How A Breathalyzer Works

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Breathalyzers were scientifically developed in order to help law enforcement personnel to establish if an individual was driving while impaired due to alcohol. 

The technical non-invasive devices can ascertain, if a driver is drunk so the driven can be removed from the road. Breathalyzers test the concentration of blood alcohol in the driver’s blood.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

Years ago the blood alcohol concentration level use to be 0.10. Now most states have a blood alcohol level of 0.08. This limit is also being lowered in some states to 0.05. The American Medical Association has stated that drivers with a level of 0.05 are impaired and should not be driving. A breathalyzer test showing that a driver has a level of 0.15, would prove that per 100 ml of blood, the driver shows 0.15 grams of alcohol present.

Fruit juice or milk is digested but the body does not digest alcohol. It is possible to determine the lever of alcohol by using a person’s breath because it is absorbed by the body. Alcohol goes immediately through the bloodstream and circulates until it is evaporated in the lungs. The molecules of alcohol do not mix with other liquids in the body. Alcohol is volatile in the blood because it is absorbed into the membranes of the mouth, stomach, intestines and throat. Blood passes through the lungs, which allows the alcohol to pass over the lungs air sacs and releases alcohol through the person’s breath. The breath that is being expelled holds the same amount of alcohol that is in the bloodstream. The breathalyzer can then accurately measure the evaporated alcohol through the breath. This is how the blood alcohol concentration is measured accurately for intoxication.

How the Evaporated Alcohol is Measured

Just like a diabetic kit with strips, levels of alcohol will produce chemical reaction on a piece of paper that will make the paper change color. When using a breathalyzer, the breath will travel through a solution. The solution will change color and the police officers will compare that color to the chart for intoxication levels.

The breathalyzer itself has a couple of different devices. There is a straw, which the offender will blow into so the person’s breath comes up from the lungs. The two cylinders with vials contain water, silver nitrate, sulfuric acid and potassium dichromate. A deep breath needs to pull air deep from the lungs.

Once the alcohol is removed from the air, it is absorbed by the liquid solution. The degree of change in color depends on the amount of evaporated alcohol that is in the breath taken from the offender. Only one vial has a chemical reaction. The other vial stays the same. An electrical current is produced which will make a needle on a gage to move. The officer operating the breathalyzer will watch the needle and wait for it to stop moving and then turn a knob to replace the needle to the point where it started. The more the knob has to be turned the higher amount of alcohol is in the solution. This will give the officer the reading level of intoxication.

RELATED: Science Nation - This Breathalyzer Reveals Signs of Disease

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*by andreascy*

Introducing BodyCom Technology

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

Microchip Technology introduced the BodyCom system, a new short-range wireless connectivity technology that uses the capability of the human body to transport a few signals, providing intuitive, simple, and safe communication between two electronically compatible devices. 

Communication between BodyCom system devices occurs when they are within a few centimeters of the human body: a simple proximity or touch detection can establish a BodyCom system connection.

The BodyCom system was implemented with the following priorities:

     • Very low consumption, especially for the Mobile Unit

     • Fast system response

     • Stable and Robust communication with Fault detection

     • Limited field of action (as little as a few centimeters) to allow an identification when the
        touch action takes place from whoever wears the Mobile Unit

     • Low cost and complexity

The signal transmission uses capacitive coupling between the human body, the Base Unit and the Mobile Unit (see Figure 1). 

Figure 1: BodyCom System Working Principle

Because of this, the signals are more attenuated at low frequencies than at high frequencies, requiring the signals that are transmitted to have higher amplitude for lower frequencies. The Mobile Unit is a battery-powered portable device, and power consumption is a priority, while the Base Unit can deliver more power.

On the video, Applications Engineer Chris Tucker, makes an introduction to BodyCom Technology utilizing the BodyCom Development Kit demonstration.

For more details check out the AppNotes. 
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*by andreascy*

How Do I Use the Windows Phone Marketplace Test Kit?

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

This video demonstrates how to use the Windows Phone Marketplace Test Kit to run automated, monitored and manual tests. These tests will help developers identify issues that may prevent their applications from passing the standard Marketplace tests. 

*by andreascy*

World's Smallest V12 Engine - Built From Scratch - Power To The Handy People!

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Wednesday, back at work, back into the swing of things. Morning all! If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feeds. Thanks for visiting!

German engineering outshines every other automobile making nation simply because they are so good at it. But an enthusiastic German automotive part maker, Ralf Drendel, obsessed with V12 engines has upped the ante on the miniature scale, so to speak.

 Made perfectly to emulate the real thing (V12 engine) the miniature V12 is designed to function perfectly with any high-end RC (Remote Controlled) vehicle; be it a RC plane, boat or car.

Having 12 cylinders housed inside a four stroke engine runs on a mixture of high performance synthetic lubricant (10%), Methanol and Nitro methane (5-10%) and produces power of 6 to 8 horsepower with a displacement of 87-cubic centimeters.

This functional model has twin camshaft and overhead valves and doesn’t require any radiator, to add to that the crankshaft has been made from multiple pieces.

Frame of the engine has been made from stainless steel, bronze and aluminum and the finished engine runs on compressed air to cool down and ward off any heat produced.

According to Ralf, the maker of this engine, kits will be available anytime soon so that you can attach this German beast to your choice of miniature vehicle with minimum hassle. So hose, just sit back, hit the play button on the video given below and enjoy the thumping sound of the mini V12 in action.

For those who are interested in watching the whole making of miniature V12 engine watch the video given below, you’ll surely be awe-inspired by it if you are an automotive junkie. :)

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*by andreascy*