electro^plankton: hot science: November 2007 Archives

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November 26, 2007

Are Elephants Really Afraid Of Mice?

I'm not sure if it's an age old question but the idea of a big ole' elephant running at the sight of a tiny innocent mouse has been ingrained in me since I was a child, thanks Dumbo. But is it true? Results are fascinating.

via Neatorama

November 14, 2007

Make An Onion Battery

Here's a fascinating video on how you can charge an iPod or any small device using Gatorade and an onion. The active ingredients are actually an electrolyte (Gatorade) and an acid (onion). The two create a chemical reaction that can be harnessed as electrical energy. You can technically do this with almost any fruit or vegetable. The more acidic, the better the chemical reaction. Just be smart and don't eat it afterwards.

Time Travel Not Possible

Not my opinion, in fact I don't have one because time travel is so far beyond what my poor brain can handle but some scientists are now saying time travel is not possible. Hit the jump to find out why.

Most of us are familiar with the concept of light speed which is how fast light can travel. According to Einstein that's as fast as anything can go. Somehow break that speed and you're moving thru time but there's a fatal flaw to this theory.

Time is a human invention. It is our way of measuring what time really is - the state of all particles in the universe at any given moment. It really doesn't have anything to do with moving faster than the speed of light. No, all that does is alter our perception of time when in reality the particles in the universe are still changing.

This would suggest that in order to time travel, a machine would have to record the state of every particle in the universe. Then you have to figure out how to change every single particle back to the state of your intended "time". This also suggests our trips are limited to when the machine first started recording. On top of that, it wouldn't be possible to travel into the future since there's no data recorded yet. The future is where all particles have infinite possibilities of change.

It's an interesting theory except I think I read somewhere how our perception of time is incorrect, that in fact time is not linear. That's hard to imagine since we are corporeal beings and everything we do is at least based on a past and present.

I must go now. My head hurts.

November 12, 2007

Nature Has A Sense Of Humor

I really do believe Mother Nature has a sense of humor. This spider found only in Hawaii is called the Happy Spider for obvious reasons. Sure the markings keep predators away but they also make us smile.

via National Geographic

Outdoor Play Crucial For Creative Development

Playing Outdoors

I never really thought about it but after reading a study about how outdoor play is crucial to child's creative development, I find myself agreeing.

I grew up in a time when electronic toys were rare. Play usually consisted of riding bikes, chasing each other, or solitary moments playing make believe in my room. When children are forced to create their own games, they kick their imagination into high gear. It's the only time in their lives when they can create their own, outside the realm of adults. The part of the brain that deals with creativity begins to grow which in turns benefits them as adults. Food for thought.

Wii-mote Is Minority Report

Seriously Nintendo could have kept the Revolution code name had they taken the Wii in the direction this guy demonstrates. It's just one step away from Minority Report.

Shrimp Band-Aids

Chitoflexsm

There's this company called Hemcom pushing bandages made out of shrimp shells, or more specifically chitosan which is very similar to what our nails and hair are made of. As odd as that sounds, it's apparently quite revolutionary because the military is all about it.

Chitosan naturally carries a positive ionic charge while blood carries a negative one. The result creates a blood clot and barrier. The bandage naturally sticks to skin and is a totally green renewable product.

My only question is when will we get a Hello Kitty branded one?

via Incubaker

November 6, 2007

Harnessing Wind Power With Sails

Architects Chetwood Associates are applying for grant to build a large wind dam in Russia. The dam will be located over an extremely windy gorge at Lake Lagoda in north west Russia. The 75 meter sail, the first of its kind will funnel the high winds down to a turbine. Tho the company doesn't mention how much electricity the wind dam can produce, the prospects of new building projects staying green is a definite sign of improvement and advancement.

via Dezeen

Kids Bond With Robots

A landmark research project conducted by UCSD completed a 5 month study on human-robotic interactions. The study placed QRIO, Sony's artificially intelligent robot in a classroom with toddlers. By the end of the study, the children not only came to accept the robot but also treated it as an equal.

Researches initially limited what QRIO could say and do. Children seem to only interact if there's reciprocation. Another robot was also introduced with no programming as a control and the children ignored it, simply regarding it as a toy. As the researchers increased the amount of activity in QRIO, the children responded. They started to refer to QRIO as a person, calling it by its name. When QRIO fell, the children would help it up and give it encouragement. When QRIO laid down on the floor as its batteries ran down, a toddler would put a blanket over his silver-colored body and say "night-night".

It's not exactly a surprise since humans display a great propensity to bond with both people and objects, but the study is already receiving criticism citing a matter of ethics. The children were not happy when QRIO left and tho it's the longest study of its kind, there's no data on long term interactions between children and robots.

You can read the complete study in the National Academy of Sciences.

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