Quzarx - Slashdot User

4.7GHz IBM Power6 Spotted 296

Posted by kdawson on Sunday May 20, 2007 @10:19PM from the more-power-to-ya dept.

Ilgaz notes that The Register has posted benchmark results from Oracle 11i running on four 4.7GHz Power6 chips. Quoting: "The speedy chips confirm IBM's boasting that Power6 would arrive near 5GHz. They also show that IBM's customers have a lot to look forward to in terms of raw performance." Rumor has it that the Power6 chips will be announced on Tuesday.

Aluminum Alloy Releases Hydrogen From Water 393

Posted by kdawson on Sunday May 20, 2007 @05:03PM from the fill-'er-up-with-AlGal dept.

mdsolar writes "PhysOrg is reporting on a method of releasing hydrogen from water by oxidizing aluminum in an alloy with gallium. In the presence of water the aluminum oxidizes, leaving aluminum oxide, gallium, and hydrogen gas. The Purdue scientists who discovered the effect think this could help to overcome difficulties with hydrogen storage. Quoting: 'On its own, aluminum will not react with water because it forms a protective skin [of aluminum oxide] when exposed to oxygen. Adding gallium keeps the film from forming, allowing the aluminum to react with oxygen in the water.'"

Comment FIRST Robotics (Score 2, Interesting) 175

by Quzarx on Thursday February 01, 2007 @01:15AM (#17838932) Attached to: What Micro-Controller Would You Use to Teach With?

There are some robotics groups out there already. FIRST http://usfirst.org/ Robotics has been around for years. However, the cost is a bit steep, so a sponsor is needed. The team I work with was able to get a sponsor after one year of searching. The robots are pretty simple, you are handed a kit for electronics, and a base chassis, from there, you can add on accelleromters, gyroscopes, cameras, and other sensors to make things more complicated. Everything is custom made, so it is a great way to learn how to engineer things.

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