Oil from Algae and Biomorphic computers :-)

[jduff]

Since this section of these forums seem to be a bit out of date. I figured it would be nice to bring some science up to date. Two of the biggest breakthroughs just in this past month. What a way to end 2013!

 

The first breakthrough is for our tree hugging, peace-loving, save the planet, environment, types. You know, the ones who are in the 30ies! Who grew up watching Captain Planet and how to save the planet cartoons! While us old G.I JOE and Barbie people stand by and watch! But alas, something the greens can reap and be happy about. No more drilling, destroying the environment, no more fracking! Can actually save the forest! Ohh wait forgot about those lumberjacks!

 

This latest development now allows oil to be made from grown algae. On a vast industrial scale, with reusable byproducts(Phosphorus and water)! While for years this technology has been done at a fractional rate with very low efficiency. This technology can now be used on a large scale! For me this is probably the biggest breakthrough of the year! You can read the story herehttp://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherhelman/2013/12/23/green-oil-scientists-turn-algae-into-petroleum-in-30-minutes/ . As well as the latest government news on this breakthrough! http://www.rtcc.org/2013/12/23/us-scientists-convert-algae-into-crude-oil-in-under-an-hour/ There is also a nice YouTube video somewhere showing the full experiment!

 

KUDO's to our Green scientists for such a wonderful thing!

 

Now to our next breakthrough! Yes, last year Japanese scientists were able to create soluble microchips. That is pretty good! But nothing compared to this years big achievement in computer science. Of course, this breakthrough comes from my childhood home"Silicon Valley"! You know, the bay area of California. Palo Alto, Mountain View, San Jose, San Mateo.. The CRUX of every egghead across the cyber universe! The original heart and soul of everything computing! Now that we have the KUDO's to my home at heart, here is the breakthrough.

 

Its in the field of biomorphic computing. Uhh ohh!!, a new term! YES IT IS! Means taking a chipset and morphing it into a biological like structure. In this case our brain. Taking A.I to a whole new level! The applications of this breakthrough are indeed astonishing! Here is the link to this story. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/29/science/brainlike-computers-learning-from-experience.html?_r=0

 

Since we all love science! These two breakthrough's make my picks of the year! Since the New Year is so close! Thought I would share! Hope you enjoy! And what are your thoughts on these breakthrough's?

Edited December 29, 2013 by jduff