MEDOLOGY

• What you need to know about Boeing's new patent
• Porsche reveals their all-electric Mission E Concept
• MultiFab, Bringing Multiple-Material 3D Printing to Us All
• Top 5 ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

What you need to know about Boeing's new patent No, it's not a new commercial aircraft design; Boeing's new patent is actually a flying drone that turns into a submarine when it comes in contact with a water body. It happened earlier this year when Boeing received an approval from the US Patent and Trademark Office for their patent application. Boeing calls it a "rapid deployment air and water vehicle". [Image Courtesy of PatentYogi] So how does it work? Even though it can fly, it can't actually take off from the ground like a normal aircraft. So here is how it actually works. First of all, it takes off with the help of a larger carrier aircraft. When the carrier aircraft is airborne, the drone can be detached when necessary. This is generally supposed to happen near the target diving area. The drone is controlled remotely and can then fly with the help of its wings and propellers. When required, the drone can dive into the water. Now here is the interesting part. The wings and propellers of the drone help optimize its aerodynamic properties so it can fly as efficiently as possible. However, these parts are not suitable for optimal hydrodynamic performance. As such, upon entry into the water, the drone gets rid of its wings and propellers with the help of explosive bolts and water-soluble glue in an aim to attain optimal hydrodynamic properties. Propellers and control surfaces for motion within the water will appear in the place of the detached wings and propellers. These will help propel and stabilize the drone within the water. Boeing claims that air and water propulsion will be handled with the help of a single engine, although further details about the engine have not yet been specified. [Image Courtesy of Boeing] More Useful Information While it is important to emphasize that the flying submarine is still an idea, there are a couple of interesting points to note regarding the patent. The flying submarine will control its depth in water with the use of a buoyancy tank. It could perhaps be used to deliver a payload of supplies or weapons or could even be used for undersea reconnaissance missions. Once this is completed, or when needed, the drone can resurface and communicate any information it has collected with a command center, or perhaps even other drones. [Image Courtesy of Boeing] Here is how Boeing described the rapid deployment air and water vehicle:   A vehicle adaptable for both flight and water travel comprising: a body configured to fly through air and to move   through water; a wing or a stabilizer attached to the body while in flight; a first set of propelling blades attached     to    the body while in flight, the first set of propelling blades configured to propel the body through air while the       body is    in flight; a second set of propelling blades, coaxial with the first set of propelling blades, the second set of   propelling  blades attached to the body when the body is in flight and when the body is in the water, the second set   of propelling  blades configured to propel the body through water while the body is in the water; and at least one  attachment  member attaching the first set of propelling blades to the body while the body is in flight, wherein the  at least one  attachment member detaches the first set of propelling blades from the body when the body is in the  water.  On a final note, credit goes to PatentYogi for uncovering the patent. Check out their cool video below.   Source: PatentYogi What you need to know about Boeing's new patent

Porsche reveals their all-electric Mission E Concept The International Motor Show in Frankfurt has barely opened it's doors and Porsche has already stolen the spotlight with it's new all-electric sports concept car Mission E. The concept car can provide technical solutions favorable to the environment as well as carry the brand's unique style, offering a much more attractive design than the current Porsche Panamera. Mission E is the first electric four-seater Porsche of the century, and we think they have really outdone themselves. The 600 horsepower motors accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 3.5 seconds, hits 200 km/h in less than 12 seconds and has a 500 km range. The 800 volts batteries allows for fast charging: reaching 80% capacity in only 15 minutes. The doors open in an unique way and the interior of the car carries the brand's clean and sporty style. The eye-tracking system works with a camera to detect where the driver is looking at. There is also a holographic display for the driver and passenger, showing individually selectable and controllable applications, as well as weather information, navigation, contacts, and more. Via: Tech Insider Porsche reveals their all-electric Mission E Concept

MultiFab, Bringing Multiple-Material 3D Printing to Us All (Source: CSAIL) You may think that 3D printing is already old news and that 4D printing is where it's at. Not-so-much because the researchers at the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) went back to the drawing board to bring us a better 3D printer. The MultiFab can print up to 10 materials at a time at a cost that will make it possible for anyone to walk into their local print shop and order multiple copies of an originally designed working part. This 3D printer was of course built for manufacturing but it was also built for the hobbyist to create more complex objects conveniently and inexpensively. (Source: MIT News) MultiFab was developed by a research team at CSAIL at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for the very affordable price of US$7,000. Current technology allows for multiple materials to be printed but the price tag is in the neighborhood of US$250,000. Also they can only print up to a maximum of 3 materials at a time. If you'd like to see an example of the latest technology before the MultiFab check out the 3D Strata printer. Using machine vision 3D-scanning methods MultiFab is self-calibrating, self-correcting and it will scan and print right over an existing part. You could design and print a case right over your cell phone! This embedding capability will even allow it to produce a very complex part like a motor or an actuator. Instead of printing many components and assembling them together, MultiFab can print and change materials and print some more so the entire object can be made in one go eliminating any by-hand assembly. (Source: MIT News) The MultiFab mixes microscopic droplets of materials necessitating fine print heads (40 microns) which can incorporate more detail into the part instead of the bulkier extrusion method currently being used. Applications for MultiFab are in research, personalized consumer products, and mass production. (Source: MIT News) MultiFab, Bringing Multiple-Material 3D Printing to Us All

Top 5 ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions As we burn fossil fuels such as petroleum gas and coal, carbon dioxide and various other gases get released into our environment. Heat is trapped close to the earth because of these emissions which causes what is referred to as the 'greenhouse effect'. The rising temperature of the Earth leads to extreme storms, higher sea levels and other issues that result from a changing climate. By working together to conserve energy, drive less and create less waste, we will be able to reduce the carbon footprint we produce and help fight against global warming. Below are some steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Determine the Size of your Carbon Footprint Your carbon footprint is how much carbon you are responsible for releasing into our atmosphere due to your daily habits. Your carbon footprint becomes bigger as you burn more fossil fuels. For instance, a person who rides their bike to and from work each day will have a smaller footprint that a person who drives. You can use a free carbon footprint calculator to determine your own footprint. Your spending habits, driving habits, diet as well as other factors will be taken into account for calculating your share of carbon that is released into the environment. Use Less AC and Heat Caulking or installing weather stripping around windows and doors and adding insulation to your walls can reduce your costs of heating and cooling by over 25% since it reduces the energy you require to heat or cool your house. While sleeping or gone for the day, turn down the AC or heat. Keep moderate temperatures at all times and install a thermostat that is programmable and set it a couple degrees lower in the wintertime and higher in the summer. This can actually reduce the carbon dioxide contribution each year by 2000 pounds. Transportation Around 28% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the United States are due to transportation. You can decrease your own personal impact by driving less, carpooling, biking, walking, using public transportation or buying a vehicle that is more fuel efficient. Drive slower since fuel economy becomes substantially worse when driving above 60 miles per hour. Braking and accelerating excessively also reduces efficiency. Don't carry excessive weight in your vehicle trunk, ensure your car is inspected and tuned up regularly and keep your tires inflated. Plant a Tree Trees are not only meant to provide paper for you and companies like ThePensters can get your business case study written for you. They also help the environment. Dig and plant a tree. Trees give off oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. Just one tree can absorb around a ton of carbon dioxide in its lifetime. Obtain a Report Card through the Utility Company Most utilities agencies will give you a free home energy audit which can help you identify areas in your home that might not be energy efficient. Additionally, they might even offer you a rebate program that will help with paying for energy-efficient upgrades. Guest post by Paul Smith Top 5 ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions