings, tuned to E, A, D, and G. These are in fourths meaning that the open highest string, G, is an eleventh (an octave and a fourth) below middle C. This makes the tuning of all four strings the same as that of the double bass. Tuning is the same on the lower strings of a five or six stringed guitar.

    Strings types include all-metal strings and strings with different coverings. All-metal strings include roundwound, flatwound, halfwound, found wound, and pressure wound. Two examples of different string coverings include tapewound and plastic-coatings. This variety of materials used in strings allows bass players to have a range of tonal options. In the 1950s and early 1960s, the most commonly used string used by bassists was flatwound strings with a smooth surface. These strings had a smooth, damped sound similar to that of a double bass. In the late 1960s and 1970s, roundwound bass strings became popular, but flatwounds continued to stay popular as well. These roundwound strings were similar to those of guitar strings at the time. Comparing the two string types, roundwounds have a brighter timber (quality of a musical note) with greater sustain (amount of time it takes for the sound of the string to become silent) than that of flatwounds.

    The following is a video of a bass solo:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5omFFeLEXFE

  • Bugatti Veyron

    Bugatti Veyron

    Introduction to the Bugatti Veyron:

    The Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4 is a mid engined grand touring car. It is the most expensive modern car in the world at USD $2,600,000. The Super Sport version is the fastest road-legal car in the world, with a top speed of 431.07 km/h (267.85 mph). The original version has a top speed of 408.00 km/h (253.52 mph). Designed and developed by the German Volkswagen Group and produced by Bugatti Automobiles SAS at their headquarters in Château St. Jean in Molsheim (Alsace, France), the Veyron’s chief designer was Hartmut Warkuss, and the exterior was designed by Jozef Kabaň of Volkswagen, with much of the engineering work being conducted under the guidance of former Peterbilt engineer and now Bugatti Engineering chief Wolfgang Schreiber.

    Specifications and Statistics:

    • 1,200 metric horsepower engine output
    • Top speed:  431.072 km/h
    • It can break from max speed to rest in 10 seconds
    • It can reach top speed in 50 seconds
    • Also clocking 0-100 km/h in under 2.5 seconds
    • It takes on average 10 miles to the gallon
    • Only 291 have been delivered but more ordered
    • Customization has been offered since 2010
    • 4.462 m long
    • 2.710 m wheel base (distance from one wheel to the start of the other)
    • 1.998 m wide
    • 1.159 m tall
    • 1,888 kg heavy
    • 4 wheel drive
    • Transmission is a 7 speed DSG sequential
    • Bugatti has 10 radiators; 3 heat exchangers, 3 engine radiators, 1 for the AC, 1 transmission oil radiator, 1 differential oil radiator, 1 engine oil radiator.
    • At top speed it consumes 45,000 litres of air a minute (the equivalent to 5760 humans)
    • The Veyron’s brakes use cross drilled, radially vented carbon fibre reinforced silicon carbide composite discs, manufactured by SGL Carbon, which have a much greater resistance to brake fade

    Why is it a super car?

     All the above statistics makes this the ultimate car, as the combination of such a powerful engine, cleverly placed along with the finest new technology of radiators, transmission, brakes, tires, materials (such as aluminium and carbon fibre to minimize the weight), clutch, gearbox, spoiler and suspension systems, the car achieves an optimum performance and smooth drive. James May on the famous british Top Gear is quoted in saying that he “nearly got out the car but he realized it was still travelling at 100 km/h.”

    Aesthetics

    The catchy design for the Veyron is a major contributor to its popularity, because its paved the way for a futuristic design for further cars. The design of the Veyron honors a great heritage without drifting off into retro style. Every detail of the classic two-tone color scheme, a quote from the 1920s and 1930s, has been carefully thought out, resulting in the typical Bugatti profile with the classic, contrasting ellipsis – the stylistic element used by Ettore Bugatti himself. The “crest line”, which runs uninterrupted from the hood to the only 1.21-m-high roof, is a proud homage to the Veyron’s forebears. Thus, the Veyron’s classic paintwork and harmonious design connect this state-of-the-art super sports car to the glorious heritage of Bugatti automobiles. With its classic look, the large radiator grill – adorned with the hand-enameled Bugatti emblem – represents the grandness of the Veyron. The sports car’s distinctive front is defined by the harmonious contrast of its broad headlights and majestic grill. The rear end, 1.99 m wide, features the formidable retractable spoiler and generously designed fenders. The Veyron perfectly fulfills the main design objective governing the development of the new Bugatti: an uncompromising combination of highest elegance and state-of-the-art technology.

    Websites:

  • Factor 10 House, Chicago

    Factor 10 House Chicago

    The Factor 10 House, designed in 2003, gets its name from its philosophy. The designer, Marc L’Italien, claims that the structure consumes one-tenth of the environmental resources. In other words, it minimises the ecological footprint by a “factor of 10.”

    The designer had the following initial goals in mind:
    – The occupant’s health
    – Efficiency of the energy
    – Efficiency of the resources
    – Environmental responsibility
    – Affordability

    Primary four features include:

    – Size reduction
    – Improved efficiency
    – Extended life span
    – Impact reduction
    Using these four strategies, the F10 house is a long awaited solution to the issue of buildings. They consume 42% of all energy, 30% of all raw materials and create 40% of all air pollution. Factor 10 house not only reduces the environmental impact but also decrease living expenses.

    F10 House demonstrates to the general public that sustainable design doesn’t have to look any different than traditional housing. It also motivates surrounding neighbourhood citizens to make improvements to their own homes.
    (more…)

  • Glass

    Laminated  glass is a safe type of glass that manages to hold together when shattered. The material shatters but does not break due to the interlayer, typically PVB, between the sheets of glass. Laminated glass is what is used to make bullet proof glass. When shot at, the layer of PVB in between the sheets of glass holds them together.

    Toughened glass or tempered glass is useful when strength, thermal resistance and safetyare factors to consider. In the event of breaking, this material shatters into hundreds of fragments that are not particularly sharp. Toughened glass is physically and thermally stronger than regular glass. To create this strong glass the internal stresses are balanced.

    Combined Use

    Much thought has gone into the creation of car windows, no one every stops to think what type of glass is used in each one. The windshield of a car is made out of laminated glass for many reasons. Primarily it is made this way to limit breakage. When a stone flicks up at the window, due to the toughness of the material, it cracks instead of shattering. The side windows of a car are made out of toughened glass but it is not a tough material, if an object were to hit them they would shatter into tiny pieces. A sound knowledge of the specific characteristics of each glass could help you in real life situations. If you were to drive your car into a frozen lake and happened to have a hammer in the car, you could break your way out and swim to safety by shattering the side windows. If you were to hit the windshield it would only crack and due to the pressure from the outside pushing in you would not be able to escape.

    References

    Pictures:

    http://ecosmartwindshieldrepair.com/images/laminated_20glass_1__zlnf.jpg

    http://www.upvcwindowsthailand.com/images/toughened_zone_tempered_glass.jpg

    http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_m3_tnoFJG_k/TROy8q5yh0I/AAAAAAAABKE/ZGnd3JThzIc/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG

  • PVC

    The thermosetting resins include phenolic resin and melamine resin, which are thermally hardened and never become soft again. Thermoplastic resins include PVC, polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS) and polypropylene (PP), which can be re-softened by heating.

    Usually, thermoplastics are supplied in the form of pelletised material (compounds) with additives (antioxidants, etc.) already blended in it. However, PVC resin is often supplied in powder form and long term storage is possible since the material is resistant to oxidation and degradation. Various additives and pigments are added to PVC during the processing stage, and the blend is then converted into PVC products.
    PVC is sometimes known as ‘Vinyl’ in Europe and predominantly so in North America. In Europe, ‘Vinyl’ usually refers to certain specific flexible applications, such as flooring, decorative sheets and artificial leather.

    PVC_pellets_(Ineos)WEB

    PVC is a thermoplastic made of 57% chlorine (derived from industrial grade salt) and 43% carbon (derived predominantly from oil / gas via ethylene). It is less dependent than other polymers on crude oil or natural gas, which are nonrenewable, and hence can be regarded as a natural resource saving plastic, in contrast to plastics such as PE, PP, PET and PS, which are totally dependent on oil or gas. This chlorine gives to PVC excellent fire resistance: when PVC is set on fire, the flames go out as the fire source is removed due to the material’s self-extinguishing properties.

    PVC is one of the most used plastic materials in the world. At global level, demand for PVC exceeds 35 million tonnes per annum and it is in constant growth (+5% on global average), with higher growth rates in the developing countries.

    It is the most widely used polymer in building and construction applications and over 60 per cent of Western Europe’s annual PVC production is used in this sector.

    PVC is a more economic material
    PVC products make life safer, more comfortable and more pleasurable. And, because PVC has an excellent ratio of economic cost to performance, it allows people of all income levels access to these important benefits. The diversity of PVC applications challenges the imagination. In everyday life, they are all around us, from construction profiles to medical devices, from roofing membranes to credit cards, from children’s toys to pipes for water and gas. Few other materials are as versatile or able to fulfil such demanding specifications. In this way, PVC facilitates creativity and innovation, making new possibilities.

    PVC underpins safety
    Wire and cables sheathed with PVC prevent potentially fatal electrical accidents. In hospitals around the world PVC medical tubing – which does not break or kink – delivers fluids and medicines to the sick. Car components which use very strong PVC can reduce the risk of any injuries being caused in case of an accident. Most PVC products are long lasting – up to and over 60 years. These applications are reliable throughout their service lives and cut down vastly on maintenance or repair. Modern cars, for example, last many years longer simply because PVC protects the underside from water and corrosion.

    PVC enhances our lives
    Functional performance is by no means the whole story. PVC has a distinguished role in beauty and aesthetics. In fashion, furniture and all types of indoor and outdoor accessories, PVC opens up functional and design opportunities that are both visually striking and fundamentally practical. In short, people everywhere benefit from this material. Sometimes invisible but always reliable, PVC products make the difference when it counts.

    References:

    http://www.pvc.org/