Volvo testing concepts to extend range of electric vehicles by up to 1,000 km

Volvo testing concepts to extend range of electric vehicles by up to 1,000 km: "While there have been huge strides made in battery technology in recent times, the limited range of electric vehicles remains one of the main barriers to their general adoption. While maybe not an ideal solution, Volvo is producing a few electric test vehicles with range extenders - combustion engines that increase the effective range of the electric vehicle by effectively turning it into a hybrid. The project, which is supported by he Swedish Energy Agency and the EU, will test three different electric motor/combustion engine combinations."

Zoom H2n Handy Recorder boasts five microphones and Mid-Side recording

Zoom H2n Handy Recorder boasts five microphones and Mid-Side recording: "Since its launch in 2007, the Zoom H2 Handy recorder with its ability to record high quality digital audio has become popular for everything from recording personal memos and band demos to sticking in the faces of politicians. Zoom has now given its portable 'studio on a stick' an update in the form of the H2n Handy Recorder that ups the number of microphones to five and, according to Zoom, is the first handheld recorder to offer Mid-Side recording."

Cheaper vehicle sensory system developed

Cheaper vehicle sensory system developed: "There are presently several in-car systems that use small cameras and sensors to alert drivers to dangers on the road, or even in their own driving habits. Some of these systems can be quite costly, and are therefore limited to use in fairly expensive automobiles. Now, however, a team of scientists from Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration have developed a new type of sensory system, that's cheap enough to produce that it could be used in economy vehicles."

Rollei Bullet HD actioncam shoots video, not ammo

Rollei Bullet HD actioncam shoots video, not ammo: "Before current technology allowed them to be available to the public, wearable POV (point-of-view) video cameras were known within the television industry as 'bullet cameras,' because of their shape. Nowadays, they come in all shapes, sizes and price ranges, and are generally called actioncams or helmetcams. Hearkening back to the days of yore, however, is Rollei's recently-released Bullet HD. With its aluminum body and rounded nose, it does indeed look like a big bullet ... or perhaps a small Thermos flask."

Billion-pixel camera to map the Milky Way

Billion-pixel camera to map the Milky Way: "At approximately one billion pixels, it's the largest digital camera ever built for a space mission. Over a five-year period, the 'billion-pixel array' will be used aboard the European Space Agency's Gaia spacecraft, to map upwards of a billion stars. While it will be focusing mainly on our own Milky Way galaxy, Gaia will also be mapping other celestial bodies, including galaxies and quasars near the edge of the observable universe."

Final space shuttle mission testing system to turn urine into a sports drink

Final space shuttle mission testing system to turn urine into a sports drink: "Atlantis may have taken off on the last ever space shuttle mission last week but that doesn't mean it has finished racking up firsts. Along with ferrying its last batch of supplies to the International Space Station (ISS), Atlantis is also carrying a urine recycling system that is designed to convert astronaut's urine into a sports drink. The Forward Osmosis Bag (FOB) system will reportedly be tested by one of the four-man crew towards the end of the shuttle's 12-day mission."

FireText Smoke Alarm texts you in the event of a fire

FireText Smoke Alarm texts you in the event of a fire: "Smoke alarms are great for alerting people that a fire has broken out so they can get out of harm's way and alert the authorities. But what happens if there's no one home when a fire breaks out."

Video: BMW evaluates electric E-Scooter

Video: BMW evaluates electric E-Scooter: "BMW has flagged a possible intention to get into the electric motorcycle market with the airing of its E-Scooter concept bike. Designed from the ground up as an electric bike, the E-scooter uses its battery casing as a primary component of the frame."

Kitchen gadget measures liquids, weighs solids in same container

Kitchen gadget measures liquids, weighs solids in same container: "If you like to cook, and are just beginning the process of acquiring basic kitchen supplies, you're probably planning on getting a measuring cup and a kitchen scale. Should you need to maximize space, however, you can now get both devices in one unit. It's the Maxim 2 in 1 Jug and Scales, and it lets you measure both volume and weight."

Atlantis embarks on final shuttle mission

Atlantis embarks on final shuttle mission: "Despite the possibility of delays due to weather, the space shuttle Atlantis successfully launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida on schedule this morning at 11:26 EDT. It is the final flight both for the Atlantis, and for NASA's 30-year shuttle program as a whole. The 12-day STS-135 mission will see four crew members traveling to the International Space Station (ISS) to deliver supplies."

Supercollar features built-in retractable leash

Supercollar features built-in retractable leash: "The humble dog collar might seem like something that couldn't really be improved upon in any significant way, but ... what if you combined it with a leash? Well, what you'd end up with is the Supercollar. It's a polypropylene collar, with a three-foot (0.9-meter) retractable leash built into it. Perhaps not necessary in all situations, but there a few where it might come in handy."

Dairy-free ice cream developed for allergy sufferers and vegans

Dairy-free ice cream developed for allergy sufferers and vegans: "While the researchers at Fraunhofer have been toiling away on all manner of important technologies, from electric vehicles and printable batteries to antibacterial film and water conservation technologies, it's good to see they've also turned some of their expertize towards the equally important task of bringing the joy of ice cream on a summer's day to those with a milk allergy or lactose intolerance."