New scientific research reveals diamonds aren't forever

New scientific research reveals diamonds aren't forever

  10:19:00 AM    Science Lover

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In a paper published in the US journal Optical Materials Express this week, Macquarie University researchers show that even the earth's hardest naturally occurring material, the diamond, is not forever.

Evaporation of diamond induced by an ultraviolent
laser beam. Image courtesy Richard Mildren

Associate Professor Richard Mildren and his colleagues from the Macquarie University Photonics Research Centre discovered that diamonds evaporate under exposure to light.

"Although this type of light-induced evaporation has been observed in some materials, this is the first time it's been shown to occur for diamond," Mildren said.

The diamonds were exposed to intense light pulses in the UV-C band (the harsh ultraviolet rays filtered out by the ozone layer), and small pits in the diamond surface were visible after only a few seconds. The rate of mass loss in the diamond fell notably for lower light levels but the etching process still continued - albeit at a slower and slower pace, Mildren said.



But before diamond lovers around the world start to panic, he is quick to note that the rate of evaporation is very small and not noticeable under normal conditions. In fact, even under very bright UV conditions, such as intense sunlight or under a UV tanning lamp, it would take approximately the age of the universe - about 10 billion years - to see an observable distance, he said.

The findings not only provide clues about the long-term stability of diamonds, but also have broad implications for future research.

"It's a very practical discovery and we are now looking at how we can exploit this," Mildren said.

"If we can make structures in the diamonds that enable us to control the position of the light within a very narrow filament in the diamond, that's the first step to making smaller and more efficient optical devices such as those used in quantum computing and high performance lasers."

The discovery may also have implications as far reaching as the prospects for finding diamonds on the surface of other planets, Mildren said.

More information: Mildren, R. P. et al. Opt. Mater. Express 1, 576-585 (2011).

Provided by Macquarie University

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MP3 Quality Modifier

MP3 Quality Modifier

  8:12:00 PM    Science Lover

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Great sound quality at small file sizes – perfect for your phone!


A lot of mobile phones are getting to be quite capable of playing back audio as well as standalone portable music players. Sony’s Walkman series and Nokia’s XPressMusic series of phones have sold like hot cakes recently.

The problem for a music lover, though, is fitting his entire collection into the small amount of disk space available. A lot of these phones do not support memory cards of more than 4-8GB, with some incapable of reading a card over 2GB. Alternately, a few handsets tend to get quite slow when a lot of data is stored on them.

Of course, managing a lot of music is also difficult on the smaller MP3 players, such as the iPod Shuffle, the Creative Zen Stone, etc. So space management has become an issue for music aficionados.

A great tool to try out is the MP3 Quality Modifier, which promises to take your music files and greatly compress their file sizes with minimal quality loss.

The standalone program – taking just 323KB of disk space itself – opens up to a window with a simple interface. First, you have to use the two buttons in the toolbar to add the MP3 files or a folder that you want to compress.

Once the files are listed in the main pane at the middle (complete with filename, song title, album, artist, bitrate and size), you can select or deselect which ones you want to edit.

Two sections at the bottom determine the kind of compression your file will go through. The ‘Bitrate’ section lets you select the type of mode (variable, constant, average), rate in kbps, and a preset (misspelt as ‘present’, and having four options: high quality, portable, compromise, very low quality). If you don’t know what you are doing when it comes to music editing, using these presets can be very handy.

The ‘Modus’ section gives you the option of figuring out the kind of output (mono, joint stereo, stereo and dual channels) and sample frequency – both of which can be adjusted directly through the preset.

Finally, choose a destination folder to save the newly-edited files to, and you’re done. Hit the ‘Start Process’ in the top toolbar and let the program do the rest. Quick, easy and very handy!

Rating: 3.5/5
Download: www.inspire-soft.net/?nav=soft_mp3qualitymodifier
Direct Download: www.inspire-soft.net/files/MP3QualityModifier1.0.zip
Size: 315.63KB

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WinCDEmu : Mounting a disc image was never so easy – just double-click and you’re done!

WinCDEmu : Mounting a disc image was never so easy – just double-click and you’re done!

  10:12:00 PM    Science Lover

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If you play video games on your PC on a regular basis, you are bound to need a disc-mounting tool.

Honestly, playing a game off its ISO image loaded on your hard disk is so much faster than playing the same through its DVD. Disc images also go a long way in preserving your DVD – and when you are buying a game for around Rs 1,000, you want to make sure the disc lasts for as long as it can!

So after you create a disc image, how do you load it up on to your computer? The normal course is to use a ‘mounting’ tool such as Daemon Tools or Alcohol.

These programs create a virtual optical disc drive on your computer and load, or ‘mount’, the disc image onto it. The final product is as good as having a DVD in a drive! But the process to use Daemon Tools and Alcohol is long and tedious.

First, you have to run the program; then create a virtual drive through a series of three clicks; and then go on to load the image through a further four clicks. Things have got to be simpler than this, right? Well, that’s where WinCDEmu comes in.

Cutting out all the various steps in mounting a disc image, this software works automatically to give you the most streamlined interface possible. All you have to do is install the program and double-click your ISO image for the program to automatically create a virtual drive and load up the image.

It’s really that simple! And the tedious process of unmounting a disc and getting rid of the virtual drive has also been cut down: just right click the virtual drive, hit ‘eject’ and you’re done.

Supporting ISO, CUE, BIN, RAW and IMG file formats, the application can create an unlimited number of virtual drives at a time. A must-have for any gamer!

Rating: 5/5
Download: wincdemu.sysprogs.org
Direct Download: biznetnetworks.dl.sourceforge.net/sourceforge/wincdemu/WinCDEmu-2.2.exe
Size: 782.10 KB

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Hi-tech walking stick brings wind-up torch and alarm for elderly

Hi-tech walking stick brings wind-up torch and alarm for elderly

  12:23:00 AM    Science Lover

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The new Slik-Stik walking stick is fitted with a torch, one-button alarm, and a magnet, and is powered by simply winding up a crank in the handle (inset)

A walking stick that uses wind-up technology to power a built-in torch and safety lights has been unveiled by a 70-year-old British inventor.

Developed by Trevor Baylis – who invented the wind-up radio almost two decades ago – the lightweight ‘Slik-Stik’ carries a personal alarm, can collapse to become tiny, and has a magnet to solve the tricky issue of picking up dropped keys.

His firm, Trevor Baylis Brands, recently launched the walking stick at an exhibition in London.

The Slik-Stik is the brainchild of Baylis’ 44-year-old protégé Denise Anstey, a disabled lady who was dissatisfied with the poor ergonomics and basic function of conventional walking sticks.

“When I was walking, I felt very vulnerable – a walking target. I thought it would be good for the elderly to have something they could immediately press to alert people to help,” she said.

The hi-tech walking stick is fitted with an induction generator system, with which a minute’s winding of the retractable handle is sufficient to provide several minutes of emergency illumination.

The front of the ergonomic hand-grip incorporates an LED torch light which shines a forward beam, and a foot-fall floodlight to ensure safe footing at night. The rear of the handle is fitted with a built-in panic alarm that can be activated to alert for help.

Finally, one further frustration for Denise has been addressed by the handy inclusion of a strong pick-up magnet in the handle. So in case she drops a set of keys, all she needs to do is flip the stick around.

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5 deadliest hacking subject lines

5 deadliest hacking subject lines

  9:10:00 AM    Science Lover

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Given the surfeit of new threats – ‘Hacking’, it would not be a bad idea for most of the Internet surfers to reconsider their online habits. With the Net being increasingly used by a large number of people for various bill payments, banking, investments, ticket bookings and reservations, e-commerce, social networking, communication and much more, it is time people paid heed to the threat of dangers lurking around at every step, and form a counter strategy.

It is critical to know these lurking threats so that you don't fall prey to scamsters and fraudsters and compromise your security and monies. Here is a list of some of the common tricks played by scammers.

`You have not paid for the item you recently won on eBay. Please click here to pay.’

Many consumers visit auction sites to find gifts or personal buying. But such shoppers must be aware of scammers who use auction sites to find their preys. A very common trick according to CSO, are mails notifying the users that he has 'not paid for the item you recently won on the site. Please click here to pay.' These emails impersonate complaints from the popular auction sites for non-payment of winning bids. People using online auction sites often bid days before a purchase is complete. So, it is not difficult for a person to believe that he has forgotten about a bid he made a week before.

Experts believe that such phising mails play on a person's concerns about the negative impact this may have on their auction site score. Like in case of eBay, people generally spend years building eBay feedback score or `reputation,' hence the chances are that they will quickly react to such emails. Many consumers visit auction sites to find gifts or personal buying. But such shoppers must be aware of scammers who use auction sites to find their preys. A very common trick according to CSO, are mails notifying the users that he has 'not paid for the item you recently won on the site. Please click here to pay.' These emails impersonate complaints from the popular auction sites for non-payment of winning bids. People using online auction sites often bid days before a purchase is complete. So, it is not difficult for a person to believe that he has forgotten about a bid he made a week before.

Experts believe that such phising mails play on a person's concerns about the negative impact this may have on their auction site score. Like in case of eBay, people generally spend years building eBay feedback score or `reputation,' hence the chances are that they will quickly react to such emails.

`You've been let go. Click here to register for severance pay.'

Scammers are finding novel ways to cash on the present downturn. This trick comes from the same. The mounting number of layoffs has made employees anxious about their jobs. This is what fraudsters are exploiting on.

The message appears to have come from HR dept (cons employer's email ID) and often says: You have been let go due to a layoff. If you wish to register for severance please register here.' Little surprisingly, the message carries a malicious link.

`This mail is Shivram from tech services. Your PC is infected.’

This is another common trick that scammers play. To cause maximum damage, such mails usually coincide with a related event. This means during the time of a widespread malware attack or a virus spread (say during the recent Downadup worm attack).

In such messages, hackers paint a destructive image of the damage that the worm attack can cause to the user. The aim is to exploit and cash on people's fear and uncomfort with technology.
`Someone has a secret crush on you! Click on this link to find who it is!’

This is one of the oldest tricks. But still seems to be working. The message seems to come from a dating or a social networking site and asks the reader to click on a link or download an application.

Sadly, in ninety percent of such cases, after clicking on the link, you not only don't find your secret admirer, -- you also download malicious software that you can't even detect. Of course, it's designed to steal personal and financial information. Stay away from such "secret admirers".

`Did you see this video of you? Check out this link!’

This is another popular scam. Security experts are seeing an increase in such spam, especially on Twitter, the popular microbloging site.

A recent spam campaign on Twitter read: "Did you see this video of you?" Thinking it to be from a friend many users ended up clicking on it and landed up at a fake Twitter site. Once there, unsuspecting users entered passwords, which then ended up in the hands of hackers.

(Courtesy: Indiatimes.Infotech)

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Work or play?

Work or play?

  10:19:00 PM    Science Lover

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With video games gaining popularity as effective teaching tools, computer giant IBM has now devised a free game called Innov8 meant for budding businessmen

A student controls her virtual
avatar in the new Innov8 game


Computing giant IBM recently announced Innov8 v.2 – a “serious game” that helps students and professionals hone their business and technology skills in a compelling, familiar video game format.

Serious games are at the cusp of widespread adoption within all sectors of business and government, from military flight simulators to corporate training. According to leading video game marketing consultancy The Apply Group, by 2012, between 100 and 135 of the Global Fortune 500 will have adopted gaming for learning.

Innov8 v.2, IBM says, will be available at no cost to businesses and academic institutions for simulations and training.

The game features puzzles and tasks that challenge players to tackle real-world challenges; complete with a global collaboration feature for players to work with virtual teammates in order to progress to the next level of the game.

“Business simulations allow companies to optimise costs, mitigate risks and remain agile in a rapidly changing environment,” said Sandy Carter, IBM vice president of SOA (Service Oriented Architecture) and BPM (Business Process Management). “The features in this game provide a powerful tool for businesses to simulate challenges and explore the range of solutions…”

For example, Innov8 has incorporated scenarios that reflect a new level of intelligence required for future, high-value job opportunities:

•   ‘Green’ Supply Chain: Players evaluate a traditional supply chain model and are tasked with reducing a fictional company’s carbon footprint.

•   Efficient Traffic Flow: Players evaluate existing traffic patterns and re-route traffic based on sensors that alert the player to disruptions such as accidents and roadway congestion.

•   Call Centre Customer Service: Using a call centre environment, players can develop more efficient ways in which to respond to customers.

Learning Through Visualisation

“Most MBA programmess today are already heavily based on projects that reflect how individuals and teams need to interact in the real world,” Carter said. “Innov8 takes that a step further by actually allowing students to step into a dynamic business environment.”

At present, more than 100 universities – from Duquesne University and the University of Southern California in the USA, to Manchester Business School in the UK – have teamed with IBM to integrate Innov8 into their curricula.

“Until now, some of the most important skills such as leadership, project management, innovation and entrepreneurship could only be taught using standard case studies and inspirational quotes,” said Clark Aldrich, author of The Complete Guide to Simulations and Serious Games…

“IBM’s game is one way that universities can help students to learn this by doing it through simulations, in conjunction with traditional teaching methods; thus building skills and retaining knowledge,” he said.

Innov8 v.2 will be available in May 2009. For details, visit www.ibm.com/Innov8.

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