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David Greig
Genius' travelers webcam doubles as speaker unit
By David Greig
00:34 May 19, 2009 PDT
Genius' Look 313 Media is a multifunctional take on the webcam that integrates a USB 2.0 hub and two rotational speakers to provide a new mini-digital entertainment option for travelers looking for that extra space in their suitcase. Read More
Ice Cloud research breakthrough to aid climate modeling
By David Greig
22:26 May 18, 2009 PDT
The climate change debate has focused our collective attention on the importance of understanding the complex workings of our planet's weather system, but there is still much we don't know. In this latest breakthrough, a UC San Diego-led team of atmospheric chemistry researchers has made the first-ever direct detection of biological particles within ice clouds. By providing insights into, for example, how particles from Asia effect rainfall in North America, the research aims to shed light on one of the most uncertain factors of climate modeling and enhance our understanding of atmospheric cooling and regional precipitation. Read More
Alkeo ultra-violet cutting board
By David Greig
18:55 May 18, 2009 PDT
One quick way of coming down with a bout of food poisoning is by transferring bacteria and viruses from one food source to another – raw meats are a good example where contamination can occur. A cursory wipe with a cloth, or even a wash in hot soapy water, is unlikely to remove all the bacteria. The Alkeo from Joe Brussel is a self-sanitizing cutting board design that aims to improve food preparation safety by incorporating a medical-grade, germicidal UV lamp to destroy any nasty bugs. Read More
LaCie DataShare SD and MicroSD Dual USB Card Reader
By David Greig
23:21 May 17, 2009 PDT
The clever creation of 5.5 designers, LaCie's latest data sharing offering is a twin-barreled USB Card reader designed to bring a new lease of life to old SD and MicroSD Cards. Read More
Philips GoGear portable media player adds spark to range
By David Greig
00:03 May 17, 2009 PDT
Philips has launched a portable media player (PMP) that glows while your songs are playing. Powered by Philips' patented FullSound technology, the GoGear Spark also features voice recording and PC download capability via USB 2.0. Read More
Verizon Wireless MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot set for launch
By David Greig
01:51 May 15, 2009 PDT
Version Wireless will introduce the much anticipated MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot on May 17. The credit-card sized MiFi 2200 will allow customers to create a wireless access point with up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices such as notebooks, netbooks, cameras, gaming devices or portable media/MP3 players. Read More
If you want to solve a problem - forget about it
By David Greig
21:19 May 14, 2009 PDT
If you think letting your mind wander is unproductive then you may be in for a big surprise. A recent study at the University of British Columbia found that our brains are much more active when we daydream than previously thought. What is surprising is that the study also found that brain areas associated with complex problem-solving – previously thought to go dormant when we daydream – are actually more active than when we focus on routine tasks. Read More
World's fastest camera captures images at six million frames per second
By David Greig
18:06 May 14, 2009 PDT
Using a new approach based on more than 10 years of research, engineers at the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science have demonstrated a camera that captures images at 6 million frames per second - that's a thousand times faster than any existing conventional camera. This technique could lead to fresh insights into fast moving phenomena in physics, chemistry and biology. In medical research for example, it may lead to image capture of individual cells in blood streams, opening up the possibility of detection of unhealthy or cancerous cell forms. Read More
Green projects take off at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport
By David Greig
19:37 May 13, 2009 PDT
Airports are windy places and it seems logical to harness this power to reduce operating costs and boost green credentials. In line with this, the environmentally minded Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) has recently installed 10 wind-powered electricity generators and purchased an electric-powered utility vehicle for use at the airport. Read More
Geckos could hold the key to next-gen lenses
By David Greig
22:30 May 11, 2009 PDT
There’s a lot more to the Gecko than a cute little acrobatic creature that has sticky feet and can walk up walls. The helmet gecko - a nocturnal lizard - is among a few living creatures that can see colors at night. The trick to this unique characteristic is a series of distinct concentric zones of different refractive powers, according to a recent study published by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. The research team hopes these studies may provide insight into creating better cameras and contact lenses. Read More
Laser detection system for unearthing hidden tunnels
By David Greig
17:15 May 10, 2009 PDT
For some time now, the Defence Department has been looking for technology that can be carried by small ground vehicles, or unmanned aircraft, to detect underground tunnel activity. This took a step closer to reality with the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency awarding the Raytheon Company a USD$19 million contract to develop a technology that detects tunnels and buried landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Read More
USB VoIP speakerphone a good call for Skype
By David Greig
17:20 May 6, 2009 PDT
The USB VoIP Speakerphone is a nifty PC attachment that is ideal for Skype users. It can be plugged directly into the computer and uses digital signal processing (DSP) technology to deliver clear voice quality. Read More
Flipping out over the new Flip Ultra and Flip UltraHD
By David Greig
21:12 May 5, 2009 PDT
Pure Digital Technologies has launched the second generation of its popular Flip Ultra and Flip UltraHD. The two new Ultra camcorders feature two hours of recording time, a high-resolution two-inch anti-glare screen and a AA rechargeable battery pack, which can be charged using the camera’s flip-out USB arm. Read More
Metal Storm completes first shoulder firing of MAUL shotgun
By David Greig
23:51 April 30, 2009 PDT
Metal Storm's MAUL ultra-light shotgun attachment has joined the company’s 3GL grenade launcher in achieving certification for safe shoulder-firing. MAUL, which stands for Multishot Accessory Underbarrel Launcher, mounts under the barrel of a combat weapon including the M-4 and M-16 rifles and is capable of firing a range of lethal and non lethal munitions using the company's computer-controlled, electronic ignition system. Read More
The soldier helmet that pinpoints enemy snipers
By David Greig
00:28 April 30, 2009 PDT
Imagine being able to pinpoint an enemy shooter in difficult terrain with such deadly accuracy that you can see whether they are kneeling or standing and not only what kind of weapon they are firing but the caliber too. Well, engineers at Vanderbilt University's Institute for Software Integrated Systems (ISIS) have developed such a system by turning soldiers' combat helmets into "smart nodes" in a wireless sensor network. Read More
Volvo hybrid bus takes first passengers
By David Greig
18:41 April 29, 2009 PDT
Volvo’s new hybrid bus is taking on passengers for the first time with field tests now underway in Gothenburg, Sweden. Due for series production next year, the parallel diesel/electric hybrid delivers a 30% improvement in fuel economy and a similar reduction in CO2 emissions. Read More
Mercedes SLS Gullwing interior shots released
By David Greig
23:43 April 28, 2009 PDT
The new Mercededs-Benz SLS AMG aspires to the title of “super sports car” with its front-mid 420 KW/571 hp engine, gullwing doors, aluminum chassis and blistering acceleration of 0 to 100 kmh in 3.8 seconds. Mercedes has now released pictures of the aviation inspired interior which features a wing- shaped dashboard, a jet-like operating console and even air vents designed to remind you of aircraft engines. Read More
Sony Electronics launches retail e-recycling initiative
By David Greig
19:02 April 27, 2009 PDT
Sony Electronics has launched the GreenFill recycling service, an extension of its Take Back program using in-store drop-boxes for the collection of unwanted portable electronics good - around 80% of which currently end up in landfill. Read More
Tree harvesting design that is forest-friendly
By David Greig
18:19 April 27, 2009 PDT
A German mechanical engineer has designed a tree harvester that weighs just over a tenth of conventional vehicles used to fell trees, which causes less damage to forest floor. Industrial tree harvesting vehicles can weigh up to 55 tons. In comparison, the “Striding Harvester” weighs only 7.5 tons. The concept harvester by mechanical engineer and industrial designer Christian Knobloch works by using a small footprint selectively pushing down on the soil as it moves. Through this approach the soil is allowed to recover much faster than if conventional heavy forest equipment was employed. Read More
Ossur rolls-out next generation POWER KNEE
By David Greig
01:19 April 24, 2009 PDT
Earlier this week we looked at developments in low-cost prosthetics, but at the other end of the spectrum, advanced prosthetic devices like Ossur's recently announced second generation POWER KNEE are opening up new frontiers in the field. As the world’s first motor-powered artificially intelligent prosthesis for above the knee amputees, the POWER KNEE is designed to enable daily activities without having to think about movement. Something most of us take for granted. Read More
The Carl Gustav Recoilless Rifle - 60 years and still going strong
By David Greig
18:30 April 23, 2009 PDT
In the world of military technology, new weapon capabilities quickly supersede the old. With the United States expenditure for the 2009 fiscal year at US$515.4 billion, it's rare to find a very old weapon still cutting it with the best on the battlefield, but the Carl Gustav recoilless rifle (CG) has proved the exception to this rule. First produced in 1946, the Carl Gustav remains in widespread use today. Read More
Sony unveils GPS-enabled HD camcorder for travelers
By David Greig
17:51 April 22, 2009 PDT
Sony has backed up its announcement of a GPS-enabled HD camcorder at this year's CES with a new lightweight GPS-enabled model designed to woo the avid traveler. The HDR-TG5V Handycam camcorder includes Navteq digital mapping software which geotags the video or still digital images, 16GB of flash memory, a 10X optical zoom, 2.7-inch LCD touch panel with a new intuitive user interface and a hard-coated titanium body designed to withstand the rigors of life on the road. Read More
A $20 prosthetic knee to bring relief to disadvantaged amputees
By David Greig
17:30 April 22, 2009 PDT
An artificial knee costing just USD$20 promises to deliver much needed help to amputees who are disadvantaged or impoverished – particularly when the price of high-end titanium knee joints can range anywhere from USD$10,000 to USD$100,000. The artificial knee, dubbed the JaipurKnee, was developed by Joel Sadler, a lecturer in mechanical engineering and d'Arbeloff Fellow, and his team at the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford University. Read More
ONR demonstrates new counter-mine cloaking technology
By David Greig
00:07 April 22, 2009 PDT
Naval mine strikes are cited as the root cause of almost 4/5ths of U.S. Navy ship casualties occurring since 1950, so any device that either detects mines or cloaks the ship to avoid detonation will aid in the reduction of these alarming statistics. This new technology developed by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) consists of a high temperature superconducting (HTS) degaussing coil which acts to form a cloaking device which eliminates the magnetic signature of the ship. This interferes with undersea mines' ability to detect and detonate when a large magnetic field – like the one created by a ship – comes within close proximity. Read More
iHome iH15: the chameleon of iPod docks
By David Greig
18:26 April 21, 2009 PDT
If you are looking for a design twist that will set-your iPod dock apart from the crowd and audio quality isn't your highest priority, the color changing iH15 Stereo System from iHome may be just the answer. Read More
John M
- November 25, 2009 @ 17:19 UTC
