In the 21st century, the internet market and the need for reliable web services have exploded. However, all of the demand has caused for the gas fuel plants that produce the electricity to unload mass volumes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Solar powered web servers manage to store power using solar panels or batteries; the company based out of San Diego is soon going to start selling and renting out Web hosting. Already initiated by companies such as Google (Kanellos, Source 1), solar power offers business benefits for any organization.
The obvious advantages to this solar-powered server are the production of reliable and long lasting energy as well as the reduction in gas emissions. Solar power is one of the emerging technologies used to power homes and industries in the hopes of significantly reducing the usage and emission of greenhouse gases. “Running a single server on solar power (rather than conventional grid electricity) cuts roughly the same amount of greenhouse gases you would save if you didn't burn 107 gallons of fuel.”(Kanellos, Source 1) Using this new server would also decrease the amount of technology needed. These solar grids also have the possibility to expand to other markets. These solar grids could be used to power and heat houses, hospitals, offices, community centres, etc.
Although this new technology seems ideal, there are a few drawbacks. A major disadvantage is the high cost of installing the solar grids. The cost of producing electricity using solar energy would cost more or less the same as producing electricity from a conventional gas-burning power plant. The cost of electricity, on average, ranges from 5 to 18 cents per kilowatt hour. Solar thermal costs around 15 to 17 cents a kilowatt hour of energy. Although not very significant, electricity bills would increase by a few dollars every month. This increase, although minute, is not the only expense that should be taken into account. The removal of old equipment, instalment of IT and IT systems, labour and retraining costs, as well as the construction and implementation of solar panels can be very costly. This, accompanied by the fact that solar energy is still a brand new idea in IT, will present financial difficulties for any organization thinking of competing within a competitive energy market. However, in a world where greenhouse gases have damaged the atmosphere to the point where other sources of energy are a necessity, the solar energy market will soon be profitable, and solar energy, with the proper IT and knowledge worker application could easily be profitable for a future organization.
Sources
1) Kanellos, Michael (July 26, 2007)
Solar powered servers for the masses, Retrieved September 30, 2007 from
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9750692-7.html
2) Energy Efficient IT (2007)
Retrieved September 30, 2007 from
http://saveenergy.about.com/od/savingenergyattheoffice/gr/Sun_Servers.htm
3) Solar-Powered Server Center Saves Power -- and Money Too. (2007)
Retrieved September 30, 2007 from
http://www.edn.com/blog/1470000147/post/210008421.html
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
The Flash
The new generation of flash technology is definitely one to look out for. Over the past few years, laptops have become much more than just computers. Laptops are now used not only to due work using Word and Excel, laptops are now being used to watch DVDs, online videos, browse the internet, use instant messaging, play games and so on. This increase in applications has created the need for more storage space in computers. Due to the need for extra storage, flash memory has become indispensable for many people. Users are always on the lookout for back-up, or simply extra, storage such as external hard drives, USB keys, jump drive and memory sticks.
Flash memory requires no energy to store and remove information. Devices such as USB keys can be used to store information, as well as transmit it to other computers. Depending on the amount of storage in the key, many files such as videos and games can be stored and shared one day, and deleted the next. This would be great for enterprises due to the fact that it would facilitate the transmission of data from one computer to another. As we are all well aware, e-mail is not always reliable. These devices have the potential to hold and transfer media files as well as word files. They would be a great asset all around.
The new generation of flash memory is definitely one to be on the lookout for. Motorola spin-off Freescale Semiconductor of Austin, Texas, is on its way to creating a flash memory that would be half the size of what it is today and therefore, less expensive. The new technology would also make it possible to have both flash memory as well as logic devices on the same chip, reducing the amount of space taken up in the computer. It is safe to say that this new chip will not only be beneficial to computers, it will also be beneficial to emerging technologies. No cell phone is just a cell phone. They all have new applications such as MP3 players, video recorders, cameras, internet access, etc. Soon, cell phone will resemble tiny computers and they too will require extra storage space. IPods are one of today’s most popular MP3 players which rely on NAND flash memory . With the development of this new flash memory chip, a new market of inexpensive small electronic devices such as cameras, MP3 players, cell phones, etc.
The downside of this new technology would be its fragility. Although it would be well protected in any device in which it is used, the small size of the chip might make it more sensitive to movement. Also, as we are all well aware, the more intricate a device, or in this case a chip, is, the more likely something is going to go awry. The chip may have the potential to store mass amounts of information, but by combining it with logic devices, it may become over-loaded with information and therefore fail.
Sources
1) Bullis, Kevin (May 12, 2006)
Small, Cheaper Flash Memory
Retrieved September 30, 2007 from
http://technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?ch=specialsections&sc=moores&id=16842
2) Singer, Michael (November 21, 2007)
Small Gadgets to Spark Flash Memory Surge
Retrieved September 30, 2007 from
http://www.news.com/Small-gadgets-to-spark-flash-memory-surge/2100-1041_3-5965603.html
3) Singer, Michael (September 12, 2005)
Flash Memory Closing in on Hard Drives?
Retrieved September 30, 2007 from
http://www.news.com/Flash-memory-closing-in-on-hard-drives/2100-1004_3-5860251.html
4) Apple Increases Orders for NAND Flash Memory Modules – Industry Affected (2007)
Retrieved September 30, 2007 from
http://www.intomobile.com/2007/07/10/apple-increases-orders-for-nand-flash-memory-modules-industry-affected.html
Flash memory requires no energy to store and remove information. Devices such as USB keys can be used to store information, as well as transmit it to other computers. Depending on the amount of storage in the key, many files such as videos and games can be stored and shared one day, and deleted the next. This would be great for enterprises due to the fact that it would facilitate the transmission of data from one computer to another. As we are all well aware, e-mail is not always reliable. These devices have the potential to hold and transfer media files as well as word files. They would be a great asset all around.
The new generation of flash memory is definitely one to be on the lookout for. Motorola spin-off Freescale Semiconductor of Austin, Texas, is on its way to creating a flash memory that would be half the size of what it is today and therefore, less expensive. The new technology would also make it possible to have both flash memory as well as logic devices on the same chip, reducing the amount of space taken up in the computer. It is safe to say that this new chip will not only be beneficial to computers, it will also be beneficial to emerging technologies. No cell phone is just a cell phone. They all have new applications such as MP3 players, video recorders, cameras, internet access, etc. Soon, cell phone will resemble tiny computers and they too will require extra storage space. IPods are one of today’s most popular MP3 players which rely on NAND flash memory . With the development of this new flash memory chip, a new market of inexpensive small electronic devices such as cameras, MP3 players, cell phones, etc.
The downside of this new technology would be its fragility. Although it would be well protected in any device in which it is used, the small size of the chip might make it more sensitive to movement. Also, as we are all well aware, the more intricate a device, or in this case a chip, is, the more likely something is going to go awry. The chip may have the potential to store mass amounts of information, but by combining it with logic devices, it may become over-loaded with information and therefore fail.
Sources
1) Bullis, Kevin (May 12, 2006)
Small, Cheaper Flash Memory
Retrieved September 30, 2007 from
http://technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?ch=specialsections&sc=moores&id=16842
2) Singer, Michael (November 21, 2007)
Small Gadgets to Spark Flash Memory Surge
Retrieved September 30, 2007 from
http://www.news.com/Small-gadgets-to-spark-flash-memory-surge/2100-1041_3-5965603.html
3) Singer, Michael (September 12, 2005)
Flash Memory Closing in on Hard Drives?
Retrieved September 30, 2007 from
http://www.news.com/Flash-memory-closing-in-on-hard-drives/2100-1004_3-5860251.html
4) Apple Increases Orders for NAND Flash Memory Modules – Industry Affected (2007)
Retrieved September 30, 2007 from
http://www.intomobile.com/2007/07/10/apple-increases-orders-for-nand-flash-memory-modules-industry-affected.html
A Bend in Technology
When people think of ground-breaking technologies, one of the last things that comes to mind is a battery. These seemingly simple devices can be found all around. Batteries are found in flashlights, remote controls, watches, laptops, cars, cellular phones and now, even in the human body. As for all devices designed to facilitate our lives, there are many downsides to batteries. One being the hazardous chemicals found in batteries which makes them nearly impossible to safely dispose of. Another drawback is the battery life itself. With the exception of rechargeable batteries, common batteries such as Duracell, Panasonic and Energiser, depending on their usage, need to be replaced every few weeks. If only there was someone who could help …
Engineers from NEC as well as researchers from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and MIT have developed a new “organic” battery. This battery requires a charge of only 30 seconds to reach 80% of its capacity. This tiny battery was developed as a response to the ever-expanding electronics market. This very flexible battery is made up of 90% cellulose (a plant fiber) which is also used to make paper. Being about the size of a normal identification or credit card (and no thicker), this new battery is extremely light and extremely flexible. One of its intended uses is to be placed in RFID cards which would provide enough energy to keep the cards running for several weeks before the batteries require a recharge.
These new batteries would be greatly beneficial to organizations due to the fact that they require very little space and maintenance while delivering high energy throughout the enterprise. The batteries could be used to power laptops, printers, fax machines, and they could even come in useful in the event of a power outage. These batteries are also a great asset for those environmentally conscious enterprises who are following the “green trend”.
One of the upsides of this new technology is its ability to withstand extreme temperatures ranging from 50ºC down to -70ºC. Being chemical-free and liquid-proof this battery is a great candidate for powering medical devices such as heart pacers. Another medical plus for this product? It can feed off the electrolytes found in human sweat, blood and urine making it ideal for medical devices. These batteries are so light and powerful, they could be used in cars, aircrafts and maybe even boats. These batteries are the answer to today’s demand of newer, and consequently, smaller devices such as cellular phones, MP3s, lap tops, etc. Society is becoming more and more environmentally conscious and these batteries pose no harm to the environment as they can be safely disposed of.
However, like all new and exciting technologies, there are downsides to this seemingly perfect supercapacitator. Due to its small size and translucent color (although similar batteries have been made with carbon, giving it a grey-ish tint), these batteries would be impossible to find if ever they were to be lost. Also, these batteries require a very intricate and time-consuming process to be completed. Therefore, a less time consuming and inexpensive method of production would definitely be needed if these batteries were to hit the market.
Sources
1) Flexible Battery is Paper Thin (2007)
Retrieved September 30, 2007 from
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2007/08/14/scibatt114.xml
2) Flexible Battery Power (2007)
Retrieved September 30, 2007 from
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070323141052.htm
3) Lee, Chris (August 13, 2007)
Scientists create paper-thin, biodegradable battery
Retrieved September 30, 2007 from
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070813-scientists-create-paper-thin-flexible-biodegradable-battery.html
4) Williams, Martyn (December 9, 2007)
NEC Develops Thin, Flexible Battery
Retrieved September 30, 2007 from
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,123875-page,1/article.html
Engineers from NEC as well as researchers from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and MIT have developed a new “organic” battery. This battery requires a charge of only 30 seconds to reach 80% of its capacity. This tiny battery was developed as a response to the ever-expanding electronics market. This very flexible battery is made up of 90% cellulose (a plant fiber) which is also used to make paper. Being about the size of a normal identification or credit card (and no thicker), this new battery is extremely light and extremely flexible. One of its intended uses is to be placed in RFID cards which would provide enough energy to keep the cards running for several weeks before the batteries require a recharge.
These new batteries would be greatly beneficial to organizations due to the fact that they require very little space and maintenance while delivering high energy throughout the enterprise. The batteries could be used to power laptops, printers, fax machines, and they could even come in useful in the event of a power outage. These batteries are also a great asset for those environmentally conscious enterprises who are following the “green trend”.
One of the upsides of this new technology is its ability to withstand extreme temperatures ranging from 50ºC down to -70ºC. Being chemical-free and liquid-proof this battery is a great candidate for powering medical devices such as heart pacers. Another medical plus for this product? It can feed off the electrolytes found in human sweat, blood and urine making it ideal for medical devices. These batteries are so light and powerful, they could be used in cars, aircrafts and maybe even boats. These batteries are the answer to today’s demand of newer, and consequently, smaller devices such as cellular phones, MP3s, lap tops, etc. Society is becoming more and more environmentally conscious and these batteries pose no harm to the environment as they can be safely disposed of.
However, like all new and exciting technologies, there are downsides to this seemingly perfect supercapacitator. Due to its small size and translucent color (although similar batteries have been made with carbon, giving it a grey-ish tint), these batteries would be impossible to find if ever they were to be lost. Also, these batteries require a very intricate and time-consuming process to be completed. Therefore, a less time consuming and inexpensive method of production would definitely be needed if these batteries were to hit the market.
Sources
1) Flexible Battery is Paper Thin (2007)
Retrieved September 30, 2007 from
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2007/08/14/scibatt114.xml
2) Flexible Battery Power (2007)
Retrieved September 30, 2007 from
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070323141052.htm
3) Lee, Chris (August 13, 2007)
Scientists create paper-thin, biodegradable battery
Retrieved September 30, 2007 from
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070813-scientists-create-paper-thin-flexible-biodegradable-battery.html
4) Williams, Martyn (December 9, 2007)
NEC Develops Thin, Flexible Battery
Retrieved September 30, 2007 from
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,123875-page,1/article.html
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