Archive for Technology

Robot Climbs Walls With Static Electricity

This unnamed robot by SRI International has a useful trick—it can climb walls using the principle of electro-adhesion (what we generalized as “static electricity” as kids, when we’d rub balloons on our heads and stick them to walls). But what’s most promising is that the robot needs only a “very small amount of power” to stick to surfaces that can be covered in dust and other debris.

Laptop Cooling station

There are laptop cooling pads, and we’ve got to hand it to Enermax for building the biggest and silliest one we’ve ever seen. The Aeolus cooling pad features just a single fan, but it’s an 8.66-inch diameter monster, capable of reducing temps by 22 degrees Celsius (71 degrees Fahrenheit) while only putting out 20dB of noise. On top that, it’s got integrated blue LEDs for additional nerd cred — although we’re wondering how you’re supposed to actually see them while your furnace of a laptop is parked on top. Should be around now for about $70, we hear.

Deactivate Selected Parts of Your Brain

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is a process in which you run an electromagnet over parts of the brain, which essentially turns them off. This brain altering technology is no joke. While effects don’t appear to be permanent or long-standing, doctors and researchers think it could show how the brain recovers from traumas such as stroke. Though the technology might run a teensy-weensy risk of causing epilepsy, that’s all. The video below shows grown men reciting nursery rhymes and turning into stuttering messes.

Gadget charging handbag

Bags that charge your gadgets aren’t exactly a new concept, but that apparently hasn’t stopped Philips from trying to patent the idea, as evidenced by its recently-revealed application for a so-called “Smart Handbag.” This bag is somewhat unique, however, in that it has separate compartments for your various gizmos, each of which contain their own electric conductive circuit that’s used to top off the devices as needed (the bag itself is apparently charged simply by plugging the strap into a power outlet). As if that wasn’t enough, the other end of the strap would apparently be outfitted with a USB connector, which’d let you plug the bag into your computer and instantly have access to all the devices contained within it. Of course, that’s assuming computers still have USB ports whenever this thing actually makes it off the drawing board.

Sync Desktop: A Workspace With Integrated PC and Fold-Away Monitor

Besides being absolutely beautiful, this Sync Desktop concept from designer Gareth Battensby features a fold-away widescreen monitor and keyboard, a built in USB hub, scanner, mouse, webcam, easy-to-access DVD unit, and plenty of storage space. And because it is all seamlessly integrated into the design, the Sync can be converted into a standard desk for other projects whenever necessary. The only problem is that I doubt that it could ever become a commercial product unless there was a way to upgrade the hardware.

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