Thursday, November 29, 2012

New small fission reactor for deep-space missions demonstrated

New small fission reactor for deep-space missions demonstrated: "Exploring the regions of deep space beyond Mars means sending probes where solar power isn’t practical. Since the 1960s, NASA has equipped its Apollo missions and unmanned explorers with Radioisotope Thermal Generators (RTGs). These have worked very well, but they run on plutonium 238, which is currently in short supply."

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Satechi dongle turns iOS devices into universal remote controls

Satechi dongle turns iOS devices into universal remote controls: "Having already provided a remote for the control of iOS devices with its BT Media Remote, Satechi has reversed things by releasing a dongle that turns an iOS device into a universal remote control. In combination with a free app, the Universal Remote dongle enables control of devices around the home that use infrared remote controllers"

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New hypercars - 1500 hp Hennessy Venom GT2 and 1400 hp Koenigsegg One:1

New hypercars - 1500 hp Hennessy Venom GT2 and 1400 hp Koenigsegg One:1: "The horsepower proliferation war between the world's hypercar elite looks set to explode again in the next 12 months when both Koenigsegg and Hennessy will debut new versions of their Agera R and Venom GT respectively, both with significantly enhanced performance."

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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

10 great Google tools you need in your business workflow | PCWorld

10 great Google tools you need in your business workflow | PCWorld: "Google is so ubiquitous in our everyday digital lives that it's easy to overlook the many tools it offers that have a business slant. But there are lots of them, and I'm not just talking about Microsoft Office equivalents such as Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, or Google Analytics"

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US Special Forces seeking subsonic ammunition for covert missions

US Special Forces seeking subsonic ammunition for covert missions: "Most people have experienced the sonic boom of a skillfully wielded whip, or the closely related crack of a nearby bolt of lightning. Such sounds have a character that attracts a good deal of attention, which is why the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is trying to silence them. The crack of a rifle shot is the sonic boom of a supersonic bullet, making stealthy ground missions difficult to accomplish. To address this need, SOCOM has issued a Small Business Innovation Research request for proposal for a feasibility study of suitable subsonic rounds."

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Spark smartens up any standard light socket

Spark smartens up any standard light socket: "The common thing amongst the various smart light bulbs we’ve seen recently, such as the Lumen, Philips hue, LIFX and INSTEON, is that all the enabling wireless technology is built into the bulbs themselves. This means that when the bulb inevitably fails, you’re faced with replacing the whole expensive kit and caboodle. Spark overcomes this problem by separating the expensive wireless components from the bulb, thereby allowing a standard bulb to be connected to the internet."

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Sunday, November 25, 2012

Tiny NanoQ quadrocopter could serve as an inexpensive research platform – or a fun toy

Tiny NanoQ quadrocopter could serve as an inexpensive research platform – or a fun toy: "QFO Labs, a Minneapolis-based start-up, is attempting to launch a mini quadcopter toy called the NanoQ. It uses inexpensive 3-axis gyros and accelerometers to remain stable mid-flight, and comes with a one-handed remote that integrates tilt sensors for smooth and natural control – and unlike most quadrotors, the NanoQ's propellers are inverted which prevents them from colliding with ceilings."

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The Gadget Hound locates the items you always lose

The Gadget Hound locates the items you always lose: "There's nothing more frustrating than losing a pair of keys when you're on the way out the door ... except maybe losing your cell phone in that same scenario. Or your wallet. Or sunglasses. Fact is, there are a lot of small, easy-to-lose items that are essential for daily living. So why not keep track of them with an electronic bloodhound, that stays on the scent 24/7? That's the idea behind the Gadget Hound."

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World’s first 100 percent biofuel-powered flight of civil aircraft

World’s first 100 percent biofuel-powered flight of civil aircraft: "Earlier this year, Air Canada joined a growing number of airlines conducting flights using biofuels. Like similar flights by Boeing and Lufthansa, the aircraft was powered by a mix of petroleum and biofuel. Now the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) has removed the fossil fuel component completely with the first flight of a civil jet powered by 100 percent unblended biofuel."

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How to boost lithium battery performance – just add crushed silicon

How to boost lithium battery performance – just add crushed silicon: "Researchers at Rice University and Lockheed Martin may have developed a low-cost method of creating longer-lasting, high-capacity lithium-ion batteries. Currently graphite is used as the anode in commercial li-ion products, despite the fact that a silicon anode could potentially store ten times more lithium ions. The team says it has solved one of the problems associated with silicon, which nearly triples the energy density of current li-ion designs."

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TechJect’s Dragonfly micro UAV flies like a bird and hovers like an insect

TechJect’s Dragonfly micro UAV flies like a bird and hovers like an insect: "Given their impressive flight capabilities, it’s not surprising to see researchers turning to the world of flying insects for inspiration when developing new kinds of micro UAVs. With their ability to both fly at high speeds and hover, the dragonfly would seem an obvious candidate for biomimicry."

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Thursday, November 22, 2012

Cloaking technology could protect offshore rigs from destructive waves

Cloaking technology could protect offshore rigs from destructive waves: "Recent years have seen much progress in the development of invisibility cloaks which bend light around an object so it can't be seen, but can the same principles be applied to ocean waves that are strong enough to smash steel and concrete? That's the aim of Reza Alam's underwater “invisibility cloak.” The assistant professor of mechanical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, recently outlined how to use variations of density in ocean water to cloak floating objects from dangerous surface waves."

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2013 SRT Viper set for production

2013 SRT Viper set for production: "It was only a few short months ago that Chrysler showed off the 2013 SRT Viper at the New York Motor Show. The brand new model boasts some serious refinements over previous iterations of the 10-cylinder beast, with the body style and interior rebuilt from the ground up. The muscle-car is now set to enter production, and the company has released some new performance numbers and an extensive photo gallery to mark the occasion."

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SAVMS: prefab modular housing in under 3 weeks?

SAVMS: prefab modular housing in under 3 weeks?: "Madrid-based architectural studio CSO Arquitectura teamed up with prefab construction specialists Torsan to create SAVMS, a modular housing system designed to maximize adaptability while minimizing ecological footprint. The flexibility of the system allows customers to choose a house of their own design, while the prefabricated approach allows costs to be kept more or less fixed."

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Monday, November 19, 2012

South Korea develops bird strike defense robot

South Korea develops bird strike defense robot: "The Korean Atomic Energy Group and LIG Nex1 (an aerospace and defense subsidiary of LG Corp) have jointly developed what they are calling the world's first bird strike defense robot. Birds are a major headache around military air bases and civilian airports all over the world, as they can cause significant damage when they collide with aircraft or get sucked into engines. The robot is a six-wheeled unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) that uses a combination of directional acoustics and laser patterns to scare birds away."

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Hubble discovers most distant galaxy ever observed

Hubble discovers most distant galaxy ever observed: "NASA's Hubble telescope has discovered the most distant object yet seen in the universe. The object, a galaxy called MACS0647-JD, is 13.3 billion light years from Earth and can only be seen with the help of a lens of intergalactic proportions. The light from MACS0647-JD left it only 420 million years after the Big Bang, so it provides a valuable look into the nature of the early universe."

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Kindle Fire HD 8.9" vs. iPad

Kindle Fire HD 8.9" vs. iPad: "When something is a success, it tends to breed. The original Kindle Fire was a phenomenon, and now it has a family. At the risk of over-complicating things, Amazon released three different Kindle Fires this year. The latest and greatest is the Kindle Fire HD 8.9". How does it compare to the market-leading iPad? Read on."

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Concorde meets railgun – SpaceX founder's plan for future rapid transport

Concorde meets railgun – SpaceX founder's plan for future rapid transport: "Taking to the stage at this year's Economist Innovation Awards, Elon Musk of SpaceX let slip a few more choice details about his "Hyperloop" high-speed transportation system that would see commuters travel between Los Angeles and San Francisco in a mere 30 minutes, describing the concept for the first time as a cross between Concorde and railgun."

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Sunday, November 18, 2012

Caught on Video: Orca Whale Tails Swimming Dog in New Zealand | Video | TheBlaze.com

Caught on Video: Orca Whale Tails Swimming Dog in New Zealand | Video | TheBlaze.com: "A diver and a dog got more than they bargained for when they found themselves incredibly close to several orca whales in New Zealand."

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Friday, November 16, 2012

Wireless, handheld device for ground control of X-47B unmanned aircraft tested

Wireless, handheld device for ground control of X-47B unmanned aircraft tested: "While impressive, unmanned flight is just one of the capabilities required of the Northrop Grumman-built X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) if it is to enter service with the U.S. Navy. Prior to and after any flights, the aircraft also needs to be safely maneuvered around the crowded deck of an aircraft carrier. Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy have completed the first tests of a wireless, handheld device that will be used to do just that."

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Will your next smartphone take a baby's temperature?

Will your next smartphone take a baby's temperature?: "Is smartphone evolution at a standstill? Today's batch of phones have ultra-sharp displays, zippy performance, and great cameras. What's left? One man hopes that the next big thing will be infrared sensors."

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Nissan shows off gorgeous 2013 GT-R, for sale in Japan in this month

Nissan shows off gorgeous 2013 GT-R, for sale in Japan in this month: "The Nissan GT-R is a car most people will only dream of owning. It comes with a hefty price tag, and is only made in limited runs. Still, that doesn't stop us from marveling at its beauty. Nissan just showed off the 2013 GT-R for Japan, and it could be a preview of what's to come for the 2014 model when it ships to other territories. As you would expect from the GT-R, it's quite impressive."

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SpaceX moves toward manned flight

SpaceX moves toward manned flight: "SpaceX has completed the first three performance milestones for the manned version of its Dragon/Falcon 9 spacecraft and launch system. In an announcement at its Hawthorne, California, headquarters, SpaceX said that the milestones are part of NASA's Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCap) initiative, which is intended to develop privately owned and operated manned spacecraft capable of taking passengers into low Earth orbit for NASA and private customers."

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Belkin’s NetCam uses your smartphone for home security

Belkin’s NetCam uses your smartphone for home security: "After Belkin revealed a baby monitor that connects to iOS devices just a few weeks ago, it was only a matter of time before they took that concept up a notch with a full security camera. The company recently revealed the new NetCam Wi-Fi Camera, which uses night vision and connects to a smartphone or tablet, so you can monitor your home remotely."

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Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Kindle keyboard review

Kindle keyboard review: "If you like to read, there have become a lot more ways to read in the past few years. The old fashioned way of reading paper books is getting less popular, while using an e reader and a tablet are becoming more popular all the time. "

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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Kepler Motors releases videos of its 800-hp hybrid supercar

Kepler Motors releases videos of its 800-hp hybrid supercar: "Kepler Motors is gearing up to get its Motion hybrid supercar to customers. The California-based boutique automaker originally announced the 800-hp car in 2009 and should begin deliveries in the near future. In anticipation of the launch, it has released three new video clips showing the Motion ... in motion."

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Lamborghini throws the top off new Aventador LP700-4 Roadster

Lamborghini throws the top off new Aventador LP700-4 Roadster: "Teenage boys the world over have another drool-worthy Lamborghini to plaster on their bedroom walls with the unveiling of the Aventador LP700-4 Roadster"

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MIT breakthrough could lead to paper-thin bullet-proof armor

MIT breakthrough could lead to paper-thin bullet-proof armor: "Scientists have theorized that paper-thin composite nanomaterials could stop bullets just as effectively as heavy weight body armor, but progress has been hampered by their inability to reliably test such materials against projectile impacts"

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Monday, November 12, 2012

Autonomous Audi almost matches veteran race car drivers' lap times

Autonomous Audi almost matches veteran race car drivers' lap times: "Stanford's autonomous Audi TTS research vehicle is gaining on the performance of its human-piloted counterparts. In contrast to its slightly pedestrian romp up Pikes Peak back in 2010, the self-driving car known as Shelley has recently hit speeds of 120 mph and posted lap times only just behind those of expert race car drivers at Thunderhill Raceway in California."

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Resurrected process converts sugar directly into diesel

Resurrected process converts sugar directly into diesel: "Researchers at the Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI) are generating bio fuels from renewable sources, such as sugar and starch, using a process that could be commercialized in as little as five to ten years."

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Microwave-packing EatWave vending machine delivers cold food and hot

Microwave-packing EatWave vending machine delivers cold food and hot: "Aside from items with a lengthy shelf life, such as candy bars and potato chips, purchasing any more substantial food from a vending machine is generally a recipe for disappointment."

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Friday, November 9, 2012

Chemical reaction eats up CO2 to produce energy ... and other useful stuff

Chemical reaction eats up CO2 to produce energy ... and other useful stuff: "While there are plenty of ways to make carbon-based products from CO2, these methods usually require a lot of energy because the CO2 molecules are so stable. If the energy comes from the burning of fossil fuels, then the net result will be more CO2 entering the atmosphere. Now a material scientist at Michigan Technological University has discovered a chemical reaction that not only soaks up CO2, but also produces useful chemicals along with significant amounts of energy."

'via Blog this'

Wfoil 18 Albatross: WW1 seaplane with modern hydrofoil design can hit 50 knots

Wfoil 18 Albatross: WW1 seaplane with modern hydrofoil design can hit 50 knots: "We're not quite sure why the sudden interest in hydrofoil innovation in Slovenia, but last week's Internautica event saw the release of two different and quite radical recreational hydrofoil craft. The first was the Quadrofoil electric hydrofoil sportscar for the water, and the second is the wFoil 18 Albatross, a cross between a WWI seaplane and a modern hydrofoil which is capable of 50 knots."

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Thursday, November 8, 2012

Use Your Webcam For Home Surveillance With These Tools

Use Your Webcam For Home Surveillance With These Tools: " live in England, the country with the highest number of CCTVs than anywhere else in the world – about 1 camera to every 30 people, it’s estimated. Obviously, that’s not enough (yes, that is sarcasm), so today I’m doing a round-up review of useful tools for adding CCTV to your own home."

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Sunday, November 4, 2012

Nissan developing "fatigue-free" car seats

Nissan developing "fatigue-free" car seats: "You might think that it requires no effort to sit in a car seat. According to the engineers at Nissan, however, that’s not the case. That said, they’ve designed a new type of seat that they claim requires less physical effort to use, thus lessening driver fatigue and discomfort."

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XTable: A height-adjustable workstation for those who like both sitting and standing

XTable: A height-adjustable workstation for those who like both sitting and standing: "t's a positive thing that we're all different; that humanity isn't made up of automatons who all have the same wants, needs, and desires. Unfortunately while each of us can furnish our homes in whichever way we see fit, the same isn't true of our places of work. Those who work in offices generally have to make do with whatever furniture is provided, even if it doesn't suit their individual needs. Providing options is therefore a good strategy, and XTable from Holmris offers nothing but options."

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Flying Kyosho Space Ball: The R/C Death Star and air freshener in one

Flying Kyosho Space Ball: The R/C Death Star and air freshener in one: "Almost a year ago, the Japanese Ministry of Defense made quite a splash when it revealed a spherical, remote-controlled aircraft that could zip around a room, roll along the ground, and even bounce off obstacles without losing control."

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CHAMP missile test flight knocks out electronic devices with a burst of energy

CHAMP missile test flight knocks out electronic devices with a burst of energy: "This week, science fiction became science fact as a Boeing CHAMP missile knocked out a building full of electronics in the Utah desert at Hill Air Force Base. There was no explosion and no flying shrapnel. There was only the sound of the missile’s engine as it flew overhead and the sputtering of sophisticated computers crashing as they were hit by a beam of high-energy microwaves."

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AUG A3-CQC ASSAULT RIFLE!!! - YouTube

AUG A3-CQC ASSAULT RIFLE!!! - YouTube: ""

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