Where Engineering and Ballet Meet

Where Engineering and Ballet Meet Where Engineering and Ballet Meet Recent Duke University graduate Katrina Wisdom has long had two interests ballet and engineering, and they are rarely confused with one another. But Wisdom says maybe they should be as she sees a clear correlation. The result was a Student Dance Grant and being asked to give a wildly popular TEDxDuke talk.While at Duke, my understanding and vocabulary related to engineering and physics principles was growing, but I was also approaching dance from a different perspective, thanks to some very creative teachers in the Duke Dance Department, she says. We would stop in the middle of class and talk about ur thought processes and our motivations behind the movements, and draw all sorts of analogies in order to experiment with our dancing. One set of unterstellung analogies was related to physics, and, of course, I was hungry to grab onto theseKatrina Wisdoms interest in ballet and engineering led to a Student Dance Grant at Duke University. Image Katrina WisdomThe class also involved writing reflective journal entries, which helped lead her to see ballets correlations to engineering. She says of the thoughts entry writing led her to How does using a mirror affect your dancing, when the artificial renommee of yourself hits you instead of the real energy of a live, responsive audience? I used some optics for this one. How can you take a piece of choreography you have been assigned and dance it close enough to do it justice, but with enough creativity to establish yourself as a unique artist?She soon wasnt going to have to worry about whether she was thought of as unique.The class also involved writing reflective journal entries, which helped lead her to see ballets correlations to engineering.Wisdom won a Student Dance Grant on combining ballet and engineering, consulting with professors who had done work in the area of communicating physics through ballet. A paper she estimated was between 40-50 pages led to Dukes dance department and school of engineering helping her set up a luncheon presentation and demonstration for her school community. About 50-60 people were there, she says. Professors from the Dance Department, professors from the engineering school, staff of both, community members, dance students, engineering students, friends of mine who were curious about how two subjects so seemingly unrelated could possibly be fit together Some of my dancing friends demonstrated beautifully while I talked through a PowerPoint and wrote on a white board with the general structure What is the dance scenario? What is the related physics-engineering scenario? And what happens when you combine them to the dancing?In fact, the presentation was so successful that the spring of 2012 saw Wisdom give a TEDxDuke talk, summarizing her work and motivation behind it.The Dance of LifeAdmittedly, Wisdom has had less time for ballet lately. Spending this past summer after graduation interning at Boe ing within the mechanical parts technology area gave her a chance to do modeling and experimentation related to fasteners. It also allowed her to get in some research on electromagnetic effects in aerospace design. And, in the fall, she starts in the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program at Stanford University.But, regardless of how often shell do ballet going forward, it seems few will question whether she successfully found a correlation and opened up minds.The problem is that normally, both ballet and engineering seem inaccessible to people not part of these worlds, she says. I was merely trying to show that this doesnt have to be the case, and we can take aspects of each and apply them to our own realms of personal relevance.Eric Butterman is an independent writer.The problem is that normally, both ballet and engineering seem inaccessible to people not part of these worlds. I was merely trying to show that this doesnt have to be the case.Katrina Wisdom, Stanford University

Lightweight Metal Composite Floats on Water

Lightweight Metal Composite Floats on Water Lightweight Metal Composite Floats on Water Lightweight Metal Composite Floats on WaterLightweight polymer matrix composites are increasingly being used to replace metal-based werkstoffs to reduce weight in manufactured products, especially automobiles and aircraft. However, most polymer matrix composites can only tolerate temperatures of 150C or less, making them unsuitable for engine and exhaust components.Now, however, a magnesium-matrix composite invented by researchers at New York University Polytechnic School of Engineering, in collaboration with Deep Springs Technology and the Army Research Laboratory, may reverse this trend back toward metal composites. The new material is remarkable in several waysnot only it is light enough to float on water, it is as strong as other composite materials being used today and can withstand temperatures over 400C.Silicon Carbide Makes the DifferenceLed by Nikhil Gupta, associate professor of mechanic al and aerospace engineering at New York University Polytechnic School of Engineering in Brooklyn, a research team from his department and from Deep Springs Technology developed the new material from a magnesium alloy matrix known as AZ91D, a cast magnesium alloy containing 9 weight percent aluminum, 1 weight percent zinc, 0.3 weight percent manganese.Magnesium alloys show tremendous potential for weight-sensitive applications, especially in the automotive, aerospace, defense, and electronics industries. Although magnesium is a promising low-density metal, years ago there were initial concerns about flammability and processing issues. However, new magnesium alloys and processing methods have solved these issues.Silicon carbide hollow spheres. Image Nikhil Gupta / NYU Polytechnic School of EngineeringThe density of the new magnesium-matrix composite material is only 0.92 grams per cubic centimeter, compared to the density of water at 1.0 g/ccmeaning it will float on water.Tests on it s high-temperature properties show that the mechanical properties are retained up to about 400C, states Gupta. In addition, the compressive strength at low and high strain rate is found to be comparable to other existing aluminum and magnesium matrix composites that have densities in the range 1.2 to 1.5 g/cc.The secret to this strength are the hollow silicon carbide particles that were developed and manufactured by DST. The exterior shell of a single particle can withstand pressure exceeding 25,000 pounds per square inch before it rupturesone hundred times the maximum pressure in a fire hose. The hollow particles also provide impact protection because each shell (if it fails) absorbs some of the energy of the impact.One of the greatest challenges was determining the optimum concentration of particles, says Gupta. Particles that were mixed in high-volume fractions in the matrix tended to break, resulting in a higher-than-expected density. On the other hand, the fewer the particles u sed, the greater the density of the material.The composite can be customized for density and other properties by adding more or fewer shells into the metal matrix to fit the requirements of the application.Future ApplicationsThis new magnesium-matrix composite material is strong, heat resistant, and lighter than water. For example, a boat made from this material would not sink, even if its structure was damaged.This is the first time anybody has been able to achieve such a low density in metal matrix composite material, says Gupta. It is also strong enough to withstand harsh operational environments, making it attractive for boat flooring, automobile parts, buoyancy modules, and defense applications, such as vehicle armor.Guptas new composite material could be ready for prototype testing in as little as three years. Finding applications for military vehicles is a top priority. For example, newer or experimental platforms such as Ultra Heavy-Lift Amphibious Connector (UHAC) may espec ially benefit from metallic lightweight materials. However, notes Gupta, there is still a lot of research that needs to be done, including determining appropriate heat treatments to further enhance the mechanical properties, experimenting with different particle types in the composite, and determining corrosion resistance.Although important, density is only a small part of a large set of properties that determine applicability of a material in any industrial applications, says Gupta. Strength, ductility, modulus, corrosion resistance and many other properties may be relevant to the actual application. We will strive to also push boundaries forward on as many of these properties as possible.Mark Crawford is an independent writer.This is the first time anybody has been able to achieve such a low density in a metal matrix composite material.Prof. Nikhil Gupta, NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering

This hydration schedule will help you sleep like a baby

This hydratation schedule will help you sleep like a babyThis hydratation schedule will help you sleep like a babyDo you frequently feel sluggish and irritated for no good reason when you wake up in the morning, instead of feeling rested and refreshed?You might be part of theone in three Americanswho have at least mild insomnia. Often, we blame ur inability to get a good nights sleep on late-night technology use, work stress, or on ur next door neighborsdog who wont stop barking. But did you know that not drinking enough water, and not drinking it at the right time throughout the day, could actually be whats robbing you of quality shut-eye?According to the National Sleep Foundation, going to bed even mildly dehydrated can disrupt your sleep and even cause snoring and hoarseness in the morning (another good reason to force your S.O. to drink mora water). Luckily,experts have identifiedan optimal hydration schedule that you can follow to ensure youre drinking enough water throughout th e day so that you can sleep like a baby when the time comes. Here are the guidelines you need to follow to maintain a near-perfect level of hydration throughout the day.1. Wake-and-hydrateDo you frequently feel sluggish and irritated for no good reason when you wake up in the morning, instead of feeling rested and refreshed?You might be part of the one in three Americans who have at least mild insomnia. Often, we blame our inability to get a good nights sleep on late-night technology use, work stress, or on our next door neighbors dog who wont stop barking. But did you know that not drinking enough water, and not drinking it at the right time throughout the day, could actually be whats robbing you of quality shut-eye?According to the National Sleep Foundation, going to bed even mildly dehydrated can disrupt your sleep and even cause snoring and hoarseness in the morning (another good reason to force your S.O. to drink mora water). Luckily, experts have identified an optimal hydratio n schedule that you can follow to ensure youre drinking enough water throughout the day so that you can sleep like a baby when the time comes. Here are the guidelines you need to follow to maintain a near-perfect level of hydration throughout the day.2. If possible, wait two to three hours after you wake up to drink your coffeeWe know, youll probably hate us for saying this, but for optimal hydration,experts recommendthat you should wait two to three hours after you wake to drink coffee. Coffee is a slight diuretic, meaning that drinking it increases your need to pee. So having coffee right when you wake up and youre already dehydrated from eight-ish hours of no liquids, will work against you in the hydration department. If you work out in the morning, opt for drinking water instead of coffee when you wake up and when youre at the gym. Wait to drink caffeine until after your workout. The endorphin rush youll get from sweating it out will be enough to wake you up. The reward of havin g a morning coffee once you finish your HIIT sesh might be just what you need to help you get through it.3. Make sure youre drinking water with all of your mealsTheres an old-time myth circulating that drinking water during meals will dilute your stomach acid, making it harder for your body to absorb nutrients. This simply isnt true. Drinking water during meals actually helps your body in digestion, becauseit helps your stomach liquefy foodand absorb nutrients. Consuming H2O with food could also help prevent constipation bykeeping your digestive tract lubricated,making it easier for the turds to slide down when the time comes (we hope that youre not eating while reading this). Drinking water while you eat could keep you from overeating because it forces you to take breaks from shoveling food into your mouth, and will give you some time to check in with your stomach to see if it really needs more food or if its just being greedy.4. Eat plenty of foods with a high water contentIf you just cant get yourself to drink water and you restrict your daily fluid intake to caffeinated beverages and fruit juices, eating foods with a high water content is crucial for you to maintain an appropriate level of hydration. Many veggies and fruits have a high H2O content, including watermelon (great for the summer), strawberries, cucumbers, celery, oranges, spinach, and cantaloupe. The good news is that all of these foods are also highly nutritious and will supply your daily bchse of vitamins along with good hydration. Although eating these foods can help those who hate water increase their fluid intake, drinking water is stillthe most effective and healthy way to keep hydrated.5. Avoid drinking caffeine for a period of 6 hours before going to bedAs sleepy as you may feel when 3 p.m. rolls around, try as hard as you can to resist the urge to grab a cup of coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you power through.Studies have foundthat drinking caffeine during a period of si x hours before going to bed will make it harder for you to fall and stay asleep. If you really crave the taste of your favorite cup of joe, opt for a decaffeinated version instead. You can also use other methods, like a brisk walk or aquick round of high-energy squats by your desk,to help renew your energy.6. Drink one glass of water right before bedYou might have heard that drinking before bed will cause you to have to pee throughout the night, so its best to avoid it. Although you shouldnt necessarilyguzzle a huge bottle of water before hitting the sack, drinking a small glass of it will do you no harm. Hydrating before going to bed will actually help you avoid waking up due to thirst or uncomfortable leg cramps (caused by dehydration) throughout the night.This article was originally published on Swirled.com.This hydration schedule will help you sleep like a babyDo you frequently feel sluggish and irritated for no good reason when you wake up in the morning, instead of feeling res ted and refreshed?You might be part of theone in three Americanswho have at least mild insomnia. Often, we blame our inability to get a good nights sleep on late-night technology use, work stress, or on our next door neighborsdog who wont stop barking. But did you know that not drinking enough water, and not drinking it at the right time throughout the day, could actually be whats robbing you of quality shut-eye?According to the National Sleep Foundation, going to bed even mildly dehydrated can disrupt your sleep and even cause snoring and hoarseness in the morning (another good reason to force your S.O. to drink more water). Luckily,experts have identifiedan optimal hydration schedule that you can follow to ensure youre drinking enough water throughout the day so that you can sleep like a baby when the time comes. Here are the guidelines you need to follow to maintain a near-perfect level of hydration throughout the day.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboa rd covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more1. Wake-and-hydrateDo you frequently feel sluggish and irritated for no good reason when you wake up in the morning, instead of feeling rested and refreshed?You might be part of the one in three Americans who have at least mild insomnia. Often, we blame our inability to get a good nights sleep on late-night technology use, work stress, or on our next door neighbors dog who wont stop barking. But did you know that not drinking enough water, and not drinking it at the right time throughout the day, could actually be whats robbing you of quality shut-eye?According to the National Sleep Foundation, going to bed even mildly dehydrated can disrupt your sleep and even cause snoring and hoarseness in the morning (another good reason to force your S.O. to drink more water). Luckily, experts have identified an optimal hydration schedule that you can follow to ensure youre drinking enough water throughout the day so t hat you can sleep like a baby when the time comes. Here are the guidelines you need to follow to maintain a near-perfect level of hydration throughout the day.2. If possible, wait two to three hours after you wake up to drink your coffeeWe know, youll probably hate us for saying this, but for optimal hydration,experts recommendthat you should wait two to three hours after you wake to drink coffee. Coffee is a slight diuretic, meaning that drinking it increases your need to pee. So having coffee right when you wake up and youre already dehydrated from eight-ish hours of no liquids, will work against you in the hydration department. If you work out in the morning, opt for drinking water instead of coffee when you wake up and when youre at the gym. Wait to drink caffeine until after your workout. The endorphin rush youll get from sweating it out will be enough to wake you up. The reward of having a morning coffee once you finish your HIIT sesh might be just what you need to help you ge t through it.3. Make sure youre drinking water with all of your mealsTheres an old-time myth circulating that drinking water during meals will dilute your stomach acid, making it harder for your body to absorb nutrients. This simply isnt true. Drinking water during meals actually helps your body in digestion, becauseit helps your stomach liquefy foodand absorb nutrients. Consuming H2O with food could also help prevent constipation bykeeping your digestive tract lubricated,making it easier for the turds to slide down when the time comes (we hope that youre not eating while reading this). Drinking water while you eat could keep you from overeating because it forces you to take breaks from shoveling food into your mouth, and will give you some time to check in with your stomach to see if it really needs more food or if its just being greedy.4. Eat plenty of foods with a high water contentIf you just cant get yourself to drink water and you restrict your daily fluid intake to caffeinate d beverages and fruit juices, eating foods with a high water content is crucial for you to maintain an appropriate level of hydration. Many veggies and fruits have a high H2O content, including watermelon (great for the summer), strawberries, cucumbers, celery, oranges, spinach, and cantaloupe. The good news is that all of these foods are also highly nutritious and will supply your daily dose of vitamins along with good hydration. Although eating these foods can help those who hate water increase their fluid intake, drinking water is stillthe most effective and healthy way to keep hydrated.5. Avoid drinking caffeine for a period of 6 hours before going to bedAs sleepy as you may feel when 3 p.m. rolls around, try as hard as you can to resist the urge to grab a cup of coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you power through.Studies have foundthat drinking caffeine during a period of six hours before going to bed will make it harder for you to fall and stay asleep. If you reall y crave the taste of your favorite cup of joe, opt for a decaffeinated version instead. You can also use other methods, like a brisk walk or aquick round of high-energy squats by your desk,to help renew your energy.6. Drink one glass of water right before bedYou might have heard that drinking before bed will cause you to have to pee throughout the night, so its best to avoid it. Although you shouldnt necessarilyguzzle a huge bottle of water before hitting the sack, drinking a small glass of it will do you no harm. Hydrating before going to bed will actually help you avoid waking up due to thirst or uncomfortable leg cramps (caused by dehydration) throughout the night.This article was originally published on Swirled.com.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people