They would be ideal in Florida.
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In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
HomeBioGas turns organic waste into energy
Cooking food with solid fuels such as wood, charcoal and coal is still very common in developing countries and communities that don’t have easy access to microwave ovens and electric burners like we do. And although it is a more natural option, according to the World Health Organization, up to 4.3 million women and children die each year by the direct and indirect effects of using such solid fuels.
This information called the attention of the Israeli company HomeBioGas, who improved existing technologies to create HomeBioGas TevaGas (TG), a family-sized bio-digester made to be a sustainable and safe solution to the issue. The anaerobic digester works on energy generated by organic material, such as food waste, which is converted into biogas fuel, a combination of methane gas and carbon dioxide. This fuel can be used for cooking or heating without generating unpleasant odors, and even the liquid left over after using the gas can be used as fertilizers for gardens and vegetable crops.
“The basic underlying principles of bio-digester are, well biological,” Marketing Director Ami Amir explains, “There are bacteria or microbes that thrive in conditions where there is no air (anaerobic) that are able to break down organic matter into their components. One of the results of this process is known as biogas, a combination of methane gas and carbon dioxide.”
HomeBioGas TG is the result of years of research on other existing bio-digesters in China and India. The Israeli team came to the conclusion that an entirely new model had to be developed. “The intention was to develop the best product that will provide biogas from waste for the under-served populations of Latin America, Africa and Asia,” says Amir. “In these communities, there is little or no means of waste disposal and hardly any connection to utilities.” The product was first tested in a Bedouin community in Israel and is now sold separately for US$2,500. Check out how the HomeBioGas TG in the video below:
The post HomeBioGas turns organic waste into energy appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
HomeBioGas turns organic waste into energy
Cooking food with solid fuels such as wood, charcoal and coal is still very common in developing countries and communities that don’t have easy access to microwave ovens and electric burners like we do. And although it is a more natural option, according to the World Health Organization, up to 4.3 million women and children die each year by the direct and indirect effects of using such solid fuels.
This information called the attention of the Israeli company HomeBioGas, who improved existing technologies to create HomeBioGas TevaGas (TG), a family-sized bio-digester made to be a sustainable and safe solution to the issue. The anaerobic digester works on energy generated by organic material, such as food waste, which is converted into biogas fuel, a combination of methane gas and carbon dioxide. This fuel can be used for cooking or heating without generating unpleasant odors, and even the liquid left over after using the gas can be used as fertilizers for gardens and vegetable crops.
“The basic underlying principles of bio-digester are, well biological,” Marketing Director Ami Amir explains, “There are bacteria or microbes that thrive in conditions where there is no air (anaerobic) that are able to break down organic matter into their components. One of the results of this process is known as biogas, a combination of methane gas and carbon dioxide.”
HomeBioGas TG is the result of years of research on other existing bio-digesters in China and India. The Israeli team came to the conclusion that an entirely new model had to be developed. “The intention was to develop the best product that will provide biogas from waste for the under-served populations of Latin America, Africa and Asia,” says Amir. “In these communities, there is little or no means of waste disposal and hardly any connection to utilities.” The product was first tested in a Bedouin community in Israel and is now sold separately for US$2,500. Check out how the HomeBioGas TG in the video below:
The post HomeBioGas turns organic waste into energy appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
The latest renewable energy source is viaducts with wind turbines
Today we are relying on technology for renewable energy sources and one of the latest is viaducts with wind turbines build underneath them. The turbines could be installed on the largest bridges and these would provide us with electricity. Researchers in Europe took a viaduct in the Canary Islands and used this for reference. The concept could be used in regions that are heavily built up or natural regions in which there are limitations in regards to new constructions.
The Juncal Viaduct has been used as a reference for British and Spanish researchers so that they could verify whether the wind blowing under the pillars would be able to move the wind turbines enough so that they could produce electricity.
Their study was based on computer simulations and models and the research was undertaken at the Kingston University in London. The researchers based their concept on porus discs so that they could evaluate the amount of air resistance along with testing out the different configurations.
Of course the more surface that the rotor swipes, the more power is produced. In small turbines however they saw that the power rate over the square meter was higher. They came to the conclusion that configurations with two turbines that were identical in design would be the best solution for installation in viaducts.
The most suitable solution was an installation of two different sized wind turbines to utilize all of the space. It may also be possible to make use of a matrix or perhaps 24 small turbines. In the case of the Juncal Viaduct the power would come in at around 0.25 MW per wind turbine. This means that if two turbines were used the power output would then be 0.5MW and this would put it among the medium power range.
To put this into perspective this would be around the average consumption of 450 to 500 homes. The installation could help to avoid emission of about 140 tons of CO2 each year.
Canarian company ZECSA promoted the research and Vigo University researchers took part to analyse the connections needed in the development of the project alongside researchers from the Gran Canaria University in Las Palmas.
Via [m.phys.org]
The post The latest renewable energy source is viaducts with wind turbines appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
The latest renewable energy source is viaducts with wind turbines
Today we are relying on technology for renewable energy sources and one of the latest is viaducts with wind turbines build underneath them. The turbines could be installed on the largest bridges and these would provide us with electricity. Researchers in Europe took a viaduct in the Canary Islands and used this for reference. The concept could be used in regions that are heavily built up or natural regions in which there are limitations in regards to new constructions.
[Image Courtesy of Jose Antonio Penas]
The Juncal Viaduct has been used as a reference for British and Spanish researchers so that they could verify whether the wind blowing under the pillars would be able to move the wind turbines enough so that they could produce electricity.
Their study was based on computer simulations and models and the research was undertaken at the Kingston University in London. The researchers based their concept on porus discs so that they could evaluate the amount of air resistance along with testing out the different configurations.
Of course the more surface that the rotor swipes, the more power is produced. In small turbines however they saw that the power rate over the square meter was higher. They came to the conclusion that configurations with two turbines that were identical in design would be the best solution for installation in viaducts.
The most suitable solution was an installation of two different sized wind turbines to utilize all of the space. It may also be possible to make use of a matrix or perhaps 24 small turbines. In the case of the Juncal Viaduct the power would come in at around 0.25 MW per wind turbine. This means that if two turbines were used the power output would then be 0.5MW and this would put it among the medium power range.
To put this into perspective this would be around the average consumption of 450 to 500 homes. The installation could help to avoid emission of about 140 tons of CO2 each year.
Canarian company ZECSA promoted the research and Vigo University researchers took part to analyse the connections needed in the development of the project alongside researchers from the Gran Canaria University in Las Palmas.
Via [m.phys.org]
The post The latest renewable energy source is viaducts with wind turbines appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
The global economy will change again thanks to the giant new Panama Canal
Just months ago hundreds of sightseers along with tourists and workers gathered together in the deep concrete canyon of the Panama Canal to take a look at it before it was submerged into the water.
[Image Courtesy of Boston Consulting Group]
The canyons are made of rough concrete and are 11 storeys deep and are the new locks of the Panama Canal that have been made bigger as part of a huge expansion project in the summer.
[Image Courtesy of Boston Consulting Group]
The project for the expansion is now almost complete and many engineers gathered at the locks in May of this year to see the work.
[Image Courtesy of Boston Consulting Group]
The project has been going since 2007 at the cost of around $5.25 billion. It was undertaken to take into account the new generation of container ships. It has the name of the New Panamax and it will wedge in the 1,400 foot length of the locks.
[Image Courtesy of Boston Consulting Group]
The project should also make a huge change to the economy of the US along with the rest of the world as around 10% of the container traffic that went between the US and East Asia may move from the West Coast ports and head to the East by 2020.
[Image Courtesy of Boston Consulting Group]
If this happens it will have a profound effect as the bigger ports situated on the West Coast will have growth rates that are lower and this is going to change the competitive balance of both of the coasts ports. It will also affect the decisions of truck and rail carriers when it comes to routing along with magnifying the trade-off shippers are forced to make between the speed of transportation and the cost of it. At the same time it could change the distribution centres locations.
[Image Courtesy of Boston Consulting Group]
The majority of goods that come into the USA at the moment do so through the West Coast and they are then taken around the country via highways and railways. However when the expansion opens next year things are going to change drastically.
[Image Courtesy of Boston Consulting Group]
Via [Boston Consulting Group]
The post The global economy will change again thanks to the giant new Panama Canal appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
The global economy will change again thanks to the giant new Panama Canal
Just months ago hundreds of sightseers along with tourists and workers gathered together in the deep concrete canyon of the Panama Canal to take a look at it before it was submerged into the water.
[Image Courtesy of Boston Consulting Group]
The canyons are made of rough concrete and are 11 storeys deep and are the new locks of the Panama Canal that have been made bigger as part of a huge expansion project in the summer.
[Image Courtesy of Boston Consulting Group]
The project for the expansion is now almost complete and many engineers gathered at the locks in May of this year to see the work.
[Image Courtesy of Boston Consulting Group]
The project has been going since 2007 at the cost of around $5.25 billion. It was undertaken to take into account the new generation of container ships. It has the name of the New Panamax and it will wedge in the 1,400 foot length of the locks.
[Image Courtesy of Boston Consulting Group]
The project should also make a huge change to the economy of the US along with the rest of the world as around 10% of the container traffic that went between the US and East Asia may move from the West Coast ports and head to the East by 2020.
[Image Courtesy of Boston Consulting Group]
If this happens it will have a profound effect as the bigger ports situated on the West Coast will have growth rates that are lower and this is going to change the competitive balance of both of the coasts ports. It will also affect the decisions of truck and rail carriers when it comes to routing along with magnifying the trade-off shippers are forced to make between the speed of transportation and the cost of it. At the same time it could change the distribution centres locations.
[Image Courtesy of Boston Consulting Group]
The majority of goods that come into the USA at the moment do so through the West Coast and they are then taken around the country via highways and railways. However when the expansion opens next year things are going to change drastically.
[Image Courtesy of Boston Consulting Group]
Via [Boston Consulting Group]
The post The global economy will change again thanks to the giant new Panama Canal appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
When Kyle and I toured the Cockrill School of Engineering at the University of Texas they said the 3D printers were a big hit with the students. They could do their design work and then build a scale model with the printers. They even have a 3D vending machine for their use. If they can't get actual printer time during the day, they up load their files and when their printing is done they get a text alert or email that they can access their projects thru a vending machine in the lab.
The printers are used almost non-stop during November, December and June. . . making Christmas gifts during November and December and Father's Day gifts the first couple weeks in June.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
Airbus’ E-Fan is the first all-electric aircraft to cross the English Channel
About a year ago, Airbus showed off E-Fan, and now they’re back with some news from their all-electric aircraft. Imitating one of the first and greatest achievements in aviation history, in which the French aviator Louis Blériot crossed the English Channel on a plane in 1909, the E-Fan electric plane crossed the skies between Lydd, England and Calais in France, powered only by lithium-ion batteries.
With this technology still under development, Airbus is definitely not ready to replace its airliners with massive electric airplanes, of course, but the news are a major breakthrough in aviation, with the increasing flight range with this type of propulsion.
The 74km trip took about 37 minutes, and happened on the morning of July 10, a date that should go down in the history of modern aviation. “We now have taken a major step toward series production, which will lead to the development and manufacture of electric aircraft that are safe, reliable and certifiable to airworthiness standards,” said Jean Botti, the Airbus Group Chief Technical Officer
Electric aircraft technology is also being developed by other initiatives, such as NASA who is working on a prototype that should work with a series of small propellers. Also, the Swiss plane Solar Impulse 2, currently in the midst of a journey around the world using only solar energy and breaking records while at it.
http://eadsmastpd.edgesuite.net/mm/flvmedia/4969/a/0/l/a0lpp5yz_i43ek856_h264_1128K.mp4
Source and images: AirBus Group
The post Airbus’ E-Fan is the first all-electric aircraft to cross the English Channel appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
Airbus’ E-Fan is the first all-electric aircraft to cross the English Channel
About a year ago, Airbus showed off E-Fan, and now they’re back with some news from their all-electric aircraft. Imitating one of the first and greatest achievements in aviation history, in which the French aviator Louis Blériot crossed the English Channel on a plane in 1909, the E-Fan electric plane crossed the skies between Lydd, England and Calais in France, powered only by lithium-ion batteries.
With this technology still under development, Airbus is definitely not ready to replace its airliners with massive electric airplanes, of course, but the news are a major breakthrough in aviation, with the increasing flight range with this type of propulsion.
The 74km trip took about 37 minutes, and happened on the morning of July 10, a date that should go down in the history of modern aviation. “We now have taken a major step toward series production, which will lead to the development and manufacture of electric aircraft that are safe, reliable and certifiable to airworthiness standards,” said Jean Botti, the Airbus Group Chief Technical Officer
Electric aircraft technology is also being developed by other initiatives, such as NASA who is working on a prototype that should work with a series of small propellers. Also, the Swiss plane Solar Impulse 2, currently in the midst of a journey around the world using only solar energy and breaking records while at it.
http://eadsmastpd.edgesuite.net/mm/flvmedia/4969/a/0/l/a0lpp5yz_i43ek856_h264_1128K.mp4
Source and images: AirBus Group
The post Airbus’ E-Fan is the first all-electric aircraft to cross the English Channel appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
Turbine gets up Chris Froome’s nose
Athletes are forever on the lookout for tech that can give them an advantage over competitors and cyclists are just one of the sports people where even the smallest of advantages can make a huge difference. We have seen cyclists wearing strips on their noses and these help them with breathing as they help to open up the airways. However, Team Sky and Chris Froome have gone a step further for the Tour de France by wearing a stent that has been specially designed by the name of the Turbine.
Rhinomed are the creators of the Turbine and they say that the tech allows around 38% more air through the nose of the wearer. The kit also gets the athlete thinking about their breathing and it doubles up as a bio-feedback stimulus.
The Turbine differs from the typical nose strips as it sits inside the nostrils and it is said to be more comfortable for wearing. The design of it was tested out on Chris Froome and his feedback when wearing it at the Vuelta a Espana. The athlete did suffer some issues with the original design of the Turbine and complained about it putting pressure on his septum. This saw the team going back to the drawing board and coming up with a brand new design.
The ratchet system of the Turbine was adjusted so that it would be more secure and comfortable, yet still gave athletes the chance to take asymmetry into account in their noses. Athletes rely on their noses for around 70% of breathing. However during exercise this drops to around 27% of airflow. The Turbine addresses this issue by making use of the Venturi principle.
The Venturi Principle in physics is when air is passed through a tube and the tube has a hole in it, air is then intrained through that hole. If the size of the hole is increased, which in the case of athletes is their nose, then it’s possible to intrain more air. When resistance is reduced in the airway, the result is more air and less energy cost.
At the moment the benefits of using the Turbine are being explored at the Murdoch University in Western Australia.
Via [Turbine]
The post Turbine gets up Chris Froome’s nose appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
Turbine gets up Chris Froome’s nose
Athletes are forever on the lookout for tech that can give them an advantage over competitors and cyclists are just one of the sports people where even the smallest of advantages can make a huge difference. We have seen cyclists wearing strips on their noses and these help them with breathing as they help to open up the airways. However, Team Sky and Chris Froome have gone a step further for the Tour de France by wearing a stent that has been specially designed by the name of the Turbine.
[Image Courtesy of Turbine]
Rhinomed are the creators of the Turbine and they say that the tech allows around 38% more air through the nose of the wearer. The kit also gets the athlete thinking about their breathing and it doubles up as a bio-feedback stimulus.
[Image Courtesy of Turbine]
The Turbine differs from the typical nose strips as it sits inside the nostrils and it is said to be more comfortable for wearing. The design of it was tested out on Chris Froome and his feedback when wearing it at the Vuelta a Espana. The athlete did suffer some issues with the original design of the Turbine and complained about it putting pressure on his septum. This saw the team going back to the drawing board and coming up with a brand new design.
[Image Courtesy of Turbine]
The ratchet system of the Turbine was adjusted so that it would be more secure and comfortable, yet still gave athletes the chance to take asymmetry into account in their noses. Athletes rely on their noses for around 70% of breathing. However during exercise this drops to around 27% of airflow. The Turbine addresses this issue by making use of the Venturi principle.
[Image Courtesy of Turbine]
The Venturi Principle in physics is when air is passed through a tube and the tube has a hole in it, air is then intrained through that hole. If the size of the hole is increased, which in the case of athletes is their nose, then it’s possible to intrain more air. When resistance is reduced in the airway, the result is more air and less energy cost.
At the moment the benefits of using the Turbine are being explored at the Murdoch University in Western Australia.
Via [Turbine]
The post Turbine gets up Chris Froome’s nose appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
See The World From A Different Angle With Drone Photography
Drones are becoming a very popular way of taking photographs as they open up a whole new world and allow people to see the world from a totally new angle. Dronestagram has just had its second drone photography competition and some of the submissions were stunning.
Dronestagram is a hub for people who own drones and take photos with their drones and upload them. The competition sees around 5,000 entries with photos taken all over the world. Amateurs and professionals alike submit their entries and the competition has a panel of judges, two of which are National Geographic photographers. They have the task of choosing the best in four different categories.
The photograph which won the Places category was an amazing shot of a cityscape that was captured by Ricardo Matiello who made his own custom drone in Brazil. He captured an image showing the towns tallest buildings showing their tips which poked from dense cloud and called it Above the Mist. Of course as he flew the drone up through the dense cloud he lost sight of it and had to keep his fingers crossed that he would capture something outstanding. He did and the shot earned him first place in the Popular Prizes category as it was the most liked.
The Nature category winner was a photograph taken in the French Polynesia by a photographer with the name of Tahitiflyshoot and called his image Snorkelling with Sharks and he too used a custom machine to capture the stunning shot of two snorkelers swimming among a circle of sharks.
Kdilliard took the 2nd prize winner in the nature category with a stunning shot entitled La Jolla.
Tulip Fields took the 3rd in Places category by @andersa.
The 3rd prize in the nature category went to Marama Photo Video and had the title of Lost Island, Tahaa, French Polynesia.
The 2st prize in the category Dronies, which is selfies, went to FlyovermediaCy with a photo entitled Where’s Wally, Limassol Carnaval.
The 2nd prize winner in the category Popular prizes was a stunning night shot of Bulgaria with the title of Plovidv by Night, taken by Ice Fire.
The 3rd prize winner in Popular Prizes was taken by Wootsor of a diver diving down into the rock strewn ocean from the Cliffside platform.
Via [Dronestagram]
The post See The World From A Different Angle With Drone Photography appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
See The World From A Different Angle With Drone Photography
Drones are becoming a very popular way of taking photographs as they open up a whole new world and allow people to see the world from a totally new angle. Dronestagram has just had its second drone photography competition and some of the submissions were stunning.
Dronestagram is a hub for people who own drones and take photos with their drones and upload them. The competition sees around 5,000 entries with photos taken all over the world. Amateurs and professionals alike submit their entries and the competition has a panel of judges, two of which are National Geographic photographers. They have the task of choosing the best in four different categories.
[Image Courtesy of Dronestgram]
The photograph which won the Places category was an amazing shot of a cityscape that was captured by Ricardo Matiello who made his own custom drone in Brazil. He captured an image showing the towns tallest buildings showing their tips which poked from dense cloud and called it Above the Mist. Of course as he flew the drone up through the dense cloud he lost sight of it and had to keep his fingers crossed that he would capture something outstanding. He did and the shot earned him first place in the Popular Prizes category as it was the most liked.
[Image Courtesy of Dronestgram]
The Nature category winner was a photograph taken in the French Polynesia by a photographer with the name of Tahitiflyshoot and called his image Snorkelling with Sharks and he too used a custom machine to capture the stunning shot of two snorkelers swimming among a circle of sharks.
[Image Courtesy of Dronestgram]
Kdilliard took the 2nd prize winner in the nature category with a stunning shot entitled La Jolla.
[Image Courtesy of Dronestgram]
Tulip Fields took the 3rd in Places category by @andersa.
[Image Courtesy of Dronestgram]
The 3rd prize in the nature category went to Marama Photo Video and had the title of Lost Island, Tahaa, French Polynesia.
[Image Courtesy of Dronestgram]
The 2st prize in the category Dronies, which is selfies, went to FlyovermediaCy with a photo entitled Where’s Wally, Limassol Carnaval.
[Image Courtesy of Dronestgram]
The 2nd prize winner in the category Popular prizes was a stunning night shot of Bulgaria with the title of Plovidv by Night, taken by Ice Fire.
[Image Courtesy of Dronestgram]
The 3rd prize winner in Popular Prizes was taken by Wootsor of a diver diving down into the rock strewn ocean from the Cliffside platform.
Via [Dronestagram]
The post See The World From A Different Angle With Drone Photography appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
The Large Hadron Collider – All you need to know about the world’s most expensive experiment ever
The Large Hadron Collider is the epitome of scientific experimentation. It is the largest, most complex, and most expensive experimental facility ever built.
Large Hadron Collider [Courtesy: telegraph.co.uk]
The large circular tunnel is 27 kilometers (17 miles) long and located under the Franco-Swiss border. It is used to accelerate atomic particles to extremely high velocities close to the speed of light. These particles are then collided at such unimaginable speeds. The aim of this collision is that when it does happen, the particles would disintegrate into more fundamental particles, which can then be studied.
Large Hadron Collider on a map [Courtesy: jamin86.com]
Large Hadron Collider Tunnel [Courtesy: scientificamerican.com]
It is commonly known that all matter consists of atoms. These atoms also consists of three main particles; the electron, proton and the neutron. A deeper study into the nature of atoms discovered that even these particles consist of even more fundamental particles. One of the aims of the Large Hadron Collider is to both discover and study such particles, if they exist.
The Large Hadron Collider was first tested in 2012. After that experiment, the famously known Higgs boson particle was discovered. It was a milestone. Ever since, scientists have gone in search of more fundamental particles that constitute matter as we know it.
Here is a short video that explains all you need to know about the Large Hadron Collider, enjoy!
Source: Business Insider
The post The Large Hadron Collider – All you need to know about the world’s most expensive experiment ever appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
The Large Hadron Collider – All you need to know about the world’s most expensive experiment ever
The Large Hadron Collider is the epitome of scientific experimentation. It is the largest, most complex, and most expensive experimental facility ever built.
Large Hadron Collider [Courtesy: telegraph.co.uk]
The large circular tunnel is 27 kilometers (17 miles) long and located under the Franco-Swiss border. It is used to accelerate atomic particles to extremely high velocities close to the speed of light. These particles are then collided at such unimaginable speeds. The aim of this collision is that when it does happen, the particles would disintegrate into more fundamental particles, which can then be studied.
Large Hadron Collider on a map [Courtesy: jamin86.com]
Large Hadron Collider Tunnel [Courtesy: scientificamerican.com]
It is commonly known that all matter consists of atoms. These atoms also consists of three main particles; the electron, proton and the neutron. A deeper study into the nature of atoms discovered that even these particles consist of even more fundamental particles. One of the aims of the Large Hadron Collider is to both discover and study such particles, if they exist.
The Large Hadron Collider was first tested in 2012. After that experiment, the famously known Higgs boson particle was discovered. It was a milestone. Ever since, scientists have gone in search of more fundamental particles that constitute matter as we know it.
Here is a short video that explains all you need to know about the Large Hadron Collider, enjoy!
Source: Business Insider
The post The Large Hadron Collider – All you need to know about the world’s most expensive experiment ever appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
China – Dead Cars and What To Do With Them
China has a problem, and it’s a biggy; Dead cars and what to do with them. End of Life Vehicles, or ELVs is what the recycling industry calls them. The root of all those ELVs is pollution, and it is choking the country. And it’s growing faster than they can fix it. The root of the problem isn’t so much the vehicles themselves; it’s the burgeoning Chinese middle class driving radically increased vehicular use that’s to blame. According to the China Business Review, “from 1995 to 2005, the population of China’s middle class —defined here as households with annual incomes ranging from $6,000 to $25,000— grew from close to zero in 1995 to an estimated 87 million in 2005.” That rate of growth hasn’t slowed down in the last decade; if anything, it’s increased – by next year, it’s expected that figure will have risen by an additional 60%.
As the purchasing power of this hugely expanded middle class has increased, so has their desire for cars, trucks, motorcycles, and scooters. While municipal governments have rolled out high efficiency mass transit, use of those systems has dropped radically, because the new middle class prefers to drive their own vehicles instead.
While the Chinese government tags fossil fuel use for power production as the primary cause of urban pollution, cars still account for upwards of 40% of what’s plaguing her cities; according to the USEIA, Chinese gasoline use doubled in the decade between 2003 and 2013, and continues to spiral upward. While lower polluting fuels are becoming more available in China, they’re not yet widely used, because vehicle owners simply prefer to buy the higher polluting, cheaper blend.
While high pollution levels used to be perceived as a Beijing problem, they’re far more widespread today. As radically increased vehicle use spreads to the adjoining countryside, so do the pollution problems. Even Hangzhou, long know for its pastoral beauty, is now suffering from months of high pollution count days. That’s had a cooling effect on tourism, something they can hardly afford in an already shaky economy.
China’s answer is, at least on paper, to strictly limit inefficient vehicles. This has generated a glut of discarded, inefficient vehicles. Acres and acres of domestic discarded cars, trucks, buses, bikes and scooters is a fairly new phenomenon in China, and they’re not quite sure what to do about it just yet.
Recycling certainly isn’t new to China. For decades, European and North American countries have sent recyclables to China for processing. According to the Bureau of International Recycling, China imported up to 15 million tonnes of plastic scrap annually, and for the most part, turned a profit from the endeavor. But all of that took place before China began to experience a need to process domestic recycling on the scale they now face.
The primary issue is twofold; one, the difficulty of collection of ELVs, and two, the level of ancillary pollution caused by improper dismantling and storage. China simply hasn’t had the need to set land aside for scrapyards, or to handle vehicular scrap on a massive scale. The speed at which the middle class has grown is mirrored by the pace at which this waste has appeared and required attention.
Numerous industry papers and briefs discuss China’s history of problems with imported recycling, when discussing the challenges of their domestic situation. Roughly 20% of what China took in from the world was not recyclable; in other words, it was plain old waste, and this ended up in Chinese landfills. Combined with less than strict or even well coordinated laws and practices governing such disposal, it’s a recipe for disaster. Overhaul and coordination on a national scale is needed – is, in fact, well past due – and as China’s leaders obfuscate, the ELVs pile up.
With the specter of millions of domestic vehicles piled on top of these existing issues, it’s easy to see why the problems far outweigh the answers.
The post China – Dead Cars and What To Do With Them appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
China – Dead Cars and What To Do With Them
China has a problem, and it’s a biggy; Dead cars and what to do with them. End of Life Vehicles, or ELVs is what the recycling industry calls them. The root of all those ELVs is pollution, and it is choking the country. And it’s growing faster than they can fix it. The root of the problem isn’t so much the vehicles themselves; it’s the burgeoning Chinese middle class driving radically increased vehicular use that’s to blame. According to the China Business Review, “from 1995 to 2005, the population of China’s middle class —defined here as households with annual incomes ranging from $6,000 to $25,000— grew from close to zero in 1995 to an estimated 87 million in 2005.” That rate of growth hasn’t slowed down in the last decade; if anything, it’s increased – by next year, it’s expected that figure will have risen by an additional 60%.
As the purchasing power of this hugely expanded middle class has increased, so has their desire for cars, trucks, motorcycles, and scooters. While municipal governments have rolled out high efficiency mass transit, use of those systems has dropped radically, because the new middle class prefers to drive their own vehicles instead.
While the Chinese government tags fossil fuel use for power production as the primary cause of urban pollution, cars still account for upwards of 40% of what’s plaguing her cities; according to the USEIA, Chinese gasoline use doubled in the decade between 2003 and 2013, and continues to spiral upward. While lower polluting fuels are becoming more available in China, they’re not yet widely used, because vehicle owners simply prefer to buy the higher polluting, cheaper blend.
While high pollution levels used to be perceived as a Beijing problem, they’re far more widespread today. As radically increased vehicle use spreads to the adjoining countryside, so do the pollution problems. Even Hangzhou, long know for its pastoral beauty, is now suffering from months of high pollution count days. That’s had a cooling effect on tourism, something they can hardly afford in an already shaky economy.
China’s answer is, at least on paper, to strictly limit inefficient vehicles. This has generated a glut of discarded, inefficient vehicles. Acres and acres of domestic discarded cars, trucks, buses, bikes and scooters is a fairly new phenomenon in China, and they’re not quite sure what to do about it just yet.
Recycling certainly isn’t new to China. For decades, European and North American countries have sent recyclables to China for processing. According to the Bureau of International Recycling, China imported up to 15 million tonnes of plastic scrap annually, and for the most part, turned a profit from the endeavor. But all of that took place before China began to experience a need to process domestic recycling on the scale they now face.
The primary issue is twofold; one, the difficulty of collection of ELVs, and two, the level of ancillary pollution caused by improper dismantling and storage. China simply hasn’t had the need to set land aside for scrapyards, or to handle vehicular scrap on a massive scale. The speed at which the middle class has grown is mirrored by the pace at which this waste has appeared and required attention.
Numerous industry papers and briefs discuss China’s history of problems with imported recycling, when discussing the challenges of their domestic situation. Roughly 20% of what China took in from the world was not recyclable; in other words, it was plain old waste, and this ended up in Chinese landfills. Combined with less than strict or even well coordinated laws and practices governing such disposal, it’s a recipe for disaster. Overhaul and coordination on a national scale is needed – is, in fact, well past due – and as China’s leaders obfuscate, the ELVs pile up.
With the specter of millions of domestic vehicles piled on top of these existing issues, it’s easy to see why the problems far outweigh the answers.
The post China – Dead Cars and What To Do With Them appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
Personal Tattoo Machine allows anyone to make their own tattoos
A machine designed by a student at the Royal College of Art in London, promises to be a hit with tattoo lovers. The Personal Tattoo Machine allows anyone to tattoo their own body. The goal, according to the creator Jakub Pollág, is to democratize the tattoo industry.
“Personal Tattoo Machine democratizes the tattoo industry,” Pollág told Dezeen. “It puts a tool used only by a limited group of people into the hands of enthusiasts, who are seeking an alternative and unique way to permanently mark their meaningful memories onto their skin.”
Pollág was inspired by tattooing techniques developed by prisoners, but wanted to create a safer and easier to use mechanism. Instructions on how to sterilize parts and prep the skin comes in the user guide, along with ink and all that is needed to permanently tattoo the design onto skin.
“There is a missing link from the idea that you have in your head – what kind of tattoo you want – to execution done by someone else,” the designer said.
Since they are meant to be done by non-professionals, the tattoos created with Personal Tattoo Machine feature simple lines without any complex elaborations. And Pollág’s idea is precisely that. “I wanted to create a product that will again focus on tattoos that are more about the meaning,” he said.
The product, which was just finalized this past June is not for sale yet. The project is looking for investors to be marketed, which could happen at any time.
Source: Personal Tattoo Machine and Dezeen
The post Personal Tattoo Machine allows anyone to make their own tattoos appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
Personal Tattoo Machine allows anyone to make their own tattoos
A machine designed by a student at the Royal College of Art in London, promises to be a hit with tattoo lovers. The Personal Tattoo Machine allows anyone to tattoo their own body. The goal, according to the creator Jakub Pollág, is to democratize the tattoo industry.
“Personal Tattoo Machine democratizes the tattoo industry,” Pollág told Dezeen. “It puts a tool used only by a limited group of people into the hands of enthusiasts, who are seeking an alternative and unique way to permanently mark their meaningful memories onto their skin.”
Pollág was inspired by tattooing techniques developed by prisoners, but wanted to create a safer and easier to use mechanism. Instructions on how to sterilize parts and prep the skin comes in the user guide, along with ink and all that is needed to permanently tattoo the design onto skin.
“There is a missing link from the idea that you have in your head – what kind of tattoo you want – to execution done by someone else,” the designer said.
Since they are meant to be done by non-professionals, the tattoos created with Personal Tattoo Machine feature simple lines without any complex elaborations. And Pollág’s idea is precisely that. “I wanted to create a product that will again focus on tattoos that are more about the meaning,” he said.
The product, which was just finalized this past June is not for sale yet. The project is looking for investors to be marketed, which could happen at any time.
Source: Personal Tattoo Machine and Dezeen
The post Personal Tattoo Machine allows anyone to make their own tattoos appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
Add a spiral staircase to any tree thanks to CanopyStair Tree Stairway
All children would like a tree house, somewhere where they can go and sit and read and just hang out and call their own. The typical treehouse that the majority of dads build are made from old left over timber and have a rope ladder for the kids to climb to get into the treehouse. However CanopyStair will add a proper spiral staircase to any tree, if it goes into production. At the moment it is just a concept, but it looks great and is easy to install around a tree.
The Spiral Staircase was designed by Thor ter Kulve and Robert McIntyre and it can easily be wound around any tree, with or without a treehouse on it. This means that when used with a treehouse, accidents can be avoided as the children won’t have to rely on the rope ladder to get up to their treehouse. The CanopyStair Tree Stairway features ratchet straps that allow it to be fastened to the tree quickly and securely and each step is attached to it using a tripod frame of cast aluminium. This means that it is relatively stable when used. The steps are made from birch plywood and the stairway has black plastic handrails, railings of ash wood and treads with rubber on them for safety.
At the moment the CanopyStair Tree Stairway is only a concept and we have no idea as to whether it will reach the production stage. If it does, it would make treehouses around the world safer and of course it is a lot more aesthetically pleasing and easier than trying to climb into the treehouse using the rope ladder.
Via [CanopyStair]
The post Add a spiral staircase to any tree thanks to CanopyStair Tree Stairway appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
Add a spiral staircase to any tree thanks to CanopyStair Tree Stairway
All children would like a tree house, somewhere where they can go and sit and read and just hang out and call their own. The typical treehouse that the majority of dads build are made from old left over timber and have a rope ladder for the kids to climb to get into the treehouse. However CanopyStair will add a proper spiral staircase to any tree, if it goes into production. At the moment it is just a concept, but it looks great and is easy to install around a tree.
[Image Courtesy of CanopyStair]
The Spiral Staircase was designed by Thor ter Kulve and Robert McIntyre and it can easily be wound around any tree, with or without a treehouse on it. This means that when used with a treehouse, accidents can be avoided as the children won’t have to rely on the rope ladder to get up to their treehouse. The CanopyStair Tree Stairway features ratchet straps that allow it to be fastened to the tree quickly and securely and each step is attached to it using a tripod frame of cast aluminium. This means that it is relatively stable when used. The steps are made from birch plywood and the stairway has black plastic handrails, railings of ash wood and treads with rubber on them for safety.
[Image Courtesy of CanopyStair]
At the moment the CanopyStair Tree Stairway is only a concept and we have no idea as to whether it will reach the production stage. If it does, it would make treehouses around the world safer and of course it is a lot more aesthetically pleasing and easier than trying to climb into the treehouse using the rope ladder.
[Image Courtesy of CanopyStair]
Via [CanopyStair]
The post Add a spiral staircase to any tree thanks to CanopyStair Tree Stairway appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
The LeefCo iBridge adds storage to the iPhone
The Apple iPhone may be one of the best phones on the market and it has many fans, but one thing the device doesn’t have is an expansion slot. Instead they offer iCloud but this isn’t the same thing and if you would like to be able to carry around your media you might want to take a look at the expansion that the Leefco iBridge gives iPhone users.
[Image Courtesy of Leefco/Coolthings]
The iBridge is a bridge between a computer and the phone as one end has the typical USB and the other comes with the Lightening connector. It is in a very unusual J shaped design and this happens to work extremely well. The dongle is at the back and this allows it to sit flush with the phone, making it easy to hold. There is also some flexibility along the curve and if you need you can open it wider so that it accommodates a thicker case and you don’t have to remove it.
The device has caps on the end that cover up both of the plugs and this allows you to hang it on the loop of a bag or carabiner so you don’t lose it when out and about. The device works in the same way as any other thumb drive when plugged into a computer, this allows you to drag and drop files such as music onto the device, which you can then plug into the iPhone.
When plugging it into the iPhone the iBridge app is launched and this offers the options of settings, content viewer, transfer files and camera. The transfer allows you to transfer to the device and back and this is fast. The content viewer allows for watching movies, reading, looking at photos and listening to audio. It is superb for using with the iPad too for watching large movie files.
The camera allows you to take photos using the camera of the device and save them in the iBridge app. iBridge can also be used for backing up contacts and then restoring them. The iBridge is available in different sizes, starting from 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB and 256GB. The 16GB version is $59 and at the top end of the scale the 256GB version is available for $399.
Via [Leefco]
The post The LeefCo iBridge adds storage to the iPhone appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
The LeefCo iBridge adds storage to the iPhone
The Apple iPhone may be one of the best phones on the market and it has many fans, but one thing the device doesn’t have is an expansion slot. Instead they offer iCloud but this isn’t the same thing and if you would like to be able to carry around your media you might want to take a look at the expansion that the Leefco iBridge gives iPhone users.
[Image Courtesy of Leefco/Coolthings]
The iBridge is a bridge between a computer and the phone as one end has the typical USB and the other comes with the Lightening connector. It is in a very unusual J shaped design and this happens to work extremely well. The dongle is at the back and this allows it to sit flush with the phone, making it easy to hold. There is also some flexibility along the curve and if you need you can open it wider so that it accommodates a thicker case and you don’t have to remove it.
[Image Courtesy of Leefco/Coolthings]
The device has caps on the end that cover up both of the plugs and this allows you to hang it on the loop of a bag or carabiner so you don’t lose it when out and about. The device works in the same way as any other thumb drive when plugged into a computer, this allows you to drag and drop files such as music onto the device, which you can then plug into the iPhone.
[Image Courtesy of Leefco/Coolthings]
When plugging it into the iPhone the iBridge app is launched and this offers the options of settings, content viewer, transfer files and camera. The transfer allows you to transfer to the device and back and this is fast. The content viewer allows for watching movies, reading, looking at photos and listening to audio. It is superb for using with the iPad too for watching large movie files.
[Image Courtesy of Leefco/Coolthings]
The camera allows you to take photos using the camera of the device and save them in the iBridge app. iBridge can also be used for backing up contacts and then restoring them. The iBridge is available in different sizes, starting from 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB and 256GB. The 16GB version is $59 and at the top end of the scale the 256GB version is available for $399.
[Image Courtesy of Leefco/Coolthings]
Via [Leefco]
The post The LeefCo iBridge adds storage to the iPhone appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
Small luxury Wohnwagon trailer home looks after itself
When you think about trailer homes you don’t usually think of them offering luxury accommodation. However a company in Austria has been making trailer homes that have luxury interiors and which are compact along with being self-sufficient. The Wohnwagen trailers typically offer around 25 square meters of space and come with their own waste and water systems along with their own electricity.
The company was founded in 2013 and they are now on to making their 5th trailer. The wagons make the most of the space and they measure 10 x 2.5 meters and have a 3 x 2 meters expandable section. The homes offer various sustainable features and are made using natural along with recycled materials.
The outside of the trailers are made of larch wood and on the inside they are spruce or panels of wood-fibre and clay plaster. Insulation is wool from sheep and this helps to keep the temperature and humidity regulated.
Each of the trailers has four solar panels on the roof and these offer an output of 1.2kW, while the surplus energy stores in a 6kWh battery system that has been installed underneath the floor. The trailer offers enough energy for the occupants to live in it year round. There is a monitoring system allowing the residents to check on the amount of energy usage.
It has a water system totaling 550 liters of water that is clean and which is stored in a tank beneath the floor. The water is heated through a wood burning stove or through the solar system on the roof and it is then recycled.
The green roof offers insulation by way of marsh plants that are able to filter out grey water run-off from the sink along with the shower. It is first pumped to the roof and then purified over 24 hours and it can then be reused for washing. There is also a bio-toilet that is able to separate waste and turn solid waste into fertilizer.
Trailers come with a price tag of around US$45,000 to $110,000. Buyers are also able to customize the design of the truck before it is built. The build the company are undertaking at the moment is going to be put on show at the Almdorf Seinerzeit hotel in Austria, where people can book to stay in it.
Via [Wohnwagon]
The post Small luxury Wohnwagon trailer home looks after itself appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
Small luxury Wohnwagon trailer home looks after itself
When you think about trailer homes you don’t usually think of them offering luxury accommodation. However a company in Austria has been making trailer homes that have luxury interiors and which are compact along with being self-sufficient. The Wohnwagen trailers typically offer around 25 square meters of space and come with their own waste and water systems along with their own electricity.
[Image Courtesy of Wohnwagon]
The company was founded in 2013 and they are now on to making their 5th trailer. The wagons make the most of the space and they measure 10 x 2.5 meters and have a 3 x 2 meters expandable section. The homes offer various sustainable features and are made using natural along with recycled materials.
[Image Courtesy of Wohnwagon]
The outside of the trailers are made of larch wood and on the inside they are spruce or panels of wood-fibre and clay plaster. Insulation is wool from sheep and this helps to keep the temperature and humidity regulated.
[Image Courtesy of Wohnwagon]
Each of the trailers has four solar panels on the roof and these offer an output of 1.2kW, while the surplus energy stores in a 6kWh battery system that has been installed underneath the floor. The trailer offers enough energy for the occupants to live in it year round. There is a monitoring system allowing the residents to check on the amount of energy usage.
[Image Courtesy of Wohnwagon]
It has a water system totaling 550 liters of water that is clean and which is stored in a tank beneath the floor. The water is heated through a wood burning stove or through the solar system on the roof and it is then recycled.
[Image Courtesy of Wohnwagon]
The green roof offers insulation by way of marsh plants that are able to filter out grey water run-off from the sink along with the shower. It is first pumped to the roof and then purified over 24 hours and it can then be reused for washing. There is also a bio-toilet that is able to separate waste and turn solid waste into fertilizer.
[Image Courtesy of Wohnwagon]
Trailers come with a price tag of around US$45,000 to $110,000. Buyers are also able to customize the design of the truck before it is built. The build the company are undertaking at the moment is going to be put on show at the Almdorf Seinerzeit hotel in Austria, where people can book to stay in it.
[Image Courtesy of Wohnwagon]
Via [Wohnwagon]
The post Small luxury Wohnwagon trailer home looks after itself appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
Solar Impulse stranded in Hawaii for time being
The Solar Impulse has been flying around the globe using just the sun for power and one pilot. It started off in March in Abu Dhabi but for the time being it is stranded in Hawaii and will remain there until August. Andre Borschberg, the co-founder of the Impulse piloted the solar powered aircraft from Nagoya, Japan to Oahu in Hawaii with very little sleep and it seems that the batteries of the craft haven’t managed so well without being given rest.
The plane was checked when it landed at Hawaii and the team reported damage that is irreversible to some of the batteries parts. These are going to need replacements and repairs, which means that the solar powered craft is going to be grounded for around two to three weeks.
The team said that the batteries overheated due to over insulation on the first day of travelling from Japan to Hawaii. Even though they kept a close eye on them during the flight, there was no way to decrease the temperature of the batteries in flight. During the flight the pilot had to ascend to 28,000 feet due to energy management.
The Solar Impulse is undergoing repairs to the batteries and at the same time the team are looking into how to deal better with the cooling and heating during the long flights the plane endures. When it has been repaired the craft will take back to the skies and continue on its journey to the US. There are some stops planned and then it will head back over the Atlantic Ocean and make its way back to Abu Dhabi.
Via [Solar Impulse]
The post Solar Impulse stranded in Hawaii for time being appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
Solar Impulse stranded in Hawaii for time being
The Solar Impulse has been flying around the globe using just the sun for power and one pilot. It started off in March in Abu Dhabi but for the time being it is stranded in Hawaii and will remain there until August. Andre Borschberg, the co-founder of the Impulse piloted the solar powered aircraft from Nagoya, Japan to Oahu in Hawaii with very little sleep and it seems that the batteries of the craft haven’t managed so well without being given rest.
[Image Courtesy of Solar Impulse]
The plane was checked when it landed at Hawaii and the team reported damage that is irreversible to some of the batteries parts. These are going to need replacements and repairs, which means that the solar powered craft is going to be grounded for around two to three weeks.
[Image Courtesy of Solar Impulse]
The team said that the batteries overheated due to over insulation on the first day of travelling from Japan to Hawaii. Even though they kept a close eye on them during the flight, there was no way to decrease the temperature of the batteries in flight. During the flight the pilot had to ascend to 28,000 feet due to energy management.
[Image Courtesy of Solar Impulse]
The Solar Impulse is undergoing repairs to the batteries and at the same time the team are looking into how to deal better with the cooling and heating during the long flights the plane endures. When it has been repaired the craft will take back to the skies and continue on its journey to the US. There are some stops planned and then it will head back over the Atlantic Ocean and make its way back to Abu Dhabi.
Via [Solar Impulse]
The post Solar Impulse stranded in Hawaii for time being appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
These creative alarm clocks will surely get you out of bed on time
For those who have trouble waking up in the morning, maybe an eccentric and creative alarm clock could help make sure your not late. The main idea in these devices is hindering the process required to turn off the alarm, giving you no other option than to get up. Check out the list of creative alarm clocks and forget the meaning of snooze.
1) Clocky
2) Lock ‘n’ Load Gun and Target Alarm Clock
If you think testing your aim would be a good wake-up call, this alarm clock could be quite fun for you. Every morning you can wake up to one of three games. When the alarm goes off, the Gun O’Clock target pops up, and you have to grab the gun in time to shoot it to turn the clock off! It’s a great way to bring you to your senses when the snooze button simply isn’t an option.
3) TechTools Flying Alarm Clock
The post These creative alarm clocks will surely get you out of bed on time appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
These creative alarm clocks will surely get you out of bed on time
For those who have trouble waking up in the morning, maybe an eccentric and creative alarm clock could help make sure your not late. The main idea in these devices is hindering the process required to turn off the alarm, giving you no other option than to get up. Check out the list of creative alarm clocks and forget the meaning of snooze.
1) Clocky
This first option is quite dynamic: Clocky gives you one chance to get up. But if you snooze, Clocky will jump off your nightstand and wheel around your room looking for a place to hide, beeping all the while. You’ll definitely bewide awake after having to chase your alarm clock in order to silence it. The Clocky from Nanda Home brand can fall from a height of up to 3 meters, and rolling around on either floor or carpet. The battery is said to last a year and it’s simple design counts with a display showing the time and control buttons. Models are available in six different colors for $39,99.
2) Lock ‘n’ Load Gun and Target Alarm Clock
If you think testing your aim would be a good wake-up call, this alarm clock could be quite fun for you. Every morning you can wake up to one of three games. When the alarm goes off, the Gun O’Clock target pops up, and you have to grab the gun in time to shoot it to turn the clock off! It’s a great way to bring you to your senses when the snooze button simply isn’t an option.
3) TechTools Flying Alarm Clock
What if your alarm clock just flew away before you could hit that snooze button? That is what the creative minds from TechTools came up with when creating their flying alarm clock. The device has a propeller on top that separates from the base when the scheduled time triggers the alarm, and the sound only silences when the user finds the flying propeller and returns to the base.
4) Wake Up Work Out Alarm Clock
This alarm clock is definitely useful for those who like to get into shape early in the morning. The dumbbell shaped alarm clock only shuts off once you’ve done 30 bicep reps. Motion sensors inside can tell exactly how many reps you’ve done and only if you do them right, so you can’t cheat.
5) Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock
This option is a little less dynamic and lot more radical: it has a 113dB extra loud alarm —louder than a jackhammer or chainsaw— and a bed shaker. Sonic Alert’s Sonic Bomb with Super Shaker offers a combination of blaringly loud alarm and a vibration extension that’s great if you’re a deep sleeper or tend to sleep through an audio alarm. The noise is so loud and the shaker so intense that it’s not only guaranteed to wake you up, but also probably scar you for life.
6) Sharp Vibrating Pillow Alarm Clock
The idea of this clock is to wake up the user by vibrating, which means no obnoxious, buzzing beeps. Not only is this perfect for deep sleepers who completely ignore any and every sound around them, but it’s also quite interesting for people who share a room with someone who wakes up in different time. It is portable and can be placed next to the pillow, on the bed, table or other locations.
7) SensorWake
The last item on our list is the SensorWake, that wakes you up with the smell of chocolate, coffee and even the smell of money! So you wake up to your favorite smell and start the day happily. The project was successful on Kickstarter and it works as an olfactory alarm: just put custom cartridges in it to change the scent. And in case of stuffy nose, SensorWake includes an audio alarm that goes off after 3 minutes if you’re not awake.
The post These creative alarm clocks will surely get you out of bed on time appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
I am retired; I don't need an alarm clock - especially one I have chase! 
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
Roller bearing and needle bearing – How do these differ from ball bearings?
From electric motors to inline skate wheels, there are many different uses for ball bearings. If you find yourself in a position where you need to purchase this product, you will undoubtedly take a look on the Internet only to find hundreds and hundreds of options at your disposal.
This can be a little bit confusing and daunting for someone that has never purchased a bearing before. One of the first things you need to do is make sure you buy the right type of bearing. A lot of people end up purchasing a needle bearing or roller bearing by accident instead of a ball bearing. Keeping that in mind, we will assess the differences between the three.
What constitutes a ball bearing?
Ball bearing [bearingboys.co.uk]
So, let’s begin by taking a look at ball bearings themselves, which are the most common type of bearing, and are used in everything from hard drives to inline skates. They are typically found in applications where the load is relatively small, and they can handle both thrust and radial loads.
With this type of bearing, the load is transmitted from the outer race to the ball and then from the ball to the inner race. The reason why a ball bearing is able to spin extremely smoothly is because it is sphere in shape, which means it only contacts the outer and inner race at a small point. You need to be mindful of overloading a ball bearing however, as you can ruin the bearing, as it will lose its shape.
Roller bearings and Needle bearing characteristics
Roller bearing [bearingboys.co.uk]
Roller bearings differ from ball bearings dramatically, as they are a cylinder rather than a sphere. Because of this, they are used in different applications, typically those where it is necessary to hold heavy radial loads.
They are often found in the likes of conveyor belt rollers. When using roller bearings, the load is spread out over a large area because the cylinder shape means that the contact between the outer and inner race is a line rather than a point, this allows the roller bearing to hold much heavier loads than a ball bearing. However, it is vital to bear in mind the fact that this type of bearing has not been designed to handle a lot of thrust loading, rather it is for radial loading.
What about needle bearings? A needle bearing is a variation of a roller bearing. The only difference is that the cylinders used have an extremely small diameter, which ensures the bearing can be fit into tight places.
Needle bearing [engineerlive.com]
Tapered roller bearings are designed to support both large thrust loads and large radial loads. You will often find that they are used in car hubs, where they are carefully placed so they can handle thrust in both directions. In this instance, they will be used in pairs and mounted facing operate directions. If you are looking for something that is simply designed for great thrust loads, roller thrust bearings are a good option, which can often be found in gear sets. Finally, you will find that ball thrust bearings are a popular choice in barstools, as they are commonly used for low-speed applications, since they cannot handle a great deal of radial load.
All in all, there are plenty of different bearings for you to choose from and the importance of selecting the right bearing for your application is something that simply cannot be ignored.
Source: Bearing Boys
The post Roller bearing and needle bearing – How do these differ from ball bearings? appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
Roller bearing and needle bearing – How do these differ from ball bearings?
From electric motors to inline skate wheels, there are many different uses for ball bearings. If you find yourself in a position where you need to purchase this product, you will undoubtedly take a look on the Internet only to find hundreds and hundreds of options at your disposal.
This can be a little bit confusing and daunting for someone that has never purchased a bearing before. One of the first things you need to do is make sure you buy the right type of bearing. A lot of people end up purchasing a needle bearing or roller bearing by accident instead of a ball bearing. Keeping that in mind, we will assess the differences between the three.
What constitutes a ball bearing?
Ball bearing [bearingboys.co.uk]
So, let’s begin by taking a look at ball bearings themselves, which are the most common type of bearing, and are used in everything from hard drives to inline skates. They are typically found in applications where the load is relatively small, and they can handle both thrust and radial loads.
With this type of bearing, the load is transmitted from the outer race to the ball and then from the ball to the inner race. The reason why a ball bearing is able to spin extremely smoothly is because it is sphere in shape, which means it only contacts the outer and inner race at a small point. You need to be mindful of overloading a ball bearing however, as you can ruin the bearing, as it will lose its shape.
Roller bearings and Needle bearing characteristics
Roller bearing [bearingboys.co.uk]
Roller bearings differ from ball bearings dramatically, as they are a cylinder rather than a sphere. Because of this, they are used in different applications, typically those where it is necessary to hold heavy radial loads.
They are often found in the likes of conveyor belt rollers. When using roller bearings, the load is spread out over a large area because the cylinder shape means that the contact between the outer and inner race is a line rather than a point, this allows the roller bearing to hold much heavier loads than a ball bearing. However, it is vital to bear in mind the fact that this type of bearing has not been designed to handle a lot of thrust loading, rather it is for radial loading.
What about needle bearings? A needle bearing is a variation of a roller bearing. The only difference is that the cylinders used have an extremely small diameter, which ensures the bearing can be fit into tight places.
Needle bearing [engineerlive.com]
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of the difference between roller bearings, needle bearings and ball bearings. There are many other types of bearings to choose from as well, including tapered roller bearings, roller thrust bearings and ball thrust bearings.
Tapered roller bearings are designed to support both large thrust loads and large radial loads. You will often find that they are used in car hubs, where they are carefully placed so they can handle thrust in both directions. In this instance, they will be used in pairs and mounted facing operate directions. If you are looking for something that is simply designed for great thrust loads, roller thrust bearings are a good option, which can often be found in gear sets. Finally, you will find that ball thrust bearings are a popular choice in barstools, as they are commonly used for low-speed applications, since they cannot handle a great deal of radial load.
All in all, there are plenty of different bearings for you to choose from and the importance of selecting the right bearing for your application is something that simply cannot be ignored.
Source: Bearing Boys
The post Roller bearing and needle bearing – How do these differ from ball bearings? appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
New Horizon makes it into history books as it flies past Pluto
The New Horizons spacecraft from NASA made its way by Pluto at 7:49 today EDT. The unmanned probe flew past the planet at 12,500 km away and doing a speed of 14 km/sec and this made it the last classical planet to have been paid a visit by the spacecraft.
The flyby of the New Horizons today is historic and also paradoxical due to the fact that the spacecraft, which cost around US$750 million is on a ballistic trajectory. The mission control of NASA knows that the craft has gone past Pluto but the biggest question they want answers to is has it survived the attempt and in what state. Pluto is around 4.77 billion kilometres away from the Earth and the radio signals take around 4 hours and 25 minutes before they reach NASA.
Even worse is the news that New Horizons is getting itself ready to bring the seven scientific instruments to bear and the main antenna of the probe is pointing in the wrong direction for it to be able to transmit to the Deep Space Network of NASA on earth. This means that they will not receive news about whether the mission has been a failure or success until 9pm EDT.
New Horizons should hit the 300 kilometer circle target at the right moment if all goes to plan. It has made its way past Pluto and the five moons and has now gone deep into space. A spokesperson for NASA yesterday cautioned that the chance of the craft encountering a dust particle or perhaps other large debris is around one in 10,000. However even the smallest grain of debris would hit the craft like a bullet and it could cripple or perhaps even destroy the craft.
New Horizons has carried out the 30 scientific objectives autonomously and these include mapping, studying the atmosphere, and looking for new moons and rings. Along with this, the data it gathered is going to help NASA to pin down the exact size of Pluto along with other vital information such as the density and magnetic field, if it has any, along with information about the largest moon, Charon.
The flyby is now over and the next goal of the craft is the Kuiper belt object, which is years away. However it does have a lot of work in front of it and thanks to the limited transmitting power and distance, the probe is only capable of returning 2 kilobits of data per second. This means that the huge amount of data collected is going to take around 16 months to download.
Via [NASA]
The post New Horizon makes it into history books as it flies past Pluto appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
New Horizon makes it into history books as it flies past Pluto
The New Horizons spacecraft from NASA made its way by Pluto at 7:49 today EDT. The unmanned probe flew past the planet at 12,500 km away and doing a speed of 14 km/sec and this made it the last classical planet to have been paid a visit by the spacecraft.
[Image Courtesy of NASA]
The flyby of the New Horizons today is historic and also paradoxical due to the fact that the spacecraft, which cost around US$750 million is on a ballistic trajectory. The mission control of NASA knows that the craft has gone past Pluto but the biggest question they want answers to is has it survived the attempt and in what state. Pluto is around 4.77 billion kilometres away from the Earth and the radio signals take around 4 hours and 25 minutes before they reach NASA.
[Image Courtesy of NASA]
Even worse is the news that New Horizons is getting itself ready to bring the seven scientific instruments to bear and the main antenna of the probe is pointing in the wrong direction for it to be able to transmit to the Deep Space Network of NASA on earth. This means that they will not receive news about whether the mission has been a failure or success until 9pm EDT.
[Image Courtesy of NASA]
New Horizons should hit the 300 kilometer circle target at the right moment if all goes to plan. It has made its way past Pluto and the five moons and has now gone deep into space. A spokesperson for NASA yesterday cautioned that the chance of the craft encountering a dust particle or perhaps other large debris is around one in 10,000. However even the smallest grain of debris would hit the craft like a bullet and it could cripple or perhaps even destroy the craft.
[Image Courtesy of NASA]
New Horizons has carried out the 30 scientific objectives autonomously and these include mapping, studying the atmosphere, and looking for new moons and rings. Along with this, the data it gathered is going to help NASA to pin down the exact size of Pluto along with other vital information such as the density and magnetic field, if it has any, along with information about the largest moon, Charon.
[Image Courtesy of NASA]
The flyby is now over and the next goal of the craft is the Kuiper belt object, which is years away. However it does have a lot of work in front of it and thanks to the limited transmitting power and distance, the probe is only capable of returning 2 kilobits of data per second. This means that the huge amount of data collected is going to take around 16 months to download.
Via [NASA]
The post New Horizon makes it into history books as it flies past Pluto appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
Golden Reel in China will become first ever figure eight Ferris wheel
Alongside the Studio City resort in China there is going to be a world’s first and this is the Golden Reel Ferris wheel. It is the first figure eight wheel to be built and it will also be the highest Ferris wheel in Asia.
Studio City is going to be a complex with movie themes and will cost around US$3.2 billion. Melco Crown Entertainment is behind its construction and it is going to offer a hotel, restaurant, luxury shopping and gaming areas. It is also going to feature a 5,000 seat entertainment venue which will be used for various means and hold sporting events, music events and theater. There will also be a TV broadcasting studio with a 300 seat live audience which will be home for game shows and reality TV productions, along with a nightclub and a family entertainment center spreading over 40,000 square feet.
The big draw to the center will be the Golden Reel and this will be set between the two central towers of the hotel in the resort, 130 meters off the ground. The design was movie inspired and has been based around two flaming asteroids that crashed their way through the building and left two holes in which the figure eight shaped wheel is made.
The ride can be accessed from the hotels 23rd floor and features 17 pods designed in the steam punk style. Each of these can fit up to 10 people and in total the ride will last for more than 15 minutes and provide stunning views out over Macau.
At the moment the Golden Reel is undergoing rigorous testing after having its final pods installed. Studio City Macau will be opening its door later on this year.
Via [Studio City Macau]
The post Golden Reel in China will become first ever figure eight Ferris wheel appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
Golden Reel in China will become first ever figure eight Ferris wheel
Alongside the Studio City resort in China there is going to be a world’s first and this is the Golden Reel Ferris wheel. It is the first figure eight wheel to be built and it will also be the highest Ferris wheel in Asia.
[Image Courtesy of Studio City Macau]
Studio City is going to be a complex with movie themes and will cost around US$3.2 billion. Melco Crown Entertainment is behind its construction and it is going to offer a hotel, restaurant, luxury shopping and gaming areas. It is also going to feature a 5,000 seat entertainment venue which will be used for various means and hold sporting events, music events and theater. There will also be a TV broadcasting studio with a 300 seat live audience which will be home for game shows and reality TV productions, along with a nightclub and a family entertainment center spreading over 40,000 square feet.
[Image Courtesy of Studio City Macau]
The big draw to the center will be the Golden Reel and this will be set between the two central towers of the hotel in the resort, 130 meters off the ground. The design was movie inspired and has been based around two flaming asteroids that crashed their way through the building and left two holes in which the figure eight shaped wheel is made.
[Image Courtesy of Studio City Macau]
The ride can be accessed from the hotels 23rd floor and features 17 pods designed in the steam punk style. Each of these can fit up to 10 people and in total the ride will last for more than 15 minutes and provide stunning views out over Macau.
[Image Courtesy of Studio City Macau]
At the moment the Golden Reel is undergoing rigorous testing after having its final pods installed. Studio City Macau will be opening its door later on this year.
[Image Courtesy of Studio City Macau]
Via [Studio City Macau]
The post Golden Reel in China will become first ever figure eight Ferris wheel appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
