… Read More → "The Art of Rube Goldberg: (A) Inventive (B) Cartoon (C) Genius, a book about the famed cartoonist & inventor"

Using a standard powder-based 3D printer, they and their students have figured out how to print bricks, components, and furniture using recyclable materials… The salt looks like “solid milk,” to borrow Rael’s words. Shockingly, it’s all super strong, thanks to reinforcement techniques developed in-house—their printed cement is actually stronger than standard stuff. But most importantly? It’s 90% less expensive that current 3D printing technology.
via Read More → "This briny structure was 3D-printed entirely out of salt"

Once the computer triggers the mechanism, the inflation valve is opened electrically, releasing gas from a CO2 cartridge into the airbags, which are then fully inflated within 0.2 seconds. When it hits the ground, it bounces around gently for a moment, then rests unharmed on the airbags. The airbags remain inflated at this point, however, it is unclear if they can be deflated and repacked, or if each smartphone rescue would require replacement airbags.
via Read More → "Honda bounces around idea of smartphone case with airbags"

This year was a bad one for subway deaths. On average, 134 people have been hit by subways and 49 killed every year since 2001, according to the MTA. This year, 144 people were hit and 52 died, and we still have two more weeks to get through.

Now the city is hoping to bring those numbers down using new … Read More → "NYC testing lasers that detect when people fall onto subway tracks"

The US communications agency has taken the first step toward lifting a ban on mobile phone calls during flights.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted on Thursday to launch a public review of the ban, even as its commissioners expressed reservations.

Separately, the head of the Department of Transportation said the department was weighing its own ban.

A recent poll suggested 59% of Americans who flew in the past year opposed allowing calls on planes.

The FCC on Thursday voted 3-2 to open a months-long public comment period.
via < … Read More → "FCC reconsiders ban on mobile phones on planes"

It’s supposed to be a beverage that you slowly slip and savor, but once you’ve brewed a cup of tea it’s a race against the clock—and thermodynamics—to enjoy it while it’s hot. A thick ceramic mug helps with that problem, but even better is the double-walled insulated engineering that went into Thermos’ new tea tumblers.
via … Read More → "Thermos designed a mug for the slowest sipping tea drinkers"

If you don’t regularly prepare your own food, is it because of the time involved? Would you make homemade pizza more often if you could “print”’ it? Barcelona-based Natural Machines aims to automate many kitchen tasks, but its Foodini food printer resembles a sleek desktop 3D printer more than any of the appliances already in your kitchen. And like its 3D-printing cousins, Foodini also lets users add in a … Read More → "Foodini 3D food printer customizes and automates your kitchen prep"

A member of a web forum used to facilitate identity theft has been convicted in federal court under a law classically used to target mafia and gang members. According to Wired, this is the first time that this law — the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) — has been used to prosecute cybercrime. Under RICO, members of a criminal organization … Read More → "Organized crime law used in cybercrime conviction for first time"

Smarty Ring is a 13mm-wide stainless steel ring with an LED screen, Bluetooth 4.0, and an accompanying smartphone app. The ring pairs with a smartphone and acts as a remote control and notification receiver.

The ring can display the time, accept or reject calls, control music, trigger the smartphone’s camera, and initiate speed-dial calls. It will also alert the wearer with light-up icons for texts, e-mails, Facebook, Twitter, Google Hangouts, and Skype. It … Read More → "The first smartring has an LED screen, tells time, and accepts calls"

There are typically two main problems when it comes to building pillow forts: structural integrity, and a lack of building materials. And both of those issues are solved with these wonderful engineered cushions called Squishy Forts, which use super-strong magnets to ensure they stay standing for longer than ten minutes.
via Gizmodo

Read More → "Magnetic cushions let you easily build a structurally sound pillow fort"