Tesla Supercharger Network in Australia — 10 planned by year's end (update)

Credit: Tesla/EFTM

Tesla is not just an electric car manufacturer, but aims to provide a complete, sustainable, personal transport solution.

Motorists are accustomed to vehicles with a range of hundreds of kilometres & 5 minute refuelling. Selling a typical electric vehicle (EV), with its relatively short range, & slow charging, into such a market, is difficult.

Tesla’s solution to the range problem is more battery capacity than any other manufacturer (60 or 85 kWh 70, 85 or 90 kWh) & a range up to 500km in the Model S. That much battery capacity is expensive, but Tesla has built a car around those kWh, consistent with the price — Consumer Reports (USA) rates the Tesla Model S the best car it has ever tested.

Tesla has demonstrated battery swapping faster than a petrol vehicle can be refilled, but in practice, to date, their “refuelling” solution is a network of Supercharger fast chargers which can recharge a Model S to 50% in 20 minutes. Superchargers are free to use by Tesla vehicles, & owners have taken advantage of this to make coast to coast road trips across the USA, at no fuel cost. A little more mundane: fast chargers supplied to owners, & co-operating hotels, which allow a complete charge overnight.

Introduction of the Model S in Australia was half of the solution. The other half, a Supercharger network, is a work in progress. Maps indicate that Melbourne to Northern NSW will be available by the end of 2015 & north of Brisbane by the end of 2016.


Credit: Tesla/EFTM

http://eftm.com.au/2014/12/tesla-is-go-in-australia-showroom-open-cars-delivered-and-supercharger-network-announced-18309

http://www.smh.com.au/drive/electric-car-company-tesla-plans-16-supercharger-stations-between-melbourne-and-brisbane-20150111-12lw2a.html / travellers car park resides panel solar grid newly constructed car port electric revolution charging stations electric cars petrol bowsers driving longer distances electric cars the way of the future electric vehicle EV new car sales figures demand for electric cars, Australia big infrastructure investment technology American electric car company Tesla 16 high-powered supercharger stations between Melbourne Brisbane 2016 stations Tesla customer travel supercharger network exceeding 140 stations established luxury brands BMW local electric market rollout free electric charging stations build it and they will come Tesla spokesman Heath Walker supercharger network hotel partnerships high powered wall units motles hotels single three phase Darling Hotel in Sydney Marriot Melbourne range anxiety high purchase prices infrastructure charging at home barrier 40 amps of power home house charge overnight up to 500km of range next morning forward thinking Elon Musk design range car charging station free for public use /

Porsche Pajun will be an EV

Credit: Porche/Heute

Based on the belief that the sports sedan market is overcrowded, Porsche has decided to release the Pajun (Panamera junior) as an EV. Given the 2018 or 2019 timeframe, the planned 350-400 km (217-248 miles) range is a safe bet. Tesla’s Model S already exceeds the planned range. Plus both GM & Tesla have promised earlier mass market drive trains at the bottom of the Pajun range.

http://chargedevs.com/newswire/porsche-pajun-will-be-ev-only/

Nissan will have a mass-market, 200 mile range car too

http://www.slashgear.com/new-nissan-leaf-ev-battery-tipped-to-give-249-mile-range-03358169/

http://insideevs.com/nissan-range-is-off-the-table-claims-more-than-400-km-for-leaf-in-a-few-years/ / EV electric vehicle battery BEV lithium ion LiIon charge recharge Porsche plans sell gasoline petrol diesel versions long planned long-planned Pajun sedan German magazine auto motor und sport reported Automotive News Europe unnamed sources Porsche executives execs sport sedan segment too crowded new model legacy powertrain Pajun on sale 2018 2019 pure EV battery technology advanced new EV range of 350-400 km (217-248 miles) 4.6 meter long Pajun short for Panamera Junior incorporate technology Panamera rename renamed production /

Why evaporative cooling is bad for energy efficient homes

Evaporative air cooling works by doing exactly what the name says — evaporating water — this is achieved by pumping large amounts of air through a water soaked pad — heat energy to evaporate the water comes from the air as it flows through the pad — causing the air to cool.

Unfortunately there are a large number of problems arising from the way this works:
● only works when humidity is low — generally below 30% relative humidity —
● raises the humidity — not surprising since it works by evaporating water into the air flow
● elevated humidity reduces efficiency of the house occupants’ built in evaporative cooling system (perspiration)
● elevated humidity encourages mould growth
● requires lots of ventilation — i.e. doors & windows open to allow the high rate of air flow
● ventilation requirement largely eliminates the benefit of household insulation

A modern reverse-cycle air conditioner will cool your house much more effectively for around the same cost, & heat in winter too, more cheaply than gas.

More:
http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2015/1/23/smart-energy/why-evaporative-cooling-bad-energy-efficient-homes-0?utm_source=exact&utm_medium=email&utm_content=1104433&utm_campaign=cs_daily&modapt= / buy buying evaporative cooler summer deliver terribly poor performing inefficient cooling expensive uninstalle vaporative cooling primitive outdated superseded advances modern fast efficient reverse cycle air-conditioning air conditioning conditioner variation same technology kitchen fridge refrigerator reliable reliably heavy marketing new home owners included off-the-plan large volume standardised homes built new developments Australian urban performance evaporative coolers varies daily fluctuations temperature humidity maintenance occupants feel a bit cooler muggy high humidity conditions outside the accepted comfort zone how it works why it doesn’t work adding lots of moisture outside air pumping high volume noticeable perceivable humidity in the outdoor air below 30% RH Relative Humidity amount of moisture given temperature warmer hold more moisture cooler relative humidity two mercury filled glass thermometers dry bulb wet wick wet bulb evaporative cooler effectively operate household windows doors open security risk upgrade your building envelope compromised insulation air sealing wasted consistent insulation ceiling evaporative cooler register big thermal chimney varying temperature humidity combination seasonal winter heating requirements significant heat is lost evaporative cooling ducting induced thermal chimney effect outside the effective range for using evaporative coolers fire risk Western Australia’s Fire and Emergency Services Authority FESA catastrophic bushfire were burnt fire that startedevaporative cooler unit on the roof houses burnt Victoria’s Black Saturday fires hundreds of houses were destroyed ignited under ember attack costly servicing serviced pads replaced cost of servicing parts additional cost physical home security secure your home water leaks pad failure replace the pads water damage plumbing connections mould damp fungus fungal growth exhaust fan swelling doors door frames furniture installations seal ceiling vents damper destruction of the building thermal envelope higher winter heating requirements air pressurisation test building performance company Efficiency Matrix install insulation air seal air-seal building big bulky take up valuable space on your rooftop installing solar panels badly placed evaporative cooler block potential continuous solar panel array household’s annual electricity needs modern solution that works quality Japanese reverse cycle air-conditioner cools heats too heating cheaper heating with gas US Department of Energy California Energy Commission Sustainability Victoria Daikin Ururu Sarara 6 7 star air-conditioners energy consumption cooling performance far superior /

Activity trackers can help to improve your fitness (update)

Fitbit Charge HR
Credit: Fitbit/Wearable

Activity trackers appeared on the market only recently, but have achieved substantial popularity. Most popular is the Fitbit range¹.

Obviously, by itself, an activity tracker will not improve your fitness. You do have to actually get out there & walk, run, play sports or whatever, but, a fitness tracker can:

● accurately² count all of your steps in a day without any monitoring or other intervention on your part
● for at least some users, act as an incentive^3,4

A happy user:

http://www.citeworld.com/article/2114901/mobile-byod/fitbit-pebble-smartwatch-apps.html

Comparison tests:

http://au.pcmag.com/health-fitness/159/feature/the-best-activity-trackers-for-fitness

http://www.wareable.com/fitness-trackers/the-best-fitness-tracker

An alternative to a dedicated device, is the Misfit app for the Pebble smartwatch. Free on the Pebble app store.

A user did a side-by-side comparison with a Fitbit Flex, which is known to be accurate:²

http://forums.connectedly.com/pebble-apps-f65/misfit-app-pebble-vs-fitbit-flex-4618/

In both instances, the Misfit app on the Pebble counted high:

6 hour test
Fitbit Flex - 7,249 steps
Misfit app for Pebble - 7,485 steps
(7,485 - 7249) / 7249 * 100 = 3.26% higher

9 hour test
Fitbit Flex - 10,222 steps
Misfit app for Pebble - 10,536 steps
(10,536 - 10,222) / 10,222 * 100 = 3.07% higher

Keeping in mind that this is based on only one sample of each device, the inaccuracy is not significant.

With the Pebble now at $US99, & the Misfit app free, this combination is a viable alternative to a dedicated device. For anyone who already has a Pebble watch, it’s a no-brainer.
__________
¹ “Among fitness products, Fitbit is well in the lead for sales & hype – accounting for over 50% of the three million plus sales of wearable fitness devices across a one-year period in 2013 & 2014, & sales increasing at a breakneck speed.” — “How fit is that Fitbit? What the science says about fitness trackers & how well they work.” http://berkeleysciencereview.com/fit-fitbit/

² “All models of Fitbits tested showed high accuracy when it came to the number of steps taken.” — “How fit is that Fitbit? What the science says about fitness trackers & how well they work.” http://berkeleysciencereview.com/fit-fitbit/

³ “The results suggest that the use of a pedometer is associated with significant
increases in physical activity & significant decreases in body mass index &
blood pressure. Whether these changes are durable over the long term is undetermined.” — “Using Pedometers to Increase Physical Activity & Improve Health” http://web.mit.edu/mobilehealth/www/House_n/Readings/BravataETAL07.pdf

⁴ “From my own experience (& the testimonials of many others on the Internet), the Fitbit can inspire you to exercise more to meet your daily goals ...” — “How fit is that Fitbit? What the science says about fitness trackers & how well they work.” http://berkeleysciencereview.com/fit-fitbit/ / Basis B1 Band wrist armband trackers Fitbit Force Flex MIO Alpha BLE Jawbone UP Motorola MotoActv Nike+ FuelBand SE BodyMedia Fit Core Larklife clip-on clip on Fitbit One Withings Pulse Zip Misfit Shine Striiv Play runners Runtastic Orbit sports Basis Peak Surge Jawbone UP Move women Swarovski Shine style Withings Activité active Pop sleep tracking Misfit Shine notifications Fitbit Surge Garmin Vivosmart Sony SmartBand Talk tight budget Misfit Flash Razer Nabu X Xiaomi Mi Band Pivotal Living losing weight Withings simplicity Acer Liquid Leap /

Even if you’re active, extended sitting shortens life & erodes health

You’ve seen it here before, & now another study has confirmed:
“Prolonged sedentary time was independently associated with deleterious health outcomes regardless of physical activity.” — Annals of Internal Medicine

So, what can you do if your work, commute, blogging, social media, correspondence, tv watching, reading etc., etc, mean that you spend hours sitting?

● stand up & move around for 2 or 3 minutes every half hour when you are sitting for a longer period — includes work, tv, reading
● regular exercise is still important & valuable
● an activity tracker can help — mine is a Pebble smartwatch with the free Misfit app loaded — Pebble now available for $US99

http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-sitting-health-20150119-story.html / sit long hours meetings phone calls keyboards time new research distills findings 47 studies sit long hours raise our average risk cancer cardiovascular disease type 2 diabetes early death meet recommended daily levels of exercise sitting for long periods boosts likelihood declining health worked out intensively 90 minutes risking life and limb latest research risk of poor health lower levels of physical activity engage in regular physical activity large proportion day sedentary activity 30% less likely to die of any cause little to no exercise long day of sitting vigorous workoutestimated to be 16% more likely to die of any cause participants seated prolonged sitting watch watched television at least five hours a day more than six study more than 11 hours sitting time studies long-sitting category sit sitting compensating effects of exercise study high levels of physical activity defined meeting physical activity guidelines moderately vigorous exercise moderately vigorous exercise amount of time spent sitting drive up health risks independently of other factors poor health linked to sedentary behavior smoking age obesity sitting contribute weight gain harmful obese research time spent sitting risk developing diabetes association strongest authors extrapolated from available research spend long hours in sedentary activity develop type 2 diabetes completely sedentary people regular exercisers researchers worked regular exercise mitigated risk likelihood of dying from cardiovascular disease long hours of sitting risk of cancers higher rates breast colon colorectal endometrial endothelial ovarian cancer Dr. David Alter senior scientist Toronto Rehabilitation Institute /

Portland's new pipes harvest power from drinking water

Credit: Lucid/Fast Company/Co.Exist

Water moves through pipes to get to your house. Moving water can be used to generate electricity. Put a turbine inside the pipe & use it to generate electricity.



http://www.fastcoexist.com/3041300/portlands-new-pipes-harvest-power-from-drinking-water?partner=superfeed&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews#1 / Portland Oregon lights partly powered drinking water energy ingenious new system captures energy water flows through city's pipes creating hydropower negative environmental effects dam small turbines pipes spin flowing water energy generator new source of energy no environmental impact Greg Gregg Semler CEO Lucid Energy Portland based startup design designed inside a pipe fish endangered species impacted water utilities electricity cheaper provide clean drinking water sell new source of revenue project Riverside California power streetlights at night offset operating costs city's main pipelines Lucid's pipes to make power that's sent into the grid generate energy pipes power offset total energy bill generate power location sensors indicators pressure leading indicator pipe is leaking leak bursts waste water onboard information system manage infrastructure monitor water quality safe to drink more sustainable /

Librem 15: a Free/Libre software laptop that respects your essential freedoms

Credit: Purism/CrowdSupply

“The Purism Librem 15 is the first high-end laptop in the world that ships without mystery software in the kernel, operating system, or any software applications. Every other consumer-grade laptop you can purchase comes with an operating system that includes suspect, proprietary software, and there’s no way for you to know what that software does.” — Purism



CrowdSupply crowd funding page at:
https://www.crowdsupply.com/purism/librem-laptop
Funding ends: Jan 31, 2015 at 11:59pm PDT

http://techcrunch.com/2015/01/23/purism-aims-to-build-a-philosophically-pure-laptop/ / kernel OS operating system software applications free libre open source your computer truly working in your best interest Purism problem free/libre software kernel OS software design manufacture hardware prioritize users not discriminate persons groups fields of endeavor source manufacture highest quality hardware companies freedom privacy source code released under free licenses freedom privacy promotes privacy source code free license installing privacy supporting software default AMD includes AGESA binary BIOS Intel FSP binary BIOS binary freed source code released under free/libre licenses freedom privacy restricting features promotes privacy providing source code under a free libre license installing privacy supporting software by default Trisquel GNU/Linux based distribution laptops run Linux hardware no binary blobs Linux kernel ships Linux pre-installed devices binary blobs Linux kernel changing computer manufacturing users’ rights push upstream free the BIOS component firmware companies negotiation table negotiate first for price mean time between failure quality warranty availability revisit price again negotiate users’ rights free software quality price leverage manufacturers of component parts hardware specifications complete visibility into the kerne designed chip by chip your rights freedom privacy selected best hardware manufacturing sourcing motherboard screen printing keyboard sourcing case daughter cards memory drives battery camera screen motherboard design changes prototype prototypes testing modifying modifications user feedback replacement upgrade parts for sale upgradable HDD SSD RAM wireless chipset CD/DVD ROM accessible unscrew unscrewing botto case unscrewing battery components easily replaceable power adapter company backed, two year parts and labor warranty Trisquel GNU Linux /

Innovation in stationary electricity storage (video)

On Thursday, I attended a lecture at the ANU by Professor Donald Sadoway: “Innovation in Stationary Electricity Storage”.

Some of his insights:

● “Storage is necessary to make renewables base load.”
● “The problem is the very low price point needed to penetrate this market.”
● “If price is the problem, you have to invent to the price-point.”

● “Usually, chemists pursue the interesting chemistry & leave it to manufacturers to bring the price down by volume.”

● “Confine our chemistry to Earth-abundant elements, that’s how to make it cheap.” — e.g. aluminium (3rd most abundant element on Earth) not platinum

● “Price is everything.”
● “To make it dirt cheap, make it out of dirt — preferably local dirt.”
● “Earth-abundant elements & simple manufacturing.”

Filmed at a different event, but covering most of the same material:



More from Professor Sadoway:

http://nextbigfuture.com/2014/12/ambris-long-lasting-and-low-cost.html

http://www.donaldsadoway.com/

Wikepedia bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Sadoway / molten metal battery viable solution for stationary grid storage energy supplied renewables three inexpensive liquid layers electroactive components liquid metal positive electrode fused salt electrolyte liquid metal negative electrode system operates at elevated temperature maintained self-heating during charging discharging Professor Donald R Sadoway Department of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT three liquid layers low-density metal bottom high-density metal molten salt melted liquid contiguous layers insoluble stratify according to density no need membranes separators battery produces current metal alloys recharging purified Ambri liquid metal battery factory capital investment MWh technology factories electricity storage technologies active components Ambri’s cells cell tolerances millimeters not microns systems using steel racking leverage workers experience building assembling steel parts ubiquitous skill set manufacturing strategy Ambri’s Liquid Metal Batteries serve local and regional markets cells operate elevated temperature melting three layers self-segregate float different densities levels of immiscibility initial chemistry magnesium Mg antimony Sb electrodes chemistry higher voltage lower cost charged state potential energy between top metal layer bottom metal layer creates a cell voltage discharge battery cell voltage drives electrons Mg electrode delivering power external load electrons return Sb electrode internally pass through the salt alloy with Sb forming Mg-Sb alloy recharge power external source pushes electrons opposite direction pulling Mg re-depositing top layer returning system three distinct liquid layers cell design simple uses low-cost low cost materials all liquid design avoids main failure mechanisms solid components other battery technologies battery chemistry high temperatures energy lost generating heat proper insulation round trip round-trip energy efficiency exceeding 75% compares favorably pumped hydro storage compressed air storage trade-off acceptable trials new storage installed alongside renewables Pearl Harbor naval base Hawaii late 2015 Cape Cod military base timeframe cost of electricity standpoint high electricity costs high value on energy storage helpful cost competitive best economics deploying customers successful demonstration prototypes ramp up manufacturing marketing sales future developments /

Coffee & type 2 diabetes

Coffee has recently come to be associated with a number of health benefits, including protection against:
● Alzheimer’s disease & other forms of dementia
● Parkinson’s
● cirrhosis of the liver
● depression
● liver & colorectal cancer
● stroke

And, most obviously, increased wakefulness & attention.

In addition, it is the biggest source of antioxidants in the typical western diet.

More recently, a protective effect against type 2 diabetes has been claimed:

http://www.diabetescare.net/authors/megan-day/coffee-and-the-diabetes-risk?utm_source=Outbrain / coffee potential type 2 diabetes risk caffeinated coffee cream sugar corner coffee shop grande mocha latte health benefits plain black coffee decaffeinated black coffee your risk developing type 2 diabetes drinking grande coffee shop healthier coffee consumption diabetes risk study published journal Diabetologia increased consumption coffee reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes risk reduction significant participants who increased coffee consumption average one and a half cups per day 11% reduction in risk participants decreased their consumption coffee one cup or more showed 17% higher risk developing type 2 diabetes statistically significant study evaluated thousands of people followed them for four years highest rates of consumption3 or more cups of coffee per day 37% lower risk consumed lowest amounts of coffee less than one cup per day study more complications such as cardiovascular disease high cholesterol high blood pressure or cancer consume lower amounts of coffee cases comorbidities excluded results similar drink coffee regularly clearance from your doctor may be beneficial increase your coffee consumptionne cup avoid extra sugar cream brewed drink additives coffee shops extravagant high calorie sugar fat-laden monstrosities reap health benefits coffee consumers coffee healthier coffee black fresh brewed coffee natural state aroma fresh brewed fresh-brewed cup of java sweetener bitter taste milk cream skim milk creamers reduce reducing amount one two percent milk alternative low fat milk extra fat calories lower calories /

Can DNA nanobots successfully treat cancer patients? First human trial soon

Credit: Radiating Oncology & Biology, University of Oxford

Chemotherapy for cancer is plagued by side-effects, including hair-loss & nausea. Side effects are such a problem, that they promote reactions such as:
● “If I had known it would be this bad, I wouldn't have started.”
● refusal of further treatment

Poisoning is the reason for the side effects: to kill the cancer, extremely powerful poisons are used. May or may not kill the cancer, but almost kills the patient. But, what if chemotherapy drugs could be delivered only to the cancer, without poisoning the rest of the patient’s body? This is the “magic bullet”, first suggested by Dr. Paul Ehrlich (1854–1915).

DNA nanobots are nano-size constructs which contain a molecular payload, closed with a DNA lock, which is primed to open when it encounters some surface feature of the target, such as a cancer cell. In this way, the target is exposed to high levels of the treatment chemical, while the patient is exposed to very low levels.

http://singularityhub.com/2015/01/08/can-dna-nanobots-successfully-treat-cancer-patient-first-human-trial-soon/ / Ido Bachelet Harvard Wyss Institute faculty member Israel’s Bar-Ilan University DNA nanotechnology DNA nanobots critically ill leukemia patient injection DNA nanobots designed interact destroy leukemia cells virtually zero collateral damage healthy tissue team success successful successfully tested method cell cultures animals Science magazine Nature magazine contemporary cancer therapies invasive surgery blasts of drugs painful damaging body iatrogenic iatrogenesis disease itself approach proves successful human more research signal transformational moment cancer treatment critically ill nanobot injections healthy people annual checkup receive injection nanobots screen bodyany type of cancer identify 12 tumor types eliminate before spread detectable detect identify animals humans animal human early trial one patient Bachelet colleague Shawn Douglas working on DNA nanobots DNA nanotechnology Ned Seeman bending strands DNA geometric shapes researchers construct two three dimensional shapes tiles cubes spheres polyhedrons gears letters smiley faces DNA nanostructures scientists link short DNA strands longer strand designed synthetic DNA strands fabricated to spec expensive painstaking fabrication shape scientists mix DNA heat solution as it cools multitudes of tiny shapes self-assemble self assemble software engineered predict model DNA fold design process becoming more efficient creations robots perform actions given the right conditions nanobots cylindrical clamshells flexible DNA hinges locked twin DNA double helixes carry a molecular payload cancer drug inside DNA locks engineered react specific molecules proteins surfaces surface cancer cells locks bind molecules clam shell opens nanobot’s payload is delivered nanobots release drugs only near cancer cells sparing the body’s population of otherwise healthy cells nanobots organic biocompatible material body pegging foreign invaders launching an immune response bot robot tuned body clears more precise drug delivery using already discovered drugs deemed too toxic cancer DNA nanobots performing surgery cellular level mending spinal injuries bridging severed nerves actively directing how to reconnect future more work to be done /

Does this year seem to be dragging?

There’s a good reason for that.

2015 will be longer than most years. One second longer, in fact.

Earth’s rotation on its axis is gradually slowing, due to tidal drag*. A day is the time it takes the Earth to rotate once on its axis. As the Earth’s rotation slows, the length of each day becomes very slightly longer. Around two thousandths of a second longer each day.

Scientists at the International Earth Rotation Service in France have responsibility for monitoring the Earth’s rotation, & occasionally add a leap second to bring clocks back into synchronization with the Earth’s rotation.

On 30 June, an extra second will be added at 23:59:60.

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/extra-second-to-be-added-to-2015-as-tech-companies-brace-for-problems-20150108-12k0yk.html.html?utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=outbrainamplify
___________
* Why the Earth’s rotation is slowing
http://www.physlink.com/Education/AskExperts/ae695.cfm / slightly longer Paris Observatory add adding leap second clocks midnight June 30 dials 11:59:60 one second clocks pause Earth's rotation atomic clock time Earth's rotation gradually slowing scientists officials International Earth Rotation Service France monitor planet's rotation tweak time time adjustment Software companies problems last leap second added 2012 software websites Mozilla Reddit Foursquare Yelp LinkedIn StumbleUpon reported crashes problems Linux operating system programs Java computing systems Network Time Protocol NTP keep sync atomic clock programmed unexpected extra second Google developed special technique leap smear adds milliseconds system clocks leap second Earth is slowing down a little bit Nick Stamatakos chief of Earth Orientation Parameters US Naval Observatory Atomic clocks keep very accurate time first leap second 1972 rotation of the Earth slowed 26 seconds time measured on atomic clocks disruptive precision systems navigation communication concept time rising setting rise set Sun Greenwich Mean Time Sun crosses the Greenwich Meridian never be restored because /

Now ships are hybrids too

Credit: Lade AS/Gizmag

A ship can be made more efficient by adding sails to supplement the engines — a hybrid. Even more economical: eliminate the sails & reshape the hull into a symmetrical airfoil to achieve a similar effect.

http://www.gizmag.com/wind-freighters/35634/ / 2013 Norway Lade AS designs Vindskip hybrid merchant ship harness wind speciallyshaped hull natural gas powered engines saving fuel research researchers Fraunhofer Institute Center for Maritime Logistics and ServicesCML develop development developing algorithm Vindskip's navigation system combination power sail economical old clipper captains catch caught wind modern ship design hull sails take advantage of the wind sea breeze cargo vessel angles close to headwind wind generates force ship’s direction Lade hull shaped symmetrical air foil airfoil oblique wind opposite side leeward travel a longer distance partial vacuum low pressure pulls the ship forward CML developing weather routing module ship's course hydrography weather predictions many other factors algorithm complex calculation best route best course aerodynamic hull works best advantage speeds up to 19 knots Fraunhofer first version module went online Lade AS freighter model tank tests /

Crowd funding has a darker side

Mentioned several times on these pages, Kickstarter has achieved some remarkable things.

Kickstarter is only the best-known example of a relatively new phenomenon: crowd funding. Although, it bears great promise, there is a darker side:

Kickstarter Areal scam is back with STALKER Apocalypse on shady new crowd funding site
http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2014/12/12/kickstarter-areal-scam-is-back-with-stalker-apocalypse-on-shady-new-crowdfunding-site/

Mashable
http://mashable.com/2013/06/21/kickstarter-scam/

Epiphany onE Puck
http://kickscammed.com/project/epiphany-one-puck-by-epiphany-labs2/

Check out the comments on the Epiphany onE Puck Kickstarter project
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/epiphanylabs/epiphany-one-puck/comments

How the “Biggest Scam in Kickstarter History” almost worked
http://mashable.com/2013/06/21/kickstarter-scam/

Indiegogo is not immune — After Pando shows clear evidence of fraud, Indiegogo responds by … deleting anti-fraud guarantee
http://pando.com/2014/04/03/after-pando-shows-clear-evidence-of-fraud-on-indiegogo-company-responds-by-deleting-anti-fraud-guarantee/

Crowd funding fraud: how big is the threat?
http://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2014/03/34255-crowdfunding-fraud-big-threat/

A couple of sites dedicated to the problems of crowd funding

KickScammed
http://kickscammed.com/

DropKicker
http://drop-kicker.com/

List of crowd funding websites
http://crowdfundingwebsites.net/

And a place for your review
http://crowdfundingwebsites.net/indiegogo-review/ / crowdfunding finance crowd funding crowdfunding research development design designer develop engineer engineering fraud scam con lie lies scamming funding campaign Kobe Red Japanese beer fed jerky creator creator’s names sloppy sideshow generic stock images photos footage project founders didn’t sound right sounded weird /

Unsubscriber app to clean up your inbox

Credit: 410 Labs/Apple

Too many email subscriptions to manage?

If you have an iOS device & the subscriptions are coming to a Gmail account, there is help at hand. Just install Unsubscriber for Gmail, & log in to the Gmail account. Unsubscriber will identify all of your subscriptions & present you with a list. Swipe left to unsubscribe (as shown in the image above) or right to keep.

Easy.

http://www.ohgizmo.com/2015/01/16/unsubscriber-app-helps-clean-inbox/

Unsubscriber for Gmail from 410 Labs — get the app here:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/unsubscriber-for-gmail/id921627282?mt=8 / spam inbox subcribe subscription subscribed mail list newsletter unsubcribing app store Unsubscriber iOS Gmail login log in Gmail account parse inbox list newsletters mailing lists subscribed just swipe left unsubscribe right subscription install download Unsunscriber for iOS /

Original Macintosh — meet MacBook Air

Credit: Curved/Funky Space Monkey

Lines of the original Macintosh brought right up-to-date. Looks great, but despite what the linked articles say, I have to wonder if this thing actually exists anywhere other than as cgi.

Either way, don't expect to see one for sale any time soon.

http://www.funkyspacemonkey.com/imac-concept-original-macintosh-meets-ipad-air-video#more-47939

http://www.wired.com/2015/01/slick-macintosh-design-inspired-first-mac-time/ / Mac Macintosh iPad iOS Apple art concept 128k Apple would reinvent iconic Macintosh up-to-date specs specifications contemporary design Curved result iMac concept slick design homage iMac compact desktop computer fantasy design work German tech site Curved/labs curved labs conceptual Mac 2015 homage first Macintosh Apple lovechild stout boxiness MacBook Air touchscreen mouse touch mode components 2014 MacBook Air modified throwback design bent aluminum iPad stand SSD flash memory 128 gigabytes Gb storage built in 4 8 gigabytes memory CPU i7 chip Intel high quality aluminum clever nod Apple’s design past touchscreen mouse keyboard interfaces industry standard thinner sleek aesthetics kickstart /

Declutter now!

Does clutter reduce your efficiency? Or do you just need some ideas for getting organized?

Lots of useful hints, including those old favourites:
Do I love it?
Do I use it?
Will I ever need it?
at:
http://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/Ways-Declutter-2015-36514459 / improve organize your life tips what you declutter your home office space organizing organize kick the New Year resolutions kicking kick clutter habit passing pass the item along find a new home be ruthlessly honest answer each query no but decluttering clutter disorganised disorganized organise organize letting it find a new home be ruthlessly honest answer each query Target one area at a time feel overwhelmed sheer volume declutter live happily with less achievement dive diving right in burn burning out quickly focus one area your home office positive reinforcement start easiest areas first area chest of drawers hall closet kitchen cupboard drawer in your desk use momentum make a list clutter hot spots need attention check each one off calm the chaos Get rid of one item per day taming tame clutter impossible task start slowly single item per day be determined relentless extra elbow room your efforts build on your success accelerating the clutter busting schedule one-in-one-out rule achieve maintain clutter-free home office zero-accumulation habit new item one item goes donate sell usable items four-box method donate sell trash recycling keep relocate process filing system sort organizing empty the boxes label start over space limit possessions expands to fit the available space combat slow creep of clutter problem areas accumulate kitchen utensils fit into a single drawer finite physical space limit go digital digitized stored in the cloud easy retrieval easy digital cloud-based storage scan scanning documents photos storing digitally service Microsoft OneDrive Google Drive Evernote Dropbox scanner photographing photograph documents digitize less stuff sharper focus perseverance biggest step is the first step /

Apple faces lawsuit over storage space on iPhones & iPads

When you buy a phone, or storage device, its capacity, in use, is always less than was claimed on the box, due to a range of factors.

iOS 8 consumes significantly more of the advertised storage capacity of Apple devices than previous versions of the OS, & two users have had enough, claiming in a complaint filed in the northern district of California that:

“In reality, nothing close to the advertised capacity of the devices is available to end users. Indeed, the discrepancy between advertised and available capacity is substantial and beyond any possible reasonable expectation. For the devices, the shortfall ranges from 18.1-23.1%.

They also claim that Apple compounds this by failing to provide for storage expansion with microSD cards as other device manufacturers do. Further, they claim that Apple's pop-up adds for paid-for iCloud storage when space on the device runs low, amounts to, "sharp practice".

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jan/02/apple-lawsuit-storage-space-iphones-ipad-ios8-software-advertised-capacity / OS operating system complaints large amount storage Apple Apple’s latest software iOS8 iPhones iPads US tech firm alleged misrepresentation storage capacity devices plaintiffs claim advertising fully represent total amount storage available users iOS 8 made it worse taking up a larger amount of space without informing those upgrading defendant fails to disclose consumers 23.1% advertised storage capacity unavailable for consumers consumers purchase devices iOS 8 installed Jonas P Mann US law firm Audet & Partners complaint filed northern district of California suit brought on behalf of two Miami residents Paul Orshan Christopher Endara claim bought iPhone iPads advertised with 16GB of storage providing less to the user pair complaint class action seeking $5m £3.3 damages trial by jury reality nothing close to the advertised capacity of the devices is available to end users discrepancy between advertised available capacity substantial beyond any possible reasonable expectation devices shortfall ranges range 18.1-23.1% gigabyte storage shortchanges shortchange customers approximately 400-500 high-resolution photographs standard practice consumer electronics manufacturers advertise total storage capacity their devices without disclosing amount taken up pre-loaded software plaintiffs claim Apple preventing customers adding additional memory via microSD cards pay-for cloud storage service storage device full rival manufacturers allow additional memory via microSD iCloud cloud storage sharp business tactics defendant less storage capacity advertised offer sell record take photos latest operating system update reduced total amount of space available lawsuit /

popSLATE — a case for your iPhone that adds a second screen

Credit: popSLATE/Wired

popSLATE adds a second screen to your iPhone 5 or 6. iPhones already have screens that critics rave about — why add another?

By using an E-Ink display, popSLATE brings a different set of characteristics that lend themselves to different uses:
● ultra low power
● only consumes power when the display changes
● monochrome
● produces no light itself
● clearest in direct sunlight

Different uses, such as:
● decorative — protective phone cases often have a decorative image — popSLATE can have one that can be changed as often as desired, & the display only consumes power when it changes
● any other display which is required for an extended period — speaking notes, lists, directions, e-reader — can be displayed without the battery drain of the main screen
● any display which must be viewed in direct sunlight



More:

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2015/01/11/add-a-smart-cover-with-a-second-screen-to-your-iphone-6/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheGadgeteer+%28The+Gadgeteer%29&_m=3n.002i.793.bg0ao004ub.128b

http://www.wired.com/2012/11/popslate-e-ink-phone-case/

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Add-a-second-screen-on-the-back-of-iPhone-6-with-this-popSlate-case-and-save-on-battery_id64706

Indiegogo page: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/popslate-second-screen-case-for-your-smart-phone

popSLATE’s Indiegogo campaign has ended, but you can still pre-order one at: http://www.popslate.com/ / E-Ink eink screen back your smart phone case smartphone smart-phone low power low-power always on always-on customizable integration popSLATE roadmap iPhone 5 case low-power always on readable direct sunlight customizable images share cool stuff favorite app functionality snap a picture grab images screenshots slideshow screen keeps turning view something meeting ultra-low-power very ultra low power always on possibilities urgent notifications sports scores maps notes calendar talking points Micro E-Reader ereader Kindle LCD screen open API build always-on applications new ways for people to interact with the phone ruggedized E-Ink screen protects nearly indestructible power when the image changes negligible power lightning connector power data exchange shortcut navigation tactile interface accelerometer double tap back cycle through images app take pictures camera browse image gallery manage library connect users send receive images messages screen ruggedized 4” 4 inch diagonal
/

GM 200-mile-range electric vehicle (update)

General Motors has shown off a concept version of its long-promised 200-mile-range electric vehicle (EV) at the Detroit Auto Show.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/gm-readies-electric-rival-to-tesla-1420859986

Bolt is the name of the new GM vehicle. John Voelker of Green Car Reports believes he has a privileged perspective on the likely confusion arising from the similarity in the names Bolt & Volt:
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1096166_why-bolt-is-a-really-terrible-name-for-chevys-electric-car

In fact, there is little new here. GM’s 200-mile-range EV & its 2016 release, has been widely reported previously. All that has been shown is a concept. A production vehicle won’t be available until 2016, & may bear little similarity to the vehicle at the Detroit Auto Show. Take a look at Volt concept versions.

Despite the fact that there is little new in the GM announcement, it has led Seeking Alpha to predict the end of the line for Tesla in an article headed: “GM's 200-Mile Electric Car For $30,000: RIP Tesla”
http://seekingalpha.com/article/2811785-gms-200-mile-electric-car-for-30000-rip-tesla

Update: What is new: Green Car Reports indicates that the price will actually be $37,500 & the launch date, "... during 2017, likely as a 2018 model." http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1096238_chevrolet-bolt-concept-200-mile-30000-electric-car-concept-live-video-photos

What has been missed in the discussion so far, is that those unfamiliar with EVs have two major concerns:
1. range anxiety — range less than 100 miles won’t be enough for day-to-day use & will leave them stranded — in practice this goes away within a few weeks of ownership
2. cross country driving — relatively short range, combined with slow charge times¹ mean cross country travel will be slower than buyers accustomed to a range of hundreds of miles & five minute refuelling want to accept

Obviously, the 200-mile-range of the Bolt answers question 1., but no apparent answer for question 2.

Where does all of the above leave Tesla?
● Tesla’s Model III EV with 200-mile-range is scheduled for release in a similar time frame, & at a similar price to the GM vehicle
● Tesla’s Supercharger network with its promise of practical, free, cross-country travel remains a strong drawcard
● Elon Musk has hinted that the Model III will have good performance —
Tesla dropped the 40 kWh Model S because it was "sluggish" & "didn't feel like a Tesla". He has also criticised the performance of other EVs & has said that he wants to release a Model III that, “doesn’t suck”.
● if Tesla never sells a single Model III, in the Model S, they have: a luxury sports sedan — the best car Consumer Reports has ever tested — with an extremely loyal following — a waiting list for every car produced — cheap to run — & continues to be developed

Tesla has thrown open its patents. Elon Musk has said that he is prepared to negotiate with other vehicle manufacturers for use of the Supercharger network. He has also made it clear that other manufacturers would have to cover costs.

Elon Musk — where would the failure of Tesla leave him? Certainly not poor. He has made a great deal of money, but he has consistently claimed that the money is secondary. What he set out the achieve with Tesla, was to create a sustainable system of personal transport. And he has already done that.
__________
¹ Wayne Cunningham: “Slow, fast, & faster: Where to charge electric cars”, Cnet, http://www.cnet.com/news/slow-fast-and-faster-where-to-charge-electric-cars/

Time is an illusion

Credit: NASA/ESA/The Hubble Heritage/The Daily Mail

Although possibly not the first, Douglas Adams said, or at least wrote: "Time is an illusion.”*

He was almost certainly the first to add: “Lunchtime doubly so."*

While failing to address the, “Lunchtime doubly so," clause, Dr. Nikodem Poplawski** explains that time is an illusion ultimately created by living inside a black hole:

http://www.insidescience.org/content/every-black-hole-contains-new-universe/566

http://www.technologyreview.com/view/419827/why-our-universe-must-have-been-born-inside-a-black-hole/

http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2011/05/new-theory-black-holes-give-birth-to-new-universes-todays-most-popular.html
__________
* Douglas Adams: “The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy”, Chapter 2
"Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so."
"Very deep," said Arthur, "you should send that in to the Reader's Digest. They've got a page for people like you."

** Dr. Nikodem Poplawski, Department of Mathematics & Physics, University of New Haven, http://www.nikodempoplawski.com// our universe may exist inside a black hole may sound strangebest explanation how the universe began observe today theory explored past few decades physicists unsolved questions big bang theory Universe singularity infinitely small point containing high concentration of matter expanding inflation suer fast super-fast expansion space slight lumps concentration matter early universe coalesced large celestial bodies galaxies clusters galaxies theories source dark energy speed up its expansion black hole answers physics general relativity modern theory of gravity largest scales any event occurs as a point in space and time spacetime massive object Sun distorts curves spacetime gravitational dent alters motion Earth other planets orbiting force of gravity quantum mechanics smallest scales atom quantum mechanics general relativity single theoryquantum gravity subatomic particles black holes Einstein-Cartan-Sciama-Kibble theory of gravity Universe quantum property spin particles atoms electrons internal angular momentum torsion two dimensional canvas flexible one dimensional rod bending rod corresponds curving spacetime twisting the rod spacetime torsion early universe black holes extreme environments spacetime torsion manifest repulsive force counter counters attractive gravitational force spacetime curvature very massive stars collapse collapsing black holes light escape strong prevent matter from compressing point of infinite density extremely large finite density energy converted mass immensely high gravitational energy extremely dense state production of particles greatly increasing the mass inside the black hole spin higher levels of spacetime torsion repulsive torsion stop the collapse big bounce recoil expanding universe universe's shape geometry distribution of mass every black hole would produce a new baby universe inside our own universe interior of a black hole existing in another universe motion of matter black hole's boundary event horizon only happen in one direction direction of time we perceive as moving forward times’s arrow of time inherited through torsion from the parent universe explain observed imbalance between matter antimatter Dr. Nikodem Poplawski theoretical physicist at the University of New Haven in Connecticut.
/

Formula E, round 4, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday 10 January 2015 (video)

Qualifying (1:17:40)


Race (55:32)


Complete results, including the race & qualifying:
http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/results/buenos-aires-eprix.aspx / Formula E Buenos Aires Argentina fourth race all electric racing series fourth race Buenos Aires Argentina open wheeler ePrix stadium races F1 FIA electricity sport electric vehicles EV terrific acceleration pass passing possible tracks with tight corners technology range race organizers identical cars Spark-Renault SRT_01E built French company Spark Racing Technology carbon fiber aluminum chassis Dallara electric powertrain electronics McLaren Electronics Systems Williams Advanced Engineering building 200 kiloWatt battery pack batteries powertrain generate 270 horsepower five-speed paddle shift gearbox fixed gear ratios Michelin 18 inch tires wet dry conditions sound 80 decibel whine full grid 20 cars FIA Formula E strategy street courses dedicated circuits tire wear grip management battery life charge prematurely testing drivers learn knowledge teams construction constructors constructing FanBoost pit stop second fully charged car advances in battery technology battery swaps charging battery Renault Michelin DHL Qualcomm Richard Branson Virgin Racing team Leonardo DiCaprio Venturi team lithium ion LiIon battery charge recharge range battery management system BMS /

Reversible USB Type-C finally on its way, alongside USB 3.1’s 10Gbit performance

Credit: ExtremeTech

CES generates a lot of hype about new & interesting gadgets. This year, less spectacular, but more significant than most, is the new USB Type-C connector & associated USB 3.1 standard.

Important new features include:
● reversible connectors
● more power (up from 10W to 100W) means that almost all peripherals can be powered directly by the USB connection — no more power brick for an external drive or USB hub
● higher data rates — up to twice as fast

http://www.extremetech.com/computing/197145-reversible-usb-type-c-finally-on-its-way-alongside-usb-3-1s-10gbit-performance#disqus_thread / CES show practical products USB Type-C connector USB 3.1 standard frustration connect USB devices computers Intel USB Type-C solve this problem universal connector that’s also capable of twice theoretical throughput USB 3.0 provide far more power hybrid cabling USB 3.1 cables backwards compatible disc USB 3.0 ports, Type-C adapters conventional USB new connector signal overhead drop significantly 128-bit and 132-bit encoding scheme PCI-Express 3.0 Type-C USB 3.1 Type-C plug previous standards USB manufacturers adopt expensive 3.0 hardware mobile devices cause confusion mistake one type of port for the other deploy technology mobile phones tablets interfaces consume more power USB controller can be powered down active drawing power PC charging port heat dissipation higher bandwidth higher heat 3W 4W specifications Watt 100W power envelope USB 3.1 more practical value 10Gbps bandwidth capability SSD enclosures conventional mechanical drives SSDs USB 2.0 hard drive slow compared to SATA power bricks connect points sufficiently reinforced external peripheral powered by single cables USB hubs multiple devices higher bandwidth flippable connector power provisioning competition Intel’s Thunderbolt high-speed standard bandwidth RAID TRIM motherboard add-on cards late 2015 early 2016 Type-C connectors disk disc drive /

Formula E, round 4 tomorrow — Buenos Aires, Argentina (update)

Credit: Forza Motorsport

Update: video of the entire race, plus qualifying at:
http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/formula-e-round-4-buenos-aires.html

Buenos Aires, Argentina
Round 4 - Saturday 10 January 2015
Practice 1 - 08:15-09:00 Buenos Aires local time
Practice 2 - 10:30-11:00
Qualifying - 12:00-12:55
Race - 16:00

FIA, Formula E web site:
http://www.fiaformulae.com/en.aspx / Formula E all electric racing series fourth 4th race Buenos Aires, Argentina ePrix stadium races F1 FIA electricity sport electric vehicles EV terrific acceleration pass passing possible tracks with tight corners technology range race organizers identical cars Spark-Renault SRT_01E built French company Spark Racing Technology carbon fiber aluminum chassis Dallara electric powertrain electronics McLaren Electronics Systems Williams Advanced Engineering building 200 kiloWatt battery pack batteries powertrain generate 270 horsepower five-speed paddle shift gearbox fixed gear ratios Michelin 18 inch tires wet dry conditions sound 80 decibel whine full grid 20 cars FIA Formula E strategy street courses dedicated circuits tire wear grip management battery life charge prematurely testing drivers learn knowledge teams construction constructors constructing FanBoost pit stop second fully charged car advances in battery technology battery swaps charging battery Renault Michelin DHL Qualcomm Richard Branson Virgin Racing team Leonardo DiCaprio Venturi team lithium ion LiIon battery charge recharge range battery management system BMS /

Antibiotic drought may be over

Credit: BGLH

There are two problems with antibiotics:
1. lack of new antibiotics — since 1987, no new antibiotic has been approved for clinical practice
2. resistance — hence, “superbug” — e.g. antibiotic-resistant strains of tuberculosis

Together, these two problems have raised the spectre of a future without antibiotics.

Now, a new method of identifying new antibiotics has been developed. Twenty five antibiotics have so far been discovered, using this method, with the promise of more to come.

Teixobactin, most promising of the new antibiotics, works in a way not seen before: by attacking fats which are essential to building the cell wall of bacteria.

Because of this unique method of operation, it is hoped that resistance won’t be a problem. While there are reasons to hope that this may be true, similar claims have been made for many, if not all new antibiotics & antiseptics.

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-30657486

More on antibiotic-resistance:
http://www.abc.net.au/science/slab/antibiotics/superbugs.htm / decades long drought antibiotic discovery breakthrough US scientists novel method growing bacteria yielded 25 new antibiotics very promising new class antibiotics clinic discovered nearly three decades ago study Nature game changer game-changer experts antibiotic heyday antibiotic discovery 1950s and 1960s into doctor's hands microbes incredibly resistant extensiveley drug resistant tuburculosis medicine soil researchers researcher research Northeastern University Boston Massachusetts source nearly all antibiotics soil teeming with microbes grow grown laboratory lab team created subterranean hotel bacteria bacterium room device buried in soil unique chemistry of soil permeate room study scientists grow nearly half of all soil bacteria chemicals produced microbes dug up researcher's back yard tested for antimicrobial properties lead scientist Prof Kim Lewis 25 new antibiotics discovered method teixobactin latest most promising study shows uncultured cultured bacteria harbour novel chemistry not seen before promising source new antimicrobials revive field antibiotic discovery tests teixobactin toxic to bacteria not mammalian tissues clear deadly dose of MRSA tests on mice human tests needed researchers develop resistance teixobactin targets fats essential building bacterial cell wall difficult to evolve resistance antibiotic evolvedfree of resistance Professor Lewis several independent different tricks minimise resistance development /

Crude oil production costs up — petrol prices down — what's happening?

Credit: Eco News

Supply & demand tells us that rising costs of production lead to higher prices.

Crude oil is getting harder, & more expensive, to extract. Witness investment in tar sands & fracking.

Apparently in contradiction of the preceding 2 paragraphs, crude, petrol (gasolene) & other petroleum fuel prices are at long term lows.

Not surprisingly, those who have invested in the most expensive means of crude production are experiencing cost pressures, leading one commentator to claim that 97% of fracking operations are experiencing a loss at current oil prices:
http://m.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/06/1355814/-97-of-fracking-now-operating-at-a-loss-at-current-oil-prices#?detail=facebook

Gail Tverberg, an acturary interested in depletion of oil, natural gas, & water & climate change explains that decreasing quality of oil reserves accounts for falling prices:
http://ourfiniteworld.com/2014/12/29/how-increased-inefficiency-explains-falling-oil-prices/ / If the Saudis crush America America’s shale oil industry West Texas Intermediate 2014 peak $107.73 June dropping as low as $49.77 today New York Mercantile Exchange grade settled at $50.04 a barrel below break even break-even price 38 U.S. shale oilfields Bloomberg New Energy Finance shale oil fracking Canadian tar sand most expensive dirty oil production planet conventional Persian Gulf oil cheapest to produce Warren Henry spokesman Continental frackers spending money faster than they can make current oil prices not a sustainable long term trend Bob Tippeee editor Oil & Gas Journal Saudi Arabia Saudis no incentive lower supply defend price of crude oil not going to rescue the market other major producers Russia Iraq boosted oil production highest levels in decades seems certain low oil prices are here to stay at least for now oil patches red states Texas North Dakota projecting 100,000 layoffs energy sector slump painful regional recession Michael Feroli chief U.S. economist at JPMorgan Chase & Co. New York report Texas pumps 37 percent of U.S. oil output IEA International Energy Agency data show oil and gas industry effects housing other businesses majority of Texas energy production conventional means relies heavily on fracking oil rigs shut down U.S. rig count at risk R.T. Dukes an upstream analyst Wood Mackenzie Ltd. Houston tough year for operators employment support services oil and gas operations oil and gas extraction most job creation fracking industry comes up-front job losses before production falls most labor-intensive labor labour intensive oil-field industry construction and completion process new wells bulk of investment provides most income local economy ramifications oil slide companies will complete works in progress according to contract price began crashing layoffs notices Dallas Federal Reserve projects Texas slowdown state budgets Texas Wyoming Louisiana Oklahoma North Dakota Alaska oil sales production sold months years ahead of time temporary drop steep immediate effect when oil futures agreed geology traditional oil drilling shale oil taps out very quickly average decline world's conventional oil fields booming Bakken shale oil field production declines of 70 percent or more in the first year shale gas wells swift depletion rateso drillers plumbing new wells shortfall 2,500 new wells into production every year just to sustain production increasingly become more expensive to drill supplies require a higher breakeven price current price of oil frackers sinking new wells out of business high-yield high yield debt cheap credit shut out of the bond market Gary C. Evans chief executive officer Magnum Hunter Resources Corp funding squeeze increased inefficiency reducd efficiency crowding out effect more resources are required for the increasingly inefficient sectors of the economy, fewer resources are available to the rest of the economy. As a result, wages stagnate or decline. Central banks find it necessary lower interest rates, to keep the economy going /

Samsung phone drop testing

Credit: Samsung/MobileSyrup

You’ve seen endless drop test videos on YouTube. This is how Samsung does it.



http://mobilesyrup.com/2014/10/08/galaxy-note-4-gets-drop-tested-on-camera/ / Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Android OS operating system screen impact crack Galaxy Note 4 is Samsung’s second smartphone metal frame durable device but butt test bend deform sit phablet back pocket robot bum test resilience gravity damage resistant most common cause smartphone deaths fall falling from unsafe height onto hard floor playful animations butt test video real-world footage Samsung’s quality assurance procedures dropping phone smart phone smartphone various angles various heights withstand tumbles consumers Note 4 survives drop in-house testing users damage waterproof /

The Pilgrim's Progress — Kickstarter in 2014

Massoud Hassani’s wind-powered land mine sweeper, funded on Kickstarter, makes it to the Museum of Modern Art
Credit: Rene van der Hulst/Massoud Hassani/Museum of Modern Art, New York

22,252 projects were successfully funded by 3.3 million people with $529 million on Kickstarter last year. Backers were from almost every country on the planet, plus over $10,000 from 36 backers in Antarctica.

And it’s not just technology: other project areas include art, comics, dance, design, fashion, food, games, music, photography, publishing & theatre.

https://www.kickstarter.com/year/2014?ref=yir2014_email / project pledge reward design back backer successfully funded fund /

Smart band for your analogue watch

Montblanc e-Strap fitted to Timewalker Urban Speed analogue
Credit: Montblanc/Pocket-lint

Smartwatches have achieved a degree of popularity, but remain far from universal. There are a number of reasons for this, including:
• preference for the appearance of an analogue watch
• dislike of the high-tech appearance of many smartwatches
• sentimental attachment to an existing watch

A solution that has occurred to a few is a "smart band". I.e. a band for a conventional watch with “smarts” built into the band itself, or the clasp.

Mondillian smart-band failed to get funding on IndieGoGo:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/modillian-smart-strap-make-your-watch-smart

Kairos T-band Smartwatch achieved funding on IndieGoGo – with options of a band for an existing watch or a smart band complete with analogue watch. Only adjustment of the band is by once-only cutting, after which no further adjustment is possible. A deal breaker for some.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/kairos-t-band-smartwatch-best-of-analog-digital

Montblanc, well known watch manufacturer, is developing an e-Strap for its Timewalker Urban Speed range, or separately, although it will be towards the top of the smart watch price range at around €250.

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/132167-montblanc-e-strap-lets-you-upgrade-your-current-watch-to-make-it-smart

http://www.geek.com/mobile/montblanc-e-strap-turns-any-watch-into-a-smartwatch-1612706/

http://www.cnet.com/news/e-strap-puts-a-smartwatch-strap-on-a-dumbwatch/ / Geneva watch trade show SIHH 2015 watch luxury goods maker smartwatch market smart wearables Montblanc Timewalker Urban Speed collection timepieces optional strap e-Strapproduct reference 113827 first smart connected wearable established luxury company high-end leather strap carbon fiber texture Extreme Montblanc Leather produced Florence Italy electronic module DLC diamond like carbon coated steel grey gray steel colour color size options technology consumers want mechanical watch choice dilemma. strap smart wearable device 2015 Montblanc Timewalker Urban Speed watches available for purchase separately crowd-funded project e-Strap option NATO-style designed connects 42mm 43mm wide lug space sizes 22mm wide iPhone iOS Android /

Want to live longer?

If you do, there are a lot of things you can do about it, or avoid, including:

Do these:
http://theweek.com/article/index/274020/7-things-that-will-make-you-healthier-and-help-you-live-longer-according-to-science

Avoid these:
http://theweek.com/article/index/274021/7-things-that-will-make-you-sicker-or-kill-you-sooner-according-to-science / exercise stave off depression Swedish researchers genetically engineered mice high levels protein builds up in muscles during exercise control group to sustained low level stress protein PGC-1[alpha]1 metabolite linked to depression acid passed more easily out of the body Jorge Ruas study proves exercise should be prescribed prevention treatment depression coffee improve memory researchers research identify old new similar caffeinated group recognize very slight changes pictures dosage was crucial 200 milligram tablets improve memory doses caused headaches jitteriness standing up Swedish researchers moderate exercise program sit less scientists measured volunteers' telomeres caps on the ends of genes generally shorten and fray with age active group had grown longer sedentary behavior Mai-Lis Hellénius new health hazard of our time eating vegetables reduces your risk of dying fresh fruits or vegetables reduced risk of death 42 percent fresh vegetables most beneficial portion reducing overall risk of death 16 percent canned fruits increased the statistical risk added sugar processing living in Utah fist bumping shaking hands prevent spread of bacteria wearing sterile gloves dunked their hands mild solution of E.coli bacteria shook hands high-fived fist bumped wearing uncontaminated gloves handshake transferred about twice as much bacteria high five 10 times more than a fist bump greater contact area duration pressure low expectations boost happiness researchers monitored brain activity volunteers played a game degree of happiness players experienced won depended expectations lower expectations happier winning real world people with low expectations derive more pleasure receiving gifts vacation things better or worse than expected sugar artificial sweeteners gut bacteria pot smoking damage developing brains more potent strains cause structural changes brains levels of THC marijuana psychoactive compound abnormalities shape density volume nucleus accumbens pleasure pain core of motivation pop stardom substance abuse die in accidents commit suicide murdered die young culture glorifies outrageous behavior emotionally immature artists pop scene is toxic playing football damage brains concussions cognitive disorder low vitamin D levels increase risk Alzheimer's disease dementia /

Brando Bluetooth Speaker Hat

Credit: Brando

Bluetooth connectivity, built in battery, charging via microUSB. And as you can see from the photograph, the hat holds the speakers over your ears.

Not so obvious from the photograph: a microphone is included, so you can use it for phone calls as well.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2014/12/26/bluetooth-speaker-hat-keeps-your-head-warm-and-your-ears-filled-with-music/

http://shop.brando.com/Bluetooth-Speaker-Hat_p12451c0201d033.html

Good for cold weather, but you’ll want a different headset arrangement come summer. / 100% Acrylic Hat access phone function making a call noise reduction system high quality speaker microphone keep head warm colors black Bluetooth V3.0+EDR frequency 2.402 GHz transmission Distance: 10M battery 120mA LiIon lithium ion battery bluetooth speaker hat microUSB charging cable Bluetooth speaker hat Brando tech clothing item acrylic hat keep your head warm cold outside Bluetooth speaker phone capability charges via micro USB microphone three button touch interface control controls volume music playback /

A very unusual shark

Credit: My Blue World

• at 7.3 metres (24 feet) the second biggest carnivorous shark after the great white
• almost no dorsal fin
• prefers cold water, usually at great depth
• has been suggested as a candidate for the Lock Ness monster
• slow swimming – average 1 kph (0.76 mph) – 2.7 kph (1.7 mph) in a sprint
• flesh is poisonous, due to high levels of a chemical which appears to act as an anti-freeze
• estimates based on rates-of growth suggest they may live for 200 to 400 years, which make them among the longest-lived vertebrates
• there is some debate as to whether the Pacific sleeper shark & southern sleeper shark are the same, or closely related species



http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20141028-the-mystery-shark-of-the-arctic

https://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/GreenlandShark/GreenlandShark.html

http://www.wired.com/2014/02/creature-feature-10-fun-facts-greenland-shark/ / Greenland shark Somniosus microcephalus gurry shark grey shark sleeper shark Inuit name Eqalussuaq second largest carnivorous shark deep Arctic waters thickset cylindrical body small head short snout tiny eyes slow moving giant water is frigid Greenland Iceland polar closely related coast Canada Portugal France Scotland Scandinavia widespead wide spread cold deep Aaron MacNeil Australian Institute of Marine Science Townsville Queensland Gulf of Mexico 2,600 metres 8,530 feet Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution Fort Pierce Florida deep sea 1,000 metres 3,280ft Gulf of Maine common liver oil lamp fuel industrial lubricant lubricatioin healthy population 120 hooks longline fairly common Aaron Fisk University of Windsor Ontario eat eating scientists stomach contents meals fish carrion small crustaceans amphipods dead bodies deep waters eat carrion almost blind Ommatokoita elongata crustacean sharks’ eyes damage damaging corneas parasites parasitic crustacean bioluminescent George Benz Middle Tennessee State University scientific literature contaminated unsubstantiated claims ambush predator Arctic seals polar bears ice holes breathe breathing circumstantial evidence stomach analyses discarded leftovers beluga whales shifting ice Baffin Island northern Canada Arctic food web Hákarl flesh meat is toxic fermented shark detoxified /