Saturday, October 19, 2013

Aeromobil flying car prototype gets off the ground for the first time

Aeromobil flying car prototype gets off the ground for the first time: "There is a saying in flying: “If it looks good, it will fly well.” Stefan Klein, a designer from the Slovak Republic, has announced the first flight of his Aeromobil Version 2.5, a flying car prototype he has been developing over the last 20 years. This vehicle is a strikingly beautiful design with folding wings and a propeller in the tail. But will its flight capabilities match its looks?"

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Thursday, October 17, 2013

Energy-efficient LEAPrus 3912 hotel isn't for the faint-hearted

Energy-efficient LEAPrus 3912 hotel isn't for the faint-hearted: "Italian architects LEAPfactory recently constructed a new energy-efficient hotel on the southern glacier of Mount Elbrus, in Russia's Caucasus mountain range. Generally considered the highest peak in Europe, Mount Elbrus has a summit of 5,642 m (18,510 ft). The hotel in question is located 3,912 m (12,834 ft) above sea level, hence its name: LEAPrus 3912."

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Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Carbyne: The new world's strongest material?

Carbyne: The new world's strongest material?: "Researchers at Rice University have used a computer simulation to calculate that carbyne, a monodimensional chain of carbon atoms, is twice as strong as carbon nanotubes and three times stiffer than diamond. If their findings are correct and the challenges posed by manufacturing it can be overcome, then carbyne could prove an incredibly useful material for a wide range of applications."

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Jessi Combs breaks 48-year old land speed record

Jessi Combs breaks 48-year old land speed record: "Back in 1965, Lee Breedlove set the women's land speed record on Utah’s Salt Lake Flats with an average speed of 308.51 mph (496.49 km/h) over four runs. That record stood for 48 years until this month, when Jessi Combs smashed it in her 52,000 hp North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger with a speed of 392.954 mph (632.39 km/h)."

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We chatted with Siri, for real, and weren't frustrated with her answers (Q&A) | Apple - CNET News

We chatted with Siri, for real, and weren't frustrated with her answers (Q&A) | Apple - CNET News: "Susan Bennett has done voice-over for airlines, TV, and radio ads. But none of that compares to being the voice behind Siri, a product loved and hated by millions. CNET chatted with her about being Apple's personal iPhone assistant."

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Monday, October 14, 2013

Spin Chill turns beverages cold in 60 seconds

Spin Chill turns beverages cold in 60 seconds: "Since the earliest days of brewing beer and making wine, the search has been on for an easy, affordable method of chilling drinks quickly without diluting them in the process. Florida-based start-up Spin Chill claims to have a solution to this vexing problem with a portable device that (literally) turns beverages ice cold in 60 seconds."

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How Money Is Made - Making of the New Hundred Dollar Bill - Esquire

How Money Is Made - Making of the New Hundred Dollar Bill - Esquire: "Unless you're more of a player than we think you are, that new hundred-dollar bill coming this fall won't wind up in your pocket very often. But it may be America's most popular export, the most coveted bill in the world. And the story of the new hundred — still made by hand with ancient tools — is the story of American money itself. "

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Sunday, October 13, 2013

New “Magic Number” inside Atoms Discovered: Scientific American

New “Magic Number” inside Atoms Discovered: Scientific American: "“Magic numbers” of protons and neutrons can make an atomic nucleus exceptionally stable—and a new one has just been added to the existing menagerie that helps sketch a fuller picture of the complicated inner workings of atoms."

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