- This month’s collection of technology updates has some stellar ones! Click on to learn more about graphene-based electronics, quantum advancements, and how plants might be used to generate green energy:
New mining technique could extract minerals more sustainably.
2-dimensional materials open up new possibilities for computing.
Old solar panels given new life for local farmers.
Salt can make rechargeable batteries safer.
Quantum dots created at room temperature for the first time.
Quantum computing advances clean energy production.
Are graphene-based electronics coming soon?
In the future, we might use plants to generate green energy.
Scientist can control the spin of a single molecule.
Photons could mimic the behavior of liquids in high-energy situations.
The NOAA extreme weather map for 2022 shows below average sea ice extents in both the Arctic and Antarctic Seas. The Arctic maximum and minimum ice extents were both the 10th smallest on record, and the Antarctic Sea ice extent has its fourth-smallest annual maximum and smallest minimum extents on record. Overall, the world saw near- or below-average tropical storm activity during 2022, with 88 storms including 40 hurricanes/cyclones/typhoons. (Credit: NOAA’s State of the Climate Reports)- The 2022 Yearly NOAA Global Climate Report has been released, and there were some marked trends. The 2022 average global surface temperature was above average on all continents, with all of them ranking within the top 20 for warmest year experienced since 1880. It was also the 6th warmest since recording started in 1880. Both Pakistan and South Africa experienced record-breaking amounts of rain this year, in July/August and April, respectively.
- Did you know that February 27th is International Polar Bear Day? Our Google search of the month was “Polar Bears and GIS”. And we found this article by George M. Durner, Steven C. Amstrup and Ken J. Ambrosius, titled Remote Identification of Polar Bear Maternal Den Habitat in Northern Alaska. The article was written for the ARCTIC Journal and published in June 2001; and discusses how Polar bears create dens of ice and snow to give birth to their young. It also looks at how GIS could be used to help protect the dens and overall polar bear welfare. Using aerial photography and GIS analysis, the study shows how to identify suitable areas for polar bear denning and to make this information widely available. This information could help prevent the dens from disruption during active petroleum exploration. If you’re curious about polar bear denning, check out this Youtube video. Bonus – you’ll get to see super cute, fuzzy polar bear cubs! 😉
- Last month we checked out the online GIS resources of Michigan’s third largest city, Warren. And so this month we look at GIS resources for Minnesota’s third largest city, Rochester. The Olmsted County GIS Website (Rochester is a part of Olmsted County), is easy to navigate and has many collections of both free and purchasable resources. The map catalog provides useful maps such as school zoning, aerial imagery and land use.
Rochester, MN GIS Website
Rochester, MN GIS Contacts (under the tab in the middle of the page)
Rochester, MN GIS Web App
Rochester, MN GIS Maps (these are purchasable city maps)
Rochester, MN GIS Direct Downloads
Brock Adam McCarty
Map Wizard
(720) 470-7988
brock@apollomapping.com
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