New device harvests submerged golf balls from shore

New device harvests submerged golf balls from shore: When most golfers hit a ball into the middle of a water trap, they probably just assume that the ball is destined to remain underwater for all eternity.

Hundred Watt Hybrid sets off on Eco Tour across America

Hundred Watt Hybrid sets off on Eco Tour across America: To the continued annoyance of his father Pierce, twelve-year old Nash Hoover was forever leaving his bedroom light on when he wasn't in the house.

Pentax O-GPS1 unit tracks both Heaven and Earth

Pentax O-GPS1 unit tracks both Heaven and Earth: A new GPS module designed for use with the latest digital SLR cameras from Pentax could help photographers who like to capture shots of the heavens avoid annoying star trails on long exposure shots.

Metallic material can switch back and forth between hard and soft states

Metallic material can switch back and forth between hard and soft states: We may not yet have the liquid metal depicted in the Terminator movies, but scientists have now developed something that's vaguely along the same lines. German materials scientist Dr. Jörg Weißmüller and Chinese research scientist Hai-Jun Jin have created a metallic material that can change back and forth between being strong but brittle and soft but malleable, via electrical signals.

Homebuilt $70,000 single-person spacecraft tested

Homebuilt $70,000 single-person spacecraft tested: Sending a man to outer space in a homebuilt spacecraft worth US$70,000 may seem like a crazy idea to most of us, but not for a Danish group of enthusiasts who call themselves Copenhagen Suborbitals

CERN traps antimatter atoms for 1,000 seconds

CERN traps antimatter atoms for 1,000 seconds: Researchers involved in the ALPHA experiment at Switzerland's CERN complex announced yesterday (June 5) that they have succeeded in using the facility's antiproton decelerator to trap antimatter atoms for 1,000 seconds - or just over 16 minutes.

Researchers halve machines' fuel consumption, by turning them into hybrids

Researchers halve machines' fuel consumption, by turning them into hybrids: Many hybrid cars feature regenerative braking - they harness the energy generated when they brake, and store it in the battery for later use. This helps maximize the amount of time that the car can run on one charge.

Detecting and controlling seizures with brain implants

Detecting and controlling seizures with brain implants: In the future, people who are prone to seizures may get an array of electrodes implanted in their brains. These electrodes would be capable of detecting the onset of a seizure, and then releasing medication to prevent it from happening. While it might sound far-fetched, scientists at the University of Pittsburgh have already demonstrated the technology on lab rats.

Microsoft previews “touch-optimized” Windows 8 operating system

Microsoft previews “touch-optimized” Windows 8 operating system: With Apple bringing a few user interface elements found in its iOS mobile operating system to its upcoming OS X Lion desktop operating system, Microsoft is taking a similar tack for its Windows 8 OS.

The go anywhere Aqua hybrid hovercraft concept

The go anywhere Aqua hybrid hovercraft concept: This futuristic, zero emissions hovercraft concept won't be gracing our wilderness zones any time soon but it definitely merits a mention. Dubbed the "Aqua Volkswagen," the concept was created by Zhang Yuhan, a 21 year old graduate in Industrial Design at Xihua University, China.

Ford produces the smallest motor in its history - three cylinder 1.0-Liter EcoBoost

Ford produces the smallest motor in its history - three cylinder 1.0-Liter EcoBoost: It's a sign of the times that Ford is gearing up to launch the smallest capacity engine, with less cylinders than any it has previously produced. The new 1.0-liter EcoBoost will be launched globally in all small Ford cars, and in addition to recognized technologies employed by Ford in its EcoBoost engines,

Google to acquire Motorola Mobility for US$12.5 billion

Google to acquire Motorola Mobility for US$12.5 billion: Google has announced today that it is going to purchase Motorola Mobility for a price of US$40 per share, which adds up to a total amount of US$12.5 billion. Taking Google's patent wars into account, Motorola's portfolio of 17,000 patents could have been an important factor behind the deal. According to a blog post by Google's CEO Larry Page, Motorola will be run as a separate business, while Android will remain an open platform.