A glassblower’s weapon of choice has been a simple blowpipe over 2,000 years now. It’s a tried and true device. But that doesn’t mean there’s no room to jazz it up a little, and that’s exactly what “Strange Symphony” does.
A collaboration between designer Philpp Weber and … Read More → "Strange Symphony: A trumpet that blasts solos made of glass"
Though the seahorse isn’t the only armored creature on Earth, it is perhaps the most flexible. Its monkey-like prehensile tail allows it to hook onto corals and seaweed. But the researchers wondered whether the armor provides protection from crushing, which is the favored mode of attack used by its natural predators, which include crabs and turtles. By compressing sections of seahorse tails, the researchers found that these could be … Read More → "Seahorse tails may hold key to flexible robotic tentacles (video)"
This robot doesn’t know if it’s a walker or a tank. It’s the brain-child of [Marc Hamende] who works as a mechanical engineer by day and mad roboticist at night…
The mechanism for each foot is fascinating. He milled the white pieces which stack together to encapsulate the motor that runs the treads. These assemblies pivot to bring the metal rod serving as a walking foot in … Read More → "Quadruped walks of four legs, rolls on four treads (video)"
The trickiest part of avoiding exposure to toxic substances is that they’re often invisible, odorless, and undetectable to our five senses. And as an alternative to expensive detectors and other electronic sensors, researchers at the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Modular Solid State Technologies EMFT in Regensburg have created a simple pair of gloves that turn color in the presence … Read More → "Color-changing gloves alert lab workers to invisible toxins"
Scientists in Europe have developed prototype devices that could drastically change the way we interact with our smartphones and tablets. The six working prototypes, known as “Morphees,” are thin, electronic displays capable of automatically changing shape to perform certain functions. Researchers say that if brought to market, the devices could usher in a new era in mobile computing, breaking down the physical barriers that have traditionally defined … Read More → "Shapeshifters: phones of the future could morph on demand (video)"
Velonaki’s Diamandini was part of a five-year project that ends this year. The goal was not just building interesting robotic machines, but also gathering data on how visitors interacted with the installations. Velonaki and her team recorded data of how more than 28,000 people interacted with their robotic statue. Their work gives us a glimpse into how robots can make an emotional connection to engage humans…
… Read More → "What roboticists can learn from art, and what artists can learn from robots (video)"
Haikus to Mars may sound like the title of a 1950s sci-fi B movie, but that’s what NASA is asking for. The space agency is inviting the public to submit haikus to be recorded on a DVD that will be carried by the unmanned Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) spacecraft, which is scheduled to launch in November.
The submission call is part of the Going to Mars Campaign … Read More → "NASA wants public to send haikus to Mars"
This is a video from laser lover (and possible balloon hater) Scott Stevenson popping 100 balloon with a powerful burning purple laser.
via Geekologie
… Read More → "Powerful burning laser pops 100 Balloons SUPER FAST"
