Toyota Shuns Lithium-ion Batteries for Next Gen Prius

Don't expect any impressive MPG gains in the next generation Toyota Prius

Toyota's next generation Prius likely won't have the spectacular boost in fuel economy that was once expected. In late May, the Japanese newspaper Nikkan Koyogo reported that Toyota was considering nixing the idea of putting lithium-ion batteries in the next generation Prius. The newspaper stated that there were concerns within the company about the safety of lithium-ion batteries -- something that Sony is already well aware of.

The Wall Street Journal confirmed today that the next-generation Prius will not use lithium-ion battery technology -- at least for the first few years. The lithium-ion batteries that were to be used in the Prius would have been provided by Panasonic EV Energy Company.

The Prius will instead continue to use nickel-metal hydride batteries -- albeit in a higher capacity form to boost mileage over the current generation vehicle.

Toyota's decision to not use lithium-ion battery technology could be a big break for General Motors. GM has long been in Toyota's shadow when it comes to hybrid technology, but the company is looking to reverse its fortunes in the coming years.

The company has launched its new "mild hybrid" Saturn Aura Green Line sedan and is nearing the release of dual-mode hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon full-size SUVs. GM's coup de grâce, however, could be the upcoming Saturn Vue Green Line mid-sized crossover.

In 2009, the Saturn Vue Green Line will be equipped with a 2-mode hybrid powertrain and plug-in capabilities. Owners will be able to charge their vehicle overnight via a standard 110-volt outlet and drive 10 miles on fully charged lithium-ion batteries before the internal combustion engine takes over. In addition, GM says that its plug-in hybrid Vue Green Line is good for 70MPG.

All hope is not lost for the Prius in the quest for increased fuel economy. Current and future Prius owners can always look to third-parties to retrofit their vehicles with lithium-ion batteries. Lithium Technology Corporation has produced a lithium-ion battery pack (comprised of 63 LTC LiFePO4 cells) for the current Prius. When coupled with a plug-in system, fuel economy jumps from 46MPG combined to 125MPG

New Magnetic Phenomenon May Improve RAM Memories And Storage Capacity Of Hard Drives

A team of scientists from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, in collaboration with colleagues from the Argonne National Laboratory (USA) and the Spintec laboratory (Grenoble, France), has for the first time produced microscopic magnetic states, known as "displaced vortex states", that will allow an increase in the size of MRAMs (which are not deleted when the computer is switched off). The research has been published in Physical Review Letters and Applied Physics Letters.

In the near future we will turn our computers on and they will be ready to work almost instantaneously; no longer will we have to wait a while for the operating system and certain programs to load into the RAM. At the moment, SRAM and DRAM do not allow this, as they are quick, but they are deleted when the computer is switched off (that is, they are "volatile"); Flash memories, which we use for digital cameras, are not deleted, but they are slow; MRAM, which is still being developed, is fast and non-volatile, but has a relatively low storage capacity. A team of scientists from the UAB Department of Physics, in collaboration with colleagues from the Argonne National Laboratory (USA) and the Spintec laboratory (Grenoble, France), have discovered a magnetic phenomenon that could be useful in the quest for the ideal type of memory: an MRAM with large storage capacity.

The "displaced vortex states", first observed by UAB researchers, are small circular movements of just a few thousandths of a millimetre that form in the tiny zones where the data is stored. The information on hard drives has normally been saved by orientating these zones in specific directions. The zones pointing upwards, for example, codify a 1, and those pointing downwards a 0. The smaller and more compact these zones are, the greater the capacity of the hard drive. But if they are too close together, the magnetic field created by one can affect the neighbouring zone and wipe the data. However, if the field is saved in a whirlpool form, in "vortex state", it does not leave the tiny zone to which it is confined and does not affect the neighbouring data, thus making it possible for a much larger hard drive capacity.

The scientists have achieved these "vortex states" on small, circular structures that are smaller than a micrometre (a thousandth of a millimetre) and combine layers of material with opposing magnetic properties: a layer of ferromagnetic material and a layer of antiferromagnetic material. What makes the configuration of the magnets observed by the UAB scientists new is that the vortex states are "displaced", that is, once the magnetic field is no longer applied, the eye of the whirpool moves off-centre with regard to the circular structure on which it formed. This seemingly insignificant detail is the key to applying the technique to increasing the capacity not only of hard drives but also Magnetic Random Access Memories (MRAMs) that are fast, non-volatile, but until now with small storage capacity.

"The phenomenon observed could also be applied to other fields, such as improving the read heads of hard drives", according to Jordi Sort, a UAB-ICREA physicist and the coordinator of the research. "But the reason that motivated us is even more fundamental: this is a very peculiar physical state that can be observed only in extremely small magnetic structures."

Power Pedal Legs Coming in August

Humans will be able to receive a robotic upgrade if research by Matsushita is successful

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. unveiled the "Power Pedal" robot suit; a pair of robotic legs able to help elderly or disabled people walk. The robotic legs offer a user-expanded leg power up to seven times more than what the human body offers. Once properly secured in the device, a user applies foot pressure to a pair of sensor-equipped pedals that control the suit.

Suit designers programmed the device to move along six different axes, and it can safely travel over rough terrain. The company expects the robot suit to be a logical tool in disaster relief operations, with no official testing details announced.

The Power Pedal will be available on the Japanese market in August with an estimated price of 20 million yen ($167,000). Matsushita will lower the price to 3.5 million yen ($30,000) by 2015.

Matsushita made noise in the robotics field previously when it unveiled plans to create a robotic jacket which rehabilitates paralyzed medical patients. With the help of Activelink and Kobe Gakuin University, the three organizations will make a vest that slips over the patient's chest and arms and allows a person to move around freely.

Another Step Towards Unbreakable Quantum Encryption

Long-distance relay proves concept of foolproof security using entangled photons

A group of European scientists succeeded in beaming an encryption code based on photons across about 90 miles of ocean. The experiment took place recently in the Canary Islands, from a light source on the island of La Palma to a receiving station on nearby Tenerife. The researchers published their exploits in this month's issue of the academic journal Nature Physics.

According to the European Space Agency, which funded the study, the experiment allows ESA to move closer to harnessing entanglement as a means of "communicating with satellites with total security."

Entanglement is an unusual property of quantum mechanics used to describe the manner in which photons naturally interact with each other. Using a non-linear process called Spontaneous Parametric Down Conversion (SPDC), it is even possible to directly create pairs of entangled photons. These entangled photons lend themselves to encryption applications because of their unique linkage. If one photon is exposed to a third particle, both of the paired photons will change their state instantaneously -- even though one of the photons is physically separated from its mate.

The degree of change in the state of the paired photons is completely random and unpredictable, according to ESA, theoretically foiling any attempt by a third party to decode the message without actually intercepting the quantum encryption key. However, the very act of detecting the photons would change the state of the photon pair, betraying the presence of an eavesdropper. "These changes would be obvious to the legitimate receiving station and the presence of the eavesdropper would be instantly detected," ESA wrote in its official announcement of the experiment's success. "Such behavior has the potential to allow messages to be swapped with complete confidence."

Prior to the inter-island experiment, it was not known whether entanglement would be adversely affected when the beam of entangled photons was transmitted through the atmosphere over a considerable distance. The favorable results of the experiment have given the space agency confidence that entanglement does not decay over long distances, indicating that quantum encryption can be harnessed for securing satellite communications.

Possible applications for the unbreakable code might include transmissions of financial data between banks, military communications and even the distribution of feature films, according to ESA officials.

Microsoft Plans to Revolutionize Interface Technology With "Surface"

Surface takes user involvement with digital media to the next level

Microsoft is looking to today make the same breakthrough in interface technology with "Surface" that the mouse did back in the 1980s. Surface, which will be demonstrated today at the Wall Street Journal’s D: All Things Digital conference, provides instant interaction between people and digital content using hand gestures on a touch screen.

"With Surface, we are creating more intuitive ways for people to interact with technology," said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. "We see this as a multibillion dollar category, and we envision a time when surface computing technologies will be pervasive, from tabletops and counters to the hallway mirror. Surface is the first step in realizing that vision."

In its current form, Surface is incorporated into a 30" display mounted into a table. This allows user involvement to expand beyond just one person. Surface is capable of recognizing input from not just one finger, but up to dozens of inputs simultaneously.

This technology isn’t exactly new as Apple uses a less complex version on its iPhone and “multi-touch” technology was demonstrated by Jeff Han to much fanfare last year. Microsoft, however, is bringing multi-touch to the masses.

Users can perform tasks such as browsing through pictures and music files by simply using their fingers. For users operating Surface in restaurants, a simple touch of the screen could allow you to order a beverage during a meal.

Surface also has the ability to read bar codes on items to provide further information to the user. "This means that when a customer simply sets a wine glass on the surface of a table, a restaurant could provide them with information about the wine they’re ordering, pictures of the vineyard it came from and suggested food pairings tailored to that evening’s menu," said Microsoft. "The experience could become completely immersive, letting users access information on the wine-growing region and even look at recommended hotels and plan a trip without leaving the table."

Microsoft also notes that the transfer of digital content is also possible with Surface. So it's not too hard to envision being able to set your Zune on Surface and transfer your playlist or video files for playback on the 30" display.

Surface will first be available at Harrah’s Entertainment properties, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts and T-Mobile retail stores.

"When visitors to Las Vegas choose to stay at one of our casinos, they can enjoy the amenities at all of them," said Harrah senior VP Tim Stanley. "Microsoft Surface is a great way to help our guests get the most out of their trips to Las Vegas by putting all the offerings and experiences we make available at their fingertips."

"We are creating new and engaging ways for our guests to connect with their passions while away from home. Microsoft Surface puts us at the forefront of technology and allows guests to interact with each other and our hotel in a revolutionary way," said Hoyt H. Harper II, senior vice president for Sheraton.

MIT Engineers Unveil Wireless Power System

A 60-watt bulb illuminates for the future of wireless power

"Wireless" isn't exactly a new concept to computing. Network connectivity, USB devices and even displays had their cords cut in recent years. Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology took the final steps towards cutting the last tether of the laptop user: the power cord.

Transmitting power wirelessly is traditionally limited to line-of-sight methods such as microwave or laser, which have a "significant negative effect" on anyone or anything unfortunate enough to be caught in the middle.

Playfully dubbed "WiTricity" by the team, the researchers were able to power a sixty-watt lightbulb from seven feet away using the principle of magnetically coupled resonance. The basic concept is similar to existing electromagnetic inductive chargers, but does not suffer the massive drop in efficiency when distance is increased.

The experiment works as follows. Two magnetic coils resonate at the same frequency. When one of these coils is attached to a power source, the resonant magnetic field produced by the coil increases dramatically. The second, unpowered coil "couples" with the resonating magnetic field. The resonance from the second coil is then converted back to electricity for the device.

The MIT researches are quick to tout magnetically coupled resonance over electromagnetic induction. Aristeidis Karalis, an MIT graduate student that worked on the project, states, "Here is where the magic of the resonant coupling comes about. The usual non-resonant magnetic induction would be almost 1 million times less efficient in this particular system."

In addition to increased efficiency, the WiTricity project does not transmit biologically harmful electromagnetic radiation during operation. Additionally, line-of-sight issues present in microwave technology disappear with WiTricity; magnetic fields are more-or-less unaffected by non-metallic materials in most environments.

The most current WiTricity experiments use coils approximately 20" in diameter and operate at distances of approximately two meters. The team hopes to eventually power a notebook from a several meters away.

Private Company Unveils Tourist Spaceship

Another company has high hopes for space tourism

The European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) has publicly announced plans to join the space tourism race by 2012. The company believes the space tourism industry could be a multibillion-dollar industry in 20 years, especially as companies continue to develop technology to safely and easily take tourists up on trips. EADS is currently Europe's biggest aerospace company, with the Astrium division being responsible for the space tourism endeavor.

Astrium is best known for creating the Ariane rocket, which is responsible for taking a large portion of commercial satellites into orbit.

The Astrium division plans on carrying space tourists on a suborbital ride higher than 100 kilometers above Earth. The craft will use traditional runways and normal jet engines to take off and climb to 12 kilometers, then the rocket engines would be ignited to take the craft up another 60 kilometers in just 80 seconds. The spacecraft will then coast the rest of the way until it's eventual 100 kilometer apogee.

The expected cost of one ticket will run roughly $267,000 per flight. Due to safety precautions, only four passengers at a time will be able to enjoy the hour and a half-long flight.

EADS already has already created specifications for a rocket plane, but now is seeking co-investors to help ease the cost of construction. Most contributed funding should come from private investors, though several governments may become involved with the project. Bavaria -- where the engines will be produced -- is a likely candidate of a for German participation in the project.

"We believe it is the will of human beings to visit space and we have to give them the possibility to do that, said Francois Auque, Astrium CEO.

The space jet is scheduled to become operational next year, with 2012 as the goal for commercial launch.

The space tourism sector is picking up -- for example, companies including Virgin Galactic, Benson Space, Space Adventures -- are all vying for the top spot of the budding industry. Space Adventures remains the only company to successfully take a paying customer into orbit at a cost of $20 million per flight.