The HondaJet History

HondaJet was borne of the power of dreams, power that drove innovations in aircraft design from thought to drawing board to flight in just seven years. True innovation in aviation takes a deeper passion, a greater vision, and an enduring determination to set a higher standard in flight.

HondaJet began as an intellectual contemplation and developed into a series of questions: How could a light jet become more efficient, more elegant, more advanced?

Experimentation, exploration, and research ensued – and the HondaJet vision was realized through design innovations that create an integrated, advanced whole.

The realization of a dream is equal parts romance and pragmatism. For every hour spent sketching an elegant wing, equal time is logged building it.

And so HondaJet is remarkable not only in its ideation, but in its execution.

1997: A thought became a sketch.

1998: A sketch became a wind tunnel model.

1999: A wind tunnel model became a prototype.

2000: HondaJet’s progress was such that a new research facility was established exclusively for its development.

2003: HondaJet undertook its inaugural flight.

2005: it debuted before a global audience at EAA AirVenture.

2006: the jet became available for purchase.

2007: Honda Aircraft Company broke ground on its world headquarters, research and development facility, and aircraft plant in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Today HondaJet is aloft, an airborne testament to the power of dreams.

HONDAJET PERFORMANCE

Maximum Cruise Speed @ FL300 >> 420KTAS

Service Ceiling >> FL 430

Rate of Climb  >>  3990 ft/min

IFR Range  >>  1180 nm

Take-off Distance  >>  3120 ft

Landing Distance  >>  2500 ft

HONDAJET ENGINES

Manufacturer / Model  >>  GE HONDA / HF120

Output  >>  1880 lb/each

Bypass Ratio  >>  2.9

HONDAJET - E x t e r n a l D i m e n s i o n s

Height  >>  13.21 ft [4.03 m]

Length  >>  41.70 ft [12.71 m]

Span  >>  39.87 ft [12.15 m]

HONDAJET - PAYLOAD

Passengers  >>  2 crew + 5 passengers

Baggage  >>  66 cubic feet

HondaJet Exterior

HondaJet Exterior 2

HondaJet Exterior 3

HondaJet Interior 1

HondaJet Interior 2

HondaJet Interior 3

Artificial black holes made with metamaterials

Design for manmade light trapping device could help harvest light for solar cells

Washington, D.C. (November 16, 2010) -- While our direct knowledge of black holes in the universe is limited to what we can observe from thousands or millions of light years away, a team of Chinese physicists has proposed a simple way to design an artificial electromagnetic (EM) black hole in the laboratory.


In the Journal of Applied Physics, Huanyang Chen at Soochow University and colleagues have presented a design of an artificial EM black hole designed using five types of composite isotropic materials, layered so that their transverse magnetic modes capture EM waves to which the object is subjected. The artificial EM black hole does not let EM waves escape, analogous to a black hole trapping light. In this case, the trapped EM waves are in the microwave region of the spectrum.


The so-called metamaterials used in the experiment are artificially engineered materials designed to have unusual properties not seen in nature. Metamaterials have also been used in studies of invisibility cloaking and negative-refraction superlenses. The group suggests the same method might be adaptable to higher frequencies, even those of visible light.
"Development of artificial black holes would enable us to measure how incident light is absorbed when passing through them," says Chen. "They can also be applied to harvesting light in a solar-cell system."

Potential of sperm damage for men using laptops on their laps.

US fertility experts (Thursday 9 December) warned teenage boys and young men to consider limiting the time that they use laptop computers positioned on their laps, as long-term use may affect their fertility.


The increasing popularity of laptop computers (LC), coupled with existing evidence that elevated scrotal temperature can result in sperm damage, prompted researchers from the State University of New York at Stony Brook to undertake the first study into the effect of heat from LC on scrotal temperature.


The findings are reported in Europe's leading reproductive medicine journal Human Reproduction[1]. They show that using an LC on the lap increased the left scrotal temperature by a median 2.6°C and the right by a median 2.8°C. Several previous studies have shown that increases in testicular or scrotal temperatures of between 1°C and 2.9°C are associated with a sustained and considerable negative effect on spermatogenesis and fertility.


Lead researcher Dr Yefim Sheynkin, Associate Professor of Urology and Director, Male Infertility and Microsurgery at the University, said: "By 2005, there will be 60 million laptop computers in use in the USA and a predicted 150 million worldwide. Continued improvements in power, size and price of LC have favoured their increased use in younger people and laptop sales now exceed those of desktop computers."


With the exception of an anecdotal report of genital burns, the effect of portable computers on scrotal temperature when they are used on the lap was not known, he said.


"Laptops can reach internal operating temperatures of over 70°C. They are frequently positioned close to the scrotum, and as well as being capable of producing direct local heat, they require the user to sit with his thighs close together to balance the machine, which traps the scrotum between the thighs."


The researchers worked with 29 healthy volunteers aged 21 to 35, measuring scrotal temperatures with and without laptops. Two one-hour sessions of scrotal temperature measurements were performed on different days in the same room with a median room temperature of 22.28°C. The men were dressed in the same casual clothing for each session and sessions with and without LC were conducted at the same time of the day. Body temperature was taken by mouth beforehand and each volunteer spent 15 minutes standing in the room to adjust to room temperature before being seated. A non-working LC was placed on the lap so that the volunteer could adopt the right position to balance the laptop, then removed, and the seating position held for one hour, with scrotal temperature being measured every three minutes. The same procedure was repeated for one hour, with the same baselines controls, but this time with a working laptop. The temperature of the bottom surface of the LC was also measured at intervals.


"We found that scrotal temperatures rose by 2.1°C when the men sat with their thighs together, which is necessary to keep LC on the lap. But, the rise was significantly higher when the LC were used – 2.8°C on the right side and 2.6°C on the left," said Dr Sheynkin. " It shows that scrotal hyperthermia is produced by both special body posture and local heating effect of LC."


The median surface temperature of Pentium 4 computers used increased from nearly 31°C at the start of the experiment to nearly 40°C after one hour.


Dr Sheynkin said: "The body needs to maintain a proper testicular temperature for normal sperm production and development (spermatogenesis). Portable computers in a laptop position produce scrotal hyperthermia by both the direct heating effect of the computer and the sitting position necessary to balance the computer. The magnitude of scrotal hyperthermia associated with abnormal spermatogenesis is unclear. But, previous studies suggest that 1°C above the baseline is the possible minimal thermal gradient capable of inhibiting spermatogenesis and sperm concentration may be decreased by 40% per 1°C increment of median daytime scrotal temperature.


"We don't know the exact frequency and time of heat exposure capable of producing reversible or irreversible changes in spermatogenesis. Studies have shown significant but reversible changes after short-term heating. However, LC produce significant repetitive transient scrotal hyperthermia for years, and insufficient recovery time between heat exposures may cause irreversible or partially reversible changes in male reproductive function."


Dr Sheynkin said his team now planned further studies to evaluate the heating effect of LC on testicular function and sperm parameters. For now, he did not know an exact time for safe use. However, their study showed that within the first 15 minutes of use scrotal temperatures increased by 1°C, so it did not take long to reach a point that may affect testicular function. Also, frequent use may cause intermittent temperature rises, which could significantly increase a single heating effect.


"Until further studies provide more information on this type of thermal exposure", he said, "teenage boys and young men may consider limiting their use of LC on their laps, as long-term use may have a detrimental effect on their reproductive health."


Dr Sheynkin added that two LC brands were tested randomly to avoid criticism that brands may differ. "All laptop computers generate significant heat due to the increasing power requirements of computer chips. New laptops with higher power requirements may produce even more heat. So far, computer fans and 'heat sinks' are not sufficient. It's possible that external protective devices could somewhat help, but it is essential to confirm their protective effect in a clinical study to prevent commercial advertising and use of inefficient and useless products." (ends)

A Japan Air Lines JAL Boeing 747 Cross Wind Landing

A Japan Air Lines JAL Boeing 747 amazing cross wind landing at Kai Tak Airport. Filmed from the checkerboard used for the approach into Kai Tak. The plane overshoots and then lines it up just to get caught in the wind again.

Chuck's promotional video

Interesting Chuck's promotional video !

Sony NEX-VG10, The First Consumer HD Camcorder with Interchangeable Lenses

Sony's NEX-VG10 is the first consumer HD Camcorder withinterchangeable lenses in the world. It is compatible with Sony's high grade E-mount series of smaller, lighter lenses and also with wide variety of A-mount lenses (via mount adapter).

In addition, it is the first Handycamcamcorder with extra-large Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor. It's Exmor sensor is roughly 19.5 times bigger than standard sensor used in conventional camcorders that enables better depth of field. This allows users to capture cinematic videos with beautiful background defocus effect.

It comes with E-mount 18-200mm lens that has powerful 11x optical zoom, silent auto-focus system and image stabilization with Active Mode (Optical Steadyshot) for higher versatility.

NEX-VG10 can take high resolution video ( 1920x1080 Full HD at 30p ) captured in AVCHD 60i format up to 24Mbps for brilliant clarity and detail.

The sound quality of NEX-VG10 is also crystal clear. By using four individual microphone and advanced processing algorithms to combine the signals, better sound from the subject is recorded and less background noise.

The NEX-VG10 allow users to record video up to 3 hours and 55 minutes of HD video using 32GB memory card. Users can store data using Memory Stick ( PRO Duo & PRO-HG Duo) and SD ( SDHC and SDXC formats) media.

For amazing photos, NEX-VG10 offers features such as Auto HDR, Handheld Twilight, Anti Motion Blur and can take up to seven frames per second that enables users to capture 14 mega pixel DSLR quality photos.

The NEX-VG10 is a compact and handy camcorder with the flexibility of removable lens. NEX-VG10 retail price is about $1,999.99 USD.

NEX-VG10 Handycam - Hand Held

NEX-VG10 Handycam - Hand Held  2

NEX-VG10 Handycam

NEX-VG10 Handycam

NEX-VG10 Handycam - Rear View

NEX-VG10 Handycam - Side View

NEX-VG10 Handycam - Terminal

Optical Chip Fast Tracks Quantum Computer Development

A graphic representation of
the two-photon quantum walk.

An international research groups led by scientists from the University of Bristol have come up with a new silicon chip and technique that could soon be used to perform complex calculation by using quantum particles in the future.

The team believes that with their chip and technique, a quantum computerwill become a reality in less than 10 years.

Quantum computers could perform more complex calculation compared to traditional computer because in quantum computing a qubit could hold up to several states, whereas normal transistors can have only two states (1 & 0). By holding more information, in future a quantum computer could be used to perform more complex calculation and simulation.

The team have developed a new technique to conduct an experiment know asQuantum Walk with two identical photons. Quantum Walk experiment with one photon has been conducted successfully previously.

However, adding another photon to the experiment is not an easy task because you need to have to identical photons and they interfere or interact between each other.

According to Prof O'Brien “Each time we add a photon, the complexity of the problem we are able to solve increases exponentially, so if a one-photon quantum walk has 10 outcomes, a two-photon system can give 100 outcomes and a three-photon system 1000 solutions and so on”

The research group now plans to develop new simulation tools, conduct Quantum Walk experiment with more photons and have bigger and larger circuits.

In the future, a quantum computer could be used to study superconductivity and photosynthesis. Plus, it will accelerate the development pace of ultra fast search engines, new high tech materials and new pharmaceuticals.

Source : The Center for Quantum Photonics

E-FUEL's MICROFUSION REACTOR, MICROFUELER & GRIDBUSTER – EARTH 1ST HOME ETHANOL SYSTEM

E-Fuel just launched their new E-Fuel Microfusion Reactor, that allows you turn your organic waste into ethanol fuel.

In US alone there is almost 1 billion tons of organic waste that could be converted to 100 billion gallons of ethanol fuel. One way to save the environment and reduce fossil fuel dependents.

The reactor can reduce the costs and the complexity involved in traditional ethanol fermentation processes.

According to E-Fuel's co-founder, Tom Quinn “The MicroFusion Reactor is a major breakthrough in the world's quest to rid itself from fossil fuels. What used to take the commercial industry days to accomplish can now be safely done in minutes by typical consumers”

By using E-Fuel Microfusion Reactor, ethanol production cost can be reduced as low as $0.56 per gallon.

The Microfusion Reactor can process the cellulosic waste within 2 minutes into sugar water, the main ingredient for ethanol fuel. The sugar water is then distilled into ethanol fuel by Microfueler, another innovative product from E-Fuel's.

Microfueler has two mode of operation:1. fermentation process, 2. distillation of ethanol fuel.

For fermentation process, load weight sensor controls the right amount of water flow into the tank for proper fermentation. High tech ceramic and heater devices are used to expedite the fermentation process by having the optimum temperature.

Once the fermentation process is completed, the liquid ethanol water mixture goes through distillation process for ethanol water separation.

E-Fuel has developed an innovative low temperature vaporization process to separate the the mixture. With no high temperature and open flame combustion used in the method, Microfueler can be operated safely and has lower power consumption.

Once water and ethanol has been separated, Microfueler cools the liquid before storing the liquids in their storage containers.

The purified ethanol now can be pumped into vehicles using the mini pump station or send the liquid to E-Fuel GridBuster generator. It's a smart generator that calculates electricity requirements and adjust it's operation automatically to meet the electricity demand. Plus, it helps you to lower your electricity bills.

You could get the MicroFueler 200 Series in the US for $9,995 plus either $2,995 for the Organic Fuel Tank with fermentation support or $1,995 without.

In addition, businesses may qualify for a federal tax credit of up to 50%. Also, many states and local governments offer additional credits and incentives. Please check with your local tax authorities.

For further details on purchasing E-Fuel products please visit the BUY NOW page on E-Fuel’s website or contact E-Fuel at sales@efuel100.com for a dealer in your area.

MICROFUELER

MICROFUELER 

The EFuel GridBuster

The Organic Fuel Tank

New Airplane Seat Design “SkyRider”, Helps Low Cost Airlines To Fly More People

Aviointeriors S.P.A showcased their latest airplane seat called theSkyRider at “Aircraft Interiors Expo Americas 2010” held on 14 to 16 September 2010 in Long Beach, California.

The SkyRider has been designed and engineered to allow more people in planes by reducing the distance between seats to only 23 inch or less, from the normal average of 28 inch.

Even with less leg room, the new seat is still comfortable for low fare passengers.

It's defines as a new basic class. The passenger’s seating position is similar to that of a touring motor-scooter rider.

This will help budget airlines to fly more people at the same time reduce the flight tickets. With a dual or three class seating arrangement, budget airlines could fly up to the maximum certified passenger capacity of the aircraft.

The seat structure itself also provides space for personal baggage.

New Airplane Seat Design “SkyRider”

New Airplane Seat Design “SkyRider”

Amazing Japanese Precision at Walking Competition

Just watch this video and be amazed. Totally amazing when the two groups cross over each other diagonal without anyone hit each other. Don't know how many times they did this to get it right. Plus, they could do it in reverse mode. Watch the video below.

Boeing Begins Testing on 787 Dreamliner Fatigue Airframe

Boeing has begun fatigue testing on the structural airframe of the 787 Dreamliner at the Everett, Wash on Sept 13, 2010

Fatigue testing involves placing the 787 test airframe into a test rig that simulates multiple lifecycles to test how the airplane responds over time.

According to Jim Ogonowski, structures vice president, Boeing Commercial Airplanes "Unlike static tests, where loads are applied to the airplane structure to simulate both normal operation and extreme flight conditions, fatigue testing is a much longer process that simulates up to three times the number of flight cycles an airplane is likely to experience during a lifetime of service".

While the structural test program already has validated the strength of the airframe, fatigue testing looks at long-term, continued use. The testing will be done for three years 24/7. 

This is the natural progression of testing on a new aircraft and part of the process to achieve U.S. Federal Aviation Administration certification.

Minox Digital Spy Camera 5.0 Megapixel, 128 MB Flash Memory and SD Card Up to 16GB, 1.5 inch TFT LCD Display

The Minox Digital Spy Camera is an interesting spy cam which you might consider to purchase if you're a spy.


With less than 10 cm you could easily hide it in your pocket and take nice photos.This tiny camera has good resolution of five million pixels.


Plus, the DSC comes with bright viewfinder to allow fast spontaneous shots, even in dim light.In dim light environment, the internal flash switches on automatically.


The Minox Digital Spy Camera can also be integrated with external flash that has 1.5 inch TFT LCD monitor. The LCD monitor provides convenience to view film and images taken with the spy camera.


You could transfer your shots to your PC via USB and expand your storage up to 16 GB with SD card. It's available at Amazon.com with price tag of $ 149.95 USD

Minox Digital Spy Camera 5.0 Megapixel

Minox Digital Spy Camera 5.0 Megapixel - With External Flash

Minox Digital Spy Camera 5.0 Megapixel - Hand Held

PROTON EMAS COUNTRY

Part of Proton's concept car series called Proton Emas that was just unveiled at Geneva's 80th International Motor Show, the Proton Emas Country portraysEMAS as an urban SUV.  It's overall length is 3550 mm, hatchback with three doors.

Passengers could easily get in the car with large doors measuring longer than 1350 mm and the rear seats are fitted 120 mm further forward than the five door hatchback model.

Compared to Proton Emas that has only have 4 seats, Proton Emas Country comes with 5 seats. This is accomplished by replacing the 2 independent rear seats with a sliding three seater that could be well-adjusted for passengers comfort at the back.

The sliding rear seat can be folded to increase the baggage area volume from 390 liters to roughly about 780 litres.

To create noticeable off road look, radial ribbing are used to toughened the wheel arches, perimeter base, sidesill and bumper. Plus, the low the lower part of the tailgate are highlighted by a bronze metallic finish. 

The PROTON shield is placed at the top of a grille surmounting a large longitudinal air intake. The two fog lights are round and embedded into the body. Metal inserts are used to toughened the lower part of the front bumper, rear bumper and the side-sills.

The car also has the following features.

• High tech multifunction display
• Good aerodynamic for better fuel efficiency
• Excellent visibility with panoramic glass
• By having compact design, it's easier to park at tight spot.

Proton Country is powered by a serial hybrid plug in drive system that was designed by Lotus Engineering. It can run on petrol, ethanol, methanol or natural gas.

It includes a 3 cylinder 1.2 litre internal combustion engine developing 38 kW at 3500 rpm.

The front transverse internal combustion engine is connected to a generator and serves only to recharge the 11.5 kWh capacity lithium ion batteries.

Drive is assured by an electric motor with continuous power of 45 kW and 75 kW peak power. It can achieve the maximum torque of 240 Nm.

Proton Emas Country can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h within 14 seconds and has top speed of  170 km/h.

In hybrid configuration, the battery range is about 50 km. By using a 240-volt outlet it takes 3 hours to fully recharge the battery.

PROTON EMAS COUNTRY