Would you eat 3D Printed Food?

Posted on May 23, 2013 by admin

You’ve seen 3D movies, there has even been a 3D printed gun, but would you eat 3D printed food? NASA has announced that it will fund construction of the world’s first 3D food printer. NASA hopes that 3D printed food could benefit astronauts and that the printers will one day be a household item.

NASA has given a $125,000 grant to mechanical engineer Anjan Contractor to build the 3D printer he has already designed. The American space company wants the 3D printers to help provide food for astronauts on long distance journeys through space, but many believe it could be even better for those on Earth.

How you Print Food

Here is how you print food. The food printer is fed cartridges of powders and oils containing all the nutrients needed for a healthy diet. The cartridges work very similar to the way a standard printer’s ink cartridges work. The ingredients of the desired food are then sprayed on layer-by-layer, eventually creating a solid three-dimensional food.

Feeding the World

With hunger a major problem in certain areas of the world, the 3D food printer has limitless potential. The cartridges used wouldn’t go out of date for over 30 years and will provide a long shelf life. Contractor believes that many economists think the current food systems can’t supply the billions of people on Earth sufficiently. “So we eventually have to change our perception of what we see as food,” he said.

Once the Contractor’s 3D printer is up and running, they will test it by attempting to print a pizza. Its flat shape makes it the perfect choice for the test run (Plus who doesn’t like pizza?). They will first print the dough, then the tomato base, and lastly the “protein-layer” topping. If Contractor’s design works, it will change the way we look at food forever.

The Importance of Having a First Aid Kit Handy this Spring and Summer

Posted on May 10, 2013 by admin

Now that spring and summer are here, more people will be enjoying the outdoors. Experts say that because more people are doing activities outside, there is an increase in cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds. Taking immediate action when someone is injured can prevent infection and help the person heal faster.

Many of the injuries people get are minor and can be treated at home or on location. By knowing how to treat these injuries and having a first aid kit on you, further injury can be avoided. You should have a first aid kit in your home and an auto first aid kit in your vehicle so you can be prepared to help if someone does get hurt. The American College of Emergency Physicians offers the following first aid tips:

• Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water or use an antibacterial cleanser.

• Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth, paper towel, or piece of gauze to the injured area to stop the bleeding.

• Clean the wound with cool water and mild soap, and then gently dry the area.

• Apply an antibiotic ointment to the wound to reduce the risk for infection.

• Cover the wound with a sterile bandage.

In some cases, emergency medical attention is required. In any of the following scenarios you should call 911 and wait for instruction from medical professionals;

• Wounds that are very large or bleeding excessively.

• Injuries that are on the face or near a bone.

• Injuries that have caused people to lose feeling or function in the affected area.

• Injuries caused by a human or animal bite.

• Wounds caused by a rusty object.

• Wounds with objects or debris stuck inside.

Being knowledgeable and prepared will help you in the event of an emergency. Remember to have a first aid kit handy at home and wherever you go because you never know when someone will be injured.

UK Police Cars Fitted with First Aid Kits

Posted on April 12, 2013 by admin

Lancashire police vehicles are getting automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and first aid kits to allow officers to save lives at the roadside. They hope that by having the life-saving tools on hand, that police officers can give immediate aid when they are first on the scene.

So far six of the cruisers on the Lancashire police force have been fitted with an AED and first aid kit. The officers are also getting the training they need to use the equipment properly. A total of 70 officers are being trained already to use the AEDs and contents of the first aid kit. They will now be able to diagnose and treat life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. This will allow police officers to re-establish an effective heart rhythm until EMT workers arrive.

Inspector Andy Trotter said, “Our road policing officers patrol 270 miles of motorway, along with rural roads, which are often far away from immediate ambulance reach.” They hope that by having officers with the proper life-saving equipment and training can help save lives at the scene of road collisions. It is proven that every minute that passes when someone goes into cardiac arrest, their chances of survival decreases by up to 14 percent.

The first aid kits contain items like a tourniquet and blood clotting packs, which are used to stem life-threatening continuous bleeding. By having officers with proper training and effective life-saving devices on hand they can give people in life-threatening crashes the best chance of survival.

Tips for Surviving Emergencies on the Road

Posted on February 27, 2013 by admin

Many people do not know what to do in the event of an emergency while driving. Being prepared and knowing what to do in an emergency can not only save your life, but others’, too. Here are some common driving situations that can turn fatal if you do not know how to react.

Keep Calm and Drive On

Many fatal single vehicle crashes happen when a person’s vehicle runs off the road. Many times and inattentive or distracted driver will allow the vehicle’s right tires to drop off the pavement or onto highway rumble strips. Once the driver notices that they are straying off the road, he or she jerks the steering wheel to the left. The front tires both regain grip; however, the right back tire, or possibly both back tires, is off the road, and with little traction, they begin to slide out, and the vehicle spins out of control and may even flip.
To avoid this end result, you must stay calm and not overreact. If you should find yourself drifting off the road, you should let off the gas and gently ease back into the lane. Do not press down on the breaks unless you have to avoid an obstacle and have to get back into the lane faster. Be smooth with the steering wheel, because when traveling at high speeds, a little goes a long way.

Have an Emergency Car Kit

You never know when your vehicle might break down. You should always have an emergency car kit in the backseat or trunk of your car. Make sure that it is easily accessible, because you never know what kind of emergency you might have. There are many different kinds of emergency car kits, but most will have a small air compressor, tow rope, first aid kit, flashlight, blanket, and other items you would need in a car emergency. There are even special emergency car kits for the winter time. They are inexpensive and can be a life saver if you should ever break down or get into an accident.

Go into Neutral

If the throttle should get stuck, you could be in for a dangerous ride. If your vehicle is manual, press in the clutch and place the shifter into neutral. Even an automatic car will go into neutral from drive while the car is still moving. This allows even a passenger to put the car into neutral if necessary. Most modern cars have physical or electronic devices that prevent the transmission from going into reverse or park while the vehicle is moving forward. Even a manual car will go into neutral without pushing the clutch, although it just might take a little more force. In the event of an emergency where you have to stop quickly, it is always a good idea to put the car into neutral just in case you hit the accelerator by accident. In a manual transmission vehicle, press both the clutch and the break in to prevent from stalling.

Use Your Passenger

Every car has blind spots, and today’s vehicles have thicker A-pillars to house airbags. If you are riding with a passenger, take advantage of that and put them to work. While many people do not like “back seat” drivers, they can prevent you from getting into an accident with their extra set of eyes. Have them check to see if it is all clear to change lanes or have them look right while you look left when entering the road.

De-Fog the Windshield

Many people struggle with fogged up windshields, and decreased vision when driving is never a good thing. Switch the heating system from recirculation to fresh air and engage the air conditioner whenever the windshield starts fogging up. If you turn on the air conditioning and allow the system to bring in fresh air to lower the humidity inside the vehicle, you will instantly see the fog decrease. Another important thing is to change your wiper blades sooner than later! Old wiper blades will do you no good in a rainstorm and will really make it difficult to see what’s in front of you.

Innovative New Disaster Relief Kits

Posted on February 6, 2013 by admin

Natural disasters can be unpredictable and happen anywhere on Earth. Every year, natural disasters cause millions of people to be displaced from their homes. Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy, and earthquakes have left people across the world homeless with nowhere to sleep. A few great shelter ideas such as the Softshelter, AbleNook, and Carter Williamson’s Shelter have already shown that people are willing to find ways to help the victims of natural disasters.

There is a new concept design from Chen Yu Jung that could be a great tool for people affected by natural disasters in the future. The previous emergency kits that have been created are larger and can take some time to set up. Chen’s Rely foldout sleeping domain is a quick and easy super sleeping bag that someone can use after a disaster happens.

The great thing about the Rely is that it is lightweight, compact, and can be carried like a backpack. A company like FEMA could easily pass out the Rely packs immediately to help victims. The Rely rolls out into a sleeping mat with a sleeping bag like blanket and curls up at the end to keep rain or sun off your face. Not only is the Rely a sleeping mat, but it comes with some necessities inside that may be hard to obtain in the event of a disaster. Inside, you will find a bottle of water, portable reading lamp, stool, storage compartment, tableware, and toiletries.

The portable reading lamp can be used bed side or as a portable flashlight. The battery can be charged via kinetic energy that is generated by pushing a button. The storage compartment can be flipped upside down to create a stool and the kit’s exterior hexagon shaped casing doubles as a sunshade or overhead shelter for privacy. Aside from the water bottle, you will find a toothbrush, toothpaste, and towel packed inside. The Rely foldout sleeping domain can be a lifesaver for those who need immediate shelter after a natural disaster or even a great item for campers. Its portable design and practical components make it a great product.

New 49ers Stadium to Come Equipped With Solar Power

Posted on January 30, 2013 by admin

The San Francisco 49ers are building a new state of the art football stadium that will be unlike any other NFL home field. Located in Santa Clara, the new stadium will be equipped to have a sustainable energy source. In combination with NRG Energy, the 49ers’ new home will use the sun to create its own energy.

NRG is going to help make the new football field the first professional football stadium to open with LEED certification, the recognized standard for measuring building sustainability. NRG will become the sole sustainable energy provider for the NFC West powerhouse and will install a number of solar elements.

NRG is planning to install several state-of-the-art solar elements, including three solar array-covered bridges, a solar canopy of the green roof on the suite tower, and solar panels over the 9ers’ training center. The arrays will have a total peak capacity of 400kW and will be able to provide enough power over the course of a year to offset the power consumed by the stadium during home games. This will make the new stadium the first professional sports venue in California to achieve net zero energy performance.

This innovative new stadium will be the first in the next generation of stadium designs. One of the most unique features that the stadium will offer is the green roof at the top of the suite tower. The three solar bridges will connect the main parking to the stadium and will have hundreds of solar panels on them.

Not only will the Bay Area fans be able to enjoy the new “green” stadium’s new solar power, but there will be many other green initiatives. There will be public transit access to the stadium, bicycle parking, a walking path from the San Thomas Creek Trail, water conserving plumbing fixtures, recycled materials, and much more sustainable design elements.

Here are some of the specs for the new home of the San Francisco 49ers:

- Cost will be $1.2 Billion
- 1.85 million square feet, with approximately 68,500 seats and 165 luxury suites.
- Designed to be a multipurpose facility that can host soccer, motocross, concerts, and more
- Three solar panel-covered bridges
- Hundreds of solar panels at the practice facility
- Solar Canopy

Tips for Safe Winter Driving

Posted on January 8, 2013 by admin

With winter comes cold weather and rough driving conditions. Snow and ice can create dangerous driving conditions, allowing for accidents to become more prevalent. When driving in these winter conditions, you need to be more cautious or the consequences can be serious. An accident or breakdown in the extreme cold can lead to injury and even death. You can’t forget that if you are having trouble on the road, emergency personnel will not be able to get to you as fast, either. Before venturing out into the elements this winter, look over these driving tips.

Clear off the snow and ice before you drive – If you wake up to snow and ice all over your vehicle, make sure you thoroughly clean it off before you drive. Clear off as much snow as you can, including the snow on the roof of the vehicle. Also scrape any ice off the windows to make sure your vision is not hindered.

Have an emergency car kit - To be prepared for a break down or accident, you should have an emergency car kit in your car. There are winter car emergency kits that will have supplies that can save your life. They will have a blanket, jumper cables, gloves, shovel, and other supplies. Always have one in your car when doing any traveling in hazardous driving conditions.

Be light on the pedal – When starting from a standstill, it is important to accelerate slowly to avoid any wheel spin.

Drive SLOW – In slippery conditions, your tires will lose traction easier. By driving slower and giving yourself more space between other cars, you can have more time to react.

Don’t lock up the wheels – If you need to slow down and you do not have ABS, you should gently pump the brakes, not slam on them. If you lock up the wheels by slamming on the brakes, you will cause your vehicle to skid. If your vehicle has ABS, you should press the breaks and hold it. The brakes will make a shuddering sound and you should feel a sensation in the pedal. This means the ABS system is working correctly.

Perform one action at a time- Do not try and brake while turning when driving in icy conditions. Brake the vehicle while going straight and then turn to avoid sliding. Also wait until you are straight again to start accelerating.

Know how to correct a slide – If you are in a turn and the back wheels begin to slide out, gently let of the gas pedal and turn the wheel towards the slide. Doing this should straighten the vehicle back out.

Don’t be fearless - Just because your vehicle is AWD does not mean you should drive recklessly. All AWD will do for you is provide extra traction when accelerating; it does not provide any advantage when braking or cornering.

Be aware of your surroundings - Other drivers can be the most dangerous part of driving in the bad weather. Other drivers may not be as cautious and can be a risk to you. Leave extra space between other motorists so you have more time to react to them. Also you should signal early to alert vehicles that are behind you.

Home Defense Tactics

Posted on January 2, 2013 by admin

A break-in, trespassing, or theft can happen in any home. When it comes to protecting your home and family, you should not spare any expense. As a safety measure, you should purchase the appropriate defense products to protect your home or business. Home defense products like security cameras, audio/video recorders, and diversion safes can be a great way to protect your family or valuables.

There are many defense tactics you can use to protect your property from intruders. They can be either visible or conspicuous, record activity indoors or outdoors, make audio and video records, or even just serve as a deterrent. Based on your safety needs, you can choose the tactic that is right for you.

Cameras

Cameras can be one of the best deterrents for burglars. You can purchase both security camera systems and dummy cameras. Security cameras alone can make a potential thief think twice about trying anything on your property. Dummy cameras look just like regular ones, are placed in plain sight so they can be seen, and are cheaper than a security system. With a security system, you view every angle of your property inside and out. The kits come with cameras, a monitor screen, and a recording device. You can see an intruder before they enter your home and stay one step ahead of them. They are great for large properties, so you can keep an eye on everything. If you are not home when a break-in occurs, the cameras will be recording the thief’s every step and help identify them. While visible camera systems can be great deterrents, there are also hidden cameras that can capture a break in without the burglar even knowing it. They can be shaped like radios, air fresheners, smoke detectors, mirrors, and even clocks. The thief will not be able to avoid the camera because they will have no idea where they are!

Audio/Video Recorder

For security camera systems that only show real time events, adding an audio/video recorder can be a great upgrade. Being able to supply evidence to the authorities involving suspicious activity or theft can be the difference when trying to make an arrest. You can record telephone conversations if you are being harassed over the phone or use microphones to record sound inside or outside your home. Being able to playback what the cameras catch can be a priceless advantage in home defense.

Diversion Safes

When a burglar breaks into your home, they want to grab the most expensive things they can in a short period of time and get out. They will most likely be looking for a safe because they know that is where people keep their most valuable items. It has been found that one of the best places to hide your valuables is in plain sight, where the thieves would never think to look. Diversion safes come in the form of everyday items and do not look suspicious at all. They can look like flower pots, books, shaving cream cans, salt shakers, or even dog food. It is unlikely that a thief will try and see if there are any valuables hidden in a jar of peanut butter that is in the cupboard. The diversion safes are even weighted so they seem like they are full of the contents that are on the label.

When it comes to protecting your home, family, business, or valuables, you need to use the proper defense tactics. You can’t put a price on someone’s life, and it is worth it to spend money to protect your most valuable possessions.

Why You Should Have an Emergency Preparedness Kit

Posted on December 26, 2012 by admin

Firefighters, EMTs, and emergency responders all carry emergency preparedness bags. It is their job to work quickly and efficiently, so they have to be prepared. To aid them in doing so, emergency bags are created so they can have all the basic supplies and gear easily accessible. What happens when emergency personnel is not quickly available because of natural disaster or other event? What could the average person do? With an emergency preparedness kit, anyone will have the basic amenities needed to survive for at least 72 hours.

An emergency preparedness kit will already be packed with all of the things you would need to help you survive for at least three days on your own. It should be in an easily accessible place in case you have to evacuate your home quickly. The kit will help you whether you need to grab it and go quickly or if you have to stay inside. There are different kits that will provide the basic needs for an individual, family, school, or workplace. Each kit, either in a bucket or bag, will contain things like emergency food rations, clean water, and first aid supplies. You never know if you will be alone or with others when an emergency happens. There are emergency preparedness kits that can support one person up to four people. The kits are inexpensive, so it could pay off in the future if you have an extra one. Having more is better in the event of an emergency.

When looking for an emergency preparedness kit, be sure to get one specific to your needs. Make sure the kit has enough supplies to provide for every person in your family. Always have one available at school, your work, and even in your car because you never know when an emergency will happen. You can never be over prepared for an emergency.

AEDs: Unsung Hero

Posted on November 26, 2012 by admin

When people think of heroes, they think Batman, Superman, police officers, and firemen. It is not often that someone tells a story about how an AED, or automatic external defibrillator, saved someone life. You may not know it, but they can be found around your town, in you schools, and even at your work. You have seen defibrillators on TV and in movies with someone always yelling “Clear!” before shocking someone with the two handles causing the victims body to pulsate. While this is a very exaggerated depiction of what a defibrillator does, AEDs save more lives than you think.

In the past, it seemed like defibrillators were for hospitals only and not for the average citizen. However, these days, accidents can happen anywhere, and the need for AEDs in emergency situations has increased. They can now be found in public places in case of an emergency. The automatic external defibrillator is made so that anyone can use it with ease. When people take CPR classes, they are now also trained in how to use an AED. Normally, an AED will come with instructions and pictures, so it can be used in case of an emergency. It is better if someone trained operates it, but if there is no one present, just follow the directions posted on the box. In the event of an emergency, first have someone contact 911 and then find the closest AED. Most AEDs will have a picture to show you where to place each pad on the victim’s body and will charge up and let you know when it is ready to operate. With the press of a button the AED will operate and can help save someone’s life while you wait for emergency personnel. Just in Greensburg, PA, 10 people’s lives have been saved because of AEDs in the past three years.

Many people do not know what an AED is or how to use it. That is why it is important to spread awareness and get the proper training. CPR/AED training is only around four hours, is often free, and is good for two years. Be prepared, because an emergency can happen to anyone, anytime, and anywhere.