A team of astronomers went to work to come up with a low cost telescope kit, that kids could put together to learn about how telescopes work, and then use to observe the night sky. The result is the very cool looking Galileoscope, which costs only $15 individually, and reportedly has pretty good optics. For example, they used lens designs which reduce chromatic aberration, something that Galileo did not have in his day.
There is a short video about it here:
Here is another
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Fiat's Multiair System
Fiat has developed an interesting engine system for improving fuel economy. called Multiair. This is another type of variable valve timing and lift device. Fiat's trick is to use a hydraulic path from the cam to the valve, which goes through an electrically actuated valve. By modifying the fluid flow through the valve through the engine cycle, Fiat can implement variable valve timing and variable lift.
Here's a short video on the subject.
Here's a short video on the subject.
SF Mayor: Closet Engineer
San Francisco's mayor Gavin Newsom is, apparently, a secret engineer. He thinks designing cars that get big fuel efficiency numbers at an affordable price is easy. From the Detroit News:
They still aren't entirely affordable, and not every model can make a profit at market prices. The batteries are still very expensive, as well as the power electronics and drivetrain. Hybrids still haven't caught on in volume, with one model (Prius) breaking the 100,000 unit/year sales rate.
If the California legislature had any cojones, they would tax vehicles with poor fuel economy, or institute a high fuel tax. But they won't because then the voters would throw them out of work.
So instead, they shout at Detroit, "Build us a unicorn!", as if Detroit has unicorns stashed away in the basement of ever R&D lab, under digital lock and armed guard.
Things just aren't that simple.
Hybrids are "yesterday's technology"?!?"With respect to Detroit, it is not good enough to advance by 2012 an ambitious strategy of having 14 different models at GM of hybrids -- when hybrids are yesterday's technology," Newsom said at a conference here sponsored by Newsweek on the future of the auto industry.
He said automakers must move more quickly to plug-in hybrids, noting hybrids like the Toyota Prius have been on the market since 1997.
"We need a very dramatic shift in mentality of Detroit," Newsom said.
They still aren't entirely affordable, and not every model can make a profit at market prices. The batteries are still very expensive, as well as the power electronics and drivetrain. Hybrids still haven't caught on in volume, with one model (Prius) breaking the 100,000 unit/year sales rate.
If the California legislature had any cojones, they would tax vehicles with poor fuel economy, or institute a high fuel tax. But they won't because then the voters would throw them out of work.
So instead, they shout at Detroit, "Build us a unicorn!", as if Detroit has unicorns stashed away in the basement of ever R&D lab, under digital lock and armed guard.
Things just aren't that simple.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Medtipster: Finding Cheap Drugs
A guy I know (a friend of a friend kind of thing) works for a company that has recently launched a prescription drug search engine. Called Medtipster, the service lets you search for drug prices in your geographical area.
For example, if you need some antibiotic for your strep throat, you can type in your prescribed medicine, the dose, and your ZIP code, and Medtipster will show you a list of pharmacies in your area, with prices.
This is a brilliant idea, because it allows for pharmacies to compete with one another directly on price.
For example, if you need some antibiotic for your strep throat, you can type in your prescribed medicine, the dose, and your ZIP code, and Medtipster will show you a list of pharmacies in your area, with prices.
This is a brilliant idea, because it allows for pharmacies to compete with one another directly on price.
Monday, March 30, 2009
The Warranty Insurance Signal
The Obama administration's decision to offer government backing for GM and Chrysler warranties is a clear signal of the direction they expect the companies to go in. If Obama thought that GM and Chrysler had viable business plan, with a good chance to restructure their obligations further, there would be no need for the warranty backstop.
What this signals is that Obama thinks there is a good chance that at least one of the companies will in fact wind up in bankrupcy. In which case, government backing of warranties is key to keeping public confidence high enough to keep the businesses running.
What this signals is that Obama thinks there is a good chance that at least one of the companies will in fact wind up in bankrupcy. In which case, government backing of warranties is key to keeping public confidence high enough to keep the businesses running.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Does America Want The Tata Nano?
My answer: no, not in its original form.
As it is, the thing (probably) won't pass the NHTSA crash tests, not to mention the basic FMVSS standards. Once you add the airbags, mass, 5mph bumpers, and so on, the puny 33HP engine won't do at all. NHTSA will require stability control, so ABS will be required.
Americans also won't buy vehicles without radios. They'll want an automatic transmission.
Tata will have to go for a much larger motor, which will reduce the fuel efficiency and raise the price.
By the time the missing features are added, the car will cost $5000. You can buy a nice used Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Ion, Ford Focus, etc. for that kind of money. And you'll get a proven product, with wide dealer support.
As it is, the thing (probably) won't pass the NHTSA crash tests, not to mention the basic FMVSS standards. Once you add the airbags, mass, 5mph bumpers, and so on, the puny 33HP engine won't do at all. NHTSA will require stability control, so ABS will be required.
Americans also won't buy vehicles without radios. They'll want an automatic transmission.
Tata will have to go for a much larger motor, which will reduce the fuel efficiency and raise the price.
By the time the missing features are added, the car will cost $5000. You can buy a nice used Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Ion, Ford Focus, etc. for that kind of money. And you'll get a proven product, with wide dealer support.
Video: Early Nano Review
This is another video review of the Tata Nano, apparently done in India for CNBC.
An interesting detail: 0-60 kph takes about 10s, which translates to 37mph. 100kph (62mph) takes 35s!
The reviewer likes the rear spoiler and fake brake vents... I'm wondering why Tata bothered, they should have invested the money in more interior amenities.
An interesting detail: 0-60 kph takes about 10s, which translates to 37mph. 100kph (62mph) takes 35s!
The reviewer likes the rear spoiler and fake brake vents... I'm wondering why Tata bothered, they should have invested the money in more interior amenities.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)