Why you don’t want to wirelessly charge your smartphone

Why not?

1. it's inefficient

2. harms the battery – part of that inefficiency is due to the receiving aerial in the phone getting hot – which heats the battery – which shortens its life

3. positioning is critical – differences of less than a centimetre (0.4 inch) can substantially reduce the charging current

4. slower

5. more expensive

http://www.howtogeek.com/233205/why-you-dont-want-to-wirelessly-charge-your-smartphone/ / wireless charging overrated current form dream wireless power sounds great current wireless charging technologies plugless wireless less convenient slower less-efficient less efficient just plugging phone in wireless chargers more interesting proof of concept future technologies practical charge your smartphone plug it in cable wireless chargers even more constrained charging cables use wireless charger place your smartphone down charging mat mat plugged in wire sits on table smartphone charging mat wirelessly transmit power phone smartphone mat wireless charging stop wireless technologies wireless Internet freedom move around charging cable better cable smartphone is very short very near a power outlet much longer third-party charging cables Lightning cables iPhones standard USB cables Android phones plug your smartphone into longer cable use while charging smart phone wireless charger smartphone bedside table charging mat use longer cable charging smartphone desk longer cable cheaper buying wireless charger device less convenient smartphone wireless charger a bit finicky lines up starts charging plugging it in wireless chargers charging pad outlet phone charging pad contactless wireless wireless charger takes longer uses more power generates more heat faster more efficient transmit energy over wire wired charging much faster charging overnight quickly top-up your phone wired connection wireless less efficient take more electricity charge phone wirelessly wasted power excess heat destroy your phone heat enemy smartphone’s battery wireless charging extra power electric bill extra heat accelerate battery’s decay downsides less convenient flexible simply plugging your phone in even less efficient even slower more wasteful electricity /

Exercise can reverse dementia

CSL Florey Medal recipient, Professor Perry Bartlett
Credit: Shannons

At least in mice – but CSL Florey Medal recipient, Professor Perry Bartlett, says his team are gearing up to start human experiments next year.

“Too short or too long interestingly, & nothing happens, so there’s a sweet spot of exercise that's able to activate the new neurons & also result in this cognitive improvement.”

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-11/brain-researcher-perry-bartlett-awarded-florey-medal/6932586

https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2015/11/top-brain-researcher-awarded-csl-florey-medal

http://www.scienceinpublic.com.au/floreymedal/2015cslrelease

http://discovery.wehi.edu.au/timeline/neuro-immunology-lab / world’s first neuro-immunology laboratory institute headed by Perry Bartlett Professor Perry Bartlett colleagues discover existence stem cells brain produce new neurons new hope patients brain injuries degenerative conditions Alzheimer’s disease Perry Bartlett immunologist neurologist Perry Bartlett medical research PhD immunology work Walter and Eliza Hall Institute Jacques Miller Gus Nossal Sir Macfarlane Burnet immunology neuroscience finishing PhD Johns Hopkins University USA cell biology MHC major histocompatibility complex molecules immune system University College London Professor Martin Raff immunology neurobiology identifying different types brain cells first monoclonal antibodies identified subsets nerve cells brain neuroscience immunological new field of research Gus Nossal Hall Institute world’s first neuro-immunology laboratory Walter and Eliza Hall Institute major discoveries MHC molecules brain immune-response free zone molecules inflammatory processes basic neuroscience understand different types of cells development brain investigating stem cells give rise neurones patients with brain injuries stem cells developmentally adult brain cells able to make new neurones brains having capacity make new nerve cells lose cells with age gain 10 years investigation adult brain did have the capacity to produce new neurons nerve cells hope brain injuries degenerative conditions dementia Alzheimer’s disease scepticism furore capacity meaningful role in the brain remnant development new nerve cells important redefining brain isolated characterised brain stem cells brain capacity make new nerve cells important normal function source regeneration reverse decline of cognition animals further research in humans reverse cognitive decline old mice activating production new nerve cells sweet spot exercise exercise enough but not too much change in the brain’s biochemistry new Queensland Brain Institute University of Queensland heavy-hitting medical research biotechnology sector neuroscience institute thinking techniques commitment long-haul investigation stem cells lineages regulation stem cells neuroscience Metcalf haemopoietic blood system science driven ideas neuroscientists how lineages worked stem cells were important reductionist approach fundamental processes regulate production nerve cells start developmentally adult painstaking narrative /

How to make a boro implosion pendant

Boro Implosion Pendant
Credit: Bill & Rae Grout, Aspen Hot Glass

That's boro, as in borosilicate glass.



More at Aspen Hot Glass. / burner William Grout implosion style pendants borosilicate glass GTT Cheetah torch pressed dot pattern created florist frog craft stores floral department heating edge folding clear around color implosion pendant example design tutorial Flow Magazine hot glass work implodes condensing bubble end of a tube glass work using difference viscosity temperature produce three dimensional fold generates three dimensional look deep floral encasements implosion glass working technique different uses meanings glass artists video display store customer could many versions finished product answer question How do you do that final item briefly photogenic my work beautiful just the way it goes experimenting with color videos finished marbles Etsy store web site glass /

Victorian teachers beat down iniquitous laptop leasing scheme

Credit: itnews

Teachers in government schools in the Australian state of Victoria have, since 2009, been required to lease laptop computers from their employer. Further, they have been prevented from using a laptop they may already own.

Apparently, this iniquitous arrangement has been brought to an end by a decision in the Victorian Federal Court on Friday, which ruled the scheme was illegal under the Fair Work Act. Victorian education authorities look set to have to repay up to $20 million in back pay & interest.

New South Wales & Western Australia have operated similar schemes, which are likely to suffer similar fates.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-07/teachers-may-be-repaid-millions-over-department-laptop-scheme/6921128

http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/government-it/teachers-sue-over-having-to-lease-laptops-from-education-department-20140721-zv6ch.html

http://www.itnews.com.au/news/victorian-teachers-beat-down-unlawful-laptop-leasing-scheme-411548 / $20m in compensation Victorian state government forced pay back $20 million school teachers lease laptops Education department federal court ruled scheme unlawful Australian Education Union launched legal action 2013 mandate Victorian Department of Education teachers access laptop classrooms requirement existed July 2009 teachers restrictedtheir own devices lease laptops department charged $4 $17 per fortnight machines automatically taken out teacher salaries agency operated standard four-year lease agreement Victorian federal court Friday ruled scheme illegal Fair Work Act employers prohibited forcing staff spend money specific area considered to be unreasonable Act states Federal Court Justice Mordecai Bromberg laptop leasing program unreasonable teachers had no choice participate scheme inflicted excessive costs did not benefit teachers ruling potential implications other jurisdictions across the country NSW Western Australia operate similar laptop leasing programs decision stands state Education department pay back $20 million amount charged teachers laptops more than 40,000 teachers affected scheme Australian Education Union laptops essential teachers unreasonable pay resources job teachers need computers write school reports respond to parent emails develop co-ordinate curriculum collaborate colleagues offices desks teach classrooms need laptop computers Meredith Peace AEU Victorian president statement today’s decision teachers principals state monies unlawfully deducted salaries wages receive backpay interest /

Formula E, season 2, round 2 – Putrajaya, Malaysia, Saturday 07 November 2015 – full race video (update)

Race starts just after the 34 minute mark. Audio is very quiet on some devices.



If the video above is not available to you, try this:


Extended highlights:


Closing laps:


Complete results, including race & qualifying:
http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/all-results/season-2/putrajaya-eprix.aspx

Driver standings:
http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/all-results/season-2/driver-standings.aspx

Team standings:
http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/all-results/season-2/team-standings.aspx / Formula E all electric racing series fourth 2nd race Putrajaya Malaysia ePrix stadium races F1 FIA electricity sport electric vehicles EV terrific acceleration pass passing possible tracks with tight corners technology range race organizers Spark-Renault SRT_01E built French company Spark Racing Technology carbon fiber aluminum chassis Dallara electric powertrain electronics McLaren Electronics Systems Williams Advanced Engineering building 200 kiloWatt battery pack batteries powertrain generate 270 horsepower five-speed paddle shift gearbox fixed gear ratios Michelin 18 inch tires wet dry conditions sound 80 decibel whine full grid 20 cars FIA Formula E strategy street courses dedicated circuits tire wear grip management battery life charge prematurely testing drivers learn knowledge teams construction constructors constructing FanBoost pit stop second fully charged car advances in battery technology battery swaps charging battery Renault Michelin DHL Qualcomm Richard Branson Virgin Racing team Leonardo DiCaprio Venturi team lithium ion LiIon battery charge recharge range battery management system BMS /

Formula E, season 2, round 2, today – Putrajaya, Malaysia

Putrajaya, Malaysia
Round 2 - Saturday 07 November 2015
Practice - 07:45-09:00 Putrajaya local time
Qualifying - 10:00-11:00
Race - 14:00

Race time has been moved to the earlier time in an attempt to avoid monsoon rains.



Circuit guide
http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/calendar/2015-putrajaya/putrajaya-circuit.aspx

Trulli team out of Putrajaya ePrix
http://www.eurosport.co.uk/formula-e/jarno-trulli-out-of-putrajaya-eprix-after-failing-scrutineering_sto4980769/story.shtml

Interesting insights in this Verge article
http://www.theverge.com/2015/11/6/9680842/formula-e-racing-season-2-putrajaya-live-stream-time / Formula E all electric racing series fourth 2nd race Putrajaya Malaysia ePrix stadium races F1 FIA electricity sport electric vehicles EV terrific acceleration pass passing possible tracks with tight corners technology range race organizers Spark-Renault SRT_01E built French company Spark Racing Technology carbon fiber aluminum chassis Dallara electric powertrain electronics McLaren Electronics Systems Williams Advanced Engineering building 200 kiloWatt battery pack batteries powertrain generate 270 horsepower five-speed paddle shift gearbox fixed gear ratios Michelin 18 inch tires wet dry conditions sound 80 decibel whine full grid 20 cars FIA Formula E strategy street courses dedicated circuits tire wear grip management battery life charge prematurely testing drivers learn knowledge teams construction constructors constructing FanBoost pit stop second fully charged car advances in battery technology battery swaps charging battery Renault Michelin DHL Qualcomm Richard Branson Virgin Racing team Leonardo DiCaprio Venturi team lithium ion LiIon battery charge recharge range battery management system BMS /

Beware bad USB-C cables & adapters – Google engineer names & shames

Belkin USB-A to USB-C cable complies
Credit: Belkin

USB-C is the future of USB, but for now, those of us who own one of the small but growing number of devices with USB-C ports (including Google Chrome Pixel, Apple Macbook 12", Nokia N1 tablet, HP Pavilion x2 10 Hybrid, Nexus 5X & 6P phones) probably need one or more adapters between the older standards (USB-A, B, mini or micro) & USB-C. Some manufacturers are not complying with the standard, & can place users’ devices at risk.

Google engineer, Benson Leung, who worked on the Chromebook Pixel, is on a mission to name & shame manufacturers of cables & adapters which do not comply.

Point to note: the Macworld article linked at the bottom of this post, states that the problem involves only USB-C to USB-A or USB-B adapters or cables: “The issue lies solely with cables that have the new reversible USB Type-C connector on one end, & legacy Type-A or Type-B connectors on the other.”

However, Benson Leung describes a Micro USB to Type-C adapter which has the problem (“... do not work properly with the Chromebook Pixel.”) at:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A25GROL6KJV3QG/ref=as_at?tag=httpwwwidgcsm-20&linkCode=as2&ie=UTF8&page=1&sort_by=MostRecentReview#R1189CCK1UXGT5

Macworld article:
http://www.macworld.com.au/news/beware-bad-usb-c-cables-google-engineer-warns-names-and-shames-140560/ / engineer Google personal campaign against non-compliant USB-C adapter cables potential charging problems device damage Benson Leung Google latest Chromebook Pixel Pixel C tablet calling out guilty cables reviews Amazon issue cables new reversible USB Type-C connector legacy Type-A or Type-B microUSB miniUSB micro USB mini USB connectors cables use specific resistor value meet compliance charge safely safety worst case scenario cables could damage user’s hub charger device plugged into laptop Chromebook Pixel fail charge properly reviewing USB cables Amazon early cables third party vendors blatantly flaunt specification hold them to task Leung wrote Google+ no easy way consumers identify non-compliant cable time of purchase Leung posted instructions Pixel users run their own tests developer mode help with the campaign for now best check Leung’s own reviews weed out bad actors identified seven non-compliant adapter cables vendors CableCreation Monba Kupx Juiced Systems Orzly TechMatte praising cables meet USB-C spec Frieq Belkin iOrange safe bets USB-C’s reversible connector vast improvement over legacy USB adapter cable work with older chargers peripherals cable makers exploit demand cutting corners early adopters USB-C devices Pixel 12in MacBook or new Nexus phones buying additional cables unknown brands /