Rain
Although there are already plenty of good bicycle fenders out there, some people don’t like the way they rattle around, while others think that they detract from the looks of the bike. One option is to use something like the QuickFix, which is a fold-flat rear mudguard that attaches to the frame in seconds. The Plume, however, takes a different approach – it’s a mudguard that recoils like a metal tape measure when not in use. Read More
The core design of the humble umbrella hasn't changed in centuries. While it works extremely well, very few people would consider the traditional umbrella to be perfect, which presents inventive designers with several problems in need of solutions. Rain Shield aims to solve several of these problems in one innovative hit. Read More
Driving at night in falling rain or snow can be treacherous, but not just because the asphalt is slippery – visibility is also greatly reduced, as the driver’s view of the road ahead is obscured by brightly headlight-lit raindrops or snowflakes. In the future, however, that may not be so much of a problem. A team led by Carnegie Mellon University’s Prof. Srinivasa Narasimhan has developed an experimental headlight system that renders most foreground precipitation virtually invisible, while still adequately illuminating the road beyond. Read More
A high-resolution Doppler radar has the ability to detect individual hydrometeors, such as atmospheric raindrops, over 0.5 mm in diameter research led by the Naval Research Laboratory has revealed. The discovery should further understanding of the structure and behavior of clouds, and could lead to more accurate forecasting of severe weather. Read More
New mudguards for cyclists who don't "do" fenders
If you want to stay as dry and clean as possible when riding your bike on wet roads, get yourself a proper set of full fenders - it's just that simple. There are a lot of cyclists, however, who feel that fenders make their lean, mean, street-ridin' machines look boring and clunky. Additionally, many types of fenders have an annoying way of rubbing, rattling, or just plain getting in the way. While some quick-on/quick-off systems do already exist, most of them still incorporate permanent mounting brackets, or are made from thin plastic that has a tendency to droop. Full Windsor's QuickFix plastic mudguard, however, slides in and out of place within seconds, yet still looks like it's reasonably substantial. Read More
You have to admire the people who commute by bike – regardless of the weather – although riding in the rain seems to involve a choice between getting soaked, or wearing a lot of rain gear and still getting a wet face. Perhaps what such dedicated cyclists really need is a roof, side windows, and a windshield for their bikes. While that may sound like a joke, such a product does actually exist, in the form of the Veltop. Read More
Groasis Waterboxx lets trees grow up in unfriendly places
It’s not often that you hear about an invention that was modeled after bird poop, but there’s a first time for everything. In fact, this fecally-inspired device could ultimately be responsible for reforesting billion of acres of parched land, and it just won Popular Science’s Best Invention 2010 award. It’s called the Groasis Waterboxx, and it’s a low-tech product that helps seeds or saplings grow into strong trees in eroded, arid and rocky environments. Read More
