Blade-less Electric Fan-The cross-section of the ring looks like an aircraft wing.

Dyson Announces Blade-less Fan, Explains Principle

The Dyson Air Multiplier looks like a cylindrical column topped with a ring. At the first glance, I thought it has no fan.
The cross-section of the ring looks like an aircraft wing.
The body without the ring
The cross-section of the body. The gray part at the bottom is the fan whose blades are positioned at irregular intervals.
The simulation of the airflow near the ring
The analysis of the flow velocity. Airflow is locally concentrated near the ring.

Dyson and "fervent buyer" Shigeki Hosokawa

The electric fan looks like a cylindrical column topped with a ring. At the first glance, I thought it has no fan. But there actually is a fan inside its body.

The Air Multiplier uses the fan to blow air into the ring, which is hollow inside. Then, the air comes from a narrow opening of the ring. Finally, 15 times as much air as is sent by the fan can be blown from a large area because of a viscous shear flow.
"When examining a hand dryer, we found that the amount of airflow increases by sending air at high speed because surrounding air is sucked in," said Dyson Chairman James Dyson. "And we came up with the idea of making an electric fan based on the same principle."
The mechanism of the Air Multiplier is as follows. The fan inside the body blows air at up to 20L/s into the hollow ring, whose cross-sectional shape looks like an aircraft wing. The air blown from an about 1.3mm gap that is found near the tip of the wing (inner side) flows along the surface of the wing at high speed, making the air pressure in its periphery negative. Therefore, surrounding air is sucked in.
"It is the same principle that provides lifting power to an aircraft," Dyson said.
To evenly send air into the ring, the nine blades of the fan are positioned at irregular intervals. Probably, it accelerates the speed in the circumferential direction in the ring so that air runs through the ring.
Dyson stressed three advantages of the new electric fan. First, it can evenly blow air unlike traditional electric fans. Second, it does not pose a risk of hurting human fingers. Third, it is very easy to do maintenance on the electric fan.
The maximum power consumption is 40W. The quantity of airflow can be steplessly adjusted. The Air Multiplier comes in two sizes, 25 and 30cm, and the two models weigh about 1.7 and 1.8kg, respectively.
The electric fan has a function to automatically move its head through an angle of 90°. And its elevation angle can be adjusted by up to 10°.


The expected prices of the 25 and 30cm models are ¥37,000 (approx US$408) and 39,000, respectively. Dyson Ltd will launch the Air Multiplier first in the southern hemisphere, where summer is coming. In Japan, it will be sold mainly at design shops at first and debut at mass merchandisers after the spring.

Global Warming--How can you contribute in Reducing Global Warming?

Stop Global Warming

Here are 10 simple things you can do to stop or prevent global warming.

1. Change a light : Replace regular bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. They consume less power then ordinary bulbs and have longer lifetime. Some countries have completely banned the usage of ordinary bulbs and force the common public to use CFL bulbs.
2. Drive less : By driving less you are not only saving fuel but also helping in reducing global warming. Also, look out for other possibilities, for eg: car pooling. If you have colleagues who live in the same area then you can combine trips. If you need to go to a local market then either walk or go by cycle. Both of them are great form of exercise.
3. Recycle more : Try to use the disposable products into some other form. Just don't throw them away. You can recycle almost anything for eg: paper, aluminum foils, cans, newspapers. By recycling you can help in reducing landfills .
4. Check your tyres : When you drive make sure your tyres are inflated properly. If not, then obviously they will consume more fuel. Keep your engine properly tuned and drive less aggressively. Aggressive driving and frequent applying of brakes hampers the engine and can lower the mileage of your car.
5. Use less hot water : Buy energy saving geysers and dishwasher for your home. Avoid washing clothes in hot water. Just wash them in cold or warm water. Avoid taking frequent showers and use less hot water. It will help in saving energy require to produce that energy.
6. Avoid products with lot of packaging : Just don't buy products with lot of packaging. When you buy such products you will end up in throwing the waste material in the garbage, which then will help in filling landfill sites and pollute the environment. Also, discourage others from buying such products.
7. Adjust your thermostat : Geysers consume lot of electricity. Use the thermostat to lower down the temperature. The easiest and most cost effective advice is simply adjusting your thermostat up in the summer and down in the winter.
8. Turn off electronic devices : Turn off electronic devices when you are moving out for a couple of days or more. Unnecessary usage of electronic appliances will not only save fuel i.e. coal by which we get electricity but also increase the lifetime of your gadgets.
9. Plant a tree : Planting trees can help much in reducing global warming then any other method. They not only give oxygen but also take in carbon dioxide, during the process of photosynthesis, which is the main source of global warming.
10. Spread the awareness : Always try your best to educate people about global warming and it's causes and after affects. Tell them how they can contribute their part by saving energy that will be good for the environment. Gather opportunities and establish programs that will help you to share information with friends, relatives and neighbors.

What's Global Warming?

The Global warming is an environmental challenge that entire world facing today, since the late 1960s, we have been hearing the 'Global Warming 'phrase. It is a process of heating the atmosphere of the planet. The level of carbon dioxide is increasing in the atmosphere.

How Global Warming Work?

Industrial Growth Cause of Greenhouse Gases

The industry has boomed very swiftly, during the last few decades. These industrial sectors use fossil fuels, which increases greenhouse gases. These gases are the major reason of global warming. There is huge pressure on the industrial countries to reduce the release of gases produced by greenhouses.

Greenhouse Gases Increase the Earth Temperature

Greenhouse gases increase the temperature of the planet. When the temperature starts to change rapidly, it becomes more concerning. Records show that the earth temperature has increased about eight degrees Celsius. The earth is wrapped by the layer of the heat-trapping gasses. Whenever these gases enter the atmospheres, it acts similar to a blanket; traps heat into the atmosphere, and then alters climatic conditions globally.

A greenhouse gases enter the atmosphere on the earth because of a lot human activities, like fossil fuels burning, wood products, chemical reactions, solid waste tree and of course the main driver is carbon dioxide.

Some other contributors are also active, like, methane, this gas release during the coal, gas and oil transportation and production. It also emits during agricultural practices, like decay and death of microorganisms. It is contributing to global warming.

Nitrous oxide gas release during industrial and agricultural activities, it is also emitted when you burn fossil and also during solid waste. This is also becoming a reason of global warming. Fluorinated oxides, like, sulfur hexafluoride, per fluorocarbon, hydro fluorocarbon are powerful and artificial gases, these gases release because of many man actives and contribute to global warming.

Human beings have been burning different fuels in a big quantity to generate electricity, run automobiles and for heating homes and releasing these all gases without any care and damaging the environment badly, and climate changes are being observed in the result.

Global Warming Cause of Seasonal Change

Global warming does not only heat up the earth. It causes many seasonal changes. It may make winters longer, whereas, summers shorter. Climate change because of global warming has become a serious threat to human being. The climates have become abnormal. Glaciers are melting and raising the sea' levels.

Sea Level Rising Effect

Glaciers are melting rapidly and increasing the sea levels, down falling effects are seeing on fish habitat. Whenever sea levels rise, they convert fresh coming water in brackish water, and that the brackish marsh in salt marsh, in a result a destruction of nursery for marine life is being observed.

Many species are in trouble. In U.S forty six fisheries has depleted. The Fishermen in a large number are losing jobs. A constructive solution is necessary to enjoy the seafood and maintain the fish's number in the future.

Plant & Animals Disappearance

Many species of animals and plants have disappeared because of global warming.

How can you contribute in Reducing Global Warming?

Unfortunately, we human beings produce many greenhouses through automobiles, livestock cultivation, landfills and power plants. If you reduce the utilization of those things, you will definitely help the environment and reduce global warming.

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Effects of Global Warming

Global Warming is already affecting the human kind, plant and animals in number of ways through increased ocean levels, droughts and changed weather patterns. Global warming is well recognized by scientists around the world as a serious public health and environmental concern.

Below is the list of effects that global warming is having on environment, climate and human kind.

1. Melting of glaciers : The melting of glaciers will create plethora of problems for human kind an the animals living in the earth. Due to increased global warming, the level of the sea will rise which will lead to flooding and this will in turn create havoc in human life. Apart from raising the sea levels, it will also endanger several species of animals and thus will hamper the balance of the ecosystem. Moreover these large glaciers reflect light back into the space and with meltdown of these glaciers, earth will be further warmed.



2. Climate Change : Irregular weather patterns have already started showing results. Increased precipitation in the form of rain have already been noticed in polar and subpolar regions. More global warming will lead to more evaporation which will cause more rains. Animals and plants cannot easily adapt to increase rainfall. Plants may die due to it and animals may migrate to other areas, which can cause entire ecosystem out of balance.



3. Droughts : Large scale evaporation will be the major cause of droughts in many places particularly Africa. Although, it is reeling under the huge pressure of water crisis, increased global warming would further make the situation worse and will cause malnutrition.




4. Diseases : As the temperature becomes more warm, it will have an affect on the health of humans and the diseases they are exposed to. With the increase in the rainfall, water borne diseases are likely to spread specially malaria. The earth will become more warm and as a result heat waves are likely to increase that will cause a major blow to the people particularly in Europe.



5. Hurricanes frequency : As the temperature of the oceans rises, hurricanes and other storms are likely to become stronger. With the increase in the global warming the water in the ocean warms up and it heats up the surrounding air, creating hurricanes. More water evaporation means more hurricanes.



6. Agriculture : Global warming will affect agriculture. Although the results are not visible yet, but it may show it's colors in years to come. As the global temperature will increase plants will find it harder to survive and will die. Plants are the major source of food for human beings and as a result food shortage will occur. The shortage of the food may lead to war and conflicts in some countries.

Global Warming Solutions

Earth's temperature is rising day by day and there is no single solution to solve global warming which has already created havoc in today's world. Threats of global warming include: rising sea level, lost endangered species, climate change and deadly storm events. We have already seen the causes of global warming. The solutions listed below can bring down the carbon emissions upto much extent We are already seeing the effects of global warming around the world as climate change, melting of glaciers, droughts and diseases.

The real problem is the pollution produced from industries, vehicles and power plants. The solutions listed below require tough laws and regulations that require firm deadlines for global warming pollution reductions.

1. Use energy efficient products : Energy efficient products like fluorescent bulbs go long way in saving energy and that too at low cost. Energy produced by electronic gadgets at home or industry are largest producer of global warming. Using energy efficient products has vast potential to save both energy and money, and can be deployed quickly.



2. Going nuclear : Nuclear technology produce low carbon emissions, an increase in the use of nuclear energy could help in reducing global warming. Though, nuclear technology pose serious threat to health and security but its safe use can help in reducing global warming to great extent. But incidents like accident at the Fukushima Diaichi plant in Japan pose serious questions: whether its time to go nuclear?
3. Phasing out fossil fuels : Burning of fossil fuels like wood or coal produce more carbon emissions than other product. Phasing out coal burning power plants and not burning fossil fuels directly will reduce dependance on fossil fuels.
4. Switch off gadgets when not in use : Often when we go out, we forget to switch off fans, bulbs, gadgets when actually there is no use of them. These devices generate heat which in itself contribute to global warming. Switching off these devices will save electricity, lower down electricity bills and reduce global warming.
5. Stop deforestation : Less trees means less absorption of green house gases which are in itself responsible for more global warming. We can fight global warming by reducing deforestation and forest degradation. Managing forests and agriculture therefore should be the top priority to reduce carbon emissions.
6. Use public transportation : Pollution from vehicles account for major portion of carbon emissions. Usage of public transportation, car pooling and low carbon fuels not only reduce pollution but also reduce vehicular traffic on the road. In the long run, public transportation appear more cost friendly and doesn't pinch the pocket.
7. Explore renewable sources : Renewable sources like solar, wind, geothermal and bio-energy create clean energy and have been in use around the world for many years. These technologies can be deployed quickly, are cost-effective and create jobs for millions of people.
8. Pushing for tough standards : Government should ensure that no subsidies, incentives or commitments are made to new coal-fired plants unless they produce zero emissions.
9. Developing low carbon technologies : Research and development of low carbon technologies will further help in reducing carbon emissions.
10. Spreading word : Word of mouth is the best way to create awareness among the people to stop carbon emissions. Presentations, meetings and discussions over global warming provide information about viable solutions to global warming, and reinforcing the economic benefits available throughout the Midwest from the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Static electricity:fires and explosions, where flammable vapors and dust clouds can occur.

Static electricity                 

Static electricity is the buildup of electrical charges on the surface of non-conducting materials. It is called “static” because, unlike a home’s electrical system, static electricity has almost no current. Static typically forms when two materials come into contact, and some of the charges redistribute by moving from one material to the other. This leaves a net positive charge on one material and an equal negative charge on the other, both of which will remain if the two materials separate. If the net charges grow faster than a material can dissipate them, an electrostatic charge builds up. The excess charge can suddenly neutralize by a flow of charges to the surroundings, known as an electrostatic discharge or static spark. By super-heating the surrounding air and causing it to rapidly expand, the discharge is both visible and audible.

Interesting Facts About Static Electricity

• Ordinary household static can have voltages many times greater than the home’s electrical system. A static shock is not ordinarily dangerous, though, because the current is comparatively low.
• Scientists believe that lightning is caused by the exchange of charges between ice particles within clouds. Lightning is thus a scaled-up version of the static discharges with which we are accustomed. 
• During the Great Depression, swirling dust-bowl winds caused tremendous buildups of static electricity that were powerful enough to knock a person unconscious. Blue flames erupted from metal fences, electrical systems in cars shorted out, and people would drag chains in order to offset the electrostatic charge.

Static Electricity Hazards

Static may create sparks and shocks, and cause materials to cling together. These phenomena are typically merely annoying, but, under the right circumstances, they can cause significant damage to life and property. Specifically, static electricity can cause:

• fires and explosions, where flammable vapors and dust clouds can occur. Static has caused deadly explosions in buildings that filled with natural gas;
• nuisance shocks. While typically harmless, these shocks can cause significant distress to building occupants. In rare situations they can cause bodily harm, such as when hot fluids are handled and a static shock causes inadvertent recoil; and
• damage to sensitive electronic equipment, such as computers and cell phones. One static-plagued InterNACHI member reported that she managed to disable the Caller ID feature on her phone by repeatedly “zapping” it, and she also put her microwave to sleep. Beware that even mild or imperceptible static discharges may be powerful enough to render a computer inoperable, or even erase its hard drive.

Static Limitation Strategies

There are many variables that contribute to static electricity in homes, including the physiological makeup of an individual, their walking habits and shoes, carpet materials and construction, and the amount of moisture in the air. To help ensure that static-friendly conditions are avoided, inspectors can pass the following tips on to their clients: 

• Humidify the living space. When the air is humid, water molecules collect on the surfaces of household materials, which prevents the buildup of electrical charges. Humidity levels of 40 to 50% are usually sufficient to prevent static discharges, and you can check the humidity with an inexpensive humidity meter from a gardening shop. Beware that high humidity levels will promote the growth of mold, which can be a far more dangerous condition than excessive static electricity.  Try these other tips to increase indoor humidity:
  • Use a humidifier.
  • Incorporate a variety of leafy indoor plants. Plants effectively turn liquid water into water vapor, similar to a mechanical humidifier. 
  • Simmer a pot of water on the stove, but don’t forget that the stove is on! 
• Consider your clothing.
  • Switch to natural fibers, since synthetics pick up more of a static charge. If you must wear synthetic fibers, do not allow them to touch; separate nylon and polyester layers with cotton, for instance.
  • Wear leather-soled shoes. Also, try not to drag your feet on the carpet.
• Use an anti-static hand lotion if your hands are dry.
• Spray carpet surfaces with an anti-static product. Fabric softener has anti-static properties, and it may be diluted and then sprayed onto the carpet. These chemicals eliminate buildup of static electricity by making the material itself slightly conductive, either by being conductive itself, or by absorbing moisture from the air. These products may be sticky and attract dirt, however.
• Wear an anti-static wrist wrap. These antistatic devices are used to prevent electrostatic discharge by safely grounding a person. They consist of a stretchy band of fabric woven with conductive fibers made from carbon or carbon-filled rubber.

 static electricity can cause distress for building occupants, but it can be controlled. 

Protecting electronics

A static electricity spark can damage the internal electronics of a computer.

Technicians who work on the inside of computers should have a special pad on the floor and use a grounded strap on their wrist that will suck any charges from their bodies. This is to avoid any chance of damaging the electronics with a static electrical spark. When a person handles computer boards, it doesn't take much of a spark to damage the circuitry.

Anti-static wrist strap used to protect computer electronics

From PC Cables

Normally, when operating a computer, static electricity is not a problem. But if you have been having problems with static electricity causing spark when you touch things, it is wise to take precautions before touching even the computer keyboard. You should touch something metal to ground out any electrical charges you have, before you touch the computer.

Equipment problems

Special devices are used in equipment that has a tendency to build up static charges.
Companies making plastic goods have major problems with the buildup of static electricity. Workers often complain about getting shocks. Grounding straps on the machinery helps to reduce the static electricity.
Newspaper companies have anti-static devices consisting of strips of copper to reduce or prevent static buildup from the fast-moving newsprint.

Summary

A major problem from static electricity is its potential in causing damage to equipment or explosions. Computers or sensitive electronics can be damaged from a static electric spark. When using gasoline, you must be protect against sparks that may ignite the fuel. Some machines are plagued with problems from static electricity.
Control or elimination of static electricity is usually done by grounding or draining off the electrical charges, as well as using caution.