Space Age Magazine

... a forum for the High Frontier
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 9:06 pm

All times are UTC [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Tools
PostPosted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 4:38 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sun Sep 05, 2010 5:24 am
Posts: 35
an A.I. would be a great tool but must have some laws writen in to it to prevent machine uprising (not sure if thats possible yet). the avitar would be used on the japanese new hologram system.

sorry these are from a game but very interesting tools and equipment

How about an omni-tool

Omni-tools are multipurpose diagnostic and manufacturing tools used for a variety of battlefield tasks, such as hacking, decryption, or repair. They are equipped by Engineers, Sentinels, and Infiltrators to make use of their tech talents. When equipped, an omni-tool appears over a person's left hand and forearm as an orange hologram. An omni-tool can be reconfigured to appear over the right hand for a left-handed user, but this appears to be rare, as only Jacob Taylor and Garrus Vakarian have been seen having done so.

Omni-tools are handheld devices that combine a computer microframe, sensor analysis pack, and minifacturing fabricator. Versatile and reliable, an omni-tool can be used to analyze and adjust the functionality of most standard equipment, including weapons and armor, from a distance.

The fabrication module can rapidly assemble small three-dimensional objects from common, reusable industrial plastics, ceramics, and light alloys. This allows for field repairs and modifications to most standard items, as well as the reuse of salvaged equipment.

Omni-tools are standard issue for soldiers and first-in colonists.

In addition to the standard classes, squadmates Kaidan Alenko, Tali'Zorah nar Rayya, Garrus Vakarian, and Liara T'Soni may equip upgraded omni-tools. Classes without specialization with them still use them for administering first aid or activating other non-biotic non-weapon talents, but cannot make use of higher-end omni-tools.

Computers: Virtual Intelligence (VI) Edit
Audio: Virtual Intelligence

A virtual intelligence is an advanced form of user interface software. VIs use a variety of methods to simulate natural conversation, including an audio interface and an avatar personality to interact with. Although a VI can provide a convincing emulation of sentience, they are not self-aware, nor can they learn of take independent action.

VIs are used as operating systems on commercial and home computers. Menial VI "agents" are also available. Agents are compact and specialized. Some serve as personal secretaries, filtering calls and scheduling meetings based on user-defined priorities. Others are advanced search engines, propagating themselves across the extranet to collate user-requested data.

Commercial VIs in a variety of stock personalities are available at any software retailer. Boutique firms and hobbyists also build unique VIs to personal specification. Although software emulation of living personalities is illegal, reconstructions of famous historical figures are common.

Element Zero ("Eezo") Edit
Audio: Element Zero

When subjected to an electrical current, the rare material dubbed element zero, or "eezo", emits a dark energy field that raises or lowers the mass of all objects within it. This "mass effect" is used in countless ways, from generating artificial gravity to manufacturing high-strength construction materials. It is most prominently used to enable faster-than-light space travel.

Eezo is generated when solid matter, such as a planet, is affected by the energy of a star going supernova. The material is common in the asteroid debris that orbit neutron stars and pulsars. These are dangerous places to mine, requiring extensive use of robotics, telepresence, and shielding to survive the incredible radiation from the dead star. Only a few major corporations can afford the set-up costs required to work these primary sources.

Humanity discovered refined element zero at the Prothean research station on Mars, allowing them to create mass effect fields and develop FTL travel.

Mass Effect Fields Edit
Audio: Mass Effect Fields

Element zero can increase or decrease the mass of volume of space-time when subjected to an electrical current. With a positive current, mass is increased. With a negative current, mass is decreased. The stronger the current, the greater the magnitude of the dark energy mass effect.

In space, low-mass fields allow FTL travel and inexpensive surface-to-orbit transit. High-mass fields create artificial gravity and push space debris away from vessels. In manufacturing low-mass fields permit the creation of evenly-blended alloys, while high mass compaction creates dense, sturdy construction materials.

The military makes extensive use of mobility enhancing technologies, with mass effect utilizing fighting vehicles standard front-line issue in most military forces. Mass effect fields are also essential in the creation of kinetic barriers or shields to protect against enemy fire.

Computers: Haptic Adaptive Interface Edit
Advances in computing have done away with traditional input devices like keyboards. Instead, modern input peripherals are usually holographically displayed in front of the user at a height and angle for ergonomic ease. Machines that use this interface detect a user through a microframe chip in the user's glove that "keys in" to the computer. Once a user is accepted, motion accelerometers in the user's gloves match his hands' location with that of a proportionate but smaller "mirror" set of controls inside the computer itself. As the user presses against the holographic field, force-feedback in the glove kicks in, giving a slight resistance. A person can feel his way though using a touch-screen that isn't actually there. A simple toggle switch on the back of the hands allows the glove to be turned off when not in use.

Haptic interfaces have become so common that some individuals undergo cybernetic enhancement surgery to have the accelerometers implanted in their fingertips. "Going bareskin" is the sign of a committed computer user who no longer has to fuss with putting on gloves or cleaning them with alcohol wipes to get rid of the clammy-hand smell.

Credits ("Creds") Edit
The standard credit was established by the Citadel's Unified Banking Act as the currency of interstellar trade. The credit has a managed floating exchange rate, calculated in real time by the central bank to maintain the average value of all participating currencies. Some regional currencies are worth more than a credit and some less.

Hard currency can be stolen or counterfeited, so electronic fund transfers are the norm. More importantly physical transactions cannot easily be tracked, making them ideal for tax evasion or the purchase of illegal goods.

When the Alliance joined the Citadel, its various national treasuries were linked into the credit network. A human with a bank account of Mexican pesos, Japanese yen, or Indian rupees can purchase any item priced in credits at fair market value. All economies participate in the credit network are required to price items in both local currency and credits.

Security Mechs Edit
The death of thousands of security and military personnel in the Battle of the Citadel was a loss felt throughout the galaxy. As large numbers of qualified personnel transferred to the Citadel to replace those that died, short-handed security companies filled out their numbers with large-scale use of unmanned security robots. Commonly referred to as "mechs", the security robots are typically grouped into light and heavy varieties. Light mechs come in a variety of sizes but are easily distinguished by opposable digits that help them in their versatile security roles. Heavy mechs lack digits and are simply weapons platforms intended to keep the peace in high-threat areas. The quadrupedal dog mech has a "face" composed of contraband-dectection sensors, and it too is armed in case a perpetrator resists arrest.

A typical security mech has an extremely limited virtual intelligence. Its duty is straightforward and narrow, usually to guard an area, run a friend-or-foe program to halt unauthorized access, and fire a set of prerecorded voice commands to warn troublemakers away from the area. Light security mechs are equipped with irritant sprays and electroshockers to force compliance, and heavy mechs may be outfitted with flash-bang stunners for similar purposes. When facing an opponent armed with a firearm, any mech will immediately resort to lethal antipersonnel weapons to neutralize the threat. If the situation turns violent rapidly enough, it may not even use its warnings.

Security mechs are frowned upon for actual military duty. Though tough enough to survive most firefights, their VI simply does not have the programming to plan an ambush, rescue a hostage, treat a wound, or any of countless other objectives that a soldier must be able to perform on the fly.

Kinetic Barriers ("Shields") Edit
Audio: Kinetic Barriers

Kinetic barriers, colloquially called "shields", provide protection against most mass accelerator weapons. Whether on a starship or a soldier's suit of armor, the basic principle remains the same.

Kinetic barriers are repulsive mass effect fields projected from tiny emitters. These shields safely deflect small objects traveling at rapid velocities. This affords protection from bullets and other dangerous projectiles, but still allows the user to sit down without knocking away their chair.

The shielding afforded by kinetic barriers does not protect against extremes of temperature, toxins, or radiation.

Mass Accelerators Edit
Audio: Mass Accelerators

A mass accelerator propels a solid metal slug using precisely-controlled electromagnetic attraction and repulsion. The slug is designed to squash or shatter on impact, increasing the energy it transfers to the target. If this were not the case, it would simply punch a hole right through, doing minimal damage.

Accelerator design was revolutionized by element zero. A slug lightened by a mass effect field can be accelerated to greater speeds, permitting projectile velocities that were previously unattainable. If accelerated to a high enough velocity, a simple paint chip can impact with the same destructive force as a nuclear weapon. However, mass accelerators produce recoil equal to their impact energy. This is mitigated somewhat by the mass effect fields that rounds are suspended within, but weapon recoil is still the prime limiting factor on slug velocity.

Medi-Gel Edit
Audio: Medi-gel

Medi-gel is a common medicinal salve used by paramedics, EMTs, and military personnel. It combines several useful applications: a local anesthetic, disinfectant and clotting agent all in one. Once applied, the gel is designed to grip tight to flesh until subjected to a frequency of ultrasound. It is sealable against liquids - most notably blood - as well as contaminants and gasses.

The gel is a genetically-engineered bioplasm created by the Sirta Foundation, a medical technology megacorp based on Earth. Technically, medi-gel violates Council laws against genetic engineering, but so far, it has proved far too useful to ban.

Body Armor Edit
Modern combat hard-suits have a "triple canopy" of protection: shields, armor, and self-repair. The outermost layer is created through kinetic barrier emitters, which detect objects incoming at a high rate of speed and generate deflecting "shields" provided they have enough energy in their power cells.

If a bullet or other incoming object gets past the barrier, it contends with the more traditional body armor. A sealed suit of non-porous ballistic cloth provides kinetic and environmental protection, reinforced by lightweight composite ceramic plates in areas that either don't need to flex or require additional coverage, such as the chest and head. When the armor is hit by directed energy weapons, the plates boil away or ablate rather than burning the wearer.

The last level of protection is provided by the suit's microframe computers, whose input detectors are woven throughout the fabric. These manage the self-healing system, which finds rents in the fabric and, assuming any such tear would wound the flesh underneath, seals the area off with sterile, non-conductive medi-gel. This stanches minor wounds and plugs holes in the suit that could prove fatal in vacuum or toxic environments. Soldiers are not always fond of the "squish skin" that oozes gel on them at a moment's notice, but fatalities have dropped sharply since the system was implemented.

that's it for now


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Tools
PostPosted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 1:37 am 
Offline

Joined: Sun Sep 05, 2010 5:24 am
Posts: 35
here's another life sign monitering system built in to suit.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Tools
PostPosted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 3:41 am 
Offline

Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2010 10:41 am
Posts: 130
Location: NSW, Australia
I'm playing through this game right now, but I've got to remind you that it is science fiction. As cool as the concepts are, something like an omni-tool or omni-gel have no scientific grounding. I personally love the game for all the detail they put in, but I still wouldn't go as far as calling it a true 'hard' science fiction story as most of the physics problems are negated by 'the Protheans did it'. I've no complaints out this for a story, but Mass Effect is a topic to be discussed solely under 'Science Fiction' to me.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Tools
PostPosted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 5:40 am 
Offline

Joined: Sun Sep 05, 2010 5:24 am
Posts: 35
I know but many of theses are based on theries and ideas, like the comunications divice between sheperd and the illusive man. at least thats what my step brother has told me since he goes all over the net and is in college for some type of space sience but i forget which one.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Tools
PostPosted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 5:43 am 
Offline

Joined: Sun Sep 05, 2010 5:24 am
Posts: 35
I know but many of theses are based on theries and ideas, like the comunications divice between sheperd and the illusive man. at least thats what my step brother has told me since he goes all over the net and is in college for some type of space sience but i forget which one.

also the hologram dissplay's and keypads can possible be created today since the hologram stuff in japans gotten rilly good with the gloves and it would be a hasle to carry money in space but you wouldn't need it up there for a few decades to a century or two.

you are right that its fiction right now but we can possible develop some of it and they are good idea's for the long run.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Tools
PostPosted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 8:00 am 
Offline

Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2010 10:41 am
Posts: 130
Location: NSW, Australia
You are right, holograms are better today than I knew about. Until recently when I discovered they actually existed.

What communications device are you referring to?


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Tools
PostPosted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 11:40 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sun Sep 05, 2010 5:24 am
Posts: 35
like a split atom or molequle but its only a theriy


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Tools
PostPosted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 5:48 pm 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 6:36 pm
Posts: 258
Location: London
Yes, very interesting. I've not got my head fully around this one. Briefly, it seems that the EPR thought experiment suggested the possibility of instantaneous communication between two widely separated particles due to quantum entanglement. Einstein called this "spooky action at a distance"! However, the current consensus (?) seems to be that this effect, while real, does not in fact allow faster than light transmission of actual information. Wiki says:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No-communication_theorem

Maybe this debate isn't really settled yet.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Tools
PostPosted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 11:32 pm 
Offline

Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2010 10:41 am
Posts: 130
Location: NSW, Australia
Oooooh THAT's what you were getting at! Sorry colonizer I couldn't quite tell :P
Yeah quantum entanglement, you excite a particle in one way and the particle it's entangled with will instantaneously become as excited. So you can send signals through the energy levels of the particles.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 

All times are UTC [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group