Topic: NASA's New 'Tricorder' (Read 1953 times)

Stormbringer · « **on:** February 11, 2006, 12:57:54 pm »

NUGGET: NASA's New 'Tricorder'

http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-Fiction-News.asp?NewsNum=431

NUGGET (Neutron/Gamma Ray Geologic Tomography), an instrument containing a neutron generator, a neutron lens and a gamma-ray detector, could be used to investigate important biological indicators of life on distant worlds - just like Star Trek's tricorder.

(Neutron/Gamma Ray Geologic Tomography)
The system provides a three-dimensional scanning instrument that focuses a beam of neutrons into an object. When the nucleus of an atom inside the rock captures the neutrons, it produces a gamma-ray signal for that element, which the gamma-ray detector then analyzes. The location of the elements can also be plotted; information can then be turned into an image of the elements within the rock. Scientists could then tell whether a certain type of bacteria had become fossilized inside the rock.

Many of us remember the tricorder from the original Star Trek series of the mid-1960's. The standard Starfleet tricorder was used for determining various characteristics of landing areas (like life form readings). (Doctors and engineers had their own specific types of tricorder.)

(Spock's Tricorder - Detail)
For other news related to sensors and science fiction, see EyeBall: Omni-Directional Smart Eye Sensor and ThereminVision Sensor: Robot Proximity Detection. Read more at NASA develops a NUGGET to search for life in space and at Astrobiology magazine. See also more tricorder images and details.

(Story submitted 8/1/2005)

E_Look · « **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2006, 01:45:09 pm »

Hey, Storm, didn't you post something like this some time ago?

Great concept; I've always wished I could have a better display on my scientific programmable calculators, like doing a spreadsheet, rudimentary word processing, IR communication (not only with others with same make and model, but universally, especially to a PC), optical IR-UV signal sensing, even if passive... shoot! I could have a handheld laboratory!

I mean, this means it can be done, no? But now, my more normal skepticism- power requirements?? I hope it can work with a tiny solar panel!

Stormbringer · « **Reply #2 on:** February 11, 2006, 01:50:20 pm »

Well yeah i did in regards to terahertz radiation. that stuff is amazing. but as to power requirementsi guess it depends of duration you know like for lasers or stun guns. those can be powered by tiny batteries. they put out a lot of power but over a very brief timeframe.

E_Look · « **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2006, 02:27:13 pm »

Right. But for anything to be used as a "tricorder", it has to be on for quite a bit of time to be useful, like collecting data, transferring files, even just doing calculations or looking up something in a database.

These activities would, in my opinion, require a battery that can hold lots of charge, so that the user, in the middle of important activities would not have to be inconvenienced by interrupting his work to recharge the thing.

"Spock, did you get a fix on their heading when they ran away?" "No, Captain. I had stop and recharge my tricorder!"

Stormbringer · « **Reply #4 on:** February 11, 2006, 02:38:48 pm »

But the active emmissions do not have to be on all the time for that just the computer part and as you know pdas or notebook computers have hours of use between chargings.

Dracho · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2006, 09:55:32 am »

Quote from: E_Look NCC-9091 on February 11, 2006, 01:45:09 pm

Hey, Storm, didn't you post something like this some time ago?

Great concept; I've always wished I could have a better display on my scientific programmable calculators, like doing a spreadsheet, rudimentary word processing, IR communication (not only with others with same make and model, but universally, especially to a PC), optical IR-UV signal sensing, even if passive... shoot! I could have a handheld laboratory!

I mean, this means it can be done, no? But now, my more normal skepticism- power requirements?? I hope it can work with a tiny solar panel!

Sounds like you just need a scientific calculator application for your HP Handheld or Palm, and then you'd have exactly what you're describing.

E_Look · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2006, 12:09:41 pm »

Nah, I don't think those handhelds are capable of much IR or other light emission... nor can they record it properly... unless they also have a built in CCD. But then again, I'm always behind the times in these things.

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