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Folding@Home
by Fadi Hashim
In today's world of super computing you cannot overlook the power of gaming consoles as they contain some of the most advanced processing capabilities in the world. However, this power is not only used for entertaining users, but can actually be utilized in some of the most advanced medical research.
The Sony PlayStaion 3 (PS3) has the capability to accomplish just this. Shortly after the release of the console, Sony launched a new project called Folding@home. This remarkable project gives every PS3 owner the ability to donate idle processing power to Stanford University's medical research department. At Stanford, cures for diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's and certain forms of cancer are being studied by researchers as they use protein folding simulations, which need a large amount of computing power. Sony estimates that the power of only ten thousand PS3s is equivalent to the processing power of the two hundred thousand computers Stanford is using now. As of April 15, 2007, roughly thirty-two thousand PS3s were computing about 416 teraflops. In contrast, the 184,134 active Windows machines were producing 175 teraflops. The PS3 sees roughly 0.0159 teraflops per CPU, compared with 0.00095 per CPU on Windows machines. Sony also says that this project will be available in sixteen different languages giving roughly two million people worldwide the opportunity to contribute.
The unsurpassed computing power of the PS3 shows a new direction not only for a technological advancement, but the advancement of medical research as we know it. As these super gaming systems advance we may get one step closer to helping rid the world of disease.
Philips' Hairy Display
by Miguel Hernandez
As crazy as it sounds, it's true. Philips, one of the world's leading electronic manufacturers, has found a way to create televisions using only hair. By using a special type of short fine hair, a screen or grid comprised of these hairs will be constructed so that when a charge is applied to it, an image will be displayed. The applied charge will cause the hair to stand up and will reveal the color of the fabric below. When the charge is removed, the natural color of the hair is shown. By using these different states in collaboration with the image to be displayed, one can think of every individual hair as a pixel. With all of these pixels working together, you will have a somewhat intriguing video display. Not only is Philips using this new invention for electronics, they are also planning on using in other mediums, such as clothes, linens, and even furniture. Think about a couch made out of all of these tiny hairs, so when the user applies a certain current the pattern of the couch will change. It would be like having two couches for the price of one. The same structure can be applied to jackets, vests, hats, you name it.
So don't be surprised if sometime in the near future you start to see ads for a new line of clothing, televisions, or even furniture that uses this new and amazing technology.
Intel Penryn Processor
by Samuel Peña
The Penryn processor, codenamed Nehalem, is Intel's latest strategy in delivering a new process technology. This new processor has enhanced microarchitecture, and Intel will start producing the next-generation Penryn family of processor in the second half of this year. Intel is known for their leading 45nm Hi-k process technology with high-K + metal gate transistor design.
Six Penryn family processors are being produced including dual-core and quad-core desktop processors. Mobile and server processers are also being developed. The 45nm next-generation Intel Core 2 quad-core processors will have 820 million transistors made possible by the high-k metal transistor invention. The high-k metal transistor allows for more power efficiency as it operates at the same or lower power than current dual-core processors as well as an increase of speed that will go above 3GHz. Furthermore, the new power management system, referred to as Deep Power Down technology, significantly reduces the power of the processor during idle periods and will help allow longer battery life when used in a laptop computer.
The Penryn Processor will be 25 percent smaller than Intel's current products; current processors are about one quarter of the size of an average U.S. postage stamp. Intel has stated that the release date is set for sometime during the third quarter of 2007.
by Fadi Hashim
In today's world of super computing you cannot overlook the power of gaming consoles as they contain some of the most advanced processing capabilities in the world. However, this power is not only used for entertaining users, but can actually be utilized in some of the most advanced medical research.
The Sony PlayStaion 3 (PS3) has the capability to accomplish just this. Shortly after the release of the console, Sony launched a new project called Folding@home. This remarkable project gives every PS3 owner the ability to donate idle processing power to Stanford University's medical research department. At Stanford, cures for diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's and certain forms of cancer are being studied by researchers as they use protein folding simulations, which need a large amount of computing power. Sony estimates that the power of only ten thousand PS3s is equivalent to the processing power of the two hundred thousand computers Stanford is using now. As of April 15, 2007, roughly thirty-two thousand PS3s were computing about 416 teraflops. In contrast, the 184,134 active Windows machines were producing 175 teraflops. The PS3 sees roughly 0.0159 teraflops per CPU, compared with 0.00095 per CPU on Windows machines. Sony also says that this project will be available in sixteen different languages giving roughly two million people worldwide the opportunity to contribute.
The unsurpassed computing power of the PS3 shows a new direction not only for a technological advancement, but the advancement of medical research as we know it. As these super gaming systems advance we may get one step closer to helping rid the world of disease.
Philips' Hairy Display
by Miguel Hernandez
As crazy as it sounds, it's true. Philips, one of the world's leading electronic manufacturers, has found a way to create televisions using only hair. By using a special type of short fine hair, a screen or grid comprised of these hairs will be constructed so that when a charge is applied to it, an image will be displayed. The applied charge will cause the hair to stand up and will reveal the color of the fabric below. When the charge is removed, the natural color of the hair is shown. By using these different states in collaboration with the image to be displayed, one can think of every individual hair as a pixel. With all of these pixels working together, you will have a somewhat intriguing video display. Not only is Philips using this new invention for electronics, they are also planning on using in other mediums, such as clothes, linens, and even furniture. Think about a couch made out of all of these tiny hairs, so when the user applies a certain current the pattern of the couch will change. It would be like having two couches for the price of one. The same structure can be applied to jackets, vests, hats, you name it.
So don't be surprised if sometime in the near future you start to see ads for a new line of clothing, televisions, or even furniture that uses this new and amazing technology.
Intel Penryn Processor
by Samuel Peña
The Penryn processor, codenamed Nehalem, is Intel's latest strategy in delivering a new process technology. This new processor has enhanced microarchitecture, and Intel will start producing the next-generation Penryn family of processor in the second half of this year. Intel is known for their leading 45nm Hi-k process technology with high-K + metal gate transistor design.
Six Penryn family processors are being produced including dual-core and quad-core desktop processors. Mobile and server processers are also being developed. The 45nm next-generation Intel Core 2 quad-core processors will have 820 million transistors made possible by the high-k metal transistor invention. The high-k metal transistor allows for more power efficiency as it operates at the same or lower power than current dual-core processors as well as an increase of speed that will go above 3GHz. Furthermore, the new power management system, referred to as Deep Power Down technology, significantly reduces the power of the processor during idle periods and will help allow longer battery life when used in a laptop computer.
The Penryn Processor will be 25 percent smaller than Intel's current products; current processors are about one quarter of the size of an average U.S. postage stamp. Intel has stated that the release date is set for sometime during the third quarter of 2007.
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