|
|||
 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|||
 |
|||
|
|
|
|
Some Admirable Things I offer some examples. 3-D computer memory cubes These devices are composed of a kind of clear, photo-chromic plastic; a cube whose faces are 1 cm in height. When a pair of laser beams of a certain frequency are directed through them at right angles, cluster of atoms within the cube phosphoresce in blue. A pattern of colored and non-colored clusters can be produced that could serve as the 1s and 0s of a computer memory. Since they are three dimensional, (unlike the standard two dimensional arrays of current computer memory devices), they can store much more information, with much less heat, in the same space. (At last check, about 1 GB of RAM.) Boston's The Big Dig This multi-year, multi-billion dollar project to relieve an area of Boston's traffic congestion has so many heroic facets it would require a book to describe them all. (See Peter Vanderwarker's The Big Dig: Reshaping an American City) It is one of the largest tunnel projects, one of the largest public parks projects, one of the most complex road construction projects and much more. All this has to be done without interrupting the current flow over existing roadways. And in an area underneath the city of Boston already crammed full of water, sewer and steam pipe, electrical conduits, and an existing subway tunnel—none of which may be disrupted for even five minutes. For the full, astounding story see Nova's The Big Dig PBS video: http://www.massturnpike.com/bigdig/background/ Advanced automobiles Hydrogen fuel cell-powered, computer/radar/sonar controlled navigation, and radically improved safety systems are only some of the engineering changes currently in development. With fuel cells a possibility in the near future, the political and economic implications alone of replacing gasoline-powered cars with ones powered by hydrogen fuel cells are staggering to imagine. But other implications for individual lifestyle are also interesting: significantly reduced engine noise levels, refueling at non-traditional gasoline stations, radically improved range and speed, and more. Navigation systems are being prototyped that relieve the occupant from the necessity to steer the car. Even for those with very short commutes to work the savings in personal time would be 365 hours per year. That's over two weeks a year added to your time to read, converse, surf the Internet, safely listen to music, etc. New materials developments will make engine repairs, brake replacements, tire changes, etc much less likely or frequent. Aerogels, for example, that are 100 times lighter and 100 times stronger than steel alloys, can be used in wheel and body construction. New advanced ceramics can be used in engine construction, to reduce weight and increase heat capacity. All this means more time to do something other than deal with your car. http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/adv_tech/100_news/sequel_011005.html http://www.h2cars.biz/ The Millau Viaduct Project This bridge in Aveyron, France has the highest piers in the world, at 240 meters. A cable-stayed design, in which the deck is supported by a fan-shaped series of cables connecting the bridge to support towers, it was designed to relieve traffic on the route between Paris and Barcelona. The time savings for everyone who uses it is considerable, compared to the previous route. http://bridgepros.com/projects/Millau_Viaduct/ http://www.structurae.net/structures/data/index.cfm?ID=s0000351 It's also quite beautiful. http://www.structurae.net/structures/data/photos.cfm?ID=s0000351 The ingenuity displayed in building this particular bridge, under-budget and under-schedule, by the way, makes for adventure- novel-style reading. The hero of the story, Lord Norman Foster, expresses his approach to the project this way: "…[T]he choices that shaped the Millau Bridge were practical but also aesthetic and even spiritual. Infrastructure is fundamental to our civilization. Public spaces, boulevards, bridges ... they connect people and shape our quality of life. But mankind also has more spiritual needs. Crossing a bridge should give you a sense of spiritual elevation. Looking at a bridge should be a moving experience." http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/story.jsp?story=593199 And, by the way, the project was privately funded. Art, as important as it is, doesn't exhaust the field of human products that can provide spiritual fuel. The beauty and utility of modern technology, as well as the inspiring stories of those who create it, can show us that the heroes of Atlas Shrugged are living today.
Discuss this Article (14 messages) |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
