Hasta La Gadget!

One of the major issues with embedded medical devices is the lack of flexibility in existing electronics. Fortunately, researchers at the McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University have developed a new material that can create electronic components capable of stretching to 200 percent of their original size. One of the major obstacles was how stretchable electronics with solid metal parts suffered substantial drops in conductivity but this solution involves a pliable three-dimensional structure made from polymers with ‘pores’. These are then filled with liquid metal which can adjust to substantial size and shape changes, all while maintaining strong conductivity. We’ve embedded a very brief video of the new stretchable material going up against existing solutions — it’s right after the break.

Continue reading Researchers create ‘rubber-band electronics’ material, capable of stretching up to 200 percent (video)

Researchers create ‘rubber-band electronics’ material, capable of stretching up to 200 percent (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Jul 2012 05:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Despite the abundance of cables and wires in the gadget world, there is still an underwhelming number of devices associated with tentacled animals. The figures should at least be whelming. That’s why we should all welcome the PowerSquid Surge Protector: Calamari Edition. I’m sure some of you are ordering it right now based on its name alone.

In case its marvelous name didn’t clue you in, this is the flagship model of Flexity, LLC. The PowerSquid has 2160 Joules of surge protection and a 15 Amp breaker switch. Flexity is so confident in the abilities of the PowerSquid it comes with a $75,000 (USD) equipment warranty alongside a lifetime warranty on the surge protector itself. As you can see it has six grounded outlets, two of which light up to make it easier to find the outlets in the dark. There are also cable and Ethernet ports at the rear near the 6′ power cord.

If the thought of your gadgets getting fried by electricity makes you squirt ink, check out the PowerSquid Surge Protector: Calamari Edition. You can get it for $60(USD) on its official website. Now that I think about it, a calamari is fried squid. Maybe it’s not such a good name after all.

[via Fab]

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Best Buy has had a rather tumultuous year. So it perhaps comes as no surprise to hear, from the Wall Street Journal, that its founder Richard Schulze is planning to try and take the company private. More »

How many times have you left your home, only to come running through the front door to check if the alarm has been set or if all of your appliances have been unplugged? Unfortunately, it’s part of being human to be forgetful. One solution? Fully automating your home.