Finally, a clock that will keep accurate time! The National Institute for Standards in Technology (NIST)
has developed a clock that will keep accurate time up to 300 million
years. No more will precision be a problem.
An atomic clock of such magnitude could never be reproduced…or could it?
Watchmaker, John Patterson of Hawaii, wants to market the first atomic watch. Although not as precise as NIST’s clock (it will have to have to be adjusted every millennia), it will be small, wearable and extremely accurate. He has entered a new kickstarter campaign in hopes of getting the funding to bring it to market. The new watch uses rechargeable batteries and uses the basic physical properties of timekeeping.
To explain how it works is extremely difficult. It runs by radioactive emissions of sample caesium-133. Caesium is an element with a stable isotope that produces microwave emissions with a frequency of 9,192,631,770 vibrations per seconds (extremely predictable). The watch counts the peaks of these emissions therefore making it the most accurate watch on the planet. Although it is the first of its kind, the technology could quickly spread. But for now, it is a unique design.
Some of the negatives of the watch come from the fact that atomic watches are only just beginning. Although small for an atomic watch, it is rather large for the wrist, causing it to be conspicuous. Another downside is that it only gets a few hours of charge when put on full atomic mode. However, a scheduler on the inside of the watch can extend battery life up to 30 hours by tuning the caesium clock on and off. Although accurate, most people will buy this product because its a marvel. It will initially cost thousands of dollars. Transparent watches will also become available in order to allow people to see the complex workings going on inside. It’s not the most practical but it is the most interesting watch out there.
So if you are like me and like all things relating to time, then look out for this new kickstarter project. It will inspire others to hopefully come up with practical designs while keeping the integrity of time. As always, if you would like to leave a sensible comment, then please do so in the comments section below.
An atomic clock of such magnitude could never be reproduced…or could it?
Watchmaker, John Patterson of Hawaii, wants to market the first atomic watch. Although not as precise as NIST’s clock (it will have to have to be adjusted every millennia), it will be small, wearable and extremely accurate. He has entered a new kickstarter campaign in hopes of getting the funding to bring it to market. The new watch uses rechargeable batteries and uses the basic physical properties of timekeeping.
To explain how it works is extremely difficult. It runs by radioactive emissions of sample caesium-133. Caesium is an element with a stable isotope that produces microwave emissions with a frequency of 9,192,631,770 vibrations per seconds (extremely predictable). The watch counts the peaks of these emissions therefore making it the most accurate watch on the planet. Although it is the first of its kind, the technology could quickly spread. But for now, it is a unique design.
Some of the negatives of the watch come from the fact that atomic watches are only just beginning. Although small for an atomic watch, it is rather large for the wrist, causing it to be conspicuous. Another downside is that it only gets a few hours of charge when put on full atomic mode. However, a scheduler on the inside of the watch can extend battery life up to 30 hours by tuning the caesium clock on and off. Although accurate, most people will buy this product because its a marvel. It will initially cost thousands of dollars. Transparent watches will also become available in order to allow people to see the complex workings going on inside. It’s not the most practical but it is the most interesting watch out there.
So if you are like me and like all things relating to time, then look out for this new kickstarter project. It will inspire others to hopefully come up with practical designs while keeping the integrity of time. As always, if you would like to leave a sensible comment, then please do so in the comments section below.
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