Light without fire and heat (Chemiluminescence)!

No smoke or light without fire? Usually yes, but the company Nano Chemical Systems invented a material which will emit light, without any accompanying heat!

So, essentially, there is no heat (or fire, for that matter) – and yet, you get light. The scientific term for this is “chemiluminescence”. Current man-made chemiluminescence reactions have very low efficiency.

Using nanotechnology, Nano Chemical Systems invented a process which improves the efficiency of chemiluminescent material greatly. And, the light emitted is amplified using nano-materials, so that it appears brighter. And, the best part is, after a couple of hours of providing light, the material disappears! Yes, there is no residue, according to Nano Chemical Systems. The CEO of Nano Chemical Systems, Dr. Mathew Zuckerman, stated that they have filed for a patent already, and expects this invention to be a very important one.

Great work from the company. However, I do know of someone who has been doing the chemiluminescence trick for a long time – the firefly!!!

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Helicopter for less than $5000? Yes, and it is world’s smallest, says Indian student

Yes, Pranjal Kulkarni says you can have a chopper for around 200,000 Indian Rupees (that comes to less than USD 4600, the last time I checked the exchange rate).
Pranjal Kulkarni is a student in class 12, who lost his father at an early age. He used the internet, available literature, and help from Dr Subash Mashal, an aero-modeling expert to build this prototype.

He has named his prototype as Ajinkya. It weighs around 180 pounds and is powered by a 37 HP motorcycle engine. According to the details available, it has a length and rotor span of around 11 feet, which should make it one of the world’s smallest.

According to Pranjil Kulkarni, it is expected to have a maximum speed of 90-95 mph, reach a maximum height of 12,000 feet, and is expected to be able to carry upto 200 lb.

The ground testing has been completed – however, the test flight has not been completed. The Civil Aviation authorities of India are expected to evaluate it soon. And, until the test flight has been completed, it may be premature to get excited about the prototype. However, Pranjal Kulkarni deserves kudos for spending years of effort for creating (or at the very least, trying to create) something new. Kulkarni, who comes from an economically backward background, was inspired by the president of India, Abdul Kalam, who was a former space scientist. He raised the money from friends and family members. Now, according to the latest update, he is hoping to meet the President and present his invention before him.

Our best wishes to the young inventor!

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