Archive for September 2011
Australian National University has developed new technology that reduces the cost of solar cells and may revolutionize solar energy. This is very exciting as the sun one of the few natural renewable energy sources that can cope up with human demands in the long run. At this stage of our global warming crisis solar power energy is looking like one the most important inventions of mankind.
An hour of sunlight energy reaching our Earth’s surface is already enough to produce a current of energy for the world to consume. People just have to be smart and efficient in where to use the converted energy. As of today solar power technology is not cheap unfortunately, which is why many governments such as Australia have been heavily subsidising their use to make solar panels more accessible to an average homeowner. Eventually though solar power technologies should advance to the point where they can compete against the polluting & non-renewable fossil fuel sources we are mostly using now.
Solar cells convert the sunlight directly into electricity. The solar cells or photovoltaic cell contains a wafer of high quality and expensive silicon. And these thin sheets then have a process to undergo which is very difficult and can waste lots of silicon.
A new technology was recently developed by Australian researches that enable a quick and easy production of super thin silicon sheets that come in different shapes and sizes without any silicon to waste. This process is called Epilift. The Epilift process is compared to the concept of producing a lawn……. after you prepared the land, you then have to then place the seeds and then allow the grass to grow. Then you can harvest the grass and put it somewhere else.
Epilift only uses about 10% of the silicon required by the traditional method and this results in a great reduction of the cost of the solar cells. It also further reduces the cost of solar energy systems by producing wafers of silicon with properties that can increase the efficiency of the energy conversion process.
The Epilift silicon wafer has two important properties; 1st, it is the optimal thickness for the solar cells. And 2nd it has a textured surface that more effectively deals with the trapping of the sunlight and prevents reflection.
In the Epilift process there is a silicon wafer known as “substrate” that is equivalent to the ground in the grass growing example above. This substrate is placed in a special solution that contains small amount of pure silicon, whereas an extremely thin layer of silicon grows above. Then the thin layer of silicon that grows above is carefully removed, so that it can be use in the solar cells. As this process is continuously done the substrate is always ready for another growth cycle.
Information technology vs. India’s development
Synopsis
Introduction IT and education in India IT and rural development in India IT and Indian communication Industry Inference
1. Introduction:
The objective of this article is to provide a genuine insight into the role of Information technology in development of India. Information technology is playing a key role in facilitating innovations in variety of domains like education, communication, engineering, and many other segments. This article will discuss the role of IT in the enhancement of various sectors in India.
2. IT and education in India
Considering the rate at which population is increasing in India we need to develop cost effective and efficient solution to educate the Indian masses. The challenges to Indian educational domain are:
Educational system imparts only theoretical knowledge Current system generating hierarchical society Remote teaching facilities Limited access to technology No common school system
What is the solution for overcoming these challenges? One efficient method is e-learning. E-learning is a facility using which students can study the courses from virtual classrooms. Wherever you are located the e-learning facility is accessible with ease. This facility can be used to impart uniform education to all students. Once this facility is enabled through proper channels and aid from government students from even remote locality could benefit abundantly. IT should be used efficiently to enable this breakthrough teaching technology.
3. IT and rural development in India
What could be the role of IT in rural development in India?
There are two kinds of potential economic benefits by IT usage. They are static and dynamic efficiency benefits. The major advantage of the information goods is that the usage of one person does not deplete the availability for another. A major component for rural development is Communication, which is facilitated by electronic media, and information technology. IT has enabled democratic political design of India. Thus IT is a key factor influencing the pace and progress of rural development. Nowadays internet connectivity is enabled even in rural parts of the country. This provides the access for rural masses to learn, update and improvise.
4. IT and Indian communication Industry
The key aspects about Indian Telecommunications network are
110.01 million connections Fifth largest network in the world second largest among the emerging economies of Asia
Based on the availability of human resources for the IT market, India’s government created a business-friendly environment for the IT services industry.
The rise of India’s software industry has facilitated dramatic changes in the telecommunication sector.
Sometimes Technological revolutions pave way for unexpected opportunity for countries. India found such an opportunity in the IT revolution and has developed to be the increasingly favored location for customized software development. The IT innovations have favored the development of the communication industry of India.
5. Inference:
Thus it could be clearly inferred that the IT has done magic in Indian development. IT acts as the revenue earner for India and has enabled great economic growth in India. Currently it is an inseparable factor from Indian development.
Bunions are a very common and often painful condition. Medically known as hallux valgus, an estimated 33 per cent of women will develop bunions at some stage in their lives. The term bunion refers to a swelling on the outside of the big toe joint which occurs when the big toe leans too much into the second toe.
For a long time, bunion surgery had a reputation for being very painful with a lengthy recovery period. Indeed, many people put up with their bunions for years rather than face surgery. This was because older techniques involved cutting the bone and not using any form of fixation. Newer techniques introduced during the past decade enabled surgeons to fix the bones into the correct position, reducing pain and promoting a better, more controlled recovery.
However, we are constantly exploring ways of moving from open surgery to minimally invasive or arthroscopic techniques, replacing large incisions with small ‘ports’ through which the surgeon works. In doing so, we offer important benefits for the patient, removing or damaging less tissue, reducing scarring and the subsequent risk of infection.
It was during collaboration between French and UK surgeons based in Sussex that a new approach, applying minimally invasive techniques to established bunion surgery was developed.
Dr Vernois was already using minimally invasive techniques in bunion surgery in France. When he started working with us at the Sussex Orthopaedic Treatment Centre, we wanted to combine the strengths of established bunion surgery with minimally invasive methods.
By combining the two in this way, we aimed to develop a safe, predictable approach along with the benefits for patients of less invasive techniques.
Unlike another form of minimally invasive bunion surgery offered in the UK, there is no need for a wire to remain in the foot after surgery.
Traditional open bunion surgery involves making a cut of 5cm on the outside of the foot and a smaller incision on the inside of the toe to release the tissues holding the toe.
The incisions used in our minimally invasive surgery are just 3mm – the diameter of the lead in a pencil.
Surgeons use instruments originally developed for head, face and neck surgery, which are very fine and rotate at high speed to make tiny, precise cuts.
The surgeon makes small incisions in four places around the big toe, dividing the ligaments and cutting the bone with minimal damage to the tissue. These cuts are designed to allow the surgeon to correct the deformity but maintain bone stability in the area.
A wire is then threaded through the incisions and used to lever the big toe back into the correct position. Once the toe is in the correct place, a small screw is implanted to fix it in this position.
The screw is designed to stay within the bone without causing pain or being palpable for the patient in any way. The wire is then removed.
The whole procedure, which takes place under general anaesthetic, is performed in under 30 minutes.
Forefoot mechanics are very sensitive and this technique was developed to respect the precise anatomy of the foot.
Because it is based on established bunion surgery philosophy, we expect a more predictable recovery and we will not encounter the complications of having a wire sticking out of the foot for the first four weeks after surgery as this is not required.
This is a technique which will have a very significant impact on the way we perform bunion surgery.
However, it is very important that this new technique is performed by a specialist foot and ankle surgeon who has extensive experience of all open bunion surgery techniques, which form the basis for this operation.
Having now completed more than 30 of these procedures, I am confident that minimally invasive bunion surgery is effective and safe with many benefits for patients.