When’s the last time you made a call by dropping a coin into a public phone? I know I haven’t done it since I was a teenager. And with the cell-phone era in full swing, there’s probably an entire generation of people now who don’t even know what a payphone is. But the phone booth … Continue reading
Picking January 1st to do all the stuff you’ve been putting off for the past year is an enduring tradition, but the actual resolutions change over time. In the early 21st century, losing weight and saving money were the most popular choices. But now that the future is here, there are some new ones in … Continue reading
It’s not exactly breaking news that freight trains produce enormous vibrations. But until now, it’s never occurred to me that it might be possible to capture that vibrational energy and convert it to electricity. From NBC News’ FutureTech, engineering professor Lei Zuo has invented a device to do just that. It attaches to the tracks … Continue reading
Ah, Christmas lists: the classic childhood tradition of filling a page with all the cool toys you don’t have, then mailing it off to a rotund stranger in a distant land. Well, wishlists aren’t just for kids – here’s one that will satisfy future enthusiasts of any age. Send it to your clueless aunt who … Continue reading
So we already know that bicycles are the future, and we have a few guesses at what a future bike might look like. Now startup company Sparse is taking a running leap into that future by creating bicycles that are smartly integrated with the urban environment. For now, they’re focused on turning out … Continue reading
Three-dimensional printing is getting more flexible and powerful every day. You might have seen the 3D printed guitar, or the 3D printed race car (yes, they actually work). But how about a 3D printed gun? If pro-gun advocacy group Defense Distribution has anything to say about it, you’ll one day be able to create guns … Continue reading
Yep, it’s true: Samsung is planning to release a phone that’s completely bendable. And rumor has it you can get your hands on it as early as next year! Flexible e-ink displays have been in development for nearly half a decade, but it’s only recently that researchers for companies like Samsung and Nokia have turned … Continue reading
Quick! What do robots, bicycles, art, and the Boston community have in common? If you said “they all need to be made by someone,” you’re right. So wouldn’t it be fun if we could make all those things in one place, together? Well, a startup venture called the Artisan’s Asylum, just a few blocks from … Continue reading
Ever wanted to have cybernetic control over a computer, or communicate telepathically with others? Well, check out the following video of cybernetics professor Kevin Warwick and his “cyber” implant. The implant connects to nerves in his arm, allowing his brain to directly send and receive external signals. In the video he does so not only … Continue reading
Look, here’s a picture of a tiger: A century ago there were about 100,000 of these guys in the wild. Today, that number has dropped more than 95%, meaning tigers might soon be gone forever! And there are thousands of other species in peril too (some estimates range as high as 30% of all species on … Continue reading
Cosmic Revolutions 