Hydrogen Hybrid Supercar Revealed in Las Vegas

Nowadays people are interested in cars that use little oil because the high price of fuel. As a result, hybrid cars are one alterntives for us.

"Hydrogen Hybrid Supercar Revealed in Las Vegas"
source: http://www.hybridcars.com/fuels/hydrogen-hybrid-supercar-25231.html
Summary: Texas-based Ronn Motor Company has launched "Hydrogen hybrid Supercars" on November 6th, 2008. The supercar is called "The Scorpion" which can reach 200 mph (miles per hour) while using only 40 mpg (miles per gallon). The Scorpion is powered by a hydrogen-assisted Acura 3.5-liter V-6 engine. Its power can be ranged from 289 to 450 horsepower depending on the enginge customers choose. Unlike most hydrogen systems which utilize fuel cells and electric motor, these supercars employ only hydrogen and gasoline by adding hydrogen to internal combustion in order to improve fuel efficiency. The dual computer processors of the on-board hydrogen system charge water in a small tank to release hydrogen molecules and then inject them into the powertrain as needed. Because the cost is high (The Scorpion price is around $150,000 to $250,000), it is difficult to reach the mass market.
Response: I think the price is too high so only little people (who are rich ;p) can buy and use it. Although the price of fuel is high, most people still need to use it because they cannot easily afford those supercars. However, the development in this technology gives options to people who don't want to use oils and will reduce cost in the future if they keep doing research. So keep working... Scientist and engineers :)

New Communications Tools Help Emergency Responders

As I was assigned to be in the Science and Technology group, I need to read an article about Science and Technology this weekend ;p And I found one interesting article about smart search-and-rescue robots.

"New communications tools help emergency responders"
And this is a link to the article: http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/10/29/disaster.communication/index.html

Summary: Because rescue crews' tools don't work well in searching survivors in the destroyed-by-disasters places, some researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology are trying to improve these tools. They created smart search-and rescue robots which communicate with the person controlling them and the transmitters via radio signals. But in the rubble pile of exploded buildings, radio signals can be lost easily depending on scattering and distance between the operator and the robot. The further distance and more scattering environment, the less power of radio signals. As a result, these robots can monitor their received signal strengths and will amplify the radio signals if they know they are going to lose the communication between them and operators. These robots can help rescue workers search survivors better and also protect the lives of these workers who do dangerous rescue work.

Response: I think these robots are really helpful because they will decrease the danger risk of these rescuers and help rescuers find survivors easier. Also, these robots use radio signals to contact with their operators. So it will be better if something happens in the ruins, rescuers will be saved because they can control the robots somewhere else outside those ruins. And the most interesting for me is that these robots can monitor received signal strengths and can amplify them using their repeaters! This make robots can go further... Good! In my opinion, the development in technology is making our world better if people use these technologies in the right and appropriate way :)

When I read this article, I wonder how operators control these robots? I think these robots must have a camera so that operators can see environment, and navigate and control them. Also, I want to learn more about the way operators communicate with robots.