Tag: Science

The Perpetual Clock

Atmos clock

 

 

 

 

When I fist read the description on how this worked I was totally amazed. The clocks never need winding by hand because the mechanism is powered by a difference in temperature. A variance of a degree between 15-30 C is enough to cause a liquid (ethyl chloride) in a sealed container to expand or contract and in turn wind a spring with a ratchet. The clocks are exquisitely made and are fairly rare. If you find on, even a non working one you can expect to pay over $2,000 US for it. I find the concept of a temperature driven clock fascinating. I can’t help but wonder if the dynamic properties of ethyl chloride could be used in other projects.

THE ATMOS CLOCK PAGE

Wikipedia – The Atmos Clock 

DIY – Breakfast Styrofoam Glider

Styrofoam glider project

After you’ve gorged yourself on a fast food breakfast grab a hobby knife and get cutting! Go build this glider and run off your breakfast in the park. It’s easy, fun, and it recycles something that would normally be chucked in the trash.

DIY – Build a Glider from a Fastfood Container

Radioactive Venom May Cure Cancer

Radioactive scorpionThis will either cure the cancer or give the patients super human abilities. OK, I realize that the radioactive part is an iodine tracer used to see where the venom is going in the body but the idea is cool. In a comic book sort of way.

The study showed that a synthetic version of a protein found in the venom of giant yellow Israeli scorpions targeted tumor cells but did not harm the healthy cells of brain cancer patients.

Look forward to a whole new crop of bad comic book references in the near future:

Other researchers are investigating whether a protein in snake venom can stop bleeding and whether Gila monster venom can treat diabetes. They also have developed a painkiller based on the venom of a deadly sea snail.

That’s right, he has the powers of the deadly sea snail! Yeah, Spiderman is quaking in his boots now.

[via slashdot] 

Venom protein may lead to brain cancer cure

The Horizon Hydrogen Powered Car

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Toys 

Science should be fun. It’s just that simple. When you hear people talking about alternative fuel sources you are sure to hear the H word but just how can a lighter than air gas make a car move? Well it’s all because of fuel cells. What’s a fuel cell you ask? I guess your rock isn’t in a free wifi zone is it. Fuel cells convert hydrogen an oxygen (typical stuff that powers a fuel cell, but just about anything rich in hydrocarbons will do, like gasoline for example) into electricity by passing them across or through a material that produces electrons when these two gasses hit it. So what could be more fun than having on that runs a car? It comes with an water cracker to make the O2 and H for the car and instructions. If your looking for a fuel cell to play with this would be where to start.

HORIZONFUEL CELL