Category: Technology

The Bamboo and Carbon Fiber Bike Frame

Bamboo bike frame
I got a comment on my post about bike frames made of bamboo today and figured it was worth of a new post

The bike is made from Bamboo that has been smoked and heat treated to prevent splitting. Lugs are available in carbon fiber or hemp fiber, for the all-natural look. The chainstays are available in carbon fiber for extra stiffness in the drivetrain.

As Sean says they are working on the paper and epoxy versions. I’m sure he is joking but hey, he knows his Gibson! If I were in the market for a bike and I wanted something that was light weight and strong but I didn’t want full carbon fiber I’d choose bamboo hands down. The stuff is strong as hell and looks great.

CalfeeDesign

STEREO Grabs First 3-D Images of the Sun

Our sun in 3DBreak out the 3D glasses because the big brains at NASA have done it again!

NASA’s Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO) satellites have provided the first three-dimensional images of the sun. For the first time, scientists will be able to see structures in the sun’s atmosphere in three dimensions. The new view will greatly aid scientists’ ability to understand solar physics and there by improve space weather forecasting.

These are some of the best 3D astro images I have ever seen. For an even bigger treat download some of the videos. Seeing the mass ejections and sunspots with real depth is astounding.

Sun in 3d

Handheld Terahertz Device Wins Prize

Handheld 'T-ray' device earns first ever lamelson-Rensselaer student prizeI for one can’t wait to get a terahertz dev kit. How much fun could you have with that? I’m talking real X-Ray Specs!

Schulkin’s “Mini-Z” is dramatically smaller and lighter than any previous terahertz device, and it already has proven its ability to detect cracks in space shuttle foam, image tumors in breast tissue, and spot counterfeit watermarks on paper currency. The system, which weighs less than five pounds and fits snugly in a briefcase, could open the door to a wide range of applications in homeland security, biomedical imaging, and nondestructive testing of industrial components.

Campus.News: Online News for the Rensselaer Community – Handheld “T-ray” Device Earns First-Ever Lemelson-Rensselaer Student Prize

3D Video Blogging the Next Big Thing?


Ok kids, grab your anaglyph (red/green) glasses and see if you think that this might be the ‘next big thing’ to hit the ‘Net.
What you are about to see is the product of two DV camcorders, a firewire interface and some nifty software. The nifty software is ‘Stereo Movie Maker’ and it’s free and quite handy for making all thing moving and stereo. The firewire cards and DV camcorders, well your on your own getting your hands on those. By the use of red/green glasses a 3D stereo effect is achieved. The sudden inclusion of depth in the moving image and impressive to say the least. I just wish there were more people doing this out there on the Interweb. You can see more examples of 3D vlogging on RogerTube’s YouTube page or better yet, go visit his web page for even more theory and application of this very interesting method. Enjoy!

The Sharp eMobile EM-ONE, Super Phone from Japan

Sharp EM-ONE eMobile PhoneGahh! I wish the data network here in America were as advanced as the ones in Japan. 3.6mb/s? That’s better than what I get on my cable modem at my home.

March 31st is going to bring some major changes when eMobile brings it’s unlimited high-speed (3.6mbps HSPDA) service for a flat monthly rate of ¥4980 ($43). The current mobile data leader Willcom offers a flat-rate service of 128kbps for ¥9000 ($77). As Gerhard points out, eMobiles service is 30 times the speed at half the price. Below is an exclusive look at eMobile’s EM-ONE PDA which will work with the new data service and has wi-fi, digital tv, a 4.1 inch Sharp display, a camera, and Windows Mobile 5.0.

YOu have to check the full article out, this is one hell of a phone.

Trends in Japan – Tokyo Blog » A look at eMobile, the EM-ONE, and the coming upheaval in Japan

Micro Wind Turbines

Mini wind turbinesIn urban settings many times it just isn’t practical to install wind turbines in order to harness the energy of the wind. The buildings may not be able to support a large generator or it might be that there just isn’t enough wind. Strange as that sounds, wind turbines won’t work if the wind is too slow. The blades won’t turn. Simple as that. They need at least 20mph winds to be any good. What is an eco conscious urban dweller to do?
The Motorwind might be an answer to some of your power needs. It’s a bank of turbine blades (apx 10" in dia) that are geared together that will generate power in winds of only 7mph (4m/s). That’s a light breeze, just a 3 on the Beaufort scale, and is pretty common. You should be able to get that from just the convection currents coming off from all the cement in the car park next to your office. With one of these Motorwind turbine setups you can charge batteries and power devices directly or with an AC inverter. All in all a good way to get some work out of a nice spring breeze.

The picture below is of the first micro-turbine array set up in Hong Kong. It includes 40 turbines, which has daily production capacity of 960W/h with average wind speeds of 5.5 m/s. This installation was made in November, 2006, and is large enough to power all of the lights in the apartment below.

[via neat-o-rama]
MotorWave