Featured Archives - Page 20 of 29

October 16, 2014October 16, 2014

Today in History: David Nelson Crosthwait Jr. – The Heating Pioneer

David Nelson Crosthwait Jr. was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 27, 1898. His interest in mechanics led him to Purdue University, where he studied mechanical engineering. After graduation, he took a job with the C.A. Dunham Co. conducting innovative research. There, he designed the heat system for New York City’s Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall. On Oct. 16, 1934, he patented his invention. Crosthwait held 119 patents — 39 in the U.S. and 80 internationally — all in relation to heating, cooling and temperature-regulating technology.

October 15, 2014October 15, 2014

Embracing Your ‘Inner Geek’ Could Change the World

When people discuss how to make science interesting and exciting, the conversation usually gravitates around children and younger audiences.

Esteemed astrophysicist and Cosmos host Neil deGrasse Tyson, on the other hand, wants to shift the conversation toward adults.

According to Tyson, it’s just as important for adults to embrace their “inner geek” and become fired up about science as it is for children to feel the same way.

For each person, that “inner geek” is going to be something different, but Tyson explained that the important thing is just making sure you remain curious and nurture your thirst for knowledge.

“Your inner geek is simply what empowers your curiosity about the natural world,” he told National Geographic. “When you see a problem, you ask, ‘I wonder how we can solve it?’ rather than, ‘I wonder how fast we can run away from it?’”

Tyson believes that many adults just need a small spark to ignite their inner geek while others may need a little more coaxing to really get interested in the scientific mysteries that surround us every day.

“In most adults I’ve met, there is some ember within that carries their soul of curiosity,” he added. “For some it is almost extinguished and needs to be fanned. For others it’s like a pilot light. You just have to put some extra fuel there, and it ignites.”

A huge part of adding fuel to the fire is by simply acknowledging how vital science really is.

Without a thorough understanding of the world around us, our quality of life may not improve and innovation may come to a screeching halt.

“I don’t know if science can save us,” Tyson told National Geographic. “What I do know is that the absence of science will kill us. If you look at the improvement in quality of life around the world, it is entirely brought about by advances in science and technology.”

He went on to explain that those years of innovation and improving the quality of everyday life are exactly why we aren’t worried about the same things that civilizations from hundreds of years ago were worried about.

“If you polled people in 1900 and asked them what they feared most for civilization, they’d say they worry about hunger and overpopulation,” he said before explaining that there were not efficient farming methods at the time.

Fast forward years later and people have figured out how to farm in an efficient manner – in a manner that makes starvation less of a worry than it was in the past.

“Starvation was a big issue because they knew what the production levels of farms were and saw the rate of population growth,” Tyson continued. “What they didn’t know was that we’d figure out how to farm better. They were not considering innovation.”

October 15, 2014October 21, 2014

Charge Up in 2 Minutes: New Ultra-Fast Battery Could Finally Get Us Away from the Wall

We’ve all seen it before. We’ve all been there ourselves.

You walk into a public setting like a library, a coffee shop, an airport or even McDonald’s and see people scurrying to find the closest outlet – not for their laptops but for their cellphones.

Some give up perfectly good seats to sit on the floor next to the device while others stand by their slowly charging phones as if their device was just admitted to the hospital in critical condition.

Well, new technology developed at Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) could finally get us off the wall and away from the outlets.

Scientists have developed a battery that charges up to 70 percent in a mere two minutes.

So while you still may find yourself looking for an outlet every now and then, you’ll only have to baby-sit your beloved cellphone for two minutes before you’re ready to return to your plans for the day.

In addition to being able to charge incredibly fast, the new battery is expected to have a lifespan far more impressive than the average battery that’s out right now.

According to Science Daily, this battery has the potential to be recharged and reused for up to 20 years – but who really keeps a phone for 20 years these days anyway?

What that longer lifespan will have a major impact on, however, will be electric cars.

That’s right. In addition to putting a halt to our desperate search for outlets, the battery could also drastically reduce our carbon footprint.

Science Daily reports that electric cars typically take about four hours to charge.

Scientists predict that the new battery means cars could charge 20 times faster than possible with the current technology on the market.

If the battery is successfully used in electric cars, people could be charging up their vehicles in only 15 minutes.

The sad news here is that the electric car industry seems much more interested in the battery than the mobile device industry – meaning it could still be quite some time before this technology is even utilized in cellphones and tablets.

Associate professor Chen Xiodong, the man responsible for the nanostructure that allows for ultra-fast charging, remains optimistic about when the battery will hit the market.

Chen believes the battery will at least make its way into electric cars in only two years.

There still may be one catch, however.

Despite a detailed press release about the battery’s functions and specifics, there was no mention of how long the battery will hold that two-minute charge.

In other words, it’s possible that the 70 percent charge could offer much less time between recharging and drivers may be forced to make more frequent stops to charge their electric vehicles.

If that’s the case, the great outlet race may not actually be coming to an end any time soon and our carbon footprint may not be on the brink of getting cut down to a more reasonable size.

October 14, 2014October 14, 2014

Could A Boost In Diversity Be The Solution to Filling Up Tech Jobs Over The Next Six Years

By the year 2020, a staggering 1.4 million job positions will be left unfilled, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The growing gap between the number of positions in the tech space and the number of qualified workers available to fill them has members of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field worried about what the future may hold.

As it turns out, however, the solution to a rather daunting problem could be to boost diversity within the field.

As Twitter, Facebook and other tech giants revealed earlier this year, minorities are struggling to find their way into the tech field. Some are finding it hard to find entry while others can’t seem to find interest.

If things continue the way they are, 70 percent of all STEM positions will be left unfilled in less than six years.

“There’s a huge pipeline problem,” Van Jones, the former special adviser for green jobs to the Obama administration, told The Guardian. “It’s across IT, Silicon Valley and yes, cleantech.”

Many entrepreneurs in the STEM field are taking action by reaching out to minorities in hopes that increasing diversity could also help close the STEM worker gap.

Jones launched #YesWeCode back in July along with Fission Strategy CEO Cheryl Contee. #YesWeCode reaches out to underprivileged youth and tries to spark their interest in STEM careers.

If the program is able to successfully complete its mission, it will create a pipeline of 100,000 children who will already have sufficient knowledge of coding and other skills that will make them ideal candidates for STEM careers.

Minorities are currently severely underrepresented in the tech business despite the fact that many reports suggest that minorities, particularly African-Americans, use technology more often than their white counterparts.

The cleantech industry presents an even more disappointing array of statistics simply because it has decided not to share its statistics at all.

While Google and Facebook have agreed to make commitments to addressing the diversity issues within their companies and being more transparent with the public, cleantech companies are keeping quiet on the matter.

A recent report by Dorchet Taylor, a University of Michigan professor, revealed that minorities only represent 16 percent of leadership or staff positions at environmental nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), foundations and government agencies.

Despite their lack of representation in the cleantech workforce, minorities represent nearly 40 percent of the overall population.

“The creator class doesn’t reflect its consumers,” Contee told The Guardian. “That means that there are problems not getting solved.”

In addition to preparing young minorities for STEM careers and getting major companies to open their doors to a more diverse staff, it’s also key that minorities are encouraged to look into STEM careers.

Contee explained that STEM careers need to be portrayed in a way that will be “attractive” to minorities, especially when minority children are often not exposed to or educated about these types of careers.

“Nobody in a community of color will be motivated by the word ‘sustainability,’” he said. “Even the way we talk to communities of color has to be different.”

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas also pointed out that minorities are often the most impacted by environmental distress yet they are the “least capable to effect change.”

“We don’t just want to integrate the sustainable place, we want a diversity of ideas,” she said.

Preparing minority youths for STEM careers, sparking their interest in the field and getting major tech companies on board with increasing diversity may not be the sole solution to closing a 1.4 million STEM employee gap, but it’s certainly a powerful step in the right direction.

October 13, 2014October 14, 2014

9 Contemporary Black Academics You Should Know

Ali Mazrui

Ali Mazrui, who passed away this past weekend, was a Kenyan academic, professor and political writer on African and Islamic studies and North-South relations. He was an Albert Schweitzer professor in the humanities and the director of the Institute of Global Cultural Studies at Binghamton University in Binghamton, New York. Mazrui obtained his bachelor of arts with distinction from Manchester University, his master’s degree from Columbia University and his doctorate of philosophy from Oxford University. He previously taught at the University of Michigan, Binghamton University and the State University of New York.

Mazrui’s research interests included African politics, international political culture, political Islam and North-South relations. He is author or co-author of more than 20 books. Mazrui was widely consulted by heads of states and governments, international media and research institutions for political strategies and alternative thoughts.

Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Henry Louis Gates Jr. is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, literary scholar, journalist, cultural critic and institution builder. He is an Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University. Gates has authored 17 books and created 14 documentary films. His TV show Finding Your Roots, now in its second season on PBS, has featured several celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and Chris Rock, tracing back their ancestral lineage. He is also the co-founder and editor-in-chief of the online daily, The Root.

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson

Michael Eric Dyson is an academic, author and radio host. He is a professor of sociology at Georgetown University. Dyson received his bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from Carson–Newman College in 1985. He obtained his master’s and Ph.D. in religion from Princeton University. He hosted The Michael Eric Dyson Show from 2009 to 2011. He’s currently a political analyst for MSNBC and has published 17 books about subjects that run the gamut from hip-hop to Hurricane Katrina.

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October 10, 2014October 10, 2014

Neil deGrasse Tyson Helps Bring Science and Art Together in Stunning Fashion Film

Neil deGrasse Tyson may not be the first person to pop into your mind when it comes to fashion, but the famed astrophysicist has turned out to have quite the artistic side.

Italian fashion house Ermenegildo Zegna Couture set out to create a one-of-a-kind fashion film to play in the background for its Fall/Winter 2015 fashion show.

In order to pull off the complex project, they called on the help of the Cosmos host himself.

The short film is only 11 minutes long and goes back and forth between intriguing shots of outer space and the bustling images of major cities like New York, Shanghai and Milan.

So how did Tyson help bring the fashion film together?

Tyson teamed up with Ermenegildo Zegna Couture creative director Stefano Pilati and Florida International University astronomy professor Fiorella Terenzi to help plan “the film’s precise, earthbound astral journey,” according to Wallpaper.

In other words, the film remains scientifically accurate as it takes you on your journey through space.

The short video serves as a stunning reminder that art and science can mesh together, and they often come together quite beautifully.

Just look at Tyson’s wardrobe.

Back in May he told the New York Post that he has roughly 100 custom-made ties and vests that were all inspired by celestial images.

Meanwhile, the video will be on display for much longer than just one fashion show. The galactic journey can also be witnessed over and over again at Harrods, a famous department store in London.

The store will have the video displayed as a special window project up until Oct. 19.

October 8, 2014October 9, 2014

Bringing Unseen Worlds to Light: Interview with Fine Artist Fabiola Jean-Louis

Fabiola Jean-Louis is a fine artist and photographer currently based out of Brooklyn, N.Y., whose imagery seamlessly blends magic with the mundane and reality with the speculative to bring unseen worlds out of hiding. Jean-Louis renders her portraits in such a way that it is often difficult to tell whether you are looking at something she dreamed up in her mind’s eye, or whether she was able to actually capture a glitch in the matrix, or if it is some ethereal piece of nature that let its guard down and unfolded before her. Although she has only been working at her craft since last November, she is already making waves as a visionary who can manifest diverse patterns of space-time, sci-fi, costume design and surrealism within the worlds of her art. We asked Jean-Louis about her inspirations, her creative process, her use of technology and her upcoming projects.

How would you describe your visual work? Is there a particular category, label or genre that you would affix to the images you create?

I would describe my visual work as mythical, dreamy, astrological and astronomical, ethereal, surreal. Many times, all these characteristics resonate in one piece. I tend to stay away from categorizing or labeling my work. However, my goal is always to tell a story through surrealism.

How do you define technology and how do you use it to enhance your work?

I’m a tech geek. When I think of science and all the possibilities it opens the world to – I become excited, imaginative and giddy like a little girl on a playground. At the same time, I am very aware of the astronomical damage it has caused our world … Technology comes at a heavy cost because it forces us to move forward regardless of time …

I can’t speak for every artist, but I can say that my art is a type of technology. The practical application of science to our everyday lives, seems to emphasize the distinction between the past, present and future. I use technology to do just that — emphasize the distinction between those spaces in time and, simultaneously, merge those facets together to create an art piece. Technology definitely plays a role in my creative process … From the use of my camera, to post-editing in Photoshop, and the symbols/elements found in the finished product.

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October 7, 2014October 7, 2014

Fulfilling Her Dream: African-American Student Earns 14 Scholarships

Aubrey Perry has had dreams of attending Michigan State University for quite some time now, but her educational aspirations were at risk after the economy took a major toll on her family’s finances.

Both of Perry’s parents are self-employed, so the rough economy had a particularly troubling impact on their financial well-being. They were forced to file for bankruptcy and had to deliver some troubling news to their daughter.

According to the New Pittsburgh Courier, Perry’s parents explained that they didn’t have the money to send her to college.

She received that news at the end of her junior year in high school, and since then she became determined to do something about it.

Perry was already a member of the National Honor Society, a member of her school’s Link Crew and an active cheerleader.

While that is an impressive enough resume for most high school students, Perry wanted more.

She started to become even more active at her school and participated in the types of activities that she knew scholarship selection committees looked for in potential candidates.

“The summer between my junior and senior year, I really got serious,” she told the New Pittsburgh Courier. “Though I was in the National Honor Society and the Link Crew, I knew that if I wanted to go to a major university like Michigan State, I’d have to start participating in the type of activities that matter to admissions directors – and especially scholarship selection committees.”

The busy summer paid off to the tune of about $17,000.

She explained that she applied for every scholarship she qualified for. By the time she completed all the applications, she had applied to more than 100 scholarships and won 14 of them.

“My first scholarship I won was $75 and the largest scholarship I won was $5,000,” she said.

While the amounts didn’t always seem like much, they added up in the end.

As for larger prize scholarships, the competition was obviously much steeper and attracted a lot more applicants than ones that offered smaller winnings.

While the $17,000 will not cover her full cost of tuition, it definitely puts a major dent in Perry’s first-year financial obligations.

She took out student loans to make up the difference and plans to start all over again for next year.

“Next year, I plan to get a good summer internship and apply again for more scholarships,” the Michigan State University freshman said. “I have faith that it’ll all work out.”