People suffering from hypertension (also known as
high blood pressure) are typically advised to switch to a healthier
diet, get more exercise and lose weight, plus they are often put on a
combination of several medications. As of today, UK residents are now
also able to get a prescription for what is definitely a different type
of treatment – a system known as RESPeRATE. It monitors the patient’s
breathing and uses sound to guide them into taking longer, slower
breaths, thus relaxing their bodies. According to its makers, multiple
clinical trials have shown that it causes significant, lasting
reductions in blood pressure. Read More
Engineers and researchers at the University of
Texas, Arlington in collaboration with military medical institutions aim
to develop a mask that would use mechanical, electrical and biological
components to speed up the healing process following severe facial
burns. The flexible polymer face mold is to be fitted with sensors for
the monitoring of the healing process. If necessary, embedded components
would selectively administer the appropriate pharmaceuticals to the
right section of the wound. The aim of the Biomask project is not only
to prevent further disfigurement, but also to facilitate facial tissue
regeneration in injured soldiers. Read More
SpaceX tries out its new SuperDraco rocket engine
By Ben Coxworth
February 1, 2012
SpaceX, the California company that is developing the reusable Dragon
spacecraft, recently test-fired its new SuperDraco engine. Presently,
the Dragon capsule is equipped with less-advanced Draco engines, which
are designed for maneuvering the spacecraft while in orbit and during
reentry. The SuperDraco, however, is intended to allow the astronauts to
escape if an emergency occurs during the launch. Read More
It doesn't seem too long ago when we were
reporting on breakthroughs in battery technology that would allow
electric motorbikes like the Brammo Enertia to travel as much as 45 miles (72 km) on a single charge. These days, we're seeing most of the recent arrivals (such as the 2012 Zero S range, for instance, or the gorgeous custom-built Brutus 2.0)
flying past the 100 miles (160 km) barrier with relative ease, a range
long enough to quieten even the most fervent of petrol-heads. Two Purdue
University engineering students have recently completed the conversion
of a Yamaha YZF600r to electric power that further pushes the envelope
to more than 120 miles (193 km), using batteries cooled by phase change
material. Read More
Last September, scientists from the University of
California, Berkeley announced that they had developed a method of visually reconstructing images from peoples' minds,
by analyzing their brain activity. Much to the dismay of tinfoil
hat-wearers everywhere, researchers from that same institution have now
developed a somewhat similar system, that is able to reconstruct words
that people have heard spoken to them. Instead of being used to violate
our civil rights, however, the technology could instead allow the
vocally-disabled to "speak." Read More
"Which Catalan postmodernist architect, known for
his monumental buildings, said: 'Through my buildings, I want to
receive the kind of adulation usually reserved for pop stars?'" If a
night in round the kitchen table with five architecture enthusiasts
answering questions like this doesn't appeal, you may wish to read no
further. This is just one question from the Modern Architecture
Boardgame from NEXT Architects, which pits fans of all things built and
beautiful against one another, as they take it in turns to don the
iconic round spectacles of Le Corbusier in the ultimate architectural
trivia nerd-off. But which buildings do its six iconic playing pieces
represent? Inquiring minds want to know. Read More
The Telikin is a new touchscreen family computer
designed to make everyday tasks as easy as possible. It is clearly aimed
at the older user, which explains why its most vaunted features are
social in nature, and make a lot of sense for grandparents with distant
relatives. Video chat (thanks to a built-in camera), photo sharing and
email are first among its advertised features - all of which come ready
to use out of the box, provided an internet connection is available, of
course. Read More
When the likes of Jaguar, Porsche, Ford, GM, BMW,
Mercedes, Audi, Volkswagen, Renault and Chrysler introduce a new model
series, it is equally or more reliable than the model it replaces.
Right? Wrong! New information has been released this week which
indicates all of the above companies have replaced major models with
less reliable models in the last decade - the worst three examples were
60%, 54% and 40% more likely to break down than their predecessor. Read More
Review: OnLive Android app - the future of video games?
February 1, 2012
A while back, OnLive released an app
that allows its on-demand video game service to function through any
Android device. While the service has been around awhile for use with
computers and TVs, what makes the app unique is its ability to deliver
games usually reserved for consoles and gaming PCs to many tablets and
smartphones. The app could effectively turn any smart device into a
portable game console that streams games like Netflix streams movies.
That's all great as a concept, but the big question is how well it
actually works. After spending some time with OnLive's app, it's clear
that it isn't going to replace your console or gaming PC anytime soon,
but it does offer a glimpse at the possible future of video games. Read More
By now, we should all know that how you drive has a huge influence on fuel economy, but knowing exactly how to
drive in certain circumstances to maximize fuel economy isn't always
easy. We've looked at various technologies designed to make the task of
traveling at the most fuel efficient speed, taking the most fuel-efficient - if not necessarily the shortest - route,
and taking into consideration traffic conditions, that little bit
easier. Now there's an app for mobile devices that does all these
things. Called EcoSpeed, its creators say it could provide fuel savings
of as much as 30 percent. Read More
All hands on deck: Wally's new Ace yacht promises plenty of room to move
By Darren Quick
January 29, 2012
While it doesn't boast the same kind of square footage as the Wally Island or the WHY,
Wally's new Ace displacement yacht will still provide plenty of room to
stretch one's legs while cruising the ocean waves. With 1,378 square
feet (128 m2) of outside deck space spread over two decks and a 441
square foot (41 m2) interior saloon area contributing to a total square
footage of 3,035 (282 m2), Wally says the Ace has 30 percent more space
than its nearest competitor of the same length. Read More
They clearly like a coffee over at Californian
sports clothing company Virus. While its employees might order a mocha
latte, the company is interested in the grinds. Virus' StayWarm line
uses what it calls Coffee Char, or coffee charcoal in the construction
of the fabric. The grounds are recycled and processed into a natural
fiber to produce a comfortable base layer fabric that traps heat close
to the skin. Read More
Feedair personalized news ticker keeps you in the loop
By Bryan Clark
January 29, 2012
Laptops, tablets, smartphones ... there are
plenty of options out there when it comes to managing the constant
stream of information we find ourselves faced with - here's another.
Feedair is a personalized news tracker that fits in the palm of your
hand and uses your smartphone as a controller (iPhone and Android apps
are available) to push information via WiFi to the simple scrolling LED
readout on the device. Read More
The CHIP House - which stands for "Compact
Hyper-Insulated Prototype" - was started with the goal of creating a
net-zero energy home (i.e. one that requires no external energy source),
and it looks like the designers exceeded that target. The house
actually generates three times as much energy as it uses thanks to solar
panels and a host of energy saving measures. The incredibly energy
efficient design would make the house stand out on its own, but the
integrated Kinect controls and smart features push the CHIP House above
your typical green-conscious home and into "home of the future"
material. Read More
The Voltitude fold-up electric scooter
has an ingenious EasyFold system. Once folded, a special button on the
handlebar enables you to "walk" it alongside you indoors, so you never
raise a sweat in reaching a power outlet, which will fully replenish the
battery inside four hours. The 25 kph (15.5 mph) electric assist
Voltitude begins volume production in July with an on-line price
expected in the vicinity of EUR4000. Read More
The MINI continued its remarkable evolution
overnight with the news there will be a sixth derivative of the breed,
this one likely to set the hearts of enthusiasts beating with
anticipation - the first open-top two-seater in its history. For a car
already voted the second most significant model in the century of the
automobile, the MINI is having a stellar year, having just won the Dakar
Rally. Read More
Next-generation Vehicle Protection Jammer protects against IEDs
By Ben Coxworth
January 27, 2012
Improvised Explosive Devices, or IEDs, are one of
the largest sources of coalition casualties in Iraq. Many of these IEDs
take the form of roadside bombs, which are hidden on or alongside a
road, then detonated when a moving vehicle passes near them. While there
is more than one way of causing these bombs to detonate, they are often
set off by a hidden human observer, using a radio-control device.
Forces using the new Vehicle Protection Jammer from EADS subsidiary
Cassidian, however, should find themselves at a greatly-reduced risk of
such attacks. Read More
There are those who have said it's an
unforgivable and monstrous way to treat an iconic sports car. For solar
transport enthusiasts looking for a beautiful alternative to the three-wheeled flat top
designs though, it's just what the doctor ordered. The object at the
center of this controversy is a classic Toyota 2000GT that's undergone a
complete solar conversion at the hands of Japan's Crazy Car Project.
Read More
Recon Instruments and Contour have announced a
new app that will let skiers and snowboarders look through the lens of
their action cam right inside their goggles. The Contour Camera
Connectivity App establishes a Bluetooth connection between Recon's MOD
Live goggle display and the camera. Read More
Leaving the car at home and biking to work
certainly has its benefits - to the air we breathe, to the fitness of
the rider and to the bank balance. For white collar workers though, this
presents an attire problem - unsightly creases, mud splashes and a
soaking from the elements don't do much for your business suit. The
Cambridge Design Partnership has just announced a possible alternative
to stowing away a spare suit at the office or trying to flatten out the
creases with a portable iron - the Suitpack. Just out of prototyping,
the design is designed to keep clothing crumple-free while commuting to
work, and has various compartments for storing accessories and shoes.
Read More
Sony has announced that two new cameras will soon be joining its Cyber-shot
compact range. Both the WX70 and WX50 feature enhanced sensitivity, 5x
Optical Zoom and full HD video recording bolstered by improved image
stabilization. Read More
There was a time when every day seemed to herald
the opening of a new hotel in the United Arab Emirates, each one pushing
the envelope of acceptable taste further and further in an orgy of
cartoon rococo gold mouldings (real gold) and marble for miles.
Developer Jumeirah was responsible for its fair share of crimes against
design. That time is over it seems as Jumeirah opens its latest hotel in
the Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi - Dubai's more sensible, and richer,
uncle. The stunning modern towers enclose an interior that is a
sophisticated and dare one say, fashionable, Euro-Arabic fusion. Read More
You don’t need to be an expert in occupational
safety to know that worker fatigue is one of the leading causes of
workplace accidents – this particularly applies to people who operate
heavy machinery or drive for a living. While it would be great if all
employees simply took a break when fatigue started setting in, it can
sometimes be difficult for people to tell just how tired they really
are. That, or they decide that they just want to push through and get
the job done, drowsiness be damned. A relatively new invention from
Australia’s EdanSafe, however, takes the guesswork out of the picture.
It’s called the SmartCap, and it measures employee fatigue in real time
by monitoring its wearer’s brain waves. Read More
While skateboards have their own merits, fixed
trucks and hard pavement don't exactly mimic the free-flowing, natural
experience that surfers and snowboarders enjoy. Skateboard designers
have tried to fix this shortcoming with all kinds of tricks. SurfSkate
uses rotating trucks to attempt to fix skating's shortcomings. Read More
Avalanche airbags have been around for decades
and have been gaining a lot of steam in the North American market over
the past few years. These airbags are almost always integrated into or
added onto backpacks, but The North Face has a different idea: avalanche
airbag clothing. Read More
To say things are really heating up at the US
Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory isn't just a
bad pun, it's one hell (sorry) of an understatement. An Oxford-led
team used the Stanford-based facility that houses the world's most
powerful X-ray laser to create and probe a 2-million-degree Celsius (or
about 3.6 million degrees Fahrenheit) piece of matter. The experiment
allowed the scientists the closest look yet at what conditions might be
like in the heart of the Sun, other stars and planets. Read More
Although people do regularly recover from heart
attacks, the heart itself never entirely “gets better.” This is because
cardiac muscle tissue doesn’t regenerate – any that dies in the event of
a heart attack will only be replaced with inactive scar tissue, and the
heart’s performance will be permanently compromised as a result.
Scientists have responded by trying to develop heart patches made of
materials that act as nanoscale scaffolds, upon which new cardiomyocytes
(heart cells) can grow. Materials used for these scaffolds have
included fibrin, nanofiber, gold nanowires and polymer. Now, new research is suggesting that silkworm silk may be a better choice than any of those. Read More
Using commercially-available ultrasound
technology, scientists have successfully reduced sperm count in rats to a
level that would cause infertility in men. Researchers managed to
reduce motile sperm to 3 million per cauda epididymis (where sperm are
stored), which equates to a Sperm Count Index of zero, measured two
weeks after treatment. The research could re-open the door to the
investigation of ultrasonic techniques as a practical human
contraceptive. Read More
The cell membrane is one of the most important
characteristics of a cell because it separates the interior of all cells
from the extracellular environment and controls the movement of
substances in and out of the cell. In a move that brings mankind another
step closer to being able to create artificial life forms from scratch,
chemists from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), and
Harvard University have created artificial self-assembling cell
membranes using a novel chemical reaction. The chemists hope their
creation will help shed light on the origins of life. Read More
As numerous companies continue their push to get
us to entrust our data to the cloud, there are many still justifiably
concerned about the security of cloud computing-based services. Now an
international team of scientists have demonstrated that perfectly secure
cloud computing is possible by combining the power of quantum computing
with the security of quantum cryptography. They carried out what they
claim is the first demonstration of “blind quantum computing,” in which a
quantum computation was carried out with the input, computation, and
output all remaining unknown to the computer, and therefore, also any
eavesdroppers. Read More
We uncovered lots of fantastic technology-driven innovations at NAMM recently, but as we saw with PocketStrings,
not all good ideas are built around transistors. Chord Dice is another
example. This clever songwriting and teaching tool dispenses with chord
charts and books and hangs musical theory on the roll of the dice. Read More
While great works of art should be exhibited so
the public can enjoy them, putting those pieces on display also puts
them at risk. If environmental factors such as lighting intensity,
temperature or humidity aren’t in the optimal range, for instance, works
can prematurely deteriorate as a result. In order to minimize the
risks, three of Germany’s Fraunhofer research institutes have
collaborated to develop Artguardian, a system that monitors the
conditions under which artworks are displayed. Read More
iBamboo speaker to get recycled plastic "Urban" companions
By Paul Ridden
January 31, 2012
Anatoliy Omelchenko of Triangle Tree reports that since launching the iBamboo speaker
we featured in June 2011, he has received numerous requests from
customers asking if there's anything like it that's made from plastic.
Despite being made from a material considered stronger than some
plastics and metal, users seem worried that the beautifully simple
iPhone amplification device may get damaged if made part of their
regular travel kit. Enter the new iBamboo Urban design, which is shaped
just like its natural elder but is made from recycled plastic. Read More
With the launch of the iPro lens system,
Schneider Optics has decided it's ready for a piece of the iPhone
lens-attachment market. The product centers on a robust aluminum case,
to which separate fisheye and wide-angle lenses can be attached, as can a
tripod, via the provided adaptor. Read More
Change your password day falls February 1
(tomorrow, in other words), and it's a day as good as any other to add
some beefy heft to your online security regimen. One thing to strongly
consider, if you haven't done so already, is to apply unique passwords
across all your log-ins. That might sound daunting, but tools now exist
that make it unnecessary to remember a password again. Unfortunately, a
lot of the password management software out there isn't as painless as
it might be, with cluttered interfaces full of empty text fields asking
for a wealth of unnecessary information. And often, they don't come
cheap. But there is another, simpler way - one that involves encrypted
text files and painless data-syncing. Read More
The Swiss design firm ROB GmbH (Robust Outdoor Brands), which created the portable kitchen unit Cuebe,
has come up with a simple low-impact housing solution. Named the
PODhouse, these prefabricated modules create a great sustainable micro
home for the garden, a backyard office or even a secret holiday
hideaway. The prototypes have been in development since 2003 and have
since been optimized, tested and improved to create this final product
now available for purchase. Read More
Current monitoring of large structures such as
bridges, wind turbines and mines generally relies on time consuming
visual inspections that use specialized instrumentation and equipment.
Translation: it's expensive. But if damage can be detected before any
structural damage occurs, maintenance bills can also be significantly
reduced and safety increased. Researchers at the University of
Strathclyde in Glasgow are tackling the issue with a smart paint they
claim not only detects microscopic faults before structural damage
occurs, but does so at a cost of just one percent of current widely used
inspection methods. Read More
Nissan unveils energy-efficient Nichio Maru car carrier
By Darren Quick
January 30, 2012
With large cargo freighters being a major source of CO2 emissions
worldwide it's been encouraging to see various efforts to make such
vessels more efficient. In recent years we've seen the development of
the world's biggest container ship to cut CO2 emissions per container moved, air bubbles used to cut the friction between a ship's hull and the ocean, and even plans to return to the use of sails
to cut fuel use. Now Nissan has launched an energy efficient coastal
car carrier called the Nichio Maru that employs solar panels, LED
lighting, a low friction hull coating hull and an electronically
controlled diesel engine to cut fuel consumption. Read More
So how do you show off the fact that you are
Russia's largest private bank and at the same time curry a little favor
with Moscow's ruling elite? You entertain 800,000 Muscovites with a
world-record 25,500 square meter (275,000 sq. ft.) audio-visual
projection show to celebrate Moscow City Day, of course. Read More
We've been following the evolution of
patient-embedded medical sensors for some time - miniature devices that
run on batteries, transcutaneous (through-the-skin) induced current,
even sugar
and provide constant monitoring of various metabolic parameters. Now, a
team from Purdue University's Birck Nanotechnology Center has developed
a prototype pressure sensor which promises to address the shortcomings
of previous designs and utilizes a novel power supply: the acoustic
energy from bass-heavy riffs of rap music. Read More
Urban Cultivator automatically grows greens indoors
By Ben Coxworth
January 30, 2012
There’s no question that fresh herbs taste better
than their dried counterparts, nor is there any denying that
garden-fresh veggies are preferable to ones that have spent the past
several days in a truck or on a supermarket shelf. People who are lucky
enough to live in warmer climates can keep the fresh greens coming
year-round, if they plant a garden. For those of us in colder regions,
however, things get a bit more challenging come winter. We can rig up
indoor herb gardens on windowsills or using full-spectrum fluorescent
lights, but that can sometimes get a little complicated. If you can
justify its price, however, there is an alternative – the Urban
Cultivator. Read More
Following hot on the heels of Volkswagen’s announcement of a five-door version of its up! subcompact vehicle,
the Czech Republic-based Volkswagen subsidiary Skoda has announced that
a five door version of its Citigo subcompact will make its public debut
at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March. The three-door Citigo was
introduced in Skoda’s home market late last year, marking the company’s
first entry into the growing subcompact segment. The five-door model
will be successively launched alongside the three-door model in European
markets from mid-May. Read More
Sony has announced that two new cameras will soon be joining its Cyber-shot
compact range. Both the WX70 and WX50 feature enhanced sensitivity, 5x
Optical Zoom and full HD video recording bolstered by improved image
stabilization. Read More Rheinmetall tests new Active Defense System under live fire
By Brian Dodson
January 31, 2012
Defense supplier Rheinmetall AG's newly developed
Active Defense System (AMAP-ADS) is designed to provide an unmatched
level of protection to land vehicles through the use of sophisticated
threat detection, identification and nullification technology that takes
just milliseconds to react. The system, which also minimizes collateral
damage around the vehicle, was recently demonstrated under live fire
for a group of potential customers who watched unprotected from a
distance of 150m. Read More
The problem with the interchangeable lens systems
commonly used in ski goggles is that they're tedious to work with. You
have to slowly tear the frame from the original lens, line the grooves
of the replacement lens up just right and then snap it back together
section by section. Not only is this the type of thing you might need to
get a table in the cafeteria for, it's the type of thing that could
haunt you all day if you inadvertently put the lens in cockeyed. The
Anon M1 goggles make switchable lenses easier and more seamless than
they've ever been. Magna-Tech is a simple design upgrade that lets you
remove your original lenses and snap the new ones in place within
seconds. Read More
NASA studying solar-electric propulsion for “space tugboat”
By Darren Quick
January 31, 2012
Last year, NASA announced it was seeking
proposals for mission concept studies of a high-power solar electric
propulsion (SEP) system that could be used in a "space tugboat." Such a
ship would be used ferry payloads in low Earth orbit (LEO) into higher
energy orbits, saving on fuel and the use of expensive secondary
boosters. NASA also anticipates an SEP system could be used to propel
spacecraft into deep space for science missions and for the placement,
service, resupply, repositioning and salvaging of space assets by
commercial operators. Read More
Solar car hits U.S. in round-the-world jaunt
By Ben Coxworth
January 31, 2012
Last October, the SolarWorld GT solar-powered car
set out from Darwin, Australia on a drive around the world. It has
since driven 3,001 kilometers (1,865 miles) across Australia, logged
1,947 km (1,210 miles) crossing New Zealand, and been shipped across the
Pacific Ocean. This Friday, it will embark on the U.S. leg of its
journey, as it sets out across America from the University of
California, Santa Barbara. Read More
BOXX electric scooter looks sort of like a rideable suitcase
By Eric Mack
January 31, 2012
Oregon-based BOXX's first production electric
scooter is just about a meter (39 inches) long and looks like an odd
sort of cross between a piece of retro luggage and a giant-sized camera.
It promises to move you up to 80 miles on a single charge at a top
speed of 35 mph (56 km/h) and comes with a price tag starting just under
US$4,000. Read More
A group of researchers at Sandia National
Laboratories have built a prototype of a small-caliber bullet capable of
steering itself towards a laser-marked target located approximately
2,000 meters (1.2 miles) away. The dart-like design has passed the
initial testing stage, which included computer simulations as well as
field-testing prototypes built from commercially available parts. Read More
Invis-A-Rack is a pop-up ladder rack for pick-ups
By Ben Coxworth
January 31, 2012
If you need to transport things like building
materials, boats or construction equipment, then having a ladder rack
over the bed of your pick-up truck can prove invaluable. Such racks also
add to your vehicle’s aerodynamic drag, however, plus they can get in
the way when loading certain cargo items, and they make your truck look
like ... well, like a work truck. That’s why Donny McCall invented the
Invis-A-Rack. It’s an aluminum ladder rack that can reportedly support
up to 500 pounds (227 kg) when in use, but that folds away in seconds
when not needed. Read More
The Mustang Floor
multi-effects unit for guitar we featured earlier this month is a good
first effort from Fender, but Japanese digital tone-manipulation veteran
Zoom is about to really show how it's done with the introduction of the
G5. The company's most advanced guitar FX unit to date, the Zoom G5
Guitar Effects and Amp Simulator Pedal - to use its full name - features
hundreds of stompbox and DSP effects, tube drive boost, looping and
recording, and an onboard drum machine. Read More
Abu Dhabi-based Global Catering Service has imported a machine called Urban Cultivator, which helps grow herbs, microgreens. To know more visit catering services in chennai
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