Genius chemist forgotten

Doctor Percy Julian. Chemist. Brilliant. Determined. Forgotten. Black.

Black History Month is an appropriate time for networks to feature shows about significant contributions of Blacks, whether American or not. But I wish these didn't seem timed for Black History Month. How about just working on a good project and releasing it when ready? Let's not limit recognition of the significant contributions of African Americans and other Blacks to February, shall we? A great show about a great person is a welcomed change from most TV drivel (that, sadly, I watch).

That said, I missed a really good PBS piece on Dr. Percy the first time around. The Nova show site for "Forgotten Genius" refers to him as one of the greatest scientists of the 20th century. The site has very good sidebar pieces plus the ability to watch online. I picked up on this while doing a late read of Angela Gunn's Tech_Space blog at USA Today. I did manage to locate a reshowing of this excellent piece late at night on February 7th. Fascinating, yet it will pluck your heartstrings with the agony he went through.

Do it. Do it now. You'll be glad you did.

Get wired

Wired magazine has some great articles. You can now find the Wired technology news feed in the right column of this blog.

But if you, like me, also have a string interest in science in general, check out "What we don't know" at Wired. The list has 40 questions, from the humorous to some truly "big" ones.

Get Wired - Science, that is

You remember the film "Weird Science"? Well, PBS airs "Wired Science" tonight. It's from Wired magazine and one of three pilots for one possible series.

Watch, then you can even add your opinion as to whether PBS should make Wired Science a series.

Recent science-related news

It's a bit off-topic, but here's a motley collection of recent web and science-related news links...

• M.I.T. and Britain's University of Southampton plan to offer a research program in Web Sciences.
  [Required free registration]
• Commerce, NASA IGs investigate White House for muzzling scientists and altering scientific reports.
• Midterm elections may affect science.

Like emerging technology? Read a blog

Reuters (the news people) have an interesting "Emerging Technology" blog. If you're a technology news junkie, add this one to your list. And here's a few more, in no particular order. Surf. Enjoy.

• Tech & Space blog (Angela Gunn, USA Today)
• cNet Tech Blogs - an umbrella blog for all their tech blogs
• Gizmodo (gadgets)
• Engadget
• Wired News
• Technology News (Popular Mechanics)
• Reiter's Wireless Data Web Log
• PhysOrd Weblog (for science and tech buffs)
• Educational Technology
• Slashdot ("news for nerds")
• Techdirt
• TechE Blog (tech and gadget news)
• ZD Net Tech blogs - an umbrella blog for all their tech blogs
• SciFi Tech
• Tech blog

Fast charge, long life battery

M.I.T. is researching use of nanotubes as mini-capacitors in batteries that would recharge within seconds and could be recharged thousands of times. The researchers are drooling at practical uses in everything from hearing aids to cars.

• Carbon nanotube (Wikipedia)
• Capacitor (Wikipedia)