Artificial Intelligence in the Near Future Essay Example for Free

Artificial Intelligence in the Near Future Essay Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a bunch of robots do everything for you? Cook, clean, run errands, maybe even take care of the children and animals. That sounds like a pretty easy life. What would you do though if they all turned on you; suddenly your easy life was made more difficult than before. There are two sides to Artificial Intelligence, much like there are two sides to every person. There is a lot to take in when talking about Artificial Intelligence, such as what it means, how it started, advantages, disadvantages, things that use artificial Intelligence, how do other people feel about it, how do you feel about it, and many other questions. So what is Artificial Intelligence? Artificial Intelligence is considered the development of machines such as robots and security systems that do the jobs of humans. They are also able to understand human speech. With this being said in the future robots will be able to do everything humans can, if not better. Things that use Artificial Intelligence will be programmed to response to voices, either any voice that speak to it, or only certain ones. Systems that can only open to a certain voice are most likely going to be used for government work, while ones that open to any can be used for everyday things. In 1963 Konrad Zuse invented the Z1 computer. This computer was the first computer that was freely programmable. 1942 John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry Created the ABC Computer, twenty years later Steve Russell and MIT invent the Spacewar computer game, which was the first computer game on record. By 1973 Robert Metcalfe and Xerox were able to come up with computer networking. Eleven years after that in 1984 Apple invented the Macintosh Computer, which was the first affordable desktop computer to be in homes. In 1949, between the ABC Computer and the first computer networking advancement in computer theory lead to computer science, and eventually Artificial Intelligence. After networking came about AI (Artificial Intelligence) became possible. Norbert Wiener was the first American to make the observation between human intelligence and machine, this happened back in 1950. Even though Norbert made the connection John McCarthy was consider the father of AI, because he put together many conferences to get AI up and working. This took seven years. Finally the Thermostat was consider the first AI because it could control the temperature in the room, it was able to notice if the room was to hot or too cold, and adjust it to your liking. Then in 1955 The Logic Theorist was developed by Newell and Simon, and consider to be the first AI computer program. BY 1960 it was predicted that by 1985 AI would be doing the job of humans (Kurweil 69) Fast forwarding to the present AI has skyrocketed. There are vacuums that all you have to do is press the power button and it does everything on its own there is no need for you to do any of the work. GPS are also a great invention, put one in your car, or type on your phone and it can tell you how to get where you need to be, as well as find shorter routes, non toll roads, as well as avoiding accidents or back up traffic, you can even put in if you are walking or riding a bike. Smart phones have made lives easier as well. There is so much you can do with them, from checking bank account to putting in reminders, and some things are even voice activated. ATT Bell Laboratories may be the single most active telecommunications body working in Artificial Intelligence. Now if you want to have some fun with an AI, Cleverbot is the way to go. Cleverbot is a computer system that you can talk to, it’s doesn’t always have the nicest things to say, or even make sense but it is fun to play around with. The most recent thing to come of age is a car that drives itself, and is able to tell the difference between people who are walking and those on bikes. In 2004 the Company named Topix was founded by Sun Microsystems and Netscape engineers Tom Markson, Bryan Dole, and Bob Truel. This company created artificial intelligence algorithms to monitor news from more than 50,000 sources. They later added user-generated capabilities allowing site visitors to share, edit, and discuss news. Having an item that is an AI has its advantages. For starters it would make for safer work places. Some work places have jobs with low oxygen, radioactive elements or even poor weather conditions, if we have robot working in those environment instead of human, many lives could be saved. Even jobs that keep families apart would be at an all time low. NASA and the Military would also have more advance weapons. They would be able to notice and destroy other countries harmful weapons and keep us safer. Also if we had robots and other types of machines that do not need to rest or eat, they could work around the clock on finding a cure for cancer, and ending world hunger. Instead of sending our men and woman to foreign countries were they are bombed and shot at, we could send AI machines. Most of all there would be less error in the work place. Many places already use machine to do things because they can better measure out the right amount of equipment. There is a downside to using AI as well. With the rise of robots taking over jobs it means people will be replaced. The unemployment rate will go up, less people will get the help they need because too many people will need assistants, and laziness in humans will reach an all time high. Without having to go anywhere or do anything that will leave people to sit and watch TV all day. With jobs being taken away, younger generations will be at a disadvantage because they will not know what it is like to â€Å"earn a buck†. As AI grows they will be collecting all kinds of information, too much knowledge for one being is not a good thing, they might end up thinking they are smarter than us, and go haywire causing more problems. Not to mention if the wrong people get their hands on it they could misuse it. Most of all though it will be pricey. Meaning the people will have higher taxes to pay, and with robots doing all the work with money we just don’t have. When it comes to artificial intelligence my thoughts on it are 50/50. While I think it would be great to have extra help in work places or around the home, as well as not having to put so many people in danger just to get a job done I myself would not want to lose my job. I feel that if we use artificial intelligence for the good of others and not just to make things easier then we should do fine, but we must be careful that it does not fall into the wrong hands. After taking a survey of ten men and ten woman ranging from the ages twenty to forty, asking them if they think artificial intelligence would be a good use for the future, the result were as followed: five said yes, five said no, 3 were unsure, and seven think it would be both good and bad. In the twenty age group most were unsure though those who chose both were close behind, yes and no’s were equal. In the age group of thirty there were no yes’s or unsure, those who chose no were beaten out by those who chose both. In the forty age rang there were no unsure, those who chose both and no’s were equal as the yes’s beat them out. So it would seem the younger you are the more you are not sure, and the older you are the more you would like it to happen. I asked the people that I surveyed why they picked the answer they did. For those who said No, most of them said it was because they wouldn’t want to lose their job, while other worry about the system outsmarting us and causing a lot of damage and problems, pulse they have no moral judgment, compassion or other human emotions. Those who said yes were looking forward to work being easier, decision making would be easier and not put as much pressure on the person in charge. One of the people who said yes had this to say â€Å"Yes they could rescue a child from a burning building without getting hurt†¦83 Firefighters died last year while attempting to stop fires. That number would be zero if we had AI in the sense of I, Robot. Thats just one example but the implications are innumerable. Would you rather have a robot that never fatigues or gets distracted do surgery on your brain or a surgeon that may have had a late night or may have a difficult personal issue on his mind, like a divorce? (J.s).Those who choose both thought that it should be allowed, but with limits. Everyone has questions when it comes to AI. The one that seems to be worried about the most though is â€Å"will laws change, or will there be different laws for AI? People are worried that they will have to learn a new set of laws. If by chance there are different laws for AI beings will they be just as fair as ours? Or will they have more privileges? There is so much information out there when it comes to AI that it can be hard to keep up with. Now that you know what AI is, how it started, things that use it, advantages and disadvantages, my thoughts, other peoples thoughts and questions that are asked you have a good head start on learning more. What you find may surprise you and enlighten you, but nevertheless it is very interesting. One last piece of advice I would give to anyone, is since AI can be used for good or bad, watch whose hands it falls into.

The Potential Of Wind Assisted Ship Propulsion Engineering Essay

The Potential Of Wind Assisted Ship Propulsion Engineering Essay Wind is present all around the world, and in some places with abundant energy density. Wind had been extensively used in the past, for mechanical power in addition to transportation (J.F. Manwell and J.G. McGowan, A.L. Rogers (2009)).Wind energy has evolved into one of the most practical, cost-effective and both environmentally and technically attractive, of all the renewable energy options in the world. So the wind energy has a lot of potential at sea for assisting in ships propulsion. Wind is the cheapest, most powerful, and greenest source of energy on the high seas. The accelerating fuel costs over the last decade have led to growing interest in the application of wind assistance for ship propulsion and reduce fossil fuel consumption. Using wind energy for propulsion of ships in sea is in fact one of mankinds oldest ocean-going technologies. In one-way or another, with modern advances in ship design and propulsion the use of wind energy was almost forgotten Sail systems were the dominant form of propulsion until the 19th century (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_propulsion) Astrophysicist Carl again writes, for example, that: the consequences of scientific illiteracy are far more dangerous in our time than in any that has come before. Its perilous and foolhardy for the average citizen to remain ignorant about global warming, say, or ozone depletion, air pollution, toxic and radioactive wastes, acid rain, topsoil erosion, tropical deforestation, exponential growthà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.How can we affect national policyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ if we dont under stand the underlying issues? Aim and Objectives: The main of the project is to analysis into the potential of Wind Assisted Ship Propulsion (WASP) and its application into the modern day shipping. WASP systems will be explained, analysed by showing its benefits and drawbacks. The applications and possible benefits of the use of the WASP will also be investigated showing all the relevant factors that are affected by the use of WASP. The key objectives are summarized as: Research into present and evolution of WASP systems, Potential of present WASP system and their applications. Advantages and future development of WASP systems Discussion of economic and environmental factors Analysis into the use of alternative energy sources at sea. Evaluation of WASP by application to a case study Critical analyse into all findings to produce a logical and well founded conclusion. EXISTING WASP SYSTEMS: The following are the remaining WASP Systems in use at present in the sea Aerofoil(Wing-Sail) Flettner Rotor Rig Soft Sail Towing Kites (Skysails) Wind Turbine (Skysails) Aerofoil (Wing-Sail): This form of marine propulsion works in the similar way as an aeroplane wing, producing pressure differences between opposite sides which create a force , supported by central mast. The trust provided by the solid structures of the sail is more with less drag than conventional sails. This technology came into wide development in 1980s by Japanese and still some vessels use this technology nowadays with research into the application of such systems proceeding. Various research is been carried out and one of the example using this aerofoil concept is this ship model which is called the ecoliner. It is a type of cargo vessel which propels by using combination of high-tech sail and engine power. This combined feature, make it possible to work like a normal cargo ship with similar service of speed, freight price and other factors. Using this ecoliners , as ocean transports will decrease the pollution emissions to 50% of the ship. MV Ashington vessel is a bulk carrier which has auxiliary propulsion with the use aerodynamic wing sail. (http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=823976) A computer controlled wingsail fitted to the 6,500 dwt dry cargo ship mv Ashington resulted in a fuel savings average of 8% and, under favourable circumstances, of up to 20%. (htt p://www.maritimejournal.com/features101/power-and-propulsion/wingsail_ready_for_small_commercial_vessels) The wing-sail have two significant drawbacks which are considered. First one is that the moments coupled with the lift forces which produce the propulsion also can create a large aerodynamic drag force which acts as a huge drawback when sailing directly into a head wind(Clayton, 1987).Rigid sails then usually themselves into the wind direction when no force can be created while some design allow the surface to be folded using hydraulic controls such that the direction can be controlled. In general wing-sails have a high lift coefficient compared to soft sails which will be discussed in further topics. This means this system has more advantage over the other conventional sails even though initial investment in the system will be high. Various designs now incorporate a frame with a material surface to keep the minimum weight. Flettner Rotor Rig: Flettner rotors consist of cylinders which are of spinning type and tall mounted onto the vessels deck. The vessel is set in motion by using the Magnus effect. The Magnus effect is produced whenever pressure difference occurring around spinning object. This concept was done by researcher Anton Flettner, a German naval architect. Later researchers conducted experimenting into its operation in 1980 when Saudi oil crisis happened. But this system never overtook the diesel engine usage. However in the 1920s Fletner rotor operated in sea for a quiet a long year proving reliable form of wind propulsion. To understand this system works, an understanding of the Magnus effect is necessary. The Magnus effect or force happens when there is a pressure difference around a spinning object. Because of this change in boundary later around this object happens, a lift force is generated in direct propulsion to the acceleration it imparts on the air streaming by (Seufert, 1983). This lift force happens due to Bernoullis principle; this use of the principle is highly effective and is described as practicable. Soft Sail: Soft Sail system consists of two main types, the modern square rig and the fore and aft rig. The square rig is the most efficient running rig and useful to longer routes with more constant and foreseeable winds.Fore and aft rig type is suitable to short routes, where the wind speed and direction be unlike. In modern day shipping the soft sails is not used, because of its large propulsion of deck space and needs constant manning. The reason for this is because the other types of sailing systems are more effective and efficient compared to these soft sails. The sky sail lakes large portion of deck space and always need constant manning. With deck space is considered more important for carrying cargos in present shipping world, it makes less effective in use and outweighs the advantages of any soft sail systems. The future of ship propulsion may consider this soft sail with combining with other types of propulsion to take advantages and use it in a efficient way. However there are some smaller vessels like fishing boats still depend on soft sails as an auxiliary propulsion force and the uses of soft sail are important in this fishing boats Towing Kites (Skysails): Towing Kites function on same basis as several conventional kite arrangements used on such things as Paragliding and kite boarding, etc. the propulsion of the vessel is assisted by the kite which harness the energy from wind. Since wind-conditions are not always sufficient, the Skysails system is designed to function as a supplementary power source, in addition to the ships engine. Skysail consists of a towing kite, a control system, a launch and recovery system and a wind-optimized routing system. The Para foil kite is constructed out of  high-strength, weatherproof textiles, and  is designed in such a way that it can achieve optimal aerodynamic efficiency at any wind speed. The steering system operates automatically and is composed of the control pod and the control system. The towing kite and the towing rope are linked by the control pod. Much like autopilot systems in airplanes, the Skysails sensors collect data that is processed by the systems software, which sends control orders accordingly. The launch and recovery system is responsible for automatically recovering and launching  the towing kite, control pod and towing rope. The kite is attached at only one point to the launch and recovery mast, enabling high manoeuvrability. A telescopic mast lifts the towing kite  during its launch. The wind unfolds the kite to its full size while the reef system launches the reef ropes. While the towing kite is decoupled from the launch and recovery mast, the towing rope is released. The power transmission system consists of a  towing rope, a force transmission point (tow point), and winch, and is responsible for transferring the tractive force from the kite to the ship.  The mounting system ensures that the towing kites force is aligned ideally to suit the winds direction. The routing system is composed of  a weather forecasting performance calculator, which processes the weather forecasting data and of a decision-making model, which calculates the optimal route following priorities set by the ships owner. Finally, the routing system has a route recommendation feature, which translates the information into a series of waypoints read by the shipmaster. The SkySails system also improves the ships safety and performance on water as it damps the waves so that the ship suffers from less slamming and torsion forces. In addition, as a result of smoother sailing, the ships life is extended. A short video of a ship equipped with the SkySails system is available (http://www.maplesoft.com/company/casestudies/skysails.aspx) The steering system of skysail operates automatically meaning that there is no input need via crew, just observation. The skysail system will have a control pod situated on the high strength towing rope and the kite. This pod changes the profile of the kite such that it ultimately controls its flyting path in line with ship needed direction. Wind-Turbine: Wind turbines are widely used in land; however it has not yet been applied on at large scale in the shipping industry. Wind turbines at sea could perform two functions as electricity generation and in aid of propulsion. The drawback using wind turbine is it will be ineffective at no wind and counterproductive at high wind conditions.many smaller vessels have used wind turbines directly connected through gearbox to the propeller. But large vessels need large size machine to drive the generators which makes complex engineering to make it work stable. Also this system will need more time to get fitted, assembled such that it means it will be suitable for future vessels. APPLICATION OF WASP SYSTEMS: The use and development of WASP systems in the modern day shipping should be considered to make an adequate conclusion .At present WASP system are at very small percentage of the global marine transportation industry. The different types of systems are already present in use various ships and also in small vessels such that it makes easy to have a very good potential in upcoming years since the price of fossil fuels hikes and also they pollute the air which made global impact to cut the harmful exists of these pollution.by looking at the advantages and the usefulness of WASP systems and its drawbacks, various factors related to it can be analysed. The further topics will discuss about the advantages and applications of these systems. POTENTIAL OF PRESENT WASP IN PLACE: WASP is already in place for long ago in small vessels like boats in fishing industry. Currently WASP is present in less in global marine industry but its still considered as notable, potential system to avoid fossil fuels.by analysis the various factors and cases, understanding can be done greater. Oil crisis happened in 1970s and 1980s , the Japanese were very conscious and tried to look into alternative to the field of ship propulsion and some 17 sail- assisted tankers were produced with all having similar design. The first vessel with name Shin-Aitoku-Maru (DWT: 1600), in 1980 reached 11knots speed when the sea and ship conditions were good. These sails travelled in sea during that oil crisis but later the oil prices dropped down again .this made the diesel engines to overcome those sails and the marine industry discarded to use the systems .however the environmental concern arrived in 2010 regarding water and air pollution due to the fossil fuel .this play a massive role to change the world to look into alternative energy sources that can be used in sea and imposing rules and regulations on various pollution factors. APPLICATION OF WASP: The application of WASP systems are vastly used in fishing industry in smaller vessels. Many American and European boats have small auxiliary soft sails but they are used rarely. Large commercial fishing vessels does not utilise wind at all, since it would be impractical most often. They increase work load on crew with others factors including cost of the equipment and less knowledge to use the system of WASP will make it difficult to use it. It can be seen in statistics that WASP could be used in fishing fleet to a greater extent that actually works. By looking at historical research, wind has been used ad earlier way of propulsion when no engines exists. The transaction from the main form of propulsion changing from wing to coal- fire propulsion units took place so quick over a time spam of 30 years. However increase in price of fuel and pressure to reduce fuel consumption. Skysails are used by Wesselss Sipping Company on three vessels where some good results have ben obtained. WHERE WASP MAY BE APPLIED: Although climate change has occurred since the creation of the Earth today it represents a setback to a society that grew in the last two centuries to over 7 billion with an associated energy demand based primarily on the consumption of fossil fuels. The global population is expected to peak at 9.2 billion around 2075, while social development is desired to continue.so its important that WASP could be used in various ships propulsion. WASP may not be a good solution in making all vessels more efficient and reduce fuel consumption. But some vessels use the benefit of this systems.in recent years Ultra Large Crude Carriers (ULC) and Very Large Crude Carriers (VLC) dominates the transport of crude oil and the benefits of WASP on such kind of carriers are hard to be seen in practice. But smaller carriers may benefit from WASP technology and vessels which run on lower speed can use this type of propulsion to reduce fuel consumption. For example, steam coal and iron ore are usually stored on a very large scale before the resource is even utilised. In that case the vessels can carry them with the use of WASP which can produce 11-13 knots speed and its practicable. FACTORS One of the weapons used by all vessels, the WASP combat is essentially highly advanced missiles that contain a variety of sub munitions. The computer that controls each one is also able to analyse tactical situations and plot the best path to achieve your goal and ensure success. The WASP has a maximum acceleration of 20g when using standard fusion fuel. This acceleration and speeds allows the WASP conditions for manoeuvre and more power. This speed advantage and acceleration allows you to run more. In addition to attacking enemy ships or space stations, WASP combat can also be used as a defines drones. In this mission profile, WASP can also be used as thermonuclear warheads or anti-matter ahead of the enemy. The health and economic impacts In this area, we are only beginning to understand the true extent of the consequences on utilization of WASP systems. Intuitively there is an accumulation of pollutants through the food chain and possibly in our drinking water supplies. But, according to Technical Document Management Measures National Pollution Control Environmental Protection Agencies, published in November 2001, petrol, oil, diesel fuel, and batteries and acidic cleaning compounds, and solvents involved in the maintenance of the boats ( as methylene chloride, tetrachloroethene, trichloroethene, and trichlorethylene) trickle in lakes, rivers and coastal areas, and many of these pollutants, particularly some of the heavy metals are attached to sediments and are eventually found in the food chain through either plankton or other organisms and then concentrated through the food chain, being a major environmental threat as well as a big human health problem when it comes to fish consumption. The high speed of supply and refuelling system used by WASP does not mask the problems caused by liquid spills and toxic gases; rather, it completely solves the problems. Industry There are economic consequences for the marine industry. The short-term impacts that cause direct financial costs are cleaning and punitive actions associated with them. Over time, the waters are much polluted, further legislative measures are introduced. Clean water is essential for multibillion dollar industry. Environment Supply system by WASP system is a high-speed refilling helps the environment in many respects, eliminating damage caused by other products refuelling. This product eliminates the smoke harmful gas that gives off the oil, polluting the air. It eliminates the greenhouse gases that pollute the earth and our ozone layer. This system prevents leaks that harm the soil. There was never a supply system created before can eliminate all kinds of damage, and that works without causing pollution. The high speed of supply and refuelling system using the WASP does not mask the problems caused by liquid spills and toxic gases, however, solve them by complete. Most of the damage caused by the emission engines and oil leaks comes from petroleum. Small leaks, despite being isolated events tend to occur every day around the world, they are, gallons of oil pollution in our waters. A small fuel leak affects a disproportionate amount of water on the surface of the ocean. In the UK the legal limit leaking oil and one drop of oil for every 2 litres of water in a proportion of 15mg per litre. Therefore, a single litre of oil can contaminate one million litres of water. And this is a chronic problem to be solved, and the reaction of sunlight, the chemicals become infinitely more toxic, and prolonged exposure affects thousands of fish species and a myriad of creatures such as shellfish, marine plants and damage as algae and their reproduction when exposed to oil. And the old trick of using soap or detergents to make the brightness disappear, is not only illegal, but it only makes pollution worse, and eventually adding surfactants to the mixture, whic h attach to the gills of fish and destroy their ability to breathe. The effect is catastrophic. And, as if that were not enough, the increase in population drives the development of the industry, and a lot of pressure on the marine environment. The impact on marine life inevitably leads to an impact on human health. WASP Systems are specialized in projects for supply, installation and commissioning of water systems and wastewater treatment systems, gray water recycling, along with some simple write-downs and innovative energy systems. The system creates a vacuum seal ventilating, and dramatically reduces the incidence of unintended leakage of gas that would normally escape to the atmosphere. The main advantage of the invention is that it allows the filling very quickly, which will significantly reduce operating costs for operators of vessels and facilities loading terminals. Applications for the WASP system will focus initially on three distinct segments in the market within the maritime industry: nautical recreation, navigation and commercial refuelling (as tugs, barges, ferries and commercial vessels), and loading of liquid cargo from ships that cross oceans. The deployment of this system in the world will eliminate millions of tons of harmful particles of gas to the atmosphere, and prevent millions of gallons of fuel from spreading into watercourses .freighters with this product, which is able to increase the delivery time cargo 100% and thus may reduce the time spent in each vessel terminals. We can shorten the terminal for vessels which reduces the rate per ton of whole load of liquid therefore increase the amount of deliveries for all vessels. We can reduce the waiting time for vessels which reduces the rate per ton of whole load of liquid therefore increase the amount of deliveries to all ships refuelling and increased how it works at high speeds. Our product also eliminates many greenhouse gases and gases hazardous to health that are associated with refuelling which in turn becomes safer for everyone to use our product to refuel. Currently we are working together this time with a major oil company and help them in their oils movement worldwide. 6.2 Economic factors Economic factors in the application of WASP freighters These ships can perform rapid sustained combat operations at sea as a centrepiece strategy. To carry out its core mission, WASP has a support system that synchronizes the simultaneous horizontal and vertical flow of cargo and vehicles throughout the ship. The ship propulsion can generate a total of 400 tons of steam per hour. If the energy of the two boilers were converted into electrical current could power a city of 160,000 inhabitants. Electric generators aboard a ship can provide more than 16,000 kilowatts of energy. Two stations provide a capacity of 450,000 litres to 200,000 litres of water per day supply. Chapter 5: Case Study 5.1: MS Beluga Skysails MS Beluga Skysails with its computer-controlled kite (top right corner) One of the latest innovations in the heavy cargo ship which increases fuel prices has been a return to wind power. The MS Beluga SkySails is a heavy carrier that uses a towing kite system as part of its propulsion systems. The ship was launched and followed early sea trials in the North Sea in January 2008, the vessel embarked on its maiden voyage from Bremerhaven, Columbuskaje to Guanta, Venezuela. On route, the efficiency of the system was applicable in winds of up to force five for 8 hours a day. The system was hailed as a success, with calculated savings of up to 2.5t of fuel/$1,000 a day. With larger sails of 600m ², fuel savings can get up to 35%, possible. CONSTRUCTION The system has been developed by SkySails SkySails GmbH and Co. KG. The Beluga SkySails was equipped to navigate with a candle paraglider 160m  ². The area of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹the kite can be increased to 320m ². A pipe controlled by computer, is connected to the ship by a system of rope. The system can control the kite at altitudes between 100m and 500m to maximize the benefit of the wind. With oil prices so high, a cargo ship 87m average could save about à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬ 300,000 a year. The system can potentially be adjusted to any ship. The overall reduction of carbon dioxide transport arrives at an estimate of considerable million tons per year. The BBC said there is something magical, a giant cargo ship being pulled on its way to the sea with ten thousand tons of metal, and with the sun shining giant masts. But there is something even more magical about the MS Beluga SkySails. On the face of it, this ship leading, for example, parts of a production line of wood to Venezuela looks like any other cargo ship. MS Beluga SkySails believes its fuel bill will be cut by  £ 800 ($ 1,560) a day. We can demonstrate that it is possible to combine economy and ecology, says Verena Frank of Beluga Shipping, and explains, Economy, because you can reduce consumption and fuel costs and, moreover, contribute to ecology, reducing emissions carbon dioxide. the kite is controlled by computers. a computer helps to make it fly, and maximize the power it produces, the other computer adjusts the direction of the kite. If the project is successful, we expect to see kites even higher very soon sum up to 5,000 square feet in size, pulling ships ac ross the seas and oceans. Graphic Steve Rosenberg explains, See how the ship kite works: of all the CO2 that is pumped into the atmosphere today, 4% comes from ships. Thats more than the aviation industry, mainly because 90% of world trade is done by sea. The MS Beluga SkySails believes it has the solution environmentally, with a mission to transform the green oceans. Once the ship reaches the open sea, reveals a new weapon in the fight against global warming: a kite. The 160m2 kite is hoisted on a mast and for half an hour or so, he stands there at the top of the mast, not making a big thing. The wind and certainly a wonderful thing, because it only needs a bit of wind to make everything else work. Half an hour later, however, the wind makes the kite start to fly hundreds of feet in the air and helping to pull the ship. The paragliding and synonym of power to the engines of the ship, so you can work on reduced power: which means less carbon emissions. It also means lower bills in fuel costs. With the price of trans portation fuel that has doubled in the past two years, paragliding promises great savings. How the Ship-Parrot The kite helps reduce annual fuel costs 10-35%. Fuel economy also means fewer carbon emissions harmful to the atmosphere. The large towing kite resembles a glider and is shaped like an airplane wing, so you can take advantage of different wind directions. The kite operates at 100-300m above the surface much larger than a normal sailing boat where winds are stronger and more stable. The kite can be used in winds of 12-74 km / h (or 7 to 40 knots). The Technology Skysail Graphic References: Tom Schueneman, MS Beluga SkySails Completes Her Maiden Voyage (February 6th, 2008) http://www.ship-technology.com/projects/msbelugaskysails/ Steve Rosenberg, BBC News, Bremerhaven, northern Germany, Gone with the wind on kite ship (September, 2012) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7205217.stm

The Origin of Robots Essays -- Asimov I Robot Essays

The Origin of Robots Over the years mankind has advanced greatly in the field of technology and day by day we continue to advance. The future holds many possibilities, one of which is living in a world with robots. Isaac Asimov shared his view of this possible future in his novel I, Robot. His view portrays robots as machines superior to humans mentally and physically. If robots are superior to humans, how do humans control the robots? Humans create the three Laws of Robotics, which are instilled into the positronic brains of every robot created. These laws state that no robot can harm or allow harm to come to a human, they must obey humans (unless it conflicts with the first law), and no robot can harm itself (unless it conflicts with the first two laws). In Isaac Asimov's novel I, Robot, Asimov uses independent short stories as told by robo-psychologist Dr. Susan Calvin, to show the evolution of robots and how they relate to the Laws of Robotics. Robbie is the first robot portrayed in Asimov's novel. This robot doesn't talk and is used as a nursemaid. Robots at this time are socially unacceptable which is important to acknowledge when considering their evolution. The story of Robbie mostly introduces robots, but it also touches on the first rule of robotics. Gloria, the little girl Robbie took care of, was almost killed and Robbie saved her instantly because of the first Law of Robotics and the humans involved delayed their reaction. This is also an example of how robots were superior to humans. Unlike "Robbie," the next story, "Runaround," goes into more detail of the Laws of Robotics. "Runaround," shows a robot's conflict with the second and third laws. Speedy, the robot with the conflict, is casually ordered to do ... ...ship. The machines exist because of humans and humans cannot exist without the machines. In Isaac Asimov's novel, I, Robot, robots have come a long way starting with the inaudible Robbie all the way to the machines that control the world. The irony of the society is that in the first story robots were not socially acceptable but in the final story, society depends on robots for survival. Not only have the robots and the Laws evolved in Asimov's novel, but his society has as well. Asimov shows this evolution with his use of short stories. Separately, each of the stories are just tales about particular robots and how they relate to the Laws of Robotics. When these stories are merged into one novel, they create an entirely new theme that cannot be shown when separated. Works Cited Asimov, Isaac. I, Robot. Greenwich, Connecticut: Fawcett Publications, Inc. 1950

A Fathers Legacy in William Faulkners Barn Burning Essay -- William

A Father's Legacy in William Faulkner's Short Story "Barn Burning" The cruel dominance of a father, can extinguish any flame of hope that builds in the people around him. In William Faulkner's short story "Barn Burning," Abner is that father. The story portrays a nomadic life of a family driven from one home to another. Abner had a craving hunger to belittle those around him that thought they were "better than him." Although the family accepts the nomadic life, Sarty (the son) dreams of having peace and stability. To have this peace, it only requires a lack of conflict. The Snope family was doomed to struggle due to Abner's constant instigation of conflict, the ongoing domination of his family and his complete lack of respect for the law. Abners instigation of conflict, gives him justification to destroy the center of livlihood (the barn) of those he envies. The "ravening and jealous rage" he feels when seeing DeSpains home for the first time, leads to his desire to destroy it in some way. After deliberateley stepping in horse droppings, he forces himself in the home past the Negro. "The boy saw the prints of the stiff foot on the doorjamb and saw them appear on the pale rug behind the machinelike deliberation of the foot." Upon being asked to leave, "the boy watched him pivot on the good leg and saw the stiff foot drag round the arc [...] leaving a final long and fading smear." Although Abner had not appeared to be aware of the destruction he was doing...

Procrastination And Sloth The Spice Of Life? :: essays research papers

I’m what most people might call lazy, lethargic, and a procrastinator. How did it start? The first specific instance that I can remember was in 5th grade math class. I didn’t do my math. My mentality was that school consumed more then half of my waking hours and I wasn’t going to let it take anymore then that. So my assignments were partially completed, from the day before, and handed in unfinished. I knew that my parents and teachers would raise hell itself when I did this but my mind wouldn’t waiver on this. Since I had been able to get through all of grade school without homework why should I have any now? Great reasoning for a 5th grader, but this thinking contained a few flaws. To start out, there are 3 types of people in the world. The first kind will generally always try their best and be a competitor in life. They treat life as a marathon that needs a steady vigil pace to complete. The second is the person the will try to complete the absolute bear minimum to survive and occasionally misjudges what is needed done. The third and final is the person that absolutely cannot find any reason to try at all and hope for the best to come to them but never actively seek it. This is the lowest form of life that will suckle away your money, forgiveness, and love never sharing it back with you. To thoroughly understand the three classes of people, a more detailed analysis is needed. The first kind is the ideal person. One, which all parents and communities hope to produce. They are considered the leaders, overachievers, and well standing citizens. The second class is the C student of life. They’re the average person who occasionally does exceptional work but for the most part will be in the shadows of the first class. Procrastination and laziness is most common to occur in this class and becomes extreme when we reach the third class. The 3rd class no longer tries or cares too much about their life to do anything about their state. They are the ones that abuse the welfare system and borrow anything and everything from their friends and strangers alike. The causes for these differences can be attributed to many factors. At one point we are all the in the same class, class number one.

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Literary Analysis In The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingfisher there are many different relationships between characters. Some are more important to the story, like the relationship that Taylor and Turtle share. Other characters that develop relationships are Taylor and Lou Ann, and Taylor and her mother, Alice. All of these relationships are also very symbiotic because the people rely on each other, without each other they would have much different lives. The author shows how Taylor grows through her relationships and the dependence they have on one another.Another important relationship that we see in The Bean Trees is the relationship between Taylor and her mother, Alice. Alice Is a single mother who raises Taylor on her own until Taylor Is old enough to move out of town. I believe that her mother serves as a role model for all of the other future women throughout the book. She raised Taylor as a confident young woman who would not be held back. Tailor's father, Foster, left her and h er mother before she was born, but Alice still has a very positive outlook on life.She tells her daughter that â€Å"trading Foster for you was the best deal this side of the Jackson Purchase† (6). She shows Taylor that she does not need her father, Foster, to love life because she has her. Love and support is found in this relationship especially from Alice to Taylor. Taylor says, â€Å"There were two things about Mama. One is she always expected the best out of me. And the other is that no matter what I did, whatever I came home with, she acted like it was the moon I had just hung up in the sky and plugged in all the stars† (13).Alice really motivated Taylor as her mother to go far In life and would praise her to let her know she is doing well. Since they had this strong mother and daughter relationship, Taylor has the courage o leave Pitman to escape motherhood and become the best person she could be, for her mother and herself. Taylor Greer, the main character, lef t her home in Kentucky to avoid becoming pregnant and being a young mother like every other girl. This seems ironic because as soon as she leaves, she is given a baby from an Indian lady.She names the baby girl Turtle. Besides the relationship that Taylor had with her mother, she never had anyone depend on her. The relationship between Taylor and Turtle is the first example of dependence in the story. I believe that Turtle was given to Taylor to present the importance in relationships because the baby is fully depending on Taylor to take care of her. Also, I think there was a reason that she names the baby Turtle. Taylor says you're like a mud turtle. If a mud turtle bites you, it won't let go till it thunders† (22).This quote Is showing that Turtle does not let go of Taylor easily and this also shows that the relationship between them Is growing stronger. Turtle trusts her and Is starting to look at her Like a mother figure. When Taylor got to a motel with the baby she wrote to her mother, â€Å"l found my rights, Mama. They're coming with he may not be able to be the best provider. She sees Turtle as a â€Å"right† or something that she now has ownership of. When Taylor moves to Tucson she meets and moves in with Lou Ann, a single mother, who now Taylor depends on.They end up helping each other along with life and act like one family with their children. In the beginning, Taylor acted as if she did not want them to act like family, â€Å"Lou Ann, I moved in here because I knew we'd get along. It's nice of you to make dinner for us all, and to take care of Turtle sometimes, and I know you mean well it's not like we're a family, for Chrism's sake. You've got your own life to live, and Vive got mine. You don't have to do all of this stuff for me† (85).This shows that Taylor might feel uneasy to depend on somebody else at the time, even though she knew she needed help. When she starts to realize this, she thinks, â€Å"We had worked things out: I cooked on weekends, and also on any week night that Lou Ann had kept Turtle she would do the vacuuming† (107). Taylor says move got your own life to live and Vive got mine† meaning they are not going to get involved with each other's lives. In the second quote, it shows that they are beginning o work together on living and would make each other dinner or help clean.Lou Ann would also have Turtle for the night while Taylor rested. As much as she did not want to admit it, Tailor's relationship grew with Lou Ann and she became much more dependent on her. The relationships in the book between Taylor and Turtle, Lou Ann and Taylor, and Taylor and her mother are all significant to show that dependence is a major theme in The Bean Trees. Barbara Kingfisher uses relationships to show dependence in order to say to the world that you cannot get through life without guidance or having someone's shoulder to lean on.

Mus 100 Study Guide

MUS 100 FINAL STUDY GUIDE CHAPTER 17: – Fortepiano: early piano, named for its range of dynamic levels; it was smaller and less sonorous than the modern instrument. – Classical style: restrained, objective style of art. Classical refers to Western music characteristic of the period from 1750-1825. Composers: – Mozart: Invested much of his music with a degree of emotion expression unusual for his time. Never allowed emotion to dominate his art. – Haydn: Wrote pleasant, good-natured music throughout his long life. Wrote masses, oratorios, and other religious compositions for church and for concert performance. Beethoven: Wrote masses, oratorios, and other religious compositions for church and for concert performance. CHAPTER 18: – Form: organization and design of a composition, or of one movement within a composition. – Symphony: multimovement orchestral form. – Sonata-Allegro: â€Å"first movement form†. The 3 sections: expositio n, development, and recapitulation-form a binary design. – Exposition: first section of a fugue or of a sonata-allegro. – Development: 2nd section of the sonata-allegro; it moves through many keys. – Recapitulation: 3rd section of the sonata-allegro.Reviews the material of the exposition, presenting it in a new light. – Coda: Meaning, â€Å"tail†; a closing section. – Minuet and Trio: ABA. Often the 3rd movement of a symphony, sonata, or string quartet. Consists of two minuets, the second (trio) lighter and more lyrical than the first. – Cadenza: extended passage for solo instrument; typical feature of a solo concerto. – Rondo: ABACA. Form in which various episodes alternate with the opening material. The tempo is usually fast, and the mood merry. – String Quartet: chamber ensemble consisting of two violins, a viola, and a cello. Sonata (classical period): a multimovement composition for one or two solo instruments. CHAP TER 19: – Overture: introductory orchestral piece. – Comic Opera (ope’ra comique, singspiel, opera buffa): Operas light in mood, modest in performing requirements, written in the vernacular language of the intended audience. – Requiem: mass for the dead. – Ensemble Finale: final scene of a musical show in which several soloists simultaneously express, in different words and music, their individual points of view. CHAPTER 20: – Motive: short melodic phrase that may be effectively developed. Art song: concert setting of a poem, usually by a well-known poet, to music. – Lieder: German art songs. – Song cycle: sets of songs by one composer, often using texts all by the same poet. Composers: – Schubert: earliest master of romantic art son. Composed 143 songs at 18. â€Å"Godfather† of the romantic period genre. CHAPTER 21-22: – Cyclic form: multimovement form unified by recurrence of the same or similar melodic material in two or more movements. – Absolute music: instrumental music having no tended association with a story, poem, idea or scene; non-program music. Concert overture: one movement orchestral composition, often inspired by literature and dramatic in expression, yet generally subject to analysis according to classical principles of form. – Program symphony: symphony (composition for orchestra in several movements) related to a story, idea, or scene, in which each movement usually has a descriptive title. – Idee fixe: single melody used in several movements of a long work to represent a recurring idea. – Thematic transformation: variation of thematic or melodic material for programmatic purposes.Sometimes called metamorphosis. – Dies irae: Gregorian chant for the dead. – Symphonic poem (tone poem): programmatic composition for orchestra in one movement, which may have a traditional form (such as sonata/rondo) or an original irregular form . Composers: – Brahms: misplaced classicist. Poured the warmest Romantic emotional content into his classical forms. He based his music on models from the past. – Berlioz: his works were based on unrequited love. Used the idee fixe, which was a melodic reference to his beloved. CHAPTER 23: Character piece: relatively short piano piece in a characteristic style or mood. – Nocturnes: Piece expressing the â€Å"character† of night. – Prelude: short independent or introductory piece for keyboard. – Etude: a virtuosic instrumental study or â€Å"exercise† intended for concert performance. – Rubato: romantic technique of â€Å"robbing† from the tempo at some points and â€Å"paying back† at others. Composers: – Chopin: only great composer who wrote almost exclusively for piano. Most pieces are miniatures. Virtuoso pianist, most famous for lyrical and melancholic melodies.CHAPTER 25: -Post-romanticism: general ter m for several romantic styles that succeeded the dominance of German Romanticism and preceded the return of classicism to the arts. – Atonality: avoidance of a tonic note and of tonal relationships in music. – Impressionism: style of painting and music that avoids explicit statement, instead emphasizing suggestion and atmosphere. – Primitivism: style inspired by primitive works of art and by the relaxed life of unsophisticated cultures. – Pizzicato: technique of plucking string instruments.Composers: – Mahler: post-romantics. Wrestled with conflicting romantic and classical ideals. – Strauss: leader of post-romantic composers. Strictly classical style but developed romantic techniques. – Debussy: first musician labeled an impressionist. Developed unusual harmonies and exotic timbres. – Schoenberg: inventor of the 12-tone method (serialism) > Using the 12 pitches equally. > 12 tone row: playing the 12 pitches in whatever order; no repeated tones until the row has been fully played. > Wrote in a free atonal style gt; Drifted away from traditional harmony and experimented other styles – Stravinsky: went through an early ballet period before the war. He went through a neo-classical period. > Primitivism: movement in the second decade of the 20th century. Reveals romanticism characteristics. Characterized by strong savage rhythms, dissonant combinations of sound and narrow melodies. > â€Å"Rite of Spring†: controversial piece, ballet, and scandal piece CHAPTER 27: – Experimentalism: exploration of previously unknown aspects of musical sound. Polytonality: two or more keys at the same time. – Tone cluster: chord built on seconds. – Prepared piano: piano whose timbre and pitches have been altered by the application of foreign materials on or between the strings. – Twelve-tone technique: arrangement of the twelve chromatic pitches into a tow that provides the melodic and harmonic basis for a music composition. Row: series of tones on which a serial composition is based. Composers: – Schoenberg: inventor of the 12-tone method (serialism) – Weberm: developed his own styles: lean, clean, delicate, and strong. Ives: invented polytonality (incorporating of two different keys). – Cowell: invented the plucking of a piano sound. – Cage: 1912-1992 not trained as a musician. Brought up in Los Angeles. Became a composer. > Alatoric: predetermined sounds and just guessed when it should be played. > Conceptual art: piece called 4 minutes a 33 seconds – just the sounds in CHAPTER 28: – Neoclassicism: 12th century version of classicism in music. – Neoromanticism: 12th century version of a romantic approach to music. –Minimalism: style of music based on many repetitions of simple melodic lines that gradually change and slowly evolve patterns and rhythmic patterns. Composers: – Copland: American nationa list composer > â€Å"Dean of American Music† – Gershwin: Best known of all American opera, filled with the characteristic sounds of jazz, including syncopated rhythms, expressive vocal catches and slides. – Prokofiev: focused on neoclassical music. – Barber: focused on neoromanticism. > Adagio for string orchestra (tonal piece) – Reich: focused on minimalism. – Glass: focused on minimalism.