Eclectic junk from the four corners of the ‘Net. And pictures too!
A few years ago a good friend of mine gave me a large pile of rather odd drinks from the local Asian market. So I figured that while I try to drink them I’d write down my first impressions and make some reviews. Most of these can be found in your local area is your look hard enough. I’ll be posting some new reviews soon, I’m off to Thailand in a little bit. I hope the ‘ol gullet is up to the local brews…
This is cool, stereo photos taken from the air by using R/C airplanes.
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.
Ah, a dream I’ve had for years… Remote controlled steam powered machines toy. They still use a battery to power the electronics (no generator on board) but it’s quite amazing to see the steam tank clamber over a block of wood.
As part of a Jules Verne celebration in France (back in November ’05), a 30 foot tall robotic elephant was constructed. The ears, head and trunk move about an will even spray water on the crowd as it walks (yes walks) down the street. You have got to see the video to believe it! The event called Royal de Luxe also had some other Verne inspired images like the moon capsule that was fired out of a giant canon, giant marionettes, more images can be seen here. I’m wondering how this totally missed me until now, it’s a stunning display of engineering magic.
[via Red Ferret]
For years I have been fascinated by shock wave photos (Schlieren effect). This is an outstanding article on how new techniques are helping scientists understand the dynamics of everything from explosives to how materials are processed.
[via Netorama]
American Scientist Online – High-speed Imaging of Shock Waves, Explosions and Gunshots