With the globalization of companies more popular today than ever before, translation services are critical to the company’s success. Science & technology firms are also increasing their need for these types of services. In fact, these are a valuable resource regardless of the industry you’re in.

However, science translations offer a unique challenge, as there are specific terms, measurements, and formulas that can be difficult to translate to certain languages. By hiring a translation service company that specializes in science and technology translations, you can be assured that your materials are getting translated effectively in the languages you require.

There are numerous materials that a translation company can help with, including sales materials, data sheets and reports, business cards, and product guides, just to name a few. Whatever literature your company produces, it can be translated into any number of other languages when you hire a professional team of experts.

Upon selecting a science translations company to work with, they will work closely with you to determine your needs and requirements. They will want to know what types of materials you would like translated, and of course, which language or languages you require. The company will then assign the work to be converted to their employee that is skilled in that particular language. If you have more than one language requirement, they may need to assign it to more than one person. For example, they might have a skilled translator in French, and another skilled translator in Italian. They may have one expert in each language.

When you are trying to attract business in other countries, it makes sense to get your marketing materials translated. This shows a certain respect for their culture and their language. Some people may assume that they have at least one employee who speaks English; but that is a dangerous assumption. First, that person may not be able to read specific science & technology terms; and second, if you want their business, you must make an effort to go the extra mile. It could make the difference between your company getting the contract, or your competition.

The cost of these services is well worth the extra profits you will make by having global companies do business with you. When you conduct business with grace and consideration, you’ll always come out on top. Your reputation will grow and soon, you’ll be needing science translations for many other languages as well.

For many years Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries were the only choice for users of cell phones, laptops and other electronic devices. Each Lithium-ion battery consists of two sides: the anode made of carbon, and the cathode made of metal-oxide. Charging the battery, causes lithium-ions to become positive and flow from the cathode to the anode, while an electronic circuit uses electrons to balance the charge. Discharging the battery reverses the whole process. These batteries have remained unchanged for many years.

The capacity of the battery is determined by the amount of lithium-ions that can be stored in the anode. Since anodes are currently created from carbon, the maximum capacity has been reached. Newer methods are being studied, and the most promising appears to be nanowire batteries. This research, led by Yi Cui, assistant professor, has shown that silicon has the ability to absorb ten times more energy than carbon. Unfortunately, silicon has the disadvantage of swelling dramatically when charged with energy. This creates a constant swelling and shrinking while being used. Eventually, this process causes the silicon to break.

A solution has been found by Yi Cui and his team. Making use of nanotechnology solves the problem. Creating very thin silicon wires called nanowires, turned out to be the solution. For some unknown reason, the nanowires can still expand and shrink, but they do not break like the silicon layers. Unfortunately, creating these ultra fine silicon wires are still extremely expensive. One of these wires is a thousand times thinner than a human hair. Luckily, as with all new technology, costs will drop with time.  

The expected capacity of 10 times that of standard Lithium-Ion batteries have not been reached yet. So far, researchers were able to increase capacity four times. This is already excellent progress, and it shows a bright future for nanowire batteries. There is however, still one kink in the cable. The silicon wires offer a great improvement on the anode side of the battery. The cathode side still needs to be improved before the full capacity of silicon batteries can be achieved.

Those who will benefit the most are any user of an electronic device that currently uses Li-ion batteries; like iPods, laptops, cell phones, video cameras, digital cameras.  The advantages do not stop with electronic devices. Especially research in electric vehicles will find great support in nanowire technology. Patents have already been filed so we ought to see improvements in battery life really soon, maybe as soon as 2012. Although there is still a long way to go and a lot of work to be done, just thinking about the possibility of running a laptop from a battery for two days makes me giddy.