Author Archives: Mateusz Waglowski

9 February 2023
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AI

The Design and Engineering Behind Atlas: What Makes it So Special

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Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have been around for decades, but these industries have recently experienced a surge of growth in recent years. One of the most impressive robots created is called Atlas from Boston Dynamics.

Atlas is a humanoid robot that was developed by Boston Dynamics in 2016. It stands at 180 cm, weighs 80 kg, and is powered by hydraulics and electric motors. The primary objective of Atlas is the creation of a robot that can navigate challenging terrain while carrying out tasks such as lifting objects or navigating obstacles. Atlas’s incredible agility and motion smoothness set it apart from other robots, which allows it to jump over logs, balance on one leg, walk up stairs and even do backflips.

Atlas has certainly earned its place as a leader among robots. Thanks to recent advances in programming, it can now use human-like hands with sensors to manipulate objects more precisely and dexterously than before. Boston Dynamics robot can now adapt to different object shapes and sizes, allowing it to securely grip and hold them while performing various tasks with great precision. This improved capability has greatly expanded the range of duties Atlas can undertake, making it an even more powerful tool for diverse applications.

Demonstration of Atlas manual abilities

In addition to its physical capabilities, Atlas also boasts advanced AI algorithms that enable it to learn from its environment and make decisions based on the data it collects. This makes it possible for the robot to carry out complex tasks without direct human supervision. For example, researchers have used Atlas to complete challenging obstacle courses with minimal human assistance.

The rise of humanoid robots like Atlas has brought with it incredible potential for the future. Not only can such developments improve the overall capabilities of robots, but they can also help us better understand how to create machines that work safely next to humans and provide efficient solutions to many problems. From responding to natural disasters and using robots in construction sites to providing assistance during complex surgical procedures, the development of humanoid robots could have far-reaching implications on our daily lives and our ability to solve long-standing challenges.

Atlas from Boston Dynamics stands as a remarkable example of human innovation, representing a huge leap forward by combining cutting-edge technology and advanced artificial intelligence algorithms. Its ability to move freely through complex environments and interact with objects as well as perform tasks shows it is an impressive feat of both engineering and programming. In our ever-changing world, Atlas has the potential to revolutionize many industries and drastically alter how we live and work in years to come due to its capabilities. It truly opens up vast possibilities for the future, broadening our ideas of what can be achieved.

9 February 2023
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Harnessing the Power of Wind: The “Wind to Hydrogen” Project

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One of the most difficult tasks for the energy industry is the efficiency of energy transmission over long distances. Engineers and researchers are working on solutions to this problem like high-voltage direct current transmission and superconducting power cables. However, these solutions can be expensive, require significant infrastructure investments or would take long periods of time to set up. The solutions for this problem can be not only green but also relatively quick in implementation.

The Wind-To-Hydrogen project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and store energy for later usage regardless of distance. It is a crucial program that if perfected and spread will have more upsides than traditional energy structures based on centralized plants.

The integration of elements in the Wind-to-Hydrogen system enables the transportation of large quantities of clean energy over long distances, which can help to improve energy stability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The efficient production and transportation of hydrogen fuel, generated from wind power, can support the growth of the hydrogen economy and contribute to the transition towards a low-carbon energy system. The combination of these elements creates a synergistic effect, where the whole system is greater than the sum of its parts, making it a promising solution for the future of energy production and distribution.

How does it work?

  1. It all starts on wind farms located near water sources. There the green energy of wind is harvested.
  2. Later the energy is used in the electrolysis process during which water from the sea is conducted through large electrified stacks. During this process atoms of oxygen and hydrogen are extracted. After that oxygen gas is released back into the atmosphere and hydrogen is collected, compressed and stored in the tanks for later use.
  3. In this form, it can travel in special tanks to storage for late use, hydrogen fueling stations or it can be converted back into electricity during peak-demand hours and/or emergencies.

One of the most significant benefits of this project is that it provides an alternative form of renewable energy that does not rely on fossil fuels or other polluting forms of energy production. This means fewer emissions are released into our atmosphere and less damage is done to our planet as a result. Additionally, since wind-powered hydrogen fuel produces no harmful emissions whatsoever, it eliminates one of the major sources of air pollution in many cities around the world. As a result, cities with high levels of air contamination could potentially benefit from using hydrogen fuel powered by wind turbines rather than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.

Finally, since wind-powered hydrogen fuel can be produced without any additional resources such as natural gas or oil, it will be much cheaper in the long run when compared to traditional fuels that require these resources for production.

We may still be some time away from seeing the widespread adoption of wind-powered hydrogen fuel in everyday life, but projects like this demonstrate just how close we are getting to making renewable energy a reality. By harnessing the power of wind turbines through initiatives like the “Wind To Hydrogen” project, we can move towards creating a greener future where emissions are minimized and our planet is better protected from environmental destruction caused by traditional forms of energy. With continued research and development in this field, there’s no telling what kind of advances we could see in the years ahead.

Sources:

https://www.nrel.gov/hydrogen/wind-to-hydrogen.html

https://ramboll.com/net-zero-explorers/articles/offshore-hydrogen-at-scale?utm_term=wind%20to%20hydrogen%20project&utm_campaign=KP+%7C+Science+Based+Targets+-+Leads+-+EN&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=2148707682&hsa_cam=16682902066&hsa_grp=134931718796&hsa_ad=601041822472&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=kwd-1671658286550&hsa_kw=wind%20to%20hydrogen%20project&hsa_mt=p&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuIHegreG_QIV_keRBR1UZwHFEAAYAiACEgKd0PD_BwE

27 January 2023
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What does the recent breakthrough in fusion energy really mean?

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Nuclear energy is a form of energy that is released from the nucleus of atoms. It is produced through two main processes: fission and fusion. In fission, the nuclei of atoms are split into smaller parts, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. This is the process used in nuclear power plants to generate electricity. In fusion, the nuclei of atoms are fused together, releasing a large amount of energy.

On 05.12.2022 researchers at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California achieved a significant milestone in the field of nuclear fusion research by demonstrating “fusion ignition” for the first time. Fusion ignition is when a fusion reaction produces more energy than is being put into the reaction from an outside source and becomes self-sustaining.

The previous record of energy gain was around 0.7, which means that for every 1 unit of energy put into the reaction, only 0.7 units of energy were released. It is a major breakthrough in decades in the field of nuclear fusion research. The NIF’s method of using laser-induced implosion to compress and heat hydrogen isotopes to the point where they fuse releases a large amount of energy in the process.

While the achievement of fusion ignition at the National Ignition Facility is an important proof of concept, the technology is still in the experimental phase and there is still a lot of research and development that needs to be done before it can be considered a practical and safe energy source available for commercial use.

One of the main challenges is to develop a way to contain the extremely hot plasma created during the fusion process to harness the energy produced. Currently, the NIF uses powerful lasers to compress and heat hydrogen isotopes to the point where they fuse, but this method is not yet efficient enough to produce and store energy due to many additional losses in energy during the process of creating and stabilising the environment where the reaction takes place.

There is also a problem with obtaining the elements needed to conduct this reaction. While some of the hydrogen isotopes can be found in nature without problems like Deuterium – which can be gathered from water, Tritium is much more difficult to get, mainly because it rarely appears in nature and usually is actually obtained as a byproduct of nuclear reactors operation.

The achievement of fusion ignition at the National Ignition Facility is an important step forward in nuclear fusion research. However, it is still a long way from being widely used as a practical energy source. Nuclear fusion is considered a promising source of energy because it has the potential to be clean, safe, and virtually limitless. However, the technology still faces many challenges, including developing a way to contain the byproducts of the fusion process, as well as finding a cost-effective way to achieve and maintain the high temperatures and pressures required for the fusion process.

Resources:

https://www.llnl.gov/news/national-ignition-facility-achieves-fusion-ignition

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/dec/12/breakthrough-in-nuclear-fusion-could-mean-near-limitless-energy

https://theconversation.com/why-fusion-ignition-is-being-hailed-as-a-major-breakthrough-in-fusion-a-nuclear-physicist-explains-196475

https://www.space.com/nuclear-fusion-breaktrough

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7 January 2023
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Reality mixed with the digital environment

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Currently, there are 3 types of virtual environments available on the market. From the least interfering to the most, augmented reality(shortened AR), mixed reality and virtual reality. Each type offers different levels of immersion, opportunities, technological barriers, and ethical concerns.

What is augmented reality?

AR is an extended reality that, instead of generating virtual world ads, visual aspects of reality that are often perceived through mobile devices like smartphones.

Perspectives for the use in real life:

  • Healthcare

Augmented reality with its overlay can be used in many different ways that aid doctors and surgeons with their work. It can take the form of a supporting device displaying real-time information about the status of patients but also help during training new doctors with hyperrealistic overlays.

  • Entertainment

Being able to watch multiple films on one monitor, seeing a friend standing in your room despite being hundreds of kilometres apart, observing a computer-altered landscape. All of these scenarios and more can be normal in not o distant future.

  • everyday life

This technology has the potential to change how we act and shop. For example, virtual shopping may become the most convenient and fastest method of obtaining new clothes. Instead of driving to try new clothes, you will see how they fit in an app. Mabey we will be able to have all benefits of having computer-aided overlays without body-altering surgeries.

One type of augmented reality device particularly has the potential to replace or change how we use conventional smartphones – AR glasses. This piece of tech if calibrated correctly may hold the same functions, while allowing users a full extended reality experience.

Out of all types of extended reality, I believe the highest potential to influence our future is AR. Right now it already is easier and cheaper than full VR, has fewer drawbacks and can be used almost anywhere. If we add the possibility that AR glasses become attainable, AR will be the most of both worlds – virtual and real.

Sources:

https://sifted.eu/articles/future-augmented-reality-data-brnd/#:~:text=The%20augmented%20reality%20(AR)%20market,with%20the%20world%20and%20tech.

https://sensoriumxr.com/articles/what-is-extended-reality

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21 November 2022
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Characteristics of Stereolithography – underrated 3D printing technique.

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Known also as resin printing or SLA is at the moment one of two leading methods of 3D printing. However, often is overlooked by classical (FDM) printing due to the greater development potential.

How does it work?

The most visible and obvious element is the liquid container usually filled with polymers from which products are made. That said main part is located at the base of the printer – lasers. By focusing a few different laser beams with galvanometers at the polymer it is possible to selectively change resin from liquid to solid state and by repetitively lowering the platform (commonly located at the upper part of the machine) structures can be built from upside down.

Qualities

Building models from many consecutive layers (less than 1 millimetre thick) offers high quality and is comparable to FDM’s faster time of building. There is also a wide range of materials for different types of professions to work with. There are polymers developed specifically for dentists, engineers, designers and even jewellers each with distinct properties suited for the needed job.

Future development

Thinking about the future of 3D printing we usually see houses made in days or fashionable clothes created from flexible materials printed in our homes. However, what if we add to this vision high-resolution tools made in minutes, models not shown on slides but in the real world? Perhaps it will be used for printing food whenever we want without any wasted products? Right now some printers can use gelatin or other biomaterial resins to print complex structures.

Well-explained video of the production process

References:

https://www.hubs.com/knowledge-base/what-is-sla-3d-printing/

https://formlabs.com/eu/blog/ultimate-guide-to-stereolithography-sla-3d-printing/#Why%20Choose%20SLA%203D%20Printing%3F

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