Monday, February 28, 2011

New Vaio S series brings fast boot, twin battery configuration and full flat design

New Vaio S series brings fast boot, twin battery configuration and full flat design

The transferrable Euroengel refrigerated box

The transferrable Euroengel refrigerated box: "Eberspächer is best known for its OEM work with vehicle manufacturers in the field of exhausts and heaters, but the company's new Euroengel compressor refrigerated range directly targets end users."

Robots ready to run full marathon

Robots ready to run full marathon: "Vstone, an Osaka-based technology firm, is organizing the world's first marathon for robots. As many of you will already know, a marathon is 42 kilometers (or about 26 miles), and these little mechanical men are ready to run the whole thing."

Activating brain protein shown to aid in stroke recovery

Activating brain protein shown to aid in stroke recovery: "t's certainly not a news flash to say that being in a stimulating environment, where there's plenty to perceive and think about, is good for the brain – new neural pathways are formed, and existing ones are kept from atrophying."

Copia – social media meets the eReader

Copia – social media meets the eReader: "If we need evidence of the central role the digital world is taking in our modern lives, we need look no further than social networking. In a very short time, updating Facebook profiles and Tweet streams have become a pivotal part of everyday life for many millions of people."

Saturday, February 26, 2011

New nanoparticle for vaccine delivery developed at MIT

New nanoparticle for vaccine delivery developed at MIT: "Vaccines work by exposing the body to an infectious agent in order to prime the immune system to respond quickly when it encounters the pathogen again. Some vaccines, such as the diphtheria vaccine, consist of a synthetic version of a protein or other molecule normally made by the pathogen, while others, such as the polio and smallpox vaccines, use a dead or disabled form of the virus."

The Survivor – Griffin's military grade iPhone 4 case

The Survivor – Griffin's military grade iPhone 4 case: "Put the words 'military grade' in front of just about anything, and people – especially guys – will want to buy it. Military grade Post-It Notes, military grade burritos, military grade tube socks, it's all good ... whatever the product, those two words imply that it has been designed to put up with more crap and abuse than its wimpy civilian-grade counterparts"

EGO semi-submarine boat offers underwater exploring for dummies

EGO semi-submarine boat offers underwater exploring for dummies: "Most of the vehicles designed for intimate trips beneath the ocean waves, such as Uboatworx's line of personal submarines, are pretty complicated affairs, meaning you'll have to put in some study time to get a grip on the controls or rely on the services of a trained captain to get you around – which can kind of defeat the whole intimate aspect of the trip."

EDAG’s best-of-both-worlds solution combines retractable hardtop and softtop elements

EDAG’s best-of-both-worlds solution combines retractable hardtop and softtop elements: "While retractable hardtops have the edge on their softtop siblings by virtue of reduced road and wind noise, improved insulation and aerodynamics, they lack the typical cabriolet look. EDAG is set to show a completely new type of roof system at the Geneva Motor Show which combines the advantages of a soft top and a retractable hardtop"

MINI Rocketman Concept to land at Geneva Motor Show

MINI Rocketman Concept to land at Geneva Motor Show: "With the number of MINI concept vehicles that have been rolled out in recent times, you'd be forgiven for thinking the company is overcompensating for the Mini's diminutive size."

Friday, February 25, 2011

Maserati’s new 285 km/h Grancabrio Sport

Maserati’s new 285 km/h Grancabrio Sport: "Another high horsepower premium soft top will debut in Geneva in the form of the 331 kW (450 bhp) Maserati Grancabrio Sport. The hard-edged Grancabrio uses the same 4.7-litre V8, driving through a ZF six-speed automatic though the engine has benefited from Maserati's Friction Reduction Program to achieve a 6% reduction in fuel consumption."

Viewsonic unveils world’s first Dual-SIM Froyo smartphone

Viewsonic unveils world’s first Dual-SIM Froyo smartphone: "Those that like to keep their business and personal lives separate know that two SIMs are better than one. To that end Viewsonic has unveiled the world's first Dual-SIM Android Froyo smartphone at Mobile World Congress 2011."

Volvo's production-ready V60 Plug-in Diesel Hybrid

Volvo's production-ready V60 Plug-in Diesel Hybrid: "Plug-in diesel hybrids seem like such a no-brainer that it's surprising that we haven't seen a production model prior to now. Peugeot and Mercedes Benz announced the first production diesel hybrids last year in the form of the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid 4 and E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID which should both see showrooms this year."

Two slightly used space suits for sale

Two slightly used space suits for sale: "More space history will go on sale in New York on May 5 when Bonhams will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Alan Shepard's historic mission in Freedom 7 with a Space Sale."

The US$465,000 Lexus LFA Nurburgring – the most expensive Japanese car ever

The US$465,000 Lexus LFA Nurburgring – the most expensive Japanese car ever: "Lexus' LFA supercar is, or was, the most exclusive vehicle ever built by the world's largest automobile manufacturer – only 500 of the exotic carbon fiber 200 mph V10s will be sold at US$375,000 apiece. Now the racetrack-focused 'LFA Nürburgring Package' is set to be revealed."

U.S. Army takes delivery of iPhone app for Patriot Missile training

U.S. Army takes delivery of iPhone app for Patriot Missile training: "Want to learn how to launch a Patriot missile? Turns out there's an app for that. Incorporating video of actual Patriot Missile crews in action as well as 3D animation and illustrations, C² Technologies, Inc.'s Patriot Missile mobile app trains Patriot missile crews how to position and ready the Patriot missile system to launch and fire."

The 2,200 bhp 42ft Ducati Edition US$700,000 Cigarette Boat will top 120 mph on water

The 2,200 bhp 42ft Ducati Edition US$700,000 Cigarette Boat will top 120 mph on water: "Ducati is making a serious effort to move its motorcycle brand upwards and leverage the visibility its MotoGP and World Superbike success has given it. The recently announced marketing alliances with automotive brand AMG and apparel company Diesel have now been extended to the luxury go-fast Cigarette boat company."

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Nissan shows ultra-frugal Micra DIG-S (Direct Injection Gasoline - Supercharger)

Nissan shows ultra-frugal Micra DIG-S (Direct Injection Gasoline - Supercharger):
"While electric, hybrid and diesel power trains have been grabbing headlines in recent times, work continues unabated on the good ol’ gasoline internal combustion engine and some significant headway has been realized with the news of a new Nissan Micra which will run a supercharged, direct injection 1.2 litre power-plant."

Pull Ties offer a simple solution to a common problem

Pull Ties offer a simple solution to a common problem:
"Scientists may be working on things like increasing the efficiency of solar cells, finding new methods of filtering water and growing hardier strains of wheat, but they have been woefully neglecting one important task for decades ... creating a better way of closing plastic bags."

Luxury accommodation goes underground for golfers and environmentalists

Luxury accommodation goes underground for golfers and environmentalists:
"London’s Hersham Golf Club has joined forces with international hotel and resort architects RearsdonSmith to submit a proposal for a five star subterranean hotel. Their objectives were to design a sustainable luxury hotel and spa that would meet the requirements of London’s Green Belt. In working with the area’s strict planning guidelines, the team came up with the idea to build all 200-plus guestrooms underground."

Thought-controlled car demonstrated

Thought-controlled car demonstrated:
"Since its formation in 2006, Freie Universität Berlin’s AutoNOMOS team has been researching and developing systems that could someday result in driverless, autonomous cars."

Rolls-Royce set to show Experimental Electric Vehicle for the ultra-luxury segment

Rolls-Royce set to show Experimental Electric Vehicle for the ultra-luxury segment:
"Rolls-Royce, one of the most enduring brands of automotive excellence, is developing a fully electric Phantom. The 102EX experimental vehicle will be shown in Geneva on March 1, and will tour Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America this year to evaluate the opinions of its key stakeholders. The brand is launching a special web site which will be used to deliver information about the vehicle, the tour and to elicit stakeholder response."

World's first anti-laser demonstrated

World's first anti-laser demonstrated

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Using satellite imagery to track 'killer' mice from space

Using satellite imagery to track 'killer' mice from space:
"Directly tracking disease-carrying mice from space would seem to be a tall order – and even without knowing the full capabilities of military satellites, I suspect the ability to do so is still a couple of years off yet. But researchers at the University of Utah have come up with an indirect way of tracking rodents by using satellite images to monitor surges in vegetation that boost mouse populations. Such a method could help forecast outbreaks of rodent-borne illnesses worldwide by allowing the creation of risk maps that show when and where outbreaks are likely to occur."

New type of light-emitting material could rival existing OLEDs

New type of light-emitting material could rival existing OLEDs:
"Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are a technology that shows great promise, as they are thinner, lighter, and less expensive to manufacture than their non-organic LED counterparts."

Umeox unveils solar-powered Android phone

Umeox unveils solar-powered Android phone

Ford draws first blood in battle of new WRC cars

Ford draws first blood in battle of new WRC cars:
is the closest of all world class motorsport competition to the genuine road environment, though conditions vary considerably across the 13 race, five continent series from last weekend’s first round in Sweden where blizzards and -28ºC temperatures necessitated tungsten-tipped studded Michelin tyres, through to the gravel and rocks and 40ºC temperatures the cars will encounter a fortnight from now in Mexico."

Solowheel: self-balancing last mile transport for the upstanding commuter

Solowheel: self-balancing last mile transport for the upstanding commuter

Friday, February 18, 2011

Amphibious floating garden concept would clean rivers across Europe

Amphibious floating garden concept would clean rivers across Europe: "Concerned about our rising population having serious water supply issues in the not too distant future, Lilypad floating city designer Vincent Callebaut has come up with a floating amphibious garden that can clean our rivers as it travels the waterways of Europe."

HTC joins tablet market with 7-inch Flyer

HTC joins tablet market with 7-inch Flyer: "Taiwan-based smartphone manufacturer HTC has joined the increasingly crowded tablet market with a 7-inch tablet called the Flyer. The device features a 1.5GHz CPU, 1GB of RAM and 32GB of flash storage packed inside an aluminum unibody case. The 7-inch LCD multi-touchscreen sports 1024 x 600 pixels with a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera and 5-megapixel rear-facing camera."

Researchers develop device that remotely explodes IEDs using electromagnetic energy

Researchers develop device that remotely explodes IEDs using electromagnetic energy: "Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) have attracted a lot of attention as a result of their use in Iraq and Afghanistan, but IEDs are used by guerillas and terrorist groups in many parts of the world, including Colombia. Being sensitive to the problem of IEDs, two Colombian doctoral students from the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) set about looking for a way to explode such devices at a distance."

Bentley World Speed Record skating on thin ice (literally)

Bentley World Speed Record skating on thin ice (literally): "Definitely in the “don’t try this at home” category is Juha Kankkunen’s new 205.48 mph (330.695 km/h) world speed record for driving on ice. Kankkunen drove an all-wheel drive, 6-litre, 12-cylinder Continental Supersports convertible running on biofuel to capture the record on the frozen waters of the Baltic Sea, off the coast of Finland."

Wind-powered car completes cross-continental journey

Wind-powered car completes cross-continental journey: "A television host and an engineer from Germany have completed an almost 5,000 km (3,107 mile) journey across Australia in their Wind Explorer, a lightweight electric vehicle powered by the wind – not only through electricity-generating wind turbines but also using kites."

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

700 bhp Gumpert Tornante Fast Tourer

700 bhp Gumpert Tornante Fast Tourer: "The performance of Gumpert's Apollo places it among the supercar elite, with its recent Nurburgring Nordschleife lap record for road legal cars further emphasizing those credentials. Now the German manufacturer is to add a second model in 2012 which it claims will create a new class of 'Fast Tourers' with attributes of superior efficiency, performance, space, comfort and pleasure."

Audi tries its hand at making skis with the Carbon Ski concept

Audi tries its hand at making skis with the Carbon Ski concept

Counterfeit-proofing chips with digital fingerprints

Counterfeit-proofing chips with digital fingerprints

Study calculates humanity's information capacity – but we're still running second

Study calculates humanity's information capacity – but we're still running second

Samsung announces slimmed down Galaxy S II smartphone and upsized Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet

Samsung announces slimmed down Galaxy S II smartphone and upsized Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet: "Ahead of Mobile World Congress 2011, which officially kicks off today, Samsung has unveiled the successors to its Galaxy S smartphone and Galaxy Tab tablet at its Unpacked event in Barcelona. At just 8.49 mm thick, Samsung is touting the Galaxy S II as “the world’s thinnest smartphone,” while thanks to its larger 10.1-inch TFT display, the next iteration of the Galaxy Tab will be known as the Galaxy Tab 10.1."

DARPA asks public to design new combat support vehicle

DARPA asks public to design new combat support vehicle: "In an effort to streamline the design and build process for manufacturing military vehicles, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is enlisting the “power of the crowd”."

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Keep the kids on a virtual leash

Keep the kids on a virtual leash: "A toddler on a leash – no matter how many times they see it, some people find the sight of a small child wearing a harness and tether just somehow wrong. It’s understandable why some parents do use leashes, however, as many tykes have a nasty habit of wandering off into the mall, park or woods as soon as mom or dad’s back is turned."

Renault CAPTUR: sporty adventure crossover concept

Renault CAPTUR: sporty adventure crossover concept: "Renault's recently reworked brand identity “puts people at the forefront” while the resultant design strategy bases each new concept car on a different phase of the human life cycle"

Behind the scenes at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Behind the scenes at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: "Many Muggles, fans and aficionados of the Harry Potter franchise would no doubt be aware that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Theme Park and Resort opened last June. And judging by the fact that the park just sold its one millionth Butterbeer (non-alcoholic) beverage, its popularity doesn’t seem to be waning."

A vending machine for ... golf lessons??

A vending machine for ... golf lessons??:
"It seems you can get just about anything from vending machines these days. From shoes to flowers and ice cream to gold it can all be had by slotting a bit of cash into a machine – or in the case of the gold vending machine, a lot of cash or a credit card with a decent limit"

Themed superyacht concept features fully functional ‘Monaco Grand Prix’ go kart circuit

Themed superyacht concept features fully functional ‘Monaco Grand Prix’ go kart circuit:
"If you want a superyacht that really stands out at the next annual billionaires meeting then why not give it a theme? Yacht Island Design thinks there’s a market for such vessels and has set about developing several themed yacht concepts."

Monday, February 14, 2011

Nissan to show production-ready ESFLOW electric sports car in Geneva

Nissan to show production-ready ESFLOW electric sports car in Geneva: "With a track record including the time-honored Z series and the extraordinary GT-R supercar, Nissan’s credentials for producing affordable sports car exotica is without equal – which makes the company’s latest showing even more exciting."

Salmonella bacteria used to stop viruses

Salmonella bacteria used to stop viruses: "Generally speaking, it is inadvisable to eat foods containing Salmonella bacteria – especially if you’re not a fan of diarrhea, fever or abdominal cramps. In the future, however, we might be swallowing genetically-engineered versions of the little guys as a way of treating viral infections."

Marten creates distortion-free premium amplifier

Marten creates distortion-free premium amplifier: "Sweden's Marten is well-regarded for its high-end speakers and takes a fair amount of pride in their audiophile-pleasing performance."

HP unveils new webOS smartphones

HP unveils new webOS smartphones: "As a way to shoehorn its way into the smartphone market, last April HP acquired Palm along with its webOS mobile operating system. Obviously keen to see a return on its US$1.2 billion investment HP today unveiled three new mobile devices running webOS – a 9.7-inch tablet called the TouchPad and two new smartphones, the pint-sized HP Veer and the third generation Pre, called predictably enough, the HP Pre 3."

Building a 15-story hotel in less than six days

Building a 15-story hotel in less than six days: "China's impressive building credentials have been in the news regularly over the past few years, particularly those in evidence at the Shanghai World Expo and Beijing Olympic Games. The most recent example of the striking capability of the Chinese building industry took place in Changsha, Hunan province a few months ago."