Bike papercraft - Recycled Cardboard Bicycles For $9

The last time you purchased something made entirely from cardboard, chances are it was a box to pack up your belongings. While the sturdy material is perfect for moving your stuff, an inventor Izhar Gafni from Israel has figured out a way to make cardboard move you. Using nine dollars worth of materials, bicycle enthusiast has created a bicycle primarily out of recycled cardboard that is not only strong and durable but inexpensive to make. It cost about $9-$12 to manufacture this lightweight bicycle which can withstand water and humidity. The technology makes the environmentalist's choice mode of transportation even a bit greener and easier on the wallet. While the cost to make the bicycle ranges from nine to twelve dollars, the manufacturer expects to sell the vehicle for sixty to ninety dollars depending on the optional addition of an electric motor.

The MegaBridges

 

World’s Longest Sea Bridge: The Qingdao Haiwan Bridge (China)

The world’s longest cross sea bridge has been revealed by China, proving once again how technology and economics are the strongest points of its economy. According to the Telegraph, the Qingdao Haiwan Bridge measures 26.4 miles (42.6 km) and links Qingdao city in China’s eastern Shandong province with the Huangdao district. Having an amazing architectural importance, the Qingdao Haiwan Bridge helps cut the distance between the two points by 30 km, a life saver in such a busy society like China’s, not to mention the touristic attraction. The 6 lane bridge is almost three miles longer than the previous record holder, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana. The major infrastructure project consisted of four years of labour and US$ 8.6 billion spent. The money went into 450,000 tons of steel, capable of withstanding a magnitude 8.0 earthquake. Built in the Jiaozhou river delta, the freshly finished remarkable structure is supposed to hold the record for only a few years, because the officials already announced they started working on another bridge, that links southern province of Guangdong with Hong Kong and Macau.

Akashi Kaikyo Suspension Bridge

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, also called “Pearl Bridge”, is located in Japan and considered as Japan’s finest engineering feat. Akashi Kaiko Bridge is the world’s longest suspension bridge in the world with a length of 3911 meters (12,831 ft). The Akashi Kaiko Bridge acts as a link between the city of Kobe and Iwaya by crossing the Akashi strait. The construction was finished in a span of 12 years which actually begin in the year 1986 and completed in the year 1998. Akashi Kaikyo Bridge plays an important role in providing three routes across the Inland sea.

Lake Pontchartrain Causeway - world's longest overwater highway bridge

Consisting of parallel, 24-mile-long spans, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is the world's longest overwater highway bridge and one of the oldest prestressed concrete bridges built in the U.S. Engineers loaded the bridge pieces on barges and towed them to construction points on the lake. The twin bridges are supported by more than 9,500 hollow-cylinder pilings approximately 55 inches in diameter; the largest piles ever driven at the time of the first span's construction in 1955. Since the second span opened to the public in 1969, a drawbridge has been added, along with a tracking device to detect approaching barges during foggy conditions.

Rio–Antirrio bridge - World's longest multi-span cable-stayed bridge

A new era in traffic and transport started throughout Western Greece, with the completion of the work of Rion- Antirrio Bridge.
The Bridge Charilaos Trikoupis (It was named so to commemorate the first Greek politician who envisioned the project), at last it is a reality ,which changed dramatically the the geopolitical and economical data of the whole region, annihilating distances and creating new substance .
In 2004 the ambitious vision that became reality.The Bridge of Rion-Antirrion is the landmark of Greece in the 21st century, and changed rapidly the daily routine of the residents.
The Rion-Antirion is the longest cable-stayed bridge multiple exposures worldwide, by 2252 main deck measures. The foundations are located in water depth that reaches up to 65 meters. Both this and the diameter of the foundations is 90 meters world record for a bridge. However, according to the manufacturers, the best record this impressive Bridge that was built "without any serious accident, without shedding a single drop of blood”.
Nevertheless, Bridge has so far awarded by the international scientific community with nine international awards.

Old Chain of Rocks Bridge -- the world's longest pedestrian and bicycle bridge

The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge was constructed in 1929 as part of Route 66 and was financed by tolls.  In 1967, a new bridge carrying I-270 was constructed over the Mississippi and the old bridge was closed.  It sat, abandoned and decaying for 31 years.  During this time, the bridge was featured in the 1981 movie “Escape From New York” as the 69th Street Bridge.  The bridge also developed a bad reputation for crimes and violence including a rape and murder while it sat unused.  In 1999, the bridge was officially reopened for bicycle and pedestrian usage after renovations and security improvements.  Funding for the reopening of this bridge came from Trailnet (http://www.trailnet.org/trails.html#ocorb) and the Confluence Greenway Project (http://www.confluencegreenway.org/).  At one mile in length, the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is the world’s longest pedestrian and bicycle bridge.  This bridge is located just north of St. Louis and is worth a look.

Millau Viaduct -- Tallest in the world

Tallest in the world and taller than the Eiffel Tower, slung across the valley of the river Tarn, the Viaduct de Millau (Viaduc de Millau) is the chosen solution for taking the A75 motorway from Clermont-Ferraud south to Beziers. This is cheaper than the alternative of tunnelling through the hills flanking the river, and will shorten the journey by 100 km and by up to 4 hours in the holiday season, as well as removing much traffic pollution caused by continual traffic jams for local inhabitants in Millau. The Millau Viaduct is currently the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world. It has a steel deck, rather than the more usual concrete roadbed.
The bridge is now sometimes being used for extreme sports such as base jumping or rapelling.

Sydney Harbour Bridge -- the widest bridge in the world

The Sydney Harbour Bridge may not be the longest steel-arch Bridge in the world, but it is the largest and widest. At 48.8 metres (151.3 feet) wide, the Guinness Book of Records lists it as the widest long span Bridge in the world and until 1967, it was Sydney’s tallest structure.
The highest point of the arch is 134 metres (440 feet). The pylons are 89 metres (292 feet) high. The Bridge was the highest point in Sydney Australia until 1967.
The longest span of the Bridge is 503 metres (1650 feet). The total length is 1.15km (3770 feet).
It took over eight years to build the Bridge, between July 1923 and March 1932. Planning for the Bridge began as early as 1912.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the fourth longest single-span steel arch bridge in the world, behind Bayonne Bridge in New York, The New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia and the longest which is The Lupu Bridge in Shanghai. The Bridge is 49 metres (161 feet) wide, making it the widest single-span Bridge in the world. The weight of the steel arch is 39,000 tons.
The girders are made from steel (79% imported from England and 21% from Australian sources). The pylons are made of concrete faced in granite, which was quarried near Moruya, 300km from Sydney. Around 6 million rivets and 52,800 tonnes of steelwork and 17,000 cubic metres of granite have gone into the construction of the Bridge.
The approach spans were erected first, then work began on the main arch. Two half-arches were built out from each side of the Harbour. Steel members were transported on barges into the Harbour and hauled into position with creeper cranes mounted on the arches, which built the Bridge out before them as they inched forward.
The two halves of the arch were joined on 19 August 1930, bringing a well needed smile to the face of depression-era Sydney. The road deck was then hung from the arch from the centre outwards and was in place within nine months.

Zavikon Island -- shortest international bridge in the world

Zavikon Island probably has the smallest international bridge in the world. It is only thirty-two feet long and connects a Canadian island and an American island. The boundary agreement in 1793 between the American and Canadian governments decided that no island would be split in two. Two-thirds of the islands are in Canadian territory, but the total area of the Canadian and American islands is roughly equal.
Theoretically the second island is in US, but both are considered to be part of canada. Local guides and tour operators definitely want this to be known as “shortest international bridge”

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

How to make an origami snowflake.

Recommended paper size: Hexagon with a side length of 10cm (approx. 4in)
Resulting model: Hexagon with a side length of 5cm (approx. 2in)
This video describes how to fold the origami snowflake designed by Dennis Walker. Dennis' website: http://www.origamidennis.co.uk/



Grab a square piece of paper and follow along with this video to create your own snowflake using the Japanese art of origami.

The Bullet 580 - the world's largest Airship

E-Green Technologies' Bullet 580 is the world’s largest airship at 230ft (70m) long and 65ft (19.8m) diameter. Each Bullet 580 costs US$8M (€6.3M), the company plans to build eight airships to rent at US$290,000-800,000 (€230,000-630,000) a month.

Suggested applications for Bullet 580’s unique low speed and lifting capabilities include sightseeing, carrying heavy cargo and flown on high altitude remotely piloted observation missions carrying up to 2,000lbs (907kgs) at 20,000ft (6000m), or 15,000 to 2,500ft (760m).

Buoyant lift comes from seven helium filled bags with the outer Kevlar hull made rigid by pressurized air. The 35mph (56kph) cruising speed and maximum 80mph (129kph) comes from engines using algae-produced bio-diesel fuel.

The first mission to fly will take NASA and Old Dominion University crew, on a soil moisture measuring research flight. Test flights are planned to begin this summer.


Technical Specifications:

•Approximate length = 230 feet
•Specially manufactured in various lengths to meet sustained altitude and payload requirements.
•Maneuverable—vertical takeoff/descent; capable of reversing directions.
•Diesel-powered generators provide a power budget for payloads exceeding 4kw.
•Payload bays designed for easy access and modification.
•Dual-redundant flight control system for manned and unmanned operation.
•Ground Control Systems and data links provide full control during unmanned operation.
•Water Condensate Recovery System reduces need for helium replenishment.

The Oil Rocks

The Oil Rocks is a full town on the sea, 50km off the coast of Azerbaijan, it was the first oil platform in Azerbaijan. It was built in 1947 as an exercise of Soviet and Azeri ambition. The Oil Rocks lies 45–50 km (28–31 mi) offshore on the Caspian Sea and extracts oil from the shallow water portion of the Absheron geological trend. The most distinctive feature of the Oil Rocks is that it is actually a functional city with a population of about 5,000 and over 200 km (120 mi) of streets built on atop rocks, piles of sand and landfill. Most of the inhabitants work on shifts; a week on Oil Rocks followed by a week on the shore. The small city includes shops, school and a library. After almost 60 years the Oil Rocks is still quite unusual as Azerbaijan's first and largest oil platform. Despite the conditions, the platforms still have a combined population of about 5,000 men, who work in week-long offshore shifts, and collectively they produce over half of the total crude oil output of Azerbaijan.

The facility is poorly maintained, with miles of roads now submerged beneath the sea. Around some worker's dormitories, the waterline now stands at the second-floor windows. Although a full one-third of the Oil Rocks complex's 600 wells are inoperative or inaccessible, operations have continued without a significant increase in investment. The site, despite its imperfections, still produces over half of the total crude oil output of Azerbaijan. The government has striven to attract foreign investment into Oil Rocks, resulting in several new additions being grafted onto the existing structure.

Several action sequences in the 1999 James Bond film The World Is Not Enough are set on the Oil Rocks. , where terrorists used a giant helicopter saw to cut the oil pipes.

Sources: Wikipedia, Google Sightseeing

Electric vehicles - The Future of Cars

Tesla Roadster

This car has reinvigorated the EV market like no other. Tesla's Roadster is an attention magnet, and every time the car stops, someone wants to know how far it can go on a charge (240 miles, if you drive it very conservatively) or how long it takes to recharge (3.5 hours) or how much it costs ($110,000). As it speeds up, the car starts to whine; it sounds nothing like any car you hear on the roads. It's much more like the Landspeeder from Star Wars. Electric motors are very powerful, and the Tesla's 0 to 60 time is 3.9 seconds.

Lightning GT - The United Kingdom’s answer to Tesla

Electric vehicles have maximum available power at the wheels at any speed, unlike a petrol engine where maximum power is only obtained high up in the rev range. To deliver this power to the road the Lightning will use electronically controlled traction control which negates wheel spin and unbalance in the power being applied. The stunning performance of the Lightning GTS will likely surpass almost all large engine high performance sports cars in the 0-60mph range. The sensation of harnessing power and performance will be felt by the sheer exhilaration of the power pushing you back in your seat as the car accelerates. Because there is no engine, the Lightning has a maintenance-free motor with just a few parts and together with the control electronics and special batteries, will not need anywhere near the servicing of other sports cars. The Lightning's power figures are very impressive - 700 horsepower, and 4 second 0-60mph times to almost rival the Tesla's 3.7 seconds. But it's the GT's revolutionary battery technology that might give it the upper hand: Nanosafe's Li-ion cells using nano titanate structures instead of traditional graphite give the GT an incredible 250-mile range, a full recharge time of only 10 minutes, and a life expectancy of 12 to 20 years, or 15,000 charge cycles before the battery performance drops significantly.

Nissan Leaf electric car

Nissan Leaf designed as a four-to-five seat, front-drive C-segment hatchback, Nissan says the Leaf is not just for use as a specialty urban runabout, but rather, it was designed as an everyday vehicle – a "real car" whose 160-kilometer+ (100 mile) range meets the needs of 70% of the world's motorists. In the case of U.S. consumers, Nissan says that fully 80% of drivers travel less than 100km per day (62 miles), making the Leaf a solid fit for America's motoring majority, even taking into account power-sapping external factors like hilly terrain, accessory draw, and extreme temperatures. Powered by a unique array of thin, laminated lithium ion cells capable of delivering over 90 kW of power, the Leaf's front-mounted electric motor delivers 80 kW (107 horsepower) and a healthy 280 Nm of torque (208 pound-feet), and it promises brisk and silent off-the-line power, with acceleration from a stop comparable to that of the company's Infiniti G35. And the Leaf has a top speed of over 140 km/h (87 mph). More impressive is the battery pack's 50 kW AC fast-charge capability, which is capable of accepting an 80% charge in less than 30 minutes, or an extra 50 km (31 miles) worth of range in about 10 minutes.

GEM electric car

GEM battery-electric vehicles are classified as low-speed vehicles, or neighborhood electric vehicles, and are street legal in nearly all 50 states on public roads posted at 35 mph or less. With a top speed of 25 mph, GEM cars have a range of up to 30 miles on a charge and are great for traveling around city centers, gated communities, resorts, sports stadiums, job sites, or neighborhoods. GEM vehicles are battery-electric, operate on a 72-volt battery system and plug into a standard 110-volt outlet. What makes GEM vehicles so unique is that they can be recharged anytime, anywhere a 110-volt outlet is available and recharge in approximately six to eight hours.

GEM cars are available in a choice of six models: the GEM e2 two-passenger, the GEM e4 four-passenger, the GEM e6 six-passenger, the GEM eS two-passenger with a short-back bed, the GEM eL two-passenger with a long-back bed, and the GEM eL XD two-passenger extra duty with a long-back bed.

From its high profile to its command-style seating the GEM e2 two-passenger vehicle is ideal for those short trips you make every day. Its standard six 12-volt flooded electrolyte batteries provide a range of up to 35 miles on a charge and the many vehicle options offer you great versatility. Visit the Standard Features section for more information on the features that make the GEM e2 a vehicle you will enjoy driving.

Chevrolet Volt

Volt is an electric car that can create its own electricity. Plug it in, let it charge overnight, and it’s ready to run on a pure electric charge for up to 40 miles(3) — gas and emissions free. After that, Volt keeps going, even if you can’t plug it in. Volt uses a range-extending gas generator that produces enough energy to power it for hundreds of miles on a single tank of gas.

Electricity is an extremely affordable way to power a car — the average American pays less than 12 cents per kilowatt hour. If the average American drives less than 40 miles, it will cost about a dollar a day for electricity. That's about the same annual cost as running a common household appliance.

Phoenix SUT

The four-passenger, advanced battery electric, zero-emission SUT that can travel at freeway speed. Equipped with a revolutionary lithium titanate battery, this SUT (sport utility truck) will travel over 100 miles on a single 10-minute charge (Off-Board High-Power 250kW Charger required for 10-minute charge). Designed with a sophisticated chassis and regenerative braking, this fully electric vehicle is not only powerful, it’s practical and really cool. Phoenix is initially selling to fleets because that’s where the math works out. Since it’s a certified EV, the State of California provides some pretty massive incentives...enough to make it possible to sell a vehicle with $75,000 worth of batteries for $45,000

REVA

The NXR's high torque motor delivers a top speed of 104 km/h. The NXR offers both Normal and Fast Charge options. While Normal Charge is ideal for overnight charging, the optional external Fast Charge station gives you 40 km (25 miles) in just 15 minutes. With a range of 160 km, the REVA is good for 97% of all journeys you'll ever make. In addition to mechanical braking, the REVA's regenerative braking, extends your range by putting energy back into your batteries, every time you slow down. For the price of a couple of tanks of petrol, you can commute all year long. Leave fuel costs in the past, where they belong. A proprietary Intelligent Energy Management System with integrated thermal battery management provides enhanced efficiency and reliability. The NXR has a turning radius of just 3.9 meters. Completely automatic, it is just as easy to park as it is to carve through city traffic.

Coda

Coda - a four door, five passenger sedan with an all-electric drive train. The car was originally designed by one Miles Rubin, and he's remaining an integral part of the launch. The electric family car includes enough battery power to travel between 90 and 120 miles on a full charge, and it can regain 40 miles of range with just two hours of charging. It supports energy from any 110 or 220V socket, and a full charge (from 0% to 100%) can be accomplished in as little as six hours. The cost of the car is expected to be around $45,000, but the actual cost of ownership will dip much lower after a $7,500 federal credit along with other incentives. Coda Automotive estimates that it will cost less than $3 (on average) to drive 100 miles, whereas a comparable gas-powered sedan would eat up around $17 in fuel costs to drive that same distance. Amenities are everywhere as well, with the factory list of equipment including navigation, Bluetooth, AM/FM/XM radio, USB connectivity and aluminum wheels. The car's even backed by a 3-year, 36,000 mile warranty.

Venturi Fetish - World's first electric sportscar

The folks at Monaco-based Venturi Automobiles have used two strategies to overcome the problems of producing a high-performance, all-electric luxury sportscar: manufacture only 25 units per year, and charge $400,000 for each one. The Venturi Fetish, described by the company as “the first production electric sports car in automobile history,” can bolt from zero to 60 in 4.3 seconds, and reach a maximum speed of 105 mph. The physics behind this level of performance: 330 horsepower pushing a carbon-fiber vehicle weighing only 2,425 pounds.
When the vehicle’s 100 li-on battery packs are topped off, Venturi claims the Fetish can go 220 miles before needing a recharge. A rapid battery charge is available, yielding about one mile of driving for every minute of juice. Venturi has taken the guesswork out of knowing how much charge is left by teaming up with Intel to create a wireless information system to remotely monitor the energy storage status, as well as other critical data. Before writing a check for a deposit, you might consider that the vehicle has yet to meet U.S. guidelines to become certified for American roads. Customers take delivery in Monaco and are responsible for transport to the United States… or anywhere else, for that matter. Orders are being taken, with a production and delivery timeline of approximately one year.

Tango

The revolutionary Tango combines the speed and agility of a motorcycle with the security of a high-performance sports car.
The Tango's ability to maneuver through traffic is second to none. Being 5" narrower than many motorcycles, it can get through traffic like no other car in history. Where lane splitting is permitted (i.e., driving between lanes of stopped or slow-moving traffic), the advantage can be staggering. In extremely heavy traffic, a Tango or motorcycle can travel in 20 seconds the distance that cars travel in 20 minutes.
The Tango can fit in a 6-foot half-lane with more clearance than a truck has in a full 12-foot freeway lane. This virtual doubling of lane capacity can make the traffic jam a fading memory. It can also park perpendicularly to the curb like a motorcycle, allowing up to four Tangos in one parallel parking space.
With over 1,000 ft-lbs of torque starting at zero rpm and a 600 kW (805 hp) motor controller, the Tango accelerates from 0-60 mph in under four seconds, finishes the standing 1/4 mile in about 12 seconds at over 100 mph, and can reach over 130 mph with no gear shifting.

Range from 40 to 200 miles of freeway driving is available, depending on battery selection and your planned driving habits. It is recommended that, at least twice the range of your typical daily trips between charges be purchased.

sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

Bund Tourist Tunnel - The Most Impressive Bund Sightseeing Tunnel in Shanghai

Tourist Tunnel is perhaps the most interesting activities that can be found all over Shanghai. Its psychedelic light show will make you groan, but this is exactly what makes it so funny. Kids love it, adults quite puzzled his strangeness. Nevertheless, it remains the great way to get across the river from the Podung side to the Bund. The good thing is that it is very convenient, the entrance is right by the bund and it leaves you just a block away from the oriental pearl tower. The entrance can be a little difficult to find. On the West bank of the river at the northern end of the Bund, you will see a sign for him over the stairs that go under the street. On the eastern side of the river, you will find the tourist tunnel entrance in front of the entrance door to the convention center hotel (Riverside building shaped as a globe).
The two trip ticket is a lot cheaper than a one way. The ride goes slowly so you don't need to even sit down. The accompanying light show is part Disney, part psychedelic, complete with flashing strobes, blowing tinsel, and swirling hallucinogenic images projected on the concrete walls. The five-minute ride will make your head spin.

Wooden Large Hadron Collider by N.Polissky

Nikolay Polissky is the only land-artist in modern Russian Art. Starting 2000th he was creating most his works in the settlement Nikola Lenivets, Russia, four hours from Moscow. His art may be called Utopian, both in art and social sense. And moreover, this Utopia is materialized Utopia. In social determination, Polissky succeeded in reviving and depicting a semi-abandoned village, with help of Art turning it into a real cultural center (an international festival of landscape architecture “ArchStoyanie” has been passing here since 2003) and making its inhabitants real participants of a constructive process.

"Large Hadron Collider" is a work from a new project, made-up by Nikolay Polissky. Now the unpuddled mirror of people's conscience must reflect not classic inheritance of the World Architecture, but the latest scientific achievements. Strictly speaking, there was a work of this kind by Polissky – “Baykonur”, 2005: a huge installation consisting of models of rockets and launching systems entwined of twig. First exhibited in the yard of the Tretyakov’s gallery during the First Moscow Biennale of Modern Art, this installation was then transferred to Nikola Lenivets, where later it was burnt in the course of traditional Shrovetide fest. It was already there when science could have been read through prism of ritual and magic. Flame made the interlink between space rockets and their twigged copies. And the outflow to extraterrestrial space turned into burning bringing to memory funeral pyres that provide the dead to pass to the afterworld.

The "Hadron Collider" by Polissky and his co-authors, first of all interests with that half-mystical aureole mantling modern science. Contemporary scientists for Polissky are kind of oracles, privy to secrets of universe hidden for ordinary people, and maybe even capable to influence forces ruling the world. And that is not that far from truth: few of us can really explain how the Large Hadron Collider is constructed and what purposes it serves. Scientific world view, same as magical or religious world view may only be taken for granted. The "Large Hadron Collider" by Polissky and co-authors is a simulated implementation of that very machine, from which God may emerge.

Large Hadron Collider by N.Polissky from Ivan Polissky on Vimeo.

source

Gömböc

An interesting mathematical curiosity: the Gömböc (pronounced "gəmbəts"). This is an intriguing object, devised by Hungarian mathematicians Gábor Domokos and Péter Várkonyi, that has the property of self-righting to a single stable position despite being homogeneous, completely convex and not being obviously "flat" or "thin".
As with many other shapes with useful mechanical properties, this self-righting behaviour has already been achieved in nature in animals such as the Indian Star Tortoise. More on this at the Mathematical Intelligencer article Mono-monostatic bodies: the answer to Arnold's question (PDF). The question of whether it is possible to construct a three dimensional body which is mono-monostatic but also homogeneous and convex was raised by the by Russian mathematician Vladimir Arnold. This is of interest because it is known to be impossible in two dimensions.
A gömböc is, incidentally, Hungarian for a round thing, which may apply to dumplings or the sinister pork haggis in the Hungarian folktale A kis gömböc that hangs in a cottage attic and eats a family.

Compare the rattleback or celt, an object of no discernable application, but one also with unusual dynamic properties: in its case, a preferred direction of spin.

source Apothecary's Drawer Weblog

Russia’s Aqua Star: An Original Underwater scooter

The Aqua Star is an underwater motorcycle that permits the user to go underwater without any special equipment. The way it works is simple. The body of the motorcycle rider stays in the water and the head is encased in a sort of helmet (integrated into the Aqua Star’s body) that serves as a diving bell equipped with an air-supplying system. The controls operate like a bike – just twist the handlebars.
The electronic motor on the Aqua Star permits movement in all directions underwater. The Russian developers of the Aqua Bike came up with several fascinating innovations. For one thing, they used even glass for the helmet instead of the usual spherical glass that distorts the diver’s visibility and makes the eyes get tired.
Developers of the Aqua Star claim their motorcycle can be used at a depth of up to 12 meters (about 42 feet) and ride with 7km/h speed (about 4 miles per hour). The Aqua Star should be ready for market by next summer but the price is still a mystery. The brothers are pushing forward with their newest design, a two-seat motorcycle.

Unusual bridges – water bridges

Magdeburg Water Bridge

Ships usually sail under bridges - here, however, they sail over one! The Magdeburg Canal Bridge, sometimes referred to as the Magdeburg Water Bridge  connects the Mittellandkanal and Elbe-Havel-Kanal waterways, traversing the River Elbe in the process. The bridge can carry trains of barges propelled from the rear by high-power tugs (so-called "push-tows"), and large inland cargo vessels. All this is made possible by a gigantic steel trough. Completed in December 2003, the bridge is 918 meters long and has been modestly described as "a giant, kilometer-long concrete bathtub."

View Larger Map

Minden canal bridge

Central buildings of the Wasserstraßenkreuzes Minden are the old Trogbrücke and the parallel new Trogbrücke. Both lead the Midland Canal over the Weser. With the 83 m long lock and the new canal bridge that was taken into service also in 1998. The usual traffic only uses the new bridge. The 370 m long bridge is the second largest in Europe.

View Larger Map

Sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Top 25 ads of 2008

The Top 25 ads of 2008 featuring gems such as Nike Football ad and Budweiser's Wassup reworked for Obama

Stride Gum: Dancing Matt

This is Matt. He quit his job to dance around the world. 14 months in the making, 42 countries, and a cast of thousands. Check out all the places he traveled to this time around.

And, be sure to keep an eye out for more to come from Matt.

Nike Football: Take it to the next level (FULL 2 MINUTES VERSION)

Wassup 2008

+ old original version

Tan Hong Ming in love

Ad by Leo Burnett Malaysia for Petronas. Cannes Gold in TV
Tan Hong Ming
This ad adresses the race problem in Malaysia... The boy, Tan Hong Ming, is of chinese origin, the girl is not. This doesn't keep them from being a "couple".

Amnesty International: Crazy Leaders

GQ: Ideal man

Volkswagen Polo: Dog confidence

Allan Gray long term investment: Beautiful

Hovis bread: Go On Lad

Orange TV: Rewind City

VW Golf: Enjoy for everyday

Awareness test

Monster: Stork

Sony Ericsson Walkman W890: Enjoy The Silence

Crest: Bulldozer

Levi's: Guys Backflip into Jeans

Coca-Cola: It's Mine

Pantene Chrysalis: A deaf girl learns to play violin

Chupa Chups: Girlfriend

Discovery: I Love The World

Omo: Roboboy (Dirt is good!)

Trident soft gum: Mess With Your Head

Schweppes: Burst

Lucchetti soups: Blender

Montana Meth: Sister

Best Photos of 2008

 

  TIME Pictures of the Year 2008

MSNBC 2008 Year in Pictures

Natures Best Photography 2008 Award

Best Photos of 2008 by Agency France Press

Reuters Best Pictures of the Year 2008

Associate Press Best of 2008

Best Pictures of Microscopic Life, 2008

Best Science Images of 2008

LA Times: Best of 2008

Homemade Cristmas Decorations

Christmas Decorations and Gifts Kids Can Make

Fun Christmas decorations that your kids can make for your home or to give to family and friends.

How to make Christmas ornaments

How to Make Christmas Ornaments From Pine Cones

Make a Christmas ornament from a pine cone by wrapping the top with wire, applying hot glue to the edges and sprinkling glitter over the entire thing for a winter effect.

How to Make an Angel Christmas Ornament

To make an angel Christmas ornament, use pre-made wings or simply white feathers as a base, glue a looped pipe cleaner down as the halo and then attach a body and head out of colored poms. Create an angel ornament, using another ornament as the body, with instructions from an experienced craftswoman in this free video on Christmas crafts

How to Make Christmas Candy Wreaths

Making a Christmas candy wreath requires arranging red and green peppermints in a circle, gluing them together and then attaching a ribbon bow to the top. Create a wreath out of candy, attaching them to a paper plate for extra support, with instructions from an experienced craftswoman in this free video

How to Create a Warm & Inviting Entryway for Christmas : How to Use Christmas Decorations to Create a Warm Entryway

Slow-Motion Videos

High-Speed Camera of a Bullet

Lighter

Car Explosion

Drop in Slow Motion

Husqvarna's Automower Solar Hybrid

Husqvarna’s Automower Solar Powered Automower is the world's first fully automatic lawn mower that is partly powered by the sun light. The Automower uses considerably less energy than any conventional mower. That's because in addition to a charging station, it comes with a large integrated solar panel. When there is daylight available, the solar cells enable the mower to extend its cutting periods before it needs recharging. That means a cut lawn in a shorter time, even lower power consumption and an extended battery life. So now it takes even less energy to mow the lawn. Suitable for lawns up to 2,100 square metres, depending on light conditions.

 

sources 1, 2