World's highest capacity 6TB Helium Filled Hard Disk Drive(HDD) by HGST

The amount of data need by companies to store is growing exponentially, but IT budgets remain flat. This was overcome with the help of HGSTs 6TB HDD, a low 5.3 idle watts, a reduced weight of 640g, and running at 4-5°C cooler, the new Ultrastar He6 lowers data center total cost of ownership (TCO) on virtually every level.

On November 4, 2013 HGST, a Western Digital company announced that it is shipping the 6TB Ultrastar He6 hard disk drive (HDD). Last year company announced the developing of helium filled hard disk.

The Ultrastar He6 drive is the world's first hermetically sealed helium-filled HDD which is cost-effectively manufactured in high volume. The breakthrough development of the hermetically sealed process is arriving just in time due to market requirements are colliding with HDD areal density constraints. We know helium is one-seventh the density of air, along with less turbulence and drag placed on the head arms and spinning disk stack. So the hard drive needs only a very less amount power and allowing seven disks to be contained within a standard 3.5-inch enclosure instead of the usual five. HGST refers to this as its 7Stac disk design.

Some of key features of helium filled HDD when compared to air filled HDD given by HGST is

>>Highest Capacity HDD on the Market; 6TB, Seven-disk Design, Providing the Best TCO.

>>Lowest Power Consumption with Best Watts-per-TB(23 percent lower idle power per drive and 49 percent better watts-per-TB).

>>Best Density Footprint in a Standard 3.5-inch Form Factor(50 percent higher capacity).

>>Lighter Weight than a Standard Five-disk 3.5-inch Drive (50g lighter even with two more disks, offering 50 percent more capacity and 38 percent lower weight-per-TB).

Company also adds it is available with SAS 6 Gb/s and SATA 6 Gb/s interface versions.

Source: HGST

VOLOCOPTER - The world’s first green helicopter

E-volo’s Volocopter is a revolution in aviation Made in Germany. Safer, simpler, and cleaner than normal helicopters, it has a unique way of moving a groundbreaking innovation with its environmentally friendly and emission free private helicopter. Instead of one combustion engine, eighteen electrically driven is used.

A completely novel vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) manned aircraft, which cannot be classified in any known category. Because of the fact that it was conceived of as a purely electrically powered aircraft sets it apart from conventional aircrafts.

The safe landing of the volocopter even if some drives fail is by the use of its many propellers, It can take off and land vertically like a helicopter. A considerable advantage, apart from the simple construction and without redundancy of drivers and complex mechanics.

This works on the principle of fly-by-wire by means of a joystick. This operation is similar to child’s play. It takes off and lands vertically and so the pilot no needs pays full attention to the flight path angle, minimum speed, stall, mixture control, pitch adjustment and many other things which make conventional plane.

The entire ascending force was generated by a propeller, by means of a selective change in rotary speed they simultaneously take care of the steering. Furthermore, as opposed to helicopters, no mechanical pitch control of the propellers is necessary in this aircraft. The rotation speed of each drive separately controls the automatic position and the directional control take place by means of several independent and mutually monitoring airborne computers. Additional pusher propeller enables an even faster flight but it not mandatory.

Check out some videos from its youtube channel >>go here<<

Source: Official Volocopter website http://e-volo.com/

World’s Smallest FM Radio Transmitter

World’s smallest FM radio transmitter was designed by a team of Columbia Engineering researchers and published their study online on November 17, 2013 in Nature Nanotechnology, this team was led by Mechanical Engineering Professor James Hone and Electrical Engineering Professor Kenneth Shepard, it is possible by taking the advantage of graphene’s special properties (mechanical strength and electrical conduction) and created a nano-mechanical system that can create FM signals.

(Placing a sheet of atomically-thin graphene into a feedback circuit causes spontaneous self-oscillation that can be tuned to create frequency modulated (FM) signals)

Graphene’s mechanical ‘stretchability’ is used to tune the output frequency of their custom oscillator, creating a nanomechanical version of an electronic component known as a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). With a VCO, explains Hone, it is easy to generate a frequency-modulated (FM) signal, exactly what is used for FM radio broadcasting. A frequency about 100 MHz was built a team using graphene nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS), which lies right in the middle of the FM radio band (87.7 to 108 MHz). They used low-frequency musical signals (both pure tones and songs from an iPhone) to modulate the 100 MHz carrier signal from the graphene, and then retrieved the musical signals again using an ordinary FM radio receiver.

Hone says. "In advancing wireless signal processing and designing ultrathin, efficient cell phones. Our devices are much smaller than any other sources of radio signals, and can be put on the same chip that’s used for data processing.” he also added “This work is significant in that it demonstrates an application of graphene that cannot be achieved using conventional materials,” 

Graphene NEMS are very compact and easily integrated with other types of electronics, and their frequency can be tuned over a wide range because of graphene’s tremendous mechanical strength. Now both working to improve the performance of the graphene oscillators by lower noise in signals. At the same time, they are also trying to demonstrate integration of graphene NEMS with silicon integrated circuits, making the oscillator design even more compact.

Source: http://engineering.columbia.edu/

USB Type-C (Next Generation USB)

On 3rd December, 2013 USB 3.0 Promoter Group announced the development of the next generation of USB connector has begun. The new USB Type-C connector, built initially on existing USB 3.1 and USB 2.0 technologies, is being developed to help enable thinner and sleeker product designs, enhance usability and provide a growth path for performance enhancements for future versions of USB. They also stated in press release that, this  supplement to the USB 3.1 specification is anticipated to be completed by the middle of next year.

Every body knows the evolution of USB from its initial release. USB 2.0 got stable place because of its easy plug and play type. Interfacing of peripheral devices (I/0 and memory devices) to computer is easier due to USB and leads to the development of many portable devices. USB 2.0 has the drawback of low data transfer rates this was overcomed by future versions USB 3.0 & USB 3.1. Transfer rates steps up from Mbps to few Gbps (5 Gbps in USB 3.0 & 10 Gbps in USB 3.1). Now USB-IF entered into the development of next generation USB.

Some key characteristics of the USB Type-C connector and cable are

>>An entirely new design tailored to work well with emerging product designs.

>>New smaller/similar in size to the existing USB 2.0 Micro-B.

>>Usability enhancements - users will no longer need to be concerned with plug orientation/cable direction, making it easier to plug in.

>>The Type-C connector and cable will support scalable power charging.

>>Scalability - the connector design will scale for future USB bus performance.

Along with its features, one thing we should take in mind is that backtraps is not supported (The new USB Type-C plug and receptacle will not directly mate with existing USB plugs and receptacles (Type-A, Type-B, Micro-B, etc.), the Type-C specification will define passive new-to-existing cables and adapters to allow users to use their existing products).

The USB Type-C specification is targeted for industry review during the first quarter of 2014 and a final specification is expected to be published by the middle of 2014. Further information regarding the specification and plans for pre-release industry reviews will be provided via the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) website.

I am also eagerly waiting for its official release so, let's waits for release of full specifications.

Source: USB-IF website http://usb.org

World's Thinnest HDD from Seagate

On Nov 6, 2013 Seagate Technology announced that, its Samsung® HDD division is shipped the new 2.5-inch Spinpoint™ M9T, which at 9.5 mm thin is the world’s thinnest 2TB hard drive.  This also Offered in capacities of 1.5TB and 2TB. It's OEMs, channel system integrators and a thin design, high-capacity storage is solution ideal for external storage, notebook integration and upgrades, desktop, and gaming system applications.

Senior product line manager of Samsung HDD, Dave Frankovich said that, “The M9T combines the highest areal density shipping in a single storage device with an innovative design that fits into mainstream notebook applications. While other 2TB are solutions on the market are 15 mm thick, the vast majority of mobile devices are designed to use a 9.5 mm drive, with the M9T, those devices can now have 2TB of storage, enabling a richer computing experience".

General manager of Samsung HDD division, Doug DeHaan said that, “Samsung HDD with the new Spinpoint M9T continues to lead the effort in aerial density in a small form factor to supply our channel partners and customers with the highest-capacity and thinnest storage solution in the market".

“With consumer demand for storage capacity continuing to grow in mobile applications, the M9T answers this demand and is positioned to fulfill capacity needs in virtually any application". SATA 6Gb/s interface and microactuation to ensure fast, consistent hard drive performance, along with NoiseGuard™ and SilentSeek™ technologies to deliver ultra-quiet operation are the salient features in this technology.

The Spinpoint M9T hard drive is currently available in the Samsung Internal Drive product line, which includes the M3 Portable and P3 Portable external drives, as well as with select partners. Get more informations by clicking this >>go here or go here<<

BO and YANA (Delightfull Teaching ROBOTS from play-i)

The world of robotics just got even more diverse with Bo and Yana by play-i. Don't know what they are? Well, then, this may fascinate you. These are robots designed to teach the basics of programming to kids as young as 5 year olds. This creation is a mastermind of Vikas, a graduate from IIT Kanpur who has worked for Amazon Payments, Google wallet and founded Jambool. He has built 10 generations of iPods at Apple, Mikal from Frog Design who holds over 20 patents: Saurabh. With the video and prototype released, this California based startup has already raised $1,443,125 in just 30 days. The reservations are still open. So what exactly does Bo and Yana do, one may wonder.

Well for that, have a better look at their names. Bo is short for Robot. So basically it's a robot that can be programmed to do a lot of things by the means of a Smartphone or tablet. The programming used is basic and can be understood by kids as well. The visual programming languages used are Scratch and Blockly. Yana on the other hand is short for 'You Are Never Alone' and that's an appropriate name as it's pretty much of a story teller to keep your kids entertained. These robots can detect each other and that opens up the option of playing hide and seeks with bots. Smartphone can be mounted on Bo, giving it even more options for programming; a wide range of accessories can be connected to it to enhance its functionalities.

Those who have got the chance to try them during the testing stages are extremely happy with the product. Parents feel that with this, they can finally get their child to divert from television and cartoons and start learning while having so much fun at the same time. Technology and programming is going to be an important aspect of your life no matter where you go. It's not just for those who want to think of computer science as a career at some stage of their lives. It is also for those who want their child to be acquainted with the basic problem solving skills.

Check out some videos from official play-I channel >>go here<<.

After all application is the best way of learning and when programming doesn't form a part of the Indian school curriculum this can help people develop an edge. Even successful people like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg believe that programming practices need to be inculcated at young age. Through their 'Give a Robot' initiative, play-i wants this product to reach to even those who can't afford to buy it through the donations made on their page as the motto of the company "i-play lies in making learning accessible for children."

Pre-order now Bo and Yana to present your child by clicking here >>go here<<.Shipping starts in summer 2014.

Gi-Fi Gigabit Fidelity (New Era of Wireless Technology)

Gi-Fi (Gigabit Fidelity) is a wireless transmission system which is ten times faster than the current wireless technology & its chip delivers short-range multigigabit data transfer in a local environment.

Gi-Fi is a wireless technology which promises high speed short range data transfers with speeds of up to 5 Gbps within a range of 10 meters. This technology operates on the 60GHz frequency band which is currently mostly unused. It is manufactured using (CMOS) technology. This wireless technology named as Gi-Fi, it satisfies the standards of IEEE 802.15.3C. The benefits and features of this new technology can be helpful for use in development of the next generation of devices and places. On comparing Gi-Fi with some of existing technologies with very high speed large files transfers within seconds it isatisfies the standards of IEEE 802.15.3Cs expected that Gi-Fi to be the preferred wireless technology used in future.

At the University of Melbourne, Australia. Researchers demonstrated a transceiver integrated on a single integrated circuit (chip) in 2008, that operated at 60 GHz on the CMOS process. It allows wireless transfer of audio and video data at up to 5 gigabits/sec, which is ten times the current maximum wireless transfer rate, only at one-tenth the cost.

Researchers choose the  unlicensed frequency band (57-64 GHz) since the millimetre-wave range of the spectrum allowed high component on-chip integration as well as the integration of very small high gain arrays. The available 7 GHz of spectrum results in very high data rates, up to 5 gigabits per second to users within an indoor environment, usually within a range of 10 metres.

Some press reports called this "GiFi". It was developed by Melbourne University-based laboratories of NICTA (National ICT Australia Limited), Australia’s Information and Communications Technology Research Centre of Excellence. The Wireless Gigabit Alliance was formed in 2009. It used the term "WiGig" which avoided trademark confusion.