Energy Independence is Cool

I am a big fan of the Green Energy movement. At first thought you might think that this is because I like to hug trees and eat tofu. I must admit, I do love trees. Some of my favorite furniture is made from them. Tofu, I can take or leave. However, the real reason I love the Green Energy movement is its elegance. It just impresses me how this technology can work to achieve our desired technological goals while still have a minimal impact on our environment. Engineered harmony. That's cool.

Today is a Technology Bonanza

The US Navy has just tested a new railgun. Here's what the Navy ultimately expects the weapon to do:

The big gun uses electromagnetic energy instead of explosive chemical propellants to fire a projectile farther and faster. The railgun, as it is called, will ultimately fire a projectile more than 230 miles (370 kilometers) with a muzzle velocity seven times the speed of sound (Mach 7) and a velocity of Mach 5 at impact.

Lots of boom. No reason to use high explosives. The best part of the article is the quote from Admiral Gary Roughead:

I never ever want to see a Sailor or Marine in a fair fight. I always
want them to have the advantage. We should never lose sight of always looking
for the next big thing, always looking to make our capability better,
more effective than what anyone else can put on the battlefield.

Amen. He seems to be channeling George S. Patton who said: The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.



Navy Tests Incredible Sci-Fi Weapon | LiveScience

Technorati Tags: weapons, navy, railgun, technology, science

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This is the Coolest Technology I've Seen in a Long Time

Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway, has developed a new prosthesis that is controlled by thought just like a natural limb. This thing even provides the user with tactile feedback while in use. The prosthesis is called the "Luke Arm" after the Star Wars character who lost his hand during an unfortunate domestic dispute with his estranged father. Here is a brief description of the prosthesis' abilities:

(It) enables 18 degrees of freedom, a scant 4 degrees less than an actual arm. It enables the wearer to "to pluck chocolate-covered coffee beans one by one, pick up a power drill, unlock a door, and shake a hand." It features six different grip settings, and fits a modular design so any level of amputee can use it. It weighs 3.6 kg and runs on lithium batteries.

This is awesome!

Dean Kamen's "Luke Arm" bionic prosthesis heads to clinical trials, is awesome - 60 Second Science

Technorati Tags: technology, biology, prosthesis, science

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