Communicating Chemistry 2016W1 Section 109

On November 10^th 2016, Sony released the latest product of their playstation series, ps4 pro. It is an advanced version of ps4, their previous product, with some improvement on the quality of hardware. The purpose of ps4 pro is to optimize the function of Playstation VR, which is a device that is used to play video games in virtual reality. Since last year, virtual reality has become one of the most popular words in the area of video game. So here comes the question: what is virtual reality and why the video game industries and players are excited about it?

Virtual reality (VR) typically refers to computer technologies that use software to generate realistic images, sounds and other sensations that replicate a real environment (or create an imaginary setting), and simulate a user’s physical presence in this environment. This is experience is generally achieved with the help of specialized equipment such as VR google. In general, it is a technology that can generate any artificial three-dimensional environment within your imagination. After having a basic idea of what virtual reality is, it is easy to understand why video game lovers are so thrilled about it because video game is the most typical example of artificially-generated environment. Before the presence of VR, all of the games were produced in 2D, and players were never able to experience the world within the games personally. This situation changes after the existence of VR googles that are specified for video games. Besides having a better experience on games, VR can be applied in many practical areas too, such as military, engineering, and education. If the technology is matured enough, it is possible that VR can be applied in our chemistry laboratory work, which would be time and money efficient.

Play station VR, a device used to play VR games https://www.playstation.com/en-ca/explore/playstation-vr/

So how dose VR work exactly. In general, I would summarize the working principles into three main areas: head tracking, motion tracking and eye tracking. Head tracking is the system that monitors the position of your head, so that the image you look will change if you move your head into another place. This is important because in reality, the image in front of us changed when we look at a different place. The second part is motion tracking, this is required because a game usually has a set of movements, and these movements must be achieved by the motion of the player. The final puzzle is the eye-tracking, this is a technology that tracks the movement and focus of your eyes. In reality, when your eyes is focused on a point, its surrounding will be a piece of blur to you, and this is what the system does, the appearance of images will change based on where your eyes are focused.

Although VR is an outstanding technology, there still some challenges now. The motion and eye tracking systems are still not very mature now, so the environment that is simulated by the equipment is actually not very realistic. Besides, it has very high requirement on hardware, therefore the cost is high. In order to have a decent experience on VR games at home, a person  needs at least a piece of VR google, a video game player, and a television with resolution up to 4K, the cost of them is incredibly high.

The popularization of VR games is becoming inevitable now because most players are very curious to know what a 3D video game fells like. And hopefully, in the future, VR will be applied widely in areas other than video games, which will make a evolutional change to our life.

References:

1, WAREABLE, URL: https://www.wareable.com/vr/how-does-vr-work-explained

When we think about growing food on a farm, all we can see is that farmers have to work 24 hours a day and collect all the main crops during harvest without having rest. According to the most recent survey, more than 80% of the teenagers in Africa do not want to be farmers when they grow up (1). It is generally acknowledged that farmers in most of the countries have the least income as well as a poor educational background.

Caleb Harper, also known as the director of media lab in MIT (2), is developing a new technology which is called “digital farm.” It is unbelievable that this technology can actually lead to an astonishing agricultural revolution. By using computer science and engineering, we can grow plants in only three weeks without using soil, 95% water (3) and heavy labor. Vegetables or fruits which grow under such controlled environment will also be more delicious than normal food that grows inside common farms.

Graph 1: the First vertical urban farm in North America(Canada) Posted by Ed. Source: https://www.indoorfarmer.ca/2-uncategorised/28-north-america-s-first-vertical-urban-farm-is-being-built-in-canada

In the natural environment, only the “perfect” habitat can provide enough nutrients and conditions to grow delicious vegetables and fruits. However, how can we define “perfect” ? In Xinjiang, China, fruits are very sweet and juicy due to the special climate. During daytime, under the exposure of strong sunlight, the process of photosynthesis(4) can be very productive. During the night, plants will breathe and consume energy which is produced from photosynthesis(4). However, when local plants breathe through the stomata on their leafs, because of the super cool temperature in Xinjiang during the night, the stomata on leafs is closed to protect the plant itself. Therefore, the respiration process is much slower and less energy is consumed in the form of glucose. Consequently, all the sweetness which is created by glucose just accumulates inside the fruits.  (5) Consequently, we can see that how environmental conditions can actually change the tastes of fruits and vegetables.

Inside the media lab, scientists are using the computer to monitor the environment. All important factors for growing plants, such as temperature, humidity, UV-light exposure will be controlled, which can lead to a special “climate” inside a small room. After multiple experiments, the “perfect” condition can be found. The desirable tastes of all types of food can be achieved through changing every small scale of the different environmental factor. With this technology, the cost of international transportation will be largely reduced. Furthermore, because no soil is needed in digital lab, heavy labor is also not required during harvest season.

There is a growing tendency that  scientists and university students are willing to donate themselves to this research area. In other words, more and more young people are willing to be “farmers”, and they are both computer scientists, engineers, chemists, biologists…  In the future, farmers will not be a job that everyone dislikes. In my opinion, “digital lab” can not only protect our local environment but also can improve the educational system of agriculture. The food industry needs more people with abilities. In the future, “farmers” will be high-paid jobs around the globe, and I have faith that together, we can make this world a better place.

Reference:

1. Youth in farming: Youth using ICTS to earn incomes in running agricultural farms. http://www.youthinfarming.org/2011/12/15-major-reasons-youth-in-africa-do-not.html
2. Caleb Harper | MIT media lab. https://www.media.mit.edu/people/calebh
3. Vertical Farming in Singapore– The future of agriculture. http://permaculturenews.org/2014/07/25/vertical-farming-singapores-solution-feed-local-urban-population/
4. Chemistry for biologists–Photosynthesis. http://permaculturenews.org/2014/07/25/vertical-farming-singapores-solution-feed-local-urban-population/
5. Respiration in plants. http://www.funscience.in/study-zone/Biology/Respiration/RespirationInPlants.php

The Fluoride Toothpaste

Toothpaste plays an important role in our daily life, it provides a fresh smell for our breath and prevents our teeth. However, have you ever pay attention the ingredients of the toothpaste? Are the ingredients really good for teeth and your health?

In the markets, toothpastes can be divided into two main categories. One contains fluoride, and the other does not have fluoride. Why does toothpaste contain fluoride? And is fluoride good for our teeth?

toothpaste.Source from http://www.clipartkid.com/toothpaste-cliparts/

The existence of fluoride in toothpaste can help remove plaque, which is a fill of bacteria that forms on teeth and gums everyday. The bacteria remains on teeth can cause teeth decay, therefore it is necessary to use fluoride to remove plaque and make teeth stronger. What is more, fluoride helps to repair the enamel by replenishing the lost calcium and phosphorous to keep the teeth hard.

However, some people should not use fluoride contained toothpaste. For example, child under two years old should use fluoride free toothpaste. It is very likely for children to swallow too much fluoride since they cannot spit out toothpaste very well. And if too much fluoride is taken by children, it can cause dental fluorosis. The discoloration and pitting are very likely to appear on the teeth. Not only the teeth will be coated by brown spots, also teeth may feel rough.

Children with toothpaste. Source from http://www.illustrationsof.com/438660-royalty-free-toothpaste-clipart-illustration

Nowadays, in order to ensure the water quality, the fluoride is added into drnking water. And some food, beverages and other sources may contain fluoride as well. Even for an adult, it is not good when excess fluoride is taken into the body. In order to be good got teeth and health, it is better to speak with a dentist and according to your current fluoride intake to decide if a fluoride toothpaste is suitable for you or not.

References:

Learn More About Toothpaste. http://www.ada.org/en/science-research/ada-seal-of-acceptance/product-category-information/toothpaste. (assessed Nov 12th 2016).

Why Use A Fluoride Free Toothpaste? http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/basics/fluoride/article/sw-281474979286061. (assessed Nov 12th 2016).