WiTricity

Today, more than ever, we have the need for everything to be as simple as possible. With all the stress that occurs in our daily lives, the last thing we need is complications and extra pieces slowing us down. For computers, this simplicity shift has already begun. No longer are consumers hassled by cables connecting them to Internet ports, or even cables connecting a keyboard and mouse. What is left however is that lousy power cable keeping it all alive.
Well, the wait may shortly be over. Earlier this year, experimenters at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) successfully tested a system that can deliver power to devices without the use of wires when a 60W light bulb was made to glow from a distance of 7 feet. They call this phenomenon WiTricity.

WiTricity utilizes the resonance of low frequency waves that causes an object to vibrate when a particular frequency is applied. By using two resonant objects with the same frequency they can exchange energy while interacting weakly with surrounding objects. In the experiment done at MIT, researchers used two copper coils. While one coil was attached to the power source it acted as the sending device that creates a non-radiative field in which a power exchange with the receiving coil takes place. To run a laptop, high power levels can be transferred over room-sized areas, with other objects in its path. Automatically, the wireless technology begins to charge devices without any need of a cord.

This wireless power concept is ideal for the typical office. Employees will be able to sit in meetings with their laptops and not have to worry about how long it will stay alive. As well, people won’t have to worry about loosing work because of too little battery power forcing unexpected shutdowns. There are actually many advantages and disadvantages of WiTricity; we can take a look at some below.

Pros:
• Can reduce dependence on batteries which is currently heavy
• Cuts costs from battery usage
• Creates a friendlier, cleaner workspace
• Allows for longer usage of devices
• Allows for usage of devices in spaces without outlets
• Cuts the time spent on charging
• Produces non-radiative waves therefore is not harmful to the human body

Cons:
• Will likely be expensive in the beginning
• Will take a while before this become and everyday technology and before it can be used with larger items such as laptops
• Will not solve the issue of power cables as not everywhere will adapt to the new trend
• Electricity is confined to small ranges, therefore you must have the right hardware in the room which you just to work
• If the coils loose their ability to transfer the wireless power, work can be lost and time can be wasted

Work Cited:
1. Fildes, Jonathan (2007, June 7). Wireless energy promise powers up. Retrieved October 2, 2007, from BBC News Web site: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6725955.stm
2. Hadley, Franklin (2007, June 7). Goodbye wires.... Retrieved October 1, 2007, from MIT News Web site: http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2007/wireless-0607.html
3. McCarthy, Erin (2007, August 23). How MIT's Wireless Power Could Replace Cables and Outlets. Retrieved October 3, 2007, from Popular Mechanics Web site: http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4220889.html
4. Chabrow, Eric (2007, June 11). WiTricity: Transmitting Electricity Wirelessly. Retrieved October 1, 2007, from eWeek.com Web site: http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,2144542,00.asp
5. (2007, October 1). WiTricity. Retrieved October 2, 2007, from Wikipedia Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WiTricity

SMART Boards

SMART Board interactive technology is something that I personally have a great deal of experience with, having used it my entire high school career, so I thought it would be perfect to write about it as an influential current technology. What is a SMART board you ask? Well, a SMART board is much like a whiteboard however it carries a touch sensitive display that connects a digital projector and computer to show images. On top of that, you can directly write notes in digital ink and control different applications on a computer from the display. This system makes means for an incredibly interactive teaching and learning environment in the workplace.

The SMART board system was first introduced in 1991 by SMART Technology and is now being used in classrooms and boardrooms across the world. With a digital pen, the tap of a finger, or a mouse, one can control the input and output of information on a single device. In its entirety, the SMART system consists of a projector, whiteboard and computer. The computer is connected to the projector that displays the image from the desktop onto the SMART Board whiteboard; while the whiteboard responds to touch that the SMART Board driver converts into digital ink.

The SMART technology also allows its users to save the work and changes they have made through the whiteboard. Thus any written content or altered information made through the digital ink can be kept for later use. And did I mention the ink comes in different colors? Just by picking up a color labeled pen, you can choose the color in which you write!
The SMART technology certainly is an innovative system that is changing the way the boardroom and classroom is today. However, there are downsides to the product. Let’s examine the pros and cons of the SMART Board Interactive Whiteboard below:

Pros:
• Enhances productivity in meetings and classes, people are more inclined to get involved
• Allows for easy and efficient brainstorms
• Increases collaboration in a workplace as many people can easily make changes and add content to whatever is being worked on just by switching the hand in which the pen is being held
• It is easy to use and one does not need extensive installations
• Allows one to share what is on their computer with others

Cons:
• To become a master of the SMART board takes time
• Only one person can use the technology at a time, thus involvement in large groups is difficult
• The time it takes to prepare a SMART board presentation takes a lengthy amount of time as opposed to simple lecture notes
• One must also use the SMART board often to be able to learn the most effective ways of teaching and presenting with it


I know in my high school career, the use of a SMART Board technologies enhanced my learning experience immensly. My teachers were able to communicate diagrams, equations, words and more clearly and effectively through the system. I think that if I was able to grasp the technology along with the rest of my classmates while we were in the ninth grade, most of the business world should be able to as well...and I encourage them to.
Too see a video of how SMART Board Whiteboard is used follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMPHZYRiGOc&mode=related&search=

Work Cited:
1. Department of Computing Science (2005). FAQ on Multimedia Equipment. Retrieved October 2, 2007, from University of Alberta Web site: http://www.cs.ualberta.ca/doc/FAQ/multimedia.php#1
2. (2007, September 30). SMART Board Interactive Whiteboard. Retrieved October 2, 2007, from Wikipedia Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartboard
3. Copy the citation below and paste it into your document.
SMART Technologies Inc. (2006, January). Evaluating Total Cost of Ownership for SMART Board Interactive Whiteboard. Retrieved October 2, 2007, Web site: http://apexavsi.com/education/tco_whitepaper.pd
4. (2007). SMART Board interactive whiteboards. Retrieved October 2, 2007, from SMART Technologies Web site: http://www2.smarttech.com/st/en-US/Products/SMART+Boards/