Vinnit asked:




So you never thought you’d be getting in the details of acronyms or computer jargon that you couldn’t care less for, don’t be intimidated. Here’s an easy guide for you to enjoy and learn the basics of your PC and remove the “technologically challenged” sticker from your cubicle.

While your computer processes information, it requires data to work on. This data needs to be stored in the computer because the computers refers to its memory (data storage) when required. Some data might be required on a regular basis and some might be required for say a particular process only. Therefore depending on the type of data, the computer stores it in different types of memory – the long term or short term. Long term memory inside the computer is in the form of ROM (Read Only Memory – a storage through which data can only be accessed and cannot be edited or deleted; this type of memory is used for storing important system files that should never be altered) or in the for of CDs, DVDs etc. (as the data entered remains even when the computer is turned off.

Short term memory of a computer is like the assisting storage space where that computer can store data that needs to be processed, work on it and produce results. This is like the computers rough space. The data stored in the short term memory or

the Random Access Memory (RAM) vanishes when the computer is turned off.

Since every program work on uses RAM, the more the RAM the better the efficiency of your computer. More RAM assists in loading larger applications in the computer or working on more programs at a time. RAM capacity is measured in terms of MB (Megabytes), with a typical computer consisting of 64 MB or 128 MB. The RAM of your computer can be upgraded to 256 MB, 512 MB or 1 GB, given your system can support it.

RAM – different types and some more jargon explained

Most computers are equipped with DRAM (Dynamic RAM). As soon as the power is turned off or the computer is shut down the data in the DRAM vanishes. Then there is the SRAM (static RAM), which is larger than DRAM and is not refreshed like DRAM. However, on power turn off even this memory is lost.

Since SRAMs and DRAMs are highly volatile, many new computers are equipped with a newer memory version, the flash memory. Flash memory is the memory chip that doubles up as the hard drive for your computer.

Random Access Memory – the road ahead

The big challenge for computer manufacturers and research scientists is to develop a non volatile RAM. There have been some developments like Nantero’s Nanotube with 10 GB memory but a more practical version for common PCs remains awaited.



Nanotube Monitors

Lance Winslow asked:




There was once a Navy Scientist who wished to design and build a US Navy fleet of submarines out of glass. Of course these subs would not be made of your typical household glass. Perhaps a metal type glass, which could withstand the pressure or carbon nano-tube sheets, which I have thought of myself. I can remember some Sci-Fi writers discussing underwater villages of aliens under the sea with clear construction materials, fun stuff to think about indeed. Yet we are now entering a age of new materials which where it may actually be possible, even likely that humans will attempt to build such things. Colonies under the sea, you see?

Perhaps we could design vortex flows to keep the pressure off the surfaces of the hull of the sub or undersea colony. Indeed, vortex creation would pull water away from the surface; movement maybe required at all times to use this principle for submarines. And you would need to put the underwater colony in relative fast moving underwater flows with vortex creation apparatuses up wind of the structure to get the water swirling. A simple fixed formation could accomplish this.

For submarines the blowing of air bubbles out as it moves might also be incorporated into the process to decrease hull pressure, which would also increase speed. Perhaps adding a wave energy wave creation feature when using materials such as carbon nano-tubes might be used since making the surface electrified would be easy. If we used such a concept also special coatings, which provide a gel formation around the boundary layer could be used as well. I bet there are 20 ways to do this really? And so we need to invest more research monies in exploring the mastering of the seas. Think on this in 2006.

Nanoproduct Sales

jliuacs asked:

In our last video contest “What is Nano?”, you showed us that nano is a way of making things smaller, lighter and more efficient, making it possible to build better machines, solar cells, materials and radios. But another question remains: how exactly is “nano” going to impact both us and the world? We want you to think big about nano and show us how nano will address the challenges we face today. ACS Nanotation is interested to hear what you think, and to find out, we are sponsoring a video …

Nanotube Sales