How would you like to own a bulletproof T-shirt, pants that charge your iPod, or even an invisibility cloak? With the advent of nanotechnology and smart fabrics, items like these might actually be part of your wardrobe some day.
This month, New Scientist writes that invisibility cloaks are much closer to becoming a reality than they were just four years ago, when a research team at Duke University produced a cloaking effect that could hide two-dimensional objects, when viewed from certain angles.
Stephen Strasburg pitching in his major league debut(dbking/Flickr)
Of the 161 injured players in Major League Baseball, 94 are pitchers. It’s no surprise: Pitchers can work up unbelievable speeds when they throw, like Stephen Strasburg, who threw101 mph with his fastball and pitched 14 strikeoutsin his debut with the Washington Nationals.
However, when pitchers begin throwing inconsistently, due to fatigue or poor technique, they are susceptible to physical harm and can tear a ligament or hurt their shoulder.
That is why three engineering students at Northeastern University created a “data-logging” compression shirt that can track pitching mechanics during a game in real time.
Brazilian midfielder Kaka heads the Jabulani ball (Shine 2010/Flickr)
While the whole world was anticipating the 2010 World Cup tournament in South Africa, a team of scientists and engineers were busy crafting one of its most crucial pieces of equipment: the soccer ball. This year’s ball, made by Adidas, is named Jabulani, which means “celebrate” in the Zulu language.
Jabulani boasts many technical improvements, such as a specially engineered surface texture for better grip, shock-absorbing polymer material, and a more aerodynamic shape.
Local rivals Ajax Cape Town and Engen Santos play at Cape Town Stadium in January (Warren Rohner/Flickr)
South Africa is privileged to be the first African nation to host the FIFA World Cup. Hosting the world’s most-watched sporting event comes with a lot of responsibility, however; and South Africa had to undertake some serious building projectsto properly accommodate the event.
Six new stadiums were built in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup. Each was designed with impressive sustainablebuilding strategies.
