Students learn from robot games

SINGAPORE--Some may consider it kids' game, but robotics can go a long way in encouraging students to think creatively and learn to build products that are commercially viable, said a local educator at Republic Polytechnic (RP).

The tertiary institution on Wednesday held its inaugural Underwater Robotics Olympiad, a competition targeted specifically for secondary school students. The polytechnic had clinched three medals awarded at the country's Singapore Robotic Games (SRG) competition, held earlier this January.

The Underwater Robotics Olympiad is the result of a collaboration between RP and A-Main Objectives, a home-grown enterprise that specializes in robotics technology and building materials. Sixty teams from 42 secondary schools in Singapore participated in the competition.

A-Main supplied the components, hardware, motors and controllers required to build the robots in the contest, while RP provided the software used to operate the robots.

Compared to land-based robotics, underwater robotics expose students to a different set of difficulties and concepts on robot building technology. This urges young minds to be creative in order to solve the unique challenges, said Tan Heap Jui, assistant director of capability development at RP's school of engineering. "[Such] competitions will unleash their creativity," he told ZDNet Asia in an interview Monday.

RP's Underwater Olympiad was held in the school's swimming pool, featuring obstacles around which participants have to maneuver their robots. The different dynamics and density faced by the robot underwater posed a challenge for students.

"When in the water, you are dealing with three-dimensions, on land you are dealing with only two-dimensions. You also need to take care of water proofing," Anthony Ong, managing director of A-Main, explained in the interview. Apart from not allowing water to seep into the electronics compartment, Ong noted that condensation might take place when the robot is submerged. Students were then challenged to think of solutions to prevent such incidents, he said.

Prasanna Kumar, senior manager of RP's robotics laboratory, highlighted the importance of the putting together a sound conceptual design for the robots, including issues such as placements of motors, which affect the propelling motion, and the buoyancy of the robot.

Students will realize how daily household objects, such as plastic storage containers, can also be used in the construction of the robot, said Kumar, adding that these items can be easily found in most hardware shops.

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How to Choose Right Perfume for Men

There are varieties of perfumes in the market manufactured by different companies and it is very difficult to choose the perfume that suits to your personality perfectly. You will also come across the types of the fragrance in the perfume purchasing like sweet, exotic and spicy. You should know that all these types of fragrance are used by men in different occasions. Before buying any type of perfume, men usually ask question of what is the use of perfume for men.

Many experts believe that perfumes add an aroma in the personality of the man and mould the outlook of the appearance in new dimension. You can attract any women in first glance if you are well dressed with best choice of perfume for men. Before buying, you visit different websites that are selling perfumes products online. Try to read the reviews about the different perfume products and feedback of the customers. All these details help you to make a precise judgment about the quality of the perfume for men and you are able to know the name of the top ranked firm from where you can easily buy the best perfume for men.

Perfume is considered an essential part of the body accessories for men. You need to be carful in the choice of the perfume for men. It should be based on the social stratum of the man. Sometimes many men prefer to use perfume brands manufactured by well known firms but these products do not suit to their personalities. There is no use of wearing such type of perfume as it just wastes your money. Today buying a perfume is just like buying clothes for men because the choices of the perfect perfume for men enhance the attraction toward opposite sex.

The wise choice of the perfume for men depends on the chemistry of the body and the budget. Some firms supply samples to the customers to buy the best perfume products. Perfumes help you to set your mood toward romance. At the time of midnight dinner, you do not only need candles to invoke the feelings of romance but perfumes also play a vital role to attract your women easily to understand your hot love.

You can enjoy the most pleasurable movements of life if you know the art of buying best perfume for men. If you do not have any idea of buying best perfume for men, you can get the assistance of the shopkeeper from where you are buying perfume. You clearly explain to him the occasion for which you are buying a perfume. All these tips help you to get the right perfume for men.

source : www.articlesbase.com
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THE PERFUMES WINNERS OF THE 20th INTERNATIONAL AWARD 2009

The Winner Female Perfumes

BEST FRAGRANCE
CHANEL N°5 EAU PREMIERE
The fragrance which re-interprets the never ending spirit of success of Chanel N° 5, created in 1921 by Ernest Beaux, in a pure and transparent key, which highlights the delicate and subtle trace of its predecessor and seduces today’s contemporary woman. Read the following...

BEST PACKAGING
MARK JACOBS DAISY
From a design by Wilhem Liden, ironically impersonates the dualism between sensual and playful, at times even irreverent, of today’s woman. Black, white and gold, dominating chromatic lines, translate the luxurious and spontaneous charm of a creation in total coherence with the stylist’s collections. Read the following...

BEST COMMUNICATION
MA DAME JEAN PAUL GAULTIER
Ma Dame by Jean Paul Gaultier uses the English model Agyness Deyne directed by Jean Baptiste Mondino in a short story about a transformation. Humour and glamour, safety and irreverence, striking sensuality model the Garçonne, metaphor of femininity and individualism which are dear to the stylist. Read the following...


The Winner Male Perfumes

BEST FRAGRANCE
ALLURE HOMME EDITION BLANCHE CHANEL
A creation which highlights a game of contrasts and destined for lovers of art and all things beautiful. The composition revolves around an oriental middle note with an invigorating fresh echo, thus creating an impetuous and explosive hot-cold alchemy which characterises the singularity of the fragrance. Read the following...

BEST PACKAGING
PACO RABANNE ONE MILLION
All the symbols of power, virility and style are to be found in the brand Paco Rabanne and are encompassed in this first creation by Noè Duchaufour Lawrance, a young talent whose experience comes from the world of design and sculpture.

BEST COMMUNICATION
DOLCE&GABBANA THE ONE FOR MEN
It finds an ideal interpretation in the sensual confidence of the Texan actor Matthew McConaughey. The film, directed by Jean Baptiste Mondino who had also given his name to the previous women’s fragrance advert, depicts a fascinating and sportsmanlike virility of a seducer whose self-irony enables him to play with his own vanity, capturing the spirit of the fragrance.

You can see full of this article at the Accademia del Profumo website.
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AT&T says to double mobile data speeds by 2011

NEW YORK (Reuters) - AT&T Inc said on Wednesday it would double its wireless data network speeds as part of an upgrade that it aims to kick off later this year and complete in 2011.

The second biggest U.S. mobile service said its plan, which includes the expansion of its existing wireless data network from 350 metropolitan areas to 370 this year, would be covered by its previously announced capital spending budget of $17 billion to $18 billion for 2009.

The increase to its mobile Web surfing speeds involves an upgrade of a network technology known as High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) that AT&T already uses. The upgrade is expected to increase AT&T's theoretical network speed to 7.2 megabits per second from current levels of 3 megabits per second, the company said.

However, actual network speeds can vary hugely once a network is loaded with customers. AT&T said it would have multiple laptop network cards and smartphones available to take advantage of the upgrade later this year.

The company also said it would start tests for its next network technology upgrade with a technology known as Long Term Evolution (LTE) in 2010 and plans to start building LTE into its network in 2011.

Its bigger rival Verizon Wireless, owned by Verizon Communications Inc and Vodafone Group Plc, plans to already start installing LTE into its network later in 2009, a year ahead of AT&T.

Clearwire Corp is building a rival high-speed network based on WiMax, another emerging technology. Read More...