Tuesday, April 5, 2011

QinetiQ provides unmanned robotic systems to aid in Japan's recovery efforts

QinetiQ provides unmanned robotic systems to aid in Japan's recovery efforts: "In the aftermath of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that devastated Japan on March 11, 2011, the country faces a massive cleanup and rebuilding effort that will take years."

New Porsche Panamera Turbo S packs 550 hp and 800 Nm of torque

New Porsche Panamera Turbo S packs 550 hp and 800 Nm of torque: "Porsche has unveiled the top dog in its Gran Turismo line. The new Panamera Turbo S raises the four-door sports car bar with a 4.8 liter, V8 biturbo charged engine that delivers 550 hp (410 kW) , which is 50 hp (37 kW) more than the engine found in the Panamera Turbo."

Student-designed Solarball creates drinkable water

Student-designed Solarball creates drinkable water: "When he set out on a trip to Cambodia in 2008, Industrial Design student Jonathan Liow had no idea it was going to be a life-changing experience. Upon seeing the poverty and poor living conditions in that country, however, he decided that he wanted to build things that could help people."

StrongArm helps load boats onto cars

StrongArm helps load boats onto cars: "Sea kayaks are quite possibly one of the finest things ever created by mankind, but they can be rather difficult to load onto the top of one's car – this is particularly true for people who are trying to do the job single-handed, or who have a tall vehicle. Australia's Steve Scott identified this problem as an opportunity, and invented the StrongArm Kayak Loader."

Partially-biodegradable plastic made from waste bone meal

Partially-biodegradable plastic made from waste bone meal: "Creepy as it may sound, for decades one of the key ingredients in cattle feed was meat and bone meal (MBM), made from by-products of – you guessed it – slaughtered cattle. Sheep, farmed deer, elk and bison were also unknowingly eating their own kind. With the onset of the Mad Cow Disease scare in 1997, the U.S. and other countries banned the use of MBM-containing feeds, as it was believed that the disease could spread via the ingestion of infected animals' body parts."