The future keeps peaking its head around the corner. This week, we have jetpacks, quantum teleportation, swarmbots and more.
1. Automotive Aerodynamics Simulation
Researchers at Hokkaido University and RIKEN AICS created a supercomputer program that simulates air flow and resistance around a moving car with a precision equivalent to wind tunnel tests. See the video here.
2. Floating Nature Preserve
A floating nature preserve called Sea Trees gives both ocean and land animals a safe harbour. The concept was designed by Dutch architect Koen Olthius, founder of Waterstudio, a firm concerned with dwellings that exist in harmony with rising sea levels.
Sea Trees takes inspiration from oil platforms. Beneath the water, the lower levels support fish, oysters, and coral; above the water line, the park supports mammals and birds. "Our inspiration came from a project in Holland where ecologists forced us to provide habitats for animals that couldn't be disturbed by people," Olthius told FastCoExist.
3. Glow Table
Designer Mike Warren posted a how-to video that explains how to inlay the natural voids in woods with glow-in-the-dark resin. The process was introduced by industrial designer Mat Brown, but for a tutorial of how to make your own Glow Table, click on the link.
4. 3-Story Tent
Tent maker Tentsile is known for its hammock-like suspended tents. Now, they have a three-story contraption that literally takes camping to a new level. The Vista has three levels: a roof, a mesh layer and a floor. The tent, which makes a perfect treehouse, weighs a scant 19 pounds and measures 10x10x24 inches.
5. Swarm Bots
The National Museum of Mathematics in New York City opened its new Robot Swarm exhibit this week. Visitors stand atop a transparent floor and interact with the robots below. At kiosks, people can ask the swarm to execute five types of behaviour. The exhibit is open until Dec. 14.
6. Jetman over Dubai
Yves “Jetman” Rossy soared over Dubai, dancing mid-air with a helicopter, an airplane and a fellow winged companion. See the video here.
7. Water Purification
Panasonic researcher Daisuke Ino showed off its new water purification system at the Eco-Products 2014 exhibition in Tokyo. The device removes harmful heavy metals such as arsenic and chromium from water to make it drinkable.
8. Stocking Stuffers. Not.
The new Martin Logan Neolith electrostatic speakers are 74.8 inches tall and weigh 385 pounds. The volume peaks at 107 decibels with very little distortion. I like them because they're red. At US$80,000 per pair, however, I'll have to stick with my earbuds.
9. Quantum Teleportation
In a record-breaking experiment this week, scientists were able to instantly send the quantum state of a light particle - that is, the direction it was spinning - 15.5 miles across an optical fibre. These crystals captured and stored the quantum information at the end of the so-called teleportation.
10. Gold-Plated Bike
British luxury goods company Goldgenie, have developed a bike plated in 24-carat gold. And if gold is not glitzy enough, you can order it with diamonds. Only US$400,000. Heck, order two.
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