The dream of a flying car has been around since the 50ies, when the first prototypes were made. However, no viable, serially produced models have emerged up to this date, something which might be about to change. According to the manufacturers, the Terrafugia Transition is a "roadable aircraft" with foldable wings, which runs on gasoline, which will be available to consumers by the end of 2009 and which will cost approximately $200 000.
The "roadable aircraft" designation comes from the fact that you will need to get it to an airport in order to takeoff..Once there, you initiate the wing unfolding procedure,after which you are ready to go.
also see: Image gallery
Terrafugia corporate site
onsdag 21 januari 2009
måndag 19 januari 2009
Our universe might be a giant hologram
A large-scale scientific experiment in Hannover,Germany might inadvertedly have picked up evidence for the existence of observable granularities in space-time, the fabric which makes up our universe, something which might in turn be evidence for that we are in fact living inside a giant hologram.
The observations are consistent with and predicted by a theory in cosmology, which states that the structure of the universe can be described by the structure of its "surface", which is the limit of our observable universe, approximately 14 Bn light years away. However, this is exactly analogous with the physical phenomenon of holography (which we encounter in our everyday lives by the 3D images on banknotes and credit cards) where light bounced off a 2D surface generates a 3D image), and that is why the theory is called "the holographic principle". The theory also predicts that the smallest measurable unit of space-time will be larger (and thus detectable) inside the universe than on its surface..something which might turn up as static interference noise in laser beams,among other things...and this is exactly what happened in the experiment!
The observations are consistent with and predicted by a theory in cosmology, which states that the structure of the universe can be described by the structure of its "surface", which is the limit of our observable universe, approximately 14 Bn light years away. However, this is exactly analogous with the physical phenomenon of holography (which we encounter in our everyday lives by the 3D images on banknotes and credit cards) where light bounced off a 2D surface generates a 3D image), and that is why the theory is called "the holographic principle". The theory also predicts that the smallest measurable unit of space-time will be larger (and thus detectable) inside the universe than on its surface..something which might turn up as static interference noise in laser beams,among other things...and this is exactly what happened in the experiment!
fredag 16 januari 2009
Ultralight antarctic speedster/explorer from Lotus
The vehicle in this entry is neither massproduced, nor available for acquisition by the general public, so strictly speaking it does not fit within the criteria for being reported here, but its design (and accompanying specs ), which gives it a distinct aircraft-like appearance, is just TOO intriguing not to mention.
Lotus, known for its fast and beautiful sports cars, has designed an ultralight vehicle, called the Concept Ice Vehicle which will join the upcoming Moon-Regan Transarctic Expedition in late 2009, where it will have a scouting role exploring the terrain ahead of the main expedition, hunting for obstacles and perils (such as deep cracks in the ice).
It has a small glass-fiber cockpit, 3 broad skis supporting it, and a rear-mounted propeller which powers the vehicle at speeds of up to 84 mph across the antarctic ice.
In addition, it is also equipped with a GPS-enhanced radar system which will be utilized in the terrain exploration, and the coordinates of any obstacles can be radioed back to to the rest of the team.
Wired Article
Lotus, known for its fast and beautiful sports cars, has designed an ultralight vehicle, called the Concept Ice Vehicle which will join the upcoming Moon-Regan Transarctic Expedition in late 2009, where it will have a scouting role exploring the terrain ahead of the main expedition, hunting for obstacles and perils (such as deep cracks in the ice).
It has a small glass-fiber cockpit, 3 broad skis supporting it, and a rear-mounted propeller which powers the vehicle at speeds of up to 84 mph across the antarctic ice.
In addition, it is also equipped with a GPS-enhanced radar system which will be utilized in the terrain exploration, and the coordinates of any obstacles can be radioed back to to the rest of the team.
Wired Article
onsdag 14 januari 2009
3 deep-sea personal submarines
The Ocean Pearl, the C-Quester 3, and the OrcaSub are 3 submarines for personal use which either are or will be available within a year or two, depending on model.
They do admittedly cost "slightly" more than the average person can afford....., but on the other hand they are not your average run-of-the-mill , hobbyist experimental submarines either, as their maximum operating depths vary between 100 and 700 meters
(yes, that is 700 METERS, and not feet...) and have endurances of between 6 and 12 hours.
Entry no.3 does hold special novelty value, as it possibly is the first real-life sub to emulate in both shape and performance the small shark-shaped one-man sub invented by professor Calculus in the episode "red Rackham's treasure" of the TinTin comic book series by Herge
They do admittedly cost "slightly" more than the average person can afford....., but on the other hand they are not your average run-of-the-mill , hobbyist experimental submarines either, as their maximum operating depths vary between 100 and 700 meters
(yes, that is 700 METERS, and not feet...) and have endurances of between 6 and 12 hours.
Entry no.3 does hold special novelty value, as it possibly is the first real-life sub to emulate in both shape and performance the small shark-shaped one-man sub invented by professor Calculus in the episode "red Rackham's treasure" of the TinTin comic book series by Herge
Emotion of "Elevation" Explained
Boing Boing writes about the feeling you can get on occasion when you listen to a particular piece of music or watch an epic movie,
"a feeling of spreading, liquid warmth in the chest and a lump in the throat", and a sense of meaningfulness and context. It turns out that this emotion actually has a name , the emotion of Elevation, and it is currently being studied in laboratories. The latest approach taken by the researchers in order to induce this emotion apparently is letting their subjects listen to Barack obama's victory speech!
Slate also has a feature on "elevation" research.
"a feeling of spreading, liquid warmth in the chest and a lump in the throat", and a sense of meaningfulness and context. It turns out that this emotion actually has a name , the emotion of Elevation, and it is currently being studied in laboratories. The latest approach taken by the researchers in order to induce this emotion apparently is letting their subjects listen to Barack obama's victory speech!
Slate also has a feature on "elevation" research.
fredag 9 januari 2009
Electric cars : driving the revolution
Treehugger.com is currently running a feature on 23 state-of-the-art electric cars.
The first entry, the Tesla electric roadster, is certainly generating a lot of buzz currently, but beyond that it seems that the only two entries worth mentioning in this context are number 9 and 10.
The Tango, by Commuter Cars looks like a Cooper Mini that got stuck in a metal crusher, and got squashed to half its width,while still retaining its other dimensions..BUT..it does 0-100 kmh (60mph ) in 4 seconds (something that would seem like a rather scary experience in such a small & flimsy craft!..)
Aptera 2e, by Aptera Motors , on the other hand,rather resembles a sports aeroplane which has lost its wings.
(The photos on the company site possibly don't render the idea of the vehicle in the clearest possible way, so you would probably like to do an additional search on Google Images.)
electric cars
The first entry, the Tesla electric roadster, is certainly generating a lot of buzz currently, but beyond that it seems that the only two entries worth mentioning in this context are number 9 and 10.
The Tango, by Commuter Cars looks like a Cooper Mini that got stuck in a metal crusher, and got squashed to half its width,while still retaining its other dimensions..BUT..it does 0-100 kmh (60mph ) in 4 seconds (something that would seem like a rather scary experience in such a small & flimsy craft!..)
Aptera 2e, by Aptera Motors , on the other hand,rather resembles a sports aeroplane which has lost its wings.
(The photos on the company site possibly don't render the idea of the vehicle in the clearest possible way, so you would probably like to do an additional search on Google Images.)
electric cars
onsdag 7 januari 2009
Icon A5 "Jet-ski/sports car" small airplane
From Wired Magazine:
What happens when an iraq war veteran F-16 fighter pilot and a skateboarding ex-banker meet and decide to design an aircraft?
Apparently, something like the hyperdesigned,easy-to-fly Icon A5 amphibian 2-seater, whose looks could most closely be described as something like the mix of a sports car, a jet-ski and a snowmobile,and with detachable wings for easy transport.
Icon Aircraft Corporate site
What happens when an iraq war veteran F-16 fighter pilot and a skateboarding ex-banker meet and decide to design an aircraft?
Apparently, something like the hyperdesigned,easy-to-fly Icon A5 amphibian 2-seater, whose looks could most closely be described as something like the mix of a sports car, a jet-ski and a snowmobile,and with detachable wings for easy transport.
Icon Aircraft Corporate site
tisdag 6 januari 2009
"Verifier Approach" method maps scientific knowledge, proves ancient manuscript false
The Voynich Manuscript is an ancient hand-written text from the 16th century,written in an unknown langugage, and reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks. It contains fantastic drawings of plants and animals which appears to be purely imaginary, as well as sections with material resembling other areas of the natural sciences (although mostly fantastic/imaginary). Many attempts have been made through the centuries to decode the language contained in the volume, and many theories have been put forth regarding the contents, but so far none have been successful.
However, recently, Gordon Rugg , a psychologist teaching at the computer scientist department of the Keelee University near Manchester, England, took a different approach by using a method he had developed himself, called the Verifier Approach, and claims to have proved that the text is complete nonsense, and that there is no hidden message.
What is remarkable is that the method used is not a decryption mechanism in any sense, but what he did is that he actually analyzed the body of knowledge and all the work done so far relating to the analysis of the manuscript by various experts,building maps of the knowledge, looking at how they overlap, and identifying overlaps, discrepancies and empty areas where no work had ben done.
Rugg is also looking into applying the method into other areas, such as Alzheimer's disease, in order to improve the quality of and to speed along research in those areas.
However, recently, Gordon Rugg , a psychologist teaching at the computer scientist department of the Keelee University near Manchester, England, took a different approach by using a method he had developed himself, called the Verifier Approach, and claims to have proved that the text is complete nonsense, and that there is no hidden message.
What is remarkable is that the method used is not a decryption mechanism in any sense, but what he did is that he actually analyzed the body of knowledge and all the work done so far relating to the analysis of the manuscript by various experts,building maps of the knowledge, looking at how they overlap, and identifying overlaps, discrepancies and empty areas where no work had ben done.
Rugg is also looking into applying the method into other areas, such as Alzheimer's disease, in order to improve the quality of and to speed along research in those areas.
Something outside, tugging at our universe..
Scientists have found streams of matter ,
for whose movement there is no explanation within our observable universe.
These are caused neither by the well known expansion of the universe itself (expansion of space itself since the Big Bang, 14 Billion years ago), nor by any detectable mass of matter within our observable universe.
The only explanation for these streams of matter thus is that there is something "significantly large" OUTSIDE of our known universe causing these streams.
Exactly what this might be is not known yet, but this discovery has opened up speculation that our universe might be part of a significantly larger structure, or only one among a number of other universes.
for whose movement there is no explanation within our observable universe.
These are caused neither by the well known expansion of the universe itself (expansion of space itself since the Big Bang, 14 Billion years ago), nor by any detectable mass of matter within our observable universe.
The only explanation for these streams of matter thus is that there is something "significantly large" OUTSIDE of our known universe causing these streams.
Exactly what this might be is not known yet, but this discovery has opened up speculation that our universe might be part of a significantly larger structure, or only one among a number of other universes.
måndag 5 januari 2009
Gen-H4 One-man mini helicopter
Gen-H4 is a small,with the emphasis on SMALL, ultralight one-man helicopter invented by Gennai Yanagisawa, an 75-year old engine designer from Japan
(a more accurate description might possibly be "flying device"...).
There are various claims on the internet regarding its specifications, (possibly due to the existence of earlier versions)
but the company site states the following:
weight : 75kg
4x10 hp/125cc engines
2 counterrotating rotors : (diameter 4m)
Cruise speed : 100 kmh
Fuel consumption : 19 l/h
Autonomy : 60 minutes
Current cost approximately $60,000
(some sources claim $30,000)
Produced by Gen Corporation in Japan
English section (ugly!)
Site of US distributor AceCraft
News article with picture
Video
(a more accurate description might possibly be "flying device"...).
There are various claims on the internet regarding its specifications, (possibly due to the existence of earlier versions)
but the company site states the following:
weight : 75kg
4x10 hp/125cc engines
2 counterrotating rotors : (diameter 4m)
Cruise speed : 100 kmh
Fuel consumption : 19 l/h
Autonomy : 60 minutes
Current cost approximately $60,000
(some sources claim $30,000)
Produced by Gen Corporation in Japan
English section (ugly!)
Site of US distributor AceCraft
News article with picture
Video
CBS 60 Minutes on Mind-reading research
CBS 60 minutes on current research in mind-reading technology.
From the contents:
Researchers at Carnegie-Mellon University are using fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanners to look inside our minds and detect our thoughts.
Among other things,they can tell which out of a number of objects the research subject is thinking of.
One of the reporters is shown 10 different images of objects,and instructed to think of them one at at time. A computer hooked up to the scanner successfully tells which object the reporter is thinking of, 10 out of 10 times,just by looking at the brain patterns produced by the scanner, even though it has never seen images of the reporter's brain before!
-They have also devised experiments in which they can tell whether a person has seen a given environment before or not.This could be used to tell whether a suspected burglar has previously visited the victim's home.
-They forecast that it would be possible to read a person's mind by shining a light beam on the forehead of a person,which penetrates just beneath the skull bone, and by using detectors to study how the reflected light is modified by the activity in the brain lobes,while the person is being interviewed at an airport or similar situation,and without the person knowing it,and that such technology is being worked on right now.
-They forecast that we will be able to read complex thoughts, not within 20 years, but within 3-5 years.
...& more.
How Technology May Soon Read Your Mind, 60 Minutes Incredible Research Lets Scientists Get A Glimpse At Your Thoughts - CBS (Transcript)
Video
From the contents:
Researchers at Carnegie-Mellon University are using fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanners to look inside our minds and detect our thoughts.
Among other things,they can tell which out of a number of objects the research subject is thinking of.
One of the reporters is shown 10 different images of objects,and instructed to think of them one at at time. A computer hooked up to the scanner successfully tells which object the reporter is thinking of, 10 out of 10 times,just by looking at the brain patterns produced by the scanner, even though it has never seen images of the reporter's brain before!
-They have also devised experiments in which they can tell whether a person has seen a given environment before or not.This could be used to tell whether a suspected burglar has previously visited the victim's home.
-They forecast that it would be possible to read a person's mind by shining a light beam on the forehead of a person,which penetrates just beneath the skull bone, and by using detectors to study how the reflected light is modified by the activity in the brain lobes,while the person is being interviewed at an airport or similar situation,and without the person knowing it,and that such technology is being worked on right now.
-They forecast that we will be able to read complex thoughts, not within 20 years, but within 3-5 years.
...& more.
How Technology May Soon Read Your Mind, 60 Minutes Incredible Research Lets Scientists Get A Glimpse At Your Thoughts - CBS (Transcript)
Video
lördag 3 januari 2009
Scientists extract images directly from the brain
Researchers at the ATR Computational Neuroscience Laboratories in Japan have successfully extracted images from inside a person's mind.
The researchers first showed subjects 400 black and white simple still images,while modelling the blood flow in various parts of their brain using fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
The subjects where then showed a completely new set of images,
(the letters N-E-U-R-O-N in the word "neuron", among others)
while still connected to the fMRI scanner, and by feeding the output through a computer they were able to reconstruct the image that the subject was viewing from inside their mind, which was then projected onto a computer screen.
Although the images in the experiment were extremely simple and rudimentary, the researchers say that they will soon be able to refine the technology so that it will eventually be possible to visualize people's dreams while they are sleeping !
The researchers first showed subjects 400 black and white simple still images,while modelling the blood flow in various parts of their brain using fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
The subjects where then showed a completely new set of images,
(the letters N-E-U-R-O-N in the word "neuron", among others)
while still connected to the fMRI scanner, and by feeding the output through a computer they were able to reconstruct the image that the subject was viewing from inside their mind, which was then projected onto a computer screen.
Although the images in the experiment were extremely simple and rudimentary, the researchers say that they will soon be able to refine the technology so that it will eventually be possible to visualize people's dreams while they are sleeping !
Aquada, amphibian sports car
Amphibian vehicles (except for a few minor production series in the 50ies) have traditionally looked really,really ugly,as they have mainly been intended for use by the military or by public administration (coast guard etc) .
However, if you are a successful silicon valley entrepreneur, or perhaps the Sultan of Brunei, and you would like to own an amphibian vehicle, then you DON'T want it to look like a deformed WWI tank.
Up to now,there hasn't been a good solution to this problem,but now an English company has designed an amphibian SPORTS CAR , worthy of a James Bond movie.
The Gibbs Aquada can reach speeds of 100mph (160kmh) on land and 30 mph on water (26 knots).
You just drive it into the water, the wheels lift and fold,
and within 12 seconds you find yourself driving a flat-bottomed,planing speedboat.
The Aquada currently retails in an early production version at about £150000 in the UK , and is scheduled to go on sale in the US during 2009 for under $100 000.
Gibbs is also developing HSA (High Speed Amphibian), the technology that is at the core of the Aquada , into a separate technology that will allow external fitting to ANY sports car,which will transform it into a high-speed amphibian vehicle.
However, if you are a successful silicon valley entrepreneur, or perhaps the Sultan of Brunei, and you would like to own an amphibian vehicle, then you DON'T want it to look like a deformed WWI tank.
Up to now,there hasn't been a good solution to this problem,but now an English company has designed an amphibian SPORTS CAR , worthy of a James Bond movie.
The Gibbs Aquada can reach speeds of 100mph (160kmh) on land and 30 mph on water (26 knots).
You just drive it into the water, the wheels lift and fold,
and within 12 seconds you find yourself driving a flat-bottomed,planing speedboat.
The Aquada currently retails in an early production version at about £150000 in the UK , and is scheduled to go on sale in the US during 2009 for under $100 000.
Gibbs is also developing HSA (High Speed Amphibian), the technology that is at the core of the Aquada , into a separate technology that will allow external fitting to ANY sports car,which will transform it into a high-speed amphibian vehicle.
fredag 2 januari 2009
Welcome
..to the Twin Forces Blog
--Chronicling the advances of the Twin Forces
Science and Technology
The main blog is located at twinforces.wordpress.com
--Chronicling the advances of the Twin Forces
Science and Technology
The main blog is located at twinforces.wordpress.com
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