Category Archives: Inventions & Developments
Bacon vending machine — yes, BACON! — lets students at major college pig out while on the go
Black Holes Aren’t Holes – They’re Fountains
Gas surrounding a supermassive black hole spews out from above and below the disk like a three-dimensional fountain, new simulations have revealed.
While it’s long been assumed that the rings of gas around active black holes took on the shape of a donut, researchers say the reality is far more complex.
Simulations and observations from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimetre Array (ALMA) suggest the ‘donut’ is actually a more dynamic structure made if three gaseous components that circulate constantly.

According to the team, it’s more of a three-step process. First, the cold gas forms a disk near the plane of rotation, heating up until the molecules break down. Some of these molecules are expelled above and below the disk. This falls back down to create a fountain-like structure read more
New Ember Camp Stove

There’s a lot of high-tech gear you could haul into the outdoors these days, but there’s also plenty to be said for solutions that take a simpler approach. The Singapore-based designers behind the Ember Stove aren’t ones to complicate things, taking to Kickstarter with a compact two-piece cooking solution designed to fit in your pocket and fire up with just a handful of twigs. read more
Going Back to the Moon
NASA has revealed plans to take America back to the moon – but will rely on private firms to run the missions.
The space agency plans to work with nine private firms, ranging from small startups to giants like Lockheed Martin, to develop robotic landers and systems to mine the natural resources on the moon.
This will help develop the technology need for eventual manned missions, and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine pledged to have a manned lunar base within a decade.
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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Administrator Jim Bridenstine announces new Moon to Mars partnerships with American companies read more
Solid Metallic Hydrogen Finally Realized
Researchers at Harvard University say they’ve managed to create a potentially revolutionary material that has only been imagined in theory for the past several decades: solid metallic hydrogen. read more
Weapon Wednesday – Russians Train for Drone Attacks
Drones are a growing presence on the battlefield and recognizing that trend, the Russian Defense Ministry has ordered that all branches of its military begin training in anti-drone combat.
Russian newspaper Izvestia reports that the first test of these new tactics came in October during training exercises on the Black Sea. Ground forces will also begin training to repel drones. read more
Bioengineered Spinal Discs Show Real Promise

As the shock-absorbing cartilage discs between our vertebrae degenerate due to aging, accidents or overuse, severe back pain can result. While some scientists have developed purely synthetic replacement discs, a recent test on goats indicates that bioengineered discs may be a better way to go. read more
Luxury Floating Home

Florida-based company Arkup has floated the concept of an off-grid, liveable luxury yacht. Powered by 30 kW of solar and twin electric thrusters, these high-class, ultra modern double decker units have hydraulic legs capable of stabilizing and lifting them out of the water. read more
RFID Can Detect Bad Food

Passive RFID (radio frequency identification) tags are small, inexpensive, battery-less labels that are already used to track and identify a wide variety of items. If MIT’s experimental RFIQ system enters general use, they may also soon allow consumers to check if food products are contaminated. read more
Luxury Camping with Geodesic Domes

Dômes Charlevoix located in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François, Quebec, Canada features a series of gorgeous eco-luxury geodesic domes designed by Bourgeois/Lechasseur architects. The luxury dome accommodation is a new concept for the Four Seasons chain and promises a one-of-a-kind glamping experience all year round. read more