Thursday, February 21, 2013

The Rise Of The Supertalls | Popular Science

The Rise Of The Supertalls | Popular Science: "Barely 18 months after 9/11, Baker returned to New York—this time to talk about designing the world’s tallest building. The firm won the contract; six years later, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai topped out at 2,717 feet, more than half a mile tall."

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Fusion Power Could Happen Sooner Than You Think | Popular Science

Fusion Power Could Happen Sooner Than You Think | Popular Science: "In a presentation that seems ripped from the Atomic Age, Lockheed Skunkworks says it might be a decade away from producing a power plant based on compact fusion reactors. Unlike current nuclear reactors, all of which use fission, nuclear fusion does not easily produce materials that can be used in nuclear weapons. Fusion reactors also offer better containment, easier shutoff, greater energy efficiency, and less radioactive waste than their fissioning cousins. Of course, with something this promising, there has to be a catch."

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Frenchman nails perfect backflip ... in a Mini

Frenchman nails perfect backflip ... in a Mini: "Despite what you may have seen in movies and TV shows, cars aren’t generally much good for aerial acrobatic work. That hasn’t stopped professional skier and rally driver Guerlain Chicherit combining his two areas of expertize to become the first person in the world to perform an unassisted backflip in a car and execute a perfect landing on a bed of fresh powder snow."

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McLaren reveals P1 engine details – and it's a hybrid

McLaren reveals P1 engine details – and it's a hybrid: "We’ve seen the early images and taken a peek at the carbon fiber interior, but now McLaren has seen fit to let slip the finer details of just what's powering the P1. The long-awaited successor to the mighty F1 will sport both a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 petrol engine, and an electric motor – each of which combine to push out a total of 903 bhp, and 900 Nm of torque."

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NASA's basement nuclear reactor

NASA's basement nuclear reactor: "If Joseph Zawodny, a senior scientist at NASA’s Langley Research Center, is correct, the future of energy may lie in a nuclear reactor small enough and safe enough to be installed where the home water heater once sat. Using weak nuclear forces that turn nickel and hydrogen into a new source of atomic energy, the process offers a light, portable means of producing tremendous amounts of energy for the amount of fuel used. It could conceivably power homes, revolutionize transportation and even clean the environment"

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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

134-year-old British fortress becomes a luxury island escape

134-year-old British fortress becomes a luxury island escape: "Located one mile out to sea off the coast from Portsmouth Harbor in Hampshire, U.K., the 134 year old Spitbank Fort was originally used to defend the coast of Britain against ships and light aircraft. Now, after a £3 million (US$4.85 million) makeover, it has been transformed into an exclusive island retreat."

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Maserati sets sailing world record

Maserati sets sailing world record: "Given Maserati's reputation for exotic, high-performance Italian sports cars, the idea that it would set a world record isn't very surprising. What is suprising is that the record was set on water, not land. In fact, Maserati has been actively pursuing many world records in a vessel that is about as different from a V8-engined coupe as you can get. It's been sailing the world in search of prowess and prestige in a large, wind-powered monohull."

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View a Map with the Locations of All Recorded Meteorite Strikes Since 2,300 B.C.

View a Map with the Locations of All Recorded Meteorite Strikes Since 2,300 B.C.: "After last week’s meteorite strike in Russia there has been a renewed interest in meteorite activity across the globe. Now you can view the impact locations of 34,513 recorded meteorite strikes dating back to 2,300 B.C. with this awesome map created by Javier de la Torre."

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Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Honda takes aim at novice market with new CTX motorcycles

Honda takes aim at novice market with new CTX motorcycles: "onda has introduced the first two motorcycles of its new CTX (Comfort, Technology and eXperience) series. The 2014 CTX700 and its siblings (CTX700N, CTX700D, and CTX700ND) are variations of the company's 2012 NC700 model which was designed mainly as reliable, inexpensive bikes for new riders."

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Monday, February 18, 2013

Dolphin pod of 100,000 dolphins spotted off San Diego coast

Dolphin pod of 100,000 dolphins spotted off San Diego coast: "There are dolphin sightings, and then there's the "super mega-pod" spotted Thursday off the San Diego coast. Capt. Joe Dutra said he and others aboard his boat were astounded to see about 100,000 dolphins swimming in a span 7 miles long and 5 miles wide."

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Cigarette Racing and AMG turn out 42-feet of comfort and speed

Cigarette Racing and AMG turn out 42-feet of comfort and speed: "Cigarette Racing and AMG have collaborated on the newest version of the Huntress performance boat, which was officially unveiled this week at the Miami International Boat Show. A little more roomy than classic go-fast boats, the 42-foot Huntress is ten feet high, has an 11-foot, 9-inch beam and a cabin below decks providing luxury accommodation for two."

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Dropboards motorized carving board powers over dirt and pavement

Dropboards motorized carving board powers over dirt and pavement: "Walking the floor of the recent ISPO Munich sports show, there were a few things that were almost impossible to miss – the automated polar bear walking the corridors, for instance (see the gallery). Outside of that oversized white teddy bear, and maybe a scantily clad promo girl or two, the Dropboards Carve Motor 50cc spun my head faster than anything. This burly, all-terrain motor board looks more like a go-kart than a skateboard."

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