Hydrogen Fuel Cells to Power iPhones

Apple has recently filed a new patent for a hydrogen fuel cell to power the iPhone. No doubt Steve Jobs was part of this big step. The battery is the weak link in our hand-held electronic universe. If Apple is able to make this work and for a reasonable price, watch out. I doesn't get much bigger than this.

Pineapple Stem May Combat Cancer

It seems reasonable that the best way to combat cancer is by using natural products found in food. Let's hope this is developed without the mega-pharma companies screwing this up.

Here is a follow-up article.

How to Shoot Great Video With Your Smart Phone

John Herrman of Popular Mechanics has a good article with tips on shooting quality videos with your smartphone. One of the most important is to minimize a shaky picture.

PBS: Should the US Invest More in Nuclear Power?

Watch The nuclear option on PBS. See more from NEED TO KNOW.

The Inefficiency of Food

Click here to read Steve Sexton's piece on how the trend toward localized farming may not be the best way to feed the masses.

A Sister's Eulogy for Steve Jobs

Mona Simpson gave a amazing eulogy for her bother Steve Jobs in October.

What I Learned Building the Apple Store

Ron Johnson recently left Apple to become the CEO of J.C. Penney. He wrote a piece for the Harvard Business Review covering his thoughts on what made the Apple Store so successful. Click here to get an idea of how retailers may follow Apple's lead.

The Next Generation of Nuclear Engineers Will Be Raised on Games

Interesting article with some cool links

New VW Factory in Germany

Hubble Ultra Deep Field 3D

Inexhaustable Source of Hydrogen in Salt Water

Some interesting research results at Penn State University. Read about it here.

Universe: The Cosmological Quest

Bizarro Comic of the Day

The Telescope That Ate Space Science

The next generation space telescope (replaces Hubble) is several hundred percent over budget and is stealing cash from other worthy science projects at NASA. Things seem to be pretty shaky in our space program these days. And to make things more interesting, a recent Soyuz-U supply launch failed to achieve orbit. Not a lot of options on the table.

More Good News About Chocolate and Health

Another study shows potential benefit for the heart for those that eat chocolate. Someone needs to do the full double bind placebo trial and remove any doubt. The thing they don't seem to discuss is that the traditional coco bean processing destroys a substantial amount of the natural and beneficial flavanols.

Snow Mobiling With A Twist

Click here for a wild ride up a ravine and down a ravine, but not the way you would want to do it.

Grinding The Crack

Wind Energy Myths

Seems like some are coming to grips with the fact that some alternative energy technologies such as large wind generators are not really getting the job done. That is disappointing. Click here to read Robert Byrce's rather harsh analysis.

Update on Shai Agassi

Shai Agassi has been working on a venture to provide a charged battery change-out service for electric vehicles in Israel. Click here to get a status. Either this guy is genius or he has made an expensive blunder.

Are QR Codes the Wave of the Future?

Have you noticed those little black and white splotchy squares occasionally on magazine and newspaper ads? They are QR codes. You scan them with your smart phone to go to a website to get additional information. Are they the wave of the future? Click here to read all about it.

Author Lewis Says Wall Street Is "Making America Worse"

I just finished Michael Lewis' book, "The Big Short" and found it to be very insightful in explaining about how traders exploiting the sub-prime mortgage market brought on the recession of 2007 - 2009. Lewis is interviewed in this clip and you can get an idea of what was going down on Wall St. in the last few years. And it is not over just yet.

Computer Graphic Simulation of US Airways Flt 1549 Landing on the Hudson River

Click here for a very good computer simulation of Capt. Sullenberger landing his aircraft on the Hudson River. He didn't have a lot of extra time to fret. A consummate professional.

A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old)

I don't know the name of the veterinarian who wrote this, but it is worth a post anyway.

A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old)

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron and his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found the was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life - like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?"

The six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Space Shuttle Discovery's Cockpit

Click here to see a very cool 360 degree photo of the Discovery's cockpit as it is undergoing decommissioning.

Cutting Your Use of Electricity

Click here to read an article at Lifehacker about how one writer found a way to cut his energy bill by a third using technology and common sense.

Kevin Slavin: How algorithms shape our world

A LENR and Cold Fusion Update

Click here to get the latest on Low Energy Nuclear Reaction/Cold Fusion developments. It is getting closer to put up or shut up time.

Netflix Relief Fund

Netflix Relief Fund with Jason Alexander from Jason Alexander

3-D Printing

Have you heard about 3-D printing? Watch this to see how its done. Pretty cool!

Space Shuttle Atlantis and 6 False Lessons of the Space Shuttle Program

It just doesn't seem right to end the USA's manned space program without a new launch vehicle waiting in the wings. It will certainly be years before we see Americans launched from native soil.

In the mean time, we will no doubt be hearing plenty of analyses of just what the Space Shuttle Program did for American technology and understanding of our place in the cosmos. Click here to read Rand Simberg's thoughts.

Paul Simon - American Tune

Happy Birthday America and happy birthday Mom, your peach ice cream was delicious as always.

You Are More Likely to Survive an Airplane Crash Than Click on a Banner Ad

An interesting analysis of web page click ads. Click here.

New Car Engine Sends Shock Waves Through Auto Industry

Researchers at Michigan St. Univ. have designed a new type of gasoline engine that appears to be a game changer. They want to be testing prototype automobiles with this engine in the next two years. Emissions are about 90% lower and 60% of the fuel goes into propulsion of the car as opposed to 15% for current cars.

Breakthroughs seem to be popping out all over in the energy sciences. The world needs these technologies to enter the market place fast.

3-D Pong

Click here for a on-line version of 3-D pong.

Cell Phone Radiation: Harmless or Health Risk?

Here is the first installment of a three part story on cell phone radiation.

Here is the second installment.

The third part comes out next week. Check back after Monday.

Why Technology Doesn't Destroy Jobs

Some economic insight from Russell Robers at the WSJ.

"The story goes that Milton Friedman was once taken to see a massive government project somewhere in Asia. Thousands of workers using shovels were building a canal. Friedman was puzzled. Why weren't there any excavators or any mechanized earth-moving equipment? A government official explained that using shovels created more jobs. Friedman's response: "Then why not use spoons instead of shovels?"

17 Million to 1

Two golfers in Kansas hit back-to-back holes-in-one last Thursday. The odds were estimated to be 17 million to 1 to two people making holes-in-one back to back on the same hole. Neither had ever made a hole-in-one before this day. Amazing!

Golf is a fine religion and it teaches us humility, hope, and statistics. - George Ure

Ten Brands That Will (May) Disappear in 2012

Click here to read about the list that 24/7 Wall St. put together of brands that will disappear next year. It's a jungle out there in the market place. Only the fittest survive.

TVA's Basis For Building Bellefonte

The New York Times recently published an article that was somewhat critical of TVA's effort to revamp and finish a nuclear power plant that it almost completed back in the mid-1980s. TVA's CEO Bill McCollum responded and set things straight.

If it weren't for the NY Times, how would we know what to think?

Energy Catalyzer Update

Things seem to be progressing on getting Andrea Rossi's Energy Catalyzer in production. Let's hope this is the real deal. There have been several independent verifications of this device. If it is real and practical, it's a real game changer that will have a major impact on energy production.

Why Don't We Ditch Nukes and Coal?

I'm a subscriber of TheStraightDope.com and here is a great analysis of why we are about to have an energy crisis that will be the mother of all energy crises.

The challenge will be to provide a decent standard of living for future generations while efficiently using energy AND developing new sources of energy to meet the demand of another 2 billion people by 2050.

What Your College Education is Worth

Georgetown University had done a study to determine the links between your college major and lifetime earnings. A graphic is shown that tells a lot of the story.

5 Reasons Why E-Books Aren't There Yet

Although I've been downloading books at Audible for about 3 years now, I've not taken the e-book plunge, yet. The next generation of the Kindle may be a powerful enticement, but the jury is still out for me on this subject.

Over at Wired, John Abell has some thoughts on some advantages that hard copy books still have over e-books.

Fukushima Nuclear Blast?

The first visible fire in Unit 3 is seen at about the place in the building where the spent fuel pool is located. I've also seen a report that states a piece of spent fuel rod was found about 1 mile away form the Unit 3 building after the blast.

This news is not good and may be indicative that the Japanese authorities are not being very forthcoming with news and analysis of this disaster.

If mistakes are to be learned from, they need to be part of the international nuclear industry's dialog as soon as possible.

Cosmic Missing Mass Found by Student Astrophysicist

A 22-year-old Australian university student makes, what appears to be, a pretty big cosmic discovery concerning missing mass in the Universe. This is not to be confused with dark matter.

I would like to see some comments on this in some scientific publications before I get too enthused.

Over the years I become more and more impressed with the work on cosmological origins over at Thunderbolts. Wallace Thornhill and David Talbott have done some intriguing work on our electric universe. Watch the videos. They are convinced that dark matter is a mathematical artifact. I think they are on to something.

Colin's South American Pictorial Display

Here is a link to photos taken by one of my co-works on a project last fall. He's in his mid-20s, a history major, a radiological control technician, and has a quality camera (I can't remember the brand or model). He took a trip to South America this spring and I thought his snapshots were exceptional.

It is amazing to me how the mainstream news media is so fixated on Europe and the middle east and has very little interest in South America. It is an amazing place with vibrant cultures and awesome landscapes. Enjoy

Unreal Timelapse of the Milky Way

Click here to watch an amazing timelapse video. Be sure to view this in full-screen.

How to Haggle Like Your Old Man

Every interaction you have with another person is a negotiation. We are navigating a world of back and forth deal making. The better you are at this skill, the more fulfilled your life might be. This article contains lots of advice and tips.

Passive Income Options

Click here to read about four recommended low-risk ways to generate passive income from Melanie Pinola over at Lifehacker.

How to Copy, Cut, and Paste for Beginners

Click here to learn a very useful tool for the computing world.

Are Oil and Natural Gas Renewable?

Jesse Ausubel of Rockerfeller Univ. is leading a research team are working with the Deep Carbon Observatory to investigate the organic and inorganic carbon cycles deep in the earth. Russian scientists and the late Thomas Gold of Cornell University have through about this for decades.

I've started following some of Gold's work back in the 1980s. Breakthroughs in technology may be giving us some definitive answers. The implications are significant.

Weird Photo of the Week

A cat that looks like Hitler. There is actually a website. I kid you not.

The Case for Cursive

The art of cursive handwriting is almost lost. Can you write cursive? When was the last time you tried. Your signature does not count.

Thought For The Day

Spark That Engine With A Laser

Yet another breakthrough in energy efficiency comes from a Japanese company that has developed a laser spark plug for internal combustion engines. It may be possible to develop conversion kits for vehicles already on the road. The savings in energy efficiency could be substantial. Every little bit helps. Hurry up!

Building Guitars You'll Keep

Santa Cruz Guitar Co. is hand-crafting some fine acoustic guitars. Learn why that is important for the lucky souls that are fortunate enough to own them.

Why You Should Care About the iPhone Location-Tracking Issue

As much as I like Apple technology, this bit of information released last week is disturbing. Both Apple and MicroSoft have been cozying up to the Feds for some years now. People need to be seeking the true agenda.

Going Electric on the Highway

Jim Hopf, senior nuclear engineer of EnergySolutions (same company I work for) gives his assessment of the current status of the electric automobile in the USA. He sounds pretty optimistic and he is putting his money where his mouth is.

Sunlight Straight To Power

Researchers at the Univ. of Michigan have discovered a way to convert sunlight directly to electric power without traditional semiconductor based solar cells using magnetic effects of photons that has been thought by established physics to be insignificant.

Light at the right intensity traveling through a non-conducting material can generate magnetic effects that are 100 million times stronger that previously expected. This article states that this is very early major news.

A New Way to Produce Hydrogen

A research group from Switzerland has developed a new catalyst that is a breakthrough in the generation of hydrogen. One step closer to economic hydrogen production from water.

Homes Built With Help From Google

A couple in rural Fairview, Tennessee used a 3D modeling program called Sketchup from Google to design and build a solar powered home. There is a free download and pro-version that must be purchased. Sketchup can be used to model almost anything from coffee cups to buildings.

iPads Cost Jobs???

Lee Stranahan has an interesting analysis of how digital technology is changing the traditional jobs in our economy. It's not just due to the production and sales of iPads. We need to be thinking about how we transition work in our economy. Technology has the potential to empower individuals to transform the way we live. How do we "raise all boats?"

Effects of Cobalt-60 on Health

I forwarded the pdf of the paper linked in this installment of Seeker Blog to several of my nuke friends. So far, I don't think there are any major holes in the conclusions, but the paper may not actually be published in a peer reviewed journal to day.

The paper has some interesting conclusions. Be sure to check out some of the more recent articles at this blog site that discuss the linear no threshold (LNT) concept.

Updated Reading List

Currently, I'm focused on two books. One is "The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer" by Suddhartha Mukherjee. I'm about half way into it but I give it high marks. Mukherjee does a great job is describing the history of this disease and the twists and turns of medical research of the last 200 years.

The other book is one I've had on the shelf for several years, but for some reason just never got started on it. It's "Genius: The Life and Science of Richard Feynman" by James Gleick. Feynman was definitely someone who thought outside the proverbial box. I'm still in the first quarter of the book, but it is a great read if you have any interest on the history of modern physics and the insatiable appetite for understanding the workings of our universe.

Gleick is also the author of "Chaos: Making a New Science" which I hope to get to in the not too distant future.

Traveling-Wave Power Reactor

TerraPower LLC is promoting a new design of a nuclear power reactor that essentially burns spent nuclear fuel from existing power reactors (I wonder what kind of reactor Steve Jobs would promote). One of the key backers is no other than Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft. The reactor is known as the traveling-wave reactor. It can run for decades before it needs refueling.

This type of reactor technology would certainly help diffuse the urgency of a long-term spent fuel depository, i.e. Yucca Mt. in Nevada. Unfortunately, it could take 10 years to get regulatory approval to build a unit in the USA.

High Resolution Photos of the Fukushima Damage

Best photos that I've seen to date on the damage at the Fukushima reactor complex. A drone airplane was used to shoot these photos.

Organic Bach in Nature

Cruise Ship Timelapses

I recommend 720i and full screen.

The Politics of Spent Nuclear Fuel

Dan Yurman in his blog has an insightful analysis of the general unhappiness about management of spent nuclear fuel in the USA.

Safe Nuclear Power Does Exist

China will soon be leading the way with an alternative nuclear power technology using natural thorium as a nuclear fuel. The technology started in Oak Ridge, Tennessee decades ago. We've not done much with it. Maybe the problems encountered with the uranium based reactors in Japan will open our eyes to an even safer nuclear power generation methodology. We need to get things in gear and soon.

Radiation Dose Chart

Click here to see a chart of the ionizing radiation dose a person can absorb from various sources.

Reactor Core Meltdown Explained

Physicist Michio Kaku explains the ABCs of a nuclear power reactor meltdown due to a loss of coolant and what is going on in northeast Japan this morning.

From what I understand, this reactor complex is about 40 years old, therefore, it may not be as well designed to absorb seismic shocks as well are more recent designs. This reactor complex was at the end of it's life and probably should have been in the decommissioning process given it's location to known geological faults. Hind-sight is always 20/20.

Smartphone-Enabled Device that Detects Cancer in Under 1-Hour

Hand-held electronics will only become more important with each succeeding evolution. This breakthrough makes this point quite clear. The only fly in the ointment is if these devices themselves are conclusively found cause cancer when held next to your body.

The Disappearing Spoon

I just finished reading (listening to) a book that came out in 2010 some might find interesting. If you hated chemistry in school or were just mystified by it, this book might change your opinion.

The book is "The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements."

The discovery of the chemical elements was a messy, funny, and competitive process. You were not likely to get these stories in class. I highly recommend it.

Nuclear Powered Cars. Are You Ready???

Seems at first to be an early April Fools article. But then the concept seems to be legit. Let us hope that the NRC and Dept. of Motor Vehicles don't decide to merge.

The Workings of an Ancient Nuclear Reactor

The story of this reactor has been a part of my graduate education legacy, thanks to Prof. Paul K. Kuroda. In a lecture by Prof. Kuroda in the Spring of 1972, I was enthralled by his description of a science I was just beginning to learn: cosmochemistry - the origin of the chemical elements. I learned that we are all 'star stuff.' The Universe has never looked the same since.

As a side note, the natural nuclear reactor came about with the assistance of blue-green algae. This tiny plant generated an abundance of oxygen that helped create acid conditions that dissolved the uranium in water, which moderated the neutrons, which resulted in a cycling chain reaction that ran for a hundred thousand years or so. Think about it. Life and nuclear energy in a symbiotic relationship.

A new book came out last year that I highly recommend to scientists and non-scientists alike: "The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements.

Power Play

Dan Rather has a story on new nuclear reactor technology in the USA on HDNet which is no the HD tier of most cable TV offerings. The show repeats several time over the next few days. It was disappointing that there was no mention of energy from thorium.

Natalie Portman's ORNL Ties

It seems that Natalie (Hershlag) Portman co-authored a paper with a scientist from Oak Ridge National Laboratory back in 1998. Who'da thunk it?

Warren Buffett and His Inclination Against Nuclear Power

With Warren Buffett, it's all about "pricing power." Too bad he is not considering the long term best interest for his neighbors and fellow countrymen (and -women).

Concerns with Geo-Tagging

Before you post that photo on the internet, you should be aware of the potential consequences.
Learn more about this issue from this news story.

Reel Wisdom: Lessons from 40 Films in 7 Minutes

From my buddy Clay, who always inspires.

Reversng Diabetes in 30 Days?

Click here to view the trailer for a DVD called "Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days"

I've read about the raw diet off and on for about 12 years. It seems to make a lot of sense. There are some so called nutrition experts who caution the public about some dangers inherent in the raw diet.

But, to me, our over-medicated culture is indicative that we may be killing ourselves with addictive comfort food. I know that I struggle with it and I keep away from soft drinks, pork, and artificial sweeteners. I love breads, cookies, butter, and a good steak every now and then.

I do not have blood sugar issues, but I find this information compelling and I may just start to tinker with my routine diet. I assume the greatest challenge is to find recipes that are tasty and convenient.

And on the subject of food, have you begun to notice the price increases in the food stores? Click here to get some details on global food production. Not good news. This might be a good year to start a backyard garden. I hope there are still plenty of places to find genetically unmodified seeds.

The REAL Death of the Music Industry

Here is an interesting analysis of the trends in recorded music. It would be interesting to see what other areas of the music industry look like.

Thorium: The Miracle Cure for a New Nuclear Backbone?

An analysis of where the world stands on the development of thorium-based nuclear reactors. It all started with Dr. Alvin Weinberg at Oak Ridge National Laboratory back in the 1960s.

The Dirty Business of Clean Coal

Regardless about how people feel about the issue of man-made global warming, coal is a finite resource and it can be a pollutant of the air and water (ash). Right now it seems to be a cheap energy source, but there are long-term cost that will be paid. There are better alternatives. Through better leadership and education, I think it is past time to re-direct our national (and global for that matter) focus on a sustainable energy technology that is based on nuclear power and sensible alternative sources.

Why Nobody Can Match the iPad's Price

Apple apparently understands markets as well as technology. They've got the whole package.

Tech Gagets and Alternative Energy Depend on Rare Earth Metals

Windmills and electric automobiles have one very important substance in common: rare earth metals. Guess which country controls 97% of the world's production. Let me give you a hint; it is the nation that is feeding our country's debt addiction.

It is time for a reality check if we want to grow some jobs.

The Lost Video Tape of Superbowl I

A recording has been found. It is hard to believe that the networks never thought to keep a recording of the first Superbowl on Jan. 15, 1967. I remember watching it over at my buddy Jim Bray's house on his new Zenith 25-in color TV.

An Epic 1940s Story of Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Your Web Presence

There has been a lot of buzz lately about the website Spokeo on the internet. If you've not heard about it, I suggest you read this.

Growing Popularity of Grocery Delivery Services

I've been reading for a few months now about the growing industry and popularity of grocery delivery services around the country. Lifehacker gives six good reasons for checking it out.

Piano Stairs

This has been out for a while. Not sure how I missed it but it is cool enough to share again.

Antinuclear Power Activist Has An Epiphany

Symphony of Science - "We Are All Connected"

Sent to me by my friend Mike Benedetto of Buffalo, NY.

Nuclear Alchemist, Albert Ghiorso 1915-2010 R.I.P

Dr. Ghiorso was a legend that I started reading about in my earliest days as a chemistry student at HSU. Being responsible for the discovery of 12 elements is pretty impressive. A combination of inquisitive mind, right place, and right time.

Bizarro Comic - January 5, 2011

Apple's A5 Chip for the Upcoming iPad2 and iPhone 5

Expect to start seeing some improvements in graphical power in the coming months on the iPad 2 and iPhone 5. Every electronic device I have is rapidly becoming 'so yesterday.'

NASA's Bobby Braun Talks About Mars

The Importance of Cheap, Reliable Power for Economic Development

Here is Rod Adams' latest thoughts on energy and economics.

Carnegie Mellon Open Source Learning

The challenge for CMU is to recreate the intensive classroom experience for a solitary student studying on the Internet. Click here to read about how conversational French II is being taught.

10 Things You May Not Know About Oil

This link is not all that new but just in case you missed it, click here.

Current Reading List

Here's what I've got in the reading rotation currently: 1) At Home - Bill Bryson; 2) The Invisible Gorilla and Other Ways Our Intuitions Deceive Us - Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons; 3) Me and Lee - Judyth Vary Baker; and 4) Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand

Another Solar Cell Breakthrough

Caltech has announced another breakthrough in solar cell development. This time it is about flexible cells the enhances the absorption of sunlight using only a fraction of the expensive semiconductor materials required by conventional solar cells.

Nondestrutive Radiocarbon Dating

Marvin Rowe of Texas A&M has developed a major improvement in radiocarbon dating. Using a nondestructive methodology, samples being tested are no longer destroyed. This is a very cool breakthrough.

Dr. Rowe is an acquaintance of mine and studied under the same professor in graduate school as I did (Prof. Paul K. Kuroda). He was instrumental in some of the cosmochemistry research on meteorites using the Univ. of Arkansas' Reynolds Rare Gas Mass Spectrometer. In fact, after Prof. Kuroda's retirement, Dr. Rowe inherited the device and took it back to Texas A&M's Dept. of Chemistry.

Dr. Rowe is also the graduate professor of Dr. J. Marvin Herndon of San Diego, CA, who has proposed a theory that the earth's core is being kept molten by a natural breeder uranium reactor.