To keep all of the ones and zeros in line when transmitting digital audio you need a really accurate clock, and no clock is more accurate than an atomic one. So a company called Antelope Audio is introducing the first digital preamp for high-end audio systems that uses an atomic ticker.

Antelope says that the clock in their Rubicon preamp is 100,000 times more stable than the quartz crystal clocks used in most … Read More → "High-end audio goes atomic with the Antelope Audio digital preamp"

A few of the 10,000 G4S private security guards hired to police the London Olympics have been videoed while illegally harassing photographers who were taking pictures of the Olympic site from public land. In the video, the guards make lunges for the press-cameras, put their hands over lenses, and make inaccurate statements about whether and where images may be taken of the site. Scotland Yard had previously assured the National Union of Journalists that the private security at the Olympics had been trained on the legality of taking images from public land.

They were totally wrong.< … Read More → "Private security at London Olympic site illegally harasses photographers shooting from public land"

The Open Source Hardware Association was recently announced and a familiar face is leading this monumental effort, Alicia Gibb. You may recall her from the Open Hardware summit (co-chair) as well as Bug Labs. The following is an interview via email with Alicia, the president of OSHWA.
via Make Magazine

Read the interview here 

NASA has re-created what the astronauts on Apollo 8 saw as the earth rose over the horizon of the moon. The animation is overlaid with the actual radio transmissions from Apollo 8 when they were taking the photos. It’s very interesting to hear what the astronauts said as they viewed that site for the first time in human history. via SlashGear

Read More → "NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter lets you watch Earthrise"

Release your creativity and get a good workout at the same time with Drawing Machine #1 byJoseph Griffiths.
via Make Magazine

More here

While the overall efficiency of conventional silicon solar cells has continued to improve in recent years, the technology faces a natural theoretical limit at around 33%. This is because the laws of physics prevent the cells from absorbing photons below a certain energy level, meaning that this low-energy light cannot be converted into electricity and is simply lost. Now researchers have found a way join two energy-poor red photons to form a single energy-rich yellow photon, allowing the harvesting of this part of the spectrum currently unused by single p-n junction crystalline silicon solar … Read More → "“Photochemical upconversion” could allow conventional solar cells to break 40% efficiency"

A recent tear down of the Chevrolet Volt reveals the surprising complexity of this extended range electric vehicle. UBM Tech Insights took apart the car’s battery and charging system to identify the components of each, and it’s making at least some of its results, including photos, available for free here.

It’s been clear for a long time that the Volt is a complicated car. GM prefers to call it “advanced.” To a skeptic, all that complexity means … Read More → "Teardown reveals the remarkable complexity of Chevrolet’s Volt"

Entering their final phase of retirement, there’s been a flurry of activity with the Space Shuttles these past few days. First, Discovery was flown to Washington, D.C. where it was enshrined by the Smithsonian. In doing so, it took the place of the Enterprise — which was technically the first Shuttle ever built. Though it never went to space, Enterprise will take its first ride since arriving … Read More → "Space Shuttle Enterprise prepares for first and last flight since 1985"

Life is a constant balancing act, especially if you’re a tightrope walker. The best athletes make treading a circus high wire or a low-hanging slackline look effortless, but they’re actually juggling complex challenges of perception and motor control. Now researchers have constructed a mathematical explanation of how such nimble acrobats remain upright. Their calculations point to a theoretical “sweet spot,” or … Read More → "How to become an expert tightrope walker"

Lawn-mowing season is upon us, and if you’d rather not spend your free time this summer keeping your yard in check, let the LawnBott SpyderEvo ($1,725) do it for you.
via uncrate

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