Science For Lovers


With birth rates low, the Japanese government is looking to get into the match making game and at the same time get people interested in science. the new magazine ‘Science Walker’ will be added as an insert in the popular magazine ‘Tokyo Walker‘ (translated version here). The idea is that the science insert will give young couples more things to talk about. I don’t know if it will work but what do they have to lose? I know that if my girlfriend asked me what photosynthesis was or if I read about the latest JAXA mission was, I’d be out looking for a ring the next day.

[via Boingboing

Gov’t hopes free science magazine will add chemistry to young lovers’ dates – MSN-Mainichi Daily News

3D Image Projector With Frickin Lasers

3d display made with lasers 

A research firm in Japan has "developed a device that uses lasers to project real three-dimensional images in mid-air." Sounds cool, but that’s not all. It does this by exploding the air forming a brilliant white plasma. Oh yeah, now it’s mega cool!

At the demonstration, bursts of laser light were emitted 100 times per second to form shapes in the air up to 50 cm above the device. Heat from the laser caused the air to expand, producing a crackling sound that resembled a series of tiny explosions.

[via Engadget and ReBlog

AIST develops 3D image projector

Stormtrooper in Yokohama

Stormtrooper in Yokohama

Master Gundam model hobbyist Danny Choo shows us that an Imperial Stormtrooper is just your average salaryman. He bought a set of ‘Trooper armor (and had to do quite a re-fit on it due to poor workmanship apparently) and decided to wear it around the streets of Tokyo and Yokohama. Amazing how many people have camera phones there, he would draw quite a crowd of onlookers. And as always, kids dig the blaster. Make sure that you see his videos of the train ride and Yokohama station and also in the streets of Akihabara – I can’t think of a better place to shop for the latest in Thermal Detonators than good old Electric Town.

Stormtrooper in Yokohama at dannychoo.com

More Japanese Robots

 

This is worth reading. The integration of robots into society is best seen in Japan. I don’t know exactly what the cause is but whatever it is, it could be the way of the future.

Kiyomori surely catches people’s eyes but is it something worthwhile to talk about when there are already other humanoid robots that can stand on two feet?

we make money not art: Whatever You Imagine, Including Kiyomori

Perfect Pinhole Camera System

Perfect Pinhole Camera

I wish I could find more information on this item. All I know is that it’s a pinhole camera system that includes variable focal lengths (wide, normal, telephoto) by using different length bodies, multiple slide in pinholes (0.2/0.25/0.3/0.35/0.4 mm) to give it different F stops, comes with different shutters (bulb and a timed one that looks like it’s a gravity shutter), and that it takes 120 film.
The site the mini review is on is kind of odd, it’s one of those little niche Japanese bars that has a certain twist on their business. Its called "Camera & Bar Antiquary". Cameras and booze, sounds like a cool place to hang out at. Good drink and walls of high quality photos. Stop by and have a drink and talk about your hobby with fellow patrons. I need to find one of those here.. or open my own. Hum…

Perfect Pinhole Camera System

Disgruntled Robot Kills Factory Manager

Killer robots! 

It’s started, the robots are beginning to rebel. Well, maybe just the ones that are given the opportunity to kill their masters. Lesson one when working around industrial robots: never enter the operating envelope when there is power to the system! This guy did and he got biffed in the head, chucked him a few yards and killed him.

Disgruntled Robot Kills Factory Manager