R. E. KEARNEY

The James Webb Telescope – Capturing the Creation of the Universe

The Hubble Telescope, which has spent many years in outer space collecting data, has vastly increased our understanding of the universe. The James Webb Telescope is its successor and will expand this knowledge immensely. It is the most powerful space telescope that has ever been built, with a primary mirror which is 6.5-meters in diameter. This gives it the ability to scan back over 13.5 billion years allowing us to observe the formation of the first stars and galaxies in the universe.

The telescope had been created by the combined expertise of NASA, The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). The object is scheduled to be launched into outer space, on an ESA Ariane V Booster from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana in 2018. Previously, telescopes that were launched into space relied on rigid structures for their stability. The Webb is the first of its kind to be built for both stability and mobility. Its honeycomb appearance is because of its 18-segment ‘golden’ primary mirror, which will need to be folded to fit inside its carrier. When the launch is complete and the telescope safely in space, the mirror will unfold to begin its observations.

The unusual design makes testing the telescope more difficult than others before. Each of the mirror’s 18 segments measures just over 4.2 feet and weighs 88 lbs. They are made of beryllium with a plating of gold. In addition to observing the formation of the universe’s first stars and galaxies, The Webb will be searching for information about the history of our solar system and many of the others that make up our galaxy. Like all other space exploration, a major part of the project is to locate other planets that may be capable of supporting life.

The telescope is undergoing a rigorous testing process, to be ready for its journey in 2018. This is a major part of being able to ensure that it will be safe to launch and to remain in outer space. Engineers believe that it is one of the most complicated pieces of hardware ever created, and they are doing everything they can to assess its performance. Testing new equipment has its complications and in December 2016, technicians detected ‘anomalous readings’ from the telescope during a series of vibration tests.

The unusual results caused engineers to pause their tests and conduct both visual and ultrasonic examinations to ascertain their origin. They found that the telescope had no visible signs of damage, and determined the reason for the unexpected readings had been the restraints that were needed to keep the massive item in place. NASA restarted their original testing process within 2 months adapting it to reflect possible deviations. The next phase of testing will determine if The Webb Telescope can withstand vibrations in all three dimensions, as this will be very important during its universal mission.

Hypersonic Missiles – The Future of Air Force Warfare

Controlling air space, attacking and monitoring from the skies are a major part of the way the military protects the country. Warfare changes constantly and with it the need to develop new tactics for both attack and defence. During the 1960s & 70s the United States Air Force began researching and experimenting with hypersonic technology. The project was abandoned, but there has recently been a general restoration of interest. Due to the large time gap, there is a lot of research that needs to be done to catch up with where the technology has expanded and the methods by which it can now be used.

Hypersonic flights would be beneficial because they would be able to reach anywhere in the world within an hour. The military is looking at this possibility as one of the end results of developing the hypersonic technology. To get here, however, they realize that baby steps need to be taken. This would start within a decade by making it possible to launch hypersonic missiles. Prototypes should be ready by 2020, after which they will work on developing hypersonic drones, which will be able to move faster than the speed of sound.

The experiments that the Air Force have performed include 4 flights of a hypersonic cruise missile, X-51. The flights have had a 50% success rate, which has been the best way for researchers to determine what needs to be improved with the technology, and what is working well. They have taken these observations, made improvements and believe that they are now closer than ever to creating a functioning hypersonic engine.

Once the engine has been perfected, they will use it to guide missiles and subsequently apply the technology to armed drones and surveillance systems. Within several years, the US Air Force hopes to expand this hypersonic technology for use in manned fighters, and other aircrafts. There is currently a need for several overseas military bases, to allow the country to have worldwide access within a given amount of time. Hypersonic aircrafts would eliminate the need for these floating bases, while still being able to facilitate military personnel reaching their desired destination within an hour.

Many other countries are also working on developing the same type of hypersonic technology, both through government and private means. This includes Russia and China, who have reported hypersonic programs that are being conducted by their military. Like all warfare technology, hypersonic engines would need to be controlled and approved before widespread use. There is also the need to ensure that employing the technology will be an improvement in the overall system, and US officials continue to take this into consideration as they develop their prototypes.

Virtual Reality – 5 Future Uses

Although virtual reality is not a new concept, there have still been many improvements made to this gaming ‘tool’ so that it can now be used for a wider range of tasks. An increase in technology has made using virtual reality both more affordable and adaptable. Companies are continuously researching and discovering ways in which it can improve their products and/or our lives, and many of them plan to expand its uses soon. These include:

Scrutinizing Space

Even though many of us are interested in the vast expanse of the universe, it is unlikely that we will be able to physically explore it within our lifetime. Virtual reality apps and equipment is being designed to allow us to expand our horizons, through knowledge that scientists have accumulated over time. Researchers already use similar equipment to learn more about outer space from images captured by drones and sent back to earth.

Enhanced Experiences

Some people are afflicted with physical, or other, disabilities which prevent them from being able to do many of the things that most of us take for granted. Virtual reality can incorporate all our senses and provide a realistic experience, such as walking for the first time, and thus enhance their lives. The same method can be used to allow people to experience a dream vacation, an extreme sport or fulfill any other desires which may be physically unachievable at the time.

Medical Marvels

Virtual reality is already being used in the medical field to help people recover from brain injuries, by simulating scenarios that promote healing. Many virtual reality games also increase focus and stimulate the regrowth of healthy brain cells. Researchers are planning to expand these techniques to create positive scenarios that will encourage mentally ill patients to begin their recovery. Many medical personnel believe that much of our physical healing can also be controlled by our brain, and by using virtual reality to show the person themselves in a healthy state they may recuperate at a quicker pace.

Training Techniques

There are many occupations in which employees must go through extensive training before they are ready to begin doing their job. Several of these involve keeping others safe, including surgeons and pilots. Virtual reality helps to give them training, and practice, thus preventing any life-threatening incidents from taking place. This method of training is expanding to include everyday activities, such as preparing a meal or changing a diaper, and other less dangerous jobs.

Expanding Entertainment

The film industry is always looking for ways to enhance movie-goers experiences. Some of the recent ways that films have become more gripping and interactive are by stepping up the 3D experience to 4D, which incorporates more of the senses. The same virtual reality techniques which are used in gaming are being manipulated in order to further enhance the theatre.

Epigenetics – Association with Aging

All organisms have inherited traits which are transferred from previous generations. These are called genetics and their specifics are determined through DNA, which are the basic building blocks of an organism’s cells. There are four fundamental components of DNA: adenine, cytosine, thymine and guanine. Human beings are determined by the sequence of DNA within their system, and there are over 20,000 combinations in our bodies. These genes give our system instructions to build proteins that make it possible for us to carry out functions necessary for survival.

In addition to genetics, epigenetics also play a major role in the way our bodies function. They affect how our genes are interpreted at any given time and, therefore, the way in which we make proteins. Epigenetics are the reason why everyone is unique, and they determine the way in which we look, the type of personality we have, and the things that we like and dislike.

Our life experiences and personal circumstances cause certain genes to become either active or inactive. These dormant or expressive genes are influenced by the activities that we do daily, which initiate chemical changes in them. Certain conditions can even cause genes to be reversed, resulting in negative effects on the body. The possibility of so many different gene combinations, as well as our body’s ability to turn different ones on or off whenever necessary, means that epigenetics can be reversed, allowing our bodies to be in a constant state of harmony.

DNA methylation is a process which allows us to determine the age of tissues by selectively switching off our genes. Researchers have observed that there are several age-related DNA methylation biomarkers, which suggests that epigenetics is involved in aging. A recent experiment began comparing the cells from several people over the age of 100, and a group of new-borns. The results showed that there were many genes which were active in the centurions that were dormant in the babies. This suggests a relationship between molecular related age diseases and epigenetics. It also proves that what was once thought to be ‘junk DNA,’ or unused DNA in our bodies, might be one of the key factors that determine the rate at which humans age.

Aging and diseases associated with it are still one of the least understood parts of being human. These findings are crucial in treating age related illnesses, and scientists are developing ways of using them in cures by targeting epigenetic mechanisms. More research is required to conclusively state that there is a direct relationship between epigenetics and aging, and scientists continue to observe and record DNA methylation to learn more. They are hopeful that the results will be the key to slowing down the aging process, as well as decreasing the prevalence of age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

The Future of the Computer – Microtechnology Redefined

The more powerful computer technology gets the smaller the devices that control them become. A team led by David Blaauw, at the University of Michigan, has recently developed an entire computer that measures less than half a centimeter. The proportion was achieved by taking into consideration the size of the computer’s battery. They reduced the amount of power needed to run it, and were therefore able to make everything more concise.

Known as the Michigan Micro Mote, this computer, is unable to connect to a keypad or mouse. Developers were, therefore, faced with the challenge of finding another way for it to communicate with users. They discovered that light strobed at a high frequency can send information to the Micro Mote, and began using this source to program and charge it. The data received can then be processed, and transported to a different computer, by radio frequencies. This is done using an internal Phoenix processor, which only uses 500 pico-watts when in stand-by mode and enables the battery to be fully charged without natural sunlight.

As the era of the Internet of Things develops, with statistics showing that there will be at least 1 trillion devices connected to the cloud by 2035, Micro Mote computers are believed to be the key to retaining more information on specific devices. Many of these can collect data from their environment but are unable to analyze it. They then transfer this information to the cloud, which means that many of them aren’t very secure or energy efficient. Micro Motes are designed to enhance the sensor capabilities of these devices, while conserving their power.

The team increased the power of the technology by adding to it the ability to run artificial intelligence algorithms, known as deep neutral networks. This was possible by equipping the micro computers with flash memory, which includes an energy efficient charge pump. These advanced computer sensors will then be able to enhance cloud-connected devices with a neural network, enabling them to include voice and facial recognition.

Many different fields are researching ways in which this technology might be beneficial to them. This includes the medical field, as the computer is small enough to be injected into our bodies and smart enough to be programmed. It would then be able to take pictures, read temperatures and record other functions within. The oil industry is also considering using it to detect pockets of oil that can be extracted, saving them time and money on drilling. The development team has also demonstrated where the computer can be employed for everyday tasks, such as finding keys, using its central system.

Amazing Algae – Survival in Space

Earth’s atmosphere is designed for the survival of millions of organisms. Once most of these leave the planet’s protective covering, however, they would perish within minutes, if not seconds. Scientists are always looking for ways that will allow us to survive in the harsh environment of space, to facilitate our universal expansion. As they have discovered many times in the past, sometimes the smallest things provide the biggest answers.

One of the simplest plants in our atmosphere is algae, which has proven its resilience repeatedly due to the extreme earthly environments in which they can exist. As a part of the Biology and Mars Experiment (Biomex), scientists decided to put the plant’s durability to the test. They released algae into the universe next to the International Space Station, located outside of the earth’s perimeter, for a total of 16 months.

Biomex is a project aimed at figuring out the possibility of survival on the surface of one of Earth’s closest neighbours, Mars. Here the temperature is extremely low and there is almost no protective covering from the sun’s harmful UV rays. The conditions that the algae had faced in space would have been impossible to replicate on Earth, and would not have provided the most accurate results.

Even though the plants were exposed to extreme temperature changes, and both cosmic and UV radiation, the algae were retrieved alive and many of the strands even thriving. Further tests of the species will be crucial to future space travel, as they will demonstrate some of the conditions that may be faced by astronauts and show possible ways to overcome them. Algae might also be used as a source of food for these explorers, as it can be eaten when grown in large quantities. The plant can be transported to Mars, and many scientists believe it might be the key to breathable air on the planet, as algae survives by taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, which is essentially to human and animal life.

The plants survival also supports the theory that organisms can travel around the universe on comets, asteroids and other moving particles. When one of these crashes into a planet that has life on it, organisms become trapped in it and are carried to the particle’s next destination. The theory that life on Earth developed in this way has been proposed and, even though it doesn’t provide conclusive evidence, the algae’s survival shows that this is possible.