Man Creates A Spider-man Web-Shooter

If you’ve watched any of the Spider-Man movies released in the last decade and thought it would be awesome to actually be Spider-Man, you’re definitely not alone in the universe. I’d say it’s probably a fair bet that most all of us have wanted to be the web-slinger at some point in our lives. Who wouldn’t want to be able to use webbing to swing from building to building and be able to climb up whatever wall stood in front of us? And of course there’s the whole crime-fighting thing too somewhere in the mix. And did I mention Mary Jane Watson? (Or, Gwen Stacie if she’s more your type). I don’t think many of us would turn down an opportunity to get to be Spider-Man.

While a large number of kids want to be Spider-Man, some adults even endeavor to be the wall-crawler. Take Patrick Priebe for example – when he couldn’t find a radioactive spider to bite him, he just decided to forego superpowers and created his own web-shooting device. Except that it doesn’t really shoot “webs” per se. And you can’t swing around town with it. But, apart from that, it’s the next best thing to actually being Spidey.

As you can see from the image above, that glove looks awfully similar to Spider-Man’s glove. Here’s the difference: while Spidey can shoot actual webs from his wrist, Patrick’s invention uses a laser targeting system to launch an electromagnetic harpoon. And, once the harpoon hits its target it can be called back to the wrist, bringing back whatever has been grappled.

Like I said – while you won’t be swinging through Manhattan, it’s about the closest you’ll get to shooting webs from your wrist without the use of silly string.

Watch A Spider-man Web-Shooter video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xXp0XQYJAT4

New Vulnerability in Internet Explorer Found!

Internet Explorer users, listen up, and very carefully, too! Over the weekend, Microsoft announced that a new vulnerability has been found, one that affects each and every version of Internet Explorer. The attacks that have been noted particularly target Internet Explorer 9, 10, and 11, although all the other versions are also vulnerable. That’s around 55 percent of the browsers out there!

What happens is that the attack can corrupt data after an event such as a user being lured to a phony   website. According to Microsoft Security Advisory 2963983:

The vulnerability is a remote code execution vulnerability. The vulnerability exists in the way that Internet Explorer accesses an object in memory that has been deleted or has not been properly allocated. The vulnerability may corrupt memory in a way that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user within Internet Explorer. An attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit this vulnerability through Internet Explorer and then convince a user to view the website.

Of course, upon discovery of the new vulnerability, Microsoft has been rushing to fix the bug. In the same Security Advisory, Microsoft declares that this “may include providing a solution through our monthly security update release process, or an out-of-cycle security update, depending on customer needs”.
Needless to say, users who are still on Windows XP will not be receiving any help on this matter. One simple fix for these users? Use another Internet browser.
On the bright side, individual users may not have that much to worry about as it seems that the attacks are being carried out against U.S.-based firms which are in the defense and financial sectors, this is according to FireEye spokesman Vitor De Souza.
Still, one cannot be too careful when it comes to online security, and you never know just what the hackers might have in the pipeline. There’s no word yet as to when a fix will be released, but with such a serious bug, Microsoft should be rather fast with this.

Nod's Ring

Nod Labs on Tuesday jumped into the wearable tech market with a ring device that's designed to serve as a universal controller.

Featuring Broadcom Bluetooth Smart and Nexus-Trellis software, Nod's namesake wearable input device is designed to offer touchless interaction with set-top boxes and other connected home devices without the need for remotes or cameras. The device detects spatial motion with more than 0.1mm accuracy and can personalize content based on a user's proximity and identity, the company said.

Phones, tablets, Google Glass, watches, home appliances, TVs and computers are among the devices with which Nod can interact, as are Bluetooth/WiFi enabled bulbs, Nest thermostats and more.

"Nod's technology aims to eliminate the archaic ways we interact with our home technology," said Anush Elangovan, CEO of Nod Labs. "By integrating with Broadcom's Bluetooth SoC and Trellis application framework, we are able to offer an intuitive new way for consumers to control their favorite TV and video content via a set-top box, as well as other connected home devices including smoke alarms, light bulbs and more."

Build Your Own Smartphone Using A Raspberry Pi

How would you like to be the owner of a touchscreen smartphone that is unlike any other? – Well you can be, just build your own! That’s what David Hunt did, using his Raspberry Pi and a few other bits that came to a total cost of $158. That is slightly cheaper than your average smartphone but is it as good?

Well clearly it’s not as sophisticated as most handsets but it is one of the only smartphones that comes with an Ethernet jack, RCA Output and a full-sized HDMI port. Included in the build costs is a PiTFT display, 2500mAh lithium-polymer battery, GSM/GPRS radio module and antenna, DC-DC voltage convertor and the Raspberry Pi of course.

“As you can see from the cost of the components, you’d be FAR better off going into your local phone store and picking up a normal smartphone, but hey, where’s the fun in that?” Hunt wrote on his blog. “I got a great kick out of the first phone call I made with this thing. And it won’t stay in one piece for long, I’ll be using those parts for other projects very soon!”

When switched on with the black toggle switch the PiPhone boots into the Raspbian operating system and then displays a numeric keypad. Hunt admits that “you wouldn’t actually use it in the real world”, especially because it gets rather hot and the battery likely only lasts a couple of hours, not to mention the rather bulky, ugly appearance.

But if you fancy giving this a go yourself then keep an eye out on GitHub, as Hunt has promised to release the code for his project if enough requests come in.

Check out the video below of the PiPhone making a call!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8eaiNsFhtI8

Glow in The Dark Highway

couple of years ago, back in 2012, there was a concept that was created by a Dutch designer Dan Roosegaarde, which suggested that glow in the dark road markings should be used in place of street lights.

The goal was to create the roads to be more interactive whilst at the same time help to cut down on the amount of electricity, resources and Carbon footprint that is required to maintain street lighting.  This was especially meant for long stretches of highway.

The concept has moved on from that stage and is now in testing. Currently one of Netherlands’ highways, the N329 highway, located in Oss, has replaced its street lighting with glow in the dark road markings that stretch for a length of 500m.

The glow in the dark markings have been created using a photo-luminescent powder which has been integrated into the road paint and has then been painted onto the roads.  Road construction company, Heijmans, in conjuction with Studio Roosegaarde, undertook this unusual work. The long term goal is to eventually add more areas as well as to include technology such as weather markings, such snow drops, that would illuminate once a certain temperature is reached. Unfortunately, as with most new and fresh ideas involving the infrastructure of certain countries, due to the lack of contracts, expansion of this plan is still ‘on hold’

Giant 3D Printers Make 10 Houses Per Day

3D printing technology has moved forward in leaps and bounds of late.  There has been really interesting creations in the fashion world, the medical field, technology and other realms.  But I did not imagine that the housing industry was something that was going to have a big involvement in 3D technology.

Recently, a Chinese company has created giant 3D printers, which are capable of constructing 10 full-sized, detached single-storey houses in a single day’s workload.  Now that’s impressive.

WinSun is a private firm that have used four 10m x 6.6m printers to apply a mixture of cement and construction waste to build the walls, layer by layer, just like a 3D printer.  The cost of these houses is incredibly cheap, as the buildings are finished using recycled materials and the process does not require any labour costs. Each one of these houses can be printed for only £3,000.  WinSun’s CEO, Ma Yihe said,  “We purchased parts for the printer overseas, and assembled the machine in a factory in Suzhou…Such a new type of 3D-printed structure is environment-friendly and cost-effective.”
He hopes the printers can be used to fabricate skyscrapers in the future and he has plans to build an entire villa using the same processes.  The company is also intending to make 100 recycling facilities across China to help keep up with the demand that it will generate. China has also announced that the first 3D printed housing project will be located in Qingdao.

As I mentioned earlier, 3D printing is moving forward quickly, with the ability to produce a huge range of things from everyday items such as mobile phone cases and furniture to more advanced items such tailor made medical healing braces. Could this possibly be the future of the construction industry? As always, if you would like to leave a sensible comment, then please do so in the comments section below.

Nissan Uses Nano Technology to Create Self-cleaning Cars

Superhydrophobic coating is an awesome material.  It has been around for a while now, but the nano coating is being used sparingly, it seems, in marketed products.  It looks as though members of the motor industry are willing to give the concept of applying a Superhydrophobic coating to a vehicle a try.   Car manufacturer Nissan, has been working with Ultra-Every Dry, one of the companies behind nano-coating, to test the product on the new Nissan Note.

Nissan has not gone into any actual details in the press release they have issued, about how the layer of nano material is applied to the vehicle.  All they have said is that there is a layer of Superhydrophobic coating on top of the paint of the car.

Ultra-Ever Dry has actually been tested on lots of different surfaces, including clothing and outdoor materials, such as camping equipment.  There are strong warnings about applying it to clothing though, as it is going to be worn directly onto the skin.  There are different firms who provide Superhydrophobic coatings, such as Rustoleum Never Wet, which can be bought at the local hardware store can achieve a similar results.

Nissan has not said how long the coating will last or even what they plan to do when the coating does actually wear off.  The concept is very impressive to say the least.  As you know, if you drive a car, it does get dirty.  I drive a seven seater and have two small children, so I know that a car can get really filthy, both inside and out. Any help in the cleaning department is going to be a big bonus.  Now all we need is a proper coating of all internal materials inside the car and I, for one am sold on the idea.
As always, if you would like to leave a sensible comment, then please do so in the comments section below.



 

Micron introduces terabyte SSD using 20nm flash

Micron Technology has announced a terabyte solid state drive (SSD) which it claims will have quick boot-up and will draw as little as 0.15W during normal operation.

The NAND flash drive has a speed of up to 95,000 input/output operations per second. The drive’s sequential speeds reach up to 550Mbyte/s for reads and 500Mbyte/s writes, which maxes out the capabilities of the SATA 6 Gb/s interface.

Dubbed the Crucial brand the M550 2.5-inch SSD is offered in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB capacities.

The flash devices are 20nm multilevel cell (MLC) NAND. The M550 integrates Marvell’s 88SS9189 SSD controller.

The smaller M.2 and mSATA form factors will be available later this year, in capacities up to 512Gbyte.

Manchester contract for Square Kilometre Array

Adaptive Array Systems of Cheadle, Manchester has been awarded a contract by the University of Manchester to provide design concepts for optical network termination and transmission equipment for the international Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope, the world’s largest and most sensitive radio telescope.

An optical fibre network will form the backbone of the SKA telescope’s antenna array.

“We are very pleased and excited to be involved with such a prestigious international project as the SKA; our proximity to Manchester and Jodrell Bank Observatory provides us with the opportunity to interact very closely with the project team during this phase of the design,” said Chris Shenton, CEO and founder of AASL.

“The government has demonstrated its commitment to the SKA and we feel privileged to be contributing to such a significant scientific advancement,” said Shenton.

According to the head of the University of Manchester SKA team, Keith Grainge, this is a critical phase of the project.
“AASL will be helping us to generate conceptual solutions to the challenging task of transporting the vast quantities of data that will be generated by the SKA telescope,” said Grainge.

AASL will provide concepts and support to the University’s Signal and Data Transport group (SADT) during the concept generation phase of the SADT subsystem design. The tasks involve mapping the telescope system requirements to potential technical solutions, and subsequently generating high-level concept architectures for the telescope data networks and interfaces.

Nanotube bonding could cut heat in ICs

Heat extraction from ICs can be improved by bonding carbon nanotubes to the thermal interfaces.

It is already known that carbon nanotubes have high lengthwise thermal conductivity, and that a ‘brush’ made of nanotubes pressed against a metal surface can make a good thermal interface.

Researchers at the US Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory claim to have developed a technique to increase six-fold the flow of heat from metal to carbon nanotubes.

“The thermal conductivity of carbon nanotubes exceeds that of diamond or any other natural material but because carbon nanotubes are so chemically stable, their chemical interactions with most other materials are relatively weak, which makes for high thermal interface resistance,” said Berkeley Lab physicist Frank Ogletree. “We’ve developed covalent bond pathways that work for oxide-forming metals, such as aluminum and silicon, and for more noble metals, such as gold and copper.”

In both cases the mechanical adhesion improved so that surface bonds were strong enough to pull a carbon nanotube array off of its growth substrate and significantly improve the transport of heat across the interface.
The technique is done through gas vapour or liquid chemistry at low temperatures, making it suitable for the manufacturing of computer chips, said the lab.

The reactive reactive molecules used to bridge the nanotube-metal interface are aminopropyl-trialkoxy-silane for oxide-forming metals, and cysteamine for noble metals.

In the research, originally prompted by a request from Intel, vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays were grown on silicon wafers.

Separately, thin films of aluminium or gold were evaporated on glass, then ‘functionalised’, and allowed to bond with the nanotube arrays.

The majority of the nanotubes within the array may still fail to connect with the metal, said the Berkeley team, which is developing a way to improve the density of carbon nanotube-metal contacts.

It said the technique should also be applicable to single and multi-layer graphene.

The work is described in a Nature Communications paper: “Enhanced thermal transport at covalently functionalized carbon nanotube array interfaces.”

The New Reversible USB Cable

Thanks to some pre-production artist renderings from Foxconn, we can get a first glimpse at what the new USB reversible standard could look like.

Named “Type-C”, the new cable is a similar size to a microUSB and will replace USB 3 cables completely, at both ends. By the look of the artist impressions, the new Type-C is not too dissimilar to Apple’s Lightning cable.

The opening is just 8.3mm wide and 2.5mm tall and is reported to transfer up to 10Gbps, which is around twice the speed commonly found with a USB 3.0.

The design is still subject to change but is expected to be finalized by July 2014. But once shipping gets under way, the new design USB is going to be far more convenient and will be an end to the frustration of making sure cables are inserted the right way up.

Kolibree Smart Toothbrush

Kolibree is a smart electric toothbrush, which was unveiled at the International CES back in January this year.  The makers of the smart product have now just launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise finance for mass production and worldwide distribution.

We all seem to interconnect most of our devices and accounts these days, from exercise apps and music to social media and geo-tagging whereabouts we are on holiday.  Do we really want to connect our dental hygiene and app?  If we are brushing our teeth wrong maybe we do; apparently 90 percent of people are not correctly brushing their teeth.

We shouldn’t skip parts of our dental routine to save a few minutes; we should all have a higher standard of dental hygiene. The Kolibree smart electric toothbrush contains sensors to track how long we’re brushing our teeth and whether or not we are getting to all the four quadrants of our mouth.  The smart brush then sends this information to an accompanying app for iPhone, iPad and Android devices.

A really clever marketing feature with the Kolibree app is that will feature games for kids and it has the option of playing music or videos to keep adults entertained while they’re brushing their teeth. The app can even keep track of multiple Kolibree brushes.  This is so parents can monitor their kids’ brushing habits and also the kids can engage in a healthy bit of sibling rivalry; they can compete against each other to see who is brushing their teeth in the correct manner and achieving optimal cleanliness.

homas Serval, CEO and co-founder of the Paris-based Kolibree said in a press release; “We wanted to leverage our background and experience in hardware, connected devices and Bluetooth technology by creating a product that will help people become more empowered to take better care of themselves.” Loic Cessot, CPO and co-founder adds, “The incredibly positive response we’ve had so far, is affirmation of a product that not only transforms behaviour we do every day, but also of the growing awareness of how connected devices can help us all gain better control of issues impacting our overall health and well-being.”

Of course you don’t have to use the toothbrush in conjunction with the app, as it still works like a normal electric toothbrush, except its sleek, lightweight design makes it look very futuristic. The brush itself is incredibly light, weighing just 4.6 ounces, which is lighter than a non-electric toothbrush! The brush comes with a charger and will be made available in a variety of colours; white, gray, pink and blue.  The Kolibree Kickstarter campaign is almost halfway to reaching its goal of $70,000 with just over a month to go. Early backers of the campaign can get the Kolibree smart electric toothbrush in white with one extra brush head for $99, while a pledge of only $50 more will get you a Kolibree toothbrush in the colour you choose and four extra brush heads.

Now that sounds like a fresh and clean idea!  As always, if you would like to leave a sensible comment, then please do so in the comments section below.

The First Google-Powered Smartwatches

LG revealed some new details on its upcoming smartwatch, including the intriguing news that the device's screen will remain on at all times.
This means that you won't have to press any buttons to wake up the display, even after it's been inactive for a long time.

This makes sense since Google has been pitching its new wearable computing operating system Android Wear as a platform for glanceable notifications. Google wants you to be able to view text messages, incoming emails, and other notifications just like you'd check the time when you glance down at your watch.
But it's unclear exactly how this always-on functionality will affect the G Watch's battery life.

Battery concerns are still a problem for the wearable tech world. This is largely because wearable devices run on components that are made for smartphones, not watches and glasses.

Many smartwatches, even those with e-ink monochrome displays versus full color touchscreens, won't last for more than a few days on a single charge.

LG's new website for the G Watch also says that it will be water and dust proof. It'll be available in stealth black and champagne gold with a white strap. The company has published a gallery of images that give a more detailed look at the G Watch's design. Until this point, we had only seen smaller renderings that depicted how the watch would look on someone's wrist.

 

LG's G Watch is expected to launch later this year, but there's no official timeframe just yet. The G Watch and Motorola's Moto 360 smartwatch will be among the first devices to run on Android Wear. 

10 Amazing Reinventions Of Everyday Products .(continued)

6. These light bulbs are wifi-enabled, multi-colored, and smartphone-controlled.
First funded on Kickstarter where it raised more than $1 million, LIFX is a new kind of lightbulb that is not only multi-colored, but can be controlled through any device with WiFi and an app.
The bulbs can last up to 25 years. and have a lot of cool functions. In addition to changing colors, there's a sleep mode that dims your lights at night and brightens them in the morning, as well as a switch you control with your phone. The bulbs sell at LIFX for $99.

  

7. A shapeless water blob could replace today's water bottles.
Ooho is a biodegradable and edible membrane made of brown algae that can hold water. The flexible water bottle kind of resembles a silicone implant, and is easy to break and sip from.
Ooho was developed by three London design students who were aiming to make something sustainable, durable, and cheap - it only costs two cents to make, though the bizarre shape could prove problematic for on-the-go drinking. Ooho currently remains a prototype.
 

8. This regenerating candle can be reused again and again.
Benjamin shine's called the Rekindle Candle and designed by artist Benjamin Shine, this candle holder collects melting wax to form a new candle in the base.
As the candle burns, melting wax drips down from the candle and accumulates inside a transparent stem with a wick. Once the candle is completely melted, you can crack open the mold to remove a new, fully formed candle (you can then start the whole process over again).
Due to an outpouring of support, Shine's prototype is now coming to market.
  

9. An inflatable, revolutionary car seat will change the game for parents.
Volvo's new rear-facing car seat inflates in 40 seconds using an integrated pump. It only weighs 11 pounds, which is about half the weight of a regular car seat. Deflated, it fits neatly into a backpack, especially convenient for parents traveling with a kid.
The reinvented car seat is made with a fabric that can sustain high internal pressure, originally developed by the military and now used by the boating industry. There's no word on when the inflatable seat could come to market, but hopefully it will be soon.
  

10. This nightlight keeps outlets free and lasts for 25 years.
The SnapRays GuideLight went absolutely crazy on Kickstarter after being posted in March, raising nearly $470,000 over its initial goal.
It's pretty easy to see why, since the light replaces bulky night lights that take up outlet space, and is easy to assemble. You can pre-order the SnapRays GuideLight through creator Jeremy Smith's website at $15 for one, $42 for three, $65 for five, and $120 for 10.
 



 

10 Amazing Reinventions Of Everyday Products

There are certain things that don't need to be reinvented, like the wheel. But once in awhile, someone transforms an everyday object no one thought could be improved. Here are some of the best redesigns of regular household objects we've recently seen. 

1. This kitchen table doubles in size in mere seconds.

The Fletcher Capstan Table expands from a standard 6.5- or 10-foot table to one that measures anywhere between 20 and 30 feet across.

The round tables come in four standard sizes, and expands by simply rotating the top 180 degrees manually or electronically by remote. The tables are customizable, and range from $50,000 to $70,000 on the UK Fletcher website
  

2. "LiquiGlide" allows condiments to flow effortlessly out of a bottle.

LiquiGlide is a coating of non-toxic materials that allows every single drop of your favorite condiment to flow out effortlessly, reducing a ton of waste.

Invented by five MIT students and their professor, LiquiGlide was named one of Time's Best Inventions of 2012 and came in second in MIT's $100,000 Entrepreneurship Competition. The inventors currently create the coating for specific clients.
 

3. These 'invisible' bike helmets inflate on impact.
The Hovding, or invisible bike helmet, is the brainchild of two students at the University of Lund. The Hovding is actually an air bag that uses a helium gas cylinder to inflate when its sensors detect a sudden jolt.
The airbag is like a hood, except it's shock absorbent and able to withstand multiple head impacts. The helmets are expensive, retailing on Hovding for over $400 (£299).
 

4.An Austrian artist reinvented the door with origami panels.
Artist Klemens Torggler's Evolution Door is a 4-panel "flip panel door" that opens and closes elegantly as though it's made of pieces of paper.
Torggler has a few variations on this door, including one with origami-esque triangles that fold out to help the door move, and another system with rods that rotate two square panels. He sells them on his website for an undisclosed price (which depends on materials and design).
  

5. The toilet of the future folds up to save water and space.
Two British university students invented the Iota toilet, which folds in after use. Its creators claim it uses 50% less water than a stationary toilet, and is also comparatively smaller, so it can fit into tiny bathrooms. The rimless design also makes it much easier to clean.
Currently the Iota is just a concept, but with an overwhelming internet response, it could become a reality.

Drones To Provide Wi-Fi For Military

Now that it seems all things “drone” are here to stay, people are coming up with all kinds of practical uses for drones. As Techbeat recently reported, Amazon is already working on the 6th generation of their delivery drones, drones can be bought online and assembled at home, and there are already all kinds of video out there that has been captured by camera-toting drones. If drones don’t take over the world within the next hundred years, it might be considered a small miracle.

In all seriousness, though, drones offer the world services in ways that have only existed within our imaginations until now. It’s probably no surprise to most people that the military is now looking into all the different ways drones can help them, and I’m not even speaking about them being used in combat on the battlefield. It seems the military is very interested in using drones to deliver a Wi-Fi signal to their troops on the field. Everyone needs internet – especially military service men and women who are in the far reaches of the world

In what can be seen as a good case of recycling, DARPA has been taking some of the drones not used in the Iraq war and turning them into drones capable of giving internet service where it might not otherwise exist. The drones are only 11 feet long and weigh 185 pounds. It’s a challenge, of course, to install all of the needed equipment without making it too heavy to stay in the air. As of right now, the drones could stay airborne for about 9 hours before they’d need to send in a replacement. (Hopefully no one would be in the middle of a Skype call when the drone flies off).

This sounds like a great idea and an ever better use of resources. I feel this is a great use for used drones – what do you think? Let us hear your thoughts in the comments section below!