U.S. deploys the Switchblade Kamikaze Drone

U.S. deploys the Switchblade Kamikaze Drone: "U.S.Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan are beginning initial deployment of the Switchblade unmanned aerial system (UAS). A product of AeroVironment, the aircraft is light enough to be man-packable, simple enough to be deployed in minutes and can fly off over the horizon sending back video. It can loiter and watch silently (it's electric) and is so small that it is very difficult to detect at night, even at close range."

'via Blog this'

Living-in-nature pod can be transported to the mountain peak of your choice

Living-in-nature pod can be transported to the mountain peak of your choice: "his stunning alpine modular lodge is the creation of Italian design firm LEAPfactory. Dubbed LEAP (living ecological alpine pod) the modules are built entirely off-site, ready to be transported by helicopter to the summit of choice. Breaking away from traditional alpine structures, the pod is fitted with high-tech features and "at the end of its life cycle [it] can be lifted away by helicopter without leaving any permanent trace of its presence in the natural environment" says LEAPfactory."

'via Blog this'

Analogue computer chip mimics brain's neural function

Analogue computer chip mimics brain's neural function: "The human brain contains approximately 100 billion neurons, and each one of those communicates with many others by releasing neurotransmitters. Those neurotransmitters cross a gap - properly known as a synapse - between the sending (presynaptic) and receiving (postsynaptic) neurons."

'via Blog this'

New nanoparticle electrode could bolster large-scale storage of renewable energy

New nanoparticle electrode could bolster large-scale storage of renewable energy: "There's no doubt that sources of renewable energy such as wind and solar are critical to a clean energy future, but just as important is a way to store the energy generated for use when the sun isn't shining and the wind isn't blowing. "

'via Blog this'

Mazda announces world first capacitor-based regenerative braking system

Mazda announces world first capacitor-based regenerative braking system: "While Toyota took out the Tokachi 24-Hour Race in 2007 with a Supra HV-R hybrid race car featuring a quick-charging supercapacitor-based regenerative braking system, battery storage has so far been the norm for these systems in production vehicles."

'via Blog this'

The Iguana 29 - the upmarket amphibian 10-seat tender vessel

The Iguana 29 - the upmarket amphibian 10-seat tender vessel: "The Iguana 29 is a new take on amphibious vehicles, using retractable caterpillar tracks to deliver surefooted drive across extreme terrain at up to 8 km/h (5 mph) while on water it is quick to plane and has 35 knot speed."

'via Blog this'

EnviroTech's Lightning electric hot rod breaks cover

EnviroTech's Lightning electric hot rod breaks cover: "While modifying cars for fast acceleration over a short distance is said to date back to the 1930s, many will associate the rise of the American hot rod with the James Dean era of the 1950s"

'via Blog this'

Klingons take note - nanotubes could allow spaceships to disappear

Klingons take note - nanotubes could allow spaceships to disappear: "Although Klingon-style disappearing spaceships may not be in our neighborhood any time soon, the technology that could allow a spaceship to vanish from sight may be here now. Scientists from the University of Michigan have successfully made a three-dimensional etched silicon image of a tank appear as a featureless black void, that completely blended in with the backdrop surrounding it. The secret: good ol' carbon nanotubes."

'via Blog this'

Harvesting energy from insects in quest to create tiny cyborg first responders

Harvesting energy from insects in quest to create tiny cyborg first responders: "Insects have served as the inspiration for a number of Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) that could be deployed to monitor hazardous situations without putting humans in harm's way. Now researchers at the University of Michigan College of Engineering are proposing using actual live insects enhanced with electronic sensors to achieve the same result."

'via Blog this'

Bean Bag Sled protects your posterior on bumpy rides

Bean Bag Sled protects your posterior on bumpy rides: "Winter is starting to rear its ugly head in the Northern Hemisphere, and that means it's time to get out and enjoy the snow with your trusty sled. As many of us already know, however, a fun day of sledding can lead to a bruised and battered body the day after. The solution - surround your posterior with the Bean Bag Sled."

'via Blog this'

The Car Interior Preheater could make winter a little more tolerable

The Car Interior Preheater could make winter a little more tolerable: "Of the various "joys" of winter, one of the biggest has got to be getting into a frozen-solid automobile, then sitting and shivering as you wait for the inside of the windshield to defrost."

'via Blog this'

The Spartan Ducati V-twin track car

The Spartan Ducati V-twin track car: "We see many small one-off cars with high-performance motorcycle engines, but there has never been one quite like the Spartan. The Spartan uses Ducati's 1198 cc V-twin in a light race chassis. The engine that won this year's World Superbike title sits just behind the driver's left ear ... it appears to be the perfect four-wheeled execution of the Ducati ethos."

'via Blog this'