Friday, August 31, 2007

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is a field of applied science and technology casing a broad range of topics. The main unifying theme is the control of matter on a scale smaller than 1 micrometre, normally in the order of 1 to 100 nanometers, as well as the fabrication of plans of this size. It is a highly multidisciplinary field, drawing from fields such as functional physics, materials science, colloidal science, appliance physics, supramolecular chemistry, and even mechanical and electrical engineering. Much speculation exists as to what new discipline and technology may result from these lines of research. Nanotechnology can be seen as an extension of accessible sciences into the nanoscale, or as a recasting of existing sciences using a newer, most recent term.

Two main approaches are used in nanotechnology. In the bottom-up approach, materials and devices are built from molecular mechanisms which assemble themselves chemically by principles of molecular appreciation. In the top-down approach, nano-objects are constructed from larger entities without atomic-level power. The impetus for nanotechnology comes from a renewed attention in colloidal science, coupled with a new invention of analytical tools such as the minute force microscope, and the scanning tunneling microscope (STM). Combined with refined processes such as electron beam lithography and molecular beam epitaxy, these instruments allow the purposeful manipulation of nanostructures, and led to the observation of novel phenomena.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Clothing

Clothing protects the vulnerable nude human body from the extremes of weather, other features of our situation, and for safety reasons. Every article of clothing also carries a enriching and social meaning. Human beings are the only creatures known to wear clothing, with the exemption of pets clothed by their owners. People also decorate their bodies with makeup or foundation, perfume, and other ornamentation; they also cut, dye, and organize the hair of their heads, faces, and bodies, and sometimes also mark their skin. All these streamers contribute to the overall effect and message of clothing, but do not constitute clothing per se.
Articles carried rather than worn are normally counted as fashion garnishing rather than as clothing. Jewelry and eyeglasses are usually counted as accessories as well, even though in general speech these items are described as being worn rather than carried. The practical function of clothing is to protect the human body from dangers in the surroundings: weather, insects, noxious chemicals, weapons, and get in touch with with abrasive substances, and other hazards. Clothing can protect against many things that might injure the naked human body. In some cases clothing protects the environment from the clothing wearer as fine.
Humans have shown intense inventiveness in devising clothing solutions to practical problems and the difference between clothing and other protective equipment is not always clear-cut. See, among others: air inured clothing, armor, diving suit, swimsuit, bee-keeper's uniform, motorcycle leathers, high-visibility garments, and protective clothing.

Friday, August 10, 2007

Inca Rope bridge

Inca Rope bridges were simple suspension bridges over canyons and gorges to present access for the Inca Empire. Bridges of this type were suitable for use since the Inca people did not use wheeled transport - traffic was incomplete to pedestrians and livestock. These bridges were an intrinsic part on the Inca road scheme and are an excellent example of Inca innovation in engineering. They were frequently used by Chasqui runners delivering messages throughout the Inca Empire.
The construction of these bridges amounted to a pair of stone anchors on each side of the canyon with immense cables of woven ichu grass linking these two pylons together. Adding to this construction, two additional cables acted as guardrails. The cables which supported the foot-path were unbreakable with plaited branches. This multi-structure system made these bridges strong enough to even carry the Spaniards while riding horses after they indoors. However, these massive bridges were so heavy that they tended to sag in the middle, and this caused them to bend in high winds.