Category Archives: Science & Technology
Astrophysicien Conference-
Alone in the immensity of the cosmos? Conference par Le Pavillon de France
Since that day of August 1995 when a team of the Observatory of Haute-Provence, France, discovered the first extra solar planet near the star 51 Pegasus, the long quest of the astrophysicists found its completion. Today, we know several thousand of extra-solar planets. These discoveries found much echo among a large public as it is a subject that is touching many of us, which is about our place in the Universe. Admittedly, for the moment, many big « warm Jupiter » have been detected, but we are now able to observe planets similar to ours, and furthermore to start answering the fundamental question, maybe one of the biggest challenge of present science : Are we alone in the Universe?
Alain Doressoundiram is an Astrophysicist at the Observatory of Paris.
(The recording ends during the Q&A session)
HW & SW Do It Yourself
Cesare Montresor presents a different way to access to goods and technology, getting the inspiration from the world community. "Opensource Hardware", "Community FabLab" and the "Do It Yourself" philosophy are the main concepts to enable a high quality, local and flexible production while providing a public infrastructure for knowledge, creativity and continuous learning. By enabling aurovilians to produce their own goods, a community fablab would on the long run become a way to grow toward a more self-sufficient and sustainable community.
Effective Microrganism Workshop
During the last years Dr. Lucas Dengel with the EcoPro team had been working on training people and promoting the use of Effective Microorganism solutions (EM) for the improving of farming sector, waste water treatment, solid waste management and hygiene. Last week a especial workshop open for participants from all around India and the world was developed at the C.S.R. building in Auroville.
ANGIRAS - talks
The afternoon session of ANGIRAS - Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living in Remote Areas - started with Toine talking on sustainable energy solutions, raising the question if sustainability is not first and foremost about choosing a life style that takes into consideration the environment and already badly depleted natural resources. Nick continued with a SEDAB presentation, focusing mainly on the bio-region and its development. Gijs shared an interesting story about organic cotton and its value chain. At the end of presentations, Chamlaji Gupta from the ashram shared some thoughts on the beginning of a search for "unconventional sources of power". He said that the Mother, in 1966, after the construction of the first solar device in Ashram, commented " ...blessings for the efficacy..."
L`univers a une histoire
Elisabeth Vangioni, astrophysicienne au CNRS , a remonte pour nous le fil de l`histoire astronomique. Dans un expose clair, precis et accessible a tous elle nous a fait partager sa passion, et l`etendue de ses connaissances. Elle a aussi accepte de repondre avec sincerite et gentillesse aux nombreuses questions de son auditoire, et a termine son expose par une constation simple: la plus grande partie de la composition de l`univers nous est toujours inconnue, mais nous pouvons voir de plus en plus loin....
Creation of a Community FabLab
Cesare Montresor held an open discussion about Opensource Hardware & Community FabLab, a follow-up to its presentation of Opensource Hardware in order to explore (together) with the Auroville community the requirements and opportunities for the creation of a Community FabLab. Creating a community oriented FabLab would enable the Auroville community to dispose of a communal space where to learn, experiment and eventually build their own goods with sustainable materials, thus reducing the costs of production and their impact on the environment.
Clare Fanning on Websites
Clare Fanning elaborates on the topic of the development of Auroville websites. She shows examples of new 3D methods of creating websites, and she discusses these new possibilities with the attending Auroville International members.