No matter what you’re into, I think it’s pretty safe to say controlled chemistry experiements that involve explosions are cool. As it turns out, they’re not only cool to watch, but can be pretty cool to listen to as well. At least, when you line them up the right way. More »
Sure, explosions in cinema are great—they propel cars over otherwise impassable chasms and give heroes something to resolutely walk away from. In real life, explosions of any appreciable size are terrifyingly deadly. This is what really happens when you’re too close to the blast. More »
The Dark Knight Rises was pretty incredible for many reasons. But one of the most jaw-dropping bits was when Bane blew-up an American football stadium right at the start of a game. Here’s how they actually did it. More »
The Coast Guard reports that an oil platform 17 miles southeast of Grand Isle, Louisiana owned by the Houston-based firm Black Elk Energy caught fire this morning. According to the latest report, Two crewmembers are dead, four are in critical condition, and the Coast Guard is still looking for two who are missing. A total of 11 crew were airlifted and are in medical care. While it’s impossible not to think immediately of 2010’s Deep Water Horizon disaster, it looks like this tragedy won’t lead to an environmental catastrophe. More »
In a warehouse in New Jersey, some messy, weird stuff went down. There was an explosion, but not just any explosion: a counterfeit ketchup explosion. No, nobody was trying to sabotage the illicit shipment, there’s some science behind it. More »
Though it looks like a weapon from a generic machines vs man sci-fi movie, the Mine Kafon is actually a genius landmine clearer. Designed by Massoud Hassani, all you have to do is push the tentacle ball into a field of landmines and it can trigger mines to safely explode. More »
A massive explosion, bro. That’s what you get. If you want to fast forward to the good parts, I’d suggest starting somewhere around 3:45. Though to be honest, hearing Professor Roy Lowry of Plymouth talk about the explosive potential of liquid nitrogen in its gaseous state is pretty damn interesting. [YouTube via Neatorama] More »
When you want to cool a can of soda (or beer) quickly, what do you do? Stick it in the freezer! Wait a little bit and then boom, bang, icy deliciousness. We all do this. We don’t expect the can to explode in our face and cut us up until we need 38 stitches like this poor boy in China. More »
If you thought your make-up’s UV protection was good, how about face paint that can withstand the intense heat of a bomb blast? US researchers have created a camouflage face paint that may soon be used by soldiers and firemen to shield them from extreme heat. More »
Starting next month, around one thousand frontline personnel in Afghanistan will begin testing the Soldier Body Unit, a sensor kit for recording the effects of explosions on the human body. While that’s not the most pleasant of subjects, the blast sensors have been rushed out to collect as much data as possible before soldiers head home in 2014. The US Army’s Rapid Equipping Force and the Georgia Tech Research Institute, which developed the sensors, hope to gather info on concussions and traumatic brain injuries to improve aftercare. This will also be used at source to stop super-soldiers heading back out after a concussion and increasing the probability of an even worse injury. Further sensors will be carried on military vehicles, to help measure the effects of IED blasts on passengers. Adding two pounds in extra equipment probably won’t make the Soldier Body Unit too popular, but it’s thought the kit could weigh in at half a pound once it’s been refined.
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
US soldiers to wear blast sensors in Afghanistan, collect shock data originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 07:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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