sends these measurements into the “Neurio
cloud” via WiFi where they are analyzed to
detect the operation of specific appliances,
such as heaters, air conditioners and room
lights, which themselves do not contain
connected sensors. Users can choose to act
on Neurio-detected events through apps on
their smartphones or Web devices.
In addition to serving as an energy usage
monitoring and optimization system, Neurio’s public application program interface
(API) is allowing developers to use the
data to trigger home automation events.
Conceivably, this system or one with in-
creased sensitivity could be used to monitor
the health and performance of electronic
appliances in the home. In addition to
alerting users of a forgotten hot clothing
iron, Neurio could report on the decreasing
efficiency of its heating element and predict
the amount of time remaining before a trip
to the local big box store is required.
Elected officials of all stripes correctly
pontificate on the need to address the
declining condition of our nation’s infra-
structure. Perhaps, instead of awarding
contracts to projects based on their shovel-
readiness, the increased deployment of
sensors connected by the Internet of Things
will not only advise the prioritization of
projects but help to avoid the tragic and
costly effects of catastrophic failures.
RESOURCES
• I-495 April 2014 Bridge Closure:
www.delawareonline.com/story/news/
traffic/2014/06/06/april-call-crazy-emergency-
bridge/10095489/
• Kevin Ashton:
www.howtoflyahorse.com/about-the-author/
• Neurio Technologies, Inc.: www.neurio.io/
• Neurio Installation Video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky8vmwRFGuk
William Weaver is an associate professor
in the Department of Integrated Science,
Business, and Technology at La Salle
University. He may be contacted at
editor@ScientificComputing.com.
Robot Revolution Explores Visionary World through
Cutting-edge Robots
by Suzanne Tracy, Editor in Chief
“They’re here … to help and improve
our lives,” The Museum of Science and
Industry, Chicago announces on its
Web site. MSI is hosting a new national
touring exhibit, Robot Revolution,
which explores how robots, created by
human ingenuity, will ultimately be our
companions and colleagues, changing
how we play, live and work together. bit.ly/1HWJ7M2
Prostate Cancer Jungle: Navigating Diagnosis and
Treatment Options is Daunting
by Randy C. Hice
What do Rudolph Guliani, Robert De Niro, Dennis Hopper, James
Brown, Arnold Palmer, Joe Torre, Dan Fogelberg, Colin Powell, John
Kerry, Johnny Ramone, Francois Mitterand, Robert Frost, and Frank
Zappa have in common? They have lived with, or died from, prostate
cancer. Every 19 minutes, an American man dies from prostate cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death among men and is
the most common cancer in men... bit.ly/1HWJ6HY
Deriving Real Time Value from Big Data
by Pat McGarry, Ryft Systems
Everyone has heard the old adage that time is money. In today’s
society, business moves at the speed of making a phone call, looking something up online via your cell phone, or posting a tweet.
So, when time is money (and can be a lot of money), why are busi-
nesses okay with waiting weeks or even months to get valuable
information from their data? bit.ly/1FHRgpZ
Software and Moore’s Drumbeat (Moore’s Law)
by James Reinders, Intel
Moore’s Law recently turned 50 years old, and many have used
the milestone to tout its virtues, highlight positive results that stem
from it, as well as advance suggestions on what the future dividends will be and boldly project the date for its inevitable demise.
Moore’s Law is an observation that has undoubtedly inspired us
to innovate to the pace it predicts. It has challenged us to do so.
Therefore, I think of it as Moore’s drumbeat. bit.ly/1R15iET
Cost of LIMS: True Pricing includes more than Purchase,
Implementation and Annual Licensing
by Siri H. Segalstad
The real benefit of laboratory information management systems
(LIMS) is difficult to calculate. Let’s take a look at some key
considerations, starting with the question of whether to build
the LIMS yourself or buy a commercial LIMS… Advocates for
building a new LIMS themselves usually state that their lab is so
unique, they cannot use a commercial LIMS. However, very few
labs are truly unique ... bit.ly/1JUff2P
Computerized Systems in the Modern Laboratory:
A Practical Guide
by John R. Joyce, Ph.D.
Scientific Computing periodically features special informatics
focus articles that attempt to help you with such complex tasks as
selecting a laboratory information management system or interfacing systems together. Unfortunately, there is only a limited amount
of information that one can cram into one of these articles. Where
we are limited to just a few pages for each of our attempts, Joe
Liscouski has written a whole book on the subject.
bit.ly/1cTXKph
EVERYTHING E www.ScientificComputing.com
