College of southern California experts show us a more efficient use of graphene solar panels

Could you imagine people powering their cellular phone or music/video device while jogging on a sunny day?

A University of Southern California team has produced flexible transparent carbon atom films that may have great potential for a brand new variety of solar cells.

In a paper recently published by the journal ACS Nano, researchers stated that organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells have been proposed as a technique to achieve cheap energy due to their ease of manufacture, light weight, and compatibility with flexible substrates.

The new work indicates that graphene, an extremely conductive and highly transparent kind of carbon composed of atoms-thick sheets of carbon atoms, has high possibility to fill this role.

While graphene’s existence has been known for decades, it has only been studied extensively since 2004 because of the impossibility of manufacturing it in high quality and quantity.

The University of southern California team has produced graphene/polymer sheets ranging in sizes approximately 150 square centimeters that in turn can be used to create dense arrays of flexible organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells.

These organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices convert solar radiation to electricity, but not as efficiently as silicon cells.

The power provided by sunlight on a sunny day is approximately 1,000 watts per meter square, for every 1,000 watts of sunlight that hits a square meter part of the standard silicon solar cell, 14 watts of electricity will be generated, Organic solar cells are less efficient; their conversion rate for that same 1,000 watts of sunlight in the graphene-based solar cell would be only 1.3 watts.

But what graphene organic photovoltaic (OPV) lack in efficiency, can potentially be compensated by its lower price and, greater physical flexibility.

Researchers think it can eventually be possible to cover with inexpensive solar cell layers extensive areas like newspapers, magazines or power generating clothing.

In the meanwhile Prof. Ruoff and his colleagues of the mechanical engineering department at the University of Texas at Austin, are studying the basic science in the development of graphene-based ultracapacitors for usage in electronics and other fields.

Prof. Ruoff says batteries are relatively slow, they can store energy but take a while to charge up, and then they distribute energy slowly, over time.

Ultracapacitors can be charged very quickly, in seconds, and discharge quickly, but, today, they can’t store very much electrical energy.

The development of stable and cheaper ultracapacitors could be a key step in using wind or solar-generated power, especially if researchers will find ways to enable capacitors to store energy longer, that is not yet possible.

Even with their current storage capacity, the graphene devices could provide quick energy when needed in certain situations on the environmentally friendly way.

They can be used, as an example, to absorb the heat generated in braking an automobile or train, and store it for a short time, and then use it for the electrical needs of the vehicle (i.e. starting the vehicle or acceleration)

About the Author – Sophia H. Walker writes for the solar powered battery charger blog, her personal hobby blog related to tips to help people save electricity using solar energy for small gadgets.

Both Nokia X6 and X3 have been updated from firmware v20.0.005 to v21.0.004. The S60-powered X6 gets many native apps updated, while the X3 is going with the modest improvement over battery charging notification and ring/alert tones.

The complete changelog for Nokia X6 includes:

• Browser update to 7.2
• Ovi Music
• Ovi Sync 2.0
• Ovi Store 1.5.6
• Ovi Contacts 1.50.8
• Shazam with 30-day trial
• Improved kinetic scrolling in Appshell
• Rihanna service launcher
• Gimlet Touch 2.2
• Flash Video Phase-3 – Flash Lite 3.1.7.x
• Enabled Side Lock Key functionality through Swipe UI
• Windows 7 Device Stage Support
• Updated Video Telephony
• Mail for Exchange v2.9.210
• Stability and speed improvements

As you can see from the list there is nothing groundbreaking here, just the usual application updates within the default application package.

According to Nokia Web Developer’s Library, Symbian Browser 7.2 is multi-touch enabled and is capable of pinch zooming. Still users’ reports contradict to this information and there is no browser pinch zooming coming with the new update despite the capacitive touchscreen.

Nokia X3 update, as we mentioned above, comes with only two updates – the improved battery charging notification and enhanced ring/alert tones.

Firmware v21.0.004 is available now via Ovi services, Nokia Software Update and OTA. Be aware that the new firmware might not be available for all regions just yet.

Source

Much like the just announced BlackBerry Protect, Windows Phone 7 will get you the full suite of services you’ll need in case your phone gets stolen or lost. You get remote wipe so you can protect your valuable private information, plus you can locate your device wirelessly and hopefully get it back. A remotely activated ringer is also available to help you find the phone if you have misplaced it. Maybe Windows Phone 7 isn’t quite as useful when you lose your phone as the recently announced BlackBerry Protect, but it still does a pretty great job at it.

Besides it will offer another valuable feature that should give it an edge against its competitors. Windows Phone 7 will support offer synchronization between all your Microsoft devices (those being your Windows PC, your Xbox and, of course, your smartphone). You can transfer everything from contacts to OneNote entries and images, allowing you to continue where you left off each time you alternate those gadgets. Cool right?

Microsoft are joining the high-end smartphone market with competition at its highest, but they sure as hell won’t give up without a fight.

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With BlackBerry protect you can remotely wipe and lock your lost Berry, but it doesn’t end there. You can also wirelessly backup your data and later restore it to another handset in case the first one is never recovered. Contacts, Calendar; Memos and Tasks; Browser Bookmarks and Text Messages can all be protected this way.

Locating your device is the next option that BlackBerry Protect gives you. Even if your device doesn’t have a built-in GPS receiver, it can use the cell tower ID to report its whereabouts.

Next, thanks to BlackBerry Protect, you will be able to send contact info to the homescreen of a previously locked BlackBerry so it can be easily returned if found.

Finally, BlackBerry Protect adds a feature that would help you locate your phone within your own home if you happen to have misplaced it. Activating a loud ringer for one minute it would help your search greatly. Of course you could argue that calling your mobile from your home phone is just as effective but if you have it on silent, BlackBerry Protect is your only option.

BlackBerry Protect is still in the early stages of its development, but it will be available in a limited beta release later this week, before it eventually reaches the open public later this year. If you want to be among the first to have it, you should sign up for a BlackkBerry Beta Zone account and hope that you will be one of lucky members to receive an early invitation.

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Earlier on Friday, Apple issued a statement blaming iPhone reception issues on a software miscalculation rather than on hardware design. Since the iPhone 4 launched last week, thousands of consumers have complained that when gripping the phone around the lower left-hand corner of the device, the signal degrades or calls are dropped.

Apple acknowledged the problem, and explained that customers were simply covering up the antenna with their hand. Now the company says its engineers have made a “stunning” discovery.

People may be finding that their reception is poor and that calls are being dropped not only because they’re holding the phone wrong, but also because they think they have a better signal than they actually do. In the statement, Apple says that it had made a mistake in the formula that calculates the number of bars that display the signal strength on all of its iPhones.

But experts say that the bars that one sees displayed on any cell phone can be misleading. CNET talked to Ron Dicklin, co-founder of Root Wireless, a company that tests and provides accurate data on wireless network and consumer phone performance, to get some answers. Based on that conversation and some additional research, CNET put together this FAQ.

What do the wireless signal bars that appear on the upper left corner of my phone mean?

They are supposed to represent the handset’s ability to connect to the cellular network based on how powerful the carrier’s radio signal is being received. The five bars measure the decibels of power that is being received from the cell phone tower.

What does it mean if I have fewer bars versus if I have more bars?

The closer you are to a cell tower and the more powerful signal you receive from the cell tower, the more bars you’re likely have. If the signal strength is too low, you may have trouble completing a call or receiving data. And if you can make a call, the likelihood that a call may drop or a data connection is interrupted is higher.

Is it different if I have fewer bars on a GSM phone versus using a CDMA phone?

Yes. With GSM, the technology that AT&T and T-Mobile USA use, the probability of having an issue with the cellular network at the lower bar range is going to be higher than with CDMA. CDMA, which is the technology used by Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel, is more efficient in how it manages its connection with the network. So even at the lower signal range with CDMA, as long as there’s not a high level of noise due to network congestion, you can maintain a connection just fine.

In raw numbers, what is the range in decibels of what’s considered a good strong signal and one that is weak?

As a rule of thumb around -113 decibels is on the low end of the signal bar range, and around -50 decibels is on the high end (more signal bars). The closer the decibel measurement is to zero, the stronger the signal.

Apple said it was “stunned” to discover the formula it used to calculate how many bars of signal strength to display is totally wrong. What does this mean?

While one might assume that each bar represented on the iPhone signal strength icon represents the same number of decibels, apparently that’s not the case. According to testing by the Web site AnandTech, the fifth bar on the iPhone represents about 40dB, but the fourth bar only represents about 10dB. The third bar represents a change of only about 2dB. The second bar represents 4dB, and the first bar represents a difference of 6dB.

Why doesn’t Apple just measure the bars in a linear fashion so that each bar represents an equal share of decibels?

Because the range is so big, it’s harder to diagnose problems at lower signal strengths. Signal strength measurement doesn’t need to be very granular at the top end of the scale because performance is only affected when it drops off considerably. But more granularity is needed in the lower part of the scale.

Is there a standard way that cell phone manufacturers use to measure the signal strength?

Unfortunately, there is no standard way to measure signal strength. One of the steps Root Wireless performs to properly validate that its on-device metering software is working correctly, is to put each of the supported handsets in a lab which measures a known decibel rating against what the handset reads and displays in signal bars. Through its tests, Dicklin said, the company has seen rather large differences in how handset manufactures relate decibels to bars.

Is there a more precise way of measuring signal strength other than the five-bar graphic?

Smartphones, such as those using the Android software and RIM’s BlackBerry, can also display reception in terms of numeric decibels instead of just as a five-bar graphic. But AnandTech points out that Apple has removed the tool.

Should I even care about these wireless bar signals?

Yes. If the phone is working correctly you probably wouldn’t reference it much, but if you are having an issue it’s a good tool to help isolate what the problem may be. It’s like a gas gauge on a car. If you were driving down the road and your car suddenly stopped and the gas gauge reads empty, you’d conclude that the reason your car stopped is because you ran out of gas. If you are having problems with a call and the signal bars are low, you’re probably not able to make the call due to poor signal strength.

So if I have all five bars of service my phone should work perfectly?

Not necessarily. You can have full signal bars and if the network is heavily congested you will still have problems maintaining a good connection. This condition happens more in heavily populated areas where many people are using the network at the same time, like in big cities and at sporting events for example.

By Marguerite Reardon

There are numerous iPhone 4 users reports of the phone losing signal when you hold it covering the bottom left corner where the GSM and Wi-Fi antennas meet.

Apple states they know of the issue and their official statement is amazingly instructional:

“Gripping any mobile phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance, with certain places being worse than others depending on the placement of the antennas. This is a fact of life for every wireless phone. If you ever experience this on your iPhone 4, avoid gripping it in the lower left corner in a way that covers both sides of the black strip in the metal band, or simply use one of many available cases.”

Reportedly, Steve Jobs was even kind enough to reply to some user emails – briefly, but straight to the point:

“Just avoid holding it that way.”

Ok, we understand how clever it was of Apple to design the iPhone antennas in that way and we can accept new technology comes with its own quirks. But stating a right and wrong way of holding your phone with the latter able to leave you totally signal-less – well that’s plain wrong. Not to mention even THEY hold it the wrong way on their ads.

In this particular case what we don’t like is Apple’s attitude. Pretending such thing is not a big issue, saying it’s a normal thing for a cellphone to lose signal, and not admitting a design flaw – that’s arrogant. Fans will probably be willing to avoid holding the iPhone 4 that way. Being polite and confessing a wrong goes a long way. So does giving a bonus Bumper case to all affected. Just sayin’.

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More than 100 million people are using Facebook’s services from their mobile devices but now, a lot of them will be able to continue doing that without having to pay for data charges.

In order to browse the zero-charges 0.facebook.com site for free, you need to be a customer of one of the operators listed below. Be aware that the free deal is valid only as long as you don’t open images and don’t click links to other websites. Doing any of that is still a paid thing.

Luckily, each time when you’re about to leave 0.facebook.com or to open an image, a notification will appear on your phone’s screen reminding you of the additional data charges that might apply if you decide to proceed.

The other advantage of the 0.facebook.com is that it’s optimized for use on mobile devices. So, it loads fast. But it still packs all the major features users would find on the traditional m.facebook.com mobile site as well as on the touch-optimized variety at touch.facebook.com.

Using 0.facebook.com, you can update your status, view the news feed, comment on posts or “like” them, reply to messages or write new ones, leave messages on the walls of your friends. Well, once again, there are no photos to see here. Those are still only a click and ? few cents away (data charges apply for images).

P.S. It seems that entering zero.facebook.com instead of the numeral address does the same job of getting you to the new mobile page.

Source

So what’s the solution?  Get a chopping board, a meat cleaver and a pair of scissors – simples!

Above is a picture of the SIM cards – as you can see, they vary a lot, but the only parts that matter to us are the contacts which are common to the MicroSIM and SIM.  Electronically, the SIM and MicroSIM are the same so we can cut the rest away and not worry (so long as we are careful).

To begin with, line up the three contact on the MicroSIM with the same ones on the SIM card.  You can just look for the 2 centre lines and make sure they are in line and that the top of the MicroSIM is straight. Then get your meat cleaver and press down gently to score a straight line.

Cut along the score line carefully.  Once you have done this, line the top of the SIM with the MicroSIM and you should see that the contacts are aligned.

Turn the SIM & MicroSIM round 180 degrees, line up the bottom and repeat with the meat cleaver, then cut along the score line once again.

The SIM should now be the same height as the MicroSIM – we are halfway there!

Line up the centre of the MicroSIM with the SIM so that we can be sure it will be aligned within the iPad

Repeat the process with the meat cleaver and scissors, then you should have a SIM which is almost the right size, save for the top edge and corner.

Once again, repeat the process with the meat cleaver and scissors, then you should have a SIM which is the same size apart from the corner.

Cut off the corner of the SIM card – you can just use the meat cleaver for this if it is nice & sharp.

Your SIM card is almost ready to go in to your iPad.  As you can see, the AT&T MicroSIM has slightly rounded corners.

Use your meat cleaver to take off the tiniest of amounts.  Remember, you can take more off, but you can’t put it back on.

Your SIM should now fit in your iPad MicroSIM tray.

Gently insert it in to your iPad 3G.

You should see your network indicator change to the network of your SIM card – well done!

Go in to Settings, Cellular Data

Then go in to APN and enter the access point.  If you are using Vodafone in the UK, the APN is internet

Press the Home button on your iPad, go in to Safari and browse away with your new UK 3G iPad!

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You should copy all the code below and save it in your Memo application, for future use.

When you need it, you can copy paste again to your Blackberry Messenger, for further use.

Note : most of the fun characters will appears like ‘weird’ characthers in your Memo application, it will appear normally when you paste it to Blackberry Messenger, so don’t be surprised.

Enjoy!  

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Now, we’ve mentioned time and again that the current iteration of WM feels outdated compared with new operating systems such as iPhone OS and Android. In general, if someone were to ask us for advice on whether to buy a WM or Android phone, we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the latter. But that’s in general. There are still specific needs that can be fulfilled by WM6.5. Here are five reasons someone may still find a WM6.5 smartphone useful.

Native Outlook integration

For the longest time, WM has been using Microsoft Outlook to sync a phone with the desktop. Whether you do it through a USB connection or over the air using an Exchange server, what you get on your phone is what you see on your computer, too.

While support for Exchange is also available on other mobile platforms, the integration is usually not as tight. So, if Outlook is all you use for personal information management, WM is still a viable option.

Many form factors

Because it has been around for such a long time, there are many phones that make use of WM. Those looking for a specific design will probably find one that utilizes Microsoft mobile OS. For example, if you want a smartphone with a touchscreen and exposed QWERTY keypad, the Sony Ericsson Aspen or an old Samsung SGH-i780 will fit the bill. Whether it’s a numeric keypad, no keypad or slideout landscape-style QWERTY, there’s probably a WM phone out there already made to your liking.

Library of applications

This may seem surprising given iPhone OS and Android appear to command the bulk of mobile developer attention these days, but hear us out. Though WM does not have the wealth of apps and games available to Apple App Store and Google’s Android Marketplace, it still has many programs that users may find familiar.

Given the long history of WM, the large number of third-party apps available includes many that users will find useful or even indispensable. For example, someone who utilizes a remote access app on WM to access his computer workstation may find that continuing with a WM phone is best for his needs.

Inexpensive

The imminent arrival of WP7 also means manufacturers will not expect users to pay a premium for current WM6.5 devices. If you are looking for a smartphone and are being very pragmatic about it, a WM phone might best fit the value-for-money equation.

Bugs are less likely for basic functions

With new software come teething problems. Take the Nexus One. For quite some time, users complained about poor 3G reception. As of now, it seems Google has ceased investigating the claims. We are not saying WM is free from problems. But when it comes to basic functions such as call quality and optimizing data connectivity, manufacturers should have fewer problems with WM. It isn’t that the OS is inherently better, but simply because years of experience with WM would have given these phone makers the experience to make things work with fewer hiccups.

John Chan