IT Happens : October 2004
Monthly News Notice of IT Happenings
Issue - 40

Home Appliances Special

Feature of the Month

NEW TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE A COOL DEBUT

Using materials developed at the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory, researchers have successfully demonstrated the world's first room-temperature, permanent-magnet, magnetic refrigerator. 
This new style of refrigerator uses gadolinium metal that heats up when exposed to a magnetic field, then cools down when the magnetic field is removed. 
The magnetic refrigerator employs a rotary design. It consists of a wheel that contains segments of gadolinium powder supplied by Ames Laboratory and a high-powered, rare earth permanent magnet. 
The wheel is arranged to pass through a gap in the magnet where the magnetic field is concentrated. As it passes through this field, the gadolinium in the wheel exhibits a large magnetocaloric effect it heats up. After entering the field, water is circulated to draw the heat out of the metal. 
The overall result is a compact unit that runs virtually silent and nearly vibration free, without the use of ozone-depleting gases, a dramatic change from the vapor-compression-style refrigeration technology in use today.

(Source: www.external.ameslab.gov.com )

Quote - IT

When I think that my judgment and actions as a CEO will determine the lives of tens of thousands of people, 
I cannot stop working, even for a moment.

 - S.S.Kim (CEO LG Electronics) - 

Personality Of The Month

S.S.Kim a Mechanical Engineer form Hanyang University joined LG Electronics in !969. He has served on various designations in the company and presently is working as CEO of LG Electronics.

He is a simple down-to-earth man, a man of democratic leadership, he has many qualities which differentiate him from other CEO's, like whenever he goes to the company's Changwon plant, he has field meetings with workers, and this is very natural to him. He oftentimes mentions “ our family” when referring to plant employees, and employees call him “Ssangsu brother,” using his initials in his absence. He waits in line along with the rest of the employees when taking his meals.

Whenever he makes a business trip overseas, he makes it a point to visit the appliance shops. In order to know how well his products are doing.

IT Snippets 

New High Definition LCD Home Theater

Bringing the benefits of large screen liquid crystal display technology to the custom installation home theater market, LG Electronics has introduced the High Definition Television models. Ideal for any home setting, these LCD HDTVs equipped with LG's proprietary Super In Plane Switching (Super IPS) technology-provide the fastest response times and widest viewing angles in the market today.

This 42-inch integrated widescreen LCD HDTV incorporates a built-in clear tuner, 1366x768p WXGA resolution, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, peak brightness of 500 cd/m2, Super IPS technology, and built -in speakers. The LCD displays receive free, over-the-air digital broadcasts without the need for a separate set-top box. It also features LG's proven ATSC VSB/QAM tuner, which receives terrestrial digital HDTV and unscrambled digital cable broadcasts, and an NTSC tuner for conventional analog TV broadcasts. So theatre lovers can rush to book their orders. 

(Source: www.ecoustics..com)

Smart shirt that can call for help

The term smart clothing is taking on a whole new meaning, thanks to a creation that raises an alarm if the wearer has a fall. Associate Professor Francis Tay, from the mechanical engineering department at the National University of Singapore, has invented the "Memswear" device, so-called because it uses Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (Mems) engineering. 

Mems are machines built on such a tiny scale that they are invisible to the human eye. Tay's prototype is fitted with a small silicon detector, similar to the silicon chips in personal computers, which senses if the wearer has a fall. Then, using Bluetooth technology, which transmits information wirelessly, a transmitter inside the shirt sends an alert from the wearer's mobile phone or home computer to a carer via text message, email or phone call. 

"The transmitter is so small and light that you can put it in a piece of clothing. The sensor works in a similar way to an airbag sensor in a car steering wheel," he says. “It can be taken out so that the clothing can be washed." He also wants to see his invention used by the military and sports people. “Eventually, you will be able to monitor a runner's cardio activity when they are on the track, and find out whether they are putting too much stress on their heart."

(Source : www.cnn.com)

Web Watch 

http://home-appliances.tradeworlds.com

This site provides up-to-date information regarding home appliances one is planning to purchase. It gives information about new day to day home use appliances like Motors, pumps, Cleaner Appliances, Dryers, Freezers, Fridges, Gas Appliances, Ranges, Washers, Environment control technology etc. Perhaps anything under the sun which you are planning to buy for your home.

Also loads of advice on how to beatify & organize your home, ways of taking loan for financing your new kitchen. Latest news on home appliance technology is also available . Facility of price comparison of selected home articles is also available. Internet resources like directories are also available in case you are searching for one.
So if you have made up your mind to buy something special for your home this month and you need information about it then, visiting this site will surely be of benefit.

IT Humour 

COMPUTER REPAIR

When my printer's type began to grow faint, I called a local repair
shop here a friendly man informed me that the printer probably needed
only to be cleaned. Because the store charged Rs.500/- for such cleanings, he told me, I might be better off reading the printer's manual and trying the job myself.


Pleasantly surprised by his candor, I asked, "Does your boss know
that you discourage business?" "Actually it's my boss's idea," the 
employee replied sheepishly. "We usually make more money on repairs if we let people try to fix things themselves first."


IT Quiz 

  1. What is Energy Star ? 
  2. What is a Home-Server ?

IT Quiz Solutions

  1. Energy Star appliances use 10 to 15% less energy than conventional appliances by reducing the power intake whenever possible. This technology was initially used in computer monitors. Now-a-days many home appliances like refrigerator, air conditioners, washing machines also support energy star specifications.
  2. Specialised computing devices that control the functions of various other home appliances like security systems, microwave oven refrigerators, audio-video systems and communication systems.