Sunday 24 April 2011
Cool stuff guaranteed to impress geeks!
Science comes up with a lot of awesome stuff, and you don't need a Ph.D, a secret lab, or government funding to get your hands on some of the coolest discoveries. This list is guaranteed to blow your mind, whether or not you're a science geek.
Aerogel
Also known as frozen smoke, Aerogel is the world's lowest density solid, clocking in at 96% air. It's basically just a gel made from silicon, except all the liquid has been taken out and replaced with gas instead. If you hold a small piece in your hand, it's practically impossible to either see or feel, but if you poke it, it's like styrofoam.
Aerogel isn't just neat, it's useful. It supports up to 4,000 times its own weight and can apparently withstand a direct blast from two pounds of dynamite. It's also the best insulator in existence, which is why we don't have Aerogel jackets: it works so well that people were complaining about overheating on Mt. Everest.
Eco sphere
Inside these sealed glass balls live shrimp, algae, and bacteria, all swimming around in filtered seawater. Put it somewhere with some light, and this little ecosystem will chug along happily for years, no feeding or cleaning necessary, totally oblivious to the fact that the rest of the world exists outside.
EcoSpheres came out of research looking at ways to develop self-contained ecosystems for long duration space travel. They're like little microcosms for the entire world, man. But ask yourself: are we the shrimp, or the algae?
Gömböc
The Gömböc is a self-righting object, which means that no matter which way you put it down, it stands itself back up. It's like a Weeble, except it doesn't cheat by having a weight at the bottom, and it's the only shape that can do this.
The existence of a shape with these properties was conjectured in 1995, but it took ten years for someone to figure out how to actually make one that worked. And then everyone was embarrassed when it turned out that turtles had evolved this same basic shape in their shells a long time ago, to make it easier for them to roll themselves back over if they get flipped.
Gallium
Gallium is a silvery metal with atomic number 31. It's used in semiconductors and LEDs, but the cool thing about it is its melting point, which is only about 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If you hold a solid gallium crystal in your hand, your body heat will cause it to slowly melt into a silvery metallic puddle. Pour it into a dish, and it freezes back into a solid.
While you probably shouldn't lick your fingers after playing with it, gallium isn't toxic and won't make you crazy like mercury does. And if you get tired of it, you can melt it onto glass and make yourself a mirror.
Ferrofluid
Magnetic particles suspended in oil never looked so sexy. That's all a ferrofluid is, and it looks pretty gross until you put it in close proximity to a magnet, at which point it grows spikes all over the place as the fluid flows out along magnetic force lines.
Ferrofluids are found in everything from speakers to hard drives, but it's much more fun to play with when when you've got a puddle of it naked and out in the open.
Aerogel
Also known as frozen smoke, Aerogel is the world's lowest density solid, clocking in at 96% air. It's basically just a gel made from silicon, except all the liquid has been taken out and replaced with gas instead. If you hold a small piece in your hand, it's practically impossible to either see or feel, but if you poke it, it's like styrofoam.
Aerogel isn't just neat, it's useful. It supports up to 4,000 times its own weight and can apparently withstand a direct blast from two pounds of dynamite. It's also the best insulator in existence, which is why we don't have Aerogel jackets: it works so well that people were complaining about overheating on Mt. Everest.
Eco sphere
Inside these sealed glass balls live shrimp, algae, and bacteria, all swimming around in filtered seawater. Put it somewhere with some light, and this little ecosystem will chug along happily for years, no feeding or cleaning necessary, totally oblivious to the fact that the rest of the world exists outside.
EcoSpheres came out of research looking at ways to develop self-contained ecosystems for long duration space travel. They're like little microcosms for the entire world, man. But ask yourself: are we the shrimp, or the algae?
Gömböc
The Gömböc is a self-righting object, which means that no matter which way you put it down, it stands itself back up. It's like a Weeble, except it doesn't cheat by having a weight at the bottom, and it's the only shape that can do this.
The existence of a shape with these properties was conjectured in 1995, but it took ten years for someone to figure out how to actually make one that worked. And then everyone was embarrassed when it turned out that turtles had evolved this same basic shape in their shells a long time ago, to make it easier for them to roll themselves back over if they get flipped.
Gallium
Gallium is a silvery metal with atomic number 31. It's used in semiconductors and LEDs, but the cool thing about it is its melting point, which is only about 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If you hold a solid gallium crystal in your hand, your body heat will cause it to slowly melt into a silvery metallic puddle. Pour it into a dish, and it freezes back into a solid.
While you probably shouldn't lick your fingers after playing with it, gallium isn't toxic and won't make you crazy like mercury does. And if you get tired of it, you can melt it onto glass and make yourself a mirror.
Ferrofluid
Magnetic particles suspended in oil never looked so sexy. That's all a ferrofluid is, and it looks pretty gross until you put it in close proximity to a magnet, at which point it grows spikes all over the place as the fluid flows out along magnetic force lines.
Ferrofluids are found in everything from speakers to hard drives, but it's much more fun to play with when when you've got a puddle of it naked and out in the open.
CaféMap for iPhone Quickly and Easily Maps Nearest Coffee Houses
CaféMap for iPhone/iPad shows nearby coffee shops (Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, etc.) on an interactive map, featuring the top 15 coffee chains. Whether you’re looking for a place to meet someone, need to kill time before your next meeting, or just want some coffee, CaféMap finds nearby coffee shops fast.
To ensure you have enough change when you get there make sure you start saving in Spinning Hat's new Coffee Fund Money Box
Get your fix!
Favorite art prints this month!
A collection of my favorite art prints May 2011.
“Cactus Bunny” Art Print by Joe Ledbetter
The second entry in Joe Ledbetter’s “Mutant Bunny” series just came out yesterday. Visit JoeLedbetter.com.
New Art Prints from Delicious Design League
In addition to a number of new concert posters, Delicious Design League just put a few awesome art prints up for sale. Visit DeliciousDesignLeague.com.
Mario Art Prints by Proton Factories
I don’t know why, but I really love these art prints by Proton Factories. The first version of Mario sold out, but you can still score the blue variant.
Godmachine’s Sonisphere Print
Godmachine created an amazing art print for this year’s Sonisphere Festival.
“Cactus Bunny” Art Print by Joe Ledbetter
The second entry in Joe Ledbetter’s “Mutant Bunny” series just came out yesterday. Visit JoeLedbetter.com.
New Art Prints from Delicious Design League
In addition to a number of new concert posters, Delicious Design League just put a few awesome art prints up for sale. Visit DeliciousDesignLeague.com.
Mario Art Prints by Proton Factories
I don’t know why, but I really love these art prints by Proton Factories. The first version of Mario sold out, but you can still score the blue variant.
Godmachine’s Sonisphere Print
Godmachine created an amazing art print for this year’s Sonisphere Festival.
Horribly Funny Mistakes by Famous Brands!
Although brands are meant to be renowned and famous there are some drawbacks to fame. When you are on top of the ladder, you are the center of attraction. Therefore, each and every step of famous brands is under immense scrutiny. Especially, if they make any mistake, it is graciously exposed and hyped by people and media. So when you’re a famous brand, it’s hard to get away with errors.
Lately, I came across few horrible mistakes committed by famous brands in their marketing and advertising campaigns. Call them grammatical mistakes or simple blunders, these promotion errors are horribly funny and hilarious to read.
KFC
The KFC slogan ‘finger-lickin’ good’ on a Chinese campaign became “eat your fingers off”.
Pepsi
Pepsi’s marketing campaign slogan in Taiwan translated “Come Alive with the Pepsi Generation” to “Pepsi will bring your ancestors back from the dead.”
Coors light
Coors the American brewer’s slogan “Turn It Loose” came out in Spanish as “Get Diarrhea”.
Ford
The Ford ‘Pinto’ translates to ‘Small Penis’ in Brazil.
Tom Kelly-Lord
Spinning Hat
You can share this blog with your friends by using the grey share icons just below.
Lately, I came across few horrible mistakes committed by famous brands in their marketing and advertising campaigns. Call them grammatical mistakes or simple blunders, these promotion errors are horribly funny and hilarious to read.
KFC
The KFC slogan ‘finger-lickin’ good’ on a Chinese campaign became “eat your fingers off”.
Pepsi
Pepsi’s marketing campaign slogan in Taiwan translated “Come Alive with the Pepsi Generation” to “Pepsi will bring your ancestors back from the dead.”
Coors light
Coors the American brewer’s slogan “Turn It Loose” came out in Spanish as “Get Diarrhea”.
Ford
The Ford ‘Pinto’ translates to ‘Small Penis’ in Brazil.
Tom Kelly-Lord
Spinning Hat
You can share this blog with your friends by using the grey share icons just below.
Sunday 3 April 2011
I Wonder how she got the part?
Little known Adrianne Palicki shows why she was picked as the new Wonder Woman.
The 27 year old actress, similar looking Katy Perry, has plenty of skin on show in this new TV series.
The NBC re-make also stars Liz Hurley, as a millionaire villain Veronica Cale.
Lynda Carter who starred in the 1970s show has given the OK to Adrianne, and I second that vote.
The 27 year old actress, similar looking Katy Perry, has plenty of skin on show in this new TV series.
The NBC re-make also stars Liz Hurley, as a millionaire villain Veronica Cale.
Lynda Carter who starred in the 1970s show has given the OK to Adrianne, and I second that vote.
Portable N64
Not on the market but some geniuses around the world have produced home made portable N64's!
This would be a great way to kill time commuting, wish they were on the market. I may set myself a little side project and make one myself.
This reworked Nintendo 64 painstakingly assembled by a modder named "Marshall" is one of the best looking DIY portable consoles we've ever seen.
Benjamin Heckendorn, apparently got busay on this pocketable N64 system he somehow wrangled into a custom enclosure.
If you're tempted to have a go yourself, check out this video. It might help give you an idea of what you're in for!
This would be a great way to kill time commuting, wish they were on the market. I may set myself a little side project and make one myself.
This reworked Nintendo 64 painstakingly assembled by a modder named "Marshall" is one of the best looking DIY portable consoles we've ever seen.
Benjamin Heckendorn, apparently got busay on this pocketable N64 system he somehow wrangled into a custom enclosure.
If you're tempted to have a go yourself, check out this video. It might help give you an idea of what you're in for!
Easter Egg trail
Easter Weekend in 2011 sees the return once again of the ever-popular Easter Egg Trails. For the fourth year running, Cadbury are supporting National Trust and the National Trust for Scotland to bring the magic back to Easter with traditional fun and games for all the family in beautiful surroundings at over 250 locations across the UK.
Every Trail experience is different and brings the magic of Easter via unique Trails and a differing range of games and activities, all of which the whole family can enjoy.
Cadbury will bring additional magic to the Trails over the Easter weekend depending on the location of the Trail. To help you choose the right Trail for your family this Easter they are classified by four types, each shown on the map with a different symbol, so please make sure you view the property information to understand everything that is happening each day.
Happy Hunting!
Creative cushion covers
A collection of beautiful artwork from the leading illustrators, graphic designers and artists printed onto cushions to liven up your living room. Make your sofa happy!
Caremelaw
MrGo
Pokedstudio
Lunartik Jones
CandyBird
Check out of some of our fun and playful pillow cases - Pop Pillows - Pillow Fight
Tom Kelly-Lord
Spinning Hat
You can share this blog with your friends by using the grey share icons just below.
Caremelaw
MrGo
Pokedstudio
Lunartik Jones
CandyBird
Check out of some of our fun and playful pillow cases - Pop Pillows - Pillow Fight
Tom Kelly-Lord
Spinning Hat
You can share this blog with your friends by using the grey share icons just below.
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