General
1. National Nanotechnology Initiative [pdf]
http://www.nano.gov/nni04_budget_supplement.pdf
2. Give Thanks for Small Victories
http://www.techcentralstation.com/112603B.html
These two sites offer a glimpse at government investments in nanotechnology research and development. The first is a supplement to a U.S. government budgetary document and "provides a summary of the organization and management of the National Nanotechnology Initiative, highlights recent accomplishments, and outlines the challenges and vision" for 2004 and beyond. The extensive report examines applications for nanotechnology in areas such as robotics, healthcare, and manufacturing. Nanotechnology legislation is the focus of the second site. The short article discusses the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act, which was passed by the U.S. Senate on November 19, 2003. A link to the full text of the bill is provided in the article. [CL]
http://info.lboro.ac.uk/departments/ma/gallery/index.html
The Gallery of Mathematics is a fascinating online exhibit hosted by Loughborough University. It provides descriptions, pictures, animations, and examples of many mathematical curiosities. One of the most intriguing sections introduces the concept of self-referential sentences. The Hyperspace section also offers some remarkable insights into the fourth dimension -- the movies of the hypercube and other objects are truly mind-bending. Other topics addressed in the gallery include quaternionic fractals, self-similar structures, and the famous Mandelbrot set. [CL]
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumers.html
The Federal Communications Commission offers this informative page "about the issues the FCC oversees." The site is divided into six sections including Wireless, Internet, Radio, Satellite, Telephone, and Television & Cable. At first glance little information is contained in each section -- only a few frequently asked questions and their answers are given. However, a link at the bottom of each page directs users to a much more impressive repository of facts, policy issues, and general discussions. Some of the more interesting and useful tidbits are wireless local number portability for mobile phones, telephone scams, and digital television service. [CL]
http://starbase.trincoll.edu/~crypto/historical/
Cryptography is an extremely important field in modern information security, but this website diverges from today's high-tech methods to look at the historical use and development of cryptographic ciphers. Two interesting stories about Edgar Allen Poe and Julius Caesar describe the work in cryptography done by these two notable figures. Several famous ciphers are described, including the simple substitution cipher, the Rail Fence cipher, and the Alberti cipher. An excellent overview of the German Enigma Machine from World War II is also given. Two Java applets are given to allow users to try their hand at creating and deciphering cryptograms. [CL]
1. Europe Puts France Up for Reactor
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3239806.stm
2. Welcome to the ITER WWW Site
http://www.iter.org/
The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is the name of a revolutionary new power plant that, when completed, will produce the first sustained nuclear fusion reactions. ITER is the culmination of a massive effort, slated as "the world's largest international cooperative research and development project after the International Space Station." In a news report from the British Broadcasting Corporation, France has been designated as the preferred site for ITER by the European Union. A meeting in December 2003 will make an official decision on the reactor's destination. The ITER homepage has a wealth of information on the reactor's proposed design, nuclear fusion, and research efforts. Additionally, the site is routinely updated with news about the remarkable project. [CL]
All About MEMS is a "community-oriented website devoted to the full range of information available about MicroElectoMechanical Systems." Visitors will find a wide array of background information, definitions, MEMS applications, and much more. Details on how MEMS are fabricated are provided, and recent advances in MEMS development are highlighted. A special look at the use of MEMS in wireless technology and optical networks is also given. The site maintains an extensive collection of links to research and informational resources, as well as an image archive showing magnified photographs of MEMS components. [CL]
http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/53420main_RTF_vol1_rev1_1_ALL_112103.pdf
Since the tragic accident involving the space shuttle Columbia, the remainder of NASA's space shuttle fleet has been grounded indefinitely. This paper is "a periodically updated document demonstrating our progress toward safe return to flight and implementation of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board recommendations." Nearly 250 pages in length, the paper looks at specific systems of the space shuttle and identifies those that need to be upgraded, replaced, or redesigned to ensure a greater level of safety for future missions. It also addresses scenarios for dealing with shuttle damage during a mission and repairing it. This document is Revision 1.1 of Volume 1, and many more revisions can be expected over the long process of returning to flight. [CL]
http://www.atp.nist.gov/atp/brochures/energy.pdf
The Advanced Technology Program of the National Institute of Standards and Technology offers this six-page brochure on energy investments. Specifically, the paper focuses on "power sources that are not connected to an electrical grid," including fuel cells, batteries, and solar cells. The widespread use of laptops, cellular phones, and personal digital assistants (PDAs) is motivating extensive research into finding reliable, long-lasting energy solutions. Some interesting new projects and emerging technologies are described in the brochure, mainly in regard to fuel cells. [CL]
