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Top 10 Weapons of the Future World

2010-04-11T07:05:00.000-07:00

1 - Autonomous Weapons

These are robotic vehicles, under development, that search and destroy enemy troops and equipment on the ground or in the air, without risk to friendly troops – theoretically.

How they work: On board computers interpret sensor data to identify and target hostile forces with built-in weapons. Robots may query human controllers at remote sites for the go-ahead to fire, and friendly forces may carry transponders that identify them as “friends”.

Limitations: Difficulty of quickly and reliably discriminating between hostile forces and neutral or friendly parties or objects, such as civilians, cows, trees, and tractors. Systems that check with human controllers are vulnerable to communication failures. Malfunctioning robots could fire wildly at anything.

2 - High Energy Lasers

These are powerful energy beams that travel through air or space in straight lines. They travel at the speed of light and can strike over distances of thousands of kilometres.

How they work: Large mirrors focus powerful laser beams onto a small spot on the target. The heat produced burns through the surface of the target, disrupting flight, disabling warheads, or igniting fuels or explosives.

Limitations: It needs much more energy to do damage than bullets, which destroy targets with their momentum. Powerful lasers need fuel or electrical power and are also very bulky (the US Airborne Laser fills a Boeing 747). Traveling through air and turbulence can disperse the energy of the beam.

3 - Space Based Weapons

Space is the ultimate high ground, so weapons in orbit would have the ability to see and zap anything on the ground, in the air, or nearby in space.

How they work: The main mission of space-based weapons would be to defend against ballistic missiles fired at targets on Earth. Fleets of interceptors or battle stations would be stationed in orbit, poised to fire at any attacking missiles. The leading approach now is solid projectiles – such as tungsten rods- that would impact missiles. But laser battle stations are also under consideration.

Limitations: The technology is immature. Reaction times must be very fast. Interceptors must hit warheads to destroy them, which is difficult. Lasers also need chemical fuel or electrical power which is not readily available in space.

4.Hypersonic Aircraft

Launched from a standard runway, a hypersonic aircraft could fly faster than Mach 5 to strike anywhere in the world within two hours. It would also have enough thrust to deliver a satellite to low-Earth orbit.

How they work: To get off the ground from a runway, a hypersonic plane would either hitch a ride on a conventional plane, or have its own conventional jet engine. That engine would carry the hypersonic craft to an altitude where air density and resistance are less. Here it would reach supersonic speeds and then shift to its scram-jet engine. The scram-jet scoops up air and mixes it with fuel so it burns as the mixture flows through the engine at supersonic speeds. This means scram-jets can achieve some of the speed of a rocket without having to carry heavy OXIDISER (to mix with fuel), as rockets do.

Limitations: The technology is immature, with many engineering issues unresolved. Scram-jets engines can not start until the plane flies faster than the speed of sound. Plus, hypersonic flight has so far only been demonstrated for small UNPILOTED craft carried to high speed by other vehicles – and other planned experimental craft are too small to carry a pilot.

5 - Active Denial System

Millimeter-wave or microwave beams supposedly make people flee without injuring them. They might typically be powered by a generator fitted to a Humvee, in crowd control situations.

How it works: A 2-meter antenna and mobile generator produce and aim a beam of 95-gigahertz (3-millimeter) radiation. The top 0.3 mm of skin absorbs millimeter waves, causing intense pain within five seconds, so people flee quickly, if they can.

Limitations: Serious injury is possible if people cannot escape from the beam; skin burns within minutes. The beam also superheat metal objects like coins, earrings, or spectacle frames, which can then burn skin.

6 - Nuclear Missiles

Nuclear missiles are able to deliver unmatched destructive power anywhere in the world, making them the ultimate level of military power.

How they work: One or more nuclear warheads are mounted on a ballistic missile, and launched vertically. The rocket burns out in the upper atmosphere, then coasts to its programmed destination where the bomb descends and explodes.

Limitations: These weapons are so frighteningly destructive that they have never been used in war (the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs – which had much less destructive power – were dropped from aircraft). Plus, the launch site and trajectory are easy to identify, inviting retaliation in kind from the target nation.

7 - Stun Guns

TASERS disable people with bursts of high-voltage electricity, allowing police to subdue them without lasting injury.

How it works: A special gun fires darts on wires. These deliver a pulse of electricity that temporarily disrupts control of voluntary muscles. Police target body or legs to avoid vulnerable areas such as head and neck. Without muscle control, people fall to the ground.

Limitations: TASERED people may be injured when they fall to ground. Darts can injure the throat, eyes, or genitals. Pulses can cause muscle spasms or seizures, and deaths have been reported. One pulse does not stop all people, and there have been allegations of misuse of stun guns, and claims of their use in torture.

8 - E Bombs

High-power microwave pulses can knock out computers, electronics, and electrical power, crippling military and civilian systems.

How they work: A rapid increase in electromagnetic field strength during a pulse, induces surges of electric current in conductors. This burns out electrical equipment – semiconductor chips are particularly vulnerable. Special bombs generate the most intense pulses covering large areas, but unmanned aircraft carrying smaller generators can pinpoint targets.

Limitations: The effects can depend on local conditions, and are hard to predict. Sensitive enemy military equipment can be shielded, and microwaves also disable friendly electronics within range.

9 - Layered Missile Defense

Layered missile defense offers the best chance to shoot down attacking ballistic missiles.

How it works: Multiple anti-missile systems are deployed to target ballistic missiles during different stages of the attacking missile’s flight: (1) The boost phase, while the rockets firing engines makes it easy to spot; (2) Mid-course, while the warhead coasts in space, and; (3) The terminal phase, as it approaches the target. Each phase, or layer, of defense increases the chance of successful destruction of the missile.

Limitations: Depends on efficiency of each layer. The system is very expensive to build, test, deploy, and maintain. The initial boost phase is easiest to target, but requires extremely fast reaction times.

10 - Information Warfare

This technique interferes with the flow of information vital to enemy operations, while defending friendly channels of communication.

How it works: Information warfare specifically targets communication networks and computers. Expert computer hackers, called crackers, might break into or overload military computers and networks, or spread computer viruses. JAMMERS might also block radio and television transmissions. Misinformation is circulated deliberately.

Limitations: The US relies more on computers and communications than most of their potential adversaries – making the technique a potential threat to them, and of limited use against low-tech opponents. Both side are also vulnerable to MIS-information.

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Top 10 Richest person in the world 2010 | who is the richest person in the world 2010

2010-04-07T02:13:00.000-07:00

No.1 Carlos Slim Helu

$53.5 billion

Telecom, Mexico.

Telecom tycoon who pounced on privatization of Mexico's national telephone company in the 1990s becomes world's richest person for first time after coming in third place last year. Net worth up $18.5 billion in a year. Recently received regulatory approval to merge his fixed-line assets into American Movil, Latin America's biggest mobile phone company.

No.2 Bill Gates

$53 billion

Microsoft, U.S.

Software visionary is now the world's second-richest man. Net worth still up $13 billion in a year as Microsoft shares rose 50% in 12 months, value of investment vehicle Cascade swelled. More than 60% of fortune held outside Microsoft; investments include Four Seasons hotels, Televisa, Auto Nation. Stepped down from day-to-day duties at Microsoft in 2008 to focus on philanthropy.

No.3 Warren Buffett

$47 billion - Investments, U.S.

America's favorite investor up $10 billion in past 12 months on surging Berkshire Hathaway shares; says U.S. has survived economic "Pearl Harbor," but warns recovery will be slow. Shrewdly invested $5 billion in Goldman Sachs and $3 billion in General Electric amid 2008 market collapse. Recently acquired railroad giant Burlington Northern Santa Fe for $26 billion.

No.4 Mukesh Ambani

$29 billion- Petrochemicals, oil and gas. India.

Global ambitions: His Reliance Industries, already India's most valuable company, recently bid $2 billion for 65% stake in troubled Canadian oil sands outfit Value Creations. Firm's $14.5 billion offer to buy bankrupt petrochemicals maker LyondellBasell was rejected. Since September company has sold Treasury shares worth $2 billion to be used for acquisitions. Late father, Dhirubhai, founded Reliance and built it into a massive conglomerate.

No.5 Lakshmi Mittal

$28.7 billion - Steel, India.

London's richest resident oversees ArcelorMittal, world's largest steel maker. Net profits fell 75% in 2009. Mittal took 12% pay cut but improved outlook pushed stock up one-third in past year. Looking to expand in his native India; wants to build steel mills in Jharkhad and Orissa but has not received government approval. Earned $1.1 billion for selling his interest in a Kazakh refinery in December

No.6 Lawrence Ellison

$28 billion - Oracle, U.S.

Oracle founder's fortune continues to soar; shares up 70% in past 12 months. Database giant has bought 57 companies in the past five years. Completed $7.4 billion buyout of Sun Microsystems in January; acquired BEA Systems for $8.5 billion in 2008. Studied physics at U. of Chicago; didn't graduate. Started Oracle 1977; took public a day before Microsoft in 1986.

No.7 Bernard Arnault

$27.5 billion

Luxury goods, France.

Bling is back, helping fashion icon grab title of richest European as shares of his luxury goods outfit LVMH--maker of Louis Vuitton, Moet & Chandon--surge 57%. LVMH is developing upscale Shanghai commercial property, L'Avenue Shanghai, with Macau billionaire Stanley Ho.

No.8 Eike Batista

$27 billion

Mining, oil. Brazil.

Vowing to become world's richest man--and he may be on his way. This year's biggest gainer added $19.5 billion to his personal balance sheet. Son of Brazil's revered former mining minister who presided over mining giant Companhia Vale do Rio Doce got his start in gold trading and mining.

No.9 Amancio Ortega

$25 billion

Fashion retail, Spain.

Style maven lords over Inditex; fashion firm, which operates under several brand names including Zara, Massimo Dutti and Stradivarius, has 4,500 stores in 73 countries including new spots in Mexico and Syria. Set up joint venture with Tata Group subsidiary to enter India in 2010. Betting on Florida real estate: bought Coral Gables office tower that is currently home to Bacardi USA.

No.10 Karl Albrecht

$23.5 billion

Supermarkets, Germany.

Owns discount supermarket giant Aldi Sud, one of Germany's (and Europe's) dominant grocers. Has 1,000 stores in U.S. across 29 states. Estimated sales: $37 billion. Plans to open New York City store this year. With younger brother, Theo, transformed mother's corner grocery store into Aldi after World War II. Brothers split ownership in 1961; Karl took the stores in southern Germany, plus the rights to the brand in the U.K., Australia and the U.S. Theo got northern Germany and the rest of Europe.

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Top 10 America's Most Promising Young Companies

2010-04-06T04:47:00.000-07:00

No. 1: Vextec

Vextec.com

Founded: 2000,@ Brentwood, Tenn. with 23Employees
Industry: Computational analysis,2008 Revenue: $3 million

Company Vitals: Invented patented modeling software that predicts, with great accuracy, how and when components will fail--even before they're built. Customers include Cummins, BorgWarner and Lockheed Martin.

No. 2: Kerosene and a Match

Keroseneandamatch.com

Founded: 2009@ San Clemente, Calif with 9 Employees
Industry: Technology (software)
Company Vitals: Makes software that trolls the Web for unsearchable graphics, photos and videos. Example: One could upload a picture of a rash and search for remedies. Revenue model: annual licensing fees.

No. 3: iKnowWare

iknowware.com

Founded: 2002@ Georgetown, Texas with 12 Employees

Industry: Software as a service Company Vitals: Software accesses any data, anytime, from anywhere, even via smart phones. Sells prepackaged versions for the construction, banking, insurance, accounting and health care industries.

No. 4: Ferrate Treatment Technologies

Ferratetreatment.com

Founded: 2004@ Orlando, Fla. with 6 Employees
Industry: Water treatment Company Vitals: Makes a portable machine that strips electrons from iron ions to make ferrate, a more potent water disinfectant than ozone and chlorine. Can disinfect up to 20 millions gallons of water per day.

No. 5: Weather Trends International

Wxtrends.com

Founded: 2006 @ Bethlehem, Pa. with 14 Employees
Industry: Weather forecasting Company Vitals: Uses statistical algorithms to forecast temperature, precipitation and snowfall by the day and season for the year ahead.

No. 6: Sundia

Sundiafruit.com

Founded: 2004 @ Oakland, Calif.
Industry: Branded produce Company Vitals: Packages and sells cut fruit in eight-ounce and 20-ounce containers. Rents factory space in fruit-rich countries Mexico, Thailand and China. Farms out its phone systems (Philippines), accounting (India) and tracking and quality assurance (Pakistan).

No. 7: Oversight Systems

Oversightsystems.com

Founded: 2003 @ Atlanta
Industry: Software as a service Company Vitals: Its Web-based software acts as a virtual auditor to catch internal fraud and employee mistakes by mining data from company databases.

No. 8: Auri Footwear

Aurifootwear.com

Founded: 2008 @ Laguna Beach, Calif.
Industry: Consumer products Company Vitals: Designs, manufacturers and sells men's shoes online, at Amazon.com and Zappos.com, and through 100 U.S. retailers, including Nordstrom.

No. 9: Yurtopia

Vertomedical.com

Founded: 2008 @ St. Louis, Mo.
Industry: Audio accessories Company Vitals: Manufactures and sells earbuds for audio headphones. Size selection based on digital photos of customers' ear canals.

No. 10: Prolifiq Software

Prolifiq.net

Founded: 2005 @ Beaverton, Ore.
Industry: Software as a service Company Vitals: Offers real-time data management (including audio and video images) for salespeople in the technology, digital media and life sciences industries.

Top 10 Basketball’s Billionaire Owners

2010-04-06T04:37:00.000-07:00

Paul Allen

Team: Portland Trailblazers Net Worth: $11.5 billion

Microsoft co-founder turning his small market team around. Last year the Trailblazers made the playoffs for first time in six seasons; team has increased revenue nearly 50% in two years. Washington State dropout founded software giant with buddy Bill Gates in 1975; left in 1983 after Hodgkin's disease diagnosis. Sold off much of his stake to lose huge sums on far-off visions through holding company, Vulcan. Recently launched software outfit Xiant, whose product Filer helps users keep track of e-mails in Microsoft's Outlook. Also owns football's Seattle Seahawks

Philip Anschutz

Team: Los Angeles Lakers Net Worth: $6 billion

Worth $607 million, the Lakers are most valuable team in NBA; won NBA championship last season. Stars like Kobe Bryant keep Staple Center packed and seats expensive. Through his company AEG, Anschutz owns hockey's L.A. Kings, stakes in two European hockey teams, and two Major League Soccer franchises (the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Houston Dynamo). He also owns the Staples Center.

Micky Arison

Team: Miami Heat Net Worth: $4.3 billion

Miami Heat owner suffering in cold Florida economy. Last season the team's attendance fell 8.6% despite cuts in ticket prices. Israeli-American took over Carnival Cruise business from father Ted in 1990. Today operates 93 ships under 11 brands, including Cunard, Princess, Holland America. Company claims 225,000 people are sailing on its flagship fleet at any given time.

Richard DeVos

Team: Orlando Magic Net Worth: $4.2 billion

The Magic made the NBA finals last season, but lost out to the Los Angeles Lakers. Strong season helped raise the team's net income by $5 million. Squad's new arena, Amway Center, scheduled to open next fall. DeVos co-founded Amway in 1959 with high school chum and fellow WWII vet Jay Van Andel (d. 2004); reorganized as Alticor in 2000. Used direct-selling to turn all-purpose-cleaner company into a consumer products empire. Retired 1993; youngest son, Doug, lords over a sales staff of 3 million in 80 countries.

Stanley Kroenke

Team: Denver Nuggets Net Worth: $2.7 billion

The Nuggets had their best season since 1988 last year: won 54 games, advanced to Western Conference finals before losing to the Lakers. Kroenke owns Nuggets' home, the Pepsi Center; one of the most successful privately financed arenas. Made first fortune developing commercial and retail properties, later moved into sports: owns pro hockey's Colorado Avalanche, plus stakes in football's St. Louis Rams and English soccer titan Arsenal.

Mark Cuban

Team: Dallas Mavericks Net Worth: $2.4 billion

Cuban keeps spending in his quest for a championship; has handed out $390 million for payroll, plus an additional $68 million in luxury tax payments over last four seasons. Launched audio and video portal Broadcast.com with college buddy Todd Wagner. Sold to Yahoo! in 1999 for $5.7 billion in stock; a decade later the domain just redirects to Yahoo!'s home page. Invested in entertainment via HDNet, 2929 Entertainment, Lions Gate.

Charles F. Dolan & Family

Team: New York Knicks
Net Worth: $2.3 billion

The Knicks poor performance in recent years has knocked the team from their perch as the most valuable franchise in the NBA; squad has lost 4% of value since last year. Team has lost two-thirds of its games the past five years. The Dolan family also owns Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and hockey's New York Rangers. Planning public spin-off of MSG later this year; family expected to still control sports teams.

Glen Taylor

Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Net Worth: $2.2 billion

The Timberwolves value dropped 11% since last year as five poor seasons and only 24 wins in 2008 dampened ticket demand. Last season gave away 5,000 tickets; has lowered prices on 95% of the seats. Former Minnesota state senator's first job: napkin stamper at Carlson Wedding Service. Bought majority interest from owner Bill Carlson 1975, founded Taylor Corp. Invested in agribusiness on Iowa and Minnesota farmland; sells liquefied eggs to food companies and restaurants.

Michael E. Heisley Sr.

Team: Memphis Grizzlies Net Worth: $1.5 billion

Bought Vancouver Grizzlies in 2000, moved to Memphis a year later. Team has second-lowest value in NBA, churning through eight coaches in nine years. Heisley used $150,000 profit from selling home and $10 million in bank loans to acquire Conco, maker of sewer and drain equipment, in 1979. Expanded; bought several near-bankrupt Rust Belt manufacturers. Today Heico operates 40 companies: steel, construction, aviation equipment.

Herbert Simon

Team: Indiana Pacers
Net Worth: $1.25 billion

Rough Indiana economy punishing Pacers' fan base: team 27th in NBA during 2008-09 season in attendance, last during 2007-08. Simon runs the Conseco Fieldhouse; city of Indianapolis owns it. Asked city for financial aid because he can not afford the $15 million in annual operating expenses. With brother Melvin, became a billionaire building shopping malls. Today Simon Property Group is the largest publicly traded real estate investment trust in the U.S.

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Top 10 Bizarre Museums Around the World

2010-04-06T03:22:00.000-07:00

1. Antique Vibrator Museum

In days long gone, doctors used vibrating devices in the treatment of “hysteria,” which they viewed as the most common health complaint among women of the day. Hysteria was a medical term developed to describe a woman’s display of mental or emotional distress, behavior then considered a disease in need of treatment. Good Vibrations’ founder, Joani Blank, collected antique vibrators for over 20 years. In this curious museum you get to see her entire collection, as well as more modern takes on the vibrator. Pictured above is a 1902 “Type A”, Hamilton Beach vibrator.

Address: 603 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

2. Mütter Museum Medical Museum

The museum is best known for its large collection of skulls and anatomical specimens including a wax model of a woman with a human horn growing out of her forehead, the tallest skeleton on display in North America, a 5′-long human colon that contained over 40 pounds of fecal matter, and the petrified body of the mysterious Soap Lady (image above), whose corpse was turned into a soapy substance called adipocere. The museum also houses a malignant tumor removed from President Grover Cleveland’s hard palate, the conjoined liver from Siamese twins Chang and Eng Bunker, and a growth removed from President Abraham Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth. This is a must see place for a cold wintery day.

Address: 19 South 22nd Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19103.

3. Sulabh Museum of Toilets

At the Sulabh museum of toilets, you can see the evolution of the “loo” as well as catch up on the latest toilet jokes from around the world! Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, the Founder of Sulabh International Social Service Organisation, a pioneering non-profit voluntary organisation (NGO) in the field of Sanitation in India, envisioned the need for the setting up of a museum of toilets in the sprawling campus of his central office, and has consultative status with Economic and Social Council of the UN!

Address: Mahavir Enclave, Palam Dabri Road, New Delhi, India

4. Icelandic Phallological Museum

The Icelandic Phallological Museum contains a collection of over one hundred penises and penile parts belonging to almost all the land and sea mammals that can be found in Iceland. Visitors to the museum will encounter thirty specimens belonging to twelve different kinds of whale, one specimen taken from a rogue polar bear, eighteen specimens belonging to seven different kinds of seal and walrus, and fifty one specimens originating from sixteen different kinds of land mammal: all in all, a total of one hundred specimens belonging to thirty six different kinds of mammal. The museum has also been fortunate enough to receive a legally-certified gift token for a future specimen belonging to a human.

Address: Hedinsbraut 3a, 640 Husavik, Iceland

5. Museum of Eroticism

The Museum of Eroticism is a museum devoted to the erotic art collections of antique dealer Alain Plumey and French teacher Jo Khalifa. Founded in 1997 at 72 Boulevard de Clichy, the museum is situated in the Pigalle district of Paris, France. The collection ranges from the ancient religious art of India, Japan and Africa right up to contemporary art with an erotic focus. There are five floors, including a basement exhibition. One floor is devoted to maisons closes, the legal brothels of the 19th and early twentieth century.

Address: 72 Bd de Clichy, 75018 Paris, France

6. The Creation Museum

The Creation Museum is a 60,000 square foot museum in the United States designed to promote young Earth creationism. The museum presents an account of the origins of the universe, life, mankind, and man’s early history according to a literal reading of the book of Genesis. Its exhibits reject evolution and assert that the earth and all of its life forms were created in 6 days just 6000 years ago and that man and dinosaurs once coexisted.

7. Glore Psychiatric Museum

The Glore Psychiatric Museum brings to life the glorious history of psychiatric treatment through dioramas, models, and reproductions. The earliest form of therapy seems to have been administered with a sharp stick or club. By the Middle Ages treatment encompassed public humiliation, dunking, blistering, the ever-popular bleeding, and burning at the stake. Fortunately, by the 20th century, psychiatric treatment had evolved to include icy baths, tranquilizers, vibrating chairs, and electroshock therapy. Some of the more interesting objects on display include the tranquilizer chair, a things-swallowed-by-patients exhibit, and a giant hamster wheel for especially energetic patients.

8. Kansas Barbed Wire Museum

The Kansas Barbed Wire Museum in LaCrosse, Kansas is devoted solely to the history and legend of the early part of American history often referred to as the “Devils Rope”. On exhibit are over 2000 barbed wire varieties; including samples manufactured between the years 1870 and 1890. Hundreds of antique fencing tools illustrate the inventiveness of pioneers. The museum presents interesting ways to learn about one of the Midwest’s most important contributions to America’s history. Dioramas of early barbed wire use, a theatre featuring educational films, the Barbed Wire Hall of Fame, the museum archives room, and a research library all help to conjure up images of settling the Midwest.

Address: 120 W. 1st Street, LaCrosse, KS, 67548

9. British Lawnmower Museum

This museum includes over 400 vintage and experimental lawnmowers, highlighting the best of British technological ingenuity. Of particular interest are the 1921 ATCO Standard 9 Blade, a solar powered robot mower, and unusually fast or expensive mowers. Included in this Unique National collection are manufacturers not normally associated with the garden industry, names such as Rolls Royce, Royal Enfield, Daimler, Hawker Sidley, Perkins Diesel, British Leyland, Fraser Nash and many more. Most of the exhibit’s technical and industrial artifacts are from the Victorian and Edwardian era and the restored exhibits are devoted to keeping a small part of British engineering Heritage alive.

Address: 106-114 Shakespeare St., Southport, Lancashire, PR8 5AJ

10. Museum of Jurassic Technology

The museum claims to have a “specialized repository of relics and artifacts from the Lower Jurassic, with an emphasis on those that demonstrate unusual or curious technological qualities.” This explains the museum’s name and also suggests its puzzling nature, since the Lower Jurassic ended over 150 million years before the appearance of hominoids and in particular before anything that could be called technology. Some of the exhibits found in the museum are a collection of decomposing antique dice owned by magician Ricky Jay, a collection devoted to trailer park culture, entitled “Garden of Eden On Wheels”, an exhibit on household myths of years past, and a collection of micro-miniature sculptures and paintings, such as a sculpture of Pope John Paul II carved from a single human hair and placed within the eye of a needle.

Address: 9341 Venice Boulevard, Culver City, California 90232