Just under two years ago, researchers at Boeing-Spectrolab managed to achieve 40.7% solar cell efficiency. Two years later, scientists at the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory have demonstrated their nerve by trumpeting an all new world record… one that’s 0.1% points better than the last. Yes, your new record now sits at 40.8% — tremendous progress, wouldn’t you say? Looking outside of the numbers, you’ll find that these cells differ “significantly” from the prior record holders, which enable them to be thinner, lighter, cheaper and altogether swanker. That’s it for now folks — come back in a couple years, we hear 40.9% is just around the bend.
Bigfoot here. Bigfoot big fan of Wired and Gadget Lab. (Bigfoot even do own wiring for press conference!) Bigfoot want make this press release and say that reports of Bigfoot death are greatly exaggerated. (Bigfoot also have advanced degree in American Literature. But Bigfoot student loans are worse than writing Master’s dissertation on Atlas Shrugged. Ugh, what Bigfoot thinking?) Now you click on image below to read full press release. CLICK! Or Bigfoot rip arms off! Just kidding, Bigfoot gentle wood ape; he no hurt fly!
We know that Dell is taking another crack at the mp3 player market, but who would’ve suspected that they will release not one, but two devices in due time. The second device will fall under the $100 price point and features Wi-Fi connectivity, although it remains to be seen how this function will be utilized to the maximum. Both players will arrive sometime early next year and not September this year as certain quarters thought. It will be interesting to see the type of software platform these Dell MP3 players rely on. I’m hoping it will make a positive contribution to the overcrowded MP3/PMP market, and surely it won’t be an ipod killer, right?
Here is a new e-book with some appealing features that the Kindle does not offer: the Ectaco jetBook allows readers to use, search and have dictionaries in multiple languages. The interface is available in English, Russian and Polish, with built-in translation dictionaries for this three languages. It does not use E-ink but instead has a 5-inch TFT VGA reflective monochrome screen which helps with low light reading (but supposedly consumes more power). For more features comparison with the Kindle check out Ectaco’s comparison page. The absence of a wireless connection is the downside of the jetBook, meaning users cannot access their RSS feed, unlike the Kindle which runs on EVDO. ECTACO is fully compatible with both Mac and Windows PCs and retails for $349.95
I don’t know if there is any serious need for this USB Indoor/Outdoor thermometer, but at $22 a pop, surely there isn’t much harm in trying to give this a go? Below are some of the specifications before you make up your mind on getting one.
Temperature Range - Inner: -40° ~ 120° Temperature Range - Outer: -50° ~ 150° Temperature can be captured from every second to 12 hours
So now you’re the office’s walking encyclopedia when it comes to the temperature, both within and without. Too bad it can’t tell the chemistry level between you and that hot new colleague who’s sitting in a cubicle opposite you. All the recorded data can be pasted in Word or Excel, letting you draw the temperature chart for reasons only you know.
We have two gadget competitions running this week, we have the identify the mystery gadget (£80 worth of prizes) and now onto regular coolest gadget of the week ($50 Amazon voucher again up for grabs), to enter for the draw simply vote for this week’s coolest gadget and leave a comment with your reasoning. Good luck, now onto the entries.
M400 Skycar: Fly me to the moon… or to work will do just fine
The M400 Skycar is the first feasible, personally affordable personal vertical take off and landing vehicle. In other words, it’s a flying car! It’s similar to another concept featured on Gaj-it, but much cooler in terms of looks, speed, and usability. It features storage for your groceries and is up to three times faster than any light helicopter today.
The full post can be found on Gaj-It.
Digital pasta timer spoon
If you need help in the kitchen department, this might be the answer. Just key in the type of pasta you’re cooking, its weight and how you like your pasta done and it’ll give you a perfect plate of pasta every time.
The full post can be found on Decide What to Buy.
ColorRight - Custom White Balance Gets Easy
I cannot express the simplicity and accuracy of this device enough. For those of you who never use custom white balance, the “wow” factor you get out of your first image will blow you away. For those of you that use a white card or try to snap your white balance off some guy’s white t-shirt, I’m sure that you can see the potential that ColorRight could have in your shooting.
The full post can be found on Photographybay.
Takoyaki aka Octopus Ball Maker
Anyone who visits the Osaka area knows takoyaki, the fluffy octopus balls made on the streets and sold at festivals. Good Takoyaki is a source of pride, and it’s difficult to make on your own, but the Takoyaki Factory Ton Ton just makes it look so easy!
The full post can be found on RGS.
Geeky Furniture - The Periodic Coffee Table
The Periodic Coffee table measures 4 ft x 2.5 ft x 16 inches, and if features all the 92 natural elements as well as all of the man made elements actually built in to the table.
Don’t worry though, all the dangerous ones are marked by a radioactive symbol, and according to the manufacturer they are totally safe.
The full post can be found on Geeky gadgets.
cell phone Jammer
I hate being stuck on a train when some idiot is yelling down a phone (for some reason callers need to shout when in confined public spaces), this nifty gadget fixes that, the Portable Cell Phone Jammer. Now if only they’d make one to work with MP3 players.
The full post can be found on CG.
Thanks to all the sites for their submissions now over to you guys for voting (don’t forget to leave a comment with your reason for a chance to win a $50 Amazon voucher) :
I think this weeks coolest gadget is
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Logitech is getting into the earbuds game, announcing today that it’s buying privately-held Ultimate Ears. Historically focusing on spendy in-ear monitors for live musicians, Ultimate Ears has recently hit the earbud game with full force, and Logitech seems to want a piece of that action. Plus the acquisition price of $34 million is like, what, profits from your last seven minutes of ipod dock sales, Logitech? Logitech and Ultimate Ears expect the deal to close in August.
As an initial step towards developing the biotechnology for bringing back extinct species, scientists in the U.S. and Australia have already demonstrated the viability of certain DNA from Tasmanian tiger cubs preserved for 100 years.
Researchers are now conducting studies in “somatic cell nucleus transfer” which may hold great promise in resurrecting species that have long been extinct. Professor Akira Iritani of Kinki University in Japan is working with a university in Thailand to use an elephant as a surrogate to give birth to a mammoth. The cloning method involves taking a denucleated egg from am elephant and replacing it with the nucleus of a cell from a frozen mammoth. Though scientists have previously failed in such attempts due to damage in the preserved genetic material, advances made in repairing damaged DNA brings them much closer to achieving a live birth. This cloning method also holds promise for replenishing endangered species once their population drops below 1,000.
The Park Right Laser helps you get your car in position if you’re one who has difficulty nudging your vehicle into a relatively cramped space. There are no more guide posts as found in driving school for you to count, you’re all on your own now. This laser will turn itself on whenever there is an approaching car, and all you need to do is brake whenever the laser dot hits the car at the right spot. Definitely one of the more ingenious ways to keep both your garage and car dent-free.
The Baglady 2.0 handbag brings together both fashion and technology in a single package - definitely one for modern, tech-savvy women.
Baglady 2.0 is a performance with a customised electronic performance tool, a bag with an antenna and an embedded board, programmed for live wireless broadcasting sound, digital images [video] and text. This Data can also be mapped via GPS to the location where collection takes place.
Too bad this is not a mass-produced fashion item. I’m pretty sure it would sell pretty well in the market if it ever rolled out.
Just under two years ago, researchers at Boeing-Spectrolab managed to achieve 40.7% solar cell efficiency. Two years later, scientists at the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory have demonstrated their nerve by trumpeting an all new world record… one that’s 0.1% points better than the last. Yes, your new record now sits at 40.8% — tremendous progress, wouldn’t you say? Looking outside of the numbers, you’ll find that these cells differ “significantly” from the prior record holders, which enable them to be thinner, lighter, cheaper and altogether swanker. That’s it for now folks — come back in a couple years, we hear 40.9% is just around the bend.
I don’t know if there is any serious need for this USB Indoor/Outdoor thermometer, but at $22 a pop, surely there isn’t much harm in trying to give this a go? Below are some of the specifications before you make up your mind on getting one.
