Innovation & K-12 Focus

New Scientist published a recent article about IBM’s new computer chip “that integrates both electrical and optical nano-devices on the same piece of silicon.”

According to the article, “IBM hopes to use the technology to create powerful exaflop supercomputers within the next five years.” A researcher at IBM’s silicon integrated nanophotonics group says that “for the first time (a computer) would have the same processing power as the human brain.”

Τ

At Greendale High School (Milwaukee, WI) students recently worked on converting mechanical energy from recycled bicycles.

The article details some of the projects and inventions of the students. The assignment was given to the students’ teacher, Terri Tessmann, a former biomedical engineer.

Β

An engineer whose firm assisted with the rebuilding of Haiti discussed the dangers facing many typical schools in Southern California during the recent 2010 Earthquake Symposium held at UCLA.

According to Kit Miyamoto, president of Miyamoto International, “a magnitude-7 or greater earthquake in Southern California would level obsolete school buildings and kill hundreds of students.

Read the article for more information and recommendations made at the Symposium related to earthquake codes in California.

Π