Why Nanotechnology?
Introduction
Researching an area related to Nanotechnology can lead to new fields of technology and discovery. Examining the overall subject of Nanotechnology can certainly lead us beyond the original expectations. You can look at Nanotechnology as a whole, compare the results across large areas of research in this field that have involved different people with different backgrounds, various institutes and various organisations, as well as the results of commercial businesses already dealing and working in this field. Many of the results would be unexpected and, consequently, would raise large numbers of questions with various possible answers; in a field many still consider merely a part of scientific research rather than a part of the actual engineering and commercial side.
Consequently, the general view related to Nanotechnology has been borne out here as a result of what has been done and achieved so far worldwide, out of genuine conviction that Nanotechnology is the way forward for a better future for everyone concerned.
The Importance of Nanotechnology
Consider the question: "Why should Nanotechnology work better than any other form of technology?" The answer can be very simple. When we understand the structure of matter, then we can manipulate it and control it "from the inside", which should give much better results than just dealing with matter "from the outside".
How can it be concluded that Nanotechnology is the answer, when we still do not either have the means to use it in commercial environments, or have fast, accurate and cheap ways of applying it? Perhaps this is partly a matter of belief. But, at the present time, much work and research across the globe is aimed at just that, i.e. at building the basis of what will be needed (now or later) in order to provide fast, accurate and cheaper ways of employing the principles of Nanotechnology.
The study of the basic principles of Nanotechnology, its future implications and its benefits, made it desirable to put a case forward for substantial undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in this field, as an essential part in speeding up the acceptance of this kind of technology among the general public and, more importantly, to provide a nanotechnologist educated elite for various industries and businesses.
As is very well known, in any technology, no work is complete without the demonstration of the practical applications and the huge benefits which can be provided. Thus, research, development and engineering of various tools related to Nanotechnology are vital in order that a steady commercial progress can take place alongside the present scientific research.
Teaching Nano-science and Nanotechnology
Obviously, for Nanotechnology to establish itself and become an important complete taught subject similar to any other science and technology subjects being taught today, a regular awareness programme should be launched and syllabuses should be compiled.
Nanotechnology teaching is lagging far behind Nanotechnology research. This is due to a number of reasons, but possibly the most significant “among many” is that Nanotechnology looks important mostly to commerce and defence. Large commercial companies do not want to be left behind and, therefore, were among the first to start their own research in this field. Also, Nanotechnology-related research in security and defence plays a large role in countries that have the infrastructure and the money to advance the technology for their own purposes.
Applications
In olden times, “Philosophy” was described as the mother of every science. “Nanotechnology” can now be easily described as the mother of engineering. For the above reason, when it comes to the type and number of applications which may be addressed by Nanotechnology, then the answer is that there is no limit simply because Nanotechnology deals with the inner structure i.e. dealing with atoms and molecules as the starting point for all kind of applications which can be used in our daily lives.
Practical Training and Future Tools
The future of Nanotechnology tools, recent research and development has brought onto the scientific scene the next generation of methods and tools that will allow us to understand and explore the nano-world in a much better way than we are able to do at present. With these new methods and tools, we will be able to gain a better insight into the collective behaviour of molecules and atoms. For example, a combination of STEM and Low Energy Electron Microscopy (LEEM) can enable us to look deeper into aspects of the self-assembly process at a surficial level.
Another design related to Nanotechnology tools is the “Interfacial Force Microscope (IFM)”, which has the ability to simultaneously measure lateral and normal forces, regardless whether there is a repulsive or attractive load.
Other important areas of research and development concern Nanotechnology tools (such as robotic arms and nano-tube tweezers) that have as their main purpose the moving of molecules from one location to another. The size of these tools needs to be reduced and computer technologies should be developed further to become an essential part of the above processes and applications.
There is no doubt that Nanotechnology will be the common technology of the “not too distant” future, but only for those who are ready to invest their time, effort and money. This can be done in the form of teaching Nanotechnology, applying it to various industries and businesses and making people familiar with it, especially the young generation.
The
Machine Olfaction Device (MOD) Sensors (Part One)
There are a number of different types of sensors which can be used as essential components in different designs for machine olfaction systems.
1. Electrochemical sensors.
2. Metal oxide semiconductors.
3. Schottky diode-based sensors.
4. Calorimetric sensors.
5. Quartz crystal microbalances.
6. Optical sensors.
Electronic Nose (or eNose) sensors fall into five categories [1]: conductivity sensors, piezoelectric sensors, Metal Oxide Field Effect Transistors (MOSFETs), optical sensors, and these employing spectrometry-based sensing methods.
Conductivity sensors may be composed of metal oxide and polymer elements, both of which exhibit a change in resistance when exposed to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) [1].
In this report only Metal Oxide Semi-conductor (MOS), Conducting Polymer (CP) and Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) will be examined, as they are well researched, documented and established as important element for various types of machine olfaction devices. The application, where the proposed device will be trained on to analyse, will greatly influence the choice of sensor.
The response of the sensor is a two part process [3]:
- The vapour pressure of the analyte usually dictates how many molecules are present in the gas phase and consequently how many of them will be at the sensor(s).
- When the gas-phase molecules are at the sensor(s), these molecules need to be able to react with the sensor(s) in order to produce a response.
Sensors types used in any machine olfaction device can be mass transducers e.g. QMB "Quartz microbalance" or chemoresistors i.e. based on metal- oxide or conducting polymers. In some cases, arrays may contain both of the above two types of sensors [4].
Metal-Oxide Semiconductors
These sensors were originally produced in Japan in the 1960s and used in "gas alarm" devices.
Metal oxide semiconductors (MOS) have been used more extensively in electronic nose instruments and are widely available commercially [1].
MOS are made of a ceramic element heated by a heating wire and coated by a semiconducting film. They can sense gases by monitoring changes in the conductance during the interaction of a chemically sensitive material with molecules that need to be detected in the gas phase. Out of many MOS, the material which has been experimented with the most is tin dioxide (SnO2) - this is because of its stability and sensitivity at lower temperatures. Different types of MOS may include oxides of tin, zinc, titanium, tungsten, and iridium, doped with a noble metal catalyst such as platinum or palladium.
MOS are subdivided into two types [4]: Thick Film and Thin Film
Limitation of Thick Film MOS: Less sensitive (poor selectivity), it require a longer time to stabilize, higher power consumption. This type of MOS is easier to produce and therefore, cost less to purchase.
Limitation of Thin Film MOS: unstable, difficult to produce and therefore, more expensive to purchase. On the other hand, it has much higher sensitivity, and much lower power consumption than the thick film MOS device [5].
a. Manufacturing process [5]
Polycrystalline is the most common porous material used for thick film sensors. It is usually prepared in a "sol-gel" process [5]:
Tin tetrachloride (SnCl4) is prepared in an aqueous solution, to which is added ammonia (NH3). This precipitates tin tetra hydroxide which is dried and calcined at 500 - 1000°C to produce tin dioxide (SnO2). This is later ground and mixed with dopands (usually metal chlorides) and then heated to recover the pure metal as a powder.
For the purpose of screen printing, a paste is made up from the powder.
Finally, in a layer of few hundred microns, the paste will be left to cool (e.g. on a alumina tube or plain substrate).
b. Sensing Mechanism
Change of "conductance" in the MOS is the basic principle of the operation in the sensor itself. A change in conductance takes place when an interaction with a gas happens, the conductance varying depending on the concentration of the gas itself.
Metal oxide sensors fall into two types [2]:
- n-type (zinc oxide (ZnO), tin dioxide (SnO2), titanium dioxide (TiO2) iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3).
- p-type (nickel oxide (Ni2O3), cobalt oxide (CoO).
The n type usually responds to "reducing" gases, while the p-type responds to "oxidizing" vapours.
Operation (n-type) [2]:
As the current applied between the two electrodes, via "the metal oxide", oxygen in the air start to react with the surface and accumulate on the surface of the sensor, consequently "trapping free electrons on the surface from the conduction band" [2]. In this way, the electrical conductance decreases as resistance in these areas increase due to lack of carriers (i.e. increase resistance to current), as there will be a "potential barriers" between the grains (particles) themselves.
When the sensor exposed to reducing gases (e.g. CO) then the resistance drop, as the gas usually react with the oxygen and therefore, an electron will be released. Consequently, the release of the electron increase the conductivity as it will reduce "the potential barriers" and let the electrons to start to flow [2].
Operation (p-type):
Oxidising gases (e.g. O2, NO2) usually remove electrons from the surface of the sensor, and consequently, as a result of this charge carriers will be produced.
c. Limitation of MOS sensors [4]
1. Poor Selectivity - In particular when a thick film MOS device is used. The poor selectivity can be reduced by the deposition of a suitable catalyst layer of noble metals like Pd, Pt, Au and Ag.
2. MOS need high temperatures (around 300°c) to operate efficiently; this result higher power consumption.
3. Sensitive to humidity and to compounds such as ethanol and CO2.
d. Advantages [4]
1. Widely available in a variety of types and sensitivities.
2. Very sensitive to a number of organic vapours (e.g. oil).
3. Fast response, usually less than 10 seconds.
References
[1] Nagle, H. T., Schiffman, S. S., Gutierrez-Osuna, R.(1998) "The How and Why of Electronic Noses" IEEE Spectrum September 1998, Volume 35, Number 9, pp. 22-34.
[2] Arshak K., Moore E., Lyons G.M., Harris J., Clifford S "A review of gas sensors employed in electronicnose applications". (2004).
[3] Hurst, W. J., (1999) "Electronic Noses & Sensory Array Based Systems" Technomic Publishing Company, ISBN No. 1-56676-780-6.
[4] Sberveglieri D., (1999) "Metal-Oxide Semicondictors" ASTEQ Technologies for sensors 1999
[5] Nose Office (2003) "NOSE II - The Second Network on Artificial Olfactory Sensing".
Unforgettable Words
The sun
The bun
The whisky and
The Rum
A ship has sailed
A train can run
The words spoken
From a muzzle of
A gun
Life is precious
Life is cheap
Kill kill kill
This land is fun
Night and day
The dead......
The dead.......
The dead.......
In tons
The sun
The bun
The whisky and
The Rum
Don’t you know?
Abu Ghreab
Has physically
Gone?
Don’t you know?
A play in torture
Will last forever
Creating a loop
For a lasting Hell?
Oh dear son
Don’t forget
To light
A candle
To pray for
Peace
For a good job
Done
The sun
The bun
The whisky and
The Rum
What is Co-Firing?
Definition
If we look at some of the definitions for co-firing, then usually most of the statements will refer to it as a process of combustion of two types of fuels. This kind of combustion, which is the burning of different materials at the same time, is related mainly to a biomass being burned with a fossil fuel. The most common fossil fuel used in co-firing is coal.
In simple terms, co-firing is a method of supplementing coal in a coal-fired boiler with a different type of fuel, such as biomass materials*.
Method
Presently, there are two different types of co-firing, direct and indirect.
For direct co-firing, two different methods have been developed. The first method is blending the biomass and coal in the fuel handling system and feeding the blend to the boiler. The second method is a separate fuel handling and separate special burners for the biomass, which thus have no impact to the conventional coal delivery system.
On the other hand, indirect co-firing is a process concept, which is based on thermal conversion of biomass or waste to gaseous or liquid fuel and the co-firing of these converted fuels together with the main fuel.
Three different types of indirect co-firing exist. These are "indirect co-combustion with pre-gasification", "indirect co-combustion in gas-fired power plants", and "parallel co-combustion (steam side coupling)".
Co-Firing Benefits
Co-firing can reduce the emission of a number of gases. It has already been established that these gases pollute the environment and can cause global warming. Co-firing, therefore, can be beneficial in a number of ways. The most important benefit we obtain from the co-firing system is CO2 reduction, usually associated with global warming. In addition to the above, we can benefit in the reduction of NOx as well as reduction in flame temperature. Also, co-firing with biomass can reduce the emission of SOx, due to the lower sulphur content in biomass materials.
Others important beneficial factors can be in cost saving, as a variety of biomass materials are much cheaper than fossil fuels and under no threat of exhausting the reserve, such as with fossil fuels. For this reason, co-firing can increase sustainability of energy supplies from power production, as well as producing less by-product than burning coal on its own (clearly that depend on the type of biomass being used in the co-firing system).
Finally, co-firing improves combustion due to the higher volatile content of biomass. In addition, increasing the use of biomass materials as a fuel may help in the creation of new jobs.
Challenges for Co-firing
There are a number of factors which can affect co-firing in one way or another. Some of these factors are purely technical, others are non-technical.
Many of these challenges do not apply to fossil fuels, and that is what makes co-firing with biomass a more challenging area, trying to establish itself in a more competitive environment where a number of systems and fuels are being tested and marketed at the present time. Co-firing, therefore, will need more support and more time to smooth out its various problems before it can compete commercially with fossil fuels.
Factors which may give rise to problems are usually related to fuel preparation, storage, delivery and fuel flexibility (quality and quantity) [2]. Also, ash deposition (increased need for soot blowing, more intensive cleaning of heat transfer surfaces in revisions may be required etc.), remains a problem [3].
In addition to the above, other issues such as pollutant formation, increased corrosion rates of high temperature components, the number of bed material changes per day increases (in Fluidised Bed combustion), fly ash utilization (un-burnt carbon, contamination) [4], higher in-house power consumption, difficulty for complete combustion as well as the difficulties in mixing coal and biomass in the boiler, remain [5].
Fouling and corrosion of the boiler (alkalis, chlorine) are other negative aspects of co-firing. Finally and as part of the technical challenges, the negative impact on flue gas cleaning (SCR DeNOx).
Concerning non-technical factors, these may range from economic aspects (lack of financial incentives, uncertain fuel prices, open market) to legislative aspects (utilization of fly ash in cement, determining green share, emission legislation), as well as the public perception of co-firing of biomass/waste.
"Apple wood with coal" is one of the methods
used in co-firing to generate electricity
Conclusion
Co-firing is one of the methods used in power generating companies as a way to reduce unwanted gaseous emissions, which can be the cause of global warming, as well as a health risk to humans, plus polluting the environment.
In addition to the above, co-firing is one of the methods used to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels.
Generally speaking, co-firing can be used to reduce the cost of energy production, as the use of biomass materials for generating energy tend to be cheaper than the use of fossil fuels.
References
1. Perry M., Rosillo-Calle F. "Co-firing Report - United Kingdom" International Energy Agency (IEA) Bioenergy Task40 - Imperial College 2006.
2. "Biomass Energy Data Book" US Dept. of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 2006.
3. "Biomass Research" NREL National Renewable Energy Laboratory, USA, 2006.
4. "Biomass Management - Fuel Removal and Mulching" - Hills Emergency Forum, Biomass Management Working Paper, 2007.
5. "Engineering Report" Guidance document on biomass co-firing on coal fired power stations " DTI Projet 324-2, 2007.
*Co-firing should not be confused with multiple fuel boilers. Multiple fuel boilers are designed to burn a wide range of fuels. Co-firing on the other hand is carried out in a boiler specifically designed to burn only a specific type of coal [1].
The Question About Energy!
Have you ever wondered what would happen if suddenly we had no reserves of crude oil?
Well, this is what the world will be facing in the not too distant future, even if we discover more oil reserves in various parts of the globe.
Let us assume that there is no longer crude oil being shipped or pumped anywhere, how the world will look and how this type of fossil fuel shortage can affect us, on the long and short term basis?!
Well, you may say renewable energy sources will fill the gap and make our environment a much better place to live in, and consequently reduce or even balance the danger of the global warming that everyone is concerned about these days! Wrong, renewable energy will not be able to fill the gap of the missing crude oil, which is, as we are all aware, a big part of our daily lives. Even if we say that the world has huge reserves of coal which can last for hundreds of years, the answer is still the same, i.e. coal can never replace the crude oil either.
Now let us take each scenario and explain why it is not possible – at least during our lifetime - for the above sources of energy to replace the crude oil.
Renewable Energy
There are five types of known renewable energy sources, these are: Wind, Hydropower, Geothermal, Solar and Biomass. Apart from Hydropower, all the other types are either still part of research programs, or being implemented on a trial basis, or used on a limited or local commercial scale. The commercial viability on a very large scale is still, in various parts of the world, in the realms of “prediction” by scientists, engineers, economists, and politicians, rather than the reality of today. Obviously, we are talking here not just about generating electricity, but all other aspects of our lives where energy is needed, this includes, of course the two important parts such as our transportation and heating systems.
The renewable energy sources still need time and economical investment to mature to a reliable and economical way of producing energy, worldwide. This kind of success for the renewable energy systems may be possible over a long period of time, if and when the renewable sources, the engineering and the economical aspect, are all possible to implement together at the same time. Clearly, this has not been achieved yet on international scale, therefore it is still beyond the world’s reach, as a whole. A world which as we are all aware, is increasingly struggling and demanding more energy, as every day passes us by.
Coal
We are told that USA, Canada, Australia, Russia and China, as well as other countries, have large reserves of coal, but we are not told that some of these reserves of coal can be more expensive to dig out than the cost of importing crude oil. In addition, coal is mostly useful for generating electricity and for heating systems, not for the vital transportation systems or machinery or for certain types of functions within the large manufacturing industries.
Even if we take into account what has been termed as “clean coal” (for a cleaner environment) and liquidised coal derivatives, the energy gap without crude oil available in the market is still very wide and very unacceptable.
A world therefore with only coal is not the solution, neither a world with mere claims that “this-or that-“type of source of energy may work in the future.
Is there a solution?
This outlook is not meant to be a negative or pessimistic comment about our present and future energy needs, but rather trying to be realistic about what can be achieved within a reasonable period of time, and what is not possible. Rather than spending millions and millions on certain types of projects, such as what is going on in the USA concerning “corn” for energy, which clearly will not be able to solve the energy problem, not even within USA itself, we should concentrate instead all our efforts on international co-operation on a much bigger scale on energy and related issues, with every country contributing actively to this kind of work in one way or another.
The above need for co-operation is urgent. International co-operations should be able to implement already successful commercial energy projects (regardless of the source, as long as they are environmentally friendly) on a global scale, as this is the only way where various groups of people with various backgrounds will be involved for faster, viable, energy solutions.
These kind of large, international, co-operations can speedily benefit parts of the world where energy for a better living is in dire need. The hope here is also to overcome bureaucracies and political blockades, which in many cases can bury alive the best ideas, as well as successful projects, before giving them the chance to be tried on a wider commercial scale.
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Biomass sources comprise a wide variety of materials such as forest and mill residues, agricultural crops and wastes, wood and wood wastes, animal wastes, livestock operation residues, aquatic plants, fast-growing trees & other types of plants e.g. grasses, as well as municipal and industrial wastes. These biomass materials can be burned or converted into a gas and used as fuel.
A source of energy such as biomass is one of the ways forward in reducing our dependency on fossil fuels, plus stabilizing (and/or reducing) the CO2 in the atmosphere. The term "biomass" refers to organic matter which can be converted to energy; the name "biomass" being invented in approximately 1975 to describe natural materials used as energy sources.
Commercial bio-refinery usually produces large quantities of waste, mostly sold as animal feed. This kind of waste can be used as a source of energy, such as for electricity, heating or as a fertiliser.
Despite huge increases in the price of crude oil during 2006 and 2007, as well as an increase in the coal prices, the production cost of various bio-energy fuels still do not match the production prices of fossil fuels, such as coal. This means that the present scenario for the commercially produced bio-fuel is still far from being realistic for the international market in general.
Therefore, there is an urgent need for a change in the production cost to make bio-energy "affordable". That means if the cost can be brought down further, may be even lower than the present prices of fossil fuels, then that will be a great achievement for everyone concerned.
This kind of energy source transformation can be achieved successfully by following basic but important technical and business rules. It is important that this kind of transformation should happen with the appropriate support of the governments concerned and their local authorities.
General, as well as specialised, comprehensive investigations related to scientific, technical and commercial matters should be considered and analysed, as well as the conditions required for this kind of business, on a long term basis.
Economic analysis forms an important part of any new type of research, in particular when it comes to the energy issue. Biomass energy research and applications, therefore, should concentrate not just on the technical and scientific issues, but most importantly on the wider commercial market, through which the biomass fuels can be selected for various types of commercial applications.
The aims for various types of renewable sources of energy are very similar to each other, in that they all have one target: Energy that can be economical, sustainable, and environmentally acceptable.
In comparison with other types of renewable source of energy, biomass research and development, as well as applications are taking the lead in a number of countries across the globe (Biomass Energy report, ODE, USA 2002). USA and Europe provide good examples when it comes to biomass energy utilization. As a consequence, various methods have been created to establish certain facts concerning biomass materials as a reliable source of energy.
"By 2020, the United States is estimated to have a maximum of 7.1 quadrillion Btu of biomass available at prices of $5 per million Btu or lower." (Haq Z. "Biomass for Electricity Generation", 2004).
As the need arises with every passing day for an alternative source of energy, where environmental issues, long term supply/availability and economical reasons form the paramount factors, reliable methods, therefore, will be vital in helping to find the right biomass materials for the ever increasing need for environmentally friendly, renewable, sources of energy.
"Without technological and/or behavioural intervention, atmospheric concentration of GHGs will continue to increase...." (dti Project report 2005).
References
1. "Biomass Energy" Report, Oregon Department of Energy, USA 2002.
2. Kartha S., Larson E.D. "Bioenergy Primer: Modernised Biomass Energy for Sustainable Development" United Nations Development Programme 2000.2. 3. "Securing a place for Biomass in the northeast United State: a review of renewable energy and related policies", 2003. 4. Bauen A., Woods J., Hailes R. "Biopowerswitch!" Imperial College London, Centre for Energy Policy and Technology and E4tech (UK) Ltd., 2004.
5. Haq Z. "Biomass for Electricity Generation" US Department of Agriculture, (Agricultural Statistics 2001), 2004.
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The Moon
Various names and descriptions have been given to the Moon from culture to culture and from civilization to civilization. These names and descriptions came about mainly out of religious beliefs and from various interpretations of those who were fascinated by it, feared it or simply worshipped it.
The goddess of Moon in Roman has been given the name “Luna”, while the Greek named it Selene, one of the many Greek deities.
By studying and analyzing Moon rocks, scientists believe that the moon was created as a result of a collision of an ancient planet with the planet earth, approximately four billions years ago.
The Moon has two faces (sides), the side which we see all the time, and the side which we can not see, sometimes referred to as the dark side of the Moon. The only way to see the other side is by going to space.
The connection between the Moon, the living and the dead has been with us since pre-historic times. Therefore, the Moon was, and still is the focus of many people in various cultures across the globe, but in particular among poets and writers, who looked at it and wrote about what they saw, what they felt and what they imagined.
Sadly, according to scientists, the Moon is moving away from us (from earth) a few centimetres every year!
Looking at the full Moon, the feeling certainly may vary from one person to another. You may feel a little bit "safer" looking at "The Full Moon" at noon, if you can see it, and may be with a different feeling when you see "The Full Moon" at midnight - clearly that depends on who you are, where you are, your gender and whether you are alone or with someone close to you!
Historically speaking, romance and the Moon have always been part of each other and part of the inspirations for love and lovers, as well as part of the emotions and minds of those who simply dedicated their time to write about it.
In addition to the above, some believe that even mental illness can be exacerbated when there is a full Moon! Not to mention the use of the Moon by horror writers and filmmakers who, by scaring their audience, made their own fame and fortune.
The various love stories associated with the Moon, whether real, exaggerated or simply made up, still form a big part of the human psyche and human culture; therefore, it is an important part of the human insight, with or without the emotional or spiritual connection.
The Moon can also be associated with various witchcrafts, sorceries, spells, as well as with the dead.
Witchcrafts or witches use the cycles of the Moon as part of their ceremonies, initiations and festivals.
When it comes to those who left this world, then the Moon plays another important part. Many spiritualists and some Far Eastern religions believe that some departed souls are associated with the Moon, during various stages; it could be related to a recent or none-recent death. According to some of these religions/spiritualists, the Moon work as a temporary (or “sometime” even permanent) station for the departed souls before moving on to the next world.
The Moon is a natural satellite of the earth and, therefore it has an important part to play in relation to life on earth and the earth’s general environment. That means, without the Moon, the world will be a different place and life as we know it today will be very difficult to continue, if not impossible.
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WHo?When?Where And Why?
Who?
When?
Where
And why?
Sometime
we wonder
who we are...?
Sometime
we wonder
where we are...?
And sometime
life seems so
objective...
And sometime
it looks so bizarre...
Yes, so bizarre...
Who really
you and me
are...?
And who are those
you can not
see
with your physical
eye...?!
Who?
When?
Where
And why?
Ah, many orphans
ancient
old
new
questions..
born
live
And eventually die...
Wanting to know
who, where when
and
why and why?
Like
Hell and Heaven
Which are
made in dozens
In the mind of
many humans
for an answer
to a really
stubborn
of a question
about
God...
and
Devil...
Who?
When?
Where
And why?
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Who? When? Where And Why?" are questions which we ask ourselves from time to time concerning our lives, our existence and the seen and unseen in our environment and the universe as a whole. Sometime we may think we know the answer, sometime we admit we do not know. Those who claims they know the answer, whether they are speaking from religious conviction, spiritual experience or from scientific theories, most of the time their answer (if they can provide an answer) can not cover all the above four questions in the exact details the question strongly insist upon.
Who?
When?
Where
And why?
These questions will stay with many people across the globe during their lives time on this planet. One of the reasons why we join certain groups, sects, various religions and similar affiliations is simply because either we are searching for the truth and/or what we feel that this is where we belong to, or feeling comfortable with or connected with - which may give us the answer to all our questions and/or to provide us of what we need - whether during our present lives or our lives in the after.
IN The Silence Of The Night
In the silence of the night
I thought and reflected about you and
wondered what to write…
In the silence of the night
Fox kits roamed and played
at my back-garden, peacefully, in
the darkness….
In the silence of the night
I called your name
but the sound of the echo
left me with no doubt
that your heart
your spirit
meant only for one special “love”
always in your heart
you used to search about….
In the silence of the night
freeing your soul
for that union of our love
is “the” everything, is “the”
eternal, for our two souls
as they unite
In the silence of the night….
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What is Nanotube?
They were discovered in 1991 by the Japanese electron microscopist Simio Iijima who was studying the material deposited on the cathode during the arc-evaporation synthesis of fullerenes. Carbon nanotubes are fullerene-related structures which consist of graphene[1] cylinders closed at either end with caps containing pentagonal rings. Examples of Nanotubes are Single-layer nanotubes and nanotube "ropes" and nanohorns. Carbon nanotubes, therefore, are rolled-up sheets of graphite - i.e. the same material that is used in pencils. A sheet of graphite is composed of carbon atoms arranged in a flat hexagonal pattern similar to chicken wire mesh.
Nanoelectronic has witnessed a shift towards molecular systems in recent years. Though the term molecular electronic is rather an old one, it is only recently that single molecules have become the focus of interest, as nanoelectronic start to surface. This was triggered by research on carbon nanotubes. But before the carbon nanotubes entered the scene, molecular electronic was the science of organic polymers, their synthesis, processing and doping. With carbon nanotubes, we finally have a model system at hand that is equally of interest for chemists, material scientists and physicists. However, carbon nanotubes are supramolecular objects for a chemist; they are one-dimensional solids for a physicist. In the future, more of this supramolecular structure will be studied on a single molecule level.
Theorists have shown that nanotubes can be conducting or insulating depending on their structure. Therefore, this may lead to applications in nanoelectronic.
Wires are not possible for use in nanoelectronic, because they are susceptible to thinning and breakage. Despite recent interest in carbon nanotubes, they have variable electronic properties, depending on their orientation, reducing their functionality as electrical conductors.
One problem that plagues researchers looking to fashion circuit components from nanotubes is separating metallic tubes from the ones that are semi-conducting. Common synthesis procedures produce spaghetti-like mixtures of nanotube ropes that are unusable for semiconductor applications because they contain both types of tubes.
Nanotubes can be metals or semiconductors, and because of their strong chemical bonds and satisfied valences[2], the materials boast high thermal, mechanical, and chemical stability. In addition, carbon nanotubes can be efficient conductors as a result of their tiny diameters, long lengths, and defect-free structures that make them ideal one-dimensional systems.
Theoretical models have predicted that nanotubes could behave as ideal one-dimensional "quantum wires" with either semi conducting or metallic behaviours. Study of Transmission Electron Micrograph (TEM) images, however, has indicated that the nanotubes also incorporate kinks and defects into their walls
Progress in nanotubes synthesis has now yielded single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) with well-defined diameters, bringing the experimental situation much closer to that of the theoretical models. Recent measurements indicate that these materials do behave like one-dimensional wires. The SWNTs should also be more sensitive to defects, to the extent that defects may dominate the transport characteristics. In this work, an STM[3]tip was used as a sliding electrical contact to probe the length-dependence of SWNT conductance. Although atomic defects were not directly imaged, sharp conductance transitions and hetero-junction behaviours in the nanotube conductance are suggestive of the signatures of nanotube defects.
[1] Graphene: A sheet similar in appearance to "chicken wire mesh" made up from carbon atoms.
[2] Valence: The number of chemical bonds an atom can form.
[3] STM: Scanning Tunneling Microscope.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=917131
You and Me
http://www.poetrypages.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=54920
Do you know what the man in the dream told me?
Do you know what the winter rain showed me?
Do you know why an angel with your aura
visited me?
No “reason” anyone will know or understand!
but …you and me!
As the stars in the heaven shoots and travel
far away…
to the tune of our songs, but, no one can ever hear or see
as everyone pass us by with deafness, blindness
to the sound, to the light
to their souls
to their lives
No “reason” anyone will know or understand!
but …you and me!
In the darkness when you whispered and I smiled
to what you said!
when your lips touched my lips in a stormy crazy way
I forgot who am I
I forgot where am I
I forgot what to say
As my mind suddenly stopped …and died
straight away!
As the soldier who really died with no cry
left his boots and uniform so determine not to
die
as we watched him far away beyond the truth
that is how why we know what is the “truth”
it is the secret
in our spirits
in our hearts
No ”reason” anyone will know or understand
but …you and me
Do you know what the waves in the sea told me?
Do you know what the sun at dawn showed me?
Do you know why a baby in the crowed smiled
and smiled …at me?
No ”reason” anyone will know or understand
but … you and me!
http://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=448
The Dragon
Part One
"You know, dragons are really beautiful animals!" Samira's seven year old brother said. "Maybe they are but there is no such thing as a real live dragon anywhere in this world" Samira said. "Yes there are, and even if you haven't seen any dragons, the Chinese people always believed in them!" "It is just part of their culture, as dad said last night, and he also said it is just a myth" "A myth, I do not know what you mean - but I know for sure they are real" "Just because you saw a picture of a dragon in the book and also watched them in a cartoon that does not mean they are real" "I saw one last night, I really did!" "Yeah, right - you really really have a very good imagination" "I may even have one somewhere!"
Samira felt she had to leave her brother at once; otherwise he would carry on with his imaginary story about the existence of dragons. She walked outside the house still thinking about what her brother was talking about but at the same time she was trying hard to dismiss from her mind all the stories she heard about dragons, no matter how nice and beautiful her brother thinks they are!
She looked around and noticed that the sky was clear and it was a sunny warm day. Then she remembered her mother telling her that if she has to go out then she must put her coat on to keep her warm as well as her scarf, as it was a very cold January - ah, and must tell everyone in the house where she is going to!
"This is impossible" She said to herself "as I feel very warm and I am only wearing my T-shirt. As she looked down to check her shoes, to her amazement she realised she was not wearing any, not even her favourite blue socks!
Naked feet and just a T-shirt with short pants and at the same time she felt very warm in January? There must be a mistake - hold on, maybe it was something to do with global warming, as she heard it from her father last week while they were watching the news on TV.
"I must go back and put my socks and shoes on" She said to herself.
Samira turned round to go back to her home when to her surprise she thought she had lost her way, as she could not see the house anymore!
"I must have walked a long way and got lost" "Where is our home?" "How can I go back?" Samira started to panic and wondered if she would ever find her way back to the house!
Then just as she started crossing the road trying to find another way, she heard a deep voice saying to her "Do not worry, you will be fine!"
She looked back but no one was there! She looked left and right but no one was there either! She looked in front of her but still no one was there!
"Maybe it was someone else talking to another person!" She said to herself.
As she turned the street corner, she heard the same voice telling her the same thing.
"Who is there?" "Who are you?" Samira shouted impatiently.
"Just come here and you will see me"
"Where? Anyway, my parents told me never to speak to strangers, so just go away
and leave me alone"
"I am not a stranger!"
Samira replied in her usual disbelieving and sarcastic way "Yeah, right!"
"OK, it is up to you but I am standing behind the big oak tree in front of you"
Samira looked around with a worrying look on her face, trying to spot the Oak tree and sure enough there it was big old tree about twelve meters away from where she was standing!
Too many questions were racing inside her head, whether she should go there and have a look or not! May be it was a trick, or someone trying to hurt her or even want to kidnap her, after all her father was a rich and famous man, she thought!
"Come on, you will be fine" Samira heard the same voice trying to encourage her come close to the tree.
Samira turned round, trying hard to look from a distance to find out what was behind the tree!
Oh, she saw something there! But she was not sure what it was! It looked like a branch of a tree. "Hey, hold on" she said to herself "it is moving! Yes, it is moving from one side to another - how strange, how really odd!"
"Show me your face and tell me who you are before I come any further" Samira said.
"I can do better than that" The voice said.
As Samira was still turning round trying to see more of this mysterious thing behind the tree, she quickly replied "How?"
"I can show you the way back to your home"
"But first you must tell me who you are and show me your face"
"Deal"
Samira replied excitedly
"Deal"
No sooner than both of them agreed on the deal, something did move out from behind the tree - something a bit strange that wasn't clear to Samira. It looked like a big animal with big legs and two smaller arms - or they looked like arms - with wings, big eyes, two large nostrils and brown rocky skin.
"Strange, but it looks familiar, not sure where I have seen that kind of animal before?"
"People call me "dragon" and I live not that far from here"
"This is crazy - is someone trying to make fun of me, I know there is no such thing called dragon" Samira quietly said while wondering who might have organised this trick to fool her!
"Did my brother tell you to wear such a silly costume and pretend to be a dragon?"
"No"
"Yes he did!"
"No, No No!"
The dragon suddenly moves quickly forward toward Samira, crushing tree branches and causing damage to the ground. Samira was able to see the dragon very clearly as it looked very real, and that was what made her frightened. For Samira, this was no longer a joke, but something dangerous and scary!
Samira ran fast, but the dragon was always one step in front of her, the more she ran, the closer to her side the dragon was! Samira was crying as she was running trying hard to save her life from this huge dragon that was so close to her that she was able to hear the loud noise of every breath he took in and out.
"Come here boy!"
She heard someone calling the dragon; it was a child's voice. The voice was so familiar to Samira that she refused to believe in her mind that her seven years old brother was calling the big dragon just like the way he calls his own little puppy! "Help me" Samira cried.
"Do not worry, he is harmless" "Is that you? I can not believe it! What are you doing here? My God, am I dreaming?"
Just as she was trying to finish her words, Samira suddenly felt that everything was getting darker around her, and at the same time slowly everything went silent, in fact life as a whole stopped, from movement, to sound to light.
Well, let us have a break here and then later we can go to Part Two.
* * * * *
Part Two
Did you think that was the end of the story in part one or just the beginning of it?
If you are wondering what happened to Samira and her brother, well both of them are in good health and happily chatting to each other - right now!
If you think part two is the beginning of the story and not the end of it then you can go now and have a cool drink and come back and read the rest tomorrow!
If you think the whole story has really ended, then please do not read anymore, just close your eyes and go to sleep, if you are already in your bed, if not, then get ready to go to bed before you completely forget about Samira, her brother and the dragon!
Questions from You
"So, where is Samira now?"
She is in bed, just like you right now, if you are reading this story in bed!
"Where is her brother?"
Oh, he is in bed too!
"What about the dragon?"
The dragon is sleeping too - Did you think that dragons do not sleep? They do, just like us!
"How is it possible to have a real live dragon in our modern times?"
Well, there are many dragons today, just as there always used to be on the planet earth, maybe there are even more now than ever before! We do not call them dragons anymore, as they have changed their appearance in order to adapt to their changing environment. These were descended of the original flying dragons are actually from the prehistoric giant lizards, which are referred to as "dinosaurs". Dinosaurs with wings existed alongside other types of dinosaurs. Today we call them "birds", just as in ancient times, many thousands years ago; these flying dinosaurs were named as dragons.
"Are you trying to tell me that the dragon in this story was only a bird and not a real dragon?" No, that is not the case. The dragon in the story was a real dragon; the difference here is that this dragon was described as he used to look like before his ancestors decided to gradually change the way they looked!
"Why did things go dark and silent for Samira?"
They went dark and silent because Samira fainted; as she was "mistakenly" frightened by a friendly harmless bird, sorry, I meant a dragon!
"How did Samira eventually arrive back home safely?"
With the help of her brother, the dragon picked her up and carried her back home safely.
"How old is Samira?"
She is ten years old.
"Was Samira's brother more knowledgeable about dragons than her?"
No, as Samira a little older than him, then she would have known more about things -including dragons- than her brother. Her brother met the dragon before Samira met him and that was why he seemed more confident about the dragon.
"Please send my regards to all of them"
Thank you - your kind regards will reach them all right now!
Oh, they do send their own regards to you as well!
http://www.helium.com/items/1053427-onethe-first-school-frightening
Heart In A Glass
Glass in a glass
In a shape of a heart
Distorted the face
Lengthen the fingers
Created madness
From a crack in a glass
The pink dream
Connection
In a blue water
Reflection
Shattered reality
As seen via clouded
Sleepy half closed
Eyes
In a black sheeted
Bed
The old maid
Powdered her face
For one more chance
To find the long missing
Long searched
Dreamt about
The other half
Glass in glass
Voidance of love
Emptiness in nest
Making the heart
Weeping
Leaving the head
Nothing but with an old
Love story
Trapped in a
Skull
Trapped in a
Glass
http://www.poetrypages.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=55709
Basic Breathing Techniques
Physical relaxation is not just important from a health point of view, but it is vital for any meditational or spiritual development.
Therefore, as a starting point, breathing exercises should be practiced over a period of time, depending on each individual’s capability; this may take from a few days to many months. But certainly, the breathing exercises should precede any meditational and/or any other type of inner (e.g. mental or spiritual) functions, regardless of whether the individual has achieved and mastered the complete range of breathing techniques or whether these have become part of his/her daily life or not.
The breathing exercises should be simple and easy to practice, according to the physical needs of each individual.
Wearing suitable comfortable clothes (no jeans or tight garments) can help in speeding up the relaxation of your body in general and your muscles in particular
Please note that if you suffer from any type of physical illness, then the advice here is that you must consult your doctor first before any exercises are undertaken.
It is advisable to try to relax each muscle in your body, if you wish, before you start your breathing exercise, especially in the early stages. Laying down on your back and starting with your toes, tense your muscles and then relax them. Then move upward to each muscle in the legs, thighs, and so on, until you reach the head, where you can tense the scalp in a similar way and then relax it.
Finally, tense your whole body in one go and then suddenly relax every part at the same time. You can do this several times, until you feel that most of your body, if not all of it, is relaxed or close to being relaxed.
Now, let us assume you are in a good health and ready for the basic exercise offered in this report.
To start the breathing exercise, you should find a quiet place where you can stay alone, without any interruptions, for the period you require for the exercise. Sit on a comfortable mattress, crossed legged, or on a straight-backed, armed, chair. Your spine must be straight during the whole period of the exercise (and later on during the meditation itself).
Breathe in slowly (through your nose), and, as you breathe in, count up to four. Hold your breath and count to four again, then breathe out slowly (through your mouth), counting to four once more.
Repeat the breathing exercise for few minutes on your first exercise and then increase the period by a minute or two on each following exercise, until you feel that physical relaxation is actually taking place (of course, without falling asleep during the exercise itself!).
The idea here is that, over a period of time, this kind of breathing will be part of your daily life, where oxygen can reach to the farthest parts of your lungs, at the same time cleansing them as you breathe out whatever has accumulated inside the lungs during your past shallow breathing.
Of course, you can strengthen the above by visualizing images at the same time i.e. whenever you take a breath in, you visualize and believe that a healthy, pure, brilliant white light is coming in, and, when you breathe out, you can imagine that you are getting rid off all the negative things you may have accumulated recently and/or in the past (both physical and mental), in the form of a grey light.
It is not necessary to do the visualizing part at this stage, if you do not wish to do so, or if you feel that the visualizing process is difficult, or is simply distracting you from the main breathing exercise itself.
The best result you can get is by instructing your subconscious mind before you sleep about the importance of breathing correctly and regularly, and that you are determined to make it part of your daily, regular, breathing habit.
Starting the exercise at the same time each day or even twice or three times a day, on a regular basis will help greatly as well. However, if this is not possible, then just carry on doing the exercise as it fits in with your normal working and social life.
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