Catalytic Converter

Catalytic converter is a device that put into vehicle muffler to reduce air pollution. The device contains hexagonal ceramics (like bee nest) layering aluminium oxide and it is filled with catalytic metal like platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) and rhodium (Rd). Exhaust gas of vehicle is passed through hot catalytic chambers so CO gas and hydrocarbon compounds are oxidized, whereas oxides of nitrogen (NOx) are reduced.

Initially, catalytic converter is specified for oxidation process. Now, the converter is designed for analyzing both oxidation and reduction reactions that its influence becomes better for environment. Converter is designed to have wide surface that will be efficient in changing poisonous gases into non-pollutants.

Problem arises when catalytic converter must be heated first (≥600K) to be effective. Such condition prevents catalyst work effectively when a new machine is started and at the first journey. Converter with electric heating has been designed, but it may empty car storage battery. In 1994, researchers in Tutfs University, USA had a new idea, namely by involving reversible dehydration of lithium bromide (LiBr). When the vehicle is running and the machine becomes hot, hydrated LiBr is dehydrated. As it is rehydrated, the energy released can be used to heat catalytic converter just before ignition. But, the process has not yet been adopted commercially.

It is important to note that catalytic converter can only be used for vehicle using petrol without a lead because it can damage the function of its catalysts. In addition, pollutant will settle on catalyst surface and poisonous that the catalyst must be changed every five or six years.

Comparement of IT

When traced back, there are several milestone developments in technology that significantly contributes to the existence of ICT today. The first is finding telephone by Alexander Graham Bell in 1875. The findings are then followed up with the deployment of communication networks with a cable wrapped around the entire American continent, and even then followed the installation of trans-Atlantic communications cable. This is the first massive infrastructure that was built humans to global communication. Entering the 20th century, precisely between the years 1910 to 1920, realized wireless voice transmission through the first AM radio broadcast (Lallana, 2003:5). Wireless voice communications quickly growing rapidly, and then even followed by audio-visual transmission without cables, a form of broadcast television in the 1940s. The first electronic computer operations in 1943, followed by stages miniature of electronic components through the discovery of the transistor in 1947, and integrated circuit (integrated electronics) in 1957. The development of electronics technology, which is the cornerstone of ICT at this time, get a golden moment in the cold war.

Science and technology competition between the Western bloc (United States) and Eastern Bloc (former USSR) actually spur technological development through the efforts of electronic miniaturization of electronic circuit for controlling the spacecraft as well as the machines of war. Miniaturization of electronic components, through the creation of an integrated circuit, at its peak gave birth to a microprocessor. Microprocessor that is the 'brains' of computer hardware, and continue to evolve until today.

On the other hand, the rapidly growing telecommunications device when it began to implement digital technology replaces analog technology that has shown maximum limits of its exploration. Digitalization of telecommunications equipment and computers converge with that from the beginning is a device that adopts digital technology. This convergence product that currently appear in the form of a cell phone. On top of telecommunications and computing infrastructure this is the content of the content (content) in the form of multimedia messages, get a great place to grow. Telecommunications convergence of multimedia computing is the primary characteristic of the 21st century, as the 18th century is characterized by the industrial revolution. When the industrial revolution to make the machines as a substitute for 'muscle' human so digital revolution (for multimedia convergence-telecommunication computation) occur through the implementation of digital technology) to create machines that replace (or at least improve the ability of) the 'brains' of man.

Indonesia has used the term telematics (Telematics) for the purpose of more or less the same with the ICT that we know today. Encarta Dictionary describes as telecommunication + informatics Telematics (telecommunication + informatics) despite earlier word meaning science of data transmission. Processing and distribution of information through telecommunications networks open many opportunities to be utilized in various fields of human life, including education. Ideas for using machine-learning, making simulation of complex processes, animation difficult processes described, very attractive interest learning practitioners. Additionally, the possibility to serve the learning that is not constrained time and place also can be facilitated by ICT. In line with that start popping up various jargon beginning with E, ranging from e-books, e-learning, e-laboratory, e-education, e-Library, and so forth. The prefix e-means which is implicitly understood electronics technology based on digital electronics.

3. Operators in Pascal

3.1 Assignment Operator 
Used to give value to a variable. 
example: 
x: = 1 + 2; 
a: = a +1;

3.2 Arithmetic Operators  

+ 
Used to do the sums. 
example: a + b 

- 
Used to make cuts. 
example: x - 1 

* 
Used to perform multiplication. 
example: a * b 

/ 
Used to make distributions. 
example: 7/3 

div 
For integer division. 
example: 
10 div 5, will produce 2 
10 div 3, will produce 3 

mod 
Used to calculate the remaining share. 
example: 
10 mod 5, will result in 0 
10 mod 3, will produce 1

2. Pascal statements

clrscr 
Used to clean / clear the screen. 

write / writeln  
Used to display text or value of a variable on the screen.Difference between the write writeln is at the cursor position after the statement is executed. On write, the cursor will be behind the text, while the writeln, the cursor will be on the next line. 
example: 
write ('example'); 
writeln ('example'); 
writeln (a), (showing the contents of a variable) 
write ('Hello', a); 

read / readln 
Used to read and enter a value that is inputted through the keyboard into a variable. 
example: 
readln (a), (insert the data inputted into the variable a) 
readln; (waiting for the user presses the enter button before proceeding to the next statement)

A. Program Structure

Here is a sample source code of a Pascal program:  

sample program; 

uses  crt; 

var
  a: string;

begin
  clrscr;
  write ('Enter your name:');
  readln (a);
  writeln ('Hello', a);
  readln;  
end. 

program 
Contains the name / title of the program, in this case the 'example'.

uses 
Contains a list of units to be used in the program, namely 'crt'. Unit is a separate program module and used to store related processes/function. As in the example, 'uses crt' means the program uses a unit called 'crt', which contains a collection of routines (procedures and functions) to control PC. If the program uses more than one unit, then each unit separated by commas (example: uses crt, dos ;). 

var (declaration)
Contains a list of variables to be used in the program (in this example is 'a') and its data type (string), or can be called with the variable declaration. In addition to the variables, other declarations needed a program include: 

• Declaration of data types 

• Declaration of constants 

• Variable declaration 

• Declaration procedure

• Function declaration 

• Label declaration 

Examples of constant and variable declarations: 

const 
n = 100; 
var 
a: integer; 

begin-end
Contains statements that will run the program. Examples of statements are clrscr, writeln, readln, etc.. These statements should be in the begin-end block.

IT Research

Research Information Technology (IT) is quite different from the research in the social field. IT research generally do not have a clear methodology, no making of the questionnaire, no data processing and analysis covering only a few results. Research in the field of IT, as long as I've ever seen, could include some type of research include:

1. Pure IT Research: The research of this type is a study that attempted solve problems that arise related to IT field by looking for solutions which are fundamental. Generally, this research involved studying many existing theories in order to develop fundamental theories of other related. Some research that can be included within the scope of this include the development.
2. IT Applied Research: Applied research in the field of IT is more based on research that utilizes the theory or method, which has developed another person within the scope of pure research IT, in the development of advanced research.
3. Research System Development: The system is referred to here refer to systems that can be used directly by the user such as information systems and network systems. Research of this type generally try to apply various theories or methods have been developed both within the scope of pure research and applied research, such as database systems, programming languages, concepts and other tissues.

Compared with pure and applied research in IT, this type of research now seems still more attractive to students of TI Indonesia in the process of resolving their learning activities. Research of this type also has clear procedures for its implementation, because the general system development methodologies have been proposed in the pure research stage.

4. Research Related to the Use and Management of IT: In recent years, with the development of the application of IT in society, knowledge about the effectiveness of the use and knowledge in the field of IT management is also growing. Research related to science-science is too much done. Although still within the scope of IT, research of this type may be more associated with the field of social research, because that becomes the object of research is typically the user / users of IT, IT administrator or IT provider. So the possibility to apply the research methodology as well as research in the social field is very large.

Maybe there is still debating whether the system development activities, including as a research activity or not. When viewed from the definition of the word study (research) it, namely:

Research is a human activity based on intellectual investigation and is aimed at discovering, interpreting, and revising human knowledge on different aspects of the world. Research can use the scientific method, but need not do so.

essentially research activities have a goal to discover, interpret or revise the existing knowledge in society. Thus, research involving the development of the system, because it does not include the element to find, interpret or revise the knowledge society, it still could be a matter of debate whether these activities can be incorporated into the research activities in IT or not.
Following the development of higher education IT Indonesia and referring that, systems development is still in great demand by IT students in Indonesia as a thesis, I am personally of the opinion that the development of a system that performed in the order of lectures are included in the construction project (assignment) of a lecture, which may only be used as a final project (project end) of the students with a level below the S1 (D1, D2, and D3).

Computer

Origins, processing information almost exclusively related to arithmetical problems, but modern computers are used for many tasks unrelated to mathematics.

In such a definition have a tool like a slide rule, mechanical calculator types ranging from abacus and so on, until all contemporary electronic computers. The term better suited to a broad sense such as "computer" is "that process information" or "information processing systems."

Not with standing the foregoing, the above definition includes many special tools that could only take one or several functions.

When considering modern computers, their most important characteristics that distinguish them from the earlier count tool is that, with proper programming, all computers can emulate any nature (although perhaps limited by storage capacity and speed are different), and, indeed believed that the machine can now mimic the computing tools that we create in the future (although undoubtedly slower). In a sense, the limit of this ability is a useful test because the computer recognizes the "general intent" of the special purpose tool is earlier. The definition of "public purpose" can be formulated into a condition that a machine should be able to emulate a universal Turing machine. The machine that got this definition is known as a Turing-complete, and that they first appeared in 1940 in the middle of development throughout the world.