October 26, 2009, 7:39 AM CT
Better DVD from mantis shrimps technology
The remarkable eyes of a marine crustacean could inspire the next generation of DVD and CD players, as per a newly released study from the University of Bristol published recently in
Nature PhotonicsThe mantis shrimps in the study are found on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and have the most complex vision systems known to science. They can see in twelve colours (humans see in only three) and can distinguish between different forms of polarized light.
Special light-sensitive cells in mantis shrimp eyes act as quarter-wave plates which can rotate the plane of the oscillations (the polarization) of a light wave as it travels through it. This capability makes it possible for mantis shrimps to convert linearly polarized light to circularly polarized light and vice versa. Manmade quarter-wave plates perform this essential function in CD and DVD players and in circular polarizing filters for cameras.
However, these artificial devices only tend to work well for one colour of light while the natural mechanism in the mantis shrimp's eyes works almost perfectly across the whole visible spectrum from near-ultra violet to infra-red.
Dr Nicholas Roberts, main author of the Nature Photonics paper said: "Our work reveals for the first time the unique design and mechanism of the quarter-wave plate in the mantis shrimp's eye. It really is exceptional out-performing anything we humans have so far been able to create".........
Posted by: Ryan Read more Source
Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:17:19 GMT
Twin Socket Battery Charger – multi talented car charger
The Twin Socket Battery Charger cuts out the middle man and charges your AA batteries using the cigarette lighter adapter. There’s also a map reading LED light built into the charger itself and the power socket pivots so you can always find the best angle, it’s a pretty big charger after all. Priced around US$12.49 and it comes with two rechargeable batteries.
Dual 12V & 24V DC sockets / Battery chargers for two AA Ni-Cd or Ni-MH batteries / Built-in map light for illumination / Bi-color LED indicate charged batteries / Adjustable head for flexible connection / Rechargeable batteries included
Tags: gadget, twin+socket+battery+charger, car+battery+charger, battery+charger
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Posted by: Redferret Read more Source
Mon, 28 Sep 2009 03:56:00 GMT
IREX's Digital Reader is Ready for its Closeup
Equipped with 3G multi-mode functionality, the Irex is unloading the big guns, able to access 3G networks worldwide. In addition, the device has some big name companies backing it up including world"s largest book seller, Barnes & Nobles which means that greedy bookworms will have over 750,000 titles to devour and that includes new releases and bestsellers. Verizon Wireless will be on hand to provide the 3G connectivity while Qualcomm, wireless telecommunications company will be providing its mobile broadband technology via the Gobi multi-mode 3G embedded module.
Posted by: Sarah Read more Source
Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:47:51 GMT
Free Web Page Creator Software Displays Your Online Digital Photos
There are countless places online where you can store and display your digital photos.
Most of these places are free and or have a "premium" upgrade available which buys extra storage space and other features.
Currently "Flickr" seems to be the place of choice on which to display one's digital photos; but there are still those who prefer creating their own web pages on which to display their photos.
This is not always an easy task but now you can get some help in the form of free software from
"Softorbits".
Remember that this giveaway is only available until midnight tonight so get it now.
Take a camera with you whenever possible, and look around, you'll find a picture somewhere.
Photo Source:www.softorbits.com
Posted by: Karen Read more Source
Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:55:43 GMT
Roll Film Clock is a sentimental tribute to that relic called film roll
You would want your grandchildren to know what a meaningful role that analog roll of film played in your life before the cruel world of digital cameras shoved it to retirement, wouldn"t you? Now, we know all you need to do to accomplish that would be to set aside a film roll or two. Or, you could make a more interesting demo by getting a Roll Film Clock, which not only resembles an analog film roll, but can blend into your everyday life because it happens to be a digital clock in disguise.
Ironical as it may seem, this digital device is a pretty good tribute to the memories of the analog world that it aims to keep alive. By ticking in the current time in hour, minute, second, date, month and year like any good digital clock. And being snobbishly expensive at $62.
Via Coolest Gadgets.
Posted by: Sarah Read more Source
Thu, 27 Aug 2009 05:20:33 GMT
The product development community with smarts
Quirky is a clever new community portal based around the idea of product development. Submit an idea, other members of the community vote on it and the winner product gets made in a factory and everything. The site promises to deliver a new product every few days, which is a pretty ambitious goal. The catch? You’ve got to hand over $99.00 to get your product idea on the board. Everything else is free.
I particularly like the fact that influencers (people who back a particular product) can earn money if their choice wins and goes to market. It’s also neat that intellectual property stays with the product team, rather than the service, so you can run off and make your item elsewhere if you want. There’s even a pre-sales shop where enthusiasts can put their name down for the item in question before it comes off the conveyor. This is a v cool service and it’s from the same 22 year old guy that started Mophie and Kluster. Which makes it double cool.
Of course it’s not the only such service out there, but all of the major competitors seem to have given up on public crowdsourced development and gone enterprise. CambrianHouse.com has morphed into Chaordix, microPledge.com also appears to be corporate focused now, and Redesignme.com is blatently large business oriented. Interesting. Anyhoo, we wish the newcomer every success.
Your $99 investment takes you all the way to professionally manufactured product, on the shelves, ready to earn you a hell of a lot more. Worst case? Those 99 bucks buy you detailed analytics of who liked and didn’t like your idea. Afterall, just because you may not have won the race this week doesn’t mean your idea wasn’t viable. Maybe you’ll decide to go it on your own, and hey, now you’ll have valuable research to help you go ahead and make that happen.
Posted by: Redferret Read more Source
Fri, 05 Jun 2009 02:33:47 GMT
Manual Hard Drive Destroyer
This Manual Hard Drive Destroyer seems to be quite effective in rendering a disk full of data safe from prying eyes. Actually we’re guessing that if you really really wanted to retrieve the data, and had CIA levels of cash, you probably could. Which is why +600 degrees of furnace fire is really your only choice if you want to make sure your information is gone for good.
It takes less than 15 seconds to destroy each hard drive. All one needs to do is to insert the proper drive height adaptor (if applicable) into the slot and crank the handle 8 rotations. The internal workings of the unit press down on the drive, bending it approximately 90 degrees. The MHDD then pushes the destroyed hard drive out for easy disposal.
Posted by: Redferret Read more Source
Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:51:21 GMT
LG breaks the thinness record....
Okay, so it's not quite the thinnest TV ever; that goes to some fancy pants OLED stuff that nobody will be able to afford for about 20 years, but it IS the thinnest LCD TV yet, measuirng just 5.9mm at their thinnest. Woah. That's tiny! I'm sure it'll look good on your wall....but is the extra cash for something just a little bit thinner really worth it?
I'd rather have a fatter but better value TV myself, perhaps with better picture quality too.... oh well LG, we await pricing.
Posted by: Pat Read more Source
Sat, 02 May 2009 15:17:27 GMT
Silver Seal washable keyboard
Tossing that dirty keyboard into a tub of warm soap water for a clean-up is no longer an urge that you have to repeatedly supress due to those well-understood, practical reasons. The Silver Seal washable keyboard adds a simple and utterly sensible innovation to the normal keyboard to fend off the disastrous consequences - waterproofing. A gotcha moment for you too there, wasn"t it ?
The Silver Seal USB keyboard can be dunked into a tub of water, held under a running tap, or simply tossed into the dishwasher along with the rest of your utensils which are waiting to get scrubbed up. In any case, cleaning this keyboard is a no-nonsense matter since it has a special Seal Shield that makes it totally water-cum-spill proof. And laser etching ensures that the keys won"t fade off either. The shield also has an "Antimicrobial Protection" layer that makes sure that the mucky microbes are kept at bay.
With such features under its belt, the functional specs can"t really matter, can they? For me personally, it brings in the huuuge freedom to be clumsy with the cuppa while I am working. Totally precious. Available at Firebox.com for around $58.
Via The Red Ferret.
Posted by: Sarah Read more Source
Fri, 01 May 2009 02:25:02 GMT
Portable Misting Tower
This Portable Misting Tower comes with absolutely no ecological cred at all, but if you dwell in a hot hot climate, you’ll probably appreciate the ability to stay cool outdoors. Of course there is a school of thought that says you shouldn’t be hanging around under a roasting sun anyway, but we’ll move on from that and try not to be churlish. $79.95.
Portable misting tower creates a cooling, hydrating mist, so you can enjoy your patio, deck or garden all summer long. When outdoor temperatures soar, don’t retreat indoors—use this misting tower. Tower produces a fine mist that cools the air and leaves you feeling refreshed. Great for sunbathing, BBQs and more. Your pets and plants will love the cool mist, too.
Posted by: Redferret Read more Source
