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Aug 29, 2021

Solid State Transformers Could Be Key To Smart Grid Functionality

Posted by in categories: business, solar power, sustainability

Circa 2017


Transformers are found at generating stations and distribution substations. Their primary function is to reduce the high voltages used to transport electricity long distances to the lower voltages needed by homes and businesses. But today’s transformers only operate in one direction. They are poorly equipped for boosting electricity from local sources — typically wind and solar — to the higher voltages needed to mesh efficiently with the larger grid.

Beginning in 2,010 researchers at the National Science Foundation’s FREEDM Systems Center at NC State introduced the first solid state transformer. It could perform all of the functions of a traditional transformer, but could also redirect power as needed to address changes in supply and demand.

Continue reading “Solid State Transformers Could Be Key To Smart Grid Functionality” »

Aug 29, 2021

Greenlight for Ivermectin in Japan

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, government

Article at gnews reports on announcement by Dr. Ozaki, chairman of the Tokyo Metropolitan Medical Association Greenlight for Ivermectin in Japan. Excerpts in italics with my bolds.

Since Tokyo summer Olympic Game ended on August 8 2021, the urgent status of the pandemic as Japan is now in its worst surge of the COVID-19 pandemic since the onset of the crisis in such a megacity of 14 million. Most recently, a record number of new cases were reported at 20,140 on August 14. Deaths aren’t as high as successive waves of the pandemic from February2021to the end of May, but nerves are frayed with record numbers of infections. Dr. Ozaki, The chairman of the Tokyo Metropolitan Medical Association, recently led an emergency press conference on August 13 Dr. Haruo Ozaki shared those 18,000 new infections are reported daily. However, the death count has eased as compared to previous surges.

How to deal with the current dilemma is a huge challenge to Japanese government and medical agencies? Fortunately, India has an excellent testimonial. Since April 28 India medical officials started providing Hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin to its massive population. As India is the major pharmaceutical manufacture in the world, they were ready for this massive drug distribution. Miraculously, COVID cases have plummeted quickly since then thanks to the new rules.

Aug 29, 2021

Visions of our far future

Posted by in category: futurism

Circa 2008


Nature — <ArticleTitle Language=“En” xml: lang=“en”>Visions of our far future</ArticleTitle>

Aug 28, 2021

5 emerging cybersecurity threats facing the U.S.

Posted by in categories: business, cybercrime/malcode

Karim Hijazi is CEO of Prevailion, a cyber intelligence company that monitors and detects active threats by infiltrating hacker networks. Hijazi is also a former director of intelligence for Mandiant and a former contractor for the US intelligence community.

Ransomware has taken the spotlight lately following a string of brazen attacks on major U.S. companies.

And as bad as this kind of malware is, businesses and investors can expect to face a growing number of sophisticated cyber threats that could be even more disruptive and difficult to prevent.

Aug 28, 2021

Aptera opens orders on 1,000-mile solar EV that never needs charging

Posted by in categories: solar power, sustainability, transportation

Circa 2020


Since electric vehicles first started hitting the mainstream, people have been asking “why doesn’t that have a solar panel roof?” The answer has always been the same: solar panels just don’t generate that much power. That’s not a huge problem for solar racers, with their ultra-light weight and super-aerodynamic shapes, but for the minuscule daily range a solar roof would give you on your typical daily driver, you’re still gonna need to plug it in.

Ah, but what if your daily driver was the closest thing on the road to a solar racer? An EV truly designed with ludicrous levels of efficiency as the primary goal? Something so aerodynamically slippery that it makes a mockery of the production car world? Well, that’s the Aptera. And its manufacturers claim that its 180 small solar panels, making up an area of more than three square meters (32.3 sq ft), will harvest enough energy that many drivers will never have to charge it.

Continue reading “Aptera opens orders on 1,000-mile solar EV that never needs charging” »

Aug 28, 2021

Microsoft Warns of Widespread Phishing Attacks Using Open Redirects

Posted by in category: cybercrime/malcode

Microsoft is warning of a widespread credential phishing campaign that leverages open redirector links.

Aug 28, 2021

Tesla Will Spark Controversy (Again) Next Month

Posted by in categories: Elon Musk, robotics/AI, transportation

Tesla may be the world’s most valuable automaker but it’s also under a federal investigation over its Autopilot semi-autonomous driving system. Teslas with Autopilot engaged have crashed into police cars and emergency vehicles parked on the side of the road and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA) understandably wants to know what’s going on.

On top of this, a pair of US Senators are demanding another investigation over the Autopilot name itself, claiming it’s misleading. Bear in mind Autopilot is rated at only Level 2 whereas Level 5 autonomy requires zero human input. Far too many Tesla owners don’t seem to understand that, hence the Senators’ concerns. And now Elon Musk has confirmed the next stage of the Full Self-Driving Beta will arrive soon.

Aug 28, 2021

Indian Navy’s P-8I Submarine Hunting Aircraft Spotted Flying Near South China Sea

Posted by in category: military

A P-8I maritime patrol aircraft of the Indian Navy was spotted flying over the Philippines, close to the South China Sea, almost all of which is claimed by China. The submarine-hunting aircraft is in the region to participate in the Malabar Exercise, featuring the navies of all four Quad countries.

This edition of the Malabar naval exercise is being hosted by the United States Navy in the Western Pacific, off the coast of Guam. The area is not far from the South China Sea, where China has built a large number of artificial islands and militarized them to strengthen its territorial claims over these waters, which host some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

China opposes the deployment of foreign military vessels in the region, including the Freedom of Navigation Patrols conducted by the US to assert its right to use the waterways in the South China Sea.

Aug 28, 2021

Virgin Hyperloop unveils new design concept for the Hyperloop

Posted by in categories: sustainability, transportation

https://youtube.com/watch?v=6hXNXL9PiYk

It says the new form of transportation is faster, safer, cheaper, and more sustainable than existing modes.

Aug 28, 2021

Tesla Model Y pre-production units start rolling out in Giga Texas

Posted by in categories: sustainability, transportation

When Gigafactory Texas was starting its construction, officials in the area started to fondly describe the project’s pace as the “Speed of Elon” on account of its rapid progress. This “Speed of Elon” seems to have never let up since Giga Texas broke ground about 13 months ago as the first image of a pre-production Tesla Model Y was just shared online.

The image was initially shared on Instagram, and it depicted a black Model Y that looked fresh out of the production line. The post was eventually deleted, but not before the image was shared across platforms such as Twitter and Reddit. It’s difficult not to be excited, after all, considering that Giga Texas broke ground just over a year ago in July 2020.

Based on the recently-shared image, it appears that Giga Texas’ Model Y production facility is now ready to start cranking out the all-electric crossovers, at least to some degree. The vehicle was not alone in the picture either, as another Model Y in the background could also be seen passing through the assembly line.