Friday, February 06, 2009
Space Suit Design: Function and Fashion
Outer Space Suits - Burda Style - Open Source Sewing -
The other week when I was looking for some information on gloves I came across a curious announcement, the 2009 Astronaut Glove Challenge, to "promote the development of a highly dexterous and flexible glove for space and planetary surface excursions". What inspires space suit designers? And is there any inspiration that we can draw from them?
Space Fashion Design Contest - Space for All -
In an exciting departure from the typical luxury fashion shows during its semi-annual New York event, one of the runway shows to be presented during Couture Fashion Week this season will be Space Couture, a sampling of the highly creative winning designs of a series of competitions. This inventive fashion show will be held on Sunday, February 15, 2009 at the world-famous Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.
Couture Fashion Week - Fashion Calendar -
Location: The Waldorf-Astoria, 301 Park Avenue (between 49th & 50th Streets), New York City ...
Sunday February 15, 2009 ...
8:30 p.m. - CRISTINA NITOPI MENSWEAR SPACE COUTURE Performance by Violinist Jane Hunt
SpaceFashion.org - The Official Space Fashion Site
The other week when I was looking for some information on gloves I came across a curious announcement, the 2009 Astronaut Glove Challenge, to "promote the development of a highly dexterous and flexible glove for space and planetary surface excursions". What inspires space suit designers? And is there any inspiration that we can draw from them?
Space Fashion Design Contest - Space for All -
In an exciting departure from the typical luxury fashion shows during its semi-annual New York event, one of the runway shows to be presented during Couture Fashion Week this season will be Space Couture, a sampling of the highly creative winning designs of a series of competitions. This inventive fashion show will be held on Sunday, February 15, 2009 at the world-famous Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.
Couture Fashion Week - Fashion Calendar -
Location: The Waldorf-Astoria, 301 Park Avenue (between 49th & 50th Streets), New York City ...
Sunday February 15, 2009 ...
8:30 p.m. - CRISTINA NITOPI MENSWEAR SPACE COUTURE Performance by Violinist Jane Hunt
SpaceFashion.org - The Official Space Fashion Site
Automotive X PRIZE Roundup - February 6, 2009
FuelOurFutureNow.com Will Excite Students About Energy Efficiency - X PRIZE Foundation -
Today, the X PRIZE Foundation, The United States Department of Energy and Discovery Education launched the first phase of an online knowledge center to ignite imaginations and fuel student curiosity in the areas of science and math. The website, www.FuelOurFutureNow.com, was inspired by the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE, the goal of which is to inspire a new generation of viable, super fuel-efficient vehicles that offer more consumer choices.
Progressive Automotive X PRIZE and DOE Launch FuelOurFutureNow.com - Automotive X PRIZE blog -
In addition to the educational content available today at launch, FuelOurFutureNow.com will evolve with updates throughout the life of the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE. And viewers can look forward to following the race series by means of a real-time, telemetry-based online experience.
FuelOurFutureNow.com is the first of three components of the DOE-funded Education Program. Later we will be launching a national high school student contest, and organizing educational events in host cities of the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE race series.
Automotive X-Prize Draws 25 Teams So Far - Wired (link from X PRIZE Foundation) - There are lots of pictures in this one, and overviews of the officially registered teams.
Automotive X Prize News: Feb 3rd, 2009 - X PRIZE Cars
XPC Talk at BIL in Long Beach - X PRIZE Cars -
I'll be giving an X Prize Cars talk at BIL, in Long Beach, sometime on Saturday or Sunday (Feb 7th & 8th). BIL is the sister unconference to TED. It should be an excellent adventure!
ZAP Alias Electric Car to Compete for the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE - MSN Money (press release) - link from X PRIZE Foundation
Avion Posts Exhibition Challenge - Automotive X PRIZE blog - One of the teams dares the rest to have a competition before the official race. Practice makes perfect.
Today, the X PRIZE Foundation, The United States Department of Energy and Discovery Education launched the first phase of an online knowledge center to ignite imaginations and fuel student curiosity in the areas of science and math. The website, www.FuelOurFutureNow.com, was inspired by the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE, the goal of which is to inspire a new generation of viable, super fuel-efficient vehicles that offer more consumer choices.
Progressive Automotive X PRIZE and DOE Launch FuelOurFutureNow.com - Automotive X PRIZE blog -
In addition to the educational content available today at launch, FuelOurFutureNow.com will evolve with updates throughout the life of the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE. And viewers can look forward to following the race series by means of a real-time, telemetry-based online experience.
FuelOurFutureNow.com is the first of three components of the DOE-funded Education Program. Later we will be launching a national high school student contest, and organizing educational events in host cities of the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE race series.
Automotive X-Prize Draws 25 Teams So Far - Wired (link from X PRIZE Foundation) - There are lots of pictures in this one, and overviews of the officially registered teams.
Automotive X Prize News: Feb 3rd, 2009 - X PRIZE Cars
XPC Talk at BIL in Long Beach - X PRIZE Cars -
I'll be giving an X Prize Cars talk at BIL, in Long Beach, sometime on Saturday or Sunday (Feb 7th & 8th). BIL is the sister unconference to TED. It should be an excellent adventure!
ZAP Alias Electric Car to Compete for the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE - MSN Money (press release) - link from X PRIZE Foundation
Avion Posts Exhibition Challenge - Automotive X PRIZE blog - One of the teams dares the rest to have a competition before the official race. Practice makes perfect.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Crazy Green Idea Winners
X Prize announces green-idea winners - CNet News (link from X PRIZE Foundation) -
The first-place winners, which will receive $25,000, were University of California at Irvine students Kyle Good and Bryan Le on the Capacitor Challenge team, for their idea that someone should develop a more efficient energy storage device to replace batteries, for everything from iPods to cars.
X PRIZE Foundation and Prize Capital Announce Winner of $25,000 YouTube Contest - X PRIZE Foundation press release
Announcement of the Winner for the Crazy Green Idea - This includes "Highlights from the Announcement".
The first-place winners, which will receive $25,000, were University of California at Irvine students Kyle Good and Bryan Le on the Capacitor Challenge team, for their idea that someone should develop a more efficient energy storage device to replace batteries, for everything from iPods to cars.
X PRIZE Foundation and Prize Capital Announce Winner of $25,000 YouTube Contest - X PRIZE Foundation press release
Announcement of the Winner for the Crazy Green Idea - This includes "Highlights from the Announcement".
TED Prize Wishes Unveiled Today
TED Prize Webcast - 5:00-6:45 PST ... I'll try to post on it later.
Update: I tried to capture the actual text of the first 2 wishes but they went by pretty quickly. Here's my best shot:
Jill Tarter: "I wish that you would empower Earthlings everywhere to become active participants in the ultimate search to become cosmic participants." The slides and discussions made me think they're trying to take the Allen Telescope Array, pattern recognition algorithms, manual pattern recognition like the Stardust at Home program, and SETA at Home to the "next level".
Sylvia Earle: This talk included a lot of analogies between ocean exploration and space exploration (such as Earth without oceans as being like the surface of Mars, life support in space vs. life support under the sea), satellite images, etc. Google Earth with its new Ocean features was heavily featured. A quote from the talk: "How about some X PRIZEs for ocean exploration? Hmm..." The wish: "I wish you would use all means at your disposal ... to ignite public support for a global network of marine protected areas ..."
Update #2: You can see the actual text of the wishes, how they progress, and ideas on these pages:
Jill Tarter's Wish -
The Plan:
To assemble a group of engineers to advise on and create a system to facilitate mass collaboration over the web and incorporate innovative data processing methods, including the ability to input alternative search algorithms, The aim would be to tap into the power of open-source initiatives, to globalize the search for extra-terrestial intelligence and empower a new generation of SETI enthusiasts. We would back the launch of this new system with a major storytelling and awareness campaign whose goal is to inspire millions to participate.
The Needs:
An individual to oversee this initiative, reporting to SETI Institute as full-time contractor for a year Engineers with expertise in digital signal processing and in open-source initiatives Cloud computing resources Significant need for servers and storage Website development team Social networking expertise Marketing and creative campaign help Media Space Massive outreach to grow the TeamSETI network PR Communications Partner A film production company to develop and distribute this story Spokespeople Funding — for this project and for additional telescopes for the Allen Array.
Sylvia Earle’s Wish -
The Plan:
To bring knowledge of our oceans to a wide audience and galvanize support in favor of marine protected areas. We invite a variety of responses from TEDsters in pursuit of this goal.
Possible Responses:
Development of technologies that would permit deep sea exploration in order to make the invisible visible Supporting (or organizing) expeditions to explore proposed “hope spots” Helping make the scientific case for a network of MPAs Identifying and exploring candidate MPAs Creating a media campaign in support of MPAs Backing the upcoming Oceans documentary to ensure wide viewership Offering media space/distribution PR and marketing assistance Offered use of a suitable boat or ship for TED@SEA, a “brainstorming expedition” on the oceans Event management Website that highlights the issue and nurtures a network of supporters. …and/or your suggestion of what you could best offer.
Update: I tried to capture the actual text of the first 2 wishes but they went by pretty quickly. Here's my best shot:
Jill Tarter: "I wish that you would empower Earthlings everywhere to become active participants in the ultimate search to become cosmic participants." The slides and discussions made me think they're trying to take the Allen Telescope Array, pattern recognition algorithms, manual pattern recognition like the Stardust at Home program, and SETA at Home to the "next level".
Sylvia Earle: This talk included a lot of analogies between ocean exploration and space exploration (such as Earth without oceans as being like the surface of Mars, life support in space vs. life support under the sea), satellite images, etc. Google Earth with its new Ocean features was heavily featured. A quote from the talk: "How about some X PRIZEs for ocean exploration? Hmm..." The wish: "I wish you would use all means at your disposal ... to ignite public support for a global network of marine protected areas ..."
Update #2: You can see the actual text of the wishes, how they progress, and ideas on these pages:
Jill Tarter's Wish -
The Plan:
To assemble a group of engineers to advise on and create a system to facilitate mass collaboration over the web and incorporate innovative data processing methods, including the ability to input alternative search algorithms, The aim would be to tap into the power of open-source initiatives, to globalize the search for extra-terrestial intelligence and empower a new generation of SETI enthusiasts. We would back the launch of this new system with a major storytelling and awareness campaign whose goal is to inspire millions to participate.
The Needs:
Sylvia Earle’s Wish -
The Plan:
To bring knowledge of our oceans to a wide audience and galvanize support in favor of marine protected areas. We invite a variety of responses from TEDsters in pursuit of this goal.
Possible Responses:
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Prizes not Patents for African Universities
Eyes on the prize - ex Africa semper aliquid novi -
Some African universities are considering investing money, energy and political capital in pursuing patent strategies based on the 1980 Baye-Dohl legislation in the United States. However investing in decades old, pre-Internet, Reaganomics may cause them to miss the global trend towards awarding prizes rather than patents for innovation.
This post mentions the following conference:
Medical innovation prizes as a mechanism to promote innovation and access - The conference site shows a thorough discussion by numerous speakers on prizes, and the resources page includes a number of background papers, slide presentations, and pictures from the conference.
Prizes over Patents - Africa semper aliquid novi - This post follows up on the one mentioned above, explaining advantages of prizes over patents to encourage university research teams.
Some African universities are considering investing money, energy and political capital in pursuing patent strategies based on the 1980 Baye-Dohl legislation in the United States. However investing in decades old, pre-Internet, Reaganomics may cause them to miss the global trend towards awarding prizes rather than patents for innovation.
This post mentions the following conference:
Medical innovation prizes as a mechanism to promote innovation and access - The conference site shows a thorough discussion by numerous speakers on prizes, and the resources page includes a number of background papers, slide presentations, and pictures from the conference.
Prizes over Patents - Africa semper aliquid novi - This post follows up on the one mentioned above, explaining advantages of prizes over patents to encourage university research teams.
Teams at Space Access and Commercial Space Transport Conferences
Space Access '09 Conference - RLV News - Past and present Lunar Lander Challenge teams Armadillo, Masten, and Unreasonable Rocket are on the early draft of the conference schedule.
Speaking of Unreasonable: Unreasonable update - RLV News
12th Annual Commercial Space Transportation Conference - RLV News - The "Wired for Space" session has a lot of prize personalities:
Joshua Neubert, Executive Director, Conrad Foundation, San Francisco, CA
Cassie Kloberdanz, Aerospace Strategic Communications Consultant, Denver, CO
Mike Fabio, Google Liaison and Community Manager, X PRIZE Foundation, Santa Monica, CA
Scott Zeeb, TrueZer0, Chicago, IL
Todd Squires, TrueZer0, Chicago, IL
Speaking of Unreasonable: Unreasonable update - RLV News
12th Annual Commercial Space Transportation Conference - RLV News - The "Wired for Space" session has a lot of prize personalities:
Joshua Neubert, Executive Director, Conrad Foundation, San Francisco, CA
Cassie Kloberdanz, Aerospace Strategic Communications Consultant, Denver, CO
Mike Fabio, Google Liaison and Community Manager, X PRIZE Foundation, Santa Monica, CA
Scott Zeeb, TrueZer0, Chicago, IL
Todd Squires, TrueZer0, Chicago, IL
Conrad Foundation Finalist Teams and Vote
The Conrad Spirit of Innovation Awards announces its 2009 finalist teams. Some of the winning teams have posts today on the competition blog.
From an email from the Conrad Foundation:
Finalists will attend the Innovation Summit at NASA Ames Research Center on Apr. 2-4, 2009. Teams will compete for opportunities to commercialize their products. Overall winners will be announced April 4th.
All finalist team profiles are now posted at www.conradawards.org. The public can read about each team's product, cast votes, provide comments and financially support their favorite team(s). Grants will be used for research and prototype development. Public votes will be tallied along with the judges to determine the winners.
"This is a dynamic way to take an active role in creating a future of innovation in science and technology," said Nancy Conrad, founder of The Conrad Foundation.
From an email from the Conrad Foundation:
Finalists will attend the Innovation Summit at NASA Ames Research Center on Apr. 2-4, 2009. Teams will compete for opportunities to commercialize their products. Overall winners will be announced April 4th.
All finalist team profiles are now posted at www.conradawards.org. The public can read about each team's product, cast votes, provide comments and financially support their favorite team(s). Grants will be used for research and prototype development. Public votes will be tallied along with the judges to determine the winners.
"This is a dynamic way to take an active role in creating a future of innovation in science and technology," said Nancy Conrad, founder of The Conrad Foundation.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Space Prize Roundup - February 2, 2009
Unreasonable update - RLV News
'Your NASA Dream Experience' Contest Winner to Be Announced - SpaceRef
Lockheed Martin/IISME Partnership Helps Bay Area Teacher Inspire Future Generations of Scientists and Engineers - CNN Money -
Harrison and Raimondi hope this year’s event will be a launching point for next year’s national Team America Rocketry Challenge, in which the winning team will be awarded $60,000 in college scholarships.
Team LaserMotive’s new laser… - Space Elevator Blog
National Academy of Sciences Honors NASA's Neil Gehrels for Science Contributions - SpaceRef -
His leadership of the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory and the Swift Mission has led to new insights into the extreme physics of active galactic nuclei and gamma ray bursts. The Henry Draper Medal and a prize of $15,000 are awarded for an original investigation in astronomical physics.
NASA Goddard Astrophysicist Peter Serlemitsos Wins Joseph Weber Award - SpaceRef -
The Joseph Weber Award for 2009 was conferred on Dr. Peter Serlemitsos in late January in recognition of his innovative contributions to X-ray detector and telescope designs that have enabled decades of scientific advances in high energy astrophysics.
'Your NASA Dream Experience' Contest Winner to Be Announced - SpaceRef
Lockheed Martin/IISME Partnership Helps Bay Area Teacher Inspire Future Generations of Scientists and Engineers - CNN Money -
Harrison and Raimondi hope this year’s event will be a launching point for next year’s national Team America Rocketry Challenge, in which the winning team will be awarded $60,000 in college scholarships.
Team LaserMotive’s new laser… - Space Elevator Blog
National Academy of Sciences Honors NASA's Neil Gehrels for Science Contributions - SpaceRef -
His leadership of the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory and the Swift Mission has led to new insights into the extreme physics of active galactic nuclei and gamma ray bursts. The Henry Draper Medal and a prize of $15,000 are awarded for an original investigation in astronomical physics.
NASA Goddard Astrophysicist Peter Serlemitsos Wins Joseph Weber Award - SpaceRef -
The Joseph Weber Award for 2009 was conferred on Dr. Peter Serlemitsos in late January in recognition of his innovative contributions to X-ray detector and telescope designs that have enabled decades of scientific advances in high energy astrophysics.
2009 Thacher Scholar Awards, SPS, and Google Earth 5.0
On the day of the Google Earth 5.0 rollout, it's good to feature a prize with the theme of satellite remote sensing, aerial photography, geographic information systems (GIS), and Global Positioning System (GPS):Thacher Scholar Award - SpaceHack
2009 Thacher Scholar Awards - Entries Received by April 6, 2009 - Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) - The contest features prizes for both students grades 9-12 and teachers.
Geospatial technologies and data have numerous uses in science research, ranging from climate prediction to archaeology. They can be used to improve our understanding of the Earth system, including interactions among the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere and hydrosphere. They can also be used to improve the quality of our lives by supporting weather prediction, natural hazards monitoring, agriculture, land-use planning, coastal management, transportation, public health and emergency response.
Here are some other activities from the IGES:
IGES 2008 Calendar Art Contest for grades 2-4, sponsored by Lockheed Martin - This (or that) year's contest (in 2008 for the 2009 Calendar) had the theme "Trees: Making a World of Difference". I've included a picture called "Moving" from one of the winners.
Powering the Planet - The Futures Channel features a preview of a movie "Powering the Planet" about Space Solar Power. The IGES links to it because their President Nancy Colleton is in the previous. John Mankins, and members of the NSSO SPS group are also featured.
Since I mentioned the Google Earth 5.0 release, here's news from the Google Earth Blog:
Google Earth 5.0 Now Released - Watch Video
Google Earth 5 Released - 3D Ocean and More! - The new ocean features alone are quite impressive.
Google Earth 5 - The New Google Mars - On a space blog I don't think I need to say much about this, since it speaks for itself. My only question is, when do we get a "Google Venus"?
Google Earth 5 - Historical Imagery - I think this is quite important for studying changes over time. This will add value to space remote sensing operations that work over years or decades.
Google Earth 5 - Record Tour Mode Features
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Les Trophées du Libre - Open Source Prizes
Cash Prizes for Innovation: Trophees du Libre - Linux Magazine -
The French international competition Trophees du Libre is again offering cash prizes for the most innovative open source solution for 2009, and the smaller the project, the better the chances of winning.
Entries have to be registered by Feb.15 2009 for the competition which has a first prize of 3000 Euro, a second prize of 1000 Euro and 500 Euro for third. Categories include education, media, security, career, civil engineering and research.
Les Trophées du Libre site (in English)
The French international competition Trophees du Libre is again offering cash prizes for the most innovative open source solution for 2009, and the smaller the project, the better the chances of winning.
Entries have to be registered by Feb.15 2009 for the competition which has a first prize of 3000 Euro, a second prize of 1000 Euro and 500 Euro for third. Categories include education, media, security, career, civil engineering and research.
Les Trophées du Libre site (in English)
Improving the Stimulus Package with Innovation Prizes
Stimulus? What Government Should Learn From the X-Prize - Crossover Health blog has a different idea how the stimulus package should work.
Airship Z-Prize
The Airship Z-Prize is an effort to develop a freight transport airship for humanitarian logistics support and as a green transport solution using an innovation prize. The site provides numerous links and pages about the advantages and history of airships, and also has a blog section. I assume the "Z" stands for Zeppelin - or is it Zero Emission? Here are a few posts on the prize itself (rather than general airship news, which is also included in the blog):
Airship Deutsch Prize - 1901 - some prize history
Seeking Initial Sponsorship Support
Z-Prize Criteria Development Workshop Planned
Z-Prize Preparations in Progress!
Can Modern Transport Airships Change the World? -
Beyond the significant carbon reduction opportunities airship technology represents for transportation uses, their ability to take off and land vertically without fixed infrastructure such as runways would make transport airships an invaluable tool in the effective delivery of humanitarian aid and the servicing of remote communities. ...
Sadly, many among the general populace, business world and governments immediately dismiss the potential of a transport airship solution because of the negative perceptions created and still enduring since the 1937 Hindenburg Disaster. This disaster was more than 70 years ago utilizing the most primitive of materials, methods and technologies. In 2008 and beyond, we have access to so many superior materials both for airship skeleton and envelope, as well as interior cells for lift and buoyancy. ...
There is no doubt that the number one requirement for starting a major renewal and modern upgrade of airship transport technology is money. And given the tough economic times facing the world over the next several years, attracting such money on a pure research and development grant basis is unlikely. This is precisely why we truly believe the Airship Z-Prize is the most appropriate way of spurring the development of a viable transport airship industry forward.
Meet the Airship Z-Prize Founders
Airship Deutsch Prize - 1901 - some prize history
Seeking Initial Sponsorship Support
Z-Prize Criteria Development Workshop Planned
Z-Prize Preparations in Progress!
Can Modern Transport Airships Change the World? -
Beyond the significant carbon reduction opportunities airship technology represents for transportation uses, their ability to take off and land vertically without fixed infrastructure such as runways would make transport airships an invaluable tool in the effective delivery of humanitarian aid and the servicing of remote communities. ...
Sadly, many among the general populace, business world and governments immediately dismiss the potential of a transport airship solution because of the negative perceptions created and still enduring since the 1937 Hindenburg Disaster. This disaster was more than 70 years ago utilizing the most primitive of materials, methods and technologies. In 2008 and beyond, we have access to so many superior materials both for airship skeleton and envelope, as well as interior cells for lift and buoyancy. ...
There is no doubt that the number one requirement for starting a major renewal and modern upgrade of airship transport technology is money. And given the tough economic times facing the world over the next several years, attracting such money on a pure research and development grant basis is unlikely. This is precisely why we truly believe the Airship Z-Prize is the most appropriate way of spurring the development of a viable transport airship industry forward.
Meet the Airship Z-Prize Founders
Maximizing Ocean Progress with Prizes
Following up on my two recent ocean-themed posts about 2009 TED Prize Winners including a prominent ocean explorer, the recent MIT Ocean X PRIZES Workshop, and an announcement planned tomorrow (mentioned in both posts I just linked) that probably involves ocean-related features of Google Earth, here's more about the MIT workshop. It's all from Maximizing Progress, a blog with strong MIT content that summarizes itself with the following: Exponential Innovations Everywhere - Joost Bonsen's Opinions on Money, Ideas, and Talent Enabling Liberty, Prosperity, and Vitality for All.
Deep Dive ~ X-Prizes for Ocean Exploration? - This was before the workshop. In addition to general information like the workshop flyer had, it mentions the participation of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Aquatourism ~ Emergent Oceanic Eco-Industry -
At MIT's IAP X-Prize Workshop I was delighted to see for the first time Graham Hawkes speak about his Deep Flight family of submersibles. These currently luxury devices (~US$1 to 3M each) will soon enable aqua-limo services and ultimately be a class of readily accessible toursubs, thus transforming the aquatourism sector. ... Graham Hawkes is the creator-engineer, a multi-company entrepreneur, most recently operating both Precision Remotes and Hawkes Ocean Technologies.
Precision Remotes is in the business of remotely operated reconnaissance, surveillance, and weapons systems. They depict scenarios where critical infrastructure is defended with remotely-operated, armor-protected machine guns, and forward military bases add a layer of remotely-operated machine or sniper guns to their defense.
Hawkes Ocean Technologies offers the mentioned Deep Flight submersibles. From their web page:
Deep Flight Challenger Deep Flight Challenger was built to enable adventurer, Steve Fossett, to set the ultimate solo dive record for all time (37,000 feet). Unfortunately Fossett perished in a plane crash before he could dive the submersible to record depth. Hawkes Ocean Technologies is now the only organization in the world that has full ocean depth technology.
Deep Flight Super Falcon Now available for sale to private owners. The first full productionized submersible capable of sub-sea flight. HOT is currently building a Super Falcon for Tom Perkins, founder of Kleiner Perkins Venture Capital. Perkins owns the largest privately-owned sailing yacht, S/Y Maltese Falcon. ...
Getting back to the Maximizing Progress posts on the workshop:
Ocean X-Prizes ~ Exploring Possible Challenges -
Organized by Erika Wagner, who runs the MIT X-Prize Lab, and Jaison Morgan from the X-Prize Foundation, this session brought together a couple dozen students, faculty, staff, entrepreneurs, journalists and other oceans enthusiasts. ... We split into four idea teams and in the end, proposed two preliminary concept themes:
Treasure Quest -- Discovery and mapping of wonderous ecological, geological, and archaeological marine riches, and
Blue Space Race -- a Tour de Oceans competition via Formula One-like manned submersibles in the briny deep
Maximizing Progress is a potential source of more innovation prize and competition information. Here's the current post:
Energy Innovations ~ MIT Yunus Challenge 2009 -
This year the theme is... "innovative small-scale energy storage solutions to help alleviate poverty. Solutions must address the needs of people living on less than $2 per day. ..."
In "My Activities", the first item Joost mentions is the MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition.
Deep Dive ~ X-Prizes for Ocean Exploration? - This was before the workshop. In addition to general information like the workshop flyer had, it mentions the participation of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Aquatourism ~ Emergent Oceanic Eco-Industry -
At MIT's IAP X-Prize Workshop I was delighted to see for the first time Graham Hawkes speak about his Deep Flight family of submersibles. These currently luxury devices (~US$1 to 3M each) will soon enable aqua-limo services and ultimately be a class of readily accessible toursubs, thus transforming the aquatourism sector. ... Graham Hawkes is the creator-engineer, a multi-company entrepreneur, most recently operating both Precision Remotes and Hawkes Ocean Technologies.
Precision Remotes is in the business of remotely operated reconnaissance, surveillance, and weapons systems. They depict scenarios where critical infrastructure is defended with remotely-operated, armor-protected machine guns, and forward military bases add a layer of remotely-operated machine or sniper guns to their defense.
Hawkes Ocean Technologies offers the mentioned Deep Flight submersibles. From their web page:
Deep Flight Challenger Deep Flight Challenger was built to enable adventurer, Steve Fossett, to set the ultimate solo dive record for all time (37,000 feet). Unfortunately Fossett perished in a plane crash before he could dive the submersible to record depth. Hawkes Ocean Technologies is now the only organization in the world that has full ocean depth technology.
Deep Flight Super Falcon Now available for sale to private owners. The first full productionized submersible capable of sub-sea flight. HOT is currently building a Super Falcon for Tom Perkins, founder of Kleiner Perkins Venture Capital. Perkins owns the largest privately-owned sailing yacht, S/Y Maltese Falcon. ...
Getting back to the Maximizing Progress posts on the workshop:
Ocean X-Prizes ~ Exploring Possible Challenges -
Organized by Erika Wagner, who runs the MIT X-Prize Lab, and Jaison Morgan from the X-Prize Foundation, this session brought together a couple dozen students, faculty, staff, entrepreneurs, journalists and other oceans enthusiasts. ... We split into four idea teams and in the end, proposed two preliminary concept themes:
Treasure Quest -- Discovery and mapping of wonderous ecological, geological, and archaeological marine riches, and
Blue Space Race -- a Tour de Oceans competition via Formula One-like manned submersibles in the briny deep
Maximizing Progress is a potential source of more innovation prize and competition information. Here's the current post:
Energy Innovations ~ MIT Yunus Challenge 2009 -
This year the theme is... "innovative small-scale energy storage solutions to help alleviate poverty. Solutions must address the needs of people living on less than $2 per day. ..."
In "My Activities", the first item Joost mentions is the MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition.
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