Statisticians from the National University of Singapore and the University of Texas have designed a pattern-recognition algorithm that records the energy consumed by Industrial equipment. The algorithm based framework gathers raw data from various components and identifies abnormal energy patterns. Company engineers can use this data to analyze machine defects, and hopefully reduce the irregular energy patterns through data filtering and machine tweaking.
The model uses recorded machine energy states to organize the data. Sensors implemented within the machines collect the energy consumption data and and feed the data to the mathematical model (the programmers call the model a "finite-state machine," or FSM). The FSM ultimately creates power consumption profiles for each individual machine.
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). "Real-time energy audit reduces power consumption." ScienceDaily, 24 Oct. 2013. Web. 31 Oct. 2013.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131024114117.htm
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Baby Math
Duke University. "Baby's innate number sense predicts future math skill." ScienceDaily, 22 Oct. 2013. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131022170828.htm
Through a series of studies, researchers at the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences have concluded that exposing an infant to an inborn number sense, can help predict the child's mathematical future. Inborn number senses include concepts such as large or small, tall or short, and black and white. The studies examined "48 6-month-old infants to see whether they could recognize numerical changes" (Duke University). A projected image displayed 2 quantities, one large and one small. A child who concentrated on the larger image was said to be able to comprehend the differences in quantities, theoretically being able to achieve higher future math skills.
Three and a half years later, the same 48 children were examined again. The infants who were able to distinguish the difference in quantities from the first experiment, were indeed ranked at a higher math level than the children who could not. According to this research, the results of this experiment can predict how the infants will do on their ACTs and SATs.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131022170828.htm
Through a series of studies, researchers at the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences have concluded that exposing an infant to an inborn number sense, can help predict the child's mathematical future. Inborn number senses include concepts such as large or small, tall or short, and black and white. The studies examined "48 6-month-old infants to see whether they could recognize numerical changes" (Duke University). A projected image displayed 2 quantities, one large and one small. A child who concentrated on the larger image was said to be able to comprehend the differences in quantities, theoretically being able to achieve higher future math skills.
Three and a half years later, the same 48 children were examined again. The infants who were able to distinguish the difference in quantities from the first experiment, were indeed ranked at a higher math level than the children who could not. According to this research, the results of this experiment can predict how the infants will do on their ACTs and SATs.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Ingredients in Wine Could Lead to Better Biodiesels
Basque Research. "First steps towards achieving better and cheaper biodiesel." ScienceDaily, 23 Sep. 2013. Web. 16 Oct. 2013.
Acetals
(a chemical compound found in wine and other fermented goods) could be a
key ingredient to more efficient biodiesel. When compared to petroleum
based diesel, the acetal (organic) biodiesel has a 2% greater
combustion ratio and produces less emissions due to higher engine
performance. Unfortunately, producing organic biodiesel on an
industrial scale would be extremely difficult. Organic diesel would
require thousands of acres of land in order to produce "plant farms"
that would be used to produce fermentation plants that contain the
acetals. The current efficiency of plant material to organic acetal is
only 50 - 60%. However "using
a resin as a solid catalyst instead of sulfuric acid, and glycerol and
butyraldehyde or acetaldehyde as the starting point, they have obtained
outputs of 100%" (Basque Research). Outputs of 100% have only been
obtained in a laboratory setting. But, all manufacturing breakthroughs
started under strenuous laboratory research.
Even
though acetal based biodiesel cannot be currently produced on a mass
scale, acetal research has opened a new door for future calculations and
manipulations of present biodiesel.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Chimpanzees of a Feather Sit Together
University of Vienna. "Chimpanzees of a feather sit together: Friendships are based on similar personalities." ScienceDaily, 9 Oct. 2013. Web. 9 Oct. 2013.
Researchers measuring the behavioral actions of chimpanzees have concluded that the animals conduct themselves similar to humans. The social groups segregated themselves from the introverted. The researchers relate the chimps' behavior to the known "similarity effect" in humans; "We tend to make friends with peope who are equally extroverted, friendly and bold as ourselves" (University of Vienna). The article also makes a point that perhaps the chimps group together because they become more dependent on cooperation within their environment. Choosing groups based off high cooperation levels is exhibited in human behavior as well.
Discovery of Charged Droplets Could Lead to More Efficient Power Plants
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2013, October 2). Discovery of charged droplets could lead to more efficient power plants. ScienceDaily.
Researchers have discovered water repelling from hydrophobic metal surfaces have a tendency to carry an electric charge. This electric charge is produced from the sudden release in surface energy when the water particle jumps from one surface to another. When used correctly, the hydrophobic sheets can create a "wall of water particles" being transferred back and forth between the sheets as the electric charge of the sheets is reversed. Condenser systems within most power plants can use this idea to create a higher rate of heat transfer from the superheated steam to the cooling water running through the condenser tubes. The articles estimates that the hydrophobic sheets could increase the efficiency of the condenser by .02%. .02% does not seem much on a small scale, but to a power plant that is circulating millions of gallons/day through the condenser tubes, the increase in efficiency seems attractive.
This picture shows the water particles repelling from the hydrophobic surface.
A picture of a basic Power Plant condenser. Cooling water travels through the horizontal tubes, cooling the steam traveling vertically.
Researchers have discovered water repelling from hydrophobic metal surfaces have a tendency to carry an electric charge. This electric charge is produced from the sudden release in surface energy when the water particle jumps from one surface to another. When used correctly, the hydrophobic sheets can create a "wall of water particles" being transferred back and forth between the sheets as the electric charge of the sheets is reversed. Condenser systems within most power plants can use this idea to create a higher rate of heat transfer from the superheated steam to the cooling water running through the condenser tubes. The articles estimates that the hydrophobic sheets could increase the efficiency of the condenser by .02%. .02% does not seem much on a small scale, but to a power plant that is circulating millions of gallons/day through the condenser tubes, the increase in efficiency seems attractive.
This picture shows the water particles repelling from the hydrophobic surface.
A picture of a basic Power Plant condenser. Cooling water travels through the horizontal tubes, cooling the steam traveling vertically.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)