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Mercedes' and BMW's Future Emphasizes Fuel Cell Vehicles Over Battery Electric Cars
Looking at models currently available from Germany’s BMW and Mercedes-Ben , it appears that both carmakers are focusing on battery electric over fuel cell vehicles, but that may not be the long-term plan for either. Recent interviews with executives at the two brands suggest that BMW and Read More...
Snake scales protect steel against friction
"Friction and wear are two of the biggest challenges in systems of several individual components," Christian Greiner of the Institute for Applied Materials says. A solution is found in nature: Snakes, such as the ball python, or li ards, such as the sandfish skink, use friction to move forwards, Read More...
Quiet design: Hospital tests sound panels to reduce noise
One of the most common complaints about hospitals is the noise. Patients complain that they can't sleep soundly in the environment of multiple monitors, paging systems, wheelchairs and gurneys, and carts that s ueak. Ongoing efforts at the University of Michigan Health System are making the Read More...
The Uber Controversy Highlights A Key Question: Who Is The Boss In The Sharing Economy?
When is a company not a company? A modern-day Zen koan, maybe, but the evidence is all around us—Airbnb, Elance-oDesk, Handy, HourlyNerd, TaskRabbit, Uber. These businesses seem much more like conglomerations of independent professionals that connect to customers through a common platform, rather Read More...
Bitcoin's forked: chief scientist launches alternative proposal for the currency
The bitcoin wars have begun, as Bitcoin XT s uares off against the classic flavour of the cryptocurrency Monday 17 August 2015 06.57 EDT Last modified on Monday 17 August 2015 07.00 EDT Cryptocurrency bitcoin is facing civil war, with two high-profile developers announcing plans to Read More...
Common group identity may motivate Americans to help integrate immigrants
Donald Trump just released his immigration reform plan. It boils down to building a wall. There is another way. According to new research, published by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, people are less racist and more willing to open up borders when citizens and immigrants are seen Read More...
Turning the page for contaminated water: These book pages work as a filter
It's remarkable how simple the idea is: This paper sheet filters contaminated water to make it drinkable. The paper contains nanoparticles of silver or copper which kill bacteria in the water as it passes through, and is proving to be full of potential for communities in developing countries Read More...
Color-changing material could be used to signal traumatic brain injuries
Over the past years, more and more sportsmen have revealed that their memory loss may have to do with frequent concussions during their active years. This head trauma, caused by a clash or heavy tackle, can result in brain damage with serious long-term health problems, including dementia and memory Read More...
California is beating the severe drought with innovation
California—where more than half of the fruits and vegetables in the US come from—is in the fourth growing season of a severe drought. And yet, last year, both farm employment and farm revenue increased slightly. As it turns out, Californian farmers are beating the drought. More efficient drip Read More...
Turning your stressful subway experience into a relaxing symphony
To enter the subway in New York the rider needs to slide his ticket through a reader that releases a turnstile; a short beep tells you that you can get in. During rush hour, the electronic beeps sound like a frantic computer game—adding stress to an already stressed commuter crowd. So what if, Read More...