Imagine charging your iPhone or mobile in a few seconds. Well, your imagination may someday turn into a reality, say scientists who claim to be working on "super batteries . which not only recharge in just seconds, but also have an almost indefinite lifespan.
A team, led by Dan Li of Monash University , says that a combination of two ordinary materials -- graphite and water -- could help produce such "super batteries" which perform on par with lithium ion batteries.
The scientists are, in fact, working with a material called graphene which may form the basis of the next generation of ultrafast energy storage systems, the 'Advanced Materials' journal reported.
"Once we can properly manipulate this material, your iPhone, for example, could charge in a few seconds, or possibly faster," said Li.
Graphene is the result of breaking down graphite, a cheap, readily available material commonly used in pencils, into layers one atom thick. It is strong, chemically stable, an excellent conductor of electricity and, importantly, has an extremely high surface area.
Li said these qualities make graphene highly suitable for energy storage applications.
"The reason graphene isn't being used everywhere is that these very thin sheets, when stacked into a usable macrostructure, immediately bond together, reforming graphite. When graphene restacks, most of surface area is lost and it doesn't behave like graphene anymore," he said.
The team has discovered the key to maintaining the remarkable properties of separate graphene sheets -- water. Keeping graphene moist -- in gel form -- provides repulsive forces between the sheets and prevents re-stacking, making it ready for real-world application, say the scientists.
"The technique is very simple and can easily be scaled up. When we discovered it, we thought it was unbelievable. We're taking two basic, inexpensive materials -- water and graphite -- and making this new nanomaterial with amazing properties," said Li.
When used in energy devices, graphene gel significantly outperforms current carbon-based technology , both in terms of the amount of charge stored and how fast the charges can be delivered.
Li said the benefits of developing this nanotechnology extended beyond consumer electronics.
"High-speed, reliable and cost-effective energy storage systems are critical for the future viability of electricity from renewable resources. These systems are also the key to largescale adoption of electrical vehicles.
"Graphene gel is also showing promise for use in water purification membranes, biomedical devices and sensors," he said
Monday, July 18, 2011
Should you buy an LCD Monitor or an LCD TV??
Here’s what is an LCD monitor and what it is not:
A better image for LCD monitor: An LCD monitor produces higher quality images and has high brightness and contrast levels as well. An LCD TV is likely not going to offer the same resolution as an LCD monitor! This is could be very important when viewing data.
A longer-life more rugged-dust proof system: An LCD monitor is a closed end device with no fans and moving parts. An LCD TV usually has a fan, is not a closed box and may have moving parts. Most LCD monitors can be operated on a 24/7 basis however LCD TVs can not and the numbers of hours that an LCD TV can be operated should be checked. Typically LCD monitor has a life of 50,000 hours or more.
An LCD monitor can be operated 24/7: An LCD TV cannot and built for max 6-8 hour continuous operation.
Are you looking to connect displays together for advertising effect? An LCD Monitor can be easily connected together to create a video wall. The bezel can be removed and the gap between the monitors can be minimal and there are connection outlets in the monitor so that an image can be displayed across monitors to seem as one large image. This cannot be done in an LCD TV. LCD Monitors can be connected in a mirror image format so that the same image appears in all the monitors at the same time.
Lower energy consumption: The energy consumed by LCD monitor is very less and since the electro-magnetic radiations emitted are also less, it is also less hazardous to health.
Monitors can be networked: An LCD Monitor can be connected to the network and remotely controlled and monitored. As a business anyone would want to know which monitors are working and which are not from one central location so that a technician can be dispatched to take care of faulty monitors and this can easily be done incase of an LCD monitor. Further networked LCD monitors allow for remote content management and scheduling as well which is an added advantage for big businesses.
Should you buy an LCD monitor vs. LCD TV? Consider the different variables and make the knowledgeable choice.
For more information on LCD monitors check out LCD monitor sites such as Sharp, NEC and Samsung.
A better image for LCD monitor: An LCD monitor produces higher quality images and has high brightness and contrast levels as well. An LCD TV is likely not going to offer the same resolution as an LCD monitor! This is could be very important when viewing data.
A longer-life more rugged-dust proof system: An LCD monitor is a closed end device with no fans and moving parts. An LCD TV usually has a fan, is not a closed box and may have moving parts. Most LCD monitors can be operated on a 24/7 basis however LCD TVs can not and the numbers of hours that an LCD TV can be operated should be checked. Typically LCD monitor has a life of 50,000 hours or more.
An LCD monitor can be operated 24/7: An LCD TV cannot and built for max 6-8 hour continuous operation.
Are you looking to connect displays together for advertising effect? An LCD Monitor can be easily connected together to create a video wall. The bezel can be removed and the gap between the monitors can be minimal and there are connection outlets in the monitor so that an image can be displayed across monitors to seem as one large image. This cannot be done in an LCD TV. LCD Monitors can be connected in a mirror image format so that the same image appears in all the monitors at the same time.
Lower energy consumption: The energy consumed by LCD monitor is very less and since the electro-magnetic radiations emitted are also less, it is also less hazardous to health.
Monitors can be networked: An LCD Monitor can be connected to the network and remotely controlled and monitored. As a business anyone would want to know which monitors are working and which are not from one central location so that a technician can be dispatched to take care of faulty monitors and this can easily be done incase of an LCD monitor. Further networked LCD monitors allow for remote content management and scheduling as well which is an added advantage for big businesses.
Should you buy an LCD monitor vs. LCD TV? Consider the different variables and make the knowledgeable choice.
For more information on LCD monitors check out LCD monitor sites such as Sharp, NEC and Samsung.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
PayPal showcases mobile-to-mobile NFC payments app
PayPal has unveiled a forthcoming smartphone application which will allow users to make payments to each other by tapping two NFC-enabled handsets together.
The service, which joins Google Wallet as an NFC-based payment service, will make its debut later this year on the Samsung Nexus S Android phone, which has a near field communications chip on-board.
The app requires one user to request payment, the phones are then held back-to-back until the NFC connection has been made. The second user then enters a password and the money is transferred.
PayPal says it will roll the app out to more Android phones as NFC tech becomes more popular on new handsets.
Evolving
'There's a lot of technologies evolving around mobile payments, and NFC is just one of those,' said Laura Chambers, senior director of PayPal.
'What we're doing is testing out NFC. We're getting it into the markets, we're getting it into the hands of consumers and we'll see how it goes.'
The PayPal app is the latest NFC innovation to hit the scene following the arrival of Google Wallet and payment services from the likes of Visa and Mastercard.
The service, which joins Google Wallet as an NFC-based payment service, will make its debut later this year on the Samsung Nexus S Android phone, which has a near field communications chip on-board.
The app requires one user to request payment, the phones are then held back-to-back until the NFC connection has been made. The second user then enters a password and the money is transferred.
PayPal says it will roll the app out to more Android phones as NFC tech becomes more popular on new handsets.
Evolving
'There's a lot of technologies evolving around mobile payments, and NFC is just one of those,' said Laura Chambers, senior director of PayPal.
'What we're doing is testing out NFC. We're getting it into the markets, we're getting it into the hands of consumers and we'll see how it goes.'
The PayPal app is the latest NFC innovation to hit the scene following the arrival of Google Wallet and payment services from the likes of Visa and Mastercard.
Government of India asks Google, Skype to monitor their user services
The Government of India has asked Google, internet telephone
company Skype and other such companies to allow the country's security agencies to monitor their user services to guard against terrorism and other crimes. Minister of State for Telecom and IT Sachin Pilot has said that there is a whole list of companies that have been asked to give access and provide solutions.
"We can’t afford to take chances with national security. There is a whole list of companies that have been asked to give (access), provide monitoring solution, because law enforcement agencies, the home ministry and intelligence agencies want information for national security. Papers were exchanged months ago, the discussions are on and we are looking at finding a solution soon, since it is a matter of national security," Pilot added
company Skype and other such companies to allow the country's security agencies to monitor their user services to guard against terrorism and other crimes. Minister of State for Telecom and IT Sachin Pilot has said that there is a whole list of companies that have been asked to give access and provide solutions.
"We can’t afford to take chances with national security. There is a whole list of companies that have been asked to give (access), provide monitoring solution, because law enforcement agencies, the home ministry and intelligence agencies want information for national security. Papers were exchanged months ago, the discussions are on and we are looking at finding a solution soon, since it is a matter of national security," Pilot added
Google India introduces Chennai and Hyderabad local bus service information on Transit
After Bangalore, Pune, Mumbai and Delhi, Google India has added information on local bus services in Chennai and Hyderabad to Google India
Transit.
According to Google India, this launch will help millions of commuters and visitors in these metro cities to explore public transportation options as they search for directions or locations, and encourage alternatives to driving.
The information can be found both on Google Maps and Google Maps for mobile which enables users to access the service even while they are roaming. Even directions can be accessed by searching "Hitech city Hyderabad to Salar Jung Museum Hyderabad" by using the service on Google Maps.
Transit.
According to Google India, this launch will help millions of commuters and visitors in these metro cities to explore public transportation options as they search for directions or locations, and encourage alternatives to driving.
The information can be found both on Google Maps and Google Maps for mobile which enables users to access the service even while they are roaming. Even directions can be accessed by searching "Hitech city Hyderabad to Salar Jung Museum Hyderabad" by using the service on Google Maps.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
ATM WILL CHARGE MORE FROM 1-july-2011
Using ATM of other bank will charge more from today, 1 july 2011 as the banks will charge minimum of 20 rupees per non financial transaction like balance enquiry and change the PIN. The new rule will come into effect from today when the free transaction to the other bank ATM are limited to five.
Earlier the free financial transactions from other's bank ATM were five but one can do as many as he likes non financial transactions from other bank ATM. But now non financial transactions like checking the account balance are also limited to five,beyond this one need to pay 20 rupees per non financial transaction to the bank.
ATM are now a days a used to thing, without which, it hards to imagine. But one need to cover a lot of distance to go to his ATM and moreover it's not guaranteed it is working or not. So whats bad if we go to other bank ATM and do the transactions. But the banks are worried about it. This will increase the habit of taking money into the pockets instead of depositing into the banks, the main difference between saving and investment, by which we Indians are behind in this global world.
Tags-withdrawl money from atm,atm charges from other bank atm,atm charges in india,atm charges for cash withdrawl,atm charges for other bank,atm charges for other banks
Earlier the free financial transactions from other's bank ATM were five but one can do as many as he likes non financial transactions from other bank ATM. But now non financial transactions like checking the account balance are also limited to five,beyond this one need to pay 20 rupees per non financial transaction to the bank.
ATM are now a days a used to thing, without which, it hards to imagine. But one need to cover a lot of distance to go to his ATM and moreover it's not guaranteed it is working or not. So whats bad if we go to other bank ATM and do the transactions. But the banks are worried about it. This will increase the habit of taking money into the pockets instead of depositing into the banks, the main difference between saving and investment, by which we Indians are behind in this global world.
Tags-withdrawl money from atm,atm charges from other bank atm,atm charges in india,atm charges for cash withdrawl,atm charges for other bank,atm charges for other banks
Friday, July 1, 2011
New train timetable for Railways comes into effect today
The new railway time table would be introduced from Friday. Lucknow- Allahabad Intercity Express has been extended upto Vindhyachal, while Lokmanya Tilak (Terminus)-Allahabad Express has been extended upto Faizabad. About 11 new trains would be introduced that would pass through the North Central Railway region. Their timings have been declared, but the date of starting these trains barring two would be notified later.
These trains include the much awaited 12293/12294 Allahabad-Lokmanya Tilak terminus AC Duranto Express (bi-weekly); 22209/22210 Mumbai Central- New Delhi AC Duranto Express (bi-weekly); 12035/12036 Jaipur-Agra Fort Shatabdi Express; 19709/19710 Jaipur-Kamakhya Express; 15023/15204 Gorakhpur-Yeshwantpur Express; 12593/12594 Lucknow-Bhopal Express, Kolkata-Agra Cantt Express; 13346/13347 Singrauli-Varanasi Express; 13423/13424 Bhagalpur-Ajmer Express; 22404/22403 New Delhi-Pudocherry Express and 22410/22409 Anand Vihar Terminal-Sasaram Express (weekly).
Train number 22404/22403 New Delhi-Pudocherry Express would start its journey from New Delhi on July 3 onwards, while 22410/22409 Anand Vihar Terminal-Sasaram Express would commence its journey from Anand Vihar terminal from July 2.
According to the new timetable, train number 12293/12294 Allahabad-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus AC Duranto Express would be a bi-weekly train. This train would leave Allahabad every Tuesday and Saturday at about 7:30 pm and reach LTT next day at about 3:00 pm. During the return journey, the train would leave LTT every Monday and Friday at about 5:25 pm and reach Allahabad at about 12:25 pm. However, the date of introduction of this train would be announced later on.
Train number 14210/14209 Lucknow-Allahabad Intercity has been extended upto Vindhyachal with commercial stoppage at Meja Road and Manda Road from July 1. Further, 12563/12564 Lokmanya Tilak Terminus-Allahabad Express has been extended upto Faizabad with stoppage at Janghai, Jaffarabad, Jaunpur and Akbarpur. The date of extension would be notified later on.
These trains include the much awaited 12293/12294 Allahabad-Lokmanya Tilak terminus AC Duranto Express (bi-weekly); 22209/22210 Mumbai Central- New Delhi AC Duranto Express (bi-weekly); 12035/12036 Jaipur-Agra Fort Shatabdi Express; 19709/19710 Jaipur-Kamakhya Express; 15023/15204 Gorakhpur-Yeshwantpur Express; 12593/12594 Lucknow-Bhopal Express, Kolkata-Agra Cantt Express; 13346/13347 Singrauli-Varanasi Express; 13423/13424 Bhagalpur-Ajmer Express; 22404/22403 New Delhi-Pudocherry Express and 22410/22409 Anand Vihar Terminal-Sasaram Express (weekly).
Train number 22404/22403 New Delhi-Pudocherry Express would start its journey from New Delhi on July 3 onwards, while 22410/22409 Anand Vihar Terminal-Sasaram Express would commence its journey from Anand Vihar terminal from July 2.
According to the new timetable, train number 12293/12294 Allahabad-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus AC Duranto Express would be a bi-weekly train. This train would leave Allahabad every Tuesday and Saturday at about 7:30 pm and reach LTT next day at about 3:00 pm. During the return journey, the train would leave LTT every Monday and Friday at about 5:25 pm and reach Allahabad at about 12:25 pm. However, the date of introduction of this train would be announced later on.
Train number 14210/14209 Lucknow-Allahabad Intercity has been extended upto Vindhyachal with commercial stoppage at Meja Road and Manda Road from July 1. Further, 12563/12564 Lokmanya Tilak Terminus-Allahabad Express has been extended upto Faizabad with stoppage at Janghai, Jaffarabad, Jaunpur and Akbarpur. The date of extension would be notified later on.
PAN mandatory for Rs 5 lakh and above jewellery purchases
Be ready to mandatorily flash your PAN card, for any purchase of jewellery worth Rs five lakh or more from tomorrow -- a move that would help the tax department keep an eye on such high value transactions.
As per the amendments in the income tax rules, coming into effect from July 1, quoting PAN (Permanent Account Number) will be mandatory for any payment of Rs five lakh or more for purchase of bullion or jewellery.
High-value purchase of jewellery, among valuables, have often been feared to be a much favoured route for circulation of black money and quoting of PAN would help the tax authorities in tracking such transactions.
Recently, RBI had also asked the banks to consider the jewellers and bullion dealers as high-risk customers and to keep an enhanced vigil on their transactions.
The business transactions of jewellers and bullion dealers are highly cash intensive in nature and it is feared that they could be used for flow of black money into the system.
In order to check any possible money laundering, the banking sector regulator in January wrote to banks and financial institutions to treat the accounts of entities dealing in the jewellery and bullion trade as 'high-risk'.
Besides jewellery purchase of Rs five lakh and above, furnishing of PAN would be mandatory for some other transactions also with effect from tomorrow.
These include issue of a debit card by any bank, as against the current practice of the PAN being asked for issuing credit cards only.
The payment of Rs 50,000 or more in a year for life insurance premium would also require PAN from tomorrow.
The transactions that already require PAN include sale or purchase of any immovable property valued at Rs five lakh or more, sale or purchase of motor vehicles other than two- wheelers and bank deposits exceeding Rs 50,000.
These also include telephone connection applications, opening of bank accounts, hotel an restaurant bills of over Rs 25,000 and mutual fund investments of Rs 50,000 and above, among others.
As per the amendments in the income tax rules, coming into effect from July 1, quoting PAN (Permanent Account Number) will be mandatory for any payment of Rs five lakh or more for purchase of bullion or jewellery.
High-value purchase of jewellery, among valuables, have often been feared to be a much favoured route for circulation of black money and quoting of PAN would help the tax authorities in tracking such transactions.
Recently, RBI had also asked the banks to consider the jewellers and bullion dealers as high-risk customers and to keep an enhanced vigil on their transactions.
The business transactions of jewellers and bullion dealers are highly cash intensive in nature and it is feared that they could be used for flow of black money into the system.
In order to check any possible money laundering, the banking sector regulator in January wrote to banks and financial institutions to treat the accounts of entities dealing in the jewellery and bullion trade as 'high-risk'.
Besides jewellery purchase of Rs five lakh and above, furnishing of PAN would be mandatory for some other transactions also with effect from tomorrow.
These include issue of a debit card by any bank, as against the current practice of the PAN being asked for issuing credit cards only.
The payment of Rs 50,000 or more in a year for life insurance premium would also require PAN from tomorrow.
The transactions that already require PAN include sale or purchase of any immovable property valued at Rs five lakh or more, sale or purchase of motor vehicles other than two- wheelers and bank deposits exceeding Rs 50,000.
These also include telephone connection applications, opening of bank accounts, hotel an restaurant bills of over Rs 25,000 and mutual fund investments of Rs 50,000 and above, among others.
Sony Launches New Projector Handycam
We knew that a camcorder could shoot movies, but this one has surprised us because it can even project them! Sony has launched its Handycam HDR-PJ50, which can not only record Full HD (1920x1080) movies, but can also project them on a screen as large as 60" (diagonally) at a distance of 3 metres in a dark environment.
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The beauty of this high-contrast projector is that you are spared the additional expenses of a separate projector, as well as the messy wiring involved. It also features Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and clear phase stereo speakers that claim to produce "true-to-life" sound.
The HDR-PJ50 sports a 12x optical zoom, which can be extended to 17x, allowing you to shoot close-ups from afar, while the zoom microphone can record amplified audio at the same time. Sony's patented SteadyShot optical image stabilization reduces the chance of blurry shoots, compensating for camera shake with its moving lens elements. It also works as a digital still camera, capable of capturing at 7.1 MP. It comes equipped with a 220 GB hard drive inside, so you will never run out of space in the middle of a shoot.
Setting a new standard for convergent devices, the Sony Handycam HDR-PJ50 comes at an MRP of Rs 59,990, and is available across all Sony Centers, dealers, national retailers, and key photo channel partners.
The HDR-PJ50 sports a 12x optical zoom, which can be extended to 17x, allowing you to shoot close-ups from afar, while the zoom microphone can record amplified audio at the same time. Sony's patented SteadyShot optical image stabilization reduces the chance of blurry shoots, compensating for camera shake with its moving lens elements. It also works as a digital still camera, capable of capturing at 7.1 MP. It comes equipped with a 220 GB hard drive inside, so you will never run out of space in the middle of a shoot.
Setting a new standard for convergent devices, the Sony Handycam HDR-PJ50 comes at an MRP of Rs 59,990, and is available across all Sony Centers, dealers, national retailers, and key photo channel partners.
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