Crowdfunding push for EZ-EV open source electric kit car

Crowdfunding push for EZ-EV open source electric kit car: "Electrical engineer Gary Krysztopik has been driving his self-built, open-framed, three-wheeled electric "hotrod" on the roads and highways of San Antonio (TX) for over three years now, but folks still can't help staring as he zooms past. While also working on gas-to-electric conversions (including a VW Bug and a Porsche Carrera), he's been busy refining and tweaking the design for his "battery box on wheels" and is now preparing to release the EZ-EV car as open source plans, build-it-yourself kits and complete vehicles."

'via Blog this'

NASA team pushing towards thermal nuclear propulsion systems

NASA team pushing towards thermal nuclear propulsion systems: "Nuclear-powered rocket engines are not new. In the 1960s, both the U.S. and the Soviet Union developed and tested thermal nuclear rockets fitted with flight-worthy components."

'via Blog this'

Aston Martin unveils Centenary Edition Vanquish

Aston Martin unveils Centenary Edition Vanquish: "Last week, on January 15, Aston Martin celebrated its centenary. To mark the occasion, the car maker unveiled its Centenary Edition Vanquish. Billed by Aston Martin as the “ultimate GT car,” this bespoke version of the luxury coupe will be available worldwide, though only 100 vehicles will be built. The company has also announced that similar centenary editions of the V8 Vantage, DB9 and Rapide are in the offing."

'via Blog this'

Researchers create LED that produces warm white light from a single phosphor

Researchers create LED that produces warm white light from a single phosphor: "Researchers at the University of Georgia (UGA) have come up with a solution to the cold, bluish look of white LED (light-emitting diode) lights currently available. By creating a new lighting-emitting material, or phosphor, the researchers claim to have developed what could be the world's first LED that produces a warm white light from a single source of emission."

'via Blog this'

Sandables mold into any shape for precise woodwork

Sandables mold into any shape for precise woodwork: "Finding the perfect tool for any job can sometimes be a daunting task, especially when that job requires precision, such as with woodworking. So what could be a better tool than one that you can mold specifically for the task at hand? That's why several collaborators recently created Sandables, a set of sanding tools that can be reshaped like gritty modeling clay for more accurate woodworking."

'via Blog this'

China's GAC shows stunning E-JET plug-in hybrid concept

China's GAC shows stunning E-JET plug-in hybrid concept: "While big names like Corvette and NSX hogged the spotlight, one of the most visually attractive vehicles at this year's Detroit Auto Show came from a name that may be completely unfamiliar to the western autophile. China's Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) had the E-JET concept perched in the hallway of Cobo Hall, providing a warm welcome to those that entered through the doors feet beyond. The concept combines eye-capturing styling with green engineering."

'via Blog this'

The Hyundai Genesis gets high-tech with HCD-14 concept

The Hyundai Genesis gets high-tech with HCD-14 concept: "Unveiled the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, the HCD-14 Genesis is intended to showcase Hyundai's future design direction for rear-wheel drive premium cars. For a premium-sport, four-door coupe, the HCD-14 concept exhibits a surprising mixture of style choices, along with the inclusion of some interesting interactive technologies such 3D gesture tracking navigation control."

'via Blog this'

ZT60 series leads Panasonic’s 2013 Plasma TV line-up

ZT60 series leads Panasonic’s 2013 Plasma TV line-up: "Despite the rise and rise of the LED flat screen TV, the humble Plasma is still a favored choice for home movie fans and color reproduction devotees – often with good reason. Panasonic’s 2013 offerings in this space are headed-up by the flagship ZT60 series, which the company put to task in a completely blacked-out booth alongside its predecessors at the Consumer Electronics Show."

'via Blog this'

The VL Destino combines Fisker Karma styling with ZR1 power

The VL Destino combines Fisker Karma styling with ZR1 power: "America's smallest, newest and most expensive car company" – that's how Bob Lutz describes his new venture VL Automotive. Lutz, a former General Motors Vice Chairman, earned a name for himself as the "father of the Chevy Volt." It's interesting, then, that his latest venture involves taking the electricity out of a plug-in hybrid. Together with industrialist Gilbert Villereal, Lutz has designed the Destino, a restyled Fisker Karma that trades the hybrid powertrain in for something more potent."

'via Blog this'

Making teleportation more energy-efficient

Making teleportation more energy-efficient: "An international team of researchers has achieved an important theoretical result by finding that quantum teleportation – the process of transporting quantum information at the speed of light, which could in theory be used to teleport macroscopic objects and, one day, even humans – can be achieved in a much more energy-efficient way than was previously thought."

'via Blog this'

Fish out of water: The 2014 Corvette brings back the Stingray

Fish out of water: The 2014 Corvette brings back the Stingray: "You'd have to go back in time a long way to find the very first rumor about the C7 Corvette; the next-generation Corvette has been one of the most anticipated and talked about new car debuts of the past several years. At the Detroit Auto Show, Chevy finally ended the speculation and opened the seventh chapter of the Corvette, a chapter that's driven by a story of past meeting future. Like it or leave it, the new 'Vette is officially here."

'via Blog this'

Would an Hourglass Traffic Light Work Better? | Technology on GOOD

Would an Hourglass Traffic Light Work Better? | Technology on GOOD:

'via Blog this'

Simple animation to explain complex principles - Electronics

Simple animation to explain complex principles - Electronics:

'via Blog this'

Glock Girl: “Somebody Picked The Wrong Girl”

Glock Girl: “Somebody Picked The Wrong Girl”: "A new advertizement by gun maker Glock will make you cheer and laugh. Watch as this guy picks the wrong girl to break in on."

'via Blog this'

ESA to test asteroid deflection

ESA to test asteroid deflection: "When you’re trying to keep a rogue asteroid from hitting Earth, you’d better get it right the first time. With this in mind, the European Space Agency (ESA) is looking for new ideas to help develop a US-European asteroid deflection mission. With a target date of October, 2022, the purpose of the mission is to send a pair of spacecraft to a near-Earth asteroid where one will impact it while the other observes the effect"

'via Blog this'

"Superomniphobic" nanoscale coating repels almost any liquid

"Superomniphobic" nanoscale coating repels almost any liquid: "A team of engineering researchers at the University of Michigan has developed a nanoscale coating that causes almost all liquids to bounce off surfaces treated with it."

'via Blog this'

Fitbit debuts Flex activity and sleep monitor

Fitbit debuts Flex activity and sleep monitor: "Fitbit has added to its catalog of activity and well-being trackers with the Flex – a wireless wristband monitor which made its debut at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this month."

'via Blog this'

Filip Dujardin's impossible architectures defy both physics and sense

Filip Dujardin's impossible architectures defy both physics and sense: "San Francisco's Highlight Gallery will shortly host a remarkable solo exhibition of architectural imagery by Belgian artist Filip Dujardin. Note the avoidance of the word photography. Though Dujardin's photographs provide the building blocks for his work, the end result are fantastical, Photoshopped constructions depicting nonsensical or even impossible architecture."

'via Blog this'

senseFly set to release eBee industrial UAV

senseFly set to release eBee industrial UAV: "Three years ago, Swiss sensor manufacturer senseFly released its Swinglet CAM unmanned aerial vehicle. Priced around US$10,600, the little aircraft can follow a pre-programmed flight path or be piloted by remote control, and uses its built-in 12-megapixel camera to create aerial maps, or keep tabs on things like wildlife, crops and traffic. Now, based on its experiences with the Swinglet CAM, senseFly is about to release a new UAV known as the eBee."

'via Blog this'

Triple-junction solar cell design could break 50 percent conversion barrier

Triple-junction solar cell design could break 50 percent conversion barrier: "The current world record for triple-junction solar cell efficiency is 44 percent, but a collaboration between the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), the Imperial College of London, and MicroLink Devices Inc. has led to a multi-junction photovoltaic cell design that could break the 50 percent conversion efficiency barrier under concentrated solar illumination."

'via Blog this'

Hajime Sakamoto takes a ride on giant robot legs

Hajime Sakamoto takes a ride on giant robot legs: "Have you ever dreamed of what it would be like to pilot a giant robot? If you have, you're not alone. A roboticist by the name of Hajime Sakamoto dreams of building his very own Gundam mobile suit, and he's making progress on a real 4 meter (13 feet) tall bipedal robot that can carry him around. So far the legs have been completed, and you can watch them stand up and take a few steps in the video below."

'via Blog this'

Samsung’s T9000 fridge with 10-inch touchscreen and Evernote

Samsung’s T9000 fridge with 10-inch touchscreen and Evernote: "Despite being around for a few years now, fridges with internet connectivity and LCD touchscreens haven't really taken off with consumers. Samsung isn't giving up, though, previewing its 32 cubic-feet (906-liter), four-door T9000 model at CES 2013 that boasts a 10-inch LCD touchscreen option."

'via Blog this'