Internet and Technology

The development of ‘brain-like’ computers has taken a major step forward today with the publication of research led by the University of Exeter.
Published in the journal Advanced Materials and funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the study involved the first ever demonstration of simultaneous information processing and storage using phase-change materials.

This new technique could revolutionise computing by making computers faster and more energy-efficient, as well as making them more closely resemble biological systems.

Computers currently deal with processing and memory separately, resulting in a speed and power ‘bottleneck’ caused by the need to continually move data around. This is totally unlike anything in biology, for example in human brains, where no real distinction is made between memory and computation. To perform these two functions simultaneously the University of Exeter research team used phase-change materials, a kind of semi-conductor that exhibits remarkable properties.

Their study demonstrates conclusively that phase-change materials can store and process information simultaneously. It also shows experimentally for the first time that they can perform general-purpose computing operations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. More strikingly perhaps it shows that phase-change materials can be used to make artificial neurons and synapses. This means that an artificial system made entirely from phase-change devices could potentially learn and process information in a similar way to our own brains.

Lead author Professor David Wright of the University of Exeter said: “Our findings have major implications for the development of entirely new forms of computing, including ‘brain-like’ computers. We have uncovered a technique for potentially developing new forms of ‘brain-like’ computer systems that could learn, adapt and change over time. This is something that researchers have been striving for over many years.”

This study focused on the performance of a single phase-change cell. The next stage in Exeter’s research will be to build systems of interconnected cells that can learn to perform simple tasks, such as identification of certain objects and patterns.

The University of Exeter is investing £ 230million in science and engineering through key issues, including functional materials.
The paper, published in Advanced Materials, can be accessed at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/ (ISSN) 1521-4095/earlyview
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is the UK’s leading agency for funding research in engineering and physical sciences. EPSRC invests around £ 800 million a year in research and postgraduate training, to help the nation handle the next generation of technological change.

The areas covered range from information technology to structural engineering, and mathematics to materials science. This research forms the basis for future economic development in the UK and improving everyone’s health, lifestyle and culture. EPSRC works alongside the Research Councils with responsibility for other areas of research. The Research Councils work collectively on issues of common concern via Research Councils UK.

Reliance communication has recently introduced the Hi-speed Wireless Broadband Service i.e. Reliance Netconnect Broadband Plus. This CDMA broadband service is the fastest Internet service of India as it claims. This broadband service gives a downlink speed of up to 3.1 Mbps and a separate uplink speed of up to 1.8 Mbps. It offers about 30 percent higher downlink rate as compared to any other wireless broadband service such as BSNL, Airtel etc. The Reliance Netconnect Broadband Plus is perfect for rich media or heavy applications for e.g. video streaming, video surveillance, rich media content and superior Internet browsing. Mr. Mahesh Prasad, the president of Reliance Communications said,” The launch of Netconnect Broadband Plus is an important milestone for Reliance and will act as a catalyst in the government’s effort to drive broadband penetration in India. Reliance Netconnect Broadband Plus will be the inflection point for the Indian Internet industry and would enable broadband access to millions of online Indians.” It is also launched in two Plug and Play USB device variants. This product is compatible with laptops and desktops. Reliance communications has also established a pan-India, next generation, convergent (voice, data and video) digital network. The convergent digital network is capable of supporting best-of-class services that spans the entire communications value chain which covers more than 20,000 towns and 4,50,000 villages in India. This company also operates the world’s largest next generation IP enabled connectivity infrastructure that comprises over 1, 75,000 kilometers of fibre optic cable systems in India, Europe, USA, Middle East and the Asia Pacific region. The Reliance Netconnect Broadband Plus is available in 35 cities. One can access hi-speed Internet with a superior quality network across 20,000 towns and 4.5 lacs villages in India. If a customer opts for an unlimited plan, he will have cap of 50 GB of data usage. This capping usage in an ultimate plan is a global practice. The tariff plans of this broadband service are very reasonable. So an individual can afford this service and can browse the Internet at the very hi-speed. Thus, it comes equipped with very salient features.

Thanks to the power of the Internet, Social networking, has created ways for people to link with others globally. They are a number of websites or Internet communities online today bringing the world closer together. It is likely that you have heard of or taken part in this craze that the Internet connects us to.
It is likely that you have heard of or taken part in this craze that the Internet connects us to but may not know what they mean or of what value they offer. If you were asked to define what social networking was, would you be able to give an accurate definition. Unfortunately, most individuals cannot, even though it is likely that they participate in some form of social networking, especially online.
Social networking is like a community or neighborhood that is connected by a website. It is a good way to meet people around the world, share different cultures and develop friendships or business relationships.
Social networking websites, are popping up frequently over the internet. There are many features to these programs and they are designed for both meeting people in business as well as making friends globally. It’s up to you to do your due diligence and find the site that offers you the most of what you are looking for. Many would believe a larger selection of social networks are good, the variety often makes it toilsome to find a valuable social networking website.
If it your intent in meeting new friends online, for business reasons you are advised against joining up for just any social networking site that you come across. They are not all created equal or may not fit your needs. Instead, take the time to research and review a number of different social networking sites. This is the best way to determine if the site you choose is a right fit for your needs.
When it comes to social networking online, websites are used. Social networking websites are, in a way, like an online community of internet users. Depending on the social networking website in question, many of these online community members share something in common The bond could be hobbies,interests religion, or politics. Once you are granted access to a social networking website you can begin to socialize. This socialization may include reading the profiles or profile pages of other members or even contacting them.
Some of these site also offer a business component to the mix and it would be your choice if you want to make a little or a lot of extra money on the side.
The friends that you can make are just one of the many benefits to social networking online. Another one of those benefits includes diversity. Unlike in most schools or workplaces, the internet gives individuals, from all around the world, access to social networking sties. This means that although you are in the United States, you could develop an online friendship with someone in Japan. Not only will you make a new friend, you but may also learn a thing or two about a new culture.

Technologies come and go. Some promise to be the next best thing and then somehow they fizzle and are promptly forgotten. Sometimes it’s a case of being released too soon in the game, and sometimes it was just a bad idea to begin with. Remember the laser disc—those huge LP sized discs that were once big in Asia? Those had a very short run and then they disappeared from the planet. Many people, those in the tech industry are keen to toot their own horns when it comes to new developments, but the question is, can we really believe them? It seems sometimes that their claims are simply too grand. However, when it comes to a new technology called WiMax, you can rest assured that it is truly the next big thing to enter the mobile internet space.

Of course, it’s very easy to be doubtful. Companies often make claims that aren’t on par with reality. It’s doubly true when it comes to technology. Ordinary lay people who aren’t keen on things like technical specs have to be careful when someone promises them the world, or something akin to it in digital form. WiMax, however, will certainly be a game changer.

The next question, then, is of course, just what is WiMax and what does it have to offer? It’s a new technology that takes mobile internet to the edge. It’s a miles ahead of wi-fi. Whereas now people thing in a meters or feet, with this new mobile internet people will be thinking in terms of kilometers and miles because that’s how far it reaches. WiMax is not wi-fi—you’re not limited to ten steps from your internet hotspot or café.

Data rates are also significantly better than the norm today. Peak data speeds will be up to 20 megabits per second; average user rates will probably fall between 2mbps and 8mbps. Current data rates stop at about 3mbps. Today, a handful of Asian countries are already using this new mobile internet standard.

America is gearing up for the transition. The benefits will be plentiful. Besides beating other wireless technologies as far as distance goes (it will have a reach of at least 30 miles) WiMax can provide users with two forms of wireless service: non line of sight and line of sight. The former operates at 2 to 11 GHz which can bend around obstacles more easily; this works using a small antenna attached to your computer. The latter, line of sight can operate at a frequency as high as 66 GHz; the signal is the stronger and more stable, which means you get better bandwidth and faster upload and download speeds. This utilizes a fixed antenna.

Thus WiMax is like wi-fi on steroids. Mobile wireless users will be able to accomplish more in a quicker time period. Issues like dropped calls, spotty signals, roaming problems, slow transfer speeds, clogged networks and the like will be things of the past. Communication will be easier and more fruitful.