Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Thursday, May 29, 2008

3K Computers gets extra official with RazorBook 400: now $299

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/300085168/

Filed under: Laptops

Our feelings are largely unchanged about the lackluster RazorBook 400, but hacking a full Benjamin from the asking price is sure to get people looking. Yep, the subnote we previously heard would run around $400 has just been officially announced by 3K Computers at $299. Specs wise, everything is remaining the same -- less than 2-pounds, 7-inch display, 4GB of internal flash and a promised boot-up time of under 8-seconds -- but it just got a lot harder to brush this one off and look elsewhere.

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Crystals hold promise of affordable solar energy, may have been purchased on eBay

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/300163172/

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

We have no real way of verifying whether or not these so-calls crystals were purchased alongside some bizarre time machine on eBay, but we'll take this guy's word for it and assume not for the time being. Reportedly, University of Queensland professor Max Lu has teamed up with researchers in order to grow "the world's first titanium oxide single crystals with large amounts of reactive surfaces." Put simply, these very crystals can "absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity." It's said that Lu has been working on the project for some 15 years, and even now, he doesn't expect the creation to be commercially viable for another decade. Aside from morphing into fairies and making dreams come true, the things could also be used to "purify air and water." Pair this up with an invisibility cloak and we'll really be in business.

[Thanks, Brendan]

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Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Study Kicks Nanotech Right in the Buckyballs [Science]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/299916838/study-kicks-nanotech-right-in-the-buckyballs

Just last week, we heard that carbon nanotubes could be as dangerous as asbestos. Now a new study takes another damning shot at nanotechnology, this time at the sector's golden child, buckyballs. Hollow balls of carbon that are promising for everything from fighting cancer to coating paint, a recent study found that buckyball clusters can easily penetrate cell membranes and hang out inside, their molecular structures fully intact.

The study used a computer simulation only, not actual physical science. And we don't know whether or not these carbon spheres would necessarily damage the cells they inhabit.

But that's exactly the point, right? While the complete biochemical theories behind these processes is admittedly a bit beyond us, it really seems like while one group is high-fiving that we can deliver drugs directly into cells, another group says, "Shit, this stuff penetrates our cells!"

With such materials already available commercially, it really feels like we haven't done our homework on whether or not our fancy new toys will actually be poisoning our bodies in an irreversible way. Maybe we should take a few steps back before readily adopting even promising materials that we apparently know so little about. [DailyTech]

First Photos of Sony's 0.3mm Thin OLED Screen: Coming in 27-Inch Screen Soon at Ridiculous Prices [All Things D]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/299968953/first-photos-of-sonys-03mm-thin-oled-screen-coming-in-27+inch-screen-soon-at-ridiculous-prices

Sir Howard Stringer of Sony just unveiled a 0.3mm OLED that is thin as a playing card and can be used in a 27 inch TV that will ship soon. But not at reasonable prices. [All Things D]

Hybrid Technologies Supercar Crushes Prius And Corvette [Cars]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/299998003/hybrid-technologies-supercar-crushes-prius-and-corvette

There's a car that's not slated for release until 2009 or 2010. It makes some wild claims. And no one in the media has driven it yet (since it's still in production). But with those caveats in mind, continue on to drop your jaw at Hybrid Technologies' upcoming still-nameless supercar.

Hybrid Technologies is working on a car coming in two flavors—all electric and hybrid. With the electric, they promise a 150 to 180-mile range per charge. With the lithium-ion hybrid, they promise a 220mpg minimum.

Those specs would be impressive in a golf cart.

But the most compelling part of it all is the alleged performance. Popular Mechanics asked Hybrid Technologies if their car could compete with the Corvette ZR-1 and its crazy V8 that induces mid-600s-scale horsepower. The company responded that they were "way out of the ballpark—it's gonna be wild." [Popular Mechanics]