Prophet Abraham's Quest

In Search of God…

As Gods were trees and stones acknowledged,

When wild polytheism prevailed,

Among Israelis a soul thirsty for knowledge,

Felt its wunderkind must be scaled,

On a voyage is Abraham to discover his God,

Master of the Universe: Lord of All!

With his mission he walks on his homely streets,

“What do my people worship?” says he

“Are these idols & statues indeed my God?

But how can my creations create me?

How can these stoned eyes see my plea?

Nay! My God divinity isn’t limited to these

Whatever they say, these cannot be my God”.

He travels valleys and deserts and forests and farms,

He searches him everywhere, in cold and warm,

Tired he lays under the sky, in its calmth,

That he notices some heavenly charm,

“How beautiful is the moon, how elegant its grace,

How in horrifying dark, comes its innocent face,

How peacefully the moon spreads its glory,

Everything looks so calm, every specie so holy,

But wait am I getting close to my cause!?

Hurray Alas! I’ve found my God.

Praising his lord, he rejoices whole night,

That night passes by and day comes in sight,

The golden rays shine brighter and mightier,

And lo! The moon becomes fainter and weaker,

“My God can’t be concealed by anyone,

Day is fatal to thee, while my Lord is eternal,

Your glory is fake; you cannot be my God,

It’s just that I had digressed from my Cause”

Abraham then looks at the mighty sun,

Whose rays shine ablaze on everyone,

“How great is the sun, how mighty its shine,

How sky turns golden and sea red wine,

Its warmth so reviving; its verve pristine,

Sheltering all kingdoms, a canopy so divine,

But wait am I getting close to my cause?

Hurray! Alas I’ve found God”

And praising his Lord Abraham cheers,

That day passes by and night brings fears

Abraham looks at his God with a bold vigor,

But lo! The sun starts losing its figure,

“My God can’t leave me in life when it’s darker,

When I’m lost & in need, how can He surrender?

Your strength was fake; you cannot be my God

It’s just that I had digressed from my Cause”

Dissolved in thoughts Abraham whispers,

“The moon and sun are creations, not Creator,

The real God is He… (wish I was smarter),

Proofs of whose existence shine in all shades of nature,

Whom no eyes have seen, yet no wonder,

Even atheists can’t spot cosmos with blunder,

His Position so High that no being is Higher,

He Himself so near, even soul isn’t nearer,

Glory to Thee, the Grand Architect of Universe!

But wait am I getting close to my cause!?

Hurray! Alas I’ve found God”

Crying in delight, he ran to his people,

His joy outflowing as if sepal in ripples,

Hurray! Alas I’ve found God, Hurray! Alas I’ve found God!

In the Heavens God calmly smiled to decree,

“Blessed be O Abraham! Prophethood to thee,

Who wonders and struggles never digresses from Cause,

…Yes indeed thou have found thy Lord!”

                            

                             Written by Batool Arhamna Haider (2006)

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ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION FROM WASTE HEAT SOURCES

Written by Muhammad Shahrukh

                                            

21st century holds major challenges for the world. Rising oil prices are forcing a hard look at how we plan to meet our energy needs for the future.  Continued reliance on coal and other fossil fuels also means that global warming will continue to worsen… time is to think and ponder over…

As the world is rapidly industrializing, emission of large quantity of heat from different sources has raised serious concerns regarding earth’s sovereignty. On the other hand, depleting fossil fuels from within the earth is threatening the global energy need which is increasing significantly at the rate of 2.3% each year. In order to encounter both environmental and energy crises, electricity power generation from waste heat sources can be considered a ray of hope for the survival of our future generations.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this project is to utilize the waste heat given off by different industrial processes such as steel or glass production, oil refining, burning of transport fuels and to use it for the generation of electricity. Such a measure can be a milestone in securing the energy demand of developing countries and providing an alternative and cost-competitive means of energy production and utilization.

                         

METHODS

THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS

Thermoelectric generators is one of the latest technique employed to convert the waste heat into valuable electricity. These generators consume the waste heat to boil liquid in the pot and converts it to steam, causing rotational moment in the turbine to produce electricity. Thermoelectric devices can also consume the energy of sun and reduce the dependence on photovoltaic cells whose efficiency is declining significantly. Thermoelectric devices have the ability of lighting even a 100 watt bulb and increases car’s efficiency by 25%. It is thought that  thermoelectricity has a potential to be 100 times superior to other technologies. The design of thermoelectric devices is such that it doesn’t involve any moving parts and can be  manufactured relatively effortlessly and cost-effectively.

              

PIEZOELECTRIC DEVICE

The other method which has been successfully employed for the generation of electricity from waste heat is by using Sound. In this technique, heat is transformed to sound by means of thermo acoustic prime movers in the first stage. In the second stage, sound is transformed into electricity using "piezoelectric" devices that change pressure into electrical current. This technology has the benefit  of  not creating noise pollution. The efficiency of this technology can be significantly enhanced by optimizing the geometry and insulation of the acoustic resonator and by injecting heat directly into the hot heat exchanger.

THERMAL DIODES

Electricity can also be produced from waste heat by using thermal diodes which are capable to convert heat into electricity at a much lower temperatures. These devices can be very useful for conserving and generating electricity. These diodes amplify the battery lives of portable devices and diminish the power necessities of several electronic devices.

 

MAGNETO HYDRODYNAMICS (MHD)

Magneto hydrodynamics (MHD) is a technology which creates electricity from any heat source, by using  magnets to extract electricity from superheated charged plasmas. It is supposed that MHD systems will considerably reduce energy costs and will offer an affordable/cost-competitive alternate means of producing electricity. The power generation through this technology is based on Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction. The efficiency of this technology is anticipated to be 60%.

ADVANTAGES

Ø  There is No Additional Carbon Generation required for the electricity production.

Ø  This process generates clean, reliable and cost-effective electricity from industrial waste. It also  accelerates financial turnover by maximizing energy efficiency and fossil fuel savings.

Ø  Low cost base load electricity production

Ø  Low maintenance and simple operation

Ø  High system efficiency.

COST

The approximate cost of one of the methods of converting heat into electricity via sound using acoustic heat-engine devices is $2 million. Other university engaged in the research and development of this project was able to recoup its purchase cost in three to four years with electricity costing about three to four cents per KWH during that time and after their payback period, the cost per KWH was dropped to less than a penny.

CONCLUSION

As there is an enormous apprehension on the reserves of fossil fuel energy and as the population is mounting at a quarter of a million people per day, the employment of renewable sources of energy and alternate means for generating electricity becomes much more noteworthy for securing the peaceful existence of mankind. 

So the generation of electricity from waste heat sources can definitely be a solution to the problem.

REFERENCES

1.      Future Bioenergy and Sustainable Land Use by R.Schubert, Earthscan publications 2010.

2.      Thermophotovoltaics: Basic Principles and Critical Aspects of System Design by Thimas Bauer published by Springer, 2011.

3.      Advances in Electronic Ceramics II, Volume 30 by Shashank Priya, Anke Weidenkaff, David.P.Norton, published by John Wiley and Sons, 2009.

4.      Renewable Energy Sources And Emerging Technologies by Kothari Et Al.,published by PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.

5.      http://www.technologyreview.com/business/21701/

6.      http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/waste-heat-to-electricity/

7.      http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070603225026.htm

8.       http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/question136.htm

9.      http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2008/06/electricity_generator_gets_its_power_from_waste_heat-2/

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MODES OF COMMUNICATION

When Words Fail to Speak...

WRITTEN BY KANZA BATOOL HAIDER

Guernica-Painting by Pablo Picasso in response to bombing at Guernica. 

PAINTING: Picasso's Guernica Exposing Nazi's Brutality to the World

It was a time when there rouse a hue of miserable plea and cry. The place of Guernica was subjected to open blasts and killings by hands of the Germans and the Italian War planes. Innocent civilians were the fuel to the fire created out of the conflict between the Spanish nationalists and the Republicans. At this time the only thing that drew worldwide attention towards the barbarism and the condition of Spain, was the work of Pablo Picasso- The Guernica….

Guernica being exhibited at the Spanish Pavilion at theParis International  Exposition

Guernica is a painting by Pablo Picasso. It was created in response to the bombing of Guernica. It shows the tragedies of war and the suffering it inflicts upon individuals, particularly innocent civilians. This work has gained a monumental status, becoming a perpetual reminder of the vales of war, an anti-war symbol, and an embodiment of peace. On completion, Guernica was displayed around the world in a brief tour, becoming famous and widely acclaimed. This tour helped bring the Spanish Civil War to the world's attention.

While living in the Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II, Picasso suffered great harassment from the Gestapo, which was the official- secret police of Nazi Germany and German-occupied Europe. One officer allegedly asked Picasso, upon seeing a photo of Guernica in his apartment, "Did you do that?" Picasso responded, "No, you did."

Indeed, a picture paints a thousand words. This was the work that many peace makers couldn’t do, but the painting of Picasso did that all. So it is not just the words that make up the world… there are a lot different ways of expressions that makes difference to the present being. That speaks on its own and brings about revolutionary thought provoking ideas. Guernica is just one example that opened the eyes of the world towards brutality and brought peace within Spain.

What more is here?  How different modes of communication bring about huge changes to this world apart from the verbal communication alone?

MUSIC: Provoking The Sleeping Souls 

There are examples where simple music brought about revolutions within the states. Many revolutions that the world  has seen were fashioned through music. The attempt of provoking the sleeping souls within the masses was done by music. Music, which is just an art, contains in it magical power.

Le Marseillaise, the most famous of the franc’s songs that brought revolution to the country and which has now been made the national anthem of France, was composed by revolutionary leaders who realized that it was a very useful tool for changing the way people think and feel. In 1795 a school was set up to train bands for the army, the National Guard. A new law was passed forcing audiences to sing republican hymns in the theatres before operas were performed. Composers were encouraged to write revolutionary songs- and between 1789 and 1800 more than 1300 were written.

History is replete with examples of classical music acting not as a passive reflection of the times, but as a force for social change. Dmitri Shostakovich, arguably the greatest composer of the 20th century, so frightened and infuriated the Soviet regime with his works that according to biographer Elizabeth Wilson, "He waited for his arrest at night out on the landing by the lift, so that at least his family wouldn't be disturbed."

Qawwali, And The Emergence of Islam

Qawwali- sufi devotional music popular in South Asia

‘Qawwali’, a well known music of Asia, mainly India and Pakistan. Before the partition of the subcontinent, Did anyone ever wonder how did Islam sprang into life in a purely Hindu dominant society? Yes! It is qawwali that is believed to have influenced many Hindus through its sufistic lyrics and charm towards its side. Thus Islam came into existence from between the heart of the subcontinent.

Now, here opens a vast vista when the talk directs to body language.

BODY LANGUAGE: An Illusion It May Be

Body Language is mentioned to be a occult capability of a human psyche which relates to the non verbal actions of human beings, whether these are the gestures , facial expressions or eye moment, the study has reached to become a part of science in this modern scenario . They are signaled by an unconscious mind, without being interpreted in the real environment directly enters the conscious mind of a viewer.

Have you ever wondered just how many ways human beings communicate? If so here are a few facts and statistics about non verbal communication – Body Language.

Mario Pei, estimated humans produce up to 700,000 different signs.

Birdwhistell pioneered the original study of nonverbal communication—what he called ‘kinesics.’ He estimated that the average person actually speaks words for a total of about ten or eleven minutes a day and that the average sentence takes only about 2.5 seconds

Ray Birdwhistell estimates the face is capable of over 250,000 expressions.

M H Krout identified 5,000 distinct hand gestures.

G W Hughes has catalogued 1,000 different postures and their accompanying gestures. According to Wharton University studies, human beings take in information about the world around us through our five senses (actually we have many more than just five that everyone thinks)

Eyes 82%    

Ears 11% 

Other senses     7%    

Retention Verbal 10%

Retention Verbal – Visual 51%

Albert H Mehrabian experimented in the late 60’s and early 70’s and came up with this calculation in terms of how important the non verbal movements, signals and gestures are when it comes to the overall effectiveness of our communication in relaying our message to others.

Words account for only 7%

Tone of voice accounts for 38%

Body language accounts for 55%

CONCLUSION

World is nothing but an illusion. What we see, is not what we see, but the inverted image at the back of our retina. The colour that shows is nothing but the reflection of light unabsorbed. Similarly when we speak of the material world we usually think we are referring to the underlying reality -- the world that we perceive "out there". In fact we are only describing our image of reality. The materiality we experience, the solidness we feel, the whole of the "real world" that we know are all aspects of the image created in the mind; they are part of our interpretation of reality. Paradoxical as it may sound, matter is something created in the mind. So apparently what we intend to show actually becomes the reality outside, though it not certainly be the reality of inside.

So take away a hint to live life after reading this article. Try to make yourself as dauntless as u can, no matter how fearful you are from inside, the world would sing songs of your bravery…

 REFERENCES

www.wikipedia.com
Peter Russell

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