Combining a 15 MW test rig drive unit, and a 15 MW hardware-in-the-loops simulator, the world’s most advanced wind-turbine testing facility at the Clemson University Restoration Institute, is designed to test wind turbine nacelles (generating component enclosures) that are three times larger than any currently being used today. Read: Testing the World’s Largest Wind Turbines […]
Testing the World’s Largest Wind Turbines
With a total weight of two million pounds, and blades as long as 400 feet, a single 15 mega-watt wind turbine would be able to power nearly 3,900 homes. Unfortunately, they don’t exist … yet. “Wind energy is becoming very close to reaching price parity with fossil fuels,” explains Brian MacCleery, principal product manager for […]
Microscopic Comic is Etched in Human Hair
Advances in technology are continually producing smaller and more sophisticated devices. Just earlier this week doctors implanted the world’s smallest cardiac pacemaker, which is comparable to the size of a large vitamin. Another first recently revealed was the world’s smallest comic strip, and while this story carries less impact, it does playfully exemplify just how […]
Recalls Cause Rashes, Crashes & Possible Death
Fitbit Recalls Force Activity-Tracking Wristband Fitbit has recalled the ForceTM, a wireless activating-tracking wristband (models FB402BK, FB402BKS, FB402SL and FB402SLS). The wristband has been reported as causing allergic reactions, resulting in rashes and blistering. Potential irritants are the adhesives used to assemble the product, the stainless steel casing, or other strap materials. There have been […]
This Toilet Tells You When to Go
Tooshlights are an LED lighting system that tells you which bathroom stalls are open, eliminating the need for awkward restroom run-ins, or squatting down to search for feet. “What we are trying to do is bring a problem to light; a problem that we have all had, and to get people to start talking about […]
13,000 Ways to Start Your Car
The team at Goodlock wants stolen cars to be a thing of the past, so they designed an ignition system that relies on an ergonometric code specific to each user with more than 13 thousand possible combinations. “The design was inspired by the idea that a thief could potentially copy your car keys, such as […]
Lit Motors Reboots the Scooter
Aiming to reconceptualize the minibike, the team at Lit Motors has developed kubo, a new electric scooter with enough room to carry your cargo. With a goal to raise $300,000 the company turned to Kickstarter for the funds to purchase tooling and an expanded production space. Although the campaign was unsuccessful, Lit Motors plans to […]
Haptics & Capacitive Touch Pack Brings ‘Haptics for Everyone’
Haptics & Capacitive Touch Pack Brings ‘Haptics for Everyone’ Enhance human-machine interface experience in gaming, mobile and computer accessories, industrial control panels, and consumer electronics. Texas Instruments (TI) has announced new MSP430TCH5E haptics-enabled microcontroller. Features include: A license to Immersion TouchSense 2200 haptic software. More than 120 different haptic effects for various button, alert, and […]
Developing 3D Gesture Systems on a Single Chip
World’s First Single Chip 3D Gesture Systems Easing the development of solutions with Microchip’s MGC3130, the world’s first E-field-based 3D gesture controller. Microchip Technology has announced the new MGC3130 Hillstar Development Kit for 3D gesturing systems. The kit provides designers with a step-by-step approach to develop 3D gesturing systems with Microchip’s MGC3130 and electrodes that meet […]
This Structure Sensor Turns Your iPad into a 3D-Scanner
With four days left to go, the Structure Sensor from Occipital, has already raised more than $1,100,000, making it the eighth most funded technology project on Kickstarter. View: Kickstarter of the Week: Mobile 3D-Scanner Raises More than $1.1M on Kickstarter The idea for the Structure Sensor came after the founders successfully mapped a small indoor […]