Posted on August 30th, 2010 by axb
Mont Blanc from 10,500 ft.
In 1892, an immense amount of floodwater broke free from an Alpine glacier, engulfing a nearby village. Today, after the discovery of more water accumulated beneath the glacier, engineers in France are taking novel steps to prevent such a disaster from recurring.
The team of specialists plans to drill beneath the Tete Rousse glacier and extract about 65,000 cubic meters of water (that’s enough to fill about 26 Olympic-sized pools!).
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Filed under: e-News, Environmental, Ocean | 4 Comments »
Tags: Environmental, Ocean
Posted on August 26th, 2010 by axb
Traditional fluorescence microscopes (the ones you might find at your local hospital or in a medical lab) typically cost up to $40,000 and can take up more space than several desktop computers. That’s a problem for doctors hoping to advance medical care in underdeveloped countries.
Cost and space were two issues that recent Rice University grad Andrew Miller sought to address when he invented a portable, battery-powered fluorescence microscope that costs only $240 to make. The novel device is encased in durable plastic that Miller molded with the help of a 3D printer. It’s lighted and powered by a small LED flashlight.
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Filed under: Biomedical, e-News | 1 Comment »
Tags: Biomedical, Giving Back
Posted on August 24th, 2010 by axb
Engineering students Victor Correa Schneider, Trevor Owen, Julia Tsai,
Dan Ferguson, and Benjamin Thompson of UC San Diego
Duuuude, how’s this for a Ph.D. project: Benjamin Thompson, a structural engineering student at UC San Diego, is on a quest to formulate the science of surfboards. He enlisted the help of four undergraduates in the mechanical engineering department to help him out, and together they hit the beach to find out more.
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Filed under: Computer, e-News, Mechanical, Ocean | Comments Off on Surf’s Up!
Tags: Computer, Mechanical, Ocean
Posted on August 20th, 2010 by axb
You’ve no doubt heard of electric hybrid cars, but a human-powered hybrid? Not only is it real and most likely coveted by the Flintstone family, but you may be able to own one as soon as next year.
With four passengers cranking the handles, the HumanCar can run on kinetic energy alone, and with fewer participants it relies partially on electricity.
How much more fun (and social!) would highway driving be if everyone used a car like this? Can we get a Yabba-Dabba-Doo?!
Video after the jump.
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Filed under: e-News, Environmental, Transportation | 2 Comments »
Tags: Cars, Environmental, Green Transportation, Transportation
Posted on August 17th, 2010 by axb
Electrical pylons are often seen as a blight to the landscape or, at best, something to be accommodated and ignored. But in Iceland, an award-winning pylon design may soon bring about a new appreciation of these ubiquitous towers.
“The Land of Giants,” a design concept created by the US firm Choi + Shine Architects, would turn Iceland’s electrical infrastructure into something akin to an iconic monument. The 150-foot humanoid pylons would boast not only a surreal and awe-inspiring appearance, but the ability to stand in a variety of positions in order to boost efficiency.
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Filed under: Architectural, Civil, e-News, Electrical | 3 Comments »
Tags: Architectural, Civil, Electrical
