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NASA Announces End Date of Space Shuttle
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Science, Transportation,
NASA has announced that the final flight of their shuttles will be May 31, 2010. It will be carrying spare parts for the ISS. One of the flights before that time will be taking up the 1.8 ton Cupola, a European-built structure that gives astronauts a 360º view of space. Going up December 10, 2009, the space agency believes that this will be an incredible outlet for pictures. Once the shuttle has been retired, European and Japanese ATVs and Russian Progress crafts will be doing all the flying. And there will always be the commercial vehicles for taking billionaires into the final frontier.
Read More 
| BBC
Gallery: NASA Announces End Date of Space Shuttle
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For those who tend to use the same old crummy sponge/dishrag to clean counters and rearrange the bacteria, student designer Paul Oxley has created the Aquavac Tea Towel. The kitchen mini-wet vacuum will also clean up crumbs and dry your hands, as well as pots and pans. Oxley says, “Every year millions of people get food poisoning and between 100 and 200 people a year die from it. I found that one of the main ways of spreading the bacteria responsible for most cases is through the use of tea towels.“
Good point, good try, and maybe when it gets past the prototype stage, we will clean up all our acts.
Read More | Red Ferret Journal
Gallery: Aguavac Tea Towel
Foosball players that can’t find enough competition can rejoice in the fact that they can now play against a robo-player. Engineering students from the Univ. of Adelaide won an award for their mechatronics project that took 8 months to complete. The system consists of a motions sensor system, software for decision making, and an actuation system for control manipulation. The 4 sets of rods can move side to side and rotate for kicking. The winners were sponsored by Sage Didatic and supported by Rockwell Automation.
Read More | Rockwell Automation
Gallery: Robotic Foosball Table
Scientists Believe Mars May Sustain Veggies
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Science, Transportation,
Now that the Phoenix Lander has found possible evidence of ice, scientists are even more optimistic now that they have taken soil samples that shows a high alkaline level. Sam Kounaves, lead investigator for the wet chemistry laboratory, claims “It is the type of soil you would probably have in your back yard, you know, alkaline. You might be able to grow asparagus in it really well ... it is very exciting.”
The soil also showed traces of sodium, potassium, and magnesium, among other elements. We are not so sure it is all that exciting. How many people do you know that want to grow asparagus?
Read More | Couriermail
Gallery: Scientists Believe Mars May Sustain Veggies
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is testing a fake speed bump to see if drivers will slow down. The optical illusion looks like a 3-D pyramid when seen from a distance. The first experiment in Phoenix seemed to work until drivers realized that there were no barriers. This time the NHTSA will run a larger test in a Philadelphia residential area, hoping that they will reduce pedestrian accidents. The markers only cost $60.00 to $80.00 apiece as opposed to real speed bumps which can run $1,000.00 to $1,500.00. At least they are acting reasonably about the devices that they realize will probably have only the same effect as flashing lights.
Read More | CNN
Gallery: NHTSA Tests Illusional Speed Bumps
If you want to celebrate the 4th of July before Friday, we suggest the Blue Star Banner Plasma Globe. Put your fingers on the glass and its stars and lightning bolts will reach out to touch you, definitely less dangerous than your average firecracker. While we have always liked plasma globes and wondered how they work, the Online Science site took away all the mystery in their description. We won’t spoil it for any scientifically challenged others, but you can pick one up for $39.99 without looking at the fine print.
Read More | Online Science Mall
Gallery: Blue Star Banner Plasma Globe
How could we not pay homage to our newest and favest bot? Wall-E debuted today and although we couldn’t make the premiere, we did notice that there are already a truckload of toys and other tie-ins, like this Interaction Wall-E. The little guy’s eyes light up, he moves his head and arms, and has the original movie voice and sound effects. If that isn’t enough, when you talk to him, he responds and, if you are too busy, can communicate with Interaction Eve. At a size of 6.5 x 10.5 x 8.5-inches and a weight of 2.1 pounds, we found one on Amazon for $43.99.
Read More | Amazon
Gallery: Interaction Wall-E
MIT Makes Inexpensive Solar Dish
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Editorial, Misc. Tech, Science,
A team of MIT students has successfully tested a prototype solar dish by lighting a plank of wood on fire. The system is a 12 ft. wide mirrored dish made of thin, inexpensive aluminum tubing and strips of mirror. It concentrates sun rays by a factor of 1,000, enough heat to melt a steel bar. Because water in the tubing turns to steam, the team is hoping that could revolutionize energy production as we know it. We think it’s great and would certainly opt for solar panels over building more nuclear power plants, as was recently suggested by a certain presidential contender.
Read More | MIT
Gallery: MIT Makes Inexpensive Solar Dish
Not too long ago we showed you an electronic cigarette that was both expensive and unavailable. How about the less expensive version that includes 10 low, medium and high refills? It says that there is no tar or any other substance inside so we assume that it is veggie based. About the same size as the real thing, the ciggy lights up at the end with a red LED and lasts up to 8 hours on a 2 to 3 hour charge. If you don’t think you will look or feel too foolish, you can give the device a try for $42.00.
(Thanks, Fanny)
Read More | gadget4all
Gallery: Electronic Cigarette
GZ PC-Sport Exercise Machine
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, PC / Laptop, Science, USB,
Gamercize’s GZ PC-Sport has surely been devised for those who can pat their heads and rub their stomachs at the same time. Place it under your desk, connect to your USB mouse or keyboard, and start walking. If you slow down or stop, the peripheral will not work. We call that massive incentive. The Sport lets you know how well you are doing and gauges which level you are on. The Power Stepper steps up (pun intended) when you adjust it to a brisk walk and the Endurance Cycle lets you pedal away while chatting, e-mailing, or other online activities. You can purchase a full package or simply purchase the PC-Sport and use your own exercise machine for prices beginning at £69.95 (~$140.00.)
Read More | Gamercize
