More Power Please: Wi-Fi That Charges Your Gadgets Is Closer Than You Think
Posted: June 7, 2015 Filed under: Mediasphere | Tags: Alternating current, DC-to-DC converter, Direct current, Electricity delivery, Federal Communications Commission, Google, iPhone, New Scientist, Pinterest, Radio frequency, Time-lapse photography, University of Washington, Wi-Fi Leave a commentBrian Barrett writes: It’s easy to take Wi-Fi for granted (as long as you have the password). But what if it did more than facilitate your Pinterest habit? What if instead of just connecting your devices to the Internet, it charged them as well, no wires required?
That’s the promise of new research from a team at the University of Washington, which has developed what it’s calling a “power over Wi-Fi” system that can recharge batteries through the air, from up to 28 feet away.
“If we wanted to just blast as much power as we possibly can, that would kill your Wi-Fi, because you’d have power on the channel all the time. We optimized the router so that we can deliver what seems like, to the sensor, constant power without impacting your Wi-Fi too much.”
— Bryce Kellogg, a researcher on the project.
The system comprises just two components; an access point (a router), and custom-built sensors. “The goal of the sensors is to harvest RF (radio frequency) power and convert it into DC power,” explains Vamsi Talla, a researcher on the project. “The second piece, the access point, there we actually developed a custom solution on it, just a software modification that would enable the access point to act both as a good power delivery source and, simultaneously, also as a good Wi-Fi router.” In other words, it achieves power over Wi-Fi in a way that both works with pre-existing hardware, and doesn’t interfere with your Internet connection one bit.
“Instead of having continuous power on one of your Wi-Fi channels, we split it among your three non-overlapping Wi-Fi channels. That allows us to deliver about the same amount of power without impacting any one channel very much.”
Those are two important distinctions. As Popular Science notes, Energous already sells a device that transmits power through the air through RF signals. It requires entirely new, dedicated hardware, though, and loses the Wi-Fi aspect. The UW research, meanwhile, can coexist with traditional Wi-Fi routers, pushing both data and energy simultaneously. Or, more accurately, efficiently harnessing the energy that your router already puts out. Read the rest of this entry »
[VIDEO] LUCKY STRIKE: Lightning Strikes Two Jets on Approach to Sea-Tac Airport
Posted: April 3, 2015 Filed under: Science & Technology, Space & Aviation | Tags: 826 Seattle, BNSF Railway, Emergency landing, Federal Aviation Administration, Fixed-wing aircraft, National Weather Service, Seattle, Seattle Police Department, The Seattle Times, University of Washington Leave a commentMid-Air Scare When Lightning Strikes 2 Planes Over Seattle
SEATTLE — Scott Sistek reports: Some of the people on their way into Seattle Wednesday evening got quite the hello from Mother Nature as lightning struck two different jets as they approached Sea-Tac Airport.
“We were flying in and out of clouds, sunshine then darkness, sunshine then darkness. I was looking out the window when I saw this bright flash and this streak of lightning hit the top-middle of the right wing near the engine.”
University of Washington student Owen Craft was out in the University District trying to film lightning strikes as a thunderstorm moved through and caught the two massive bolts as they passed through the planes’ fuselage.
“Airplanes themselves are prepared for this kind of stuff and have the mechanics to manage lightning strikes. We did not receive any reports of precautionary landing alerts from any pilots Wednesday night either.”
— Sea-Tac Airport public relations manager Perry Cooper, to ABC News
“I was stunned for a second because I couldn’t believe what I just saw,” Craft said. “After the second (plane) got hit, I knew I was on to something spectacular!”
One of those planes was an Alaska Air Flight 515 inbound from Orange County while another was Alaska Air Flight 731 that was coming into Seattle from Houston. Kim Dodge was sitting in Row 9 on the right side of that plane when the bolt hit.
“I think it hit the wing because there was an immediate loud crack and the cabin was bright for that brief second. There was this loud gasp in the cabin after it happened. The people behind me were starting to worry if it was going to affect the landing. It didn’t.”
— Passenger Kim Dodge, who was sitting in Row 9
“We were flying in and out of clouds, sunshine then darkness, sunshine then darkness,” she said. “I was looking out the window when I saw this bright flash and this streak of lightning hit the top-middle of the right wing near the engine.”
She said it looked like the bolt exited right below the wing.
“Instantly a sound, a plane move and a flash of light; probably the worst turbulence you’ll ever feel for 2 solid seconds,” said Anthony Porter. “It got people pretty shook up.”
— Anthony Porter, on the Orange County flight that was also hit by lightning
“I think it hit the wing because there was an immediate loud crack and the cabin was bright for that brief second,” she said. “There was this loud gasp in the cabin after it happened. The people behind me were starting to worry if it was going to affect the landing. It didn’t.”
“We landed safely,” Dodge said. “It was startling.”
Anthony Porter was on the Orange County flight that was also hit by lightning:
“Instantly a sound, a plane move and a flash of light; probably the worst turbulence you’ll ever feel for 2 solid seconds,” said Anthony Porter. “It got people pretty shook up.”
But Porter said aside from the moments surrounding the strike, the flight was totally normal.
“It was alarming, but it was so quick, people knew something happened, but no one knew what happened,” he said. “It was a direct hit and 5 seconds before and 5 seconds after — smooth sailing, there was no turbulence.” He said the plane landed without further incident.
While being struck by lightning would sound frightening to those on board, airplane lightning strikes are not that uncommon and the jets are built to withstand the jolt. Read the rest of this entry »
The National Women’s Soccer League’s Domestic Violence Problem: Hope Solo Arrested, Jailed, in Family Abuse Scandal
Posted: September 22, 2014 Filed under: Crime & Corruption, U.S. News | Tags: Domestic violence, Hope Solo, Jennifer Sullivan, Jerramy Stevens, Saturday, Seattle, Seattle Times, Tampa Florida, University of Washington, Western New York Flash 1 CommentSoccer superstar Hope Solo was arrested early Saturday for allegedly striking her sister and her nephew at a Kirkland home. U.S. Soccer released a statement: “We are aware of the situation. At this point, we don’t have any further comments.”
Jennifer Sullivan reports: Just before 1 a.m., Kirkland police responded to a 911 call about a disturbance in the 10600 block of 124th Ave N.E. The male caller had reported that a woman at the residence was hitting people and no one could get her to stop or leave the house, according to an account of the incident released Saturday by police.
“There was a big party going on at her house. It was an out-of-control situation.”
— Kirkland Police Lt. Mike Murray
Officers arrived and immediately heard the disturbance inside. They entered the house and contacted several people, including Seattle Reign goalie Hope Amelia Stevens (Solo), who officers said appeared intoxicated and upset.
“There was a big party going on at her house. It was an out-of-control situation,” Kirkland Police Lt. Mike Murray said Saturday.
“Solo, 32, was arrested and booked into the South King County detention facility. She is being held without bail on two counts of investigation of fourth-degree domestic-violence assault.”
Officers reported that they could see injuries on Solo’s 17-year-old nephew and Solo’s sister. After hearing statements from those involved, officers said they determined Solo was the primary aggressor and appeared to have instigated the assault.
The Reign released a terse statement Saturday on the late-night arrest: “We are aware of the situation regarding Hope Solo and are currently gathering information. We have no further comments at this time.”
Solo, 32, was arrested and booked into the South King County detention facility. She is being held without bail on two counts of investigation of fourth-degree domestic-violence assault. She will have a mandatory court appearance Monday at Kirkland Municipal Court.
“Hope is not guilty of any crime,” attorney Todd Maybrown said in an email. “In fact, our investigation reveals that Hope was assaulted and injured during this unfortunate incident. We look forward to the opportunity to present the true facts in court and to having this matter behind Hope very soon.” Read the rest of this entry »
Magma Rising in Washington State’s Mount St. Helens Volcano
Posted: May 2, 2014 Filed under: U.S. News | Tags: Larry King, Mount St. Helens, Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, Reuters, Seattle, University of Washington, Volcano, Washington 2 CommentsSEATTLE (Reuters) – Eric M. Johnson reports: Magma levels are slowly rebuilding inside Mount St. Helens, a volcano in Washington state that erupted in 1980 and killed 57 people, although there was no sign of an impending eruption, U.S. scientists said.
The roughly 8,300-foot volcano erupted in an explosion of hot ash and gas on May 18, 1980, spewing debris over some 230 square miles and causing more than a billion dollars in property damage. Entire forests were crushed and river systems altered in the blast, which began with a 5.2 magnitude earthquake. Read the rest of this entry »
Seattle Times Reports: Arrests, Two Shootings in Post Super Bowl Celebrations
Posted: February 3, 2014 Filed under: Breaking News, Crime & Corruption, Mediasphere, U.S. News | Tags: Denver Broncos, Harborview Medical Center, Jamieson, Pioneer Square, Pioneer Square Seattle, Seattle, Seattle Seahawks, Super Bowl, University of Washington 2 Comments
Photo by Marcus Yam / The Seattle Times)
It’s not a party unless someone goes to the hospital
Looks like I spoke too soon.
Jennifer Sullivan reports:
Seahawks fans in Pioneer Square celebrated their team’s Super Bowl XLVIII victory against the Denver Broncos on Sunday…
Two men were shot and wounded near the massive celebration in Pioneer Square. Bottles and rocks were thrown at Seattle police, and the windows of businesses were broken out, said police spokesman Mark Jamieson
“We pushed the crowd south to disperse them. It was effective,” Jamieson said.
[VIDEO] Inside the Earthquake: Seattle Seahawks Fans Rock Stadium Again
Posted: January 12, 2014 Filed under: Entertainment, U.S. News | Tags: CenturyLink Field, John Vidale, Marshawn Lynch, New Orleans Saints, Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, Seattle, Seattle Seahawks, University of Washington 2 CommentsThere are a lot of sports and news stories about the noise levels at CenturyLink Field when the Hawks are playing a home game, but there’s nothing like a subjective first-person report with a shaky video camera, in Personal Reaction to Beast Quake 2011. It only captures a fraction of what it must be like (it’s the first few seconds that count, really, the rest of the video is post-climactic) but that first few seconds are a good capture of what it’s like to be there.
(AP) Seismologists say Seahawks fans shook the ground under Seattle’s CenturyLink Field during Saturday’s defeat of the New Orleans Saints, causing another fan-generated earthquake.
The scientists believe the small earthquake during a Marshawn Lynch touchdown was likely greater than Lynch’s famous “beast quake” touchdown run three years ago, which also came against New Orleans during a playoff game.
Roar, Rumble, and Rain: Seattle to Challenge Another NFL Outdoor Stadium Noise Record
Posted: January 11, 2014 Filed under: Breaking News, Entertainment, Mediasphere, U.S. News | Tags: Bill Steele, CenturyLink, Marshawn Lynch, New Orleans Saints, Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, Seattle, Seattle Seahawks, Sports Illustrated, University of Washington 1 CommentThe Seahawks–Saints playoff game: I’m watching this live. The deafening noise, and abnormally stormy conditions in Seattle should make for a high-volume, high-turnover contest. The seismometer reading should be interesting.
Tim Newcomb writes:
The last time the New Orleans Saints visited Seattle’s CenturyLink Field, the 12th Man made enough commotion to register a 1-to-2-magnitude earthquake. That number could intensify for the playoffs Saturday, and the Seahawks will have the equipment in place to record it. The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network is placing two seismometers inside the downtown stadium.
Now we’ll see just how unhinged the 12th Man can get.
The reputation of CenturyLink’s noise took off in 2011 when fan reaction to a Marshawn Lynch 67-yard playoff touchdown run registered on the University of Washington’s seismic network. That run, dubbed the “Beast Quake” in Seattle, set a standard for fans, matched only this year when Seahawks faithful set the Guinness World Record for noise at an outdoor stadium twice — first in September and again in December after the Kansas City Chiefs crowd stole it from them.
Scrooged: The ‘War on Good Cheer’ Targets NORAD’s Beloved Santa Tracker Tradition
Posted: December 6, 2013 Filed under: Humor, Mediasphere, Science & Technology, The Butcher's Notebook, War Room | Tags: Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, Christmas, Fighter aircraft, NORAD Santa Track, North American Aerospace Defense Command, Pentagon, Santa, Santa Claus, University of Washington 2 CommentsNORAD’s Santa Tracker: Fanciful ‘Fighter Jet Escort’ for Santa Under Fire from Child Psychologists and Public Health Experts?
NORAD’s Santa Tracker is a volunteer effort since 1955, a cherished baby boomer-era Christmas tradition right up there with watching the Charlie Brown Christmas Special.

(OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)
It was only a matter of time before some humorless finger-wagging scolds indulged their paranoia and accused the government of sponsoring a harmful military-industrial brainwashing campaign against children (to induce them into military service later in life?) and succeeded in getting the media to pay attention.
I think we should celebrate when these imaginary grievances make national news. It reveals how silly the academics, psychologists, and culture warriors can get. When allowed to walk outside of their University offices and talk to members of the press, without supervision, they unintentionally provide us with comedy gold.
One of the advocates of this campaign, Amy Hagopian, a professor of public health at the University of Washington, should be
fired given a toy airplane, a basket of candy canes, some cupcakes, and a yo yo. Then taken on a trip to the zoo, then taken out for an ice cream, and read a bedtime story. She deserves a happy childhood, but perhaps didn’t get one. I propose that we bury her in love, kindness, and holiday cheer, ’cause she needs it. Send her an email, let her know what you think.
Without NORAD’s official protection, securing North American airspace for Santa and his reindeer, Santa’s annual global delivery route–and Santa himself– could be at risk! I hope the fine men and women at NORAD ignore the Scrooges and screwballs, and continue their volunteer efforts to keep Santa’s supply routes open and safe! Props to Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, for standing his ground in this (manufactured) controversy. A fictional controversy about an imaginary NORAD mission. It’s perfect.
WASHINGTON (CBS DC) – Some child advocates are upset that the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is providing Santa Claus with a fighter jet escort around the globe in this year’s tracking program.
Since 1955, NORAD Tracks Santa has been operated by the joint U.S.-Canada command. Its purpose is to provide children with information and details about Santa’s whereabouts as he drops off presents around the world.
This year’s program depicts Santa flying over snow-capped mountain peaks with a military aircraft keeping up with him on either side.
Beat the Crackdown: How Google Hopes to Defy Countries Blocking Internet Freedom
Posted: October 26, 2013 Filed under: Censorship, Global, Science & Technology, U.S. News | Tags: China, Facebook, Google, Internet censorship, Iran, Middle East, National Security Agency, Syria, Syrian civil war, Tehran, University of Washington Leave a comment
Two Iranian women surf the Internet at a cafe in Tehran, Iran, in September, when authorities briefly lifted blocks on social networks and then restored them. Ebrahim Noroozi / AP file
Erin McClam writes: Google hopes a little browser tool will help change the world.
The company that revolutionized Internet search is now unveiling a sort of online underground tunnel — a way for people in restrictive countries like Iran and Syria to get around digital censorship and surveillance.

Ebrahim Noroozi / AP file
The idea behind the tool — essentially a button for browsers — called uProxy, is simple: People in countries such as the United States provide their trusted friends a secure connection so that they can see and use the unrestricted Internet.
Google showed it off earlier this week at a conference called “Conflict in a Connected World.” Google also rolled out technology to map cyberattacks around the world, including by repressive governments.
The innovations, from a division of the company called Google Ideas, come at a time when the Internet, and social media in particular, is playing an increasing role in popular upheaval around the world, most notably in the Middle East.
Amanda Knox: Just Another UW Student?
Posted: October 24, 2013 Filed under: Education, Law & Justice, U.S. News | Tags: Amanda Knox, Florence, Italy, Ivory Coast, Kercher, Knox, Murder of Meredith Kercher, Seattle, University of Washington Leave a commentLinda Byron reports: For many college kids, standing out in the crowd is something to strive for — to be a star athlete, a student government leader, or even the host of the craziest parties.
But after four years in a jail in Italy, Amanda Knox would be just fine if she could blend into the crowd at the University of Washington — and so far, she tells KING 5‘s Linda Byron, her fellow students and instructors are just fine with that. [Photo Gallery]
“I don’t look at people and think, ‘You’re going to be mean to me.’ In fact, most people are very nice,” Knox said of what it’s like to be back on campus. “I’m not hiding who I am. I’m not running around in a disguise.”
Wikileaks In A Box: SecureDrop Is WhistleBlower Communication Tool For Media
Posted: October 16, 2013 Filed under: Censorship, Law & Justice, Mediasphere, Science & Technology | Tags: Aaron Swartz, DeadDrop, Espionage Act of 1917, Freedom of Press Foundation, National Security Agency, Obama administration, SecureDrop, University of Washington Leave a comment![[Image Credit: Flickr User Electronic Frontier Foundation]](https://punditfromanotherplanet.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/2316907667_7d3d335a0d.jpg?w=360&h=347)
Image Credit: Flickr User Electronic Frontier Foundation
The need for security is heightened given the Obama Administration’s aggressive prosecution of leakers under the Espionage act. Last Spring, for instance, the Justice Department seized the phone records of AP journalists involved in reporting a foiled bomb plot in Yemen.
“One of the reasons that the Obama administration has prosecuted so many whistleblowers is that there’s an easy way to find digital trails of how journalists meet sources and talk to them,” said Freedom of the Press Foundation Executive Director, Trevor Timm. “We need to figure out a way for journalists to talk to sources without that fear.”
SecureDrop was originally the project of fallen hacktivist, Aaron Swartz (then called DeadDrop). The project has since been updated to account for recent National Security Agency spying revelations, though the organization reminds reporters than nothing is 100% secure. The code base is open source and has been vetted by security experts from the University of Washington [PDF].
Freedom of the Press Foundation has even offered to help outlets install the rather complex encryption tool. Learn more about it here.
Researcher controls colleague’s motions in first human brain-to-brain interface
Posted: August 27, 2013 Filed under: Mediasphere | Tags: Duke University, Electroencephalography, Joseph Wu, National Institutes of Health, Rajesh Rao, Rao, Stocco, University of Washington, Vulcan (Star Trek) Leave a comment
University of Washington researcher Rajesh Rao, left, plays a computer game with his mind. Across campus, researcher Andrea Stocco, right, wears a magnetic stimulation coil over the left motor cortex region of his brain. Stocco’s right index finger moved involuntarily to hit the “fire” button as part of the first human brain-to-brain interface demonstration. Images: Univ. of Washington
University of Washington researcher Rajesh Rao, left, plays a computer game with his mind. Across campus, researcher Andrea Stocco, right, wears a magnetic stimulation coil over the left motor cortex region of his brain. Stocco’s right index finger moved involuntarily to hit the “fire” button as part of the first human brain-to-brain interface demonstration. Images: Univ. of WashingtonUsing electrical brain recordings and a form of magnetic stimulation, Rajesh Rao sent a brain signal to Andrea Stocco on the other side of the UW campus, causing Stocco’s finger to move on a keyboard.
While researchers at Duke Univ. have demonstrated brain-to-brain communication between two rats, and Harvard researchers have demonstrated it between a human and a rat, Rao and Stocco believe this is the first demonstration of human-to-human brain interfacing.
“The Internet was a way to connect computers, and now it can be a way to connect brains,” Stocco said. “We want to take the knowledge of a brain and transmit it directly from brain to brain.”
The researchers captured the full demonstration on video recorded in both labs. The following version has been edited for length.