Wear-resistant surfaces inspired by scorpions

Wear-resistant surfaces inspired by scorpions: As any graffiti-removal specialist will tell you, sand-blasting is definitely an effective method of removing substances that have bonded onto hard surfaces. Unfortunately, sand or other abrasive particles suspended in air or liquid also have a way of eroding not just spray paint

Insiders suggest XBox 720 will have six times the power, play Blu-Ray discs

Insiders suggest XBox 720 will have six times the power, play Blu-Ray discs: The rumor mill has been spinning about the next-generation XBox for some time, but Tuesday and Wednesday of this week saw first IGN, and then Kotaku, reveal what appears to be the first non-gaseous (if not concrete-solid) information from inside sources as to the machine's spec.

The DUBE takes an out-of-the-box approach to percussion

The DUBE takes an out-of-the-box approach to percussion: If you're getting weary of trying to wrap your head around things like smartphones that answer questions, self-driving cars or microscopic machines, perhaps this might be more to your liking ... a wooden box. Well OK, the DUBE isn't just a wooden box. It's actually a percussive musical instrument, that caught our eyes and ears last week at NAMM.

Version 2.0 of Focus Designs Self Balancing Unicycle now ready for primetime

Version 2.0 of Focus Designs Self Balancing Unicycle now ready for primetime: "Two things are certain in this crazy world - unicycles are cool and unicycles are seriously hard to ride. Well no longer. Now anybody can clown about on a unicycle and what's more, you don't even have to pedal."

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BMW gives X6 Sports Activity Coupé a refresh

BMW gives X6 Sports Activity Coupé a refresh: "BMW launched its X6 in 2008 dubbing it "the world's first ever Sports Activity Coupé." The SAC moniker was adopted because the vehicle combined the high ground clearance and all-wheel drive attributes of an SUV, with the body styling of a coupé."

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BMW's amazing new 381 bhp 740 Nm 45 mpg triple turbo diesel (and four cars that will get it)

BMW's amazing new 381 bhp 740 Nm 45 mpg triple turbo diesel (and four cars that will get it): "BMW M Performance is adding four new models to its product range, all powered by a new triple-turbocharger, piezo direct injection, three liter diesel motor that looks to be a contender for the engine of the year already - 280 kW, 740 Nm, instantaneous response, very economical, low emissions."

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Lola Drayson B12/69EV electric racing car launched

Lola Drayson B12/69EV electric racing car launched: "Drayson Racing Technologies and the Lola Cars group have just revealed what is intended to be the fastest electric-powered racing car in the world. The Lola-Drayson B12/69EV features Drayson's brand new 4X2-640 electric drivetrain, inductive charging, composite battery power, moveable aerodynamics and electrical regenerative damping. Its four electric motors are said to deliver a whopping 850 horsepower and a top speed of around 200 mph."

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Suunto Ambit puts GPS navigation, performance tracking and heart rate monitor on your wrist

Suunto Ambit puts GPS navigation, performance tracking and heart rate monitor on your wrist: "The Ambit watch is Suunto's latest GPS-enabled watch, following up on the X10. The package is designed to provide outdoor athletes with a suite of tools - GPS, sports computer, heart rate monitor - to train and adventure successfully. The data gathered can then be shared at Suunto's online training community, where there are more tools and features."

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Play harmonica on your iPhone with the iMonica app

Play harmonica on your iPhone with the iMonica app: "There's no denying the popularity of music creation apps for the iPhone. Just about every instrument you want to play is available as a digital simulation - from guitars to pianos to drums, and even DJ decks - but what about wind instruments?"

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Novatiq enters robotics market with SCORP throwable robot

Novatiq enters robotics market with SCORP throwable robot: "SCORP measures 34 cm (13 in) long, 27 cm (10 in) wide and 12 cm (4.7 in) high, and weighs in at just under 3.5 kg (7.7 lb). It boasts four separate cameras - one on each side - with the front a day/night camera able to tilt +/- 90 degrees, and with IR illuminators for night vision."

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Researchers cloak free-standing 3D object using plasmonic metamaterials

Researchers cloak free-standing 3D object using plasmonic metamaterials: "We've previously seen - or should that be "not seen" - invisibility cloaks in the laboratory that are able to render two-dimensional objects invisible to microwaves. "

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Futuristic Navy railgun with 220-mile range closer to reality | Geek Gestalt - CNET News

Futuristic Navy railgun with 220-mile range closer to reality | Geek Gestalt - CNET News: "Imagine a Naval gun so powerful it can shoot a 5-inch projectile up to 220 miles, yet requires no explosives to fire."

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