The Smartest People in the World

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

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How can we measure how smart somebody is? Can we even agree on one way to measure? From the following list, we can see some common characteristics of smart people. What do you think "smart" means?

Is it just your IQ points? IQ, or intelligence quotient, is simply how well you score on an intelligence test. This measurement is easy because there's a specific number to look at. But someone could do very well on a test and not really do anything with their intelligence. Is that smart?

Is it accomplishments? Many people we think are "smart" are people who win Nobel prizes, come up with new theories, or write a highly praised or popular book. We especially praise accomplishments at a young age - people who go to college, or become the best in the world at something, younger than most people could. 

Many people would say it's probably a combination of all three. The people on our "Top 10" list tend to combine IQ and accomplishments.

What measures brainpower? Who would you add to the list?
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*by andreascy*

Chemistry World : Making graphene supercapacitors with a DVD writer

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Imagine having an energy storage device that stores as much energy as a conventional battery, yet, can be charged 100 to 1000 times faster. 

Supercapacitors store charge in electrochemical double layers whereas batteries store charge through electrochemical reactions. Although supercapacitors can charge and discharge much faster than batteries, they are still limited by low energy densities and slow rate capabilities. 

Researchers at UCLA have successfully used an inexpensive precursor (graphite oxide) to produce high-performance graphene-based supercapacitors using a computerized LightScribe DVD drive. 

These devices exhibit ultrahigh energy density values in different electrolytes approaching those of batteries, yet they can be charged in seconds. 

The devices can be charged and discharged for more than 10,000 cycles without losing much in performance compared with a normal life-time of less than 1000 cycles typical for batteries. Additionally, the devices are completely flexible and maintain excellent performance under high mechanical stress.

Read more at :

http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2012/March/graphene-dvd-player-burn-supercapacitor.asp

Check also :

UF : Researchers envision a promising new technique - Writing graphene circuitry with ion "pens"

*by andreascy*