Always Giz

New light-powered retinal prosthesis could restore sight to the blind

2012-05-16T18:29:00.001+06:00

A new retinal prosthesis could allow the blind to see, by using pulses of near-infrared light to activate the retinal neurons in their eyes

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in North America, while retinitis pigmentosa causes approximately 1.5 million people worldwide to lose their sight every year. Individuals afflicted with retinal degenerative diseases such as these might someday be able to see again, however, thanks to a device being developed at California’s Stanford University. Scientists there are working on a retinal prosthesis, that uses what could almost be described as miniature solar panels to turn light signals into nerve impulses.

The system consists of a camera- and microprocessor-equipped pair of goggles, and a small photovoltaic chip that is implanted beneath the retina.

The output of the camera is displayed on a miniature LCD screen, located on the inside surface of the goggles. That screen is special, however – it emits pulses of infra-red laser light, that correspond to the images it’s displaying. Photodiodes on the chip register those pulses, and in turn stimulate retinal neurons. In theory, this firing of the neurons should produce visual images in the brain, as would occur if they had been stimulated by visible light.

“It works like the solar panels on your roof, converting light into electric current,” said Dr. Daniel Palanker, associate professor of ophthalmology. “But instead of the current flowing to your refrigerator, it flows into your retina.”

Palanker’s team has created a chip about the size of a pencil point, which is thinner than a human hair, and contains hundreds of the photodiodes. These were tested using retinas from both sighted rats, and rats that were blind in a fashion similar to human degenerative blindness – the retinal neurons were still present, but were generally inactive. While the chips in the blind retinas didn’t respond to visible light (unlike those in the sighted retinas), they did respond to the near-infrared light. “They didn't respond to normal light, but they did to infrared,” said Palanker. “This way the sight is restored with our system.”

The photovoltaic chip is implanted under the retina in a blind rat (upper right corner) – it is comprised of an array of photodiodes (center and lower left.

The scientists are currently testing the technology on live rats, and state that it so far looks as if the electrical signals are indeed reaching the rats’ brains. They are now looking for a sponsor for human trials. Palanker notes that the system doesn’t allow for color vision, however, and that what vision is does provide would be “far from normal.”

While other retinal prostheses are also in development, these reportedly involve more in the way of hardware such as coils or antennas being implanted in the eye. Most of the technology used in the light-based Stanford system, by contrast, is located in the goggles.

A paper on the research was published this week, in the journal Nature Photonics.

Source: Stanford University Medical Center

Fahrradi Farfalla FFX could just be the world's slowest supercar

2012-05-16T18:26:00.001+06:00

It sure looks like a Ferrari special edition

Look quickly at the Fahrradi Farfalla FFX and you might mistake it for a limited edition Ferrari. Scan a little more closely, though, and you'll notice the thin, hollow wheels and barren interior. Something is certainly amiss, and it's because the FFX isn't one of the world's most exotic supercars. It's one of the world's most exotic bicycles.

With four wheels, it's technically a quad-cycle. It's modeled after some of Ferrari's most powerful supercars, with clear Enzo and FXX influence, but it doesn't offer a single horsepower of its own. Instead, it offers up to 2 human power in the form of a pair of pedals, cranks and gears.

The FFX is the latest creation of MT Racing, where the slogan "Millionaires Snail Luxury" gives you an idea of what's going on. It's the successor to the firm's original supercycle – the Porsche-aping Ferdinand GT3 RS. MT appears to be a venture of artistic, intellectual types (Austrian hipsters judging by their images and ad nauseum use of irony) as opposed to gearheads, which explains why the mechanics of their "cars" have more in common with 12-speeds than supercars.

While the pointed nose and deep nostrils on the FFX are clearly related to the Enzo/FXX, the car isn't a simple replica. Instead, it pulls influence from both real cars and design studies, creating what MT Racing calls an "anticipation of a future top model of an actually existing automobile brand." The brand is clearly Ferrari, and the designers add modern Ferrari design language like the 458-like vertical headlamps. We'll see how accurate its prognostication is when Ferrari introduces the Enzo successor.

Inside, one or two "drivers" sit atop the tubular aluminum frame and pedal their way around town with the use of an 11-speed hub gearbox. Thanks to an even greater transmission ratio than the Ferdinand GT3 RS, MT Racing is effective in making the FFX even slower than its predecessor, a "serious rival for pedestrians in street traffic." It can race pedestrians day or night thanks to the use of around 200 ultra-bright LEDs in its lighting system.

MT Racing has nearly as much fun playing with language as it does with bending the rules of auto design. The Fahrradi name is a pairing of the German Fahrrad, which means bicycle, and an "i" that simultaneously takes influence from Apple's infamous "i" and plays phonetically on Ferrari. The Farfalla is taken from the Italian "butterfly" and references part of the drive mechanism. Rather than something straightforward like a "pedaled supercar," MT categorizes the FFX as a [human] "muscle car."

The Fahrradi Farfalla FFX is currently on display at the Lentos Museum of Art in Linz, Austria. MT Racing doesn't indicate if it plans to put this functional sculpture up for sale, so no word on how the price of a pedaled supercar one-off compares to the real thing.

You can watch some hot footage of the FFX in the video below. Just be prepared to sit through repetitive "vrooms" and other forms of exaggerated visual and audio jokes. Depending upon your disposition, it may be humorous and whimsical or gratingly annoying and overdone.

Source: MT Racing via AutoGuide

Wendy: The slick partyscape designed to clean New York's air

2012-05-16T18:24:00.001+06:00

Wendy will rise above the courtyard at MoMA's PS1 in Queens, New York this summer

This summer, Wendy will be tidying up the neighborhood in Queens, New York. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) will be attempting to clean the air in style at its PS1 satellite location with an outdoor architectural project that's designed to provide shade, shelter and water while also plucking pollutants out of the sky.

Wendy's spiky arms aren't just a dramatic piece of eye candy - the fabric skin is treated with titanium dioxide nanoparticles that neutralize airborne pollutants. HWKN, the architectural firm behind the project, says this summer Wendy will clean the air to the equivalent of removing 260 cars from the road.

The firm says that while her air-cleaning qualities are sure to garner some attention, "Wendy's real beauty is on the inside – behind Wendy there is a very complex structural system. 5,478 elements, 345 hours of calculations."

The entire structure will be supported by a scaffolding system 70 feet square (21.3 meters) and 45 feet (13.7 meters) tall.

HWKN won MoMA's annual Young Architect's Program to develop a temporary, outdoor installation at MoMA PS1 in Queens that provides shade, seating, and water. Elements of sustainability and recycling were also required to be part of the design, which will ultimately serve as a "partyscape" backdrop for a series of summer outdoor concerts at PS1.

According to the official program from PS1:

"Wendy sits far enough away from the stage used for the annual Warm Up events to let the concerts go on unimpeded, but close enough to the entrance to create a filter and initial impact to visitors. It bridges over the walls into the large and small courtyards of MoMA PS1."

Wendy will be at MoMA PS1 from June 28 to September 8, 2012.

You can take a brief virtual tour of Wendy in the video below.

Source: Meet Wendy via Fast Company

Smartsense navigation system works where GPS won't - indoors

2012-05-16T18:22:00.001+06:00

The Smartsense system provides real-time turn by turn navigation indoors

It's not that long ago that GPS capabilities in a mobile phone were considered a standout feature. Today, GPS navigation is standard for smartphones, and as a result, many of us have come to rely on them when it comes to getting from A to B. However, GPS technology isn't without its faults, and if A to B is located under a roof, out of sight of the orbiting GPS satellites, then you can end up falling back on the not always reliable sense of direction. To fix the problem, Fraunhofer Research is developing Smartsense, a smartphone sensor capable of providing accurate navigation indoors, without the aid of GPS.

While Fraunhofer isn’t the first to take a crack at indoor navigation, Smartsense appears to have a great deal of promise - particularly for sprawling indoor areas such as shopping malls or convention centers. At its core, Smartsense is powered by a combination of two sensors working in tandem. An acceleration sensor registers how fast a user is walking, and a magnetic field sensor is used to track movement through the Earth’s natural magnetic field. Together, these sensors provide accurate location data which can then be used by smartphone applications to provide detailed indoor directions.

Despite the incredibly accurate sensor, the system cannot function if the phone has no knowledge of the building. Fraunhofer Research believes that eventually, users will be able to download maps within applications, or scan QR codes containing map downloads, and then use Smartsense to navigate along with these maps. We've already seen the beginnings of this, as Google Maps for Android now features indoor maps for select malls and trade shows, but as of now, there is no way to provide real-time navigation for these indoor maps, as the application relies on GPS. This is where the Smartsense module could make a real splash when combined with popular software like Google Maps.

Smartsense is being developed by Fraunhofer researchers, together with the Bosch Corporation and other partners. Whether or not it makes its way into your next smartphone really depends on the major phone manufacturers and whether they believe it is a feature that people will want. Its developers will be doing their best to convince anyone who will listen of the advantages of the system at the Sensor+Test 2012 trade show taking place in Nuremberg next week.

Source: Fraunhofer Research

FDA approves 20 minute take-home HIV test

2012-05-16T18:19:00.004+06:00

The FDA has approved an over-the-counter HIV that takes just 20 minutes

One of the biggest problems in fighting the spread of AIDS has always been convincing people to have themselves tested regularly. Unfortunately, getting someone to take a trip to a clinic isn't always easy, particularly in areas where there aren't many options for discrete testing. In a development that could leap right over this privacy hurdle, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has just unanimously approved an over-the-counter HIV test that enables people to test themselves in their own home and receive results in just 20 minutes.

The company behind the test, Orasure, has been distributing its OraQuick HIV test to doctors and medical facilities since 2004. With the stamp of approval from the FDA though, the same test could be as easy for consumers to obtain and use as a pregnancy test. There have been take-home HIV tests before, but those have involved mailing a blood sample off to a lab and then waiting several days for results.

By approving the test - which uses an easier and faster testing method - the FDA hopes to appeal to a much broader range of potential customers and help people determine whether they are HIV-positive much sooner. With government officials estimating that as much as 240,000 people in the U.S. alone do not realize they are infected, a test like this could be a huge step towards slowing the spread of the disease.

When used by medical professionals, the test has shown to be accurate 99% of the time, but a trial conducted by Orasure found that this accuracy dropped to 93% when used by average consumers. After deliberating with a panel of experts, the FDA decided the benefits of the test far outweighed this drawback. Panelists who spoke with the FDA also stressed the importance of clearly stating on the test's packaging that a negative result does not necessarily mean a person is HIV-free.

Orasure has not revealed how much the OraQuick HIV test will cost once it appears in stores, but the professional version is currently priced at US$17.50.

Source: Orasure via New York Times

World's most expensive camera sells at auction for €2.16 million (US$2.77 million)

2012-05-15T22:37:00.001+06:00

The world's most expensive camera - the Leica 0-Series

The Viennese WestLicht Photographica Auction House continued its stellar run of success with its 21st Camera auction in just its eleventh year as an auction house, when it recently broke its own world record for the fifth consecutive time by selling one of the original Leica 0-series cameras for €2,160,000 (US$2.77 million), including the buyer’s premium.

Only 25 of these cameras were produced to test the market in 1923, two years before the commercial introduction of the Leica A. Bidding started at €300,000 ($385,276).

In last year's auction, a Leica from the same 0-series from 1923 sold for €1,320,000 ($1,695,216), so with another of the 25 originals coming across the auctioneer's block, a record was in the cards before the event even started.

With bids coming from the room, by phone and over the internet, the price of the camera kept climbing past the world record and finally stopped at €1.8 million ($2.3 million), with the hammer falling to an anonymous bidder.

WestLicht Photographica Auctions' previous record was a Daguerreotype Giroux, the first-ever commercially produced camera which changed hands in May 2010 for €732,000 ($940,183).

Source: WestLicht Photographica Auction House

Striking a balance: Honda unveils UNI-CUB mobility device

2012-05-15T22:35:00.003+06:00

Honda's UNI-CUB Personal Mobility Device

Honda has released details of a new personal mobility device dubbed the UNI-CUB. An evolution of the U3-X unicycle EV that has been shown globally since the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, the UNI-CUB employs the same impressive balance control technology and omni-directional wheel as its predecessor, with the biggest differences appearing to be the addition of an extra wheel, a comfier perch and optional user control via a mobile phone or tablet.

Like the U3-X, the UNI-CUB allows the user to move in any direction, control speed and stop by simply shifting their weight, while the second wheel moves laterally to accommodate turning. The device can also climb gradients, has a range of 6 km (3.7 miles) and, while it's not going to keep pace with power-walkers, can reach a top speed of 6 km/h (3.7 mph).

The compact form factor and the orientation of the rider also seems to give the UNI-CUB an advantage in the emerging field of "transport appliances." A Segway, for example, tends to clear the decks fairly quickly in a pedestrian space, but the UNI-CUB is designed as an unobtrusive addition to foot traffic that maintains eye-level height and works in harmony with other pedestrians.

Honda says it will begin demonstration testing of UNI-CUB with Japan's National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation from June with a view to exploring applications for the device.

UNI-CUB key specifications

Size (L x W x H): 520 x 345 x 745 mm (20.5 x 13.6 x 29.3 inches)
Seat height: 745 - 825 mm (29.3 - 32.5 inches)
Battery type: Lithium-ion battery
Maximum speed: 6 km/h (3.7 mph)
Range: 6 km (3.7 miles)

Source: Honda

Rare Talbot Lago T23 Teardrop Coupe goes up for auction

2012-05-15T22:33:00.001+06:00

On display at the company’s sale in Monaco this week (May 11–12)

It's hard not to get carried away with the superlatives when writing of the art deco wheeled sculptures of Paris-based automotive couturier Giuseppe Figoni. Figoni created this exquisite 1938 Talbot-Lago T23 'Goutte d'Eau' Coupe amongst many extraordinary works of automotive art. The Talbot Lago "teardrop" is not just a pretty face - an almost identical car finished third in the 1938 Le Mans 24 hour race ... and it's for sale. From the Paris studio's of French coachbuilder Figoni et Falaschi, Figoni's Talbot-Lago T23 is one of just four Jeancart-style machines still in existence.

Joseph Figoni was responsible for some of the world's most coveted automobiles with his body designs fitted to many Delahaye, Bugatti, Renault, Delage, Panhard, Alfa Romeo, Rolls Royce and others, which now command the world's highest prices at auction.

Figoni was obsessed with aerodynamic efficiency and just a browse through the pages of the world's automotive enthusiast publishers will yield numerous examples of his breathtaking work.

Some stand-outs include the Delahaye Type 138 18CV Speciale, that in 1934 set world endurance speed records from 12 hours to 48 hours and from 2000 miles to 10,000 kilometers at Montlhéry, and the 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 that won the Le Mans 24-hour race that year.

This extract from Coachbuild puts his work in context: "Joseph Figoni had an artist's command of color and made full use of the recent development of Nitrolac metallic paints to present his cars in dramatic two and three tone paint finishes. He loved working with the designers of high fashion, who created gowns, hats, gloves and shoes that perfectly matched the lines and colors of his cars. Ovidio Falaschi explained: 'We really were true couturiers of automotive coachwork, dressing and undressing a chassis one, two, three times and even more before arriving at the definitive line that we wanted to give to a specific chassis-coachwork ensemble."

RM Auctions car specialist Peter Wallman describes the 1938 Talbot-Lago T23 "Goutte d'Eau" (Teardrop) Coupe thus: "Arguably one of the world’s most stunning and chic automobiles, the 1938 Talbot-Lago T23 Teardrop Coupe is a masterpiece of French artistry and Art Deco design. Simply breathtaking, its proportions and gently sweeping curves are wonderfully representative of France’s prewar design themes."

In total, just 16 Talbot-Lago Teardrop Coupés were created by Figoni et Falaschi, along two slightly different body styles. Five were built in the “Jeancart” style (after the name of the first owner), of which just four remain.

This car was the only one of the Jeancart-style originally built upon a four-litre-engined, T23 “Baby” chassis. The other 11 Teardrop coupés were built in the “New York” style, named after the car exhibited at the 1937 New York Auto Salon.

Except for one car on a T23 chassis, these “New York” cars were all based upon the shorter T150-C chassis. One of the T150-based cars finished third outright in the 1938 Le Mans 24 hour race using the same motor.

The 1938 Talbot-Lago T23 Teardrop Coupe, chassis 93064, was delivered new in February 1938 to a French resident before being shown at the 1938 Paris Concours d’Elegance de l’Auto. Imported into the United States in the late-1940s, 93064 boasts a well-documented chain of ownership.

A former Pebble Beach "Elegance in Motion" award-winner, it was the recipient of a recent, no-expense-spared, body-off frame restoration in France by marque experts, which saw it return to its stunning Lago Blue, the same color as when it was displayed at its first concours event.

RM Auctions estimates the T23 will fetch between US$2,500,000 and $3,200,000, which sits well with the last time the car was auctioned, also by RM, in 2010, when it sold for £1,792,000 (then approximately $2,789,600).

The T23 Teardrop is powered by a 115 bhp (rated), 3,996 cc inline six-cylinder engine with hemispherical combustion chambers and twin carburettors, Wilson four-speed pre-selector gearbox, independent front suspension with transverse leaf spring, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel drum brakes.

While the identity of its first owner has been lost, records indicate that 93064 was ordered as a "Baby 4L" chassis with Style 9221 Model Jeancart coachwork, built by Figoni et Falaschi as job number FF685. Following completion, it was delivered on 21 February, 1938 to a French resident, registered as 199 ADY 75.

Predictably, its exceptional beauty made it prominent at concours events in the period, with contemporary magazines showing it in the company of a striking woman at its first showing in June 1938 at the Concours d’Elegance de l’Auto.

Chassis 93064 made its way to Southern California during the late 1940s, having likely been imported by a returning member of the American armed forces. At this time, David Radinsky, a Denver, Colorado native, acquired the Teardrop. He later sold the car to machinist Paul Major, and for many years, Major was seen driving the car in the Denver area. At this point, the headlights had been recessed into the front wings, and the taillights were now flush with the rear wings. Some time in the mid-1950s, the trafficators ceased to work, prompting Major to add turn signals at the tops of the head and taillight housings. Bumpers from a pre-war Cadillac were also fitted to the car.

Under Major’s ownership, 93064 was featured and photographed for an article in Rocky Mountain Autolife, written by Ronald C. Hill, a friend of Major’s. According to Hill, Major offered the car at auction in September 1966 at Arthur Rippey’s Veteran Car Museum, although it appears to have remained unsold. It was again offered at the same venue in November 1967, this time selling to a buyer in Atlanta, Georgia, believed to have been named Millbank.

In the early 1970s, Mr. Millbank shipped 93064 to Paris for restoration by French coachbuilder Henri Chapron, and once complete in 1974, the car made its post-restoration debut in Paris. During the restoration, the car was returned to its original colours, and several small touches were added. The headlights were modified slightly, the rear turn signals were removed, and the bumpers were changed to the more appropriate single-blade style.

At some point in the late 1980s, 93064 was purchased by a Japanese collector and remained there until its next owner, Mr. Charles Morse, returned it to America. Soon after Mr. Morse received the car, the engine and mechanicals were restored. While a body-off-frame restoration was deemed unnecessary, 93064 was nonetheless cosmetically freshened with a new paint finish and interior. In 2000, the Teardrop received the Elegance in Motion Award at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Prior to selling 93064 in early 2006, Mr. Morse reported to RM Auctions that the race-bred Talbot-Lago chassis, combined with the lightweight Figoni et Falaschi Teardrop Coupé coachwork, resulted in an exquisite driving experience. He also noted that the unassisted steering was surprisingly quick and light, and that the Wilson preselector gearbox was smoother than a conventional manual gearbox, with positive coupling and quick gear changes.

In Mr. Morse’s ownership, the four-liter engine was adapted to Winfield carburettors for improved throttle response and a broader power band. Mr. Morse extensively toured the Talbot, just as it was originally intended. Following its second running on the Colorado Grand, the noted mechanic and restorer, Mr. Jim Stranberg, rebuilt the steering mechanism and the front suspension.

Shortly before its early-2006 sale, where it joined the O’Quinn Collection, a road test revealed the Talbot to have been in excellent operating order. Just prior to its 2010 sale, the Teardrop was shipped to expert restorers in France, where it received a complete, body-off-frame restoration with no expense spared.

The body’s wooden sub-structure was carefully examined and repaired, with an estimated 80 percent of the original woodwork saved and preserved. The flowing sheet metal was extensively repaired as well, with 90 per cent of the original metalwork remaining.

New front and rear bumpers were installed, as the prior units had become separated from the car at some point in time. New front lights were installed as well. The chassis and mechanical components have been fully restored, and the engine has been overhauled, retaining all original engine parts with the exception of a new set of pistons.

The interior upholstery has been completely restored to original specifications, and the stunning exterior was refinished in Lago Blue, the same colour as when it was displayed at the Concours d’Elegance de l’Auto in 1938.

Freshly restored and listed in the Registre Talbot, Chassis 93064 remains the sole Jeancart-style Teardrop Coupé built by Figoni et Falaschi on the race-bred Talbot-Lago T23 chassis.

It will go under the auctioneer's hammer at RM Auctions' Monterey sale on August 17 and 18.

Auction site: RM Auctions

Mini-speakers for bike helmets let riders hear more than just their music

2012-05-15T22:29:00.001+06:00

Otus Mini-Speakers are tiny speakers that mount on a bicycle helmet, reportedly allowing the rider to hear both their music and the environment around them

While it can be nice to listen to motivating music while riding your bike, riding on the streets while wearing earbuds is ... well, crazy. In many places, it’s also illegal. One option is to wear non-sealing earHero earphones, which are claimed to allow both outside noise and music into the user’s ear canal. Another, however, is to attach some Otus Mini-Speakers to your helmet.

Although they do look like earbuds, the 15-watt output devices are not designed to go in the ears. Instead, they are applied to the “underhang” of the user’s cycling helmet via adhesive-backed Velcro pads, directly above the ears. Their wires are then tucked behind the helmet’s sizing pads and fed back through one of its rear ventilation holes, where they plug into the user’s Velcro-attached portable music player. Needless to say, a smaller player would work best.

If users want to play music from their smartphone, however, they can do so via an optional Bluetooth receiver. It attaches to the back of the helmet, while the phone itself can remain stowed in a hydration pack, saddle pack, or pocket.

Once the music starts playing, users are said to be able to hear both it, and whatever (or whoever) is making noise around them. Needless to say, the higher they turn up the volume, the less they will be able to hear anything but their music.

Otus Mini-Speakers are available via the company website, for US$35 a pair. While presumably any small Bluetooth receiver would work, Otus offers models by Jabra and Nokia, priced at $45 and $30, respectively.

Source: Otus

802.11-2012 Wi-Fi revision offers 600Mbps and mesh networking

2012-05-15T22:27:00.001+06:00

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers has announced the publication of the latest revision to the IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN Standard

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) Standards Association has announced the publication of the fourth revision to the 15 year-old 802.11 Wireless LAN Standard, upon which protocols like Wireless-N and 802.11ac are based. More commonly known as Wi-Fi, the latest revision brings together the base standard and the various technical updates and enhancements published in the last five years into a single document. Additions include much higher throughputs up to a maximum of 600Mbps, support for faster and more secure devices and networks, mesh networking and improved cellular network hand-off.

Announced at the recent International CTIA Wireless 2012 conference in New Orleans – which drew some 40,000 service providers, manufacturers, developers, retailers, enterprise end-users and the media together in one place – the revision updates the base standard to include all ten amendments that have been published since 2007, the last time it was revised.

IEEE 802.11-2012 or the Standard for Information technology - Telecommunications and information exchange between systems Local and metropolitan area networks - Specific requirements Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications to use its formal moniker, defines one Medium Access Control (MAC) and a number of Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications for fixed, portable and mobile wireless connectivity within a local area, while also offering regulators a means of standardizing access to one or more frequency bands for local area communication.

In addition to the increase in throughput, IEEE 802.11-2012 also includes support for mesh networking, which offers attractive reliability and redundancy benefits. Rather than a network of cabled communications devices, a mesh network is an organized collection of radio nodes often comprising gateways, routers and clients which can continue to function even when a node fails.

Direct-link setup between wireless stations, so-called fast roam that reduces hand-off delay in Wireless LANs during transitions between access points for greater mobile security, and radio resource measurement have also been included, together with operation in the 3650-3700MHz frequency band, vehicular environments, security, broadcast/multicast and unicast data delivery, and interworking with external networks and network management.

The IEEE reports that work on the next revision has already started, which will hopefully see a ten-fold increase in data transfer rates, improved audio and video delivery, an increase in effective range and lower power consumption.

Source: IEEE

Turn your iPhone into a networked night vision scope

2012-05-15T22:25:00.002+06:00

The Night Vision iPhone Adapter connects night vision scopes and iPhone 4 models

Imagine if you could turn your iPhone into an advanced night vision recording device, tuned to your every espionage whim. No, there's not an app for that ... but there is the USNV Night Vision iPhone Adapter. Before you get too excited about it, you should note that it doesn't directly turn an iPhone into a night vision scope – you'll still need an actual separate scope. What the NViA does is bridge the iPhone with the night vision scope to leverage iPhone features like video recording, geo-tagging and messaging ... because when you're in the middle of a midnight tail, sometimes you want to go back and scour the footage for more clues – or I assume that you might want to do that, if you were some type of vigilante running around the city with a pair of infrared goggles.

The NViA slides onto the iPhone and connects with a variety of night vision and thermal imaging devices with a threaded mount. Once installed, the iPhone gives you a larger night vision display and allows you to record video and photos, zoom and adjust optic settings, geo-tag your footage, and send images to others.

Outside of sheer novelty and awesomeness, I'd wager that the average Joe has little use for night vision and even less use for iPhone-integrated night vision. Instead, the tool is marketed toward first responders and other professionals as a means of sending critical data quickly and cost efficiently. Other potential users include sportsmen, surveillance professionals and broadcasters.

"This adapter really is a game changer," said NightVisionExperts.com Director Stewart Firman. "By integrating their iPhones and night vision scopes, professionals in the field can take the individual situational awareness that they currently enjoy to the next level – team-based shared awareness. For command and control, shared awareness supercharges their ability to plan, direct and control a networked emergency response."

Like anything night vision, the iPhone Adapter isn't exactly cheap. It costs US$269, and that's before you factor in the cost of the night vision scope or iPhone itself. It's currently offered free with the purchase of specific night vision goggles and scopes, but both of those cost more than $3,500. That might not be bad if you rely on night vision for your profession, but it's a little prohibitive for the hobbyist that just thinks it'd be cool to watch night vision on his iPhone ... and boy, would that be cool.

The NViA is compatible with iPhone 4 and 4s models.

Source: Night Vision Experts via Outdoor Hub

NASA’s Dawn spacecraft unlocks secrets of giant asteroid

2012-05-15T22:23:00.003+06:00

Image showing the south pole of the giant asteroid Vesta obtained by the framing camera on NASA's Dawn spacecraft

After becoming the first probe to enter orbit around an object in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter in July 2011, NASA’s Dawn spacecraft has spent the last 10 months orbiting said object - the giant asteroid Vesta. During that period it has captured more than 20,000 images of Vesta and a multitude of data from different wavelengths of radiation. What it reveals is an asteroid that in many ways shares more in common with a small planet or Earth’s moon than it does with another asteroid.

With a mean diameter of around 326 miles (525 km), Vesta is one of the largest asteroids in the Solar System and the second most massive after Ceres. Formed in a similar way to the terrestrial planets and Earth’s moon, Vesta boasts a geologic complexity that scientists attribute to a process that separated it into a crust, mantle and iron core with a radius of around 68 miles (110 km) some 4.56 billion years ago.

"Vesta has been recording the history of the solar system from the beginning," said Christopher T. Russell, a professor in UCLA's Department of Earth and Space Sciences and the Dawn mission's principal investigator. "We are going back to the beginning of the solar system - more than 4.5 billion years ago. We're going back further than ever before on the surface of a body."

Deep gashes in Vesta’s surface observed by Dawn reveal a pattern of minerals that NASA says may suggest the asteroid was once molten inside and had a subsurface magma ocean, which occurs when a body undergoes almost complete melting and leads to layered building blocks that can form planets. Vesta’s iron core would have formed during this molten period at the dawn of the Solar System.

Data collected by Dawn also reveal that Vesta is the source of a distinct group of meteorites found on Earth. These meteorites, with signatures of an iron- and magnesium-rich mineral known as pyroxene, account for about six percent of all meteorites falling to Earth, making Vesta one of the largest single sources of Earth’s meteorites. Dawn’s mission also marks the first time a spacecraft has visited the source of samples after they were identified on Earth.

Vesta has also been found to have a topography that is quite steep and varied, and includes large mountains formed by a major impact on the asteroid’s surface – the largest of which is more than twice the size of Mount Everest. While scientists had thought that, outside the south polar region, Vesta’s surface may be flat like the moon, some of the craters outside this region formed on very steep slopes and have nearly identical sides, with landslides often occurring.

NASA scientists were also surprised to discover that Vesta’s central peak in the Rheasilvia basin in the southern hemisphere is much higher and wider, relative to its crater size, than the central peaks of craters on bodies like our moon.

There are also similarities with other low-gravity worlds, such as Saturn’s small icy moons, and the light and dark markings on its surface don’t match the predictable patterns seen on Earth’s moon. While Vesta’s surface contains bright spots of various sizes, there are also some areas that are dark as coal, with the light and dark markings forming intricate patterns that suggest the dominance of impact processes in creating mixed layers in Vesta’s regolith.

"We know a lot about the moon and we're only coming up to speed now on Vesta," said Vishnu Reddy, a framing camera team member at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Germany and the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. "Comparing the two gives us two storylines for how these fraternal twins evolved in the early solar system."

Dawn will continue to examine Vesta until it departs the asteroid on August 26 headed for a 2015 study date with Ceres, the Solar System’s largest asteroid and only dwarf planet in the inner solar system.

Six papers on Vesta were published in the journal Science on May 11, 2012, and more information about the Dawn mission can be had at the NASA's Dawn mission homepage.

Sources: NASA, UCLA

Researchers aim to build eco-friendly robots from biodegradable materials

2012-05-15T22:20:00.002+06:00

This toy robot won't decompose naturally, unlike those which researchers are hoping to develop

The quest to build better robots capable of completing more tasks is an important one, that could lead to humanity as a whole having a much easier time of it. Robots already manage some of the most banal and time-consuming tasks related to manufacturing, or dangerous tasks such as bomb-disposal. In the future they will likely take on roles in a much wider field of jobs and industries. However, one aspect that few people seem to be considering as we approach a time when robots are a mainstream part of everybody's lives is the environmental impact such a scenario may have.

At the moment, robots are primarily made from metals and plastics, both of which offer rigidity and a long life ... a little too long of a life, in fact, with these materials being generally toxic and non-biodegradable. The overall impact on the environment of an army of robots doing our menial tasks could be massively harmful – unless an alternative is sought.

This is exactly the task that two British university researchers are setting themselves. With a £200,000 (US$324,000) grant from the Leverhulme Trust, Dr. Jonathan Rossiter from the University of Bristol and Dr. Ioannis Ieropoulos from the University of the West of England are embarking on a two-year mission to find, "A robot that decomposes: towards biodegradable robotic organisms." Both are members of the Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL), an organization whose main focus is on "the development of autonomous robot systems" – essentially, robots that can act by themselves in an intelligent manner without the need for human guidance.

Zero Environmental Impact

The current problem, as the two see it, is the need to continually track the movement of any robots sent out into the world on a mission. This is a necessity at present, as they will eventually need to be "recovered, dismantled, and made safe." Constructing robots from biodegradable materials, however, would mean they eventually cease to be, merely decomposing into the earth. The environmental impact would then be zero.

“In this project we will take a radical step away from conventional robots and we hope to create a biodegradable robot," Rossiter stated. "Once a biodegradable robot has reached the end of its mission, for example having performed some environmental cleanup activity following an oil spill, it will decompose into harmless material.”

An army of paper robots

This need to track and recover robots is complex, time-consuming, and expensive. All three of these barriers to robotic innovation could be removed if this research leads to a breakthrough in using alternative, eco-friendly materials to build the robots needed for the tasks at hand ... making the possibility of an army of robots roaming the countryside a more feasible future to imagine, and one less damaging to our delicate ecosystem.

Source: The University of Bristol via TreeHugger

Electric virus powers liquid crystal display in piezoelectric breakthrough

2012-05-15T22:16:00.003+06:00

Scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a means of converting mechanical energy into electrical energy using a harmless, specially engineered virus

Scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a means of converting mechanical energy into electrical energy using a harmless, specially engineered virus. By simply tapping a finger on a virus-coated electrode the size of a postage stamp, the scientists were able to produce enough current to drive a liquid crystal display, albeit a very small one. The scientists claim that this is the first time that the piezoelectrical properties of a biological material have been harnessed.

To recap, piezoelectricity is the electrical charge that can build up in solid materials when they experience mechanical stress. It's a principle that could be put to use to harvest energy from common, everyday events like the fall of a shoe against a sidewalk, the closing of a door, or even typing with a notebook.

Because many of the piezoelectric materials in use today are toxic, the researchers wondered whether a particular virus known as M13, common to laboratories all over the world, might be piezoelectric. As the virus targets bacteria and is harmless to people, the scientists theorized that it might one day encourage more widespread use of piezoelectrics.

To determine whether the M13 bacteriophage was indeed piezoelectric, a film of the virus was exposed to an electrical field. When observed through a specialized microscope, helical proteins that coat rods of the virus were observed to move, confirming a piezoelectric effect.

Left to right, Byung Yang Lee, Seung-Wuk Lee, and Ramamoorthy Ramesh are among the scientists behind the research

The scientists found that they were able to further boost the charges induced in the virus by genetically engineering them with an extra four negatively charged amino acid residue at one end of these helical proteins.

An added benefit of using the virus, according to the scientists, is that that they self-arrange into the film that enables generation to take place, and by infecting bacteria, the virus can be made to reproduce, generating millions of copies over night. (This kind of self-arrangement and replication may one day prove handy for self-assembling nanotechnology, the scientists surmise). The charge was further boosted by stacking these virus films into layers, with a stack 20 layers thick demonstrating the strongest piezoelectric effect.

The system developed by the scientists had a potential difference of 400 millivolts, capable of generating an electrical current of six nanoamperes. A demo of the virus-powered LCD can be seen near the end of the video below.

Sources: Nature Nanotechnology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

GEODOG GPS-enabled collar lets you find your dog using your smartphone

2012-05-14T15:09:00.000+06:00

GEODOG fits snug without added bulk

We've all experienced that moment of panic when we open the back door to let the dog inside only to find that he's not there. Technology has provided a solution to this dilemma with GPS tracking devices designed specifically for our four-legged friends entering the market in recent years, but this offering from GEODOG claims to improve on those that have gone before with a new slimline design that's shockproof, easily-adjustable, user-friendly and unobtrusive.

Having owned one of the more primitive models myself, I can tell you without hesitation that it's not something I felt comfortable leaving on my dogs. The collar itself was fine, but there was a large black box and a small antenna that left me feeling that it could get stuck in brush or thickets and become a possible safety risk for the animal. The GEODOG collar is much slimmer in profile, and doesn't require the bulky control center or the exposed antenna. The collar itself isn't much thicker than a standard dog collar and the weight is an extremely manageable 150-grams (5.3-ounces).

The GEODOG system comes with the collar, and a proprietary software which works with Windows-based PCs (XP/Vista/7) as well as Android or Windows Mobile-equipped smartphones.

When you notice your dog is missing, you ring the number for GEODOG and you'll receive a text message with the GPS coordinates of the missing dog. The message contains a link to the coordinates on a map, which you can open on your smartphone and use to coordinate your search efforts.

The software itself also has a couple of intuitive modes that make monitoring simple. The "Zones" feature acts as a virtual fence, and sends you an SMS message when your dog leaves the predefined zone. The text message includes the direction and the distance your dog traveled from the home. While tracking him, you'll get updated messages every time he moves from his last position by a certain distance (e.g. 100 meters or 328 feet).

You can also define reference points - such as property boundaries or roadways - and "No-Go-Zones" to alert you when your dog reaches a defined point. For example, if you have a dog that likes to swim, you can set an alert when he reaches a pond or creek close to your home which gives you a pretty good idea of what he's up to. No worries though, the system is completely waterproof.

There are two sizes available - GEODOG L for large dogs with a neck size between 46cm and 52cm, and GEODOG S is for neck sizes between 41cm and 47cm. The company says that the battery will last for a whole week in Stand-by-mode and 24 hours in normal operating mode.

The GEODOG system is available for EUR299 (US$378). The mobile version of the software will set you back an additional EUR99 (US$125) for the multi-dog license or EUR69 (US$87) for the single license.

Windows 8 will launch without DVD playback

2012-05-14T15:07:00.002+06:00

Windows 8 will give users access to video content through Apps, rather than discs

Microsoft has announced plans to scrap native DVD playback from Windows 8, instead focusing on improving video streaming abilities by making it easier to access services like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube. Citing a decline globally in physical media sales, Microsoft is investing in a future without discs, and is hoping to keep costs down by removing DVD licensing fees. However, those interested in having access to their collection of DVDs do have options, as Microsoft claims that third party DVD software will be readily available to fill the void where Windows Media Player once was.

The announcement comes off a bit harsh, but it's important to note that this is nothing new, and that Windows hasn't always included native DVD playback. Several editions of Windows Vista, and Windows 7 shipped without DVD playback, but hardware companies filled in the gap, pre-installing DVD software on their machines. Most customers didn't seem to mind this practice then, and the same should hold true now, especially given how popular services like Netflix, and Hulu have become. The decision to remove DVD support proves that Microsoft is committed to making Windows 8 an OS that can fit the needs of tablets as well as traditional PCs.

Unfortunately, it appears Microsoft still isn't above squeezing a bit more cash out of its customers by releasing multiple "editions" of Windows 8. Microsoft intends to release "Windows 8 Pro Edition" with an advertised feature of DVD playback thanks to the inclusion of Windows Media Center. With the availability of third party DVD software not necessarily something that will come up at your average software retailer, we might see many purchasing the "Pro Edition" under the mistaken belief that's the only way to get DVD playback on their machines. Guess that would be a win, win for Microsoft.

Source: MSDN Blogs

Exped Ergo Combi all-in-one hammock camping solution

2012-05-14T15:05:00.001+06:00

Exped says that it developed its horizontal suspension system for more than half a decade

The Exped Ergo Combi aims to give you the protection of a tent within the comfortable, 'zero gravity' confines of a roomy hammock. It looks like it could offer one of the best nights of sleep you've ever had outdoors.

You can buy various forms of sheltered hammocks from manufacturers like Clark, Hennessy Hammock and Grand Trunk. Some are completely open, leaving you to sleep under the stars. Some have mosquito netting to protect you from pests. Some have waterproof protection for use in foul weather. Some have added insulation on the underside to keep you warm in winter or cooler spring weather.

The Exped Ergo Combi has it all. It packs every type of protection that you could possibly want in the outdoors - save maybe for carnivore repellant - into a package in which you'll never have to worry about hard, cold dirt or poking sticks and rocks.

As you can see in the picture, the Ergo Combi begins with a horizontal sleeping system. Most hammocks have the ropes at the tips, but the Ergo puts them on the sides and uses a diagonal suspension system to support the hammock body. We don't know for sure without actually lying in it, but that picture makes it look about as snug and free of pressure points as a womb. Exped says that it developed the horizontal orientation over the course of six years.

With proper sleeping quarters taken care of, Exped throws an array of accompanying features and equipment into the Ergo. It has a waterproof tarp to protect you from rain and provide shade from the sun. The tarp is even oversized so that you can use it as a sun and weather shade for cooking, eating and lounging around camp. Since the tarp isn't attached to the hammock fabric, a separate mesh fly is used to keep bugs from devouring your flesh. An integrated sleeping-pad sleeve fits most of Exped's pads (and we'd assume similarly sized pads from other manufacturers), giving you some extra insulation from the cold air underneath. Exped says that the pad system gives the Ergo winter-camping capabilities, though that would certainly depend on the pad you're using.

The hammock with suspension kit weighs 34 oz (963 g) and the tarp adds another 23 oz (652 g). Depending upon your usage, 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) may be a little heavy (you could get a number of two-person tents under that weight). However, because it includes separate pieces, it gives you some versatility. You can use just the hammock or just the tarp depending on your comfort level and the weather. It's still not necessarily ultralight, but it does look to provide a solid combination of low weight and sleeping comfort.

The Ergo Combi debuted this year. We don't see a suggested retail price on Exped's site, but the hammock is listed for US$340 at REI and $240 at Backcountry.com. The video below is part one of a three part series that gives you a tour of the design and set-up of the Ergo Combi. Be forewarned: it's not a quick, glamorous promo, but a slow-going instructional video.

Source: Exped

World's largest solar-powered boat completes its trip around the world

2012-05-14T15:03:00.002+06:00

The TURANOR PlanetSolar, passing through Tahiti earlier on its voyage

On September 27th of 2010, the world’s largest solar-powered boat – the TÛRANOR PlanetSolar – set out from Monaco on a quest to become the first boat to sail around the world using nothing put the power of the Sun. This afternoon it successfully completed that quest, arriving back in Monaco after 18 months spent circumnavigating the planet.

A crew of five piloted the 31-meter (102-ft) long, 15-meter (49-ft) wide vessel, which is covered in 537 square meters (5,780 sq ft) of solar panels. These provide power to four electric motors (two located in each hull), that have a maximum output of 120 kW and can propel the boat to a speed of 14 knots. It is constructed mainly of a light yet durable carbon fiber-sandwich material.

“For 8 years we have been working on achieving this world tour with solar energy,” expedition leader Raphaël Domjan wrote yesterday, in his most recently-posted logbook entry. “If everything goes according to plan, we should cross the last longitude line tomorrow and then reach Monaco, the departure point of our adventure. Friday May 4th, 2012, on this day early in the afternoon we shall succeed in this first journey around the world with solar energy.”

Source: PlanetSolar via Inhabitat

ARIS: The wireless speaker designed for Windows users

2012-05-14T15:01:00.004+06:00

The ARIS wireless speaker for Windows plays music streamed from a Windows PC

While there seems to be an unending stream of wireless speakers designed primarily to stream audio from iOS or Android mobile devices using AirPlay or Bluetooth, Oregon-based Aperion Audio is showing Windows-using music fans some love with the ARIS wireless speaker. The unit is designed to work with Windows 7’s “Play To” feature that makes it easy to stream content from a PC over a home network.

Instead of Bluetooth or AirPlay, the ARIS uses the DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) protocol, which is supported on many new HDTVs and Blu-ray players, but up until now hasn’t really been embraced in the wireless speaker space. After connecting the ARIS to a home network via Ethernet or Wi-Fi, the unit will show up as a device on a networked PC running Windows 7 or Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

Mobile devices can also connect to the device using a DLNA app, but Aperion plans to release its own ARIS Music Apps for iOS, Android and Windows 8 mobile devices in the future. But if you’ve got a device that can’t connect wirelessly, the ARIS also has a 3.5 mm auxiliary audio input jack for connecting any device with a headphone or line-out jack.

The unit’s six internal drivers (2x 4-inch woven fiberglass drivers and 2x passive radiators for the midrange and 2x 1-inch Neodymium, soft-dome silk tweeters) and four 25 W Class D amplifiers with DSP, combine to pump out a total of 100 W RMS power with a frequency response of 65 Hz to 20 kHz (+/- 3 dB).

Featuring a single-piece brushed aluminum enclosure, the ARIS measures 6.5 in (16.5 cm) high, 6.5 in deep, and 14.75 in (37.5 cm) wide, and weighs in at 11.3 lbs (5.1 kg). It’s Windows compatibility comes courtesy of the included ARIS Wireless Card for Windows, but this can be swapped out to help ensure compatibility with a change in networking protocols in the future.

The ARIS wireless speaker for Windows is priced at US$499 and is due to ship mid-June 2012. Pre-orders are currently being taken on the company website.

Source: Aperion Audio

Brammo reveals pricing for Empulse electric motorcycles

2012-05-14T14:59:00.004+06:00

The Brammo Empulse will cost US$16,995 when it hits the road in June

Brammo has revealed pricing and release details for its new Empulse and Empulse R electric motorcycles. Both models are specced at an impressive 100 mph (160 km/h) top speed and 100 mile (160 km) range.

Both Empulse models employ a 10.2 kWh lithium-ion battery, 6-speed gearbox, and a permanent magnet AC motor generating 40 kW (54 hp) @ 8,200 rpm and maximum torque of 63 Nm. This translates to a 100 mph (160 km/h) top speed and 100 mile (160 km) range, or more specifically, an estimated city range of 121 miles (195 km) and an estimated highway range of 56 miles (90 km). Charging time is 8 hours, although a fast charging option will reduce this to 3.5 hours and Brammo estimates that (based on 13 cents / kWh for electricity) the cost of getting around town is just one cent per mile while highway jaunt will cost you two cents per mile.

While the 2012 Zero S matches the Empulse in range terms it maxes out at a top speed of 88 mph (142 km/h), meaning that the combination of range and speed figures quoted by Empulse are, to the best of our knowledge, unprecedented in a production electric motorcycle.

The difference in the two Empulse models is largely in the bodywork. The Empulse has semi adjustable front and rear suspension and its body work is all plastic, while the Empulse R features a carbon fiber headlight shroud, front and rear fenders, top panel and the rear light housing.

Pricing for the Empulse has been set at US$16,995 while the Empulse R will cost $18,995. Brammo has stated that production for the Empulse R will take place first with "limited availability in June 2012 and in volume by Q3 2012." The Empulse is expected to arrive in early 2013.

So is this an attractive proposition for those looking to make the switch to zero local emissions two-wheeled transport? We think so, but we'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments section.

Source: Brammo

Brydge aims to turn Apple iPad into MacBook Air

2012-05-14T14:57:00.005+06:00

Brydge keyboard case with iPad operational

Brydge is a keyboard cover for the iPad that attempts to turn the Apple tablet into something very close in style and weight, if not grunt, to the MacBook Air. Currently a Kickstarter project, Brydge aims to join the growing number of accessories tailored for those who produce as well as consume content on their iPad.

The iPad is undoubtedly a great device - it's the bestselling tablet by far. But while consuming content, be it the web, music, movies, games, or apps, is a joy, creating content, particularly text-based content, on an iPad isn't quite as much fun. This is where keyboard cases - which double up as keyboards, bringing physical feedback to the task of writing - come into their own.

Logitech's Keyboard Case is one of the best-known examples to date. There are also Android tablets built on this very premise: the Asus Eee Pad Transformer series comprises tablets which can be slotted into their optional keyboard docks.

Brydge, from the people behind The Oona smartphone stand, is a keyboard case for the iPad that aims for Apple-esque design with its anodized aluminum construction.

The unit has a patent-pending hinge mechanism (with almost 180-degrees of movement) that's designed to lock the iPad in place until you give it a healthy yank to free it again.

When in the closed position Brydge sits snugly up against the screen of the iPad, offering protection from knocks and dirt. When opened out it becomes a fully operational Bluetooth keyboard. An optional extra is the inclusion of built-in stereo speakers to complement the iPad's own audio output.

With CEO Tim Cook recently expressing his distaste for "tradeoff" hybrid devices, Apple clearly wants to keep the iPad as purely a tablet and the MacBook Air as an ultra-portable productivity laptop. This leaves room for third parties to create solutions for those customers who want the option of a hybrid solution.

Brydge needs US$90k in funding to go into production. The minimum pledge is currently $150, for which you'll receive one of the first (speakers-free version) Brydges to emerge from the factory. If all goes to plan shipments are expected in October 2012.

Source: Kickstarter via CNET

Acoustic wind pavilion makes music out of thin air

2012-05-14T14:55:00.005+06:00

The Aeolus Acoustic Wind Pavilion

Aeolus, a fascinating acoustic wind sculpture made by prolific Bristol artist Luke Jerram, is as much a feast for the ears as it is for the eyes. Named after the mythical Greek ruler of the four winds and built in conjunction with the University of Southampton's Institute of Sound and Vibration Research and the University of Salford's Acoustics Research Center, the giant aeolian wind harp is intended to inspire the public to learn more about the amazing things that can happen when engineering, acoustics and aerodynamics are blended together.

"The Aeolian harp is a quite mysterious sound, really," said Jerram. "I think the Victorians were very excited by it just because it sounds quite unearthly - it almost sounds like the aliens landing. It's quite mysterious and quite beautiful. And it's also quite hard to predict - it's hard to predict the sound that's going to be produced from our string. It's just created by the string vibrating in the wind."

Jerram got the idea for the wind harp after speaking with desert well (qanat) diggers while on a visit to Iran several years ago. "They basically go out into the desert with an axe and they draw a circle in the sand and then they dig straight down into the sand and into the rock," he said. "When they hit the water table, they then dig across and create these incredibly long tunnels transferring the water out of the desert into the town. They might then dig air vents sort of maybe every 50 meters."

Schematic of a qanat desert well which helped inspire Jerram to create Aeolus

The diggers described how when conditions are just right, the wind can make those vents "sing" and make noises. This gave Jerram the impetus to explore other structures that might use the wind in a similar manner, and eventually, his version of this ancient musical instrument was born.

The Aeolus and other wind harps make their music through a phenomenon known as the von Kármán Vortex Street effect in which wind blowing across a string or other thin, rigid object creates an alternating series of vortices downstream that sets up a vibration in the object. The pitch and volume of the sound generated by the effect is random and is determined by the strength and speed of the wind as well as the length and thickness of the string.

Artist's interpretation of the von Kármán Vortex Street effect

Jerram's harp is composed of 310 stainless steel tubes that terminate in a double-curved arch (picture a section taken from a sphere) which visitors can enter for a unique audio-visual experience. Polished to a mirror finish internally that reflects the changing weather conditions, in musical mode, many of the tubes are connected to strings attached to a membrane or "skin" on their outer end that transmits wind-generated sound into the arch and to listening posts situated nearby. Even on windless days, the tubes without strings hum at low frequencies, enhanced by an acoustic lens effect that focuses the sound directly at observers in a specific point under the arch.

Until May 10, 2012, the Aeolus, which has been traveling about the UK since its completion last year, can be experienced at its location in Canary Wharf, London. Eventually, Jerram hopes to sell Aeolus and find it a permanent home where it can continue to delight the public for many years to come.

Source: Luke Jerram

Sony’s 2012 flagship HX850 BRAVIAs released

2012-05-14T14:53:00.001+06:00

Sony's HX850 BRAVIA features a bezel-free monolithic design

Following its announcement at CES in January, Sony’s 2012 flagship BRAVIA LCD TVs have hit stores in the U.S., with other markets set to follow. Coming in 46- and 55-inch screen sizes, the HX850 line offers Dynamic Edge LED backlighting with fully local dimming, and W-Fi internet connectivity and 3D capabilities out of the box.

The new HDTVs feature a bezel-free monolithic design incorporating Gorilla Glass. The sets deliver Full HD 1080p resolution and pack the newest version of Sony’s Motionflow XR 960800 Hz technology to reduce motion blur. There’s also Sony’s X-Reality PRO video processing, which also upscales web pages viewed on the pre-installed Opera browser.

Internet connectivity also provides one-touch access via the BRAVIA home screen to the Sony Entertainment Network and apps, including Netflix, Pandora, HuluPlus, Amazon Instant Video, YouTube, Slacker Internet Radio, and Crackle, just to name a few. Skype also comes pre-installed, but requires the purchase of a camera and mic unit.

Inputs include four HDMI (two side/two rear), one component, two composite, one D-Sub, Ethernet and two side USB ports, with one digital audio and one headphone output.

The 46-inch HX850 retails for US$2,100 and the 55-inch HX850 costs $2,600.

Source: Sony

Dubai Water Discus hotel will allow guests to sleep underwater

2012-05-14T14:51:00.000+06:00

The Water Discus underwater hotel, scheduled for construction in Dubai

It seems the construction boom in bustling Dubai is far from over – already home to several world record-holding projects, including the tallest building (for just a little while longer), the largest shopping mall and biggest man-made island, plans are now afoot to construct what will likely be the world's largest underwater luxury hotel, the Water Discus. Several years ago, we reported on another such ambitious project, Hydropolis, which sadly never got past the blueprint stage. If Polish company Deep Ocean Technology's (DOT) plans come to fruition, however, guests could one day find themselves asleep beneath the waters of the Persian Gulf.

To bring this fantasy complex into being, DOT, with the help of Swiss firm BIG InvestConsult AG, turned to local shipyard Drydocks World, which will be tasked with constructing the futuristic disc-shaped hotel. The underwater portion, with about 11,000 square feet (1,000 square meters) of usable area, will house 21 two-guest rooms, and sit about 33 feet (10 m) below the waves. Plans also call for a diving center complete with decompression chamber and air locks, a spa, a spacious garden, open terraces above the waterline, and even a helipad atop one of the surface discs for guests who wish to arrive by air.

To address the unpredictability that often comes with projects involving the sea, the entire structure can be moved should environmental (or economic) conditions change. For added safety, surface discs will be buoyant and detachable from the main structure to act as lifeboats should disaster strike. A large central shaft connects the submerged and surface discs and contains both an elevator and stairs for easy access between levels. Three adjustable columns add further support to the above-surface portion of the structure, the various discs of which are themselves interchangeable.

Bogdan Gutkowski, President of BIG, imagines the project will have an impact on numerous areas besides the region's tourism. “Water Discus Hotel project opens many new fields of development for the hotel and tourism sector, housing and city sector in the coastal off-shore areas, as well as new opportunities for ecology support by creation of new underwater ecosystems and activities on underwater world protection," he told World Architecture News. "Additionally we would like to create here in the UAE the International Environmental Program and Center of the Underwater World Protection – with Water Discus Hotel as a laboratory tool for oceans and seas environment protection and research.”

Grand plans, indeed.

While the idea of staying underwater is far from new, technology has greatly improved to meet the formidable challenges of sub-marine construction, so the likelihood of this and similar projects actually getting built is sure to increase. Famed explorer Jacques Cousteau once envisioned numerous manned underwater colonies to facilitate exploration and though that didn't come to pass, for fans of underwater living, projects like the Water Discus may prove to be the next best thing.

Source: Deep Ocean Technology via WAN

What's for dinner? Just check the spectrometer

2012-05-14T14:47:00.003+06:00

The IPMS spectrometer could one day be integrated into smartphones

Foodies who've ever dreamed of having superhero-style vision that could analyze what they are about to eat should keep an eye on the upcoming Sensor+Trade fair in Nuremberg. Scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute of Photonic Microsystems (IPMS) will be exhibiting a tiny prototype spectrometer that can measure factors such as water and protein level in foods, meaning you won't make the mistake of buying fruit that looks good on the outside but is rotten at its core.

The micro electromechanical system (MEMS) spectrometer can probe under the surface of any food type, even when it is enveloped in thin packaging film. The user points it at a piece of fruit, for example, and it reflects back a spectrum of infrared light that the system analyses by comparing it with information stored in a database.

It’s not a new concept, but the advantage of the IPMS technology is that it is cheap to manufacture and, because it's built on silicon wafers that can hold the components of hundreds of spectrometers, far smaller than existing commercial devices.

This means that the spectrometer could be integrated into smartphones and be used to make purchasing recommendations - i.e. an App could tell you when the avocado you are about to buy will be ready to eat.

“We expect spectrometers to develop in the same way that digital cameras did,” says Dr. Heinrich Grüger, who manages the relevant business unit at IPMS. “A camera that cost 500 euros ten years ago is far less capable than the ones you get virtually for free today in your cell phone.”

The scientist expect that the spectrometers become commercially available in three to five years and it’s not only food that the system will be able to read. Other possible applications include the analysis of drugs, cosmetics and even forgery detection.

The Sensor+Trade fair takes place in in Nuremberg, Germany, between May 22 and 24.

Source: Fraunhofer