MIT has recently developed technology that could soon end up in cars that could recharge in seconds. But for some designers, quick recharging isn’t the only way electric cars could be promoted. Designers like Nicolas Stone believe solar energy is the future and car manufacturers should sooner or later venture in designs that generate their own fuel with on-board systems.

Thus, Stone has come up with a new family car designed for Hyundai dubbed the Hyundai 2020. The small car is aimed at a small family of four. Inspired by plants, the car generates fuel for itself using nothing more than sunlight and water, the two fuels for plants to carry out their natural processes.

The transparent solar cells that the car is equipped with generate electricity from ambient light, which is afterwards used to carry out electrolysis of water finally generating hydrogen, which fuels the car. The only by-product of the car engine will be clean potable water and breathable oxygen. Utilizing a new energy model, the vehicle uses the electricity to stimulate a central water tank, splitting the water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen gets stored in special reserve tanks, while the oxygen gets expelled into the air as exhaust. So, no emissions, since this cute little car functions exactly like a plant, being powered by an artificial system of photosynthesis.

The sleek, mono-volume design allows for optimal interior space and utility. Special design features also include layered body panels, unique headlight/side mirror units, and offset seating to allow elbow room for all occupants.

The overall design of the car looks pleasing and the technology used by Nicholas ensures a pleasant ride. However, splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen and then storing hydrogen in an on-board tank seems a complicated and risky mechanism, not to mention the cost of incorporating this technology in a small car. But since this is just a concept for now, we have to wait and see what happens next.

Source

Originally posted 2009-06-29 07:29:52.

Popularity: 2% [?]

A company known as Woot has come out with a pocket breathalyzer that doubles as a keychain. This is good for those times when you don’t know if you should be driving or not. This little device comes in two-packs for $9.99, but has the potential to save you hundreds, or thousands, of dollars in fines and legal fees from DUIs. It is estimated that the average DUI costs $10,000 by the time you pay bail, fines, fees and insurance, even if you didn’t hit anything or hurt anybody. In tough times like these, saving $10,000 can be crucial. A DUI can also effect your chances of getting a job if the employer does a criminal background check. According to Woot’s website, the features of the “Protocol” keychain breathalyzer are as follows:

• Aids in the detection of alcohol intoxication
• Measures the amount of alcohol on your breath
• Oxidized semiconductor measures blood alcohol content (BAC) in seconds
• Blow onto the sensor for at least 3 seconds and it will report if your BAC is low (less than .05%), borderline (.05% to .08%), or legally intoxicated (greater than .08%)
• Accurate for at least 400 tests or 1 year from the first use
• LED flashlight finds keyholes in dark parking lots, streets and garages
• Convenient timer, counting up or down, great to measure time on parking meters and garages
• Compact breathalyzer is lightweight and sports a keychain for easy transport
• Operates on 2 AAA batteries (not included)
• FDA approved

You can order your own on Woot’s website.

Originally posted 2009-04-07 10:35:47.

Popularity: 1% [?]

In what could be a harbinger of the future, elementary-school students in Tokyo are being taught by a robot.

Saya is the result of 15 years of research and is being tested as a teacher after working as a receptionist.

She — or it — is multilingual, can organize set tasks for pupils, call the roll and get angry when the kids misbehave.

Saya is just one example of Japan’s determination to put a robot in every home by 2015.

The robot was originally developed for companies who want to cut costs by replacing office workers such as secretaries and receptionists with an android that had a range of human expressions

Source

Originally posted 2009-03-12 07:13:38.

Popularity: 1% [?]