|
|
Welcome to Velo Vision magazine, covering specialised bikes, cycling as transport and human power. It's a quarterly dose of cycle inspiration.The current issue is Issue 16. The next issue is out early March 2005.
Search news story archive: |
Human powered landmine detector scoops awardThe detector is powered by the user swinging it to and fro over the ground - ideal for developing countries where there's often no electricity supply available. It's hoped the award may help bring it closer to full production. According to an article in Professional Engineering magazine, the 'SPLICE' (Self-Powered Locator and Identifier for Concealed Equipment) won not a contrived-acronym award but the ' Worldaware Business Award', a scheme run 'to recognise corporate social responsibility in the developing world'. The mine detector is powered by a small lead weight, which swings to and fro as the user swings the detector across the path. The weight drives a series of gears, which in turn power a small dynamo. The idea is to totally enclose the unit, so that there are no controls for the operator, just a pair of headphones to hear the signal. The unit was developed by Chris Richardson, who works at Roke Manor Research, a Siemens subsidiary. Here's their latest press release about the gizmo: "Hampshire based, research and development company, Roke Manor Research, has made significant further improvements to the sensor head technology of its Self Powered detector for the Location and Identification of Concealed Equipment. This kinetically powered radio frequency based device can now detect the smallest of metal targets, as well as responding to non-magnetic and non-metallic materials. Laboratory tests carried out at Roke Manor Research show that the detector head can now detect the full range of standard targets, representing land mine components, produced by the Defence Research Establishment (DRE), at Suffield, in Canada. These include a non-magnetic stainless steel pin, 1.59mm diameter and 19mm long, as well as a brass ball-bearing, 4.6mm in diameter. The improvements to the detector mean that it can detect the DRE targets at a free space range of 10cm. Roke Manor Research is now looking for companies wishing to develop equipment based around this new sensor head technology. A sophisticated detection system of this kind has a range of applications. Its low cost and kinetic power system make it a reliable, economical option for third world land mine clearance. Its accurate detection of small metal targets also means that it has applications in domestic markets, such as checking food for metal contamination in processing plants and security checks in places such as prisons or airports." ************ OK, that was another human-power-but-not-cycling story... hope you all like this sort of thing. Let me know if it interests you - or not. Posted on 02 February 2001 Your comments ...
|