+ - Probation Privatization Puts Public at Risk->
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by
Sam126126
Comment: Re:That is very energy dense (Score 2) 322
The article says that the battery delivers about half of the voltage of a typical lithium ion battery (which is usually around 3.7V).
So 1.2Ah/g * 1.85V = 2.22Wh/g
Your battery is 30Ah/20 pounds * 12V = 18Wh/lb = .04Wh/g
So yes, this new battery is extremely energy dense. If you needed it to be 12V, though, you'd have to wire them in a series of 6, which would reduce the energy density by a factor of 6. Still a big improvement, but more like .35 Wh/g @ 12V, which is about 9 times better than your camping battery. Not bad.
So 1.2Ah/g * 1.85V = 2.22Wh/g
Your battery is 30Ah/20 pounds * 12V = 18Wh/lb =
So yes, this new battery is extremely energy dense. If you needed it to be 12V, though, you'd have to wire them in a series of 6, which would reduce the energy density by a factor of 6. Still a big improvement, but more like
Comment: Re:Too stupid to weed out marketing spam /.? (Score 2) 154
Absolutely correct. What is needed here is a real power benchmark. A numerical score that incorporates weight, screen size, performance, and battery life. Perhaps something as simple as:
Score = Battery Time * Screen Size * Performance Benchmark Score / Weight
Doubling the weight to double the battery time would result in no net gain under this kind of formula. However, using a more efficient battery or optimizing the computer to use the battery time better would result in higher scores.
Score = Battery Time * Screen Size * Performance Benchmark Score / Weight
Doubling the weight to double the battery time would result in no net gain under this kind of formula. However, using a more efficient battery or optimizing the computer to use the battery time better would result in higher scores.
+ - Small Black Holes: Cloudy With a Chance of Better Visibility->
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by
Rambo Tribble
Rambo Tribble writes "As reported by the BBC, astronomers are hoping to reap a black-hole-hunting windfall when a giant gas cloud passes through an area within our galaxy thought to contain numerous small black holes. When the cloud interacts with the holes, the resultant emission of X-rays should allow scientists to finally confirm their existence."
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+ - Confirmed: Water Once Flowed On Mars->
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by
Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes "A new study based on observations last September by the Curiosity rover on Mars has confirmed that pebble-containing slabs of rock found on the Martian surface were part of an ancient streambed. The work provides some of the most definitive evidence yet that water once flowed on Mars. '[The pebbles'] smooth appearance is identical to gravels found in rivers on Earth. Rock fragments that bounce along the bottom of a stream of water will have their edges knocked off, and when these pebbles finally come to rest they will often align in a characteristic overlapping fashion. ...It is confirmation that water has played its part in sculpting not only this huge equatorial bowl but by implication many of the other landforms seen on the planet.' According to NASA, 'The stream carried the gravels at least a few miles, or kilometers, the researchers estimated. The atmosphere of modern Mars is too thin to make a sustained stream flow of water possible, though the planet holds large quantities of water ice. Several types of evidence have indicated that ancient Mars had diverse environments with liquid water. However, none but these rocks found by Curiosity could provide the type of stream flow information published this week. Curiosity's images of conglomerate rocks indicate that atmospheric conditions at Gale Crater once enabled the flow of liquid water on the Martian surface.'"
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+ - DARPA Unveils an Android-based Ground Sensor Device->
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by
DeviceGuru
DeviceGuru writes "DARPA announced a sensor reference system device based on a new Android-based sensor processing core called the ADAPTable Sensor System (akla ADAPT). The initial ADAPT reference device, called UGS (unattended ground sensor), is designed as the basis for a series of lower-cost, more upgradable sensor devices for military applications. The ADAPT program is part of larger effort by the U.S. military to reduce the costs and speed production schedules for military equipment, using an ODM process similar to that of the commercial smartphone industry. Potential applications for the technology include swarms of hive-mind UAVs or robots, or perimeter security sensors hidden at a deployed airfield or underground, all networked together and capable of transmitting video. What could possibly go wrong!"
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Comment: how long will this behavior be tolerated... (Score 2, Interesting) 180
Until China starts to face real responses?
Comment: This kind of research is necessary (Score 1) 426
It may seem wasteful, but it is in the best interest of scientific literacy in general to debunk this sort of thing. If cold fusion is real (highly unlikely) it will stand up to all the scrutiny that science can throw at it. If it is not, then scientists will debunk it rather quickly and we can move on to the next snake oil crackpot idea.
Comment: Re:Excuse me? (Score 5, Insightful) 474
You must be a conservative.
I hate to break it to you, but the Kyoto Accord is based on science, whether you like that science or not. This is exactly the point: you don't like the science, and neither do most conservatives, because it indicates that a BIG business (fossil fuel based energy) is bad. Since those businesses have a fair amount of money, the Kyoto Accord is pretty anti-fossil fuel business.
Despite that fact, it is still based on valid science.
I hate to break it to you, but the Kyoto Accord is based on science, whether you like that science or not. This is exactly the point: you don't like the science, and neither do most conservatives, because it indicates that a BIG business (fossil fuel based energy) is bad. Since those businesses have a fair amount of money, the Kyoto Accord is pretty anti-fossil fuel business.
Despite that fact, it is still based on valid science.
Comment: And no one was surprised... (Score 3, Insightful) 474
If there is one thing that conservatives all agree on, it's that you should change the facts to match your agenda, not the other way around.
+ - House Bill Would Mandate Smart Gun Tech By U.S. Manufacturers->
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by
Lucas123
Lucas123 writes "U.S. Rep. John Tierney (D-Mass) is pushing a bill that would require all U.S. handgun manufacturers to include "personalization technology" in their weapons. Tierney said he got the idea for The Personalized Handgun Safety Act of 2013 from the latest James Bond film, "Skyfall". In it Bond escapes death when his handgun, which is equipped with technology that recognizes his fingerprints, becomes inoperable when a bad guy picks it up. "This technology, however, isn't just for the movies — it's a reality," Tierney said. Tierney pointed to a myriad of cases where the smart gun tech could prevent children from being harmed or killed in firearms accidents. Jim Wallace, executive director of the Massachusetts Gun Owners Action League, the official state association of the NRA, said he knows of no gun owners who would want smart gun technology on their weapons. Wallace said any technology that may impede the proper function of a weapon is a problem. He pointed to the fact that any integrated processer technology would also require a battery of some kind, which could pose a system failure if it lost power."
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+ - Linux-based rifle scope lets beginners hit targets a quarter mile away->
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by
alphadogg
alphadogg writes "A high-tech Texas gun designer has started shipping its first generation shooting system that combines a hunting rifle with a Linux-based scope that takes so much guesswork out of hitting targets a quarter mile away that even novices can do it. TrackingPoint Xact System consist of the rifle and electronic scope that accounts for distance, temperature and movement before freeing up the trigger to shoot, the company says. It was originally designed with the goal of hitting a volleyball at 450 yards but has surpassed that, and the company says that someone with no shooting experience can achieve long-range marksman performance with the weapon the same day."
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+ - E-Cat Independent Test
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by
Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes "Andrea Rossi's E-Cat has been tested by a group of independent scientists, and they've released their report. Numerous commentators are weighing in."
+ - Goodbye, Lotus 1-2-3->
Submitted
by
walterbyrd
walterbyrd writes "In 2012, IBM started retiring the Lotus brand. Now 1-2-3, the core product that brought Lotus its fame, takes its turn on the chopping block. IBM stated, "Effective on the dates listed below, [June 11, 2013] IBM will withdraw from marketing part numbers from the following product release(s) licensed under the IBM International Program License Agreement:" IBM Lotus 123 Millennium Edition V9.x, IBM Lotus SmartSuite 9.x V9.8.0, and Organizer V6.1.0.
Further, IBM stated, "Customers will no longer be able to receive support for these offerings after September 30, 2014. No service extensions will be offered. There will be no replacement programs.""
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Further, IBM stated, "Customers will no longer be able to receive support for these offerings after September 30, 2014. No service extensions will be offered. There will be no replacement programs.""
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+ - Google launches more photocentric app for Android->
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by
Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes "Google+ is getting serious about photography. As announced last week at I/O, Google's social network is becoming much more image-centric with its latest update. To match the new web version of Google+, Google has released a completely revamped Android app.
Version 4.0 of the app automates many of its features. Google described the new tools in the official announcement:"
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Version 4.0 of the app automates many of its features. Google described the new tools in the official announcement:"
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