Comments for Heliotactic Press http://heliotactic.org An interdisciplinary exploration of solar energy conversion, photovoltaics, integrative design, and scientific philosophy. Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:42:14 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Google SketchUp: Where is the Sun? by nanomech http://heliotactic.org/2010/01/24/google-sketchup-where-is-the-sun/#comment-37 nanomech Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:42:14 +0000 http://heliotactic.org/?p=92#comment-37 No response from Google SketchUp--however I have received responses from my peers who agree that there is an ethical problem occurring here. Perhaps it is time to ask again--maybe I will even get a "name" when I correspond. No response from Google SketchUp–however I have received responses from my peers who agree that there is an ethical problem occurring here. Perhaps it is time to ask again–maybe I will even get a “name” when I correspond.

]]> Comment on Google SketchUp: Where is the Sun? by redsteel25 http://heliotactic.org/2010/01/24/google-sketchup-where-is-the-sun/#comment-36 redsteel25 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:32:37 +0000 http://heliotactic.org/?p=92#comment-36 So, any news on this one? and one important question, do you have any idea about how to calculate the right sun position and by default the shadow cast? I mean, is the error that big? or it's just a matter of compensating some hours. Let's say for argument's sake that I want a shadow at 4:30pm, can I fix the error using the sun at 5:30pm? So, any news on this one? and one important question, do you have any idea about how to calculate the right sun position and by default the shadow cast? I mean, is the error that big? or it’s just a matter of compensating some hours. Let’s say for argument’s sake that I want a shadow at 4:30pm, can I fix the error using the sun at 5:30pm?

]]> Comment on What is disruptive technology? by ben http://heliotactic.org/2008/07/02/what-is-disruptive-technology/#comment-14 ben Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:28:00 +0000 http://nanomech.wordpress.com/2008/07/02/what-is-disruptive-technology/#comment-14 Hi Jeffrey,<br/><br/>I might say that this post is of great interest for me! I would say that confronting CSP and Quantum Dots (QDs) is a bit unfair for the latter. Huge CSP plants are already working, worldwide companies rush into the industrialization of components for that technology (mirrors, trackers, coated glass tubes). In the other hand, QDs Solar Concentrators technology are just ready for laboratory test but not even for prototype! Am I wrong? Did I miss some more recent development in QDSCs? <br/><br/>What do you really compare QDs integrated into PV cells and QDs into coatings for CSP?<br/><br/>I hope to read you soon. Hi Jeffrey,

I might say that this post is of great interest for me! I would say that confronting CSP and Quantum Dots (QDs) is a bit unfair for the latter. Huge CSP plants are already working, worldwide companies rush into the industrialization of components for that technology (mirrors, trackers, coated glass tubes). In the other hand, QDs Solar Concentrators technology are just ready for laboratory test but not even for prototype! Am I wrong? Did I miss some more recent development in QDSCs?

What do you really compare QDs integrated into PV cells and QDs into coatings for CSP?

I hope to read you soon.

]]> Comment on Transparent Conductive Oxides by Anonymous http://heliotactic.org/2006/05/27/transparent-conductive-oxides/#comment-13 Anonymous Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:53:00 +0000 http://nanomech.wordpress.com/2006/05/27/transparent-conductive-oxides/#comment-13 Hey, really nice overview.<br/>I have been working with this stuff (ITO, ZnO). Nice would be some data, like typical resistivities, refractive indices and so on. You'd have the ultimate knowledge bloq - with your kind of concern *g*<br/><br/>go on!<br/>Andy Hey, really nice overview.
I have been working with this stuff (ITO, ZnO). Nice would be some data, like typical resistivities, refractive indices and so on. You’d have the ultimate knowledge bloq – with your kind of concern *g*

go on!
Andy

]]> Comment on Postdoctoral Research Aspirations by Anonymous http://heliotactic.org/2006/10/30/postdoctoral-research-aspirations/#comment-12 Anonymous Tue, 31 Oct 2006 21:04:00 +0000 http://nanomech.wordpress.com/2006/10/30/postdoctoral-research-aspirations/#comment-12 Hey dude, thanks for sharing.<br/><br/>hmmm... I recognise that! It's the up staircase of Arc de Triomphe, Paris, am I right? You got it half right. It's always an uphill journey; but instead of looking downwards, remember, look up and forward, because... there's always a light at the end of the tunnel! =) <br/><br/>(urgggh, cant get the html tag to work)<br/>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/jamie2005/2003_0916Travels20030001.jpg <br/>A certain famous church in Budapest. Can't remember the name off-hand. <br/><br/>I would like to chip in my experience, or should I say disappointment? <br/><br/>I have made numerous applications for a position, and until recently, with no luck. Not a peep. What went wrong, I wondered? I critically assessed myself. <br/><br/>Did I apply for the wrong positions? For some positions I applied for, I have a perfect match in terms of experience, perhaps even more. Heck, in fact, I am doing exactly what the group is doing. So it can't be a problem with relavent skills and experience. Is it because I don't have a good track record? At the risk of sounding bossy (unintentionally, of course), I dare say I have more publications than an average person with equivalent experience. The fact that they are in tier-one peer reviewed journals is a bonus. Could it be because I wrote my cover letter badly? It may not be the best, but it couldnt be that bad! No visa/ work permit? Maybe, but I can sort that out pretty easily. Was I reviewed badly by my referees? Not likely, cos I was .bcc the reference letters. So what is it? <br/><br/>So, at the end of the day, I figured out that network is indeed important, and exactly because a postdoc is more expensive to support than a graduate student, the professor will be looking out for people who already knows exactly what the research involves. So who is the best candidate in this case? Their own graduate students, of course. Especially if it involves an ongoing project which the same student developed. And more often than not, the student will be happy to secure the post-doc. <br/><br/>This was confirmed by a friend who's in the scene. Very seldom will there be a genuine vacancy. If there's an academic vacancy being advertised, chances are, it's just part of the procedure and the candidate has been pre-chosen. It's very sad, but i think it's somewhat true. And an interesting thing i observed is that it's the new and young researchers who will consider fresh graduates. Maybe, like you said, full Professors are busy people. <br/><br/>Having said that, I think that in general, fellowships which requires a research proposal to be submitted, are probably genuine, as well as commercial-academic openings. No surprise, so far, my interviews are from semi-academic establishments. I am not disheartened. When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Wish me more luck! <br/><br/>Riv Hey dude, thanks for sharing.

hmmm… I recognise that! It’s the up staircase of Arc de Triomphe, Paris, am I right? You got it half right. It’s always an uphill journey; but instead of looking downwards, remember, look up and forward, because… there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel! =)

(urgggh, cant get the html tag to work)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/jamie2005/2003_0916Travels20030001.jpg
A certain famous church in Budapest. Can’t remember the name off-hand.

I would like to chip in my experience, or should I say disappointment?

I have made numerous applications for a position, and until recently, with no luck. Not a peep. What went wrong, I wondered? I critically assessed myself.

Did I apply for the wrong positions? For some positions I applied for, I have a perfect match in terms of experience, perhaps even more. Heck, in fact, I am doing exactly what the group is doing. So it can’t be a problem with relavent skills and experience. Is it because I don’t have a good track record? At the risk of sounding bossy (unintentionally, of course), I dare say I have more publications than an average person with equivalent experience. The fact that they are in tier-one peer reviewed journals is a bonus. Could it be because I wrote my cover letter badly? It may not be the best, but it couldnt be that bad! No visa/ work permit? Maybe, but I can sort that out pretty easily. Was I reviewed badly by my referees? Not likely, cos I was .bcc the reference letters. So what is it?

So, at the end of the day, I figured out that network is indeed important, and exactly because a postdoc is more expensive to support than a graduate student, the professor will be looking out for people who already knows exactly what the research involves. So who is the best candidate in this case? Their own graduate students, of course. Especially if it involves an ongoing project which the same student developed. And more often than not, the student will be happy to secure the post-doc.

This was confirmed by a friend who’s in the scene. Very seldom will there be a genuine vacancy. If there’s an academic vacancy being advertised, chances are, it’s just part of the procedure and the candidate has been pre-chosen. It’s very sad, but i think it’s somewhat true. And an interesting thing i observed is that it’s the new and young researchers who will consider fresh graduates. Maybe, like you said, full Professors are busy people.

Having said that, I think that in general, fellowships which requires a research proposal to be submitted, are probably genuine, as well as commercial-academic openings. No surprise, so far, my interviews are from semi-academic establishments. I am not disheartened. When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Wish me more luck!

Riv

]]> Comment on Cap and Trade by Dr. JRSB http://heliotactic.org/2006/10/15/cap-and-trade/#comment-11 Dr. JRSB Mon, 30 Oct 2006 16:39:00 +0000 http://nanomech.wordpress.com/2006/10/15/cap-and-trade/#comment-11 First, my apologies for a delayed response. My laptop hard drive has died and I am not as 'connected' as I would like to be. <br/><br/>Riverie, I heartily encourage you to put in a science blog of your own! Open up the information of charge transfer by chemical potential for supercapacitors!<br/><br/>If you begin one, you may find your blog a focal point of supercapacitor google searches and may meet other interesting scientists along the way too. Don't worry about constant updates, just keep the blog rigorous and objective. It takes a reader some time to digest a more scientific entry anyway. They may come back to it several times, in fact.<br/><br/>I will comment on the postdoc in a blog entry, as I believe it would make an interesting contribution. OK?<br/><br/>Regards,<br/>JRSB First, my apologies for a delayed response. My laptop hard drive has died and I am not as ‘connected’ as I would like to be.

Riverie, I heartily encourage you to put in a science blog of your own! Open up the information of charge transfer by chemical potential for supercapacitors!

If you begin one, you may find your blog a focal point of supercapacitor google searches and may meet other interesting scientists along the way too. Don’t worry about constant updates, just keep the blog rigorous and objective. It takes a reader some time to digest a more scientific entry anyway. They may come back to it several times, in fact.

I will comment on the postdoc in a blog entry, as I believe it would make an interesting contribution. OK?

Regards,
JRSB

]]> Comment on Cap and Trade by Anonymous http://heliotactic.org/2006/10/15/cap-and-trade/#comment-10 Anonymous Sat, 28 Oct 2006 12:24:00 +0000 http://nanomech.wordpress.com/2006/10/15/cap-and-trade/#comment-10 Inspired by this blog, I am toying with the idea of keeping one too, but i need to consider whether i can keep up with the commitment of updating it. I think it's a good way to document interesting articles and papers, which can potentially develop into greater science, if not forgotten.<br/><br/>You seem to have a good record of postdoctoral experience. Did you get them by introduction, or by independent application?<br/><br/>Riv Inspired by this blog, I am toying with the idea of keeping one too, but i need to consider whether i can keep up with the commitment of updating it. I think it’s a good way to document interesting articles and papers, which can potentially develop into greater science, if not forgotten.

You seem to have a good record of postdoctoral experience. Did you get them by introduction, or by independent application?

Riv

]]> Comment on Cap and Trade by Dr. JRSB http://heliotactic.org/2006/10/15/cap-and-trade/#comment-9 Dr. JRSB Sun, 22 Oct 2006 20:55:00 +0000 http://nanomech.wordpress.com/2006/10/15/cap-and-trade/#comment-9 I do regard this blog as a professional extension of my own research philosophy and practice. In that sense, I have used this space from time to time to show interested parties a wider window--a portfolio if you will--of my professional intent. Considered as a portfolio, this blog can express more detail and breadth than that which is demonstrated in a single page carefully-honed cover letter. <br/><br/>My key criteria of submission: I attempt to maintain a disinterested perspective on the science I propose, in the same manner that one expects a scientist/engineer to behave in an ethical manner when presented data in a peer reviewed article. I also make all attempts to cite accessible source material in the submissions, and avoid reporting on overly-hyped claims of products'/materials' potential to "<i>revolutionize</i> science as we know it" as one might see in submissions by corporate or academic press releases.<br/><br/>We have a new medium here for scientific discussion, akin to the letter-writing exchange of science ideas in the past, but much more open. As I said before, ideas are often non-unique. In my opinion, something worse than the mild arrogance of assuming uniqueness of an idea is the proposal of a new concept to an unprepared audience. Seeds planted in sand tend not to bloom, right? I do regard this blog as a professional extension of my own research philosophy and practice. In that sense, I have used this space from time to time to show interested parties a wider window–a portfolio if you will–of my professional intent. Considered as a portfolio, this blog can express more detail and breadth than that which is demonstrated in a single page carefully-honed cover letter.

My key criteria of submission: I attempt to maintain a disinterested perspective on the science I propose, in the same manner that one expects a scientist/engineer to behave in an ethical manner when presented data in a peer reviewed article. I also make all attempts to cite accessible source material in the submissions, and avoid reporting on overly-hyped claims of products’/materials’ potential to “revolutionize science as we know it” as one might see in submissions by corporate or academic press releases.

We have a new medium here for scientific discussion, akin to the letter-writing exchange of science ideas in the past, but much more open. As I said before, ideas are often non-unique. In my opinion, something worse than the mild arrogance of assuming uniqueness of an idea is the proposal of a new concept to an unprepared audience. Seeds planted in sand tend not to bloom, right?

]]> Comment on Cap and Trade by Anonymous http://heliotactic.org/2006/10/15/cap-and-trade/#comment-8 Anonymous Sun, 22 Oct 2006 19:25:00 +0000 http://nanomech.wordpress.com/2006/10/15/cap-and-trade/#comment-8 On Sicence: That is so right. How many times do we read a hot paper and go "Why didnt I think of that *slaps forehead*". The most ingenious discoveries often originate from the simplest and most logical ideas (later carefully worded to sound complicated, HAHAHA. ok, not all, some, but extrememly clever ideas nonetheless).<br/><br/>It's nice of you to put together a post on supercapacitors. Looking forward to it! =) <br/><br/>I am curious: Do you refer people to this blog as a form of 'advertisment' for yourself when you apply for a post-doc position? <br/><br/>On blogs: I do keep a blog, a personal one, but no one will <i>ever</i> believe what i do after reading my blog. I've dropped a few jaws before. =P To me, my blog is more like a destressing channel.<br/><br/><br/><br/>Riverie On Sicence: That is so right. How many times do we read a hot paper and go “Why didnt I think of that *slaps forehead*”. The most ingenious discoveries often originate from the simplest and most logical ideas (later carefully worded to sound complicated, HAHAHA. ok, not all, some, but extrememly clever ideas nonetheless).

It’s nice of you to put together a post on supercapacitors. Looking forward to it! =)

I am curious: Do you refer people to this blog as a form of ‘advertisment’ for yourself when you apply for a post-doc position?

On blogs: I do keep a blog, a personal one, but no one will ever believe what i do after reading my blog. I’ve dropped a few jaws before. =P To me, my blog is more like a destressing channel.

Riverie

]]> Comment on Cap and Trade by Dr. JRSB http://heliotactic.org/2006/10/15/cap-and-trade/#comment-7 Dr. JRSB Sun, 22 Oct 2006 18:48:00 +0000 http://nanomech.wordpress.com/2006/10/15/cap-and-trade/#comment-7 Thanks for your support Riverie, and nice meeting you too!<br/><br/>I must say, I've not found too many science blogs like mine in the past either. There are some blogs made by scientists out there, but they seem to be relegated to personal psychologies of science or information recounted from graduate school.<br/><br/>Personally, I think there is plenty of space to accumulate thoughts on present research without giving away your deep dark scientific plans. I like to think of this blog a bit like a game of "Go", where your opponents can see your every move, and you still have the opportunity to win. Also, I believe that raw ideas are generally non-unique accumulations of logical thought and should be free to the scientific public to expand upon.<br/><br/>I'll try to put together a post on supercapacitors for you next.<br/><br/>Best regards. Thanks for your support Riverie, and nice meeting you too!

I must say, I’ve not found too many science blogs like mine in the past either. There are some blogs made by scientists out there, but they seem to be relegated to personal psychologies of science or information recounted from graduate school.

Personally, I think there is plenty of space to accumulate thoughts on present research without giving away your deep dark scientific plans. I like to think of this blog a bit like a game of “Go”, where your opponents can see your every move, and you still have the opportunity to win. Also, I believe that raw ideas are generally non-unique accumulations of logical thought and should be free to the scientific public to expand upon.

I’ll try to put together a post on supercapacitors for you next.

Best regards.

]]>