10 Reasons Why The World Should Go Solar

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

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Guys, what's up? 7K+ people in this amazing group of News lovers and climbing! So proud to be connected with all of you. We have a better way! 

You’ve probably heard of it; Solar Power. The way to go green by using the sun for electricity and much, much more. 

If you take a serious look into all the possibilities that solar power has to offer, you are going to wonder why the whole world is not running on it yet. Here are the 10 reasons why the world should go solar:

1. It saves you money

One of the things that make Solar Power stand out is how on the long haul you are going to save money. Sure, getting them might be a bit expensive, but after a few years your wallet is going to thank you. Money saved can go up to $2400 a year (for homeowners) and up to $6000 a year (for business owners). You could take the family to Disney for that money. 

2. Solar energy is a way to escape the hold countries have on other countries

A lot of natural resources like oil, coal and gas are imported into our country from other countries. This means that when something happens in those countries, like lets say a war, we could potentially be cut off from supplies. Solar Power does not face that problem as it is possible in any country anywhere. 

3. It’s better for the climate 

Critics have pointed out that by making solar panels certain chemicals are released into out atmosphere that form a bigger danger than carbon dioxide. What they fail to mention is that more carbon dioxide is released into the air per day from all over the world than the chemicals used to make solar panels. For solar panels this is a one time thing, once it’s made it’s made and no chemicals are released anymore and that’s better for the climate than your car ever will be. 

4. Jobs 

If there is more solar power used there will also be more jobs for people out there. Especially in this economy those are needed, as unemployment rates are still on the rise in almost all of the countries across the globe. By creating a bigger market for solar power you will also be creating more jobs for more people. 

5. The sun isn’t going to run out of light 

Another of the pros of solar power is the fact that the sun won’t be running out of light anytime soon. However we will be through natural resources like oil and gas eventually. 

6. It has many purposes 

Solar power can be used in an infinite number of ways. The only thing that’s limiting us is our creativity. Currently there are satellites in our inner and outer atmosphere completely powered by solar power. Cars that break speed records are powered by solar power. In Africa water is being distilled by solar power.. Well, isn't that awesome?!

7. It’s easily integratable into your home or community 

Your house probably already has a roof where you can place solar panels, but even for those of us who live in apartment buildings there are great options available. By placing a field with solar panels inside a community, or outside a town when you need more space, you can easily generate enough energy for a whole neighbourhood. Which brings me onto my next point..

8. It’s usable everywhere 

Any country and any person in the world could live off of solar power. It could easily change the world and save a lot of people who are currently dying because of the lack of electricity, heating or drinkable water. 

9. Solar powered roads 

Not that long ago a huge online fundraiser for solar roadways was held. They got way more than their original goal of $1 million and no wonder. Solar Roadways are freaking awesome and here’s why; They will make driving safer for people and for animals, because they light up when anything walks over them, heat up in cold areas so the roads are not snowy and more. Plus they are very durable and take way less maintenance than those asphalt roads. Want to know more about this amazing project? 

Check them out here.

10. Low maintenance

Solar Power is low maintenance. Did you know that solar panels only have to be cleaned a few times a year? With everything you get out of them that’s just a small price to pay. Once your installation is up, there is almost nothing to do to maintain the installation.

The Bottom Line is: Solar Power has the power to change the world and it’s all up to us whether or not we take all the opportunities it has to offer to make this world a better one. 

SEE ALSO: CNETTV : Robots Pivot Solar Panels to face the Sun by QBotix

Have a nice week! If you liked this post please leave your good comments in the box below.

*by andreascy*

How Engineering Helps Society

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Engineering is one of those areas that most people take for granted and don’t give much thought to. 

The valuable work that these engineers undertake is all around us, in all areas of our lives. Engineering makes our lives better, helps us to enjoy life, saves lives and keeps us safe from harm.

So just how does engineering help society?

Once a person has trained as an engineer, their skills can then be used in many different ways. For instance, medical innovations need engineers to develop the necessary equipment and components in order to save lives. However, the medical world is not the only way that engineers benefit our society.

Engineers work in so many areas, they help to build roads, construct bridges and bypasses, they develop ways of producing more environmentally friendly power or ways in which we can recycle more. Electrical engineers develop safety devices and engineers help develop our cars to protect us from crash and injuries.

Put quite simply, engineers are involved in every stage of a process from the design, through the manufacture, development and implementation. There are so many different fields in which an engineer might work, but here we will just explore the role of an Energy Engineer.

Energy Engineering

Energy engineering covers a broad spectrum of areas which deal with energy efficiency, services, facility management, alternative energy and environmental compliance. Due to the Government legislation and carbon reduction targets, energy minimisation is a growing industry. To reduce our energy consumption, consideration must be given to lighting, refrigeration and eco-friendly ways of generating power such as solar panels and wind turbines.

Energy technology is a term used which refers to the skills, knowledge and equipment required for the production, distribution and use of energy. By the end of this decade, 15% of all energy consumed within the UK will have to come from renewable sources and for this reason there is a growing demand for Renewable Energy Engineers.

What does a Renewable Energy Engineer Do?

A renewable energy engineer is responsible for the design, development and implementation of renewable energy sources. These include wind, marine, biomass and solar technologies and an energy engineer’s job is to solve existing problems and develop creative solutions to capture, convert, store and manage renewable energy.

There are many areas to the job and becoming an energy engineer is a very rewarding career. A renewable energy engineer will be responsible for evaluating current sources of energy before designing and developing alternative solutions. The engineer may also wish to specialise in a certain area such as heating, lighting, air conditioning or energy procurement.

Renewable Energy Engineering as a Career

Due to Government targets, unique opportunities are being created in renewable energy. As an energy engineer you will be involved in the research, development and production of energy through renewable sources. You will be responsible for solving problems and developing ways to extract usable energy from sustainable sources such as bio fuels, hydro power, wind turbines and solar power.

For more information and careers advice you will find all you need to know on the web or speak to your careers advisor for further details.

*by andreascy*

Real Life Super Humans Via Robotic Software

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Research for robotic-type suits for the military has been under the microscope, so to speak, since the 1990’s. 

The first actual suit was unveiled in 2002 but it lacked power. As the advancement of technology birthed smaller and more versatile sensors as well as faster microprocessors, many researchers were becoming convinced that a wearable robot - exoskeleton -- should be further considered, developed and perfected; and it has, pending a few tweaks here and there. A compact box on the back of the robot-suit houses the on-board computer and the control systems.

Continued perfection is moving forward; and one research company, out of several, is working under a two-year, $10 Million grant from the U.S. Army. The realization of a motorized human is on the verge of completion. A handful of engineers are on the thresh-hold of fulfilling the military’s fantasy of mechanically-enhanced soldiers that would have the super-human ability to lift equipment weighing 200 pounds as if it were only 30-some ounces.

Using a sensor attached to the wearer’s skin, the exoskeleton detects brain signals sent to muscles. The on-board computer analyzes these signals to determine how it must move and with how much force. 

Medical and Military Applications:

Medical: 

The software that commands artificial muscles, as well as control systems, has applications beyond the military. For those who are wheel-chair bound, the possibilities are wide open and remain extremely tantalizing. Developed technology in the field of robotics software has been eagerly embraced by a variety of medical organizations which recognize and have responded to the need for better mobility beyond the wheelchair. An artificially-intelligent brace is being developed to allow paraplegics and the elderly to walk once again. The technology and mechanics involved very much parallel those of the military counterparts.

In 2009, intelligent braces and exoskeletons were used in more than 100 hospitals and welfare centers throughout Japan, with encouraging success. America’s medical arena has followed suit.

Military:

As stated, the military exoskeleton responds to movements of the wearer; and provides astonishing load-bearing assistance over any terrain. The user can support up to 220 pounds and walk continuously at a steady pace and cover over 12 miles without stopping and without exertion. Research is looking into using advanced fuel cells to provide up to 72 hours of continual use without impeding a soldier’s movements in any way.

Overview of Functioning:

Mechanical engineering as well as software engineering combine forces to prompt computer-assisted sensors to control the exoskeleton’s systems. A variety of sensors work in perfect harmony to determine force and position factors. The sensors are connected through the Ethernet to computer processors in each leg and arm joint, which stimulate the actuators which are, simply, mechanical devices that convert energy into motion. This delivers up to 200 kg per square centimeter of force through high-pressure hydraulics. As if that weren’t astounding enough, it should be noted that each joint in the arms and legs has its own processing capability and the joints stay in communication with each other on a constant basis.

While the world is accustom to helpful software applications like file sharing by RLink, this goes beyond the normal realms of technology. With everything in place, the wearer can lift 50 pounds placed in each hand while leaving the arm in a horizontally, extended position for a prolonged period of time with no effort --- Astounding!

*by andreascy*

Boston Dynamics : PETMAN Robot Tests the Performance of Protective Clothing

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

Hello everyone. Hope you're enjoying your weekend! :) 

Any of you still remember PETMAN? The creepily lifelike robot was developed by Boston Dynamics with funding from the DoD CBD program and it’s pretty obvious where the road map for something like this is heading. 

Today we'll show you how it is used to test the performance of protective clothing designed for hazardous environments in ways similar to a human but that a human couldn’t do. The video below shows initial testing in a chemical protection suit and gas mask.

PETMAN has sensors embedded in its skin that detect any chemicals leaking through the suit. The skin also maintains a micro-climate inside the clothing by sweating and regulating temperature. 

Partners in developing PETMAN were MRIGlobal, Measurement technology Northwest, Smith Carter, CUH2A, and HHI.

*by andreascy*

Boston Dynamics Unveils BigDog's Dynamic Robotic Manipulation

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

Robot Manipulation is the basic Science in Robotics. Most of the modern theories arise from the classical concepts of Robot manipulation. 

In the last two decades, there has been a tremendous surge of activity in Robotics, both at in terms of Research and in terms of capturing the imagination of the general public as to its seemingly endless and diverse possibilities.

This period has been accompanied by a technological maturation of Robots as well, from the simple pick and place and painting and welding Robots, to more sophisticated assembly Robots for inserting integrated circuit chips onto printed circuit boards, to mobile carts for parts handling and delivery. Several areas of Robotic automation have now become “standard” on the factory floor and the field is on the verge of a new explosion to areas of growth involving hazardous environments, minimally invasive surgery, and micro electro-mechanical mechanisms. 

A manipulator mechanism is a device used to manipulate materials without direct contact. It is an arm-like mechanism that consists of a series of segments, usually sliding or jointed, which grasp and move objects with a number of degrees of freedom.

Our loyal readers might be familiar by now with Boston Dynamics, the local Robotics company creating with remarkable behavior: mobility, agility, dexterity and speed, the most advanced robots on Earth. That includes the "BigDog", one of a few models utilizing the company's LS3 - legged squad support system - technology. But what happens when you add a brick throwing arm to those legs? Uh-Oh...

Yeap, you heard me right. Rise of the machines! 😀

"BigDog" now handles heavy objects and can fling them, using human motion as a model. The mechanical dog is over a meter tall and weighs more than 100 kilograms (which is more than the average man), and can throw using its whole body, 35lbs of concrete blocks across a room (a bit more than 17 ft). The company has been steadily improving “BigDog” for years with funding from the Army Research Laboratory (RCTA) and seems to have high hopes for this latest advance...

"The goal is to use the strength of the legs and torso to help power motions of the arm. This sort of dynamic, whole-body approach to manipulation is used routinely by human athletes and will enhance the performance of advanced Robots. Boston Dynamics is developing the control and actuation techniques needed for dynamic manipulation", a Boston Dynamics spokesperson said.

“There are a wide variety of applications, both military and civilian, where strong and dexterous manipulation would be needed,” another spokesperson added. “Think of anything a person does now in the field, such as clearing ruble, fighting a fire, digging up an IED, etc. Rather than focus on a specific mission right now, the RCTA program is focused on core functionality that will be useful for many applications.”

You might say it is hard to imagine any real world practical applications for this project. Actually almost everything has a real world practical application, especially if imagination flows without bounds. Moreover, in this case, it is not even hard to imagine! How about: close quarter combat, tear/rip the enemy (human or other robot) apart or throw the enemy somewhere to be terminated, rescue excavation (after an explosion, mine collapse, bombing, earthquake etc.)?

The problem though is that when we create things for destruction, they get used for destruction. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below. 

Subscribe on our Daily Newsletter to get free updates straight to your inbox! If you want to get in touch, then contact us by using this form. 

*by andreascy*

Create the Future with SunSaluter and Galaxy Note 10.1

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

The SunSaluter is a technology that enables the automatic rotation of solar panels to follow the sun throughout the day (just like a sunflower) to increase their energy generation - without using any electricity to do so. 

The technology was created by Eden Full and is being developed by her company Roseicollis Technologies.

It has been deployed in two pilot projects in Kenya. Fascinated by biomimicry, Eden Full aims to power a whole village on SunSaluters in Peru and southern India -- by 2013.

The SunSaluter won the Mashable/UN Foundation Startups for Social Good Challenge and was awarded the runner-up prize at the 2011 Postcode Lottery Green Challenge.

"Good technology is something that is simple, something that anyone whether you are 5 years old, a university professor or a farmer in Tanzania, you'd be able to look at it and get it."

Currently in active development, the Roseicollis Technologies website claims that the SunSaluter is :

• Cheaper: It is constructed from locally-sourced and recyclable materials rather than electronic components.

• Simpler: Almost anyone can assemble and maintain it because of its intuitive design.

• Flexible: It can be installed underneath any existing solar panel with a few minor adjustments.

Watch on the video below how the Galaxy Note 10.1 plays a part in creating the future with Eden from SunSaluter.

In order to preserve our planet and encourage societies to adopt renewable energy resources, we need to lower the cost of solar energy so it is more affordable for individual families and their homes and villages. The SunSaluter is a contribution to tackling energy infrastructure growth and climate change.
Read also: Robots Pivot Solar Panels to face the Sun by QBotix
Learn more about Galaxy Note 10.1 and discover other interesting Solar related topics. Subscribe for straight updates to your inbox or your favourite feed reader.

*by andreascy*

Hi-Tech & Custom Designed 3D Printed Prosthetics

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

The technology has been radically transformed from its origins as a tool used by manufacturers and designers to build prototypes. We know that there are already 3D printed hips and knees in use in the medical field. Nowadays it is manufacturing with a mouse click instead of hammers, nails and, well, workers. 

Advocates of the technology say that by doing away with manual labor, 3D printing could revamp the economics of manufacturing and revive the industry as creativity and ingenuity replace labor costs as the main concern around a variety of goods.

It takes a story like this one to really bring home the idea of how this technology changes lives. Traditionally, amputees have been offered one-size-fits-all prosthetics - functional but not particularly attractive. Now technology is blurring the line between medical devices and sculpture.

US designer Scott Summit is using a 3D printer to create a customised type of cover for a prosthetic leg.

He said: "I was always amazed it (the prosthetic) never looked like the sculpture I thought it should. They looked very utilitarian, like they came from engineers. They solved the mechanical function very well but they didn't really address the human part of the equation. And I thought that perhaps this is where design really wants to come in and change things, make things so that you see it first thing in the morning and you get excited because you can't wait to show it to the world."

The person's existing leg is scanned and the shape of the prosthetic cover is created. It can be customised with different materials - leather, chrome, heavy-duty plastic - some people even choose patterns, snakeskin or a tattoo.

Once the 3D computer scan is complete, the printing begins, building up very thin cross sectional slices until the final piece is complete. Much of the more aesthetic designs coming out of 3D Printers these days, are things that could not have been made by anyone just 10 years ago.

With 3D printers in the public sector the custom nature of products has gone further than ever before. The technology may eventually make these kinds of prosthetics more accessible. We love seeing this life-changing technology and i think there should be a Nobel prize for this!

*by andreascy*

Scientists Unveil Rex, the Million-Dollar Bionic Man

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

A sign of how far the science of robotics has come is today's topic. The world is changing in a rapid way and most of the difficulties of the past are now engineering challenges. Leaders in the field discover impressive techniques that science fiction becomes part of everyday life. 

Swiss psychologist Bertolt Mayer was born without a left hand but now has a £30,000 bionic replacement - which could soon be obsolete. On the picture below he views "Rex", a two-meter tall artificial human, at the Science Museum in central London that was assembled for his documentary entitled "How to Build a Bionic Man".

Mayer was used as the model for the "bionic man," (including his face and his other favorite features), whom British roboticist designers claim is the world's first complete bionic man.

"I’ve looked for new bionic technologies, out of personal interest, for a very long time and...until five to six years ago nothing much was happening. Then suddenly we get this explosion of innovation," he told reporters.

Costing more than £500,000 to build, the human-like machine is featuring the latest in prosthetic technology like artificial organs (including a pancreas, kidney, spleen, trachea) as well as fully functioning limbs and synthetic blood (a blood circulatory system made of nano-particles that are able to bind oxygen and give them off, just like real blood can do). It even has sight.

Robotics expert Richard Walker, and Prof Alexander Seifalian of University College London, explained to the BBC's John Maguire how aspects of technology for helping physically handicapped people, were brought together for the project. Enjoy the video!

Learn more on Gizmag.

Amazing right? :) If you like this topic then definitely you will love our robotics section. If you get deeper on our Blog you will completely change your idea of what robots can do. You could bring forward your opinions and suggestions by using the comments box or the contact form. Spread our voice to your social circles and don't forget to subscribe on our feeds for more. 

*by andreascy* 

The Ultimate Electricity & Money Saving Technology - Electromagnetic Motor

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

The tsunami of new "green" energy technologies has come ashore and so have the scams. People all over the world are struggling with the high costs of energy and are looking for new methods for solutions. The well informed and diligent homeowner can find many ways to slash their utility bills by improving efficiency of existing systems.

All too often, the contractor has been nothing more than a con - artist. One such technology packed with incredible promises and unheard of savings, is the Electromagnet Motor. Remember, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

From the replacement of old boilers and furnaces, to the addition of solar voltaic panels and solar hot water units, there are many options when it comes to improving your home performance, prioritizing your utility bills to achieve the highest savings while spending the least is crucial in choosing a home project.

The primary areas of consideration when looking to lower your utilities are:

- Insulation is probably the most overlooked aspect in construction today. Outdated technologies remain the norm in many locations where new innovative products struggle to market their product against the might of the fiberglass industry.

- Often times they will do a free detailed analysis to determine if your home is suffering from a poorly sealed building envelope. Money spent here will have the greatest payoff.

- Heating/cooling Replacing an aging furnace or air conditioner will NOT save you money if insulation hasn’t been optimized. That said, the newer boilers, air conditioners and forced air furnaces run more efficiently than older units. 

- It may be time to look for new technologies for savings. Solar hot water panels use evacuated solar collectors to charge glycol/water mix up to 180 degrees F in the winter. This water can be circulated to use in many types of boiler fed heating systems including radiant floor and baseboard heat.

- If your location and climate permit, landscaping trees for shade in the summer or using wood burning stoves can offset costs some. Lighting this can be as simple as turning them off. It is estimated that over a quarter of home electrical use is due to leaving lights on when not needed.

- If you can’t bear to turn out the lights, buy some new super efficient LED lights or compact fluorescents. These can save huge amounts over the course of a year, but the initial cost can be substantially more than incandescent bulbs. Even with the large investment, the savings of an LED will pay for them over and over as many last over 10,000 hours! So it would be reasonable to assume that to reduce our energy bills one could simply purchase solar panels or a wind turbine to capture the free energy all around us.

- This is a good assumption and with a large savings pay off this can be a good investment. Once again, if the above listed remedies aren’t in order, it will not save much if anything as it can take up to 20 years to pay off. Recently new advances in solar panel efficiency have put them back into the spotlight for viable alternative energy sources. The troubling new trend is the emergence of fly by night scam artists looking to sell unbelievable technology.

- There are many scams out there, but the one receiving the spotlight today is the electric magnet motor. It is claimed that by using rare earth magnets or electromagnets it is possible to make an infinite supply of energy for the home.

- Supposedly the magnets would begin to spin spontaneously and without any outside input, increase the velocity at which the motor spins. This is simply impossible. It violates the basic laws of physics and principles that govern the real world.

- Newton and Leibniz would be rolling in their graves to see some of the claims made on the internet. The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created nor destroyed in an isolated system. Energy can only change state. 

Theoretically, the magnetic motor could work if it gave up mass to the surroundings, but eventually the motor would dwindle down to nothing and would no longer power anything. New technologies are emerging every year to enhance our lives at lower costs. There are many well founded and proven methods that can be used. “Free energy” machines are far from actual cutting edge products and the sellers prey on the desperation of struggling consumers.

*by andreascy*

Top 5 Most Common Apprenticeships

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

Apprenticeships are all about gaining experience while learning. In fact, the easiest way to land up with a job straight out of college is to have a good experience level that can only be built up through apprenticeship. Obviously there are other advantages to working while studying such as earning money, travelling the world, meeting new contacts in the industry one is about to enter and so on but the number one reason someone should take up such a junior job is to gather technical knowledge of the industry they are about to enter. 

The year 2012 has been characterized by economic turmoil and severe job cuts. In such a scenario, graduates and postgraduates have been left to fend for themselves making it tougher for students to find willing employers who shall give them an apprenticeship.

Nevertheless, there are five fields or work that one can easily get an apprenticeship in. They are engineering, retail marketing, pharmaceuticals, the health sector and public services. These five fields seem to be the least affected throughout the recession of 2007 to 2012. 

Engineering

The potential to earn high even while being an intern is great with engineering programs. Companies, in fact, take up engineering graduates early on through internship programs as it saves them a lot of money spent through recruitment drives.

Moreover, current economic clouds do not allow companies to invest into recruitment. Students in core fields of engineering such as mechanical, electronics and electrical should find it getting an apprenticeship easy and lucrative as the job prospects for these fields shall always be good no matter what the economic situation is like.

Retail Marketing 

If there is any sector that never takes a big loss, it is the retail sector. Manpower is always required for marketing and retail chain businesses hence making it an ideal sector to enter during a recession. Students can gain experience managing retail stores, warehouses etc. while they study and come out with their degree to become managers and administrators.

Pharmaceuticals

Medicine business shall always be a booming business. Just as beauty products shall never go out of demand, medicines are always high on the want list of people. Pharmaceutical companies usually do not give out apprenticeship programs openly so students pursuing a pharmaceutical course should try to make contact with HR departments of large or small companies in an effort to land up a position with them. 

Health Sector 

Being a doctor, paramedic or a nurse is the best thing to survive recession. People who enter the health sector are never out of jobs. Even the current 2012 trends speak for the health sector. With nearly 12.4 million unemployed in the US and 24.7 million unemployed in Europe, the figures for unemployment in the health sector are minute.

This profession is probably the best to search for an apprenticeship in. 

Public Services

Increasing economic turmoil does provide an opportunity for public service students to flex their muscles. With more government agencies finding it difficult to handle increasing demands of the unemployed, the government is more than willing to hire anyone and everyone.

If you like our Blog and you’d like to help us then feel free to comment on our posts, subscribe to our RSS feed / Email and tell others about our website. Thanks for visiting! :)

*by andreascy*

CNETTV : Robots Pivot Solar Panels to face the Sun by QBotix

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

Robots have proven themselves in extreme and diverse environments from the surface of Mars to battlefields and ocean depths. 

QBotix is a robotics company that is bringing the innovations of last several decades to the operation and management of solar power plants.

Their mission is to leverage their expertise in rugged and intelligent robotics to create breakthrough products that offer a compelling combination of competitive cost, high reliability, easy installation, superior performance, universal compatibility and unprecedented system level intelligence. 

With their products, customers reduce cost of ownership while increasing their profit margins and investment returns in solar power plants.

QBotix has invented the paradigm of Solar Robotics™, where autonomous, rugged and intelligent robots replace hundreds of conventional electromechanical components, and also reduce structural material requirements. 

The use of their paradigm allows the creation of fundamentally new system level architectures that reduce cost and increase performance and reliability.

Their first product is the QBotix Tracking System™ (QTS™), which delivers dual axis tracking at single axis installed price. 

The QTS works with all existing photovoltaic modules, inverters and foundations to increase energy production and decrease installed costs, providing the lowest Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) of any mounting or tracking system.

Just like a sunflower turns its head toward the sun, smart and efficient solar panels must do the same for maximum energy absorption. CNET's Kara Tsuboi visits Qbotix in Menlo Park, Calif., where the company introduced such a robotic tracking system that mechanically pivots solar panels, saving energy and money.

If you liked our article read also :
Solar Energy Panels vs. Solar Electricity Plants
Natcore Technology achieves the Blackest Solar Cell ever designed to absorb 99.7% of all light
MIT 3D Stacks of Solar Panels increases their Power output by up to 20x
TED : Donald Sadoway - The missing link to renewable energy
Japan : Rallying for Solar expansion

*by andreascy*

3 Creative Raspberry Pi Projects

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

A Raspberry Pi is a single-board computer i.e. it has a processor, R.A.M, I/O and other features that a computer is required to have on a single circuit board. It does not have a long term memory of its own so instead it uses a SD card for that purpose. 

The Raspberry Pi is extensively used in portable appliances. Moreover, since it is programmable and can control devices, it can be moulded in to some very exciting gadgets. Herein you will find some creative examples of using a raspberry pi in some cool projects.

1. Control Things Around The Home With Remote Control Raspberry Pi

What is better than controlling all the appliances in the house without getting up from your comfortable sofa? Just imagine how annoying it is to wake up in the morning and realise you left the lights and the fan on, or when someone asks you to turn off the water pump in the lawn while you are watching an intense major league baseball match. That hurts big-time! 

Here is the solution to all such ‘getting up and do work’ problems. Thanks to the miniaturized computer, and a simple combo of hardware cum software, you can sit back and relax all day long with your remote control, cleverly avoiding trivial work stuff. For this project items needed are :

       - Raspberry pi

      - Programmable remote control

      - Remote control switches

      - Lego pieces (to make your Raspberry Pi look cool) 

2. Remote Control Raspberry Pi Boat Another interesting idea is a remote control boat 

There’s no need to mention how much fun you can have with a project of this type playing with it in a local pond or swimming pool.This might be considered a project for the big kids, but the reality is that engineers are working on a drone water vessel called FishPi to sail on the Atlantic Ocean and collect data. So it may not be long before there is a prototype model for this project. 

 How a motor can be controlled by a Raspberry Pi? For this purpose a USB controlled motor driver is necessary and it needs to be configured to the projects needs. Other than the controller, two small DC motors are needed; one for the propeller and the other for controlling the direction of the propeller. The wattage of motors depends on how large the vessel is going to be. You can command the direction of the boat using a low-profile Wi-Fi dongle but the key component is of course the Raspberry Pi. 

 3. Physical Gmail Notifier 

Now there’s no need to be in front of the PC to know that a new email has arrived. Get notified about the newly received mail through the physical email notifier. All this cool gadget needs is :

       - An LED

       - A GPIO(General Purpose Input/Output) module 

       - Internet enabled raspberry pi 

       - Software required : Python 

Configure GPIO with one Gmail account using Python, with GPIO-pin status as true if email is received, else status should be false. Connect GPIO output pins with terminals of LED. The LED will glow if a new inbox message has been received. 

 Of course some intricate electronic components are involved in each of these projects but as they say, “Well begun is half done” and projects begin with ideas. It doesn’t end here…you too can think of some creative ideas and with some effort you can achieve something great. Just a little brain storming is needed and you’re off! 

We managed to get a Raspberry Pi computer on its first release in February from Premier Farnell Element 14. This has kicked off an avid obsession into exploring its capabilities and the creativity of others in the Raspberry Pi community.

*by andreascy*