Another hurdle crossed

I completed my thesis defence, which went well (it was rather fun, in fact). My work was accepted with only minor revisions so I should have everything ready to go by the end of next week. After that, I just wait for them to send my degree (I'll be in Seattle, presenting at a conference, when the graduation ceremony is taking place). The chair of the thesis committee said that I can now start using the title Doctor, given all the most difficult parts of the degree have been completed.

Tech posts will recommence shortly.

Tech posts

New material improves golf balls and condoms - An Australian materials scientist has developed a polyurethane coating containing nanoparticles that could make golf balls more scuff resistant, as well as make it possible to build thinner, stronger condoms with less chance of triggering an allergic response than latex.

Corn-based ethanol targets could hurt Gulf of Mexico - A Canadian researcher examined the level of fertilizer that would be needed for corn grown to meet to reach the Senate-imposed goal of 36 billion gallons of ethanol produced locally, and determined that the resulting run-off would significantly increase the size of the Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico. The Dead Zone is a result of algal bloom in response to increased nitrogen and phosphorus levels in water exiting the Mississippi River consuming much of the oxygen in the water. As a result, aquatic life either leaves or drowns, resulting in a portion of the Gulf of Mexico the size of New Jersey containing nothing living.

Robo, grab me a beer - A researcher at Georgia Tech has developed a robot that retrieves anything you illuminate with a laser pointer. The system is designed to be used by people who are mobility-limited. The system detects objects that have been illuminated for a few seconds, picks it up, and retrieves it when the pointer is aimed at the person's feet. The robot then hands the object over only when it detects the person's face to ensure that the person is looking at them.

Well-educated live longer - by about 1.6 years, according to a Harvard study. They caution that it is not the education that results in the longer lifespan, but that there is a correlation between the attitudes of those who seek more education and a healthy lifestyle.

Nanaimo taken over by Google - but in a good way. According to Time magazine, they are the most Google-connected city. For example, using Google maps you can track where their fire trucks are going at any particular time. They eventually plan to even add cemetery information to Google Maps to make it easier for people to locate the final resting places of friends and relatives. Found on Slashdot.