Goodyear, a company that has been making car tires for over 130 years is taking a new look at tires, and suggesting that balls might be a better solution for our cars. While the idea is nothing new, and imagined in science fiction for decades, Goodyear's concept is based on the development of technology in the more recent years. Advancements in manufacturing with new materials and 3D printing. Cars are getting smarter from better computers, with more sensors, communication between vehicles and even autonomous driving. The improvements batteries in electric vehicles is playing a part in the bold new idea. Not to mention the connivence these tires would provide for parking (so long parallel parking!) So when will these be available? Its going to take some time before we can buy a car that would support these tires, but Goodyear is starting to test these ideas in traditional tires, and even these small improvements helped Goodyear win recognition for some of the most innovative ideas for 2016. The Grand Challenge points out some of the global problems we need to solve as a society as a whole, and while in many ways those are problems of their own, with no overlap, there are some exceptions. Culturally we know that the amount of plastic we throw away into landfills and into the ocean is an enormous and ever growing problem. We also know that our transportation infrastructure is always needing to in working order,calling on both regular maintenance and repair, as much as we need to expand our roads. Currently there are two companies that are trying to build plastic roads. Recycling waste plastic and turning it into either an alternative for asphalt and concrete to building sections of roads out of plastic, to not only make it faster and easier to install highways, but also make it convenient to install utilities like water and internet networks. What do you think? Are these the way of the future, or are they going to develop more problems of their own than the number of problems they solve? macrebur.com plasticroad.eu
Engineering is often mimicking nature, but humming birds? Recently Tyer Wind, a European company has developed a wind energy generator that instead of traditional airplane like props, have modeled their design on the wings of humming birds. They believe that the way hummingbirds fly is so energy efficient, perhaps using wind to create the machines motion will be be one of the most efficient ways of generating electric energy. The company's working model, which is small enough to fit in a homes back yard, produces up to 1000 watts in 10mph to 20mph wind. While that may not be enough energy for the average house to go green with a single wind turbine, its clear that Tyer Wind is looking at building larger, more powerful generators in the near future. To read more: Tyer Wind |
Mr. WelkerTechnology Teacher at Southeast Raleigh High School. Archives
October 2019
Categories |