New SUSTAIN wind-wave research center creates roaring indoor hurricanes

Scientific curiosity around how air interacts with the ocean in the event of powerful storms has inspired a number of wind-emulating facilities around the world, from a high-speed wind-wave tank at Kyoto University to the Hydrodynamics Laboratory at Imperial College London. But just as hurricane season kicks off in the US, a team at the University of Miami is looking to step things up a notch. A freshly built indoor tank designed to study category five storms is now open for business, and as the only one of its kind in the world, is hoped to offer a new understanding of these destructive superstorms.

.. Continue Reading New SUSTAIN wind-wave research center creates roaring indoor hurricanes

Section: Science

Tags:

• Climate Change
• University of Miami
• Wind
• Ocean
• Tropical Storms
• Hurricane

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Amazon Picking Challenge aimed at improving warehouse robotics

One of the biggest events at the recent 2015 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) in Seattle was the first Amazon Picking Challenge, in which 31 teams from around the world competed for US$26,000 in prizes. The challenge set entrants with the real-world task of building a robot that can do the same job as an Amazon stock picker.

.. Continue Reading Amazon Picking Challenge aimed at improving warehouse robotics

Section: Robotics

Tags:

• Challenge
• Amazon
• Robots
• Robotics

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MIT physicists build world's first fermion microscope

MIT researchers claim to have created a method to better observe fermions – the sub-atomic building blocks of matter – by constructing a microscope capable of viewing them in groups of a thousand at a time. A laser technique is used to herd the fermions into a viewing area and then freeze them in place so all of the captured particles can be imaged simultaneously.

.. Continue Reading MIT physicists build world's first fermion microscope

Section: Science

Tags:

• Quantum Mechanics
• Bosons
• Fermions
• Microscopes
• MIT
• Laser

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Tough robots keep working even after losing limbs

While robots can be designed to be faster or stronger than animals, it's rare to meet a robot that's as resilient as an animal in the wild after it's been injured. Animals adapt to survive and researchers from France and the US are developing robots that can keep working even after receiving major damage.

.. Continue Reading Tough robots keep working even after losing limbs

Section: Robotics

Tags:

• University of Wyoming
• Robots
• Biomimicry

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LightSail probe back on line

The Planetary Society's LightSail CubeSat has phoned home. After being "paused" a over a week ago due to a software error, the Society reports that the solar sail technology demonstrator has now rebooted itself.

.. Continue Reading LightSail probe back on line

Section: Space

Tags:

• Spacecraft
• Solar Sail
• Planetary Society

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Highlights from the ICRA 2015 robotics conference in Seattle

The city of Seattle saw a robotic population explosion this week as the 2015 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) descended on the Washington State Convention Center. The IEEE Robotics and Automation Society’s flagship conference ran the gamut of all things robotic, from showcases of new technology to forums on government policies as they relate to robotics. Here's our look at the highlights.

.. Continue Reading Highlights from the ICRA 2015 robotics conference in Seattle

Section: Robotics

Tags:

• ICRA
• Seattle
• Robots

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Solar Impulse takes off on longest leg of round-the-world flight

With Swiss pilot André Borschberg at the controls, the solar-powered, single-pilot Solar Impulse 2 airplane took off from Nanjing Lukou Airport in China today bound for Hawaii on the longest leg of its round-the-world flight. But this isn't just a major leg of the Solar Impulse 2 solar-powered circumnavigation, it is also an attempt at the longest duration flight ever by a solo pilot in any type of aircraft.

.. Continue Reading Solar Impulse takes off on longest leg of round-the-world flight

Section: Aircraft

Tags:

• Solar Impulse 2
• Solar Powered
• Aircraft

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• Solar-powered airplane completes trans-America flight

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Review: Jawbone UP Move fitness tracker

The Jawbone UP Move is an entry-level fitness tracker which can monitor daily activity and sleep, and is priced to allow everyone in on the fitness tracking action. However, as part of the Jawbone UP family, can it offer more than its spec sheet suggests? Gizmag recently spent a bit of time with the diminutive tracker to find out.

.. Continue Reading Review: Jawbone UP Move fitness tracker

Section: Good Thinking

Tags:

• Wearable
• Fitness
• wearable electronics

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Project Jacquard hands-on: Google's crazy/brilliant idea to make touchscreen clothing

This year's Google I/O gave us Android M, updated Google Cardboard, along with free and unlimited photo storage. But it wouldn't be Google if there weren't also some moonshots in there. We go hands-on with one of them, Project Jacquard.

.. Continue Reading Project Jacquard hands-on: Google's crazy/brilliant idea to make touchscreen clothing

Section: Good Thinking

Tags:

• Clothing
• Clothes
• Google I/O 2015
• Smart Fabric
• Google

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EarthCruiser FX 4x4 expedition vehicle rolls far off the beaten track

The EarthRoamer XV-HD wasn't the only all-new earth-shaking expedition vehicle at this year's Overland Expo West. Similarly named competitor EarthCruiser showed the FX, a new simpler, lower-priced Mitsubishi Fuso-based expedition truck with fixed roof.

.. Continue Reading EarthCruiser FX 4x4 expedition vehicle rolls far off the beaten track

Section: Outdoors

Tags:

• Off-grid
• Travel
• Campervan
• Outdoor
• Off-road
• Camping
• Expedition
• Overland Expo

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Lightweight High-Energy Liquid Laser (HELLADS) prepared for live fire tests

A high-power laser weapon light enough to be carried by tactical aircraft has moved out of the laboratory and onto the testing ground. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems' High-Energy Liquid Laser Defense System (HELLADS) has finished its US Government Acceptance Test Procedure and is on its way to the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico for live-fire tests.

.. Continue Reading Lightweight High-Energy Liquid Laser (HELLADS) prepared for live fire tests

Section: Military

Tags:

• General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
• DARPA
• Laser weapon

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Audi's R8 e-tron electric sports car now drives itself

Revealed at this year's Geneva Motor Show, the Audi R8 e-tron is already a technological tour de force. Its combination of battery-powered range and speed is equalled only by the Tesla Model S. At the inaugural CES Asia show, Audi made the R8 e-tron even more high-tech, rolling its autonomous driving suite into the electric coupe. The R8 e-tron piloted driving concept can unleash 456-hp worth of performance on the street ... without a driver stepping on the pedal.

.. Continue Reading Audi's R8 e-tron electric sports car now drives itself

Section: Automotive

Tags:

• Audi
• Autonomous
• Self-Driving
• Concept Cars

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Terapio autonomous robot designed to replace medical carts

Doctors and nurses in Japan – or in other countries, for that matter – may soon have some robotic company when making their rounds. That's because researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology are developing an omnidirectional robot named Terapio, that's designed to take the place of a traditional medical cart.

.. Continue Reading Terapio autonomous robot designed to replace medical carts

Section: Robotics

Tags:

• Autonomous
• Automation
• Assistant
• Toyohashi University of Technology

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TE Connectivity 3D-prints first functioning motorcycle

Unveiled at Rapid 2015 in Long Beach, California, TE Connectivity’s exercise in 3D printing demonstrates the ability to design a motorcycle on a computer, print it in plastic, add tires and a motor, then take it for a spin. In fact it may take a little more than that to actually end up with a complete functioning motorcycle; nonetheless, the concept is nothing short of exciting.

.. Continue Reading TE Connectivity 3D-prints first functioning motorcycle

Section: Motorcycles

Tags:

• 3D Printing

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Solavore camping oven cooks and bakes with the power of the sun

Most of the equipment we saw at Overland Expo came in large, XL and XXXL sizes, but there were also a few interesting accessories on show. The Solavore Sport oven is a simple cooking device that transforms the sun's rays into baking and slow-cooking heat.

.. Continue Reading Solavore camping oven cooks and bakes with the power of the sun

Section: Outdoors

Tags:

• Solar Powered
• Outdoor
• Cooking
• Camping
• Oven
• Overland Expo

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Ding bike light uses two beams to shine down and out

When cycling at night, it's important not just to be seen from the front and back but also from the sides. In order to make that happen, bicycle lighting systems typically either add dedicated side lights or they divert part of the main headlight beam. The Ding headlight, however, puts out one beam that shines forward, along with a second one that lights up the road directly to either side of the bike.

.. Continue Reading Ding bike light uses two beams to shine down and out

Section: Bicycles

Tags:

• Kickstarter
• Safety
• Cycling
• bike lights

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Dual-driver M4U 4 earphones promise perfect listening room audio experience

For its first foray into a crowded earphone space, PSB Speakers is aiming straight for the audiophile jugular with a combination of hybrid dual-drivers and its own Roomfeel technology. When the source audio signal reaches each M4U 4 in-ear monitor, the lower frequencies are directed to a dynamic driver while the higher end head for a balanced armature driver. This hybrid system has allowed the company's designers to add back the acoustic signature of a typical listening room for greater space and true-to-life presentation of recorded music.

.. Continue Reading Dual-driver M4U 4 earphones promise perfect listening room audio experience

Section: Music

Tags:

• High-resolution
• Digital music
• Audiophile
• Audio
• Earphones

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Smartphone and tablet could be used for cheap, portable medical biosensing

As mobile technology progresses, we're seeing more and more examples of low-cost diagnostic systems being created for use in developing nations and remote locations. One of the latest incorporates little more than a smartphone, tablet, polarizer and box to test body fluid samples for diseases such as arthritis, cystic fibrosis and acute pancreatitis.

.. Continue Reading Smartphone and tablet could be used for cheap, portable medical biosensing

Section: Science

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World's largest hotel proposed for Mecca

Host to millions of Muslim pilgrims each year, the holy city of Mecca is a lucrative location for hoteliers. Architecture conglomerate Dar Al-Handasah aims to capitalize on this by building the world's largest hotel in the city. Dubbed Abraj Kudai, it's reportedly due to open its doors in 2017.

.. Continue Reading World's largest hotel proposed for Mecca

Section: Architecture

Tags:

• Building and Construction
• Hotel
• World's Largest

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Room-in-a-Box cardboard bedroom pops up in 30 minutes

Our Paper Life's new Room in a Box idea is aimed at minimizing the time and cost required to furnish a room. Each kit contains pieces that slot together without the need for tools or glue to create furniture for an entire bedroom. What's more, it only takes 30 minutes to put together.

.. Continue Reading Room-in-a-Box cardboard bedroom pops up in 30 minutes

Section: Around The Home

Tags:

• Indiegogo
• Cheap
• Cardboard
• Furniture

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Study suggests adults can be trained to develop "perfect pitch"

Music gets so much easier when you instinctively know all the notes. But being able to reliably identify or reproduce a pitch without error is rare. If you're not born with perfect pitch, prior studies suggest, your only hope of getting it is to receive musical training at a critical period in your childhood. New research at the University of Chicago suggests otherwise, however. Perfect pitch might be attainable well into adulthood.

.. Continue Reading Study suggests adults can be trained to develop "perfect pitch"

Section: Music

Tags:

• Pitch
• Memory
• Learning
• University of Chicago

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MIT teaches robots to be better at building together

From leaping over obstacles to pulling objects thousands of times their own weight, robots are great at many things. What they're not so good at is working as an autonomous team in an unfamiliar setting – until now, that is. A team of researchers from MIT has developed an algorithm that streamlines the way robots collaborate on construction tasks, significantly cutting down planning time.

.. Continue Reading MIT teaches robots to be better at building together

Section: Robotics

Tags:

• MIT
• Cooperation
• Construction

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Paleisbrug pedestrian bridge doubles as park in the sky

A new bridge in the Netherlands is designed to do more than get people from A to B. The Paleisbrug, in the city of 's-Hertogenbosch, is a raised park, pedestrian bridge and cycle-link all in one. Designed by Benthem Crouwel Architects, the bridge joins the city center with its newly-developed Paleiskwartier district, which is home to the city's court building, university buildings, homes and offices.

.. Continue Reading Paleisbrug pedestrian bridge doubles as park in the sky

Section: Architecture

Tags:

• Public Space
• Bridge

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Zaha Hadid completes stainless steel-clad facility at Oxford University

Zaha Hadid Architects has completed work on a striking new £11 million (US$17 million) addition to the Middle East Centre at St Antony’s College, University of Oxford. Contrasting markedly with nearby Brutalist and Victorian architecture, the modernist Investcorp Building is clad in stainless steel and sees the architect's distinctive flowing style used to great effect.

.. Continue Reading Zaha Hadid completes stainless steel-clad facility at Oxford University

Section: Architecture

Tags:

• Building and Construction
• Education
• Zaha Hadid
• Oxford University

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Lomography launches the New Petzval 58 Bokeh Control Art Lens

Following hot on the heels of its LC-A Minitar-1 Art Lens, Lomography is back with another decidedly quirky new lens. Launching on Kickstarter, the New Petzval 58 Bokeh Control Art Lens is a follow-up to the wonderfully bizarre New Petzval lens and this time offers a 58-mm focal length, along with the ability to control the level of the photographer-dividing swirly bokeh it creates.

.. Continue Reading Lomography launches the New Petzval 58 Bokeh Control Art Lens

Section: Digital Cameras

Tags:

• Kickstarter
• Lomography
• Lens
• Lenses
• Photography

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