Posted on March 11th, 2011 by axb
The structure may resemble a postmodern radio tower or perhaps the lair of a James Bond supervillain, but it’s actually designed to be a hydrogen power plant.
Hydra, named after a tubular freshwater creature, is listed as an honorable mention in this year’s eVolo Magazine Skyscraper Competition (see more winning designs here). Its creators hail from Serbia, and include Milos Vlastic, Vuk Djordjevic, Ana Lazovic, and Milica Stankovic.
The most remarkable aspect of this structure is its ability to harvest energy from lightning bolts, which is then stored in several huge batteries at the base.
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Filed under: Architectural, e-News, Environmental | 1 Comment »
Tags: Architectural, Energy, Environmental, renewable energy
Posted on March 7th, 2011 by axb
Here’s an uplifting story for today: a team of engineers from National Geographic has created a real, flying model of the balloon-powered house from Pixar’s movie Up.
The crew worked overnight in a chilly desert near Los Angeles to pull off the stunt, which included filling 300 giant balloons with helium, and custom building a 16’x16’x18′ lightweight house.More pictures and a video after the jump.
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Filed under: e-News, Mechanical | 2 Comments »
Tags: Aviation, Mechanical
Posted on March 7th, 2011 by jxh
For the past week, prospective NFL athletes have been competing in the NFL Combine – an exhibition that tests players’ physical and mental abilities. Not only have NFL prospects been working hard to impress coaches with their strength, speed, and intensity, some also have been the first to wear the new biometric Under Armour E39 shirt.
The E39 may look like a typical Under Armour compression shirt, but it is equipped with electronic sensors that monitor heart rate and breathing as well as a triaxial accelerometer to gauge swiftness.
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Filed under: Computer, e-News, Materials | 6 Comments »
Tags: Computer, Materials, Sports
Posted on March 4th, 2011 by jxh
Anna-Maria McGowan assures a flight-phobic comedian that air travel is the safest mode of transportation
Anna-Maria R. McGowan works on designing cutting-edge technology for air vehicles of the future as project manager for NASA’s Morphing Project.
Instead of building actual airplanes, McGowan is working on futuristic technologies such as active materials for aircraft structures or wings that can change shape on command.
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Filed under: Aerospace, e-News, Trailblazers, Transportation | 1 Comment »
Tags: Aerospace, NASA, Trailblazers, Transportation
Posted on March 2nd, 2011 by axb
Should this be your new look? Let’s ask a computer
Everyone needs a good makeover once in a while, but what if one can’t afford a makeup artist? In the future, those trying to improve their appearance may be able to turn to computers for not just hair and fashion help, but virtual makeup consultation as well.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute in Germany have created software to do just that, using a webcam to capture a 3-D image of the subject’s face.
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Filed under: Computer, e-News | 5 Comments »
Tags: Art, Computer, Cosmetics
