Jul 25
Plants grown and sustain themselves through photosynthesis—a seemingly invisible process that converts sunlight into energy. Now, NASA scientists have developed a way to measure photosynthesis from satellites with unprecedented detail.
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Jul 24
Did you know that eight of every ten kids born today won’t experience a night sky dark enough to see the Milky Way? We’re living in an age when light pollution is making stars a rarity—and not just in cities. Paul Bogard, the author of a new book on darkness, even goes so far as to describe it as a natural resource.
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Jul 22
Belkin WeMo Light Switch arrives for 21st-century WiFi alternative to The Clapper
Posted in: Today's ChiliBack in January during CES 2013, Belkin revealed their latest WeMo product for home automation. The WeMo Light Switch allows users to remotely control the lighting in their house over WiFi via their smartphone or tablet. Finally, the new product is available today and is ready to take on The Clapper as the ultimate automated light switch device.
The WeMo Light Switch can control more than one light, though, so you can control a whole host of lights in your house through your mobile device, and you don’t even have to be connected to WiFi — the accompanying app and the light switch can talk over a data connection as well.
As for all the neat stuff that the WeMo Light Switch can do, there’s obviously the basic turning on/off the lights in your home through the mobile app, but you can also set schedules for turning them on and off, which is perfect when you’re on vacation and want it to look like there’s someone home in order to prevent burglaries.
The switch can also turn on and off lights automatically based on the sunrise and sunset, and you can even integrate Belkin’s WeMo products with IFTTT (which just recently released an iOS app), for things such as sending you a text whenever the switch is activated.
Belkin says the light switch can be “easily” installed into your existing electrical wiring setup in your house, so it doesn’t seem like there’s a whole lot preparation work you need to. Although you may need to call up a trusty electrician if your electrical and wiring skills aren’t up to snuff. In any case, the WeMo Light Switch is available now for $49 at several retailers.
Belkin WeMo Light Switch arrives for 21st-century WiFi alternative to The Clapper is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Jul 11
We’ve seen LEDs, OLEDs and even frickin’ lasers used in automotive lighting, but Audi‘s just cranked things up a notch with the world’s first 3D OLED tail lights. The prototype system was developed in collaboration with Philips, Merck and the University of Cologne, and the research was funded by the German government. What’s 3D OLED about, exactly? It’s the application of OLEDs to curved glass surfaces, which enables complex shapes with multiple layers and transparency. For the project, Philips invented new manufacturing techniques to produce OLEDs on formed glass using wet chemistry, and Audi then designed tail lights for a TT Roadster to validate the technology. While there’s no word yet on the longevity or efficiency, we figure it’s only a matter of time until 3D OLED lighting comes to production vehicles.
Filed under: Transportation
Source: OLED Display, OLED Info
Jun 30
New methods for producing color holographic video are here, and they could lead to cheaper, higher res and more energy efficient TVs. Daniel Smalley, a researcher at MIT, built a holographic display with about the same resolution as a standard-definition TV, which is able to depict motion because it updates its image 30 times a second. The display is run by an optical chip that Smalley made in his lab for about $10.
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Jun 15
LEGO Star Wars Boba Fett Keylight
Posted in: Today's Chili
Boba Fett is one notorious bounty hunter in the world of Star Wars, and you could say that he has slain lesser Jedi in his time with his array of devices, pretty much in the same way that his “father” did. Well, having said that, some folks do root for the bad guy, and Boba Fett with his daddy issues and hatred for the Jedi seems to be the perfect poster boy for everything that could go wrong when growing up, does. If you are a huge fan of this bounty hunter, then the $13.99 LEGO Star Wars Boba Fett Keylight would make the perfect addition to your bedside table.
I am quite sure that bounty hunters would treat monsters under the bed as well as those hiding in the closet the same way that they would do to aliens from different star systems, since there isn’t much difference in terms of physical looks between one and the other, no? Not only that, Fett is always hungry to pull the trigger on his laser blaster, and in order to help him (and you) see the things that go bump in the night better, Fett’s feet will light up whenever you press his chest.
[ LEGO Star Wars Boba Fett Keylight copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Jun 10
Ever wanted to make your stuff light up and blink? Well the guys at BlinkyTape have got you covered.
BlnkyTape is a tube which comes in one-meter-long strips, each embedded with 60 independently controllable RGB LEDs. Each strip has a built-in controller circuit, and can be programmed and powered via a micro-USB connector.
The flexible tape can by bent, so it can be used in a wide variety of applications. In addition, it’s encased in weatherproof silicone, so you can use it outdoors too. Just be sure to protect the USB connector at the end, since it’s not sealed. Too bad you can’t daisy-chain them though – could you imagine the holiday display you could make with this stuff? Guess you could always buy one of those 24-port USB hubs.
BlinkyTape is currently raising funds for production over on Kickstarter for just a couple more days (through June 12), where you can get in on the action for as little as $60(USD).
[via Boing Boing]
Jun 09
Many years ago – it seems like a lifetime – I used to be a theatrical lighting designer. Even though I’m not in the business any more, I’m always on the lookout for cool lighting fixtures. While digging through the recesses of Etsy, I came across a unique series of lamps from artist Roger Gano of Golden Heart Illuminations.
My personal favorite is his red and gold Dream Weaver origami table lamp shown here. The fixture has two main components. The globe is handmade from 120 interlocking origami components, constructed from translucent parchment paper held together with shoji paper and Japanese Nori glue. The base of the lamp is constructed from veneered MDF formed into a wavelike shape, and then strung with thread. The spines of the lamp are textured with sand and eight coats of acrylic paint, infused with iridescent mica particles. The finished lamp base is reminiscent of the structural composition of a suspension bridge.
It’s really a spectacular design, and definitely something your friends won’t already have in their homes. The lamp shown here is selling for $365(USD), but Golden Heart Illuminations has many other lamps, including ceiling floor and table lamps ranging in price from $55 all the way up to $825.
Jun 05
When you walk your pet at night, it’s safe to say that it’s pretty easy to lose track of it, especially when it’s black (like mine). That’s one of the reasons why I really like these superbright LED collars. It ensures that your pet is clearly visible and you won’t lose it.
From the guys behind the HALO belt and HALO messenger bag, the HALO MINI is a quality illuminated pet collar that uses HALO’s patented illumination process. It’s designed to last for a long time and stands out in bright neon colors. The collar is supposed to be made out of higher quality materials than others currently on the market as well.
The project was launched through Kickstarter, and will be raising funds until July 26. It’s already surpassed its fundraising goal, so will definitely be going into production. You’ll have to pledge at least $29(USD) to get yours.
May 26
You already know that graphene can be used to make transistors, solar cells and even Sennheiser-quality cans. But if you think that’s about as cool as the carbon material can get, listen to this: It can also be used to make ultrashort-pulse lasers. According to scientists from a smattering of institutions, the atomic-scale chickenwire material has the ability to absorb light effectively — much like a sponge — over a broad range of wavelengths. It can then release the light it absorbs in quick bursts that last a few femtoseconds each (with one femtosecond lasting one millionth of one billionth of a second), which is what ultrashort-pulse lasers do. With graphene as a component instead of traditional materials, scientists could develop a laser as small as a pencil that’s immune to thermal damage typically caused by intense beams. The finished product, if ever someone actually concocts one, could be applied across a variety of fields — everything from pollution monitoring to medicine. For those unafraid of technobabble, there’s plenty more in the source link.
[Image credit: Michaelpkk, Wikimedia]
Source: Nature
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