Or, to put it another way, it’s the Science Fiction Headline of the Day: New Antigravity Solution Could Enable Space Travel Near Speed Of Light. I don’t know what to make of this, except to note that this is a press released issued by the scientist in question himself. I guess we’ll have to see …
Category: Blog
Moore’s Law accelerating?
There’s been a new breakthrough in computer chip lithography–and it’s way ahead of schedule. A new computer chip lithography method under development at Rochester Institute of Technology has led to imaging capabilities beyond that previously thought possible. Leading a team of engineering students, Bruce Smith, RIT professor of microelectronic engineering and director of the Center …
Shades of Airborn and Skybreaker
Worldwide Aeros hopes to have a prototype flying luxury hotel–a massive helium-filled airship–ready by 2010. Have I mentioned I love airships? I’d buy a ticket to fly on this thing in an instant.
The LEGO Technic Difference Engine
A 19th-century mechanical computer built out of 21st-century plastic toy construction bricks. Just because.
A better way to desalinate water…
…has been discovered by a New Jersey Institute of Technology professor. Guess it’s about time I updated this column.
NASA’s new challenges
Put your thinking cap on, gather a team of space-enthused engineers, and see if you can meet one of NASA’s new challenges–for cold, hard cash. Looks like the X Prize really started something.
Pat Metheny won a jazz Grammy tonight…
…which reminded me of the time I heard him play live, in a jazz club in Chicago in 1999. I’d love to say it was a life-changing experience, or at least an awesome concert, but in fact I pent part of the evening crouched over the toilet in the men’s room not throwing up but …
New evidence of past life on Mars?
Possibly. A carbon-rich substance found in cracks inside a Martian meteorite may point in that direction. (Via digg.)
Announcing a new scholarly journal…
…focusing on video games? Really? Yep. Games and Culture’s scope will include the socio-cultural, political, and economic dimensions of gaming from a wide variety of perspectives, including textual analysis, political economy, cultural studies, ethnography, critical race studies, gender studies, media studies, public policy, international relations, and communication studies. Does this mean I can finally finish …
MIT working on new spaceuit design
It would be a “second skin” instead of a “bulky gas bag,” and thereby improve comfort and mobility. Although it’s still no great shakes in the looks department, as you can see. (Via Physics Org.)
Promising new anti-viral could fight HIV
According to the Salt Lake Tribune, a compound called CSA-54, under investigation by a Brigham Young University professor, shows promise as an HIV killer–and may help us fight many other deadly diseases, as well. (Via digg.) Sounds promising, although I’m not sure why it’s in the Business section. I think I’ll dig around a little …
Neuromarketing
One of the oddest things about the Super Bowl is that the TV ads that run during the game get almost as much attention as the game itself.. This year, the ads even got scientific attention at the University of California in Los Angeles. There, just after the game on Sunday, five volunteers had their …
My latest live walk and vlog
Buy Autographed Books
