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SmartSwitch Saves Energy Usage
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Science,
Curb your partners/spouses, kids, and neighbors’ bad habits of wasting energy. Peter Russo and Brendan Wypich of Stanford University have created a SmartSwitch. The prototype doesn’t keep anyone from turning one on, but if it is done too often the flipping is more difficult. The device provides tactile feedback with a network connection and brake pad. The SmartSwitch fits into a standard electrical box and can be used for a home or an entire community, unless they have secretly purchased a Clapper.
Read More 
| Core 77
Gallery: SmartSwitch Saves Energy Usage
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We told you last week about NASA looking for help naming their new Node 3 module, and if you are into “The Colbert Report” you undoubtedly heard that he dissed the names that they came up with, Earthrise, Legacy, Serenity and Venture.
“Those aren’t space modules, those are organic teas,” Colbert said. “But you know what name would look fantastic on the side of that module? Colbert!”
Since the airing of that episode, the comic has gotten over 30,000 votes, second to the top name “Serenity” and beating out “Xenu,” Scientology’s galactic ruler. But you have to love the idea that perhaps if we all vote enough, we may see the name “Colbert” painted on the side. You have until March 20 to contribute to the count.
Read More | Live Science
Gallery: Vote “Colbert” as Node 3 Name
Scientists from the Universities of York and Warwick feel that they have found a way to make a virtual reality device that can simulate all five senses. The NAU VR Cocoon is composed of a headset with electronics and computer capability more realistic than any made so far. While most of them that have been made concentrate only on sight and sound, this one adds the other three senses as well.
Professor David Howard said, “Smell will be generated electronically via a new technique being pioneered by a team at Warwick which will deliver a pre-determined smell recipe on-demand. Taste and smell are closely linked but we intend to provide a texture sensation relating to something being in the mouth. Tactile devices will provide touch.”
Having been exposed to Smellavision and simulators that make you feel like you are in space, we are not sure we are ready to take that next step as we find that too much virtual reality can make us nauseous.
Read More | i-Cocoon via Tech Radar
Gallery: VR Cocoon Simulates 5 Senses
It seems that an asteroid flew by our planet Monday and very few knew about it at the time. It was about 115 feet wide (about the size of a 10 story building) and came within about 45,000 miles, twice the distance of the highest satellites. Astronomers knew that DD45 was coming but figured there was no collision risk and didn’t make a big deal about it. We suppose that is so that those of us who watch sci-fi movies wouldn’t panic, but experts say that should one that size strike, it would have the impact of 1,000 bombs like the one that hit Hiroshima.
Read More | MSNBC
Gallery: Huge Asteroid Misses Earth
NASA would like you to come up with a name for their new Node 3 and cupola, which houses a robotic workstation to control that giant arm. They prefer something along the lines of Unity or Harmony and, by the same token, would prefer you not name it something too common. Vote for your choice in their poll or suggest your own before March 20. The name will be announced in April and Endeavor will delivering “Fred” this December.
Read More | Nasa
Gallery: Help NASA Choose Node 3 Name
Social Networking Damaging to Kids’ Brains?
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Internet, Science,
Baroness Susan Greenfield, an Oxford University neuroscientist, claims that social network sites may be creating a self-centered generation with a short attention span. She also says that they may be damaging to teens’ brains.
She said, “As a consequence, the mid-21st century mind might almost be infantilized, characterized by short attention spans, sensationalism, inability to empathize and a shaky sense of identity.”
However, one study claims that using text abbreviations could boost literacy skills since kids between the ages of 10 to 12 who texted were found to be the best readers. We wonder how many of those kids use the same language in their book reports.
Read More | Daily Mail
Gallery: Social Networking Damaging to Kids’ Brains?
Dr. Zhong Lin Wang of Georgia University’s Nano Research Group built some tiny flexible jackets equipped with wires and plugged hamsters in while they were running in their wheels. She found that one rodent could produce a tiny amount of AC power equal to 1/20 of an AA battery output. That means it would take about 1,000 of the little critters to generate enough power for a mobile phone. Dr. Wang believes that the same technology could be fitted into clothes within about 5 years for larger animals and humans. But gee, maybe she should consult Ed Begley Jr., who spends 10 minutes on his pedal-powered generator each morning to make toast, before entrepreneurs decide to set up animal sweatshops.
Read More | Telegraph
Gallery: Harnessed Hamster Produces Energy
Can you go without power for one hour? Can you live without the telly, computer, radio or microwave for 60 minutes? That’s exactly why Earth Hour was created. This year, over 500 cities in 75 countries have committed, twice the number that participated last year. The idea originated in Sydney, Australia two years ago with 2.2 million homes and businesses showing their concern about global warming. Check the site to see if your city is on the list and be prepared for blackout March 28, 8:30 p.m.
Read More | Earth Hour
Gallery: Participate in Earth Hour
FAST Offers Free Zero-Gravity Experience
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Science, Transportation,
Listen up, space freaks. NASA will give you a free flight in zero-gravity at the Johnson Space Center in Houston if you can come up with technology that may have potential use in their FAST (Facilitated Access to the Space Environment for Technology) projects. Individuals, schools, government agencies and U.S. companies are welcome to apply. Get your proposal in by March 20 and you could be one of the 20 selected. Oh, and remember to bring a barf bag.
Read More | NASA FAST
Gallery: FAST Offers Free Zero-Gravity Experience
The Comet C/2007 N3, also known as Lulin, was discovered in July of 2007. If you would like to take a peek at it, now is the time. It can be seen with binoculars if the sky is clear and there are reports that some have seen it without them. If you have a telescope you might get to see its tail and antitail. Lumin will be closest to the earth February 24. Hit the link if you want more details, like where it can be spotted in your area. And after reading that, go outside and look for it!
Read More | Sky & Telescope
