timilyfuller:

Can’t stop laughing. Why is this so funny?

(Source: concupisco)

smarterplanet: Volvo’s driverless road train in Spain is public mainly on the plain | Engadget It’s been awhile since we saw Volvo’s SARTRE (Safe Road Trains for the Environment) project, which was last running out of harm’s way on a test track near Gothenburg. Volvo has just taken a big step forward in fostering confidence by conducting its road train on public asphalt. The 124-mile Spanish test both proved that the cars could stay driverless without posing a threat and upped the ante for what the cars could do: the lead truck, an S60, a V60 and an XC60 all moved along at a brisk 53MPH with a tighter gap between vehicles than there was in the original test, at just 20 feet. SARTRE was so successful in the public run that Volvo is now focusing on far less contentious issues — like making sure fuel use drops by the promised 20 percent. There’s still the looming question of making a viable business model, though Volvo’s dream if realized will make sure no driverless car has to go solo.

smarterplanet:

Volvo’s driverless road train in Spain is public mainly on the plain | Engadget

It’s been awhile since we saw Volvo’s SARTRE (Safe Road Trains for the Environment) project, which was last running out of harm’s way on a test track near Gothenburg. Volvo has just taken a big step forward in fostering confidence by conducting its road train on public asphalt. The 124-mile Spanish test both proved that the cars could stay driverless without posing a threat and upped the ante for what the cars could do: the lead truck, an S60, a V60 and an XC60 all moved along at a brisk 53MPH with a tighter gap between vehicles than there was in the original test, at just 20 feet. SARTRE was so successful in the public run that Volvo is now focusing on far less contentious issues — like making sure fuel use drops by the promised 20 percent. There’s still the looming question of making a viable business model, though Volvo’s dream if realized will make sure no driverless car has to go solo.

Oh Botkin.

Oh Botkin.

realcleverscience: smarterplanet: Powerhouse Solar Cell Inspired by Leaf Biomimicry A team of scientists headed up by Princeton University has achieved a whopping 47 percent increase in electricity generation from flexible plastic solar cells, simply by texturing the surface to mimic the wrinkles of a typical leaf. Full Story: Cleantechnica via emergentfutures: 1) Biomimicry is amazing. I love that human design is now recognizing that it has so much to learn from natural design. Especially when it can replace eco-questionable solutions with much more eco-friendly solutions - such as simply creating wrinkles on a surface as opposed to something like nano-sprays with unknown side-effects. 2) As the article notes, solar is getting very, very close to the 10-15% efficiency needed to make it competitive with traditional energy sources. And with the various solar innovations coming out, I expect we’ll hit that goal soon… and then surpass it by quite a bit. But of course, this requires research and funding. *cough*fund_science*cough*

realcleverscience:

smarterplanet:

Powerhouse Solar Cell Inspired by Leaf Biomimicry

A team of scientists headed up by Princeton University has achieved a whopping 47 percent increase in electricity generation from flexible plastic solar cells, simply by texturing the surface to mimic the wrinkles of a typical leaf.

Full Story: Cleantechnica

via emergentfutures:

1) Biomimicry is amazing. I love that human design is now recognizing that it has so much to learn from natural design. Especially when it can replace eco-questionable solutions with much more eco-friendly solutions - such as simply creating wrinkles on a surface as opposed to something like nano-sprays with unknown side-effects.

2) As the article notes, solar is getting very, very close to the 10-15% efficiency needed to make it competitive with traditional energy sources. And with the various solar innovations coming out, I expect we’ll hit that goal soon… and then surpass it by quite a bit. But of course, this requires research and funding. *cough*fund_science*cough*

girlengineer: Aww

girlengineer:

Aww

jotuun:

colt-kun:

moves-like-jaeger:

rainbowsaola:

I WANT TO PLAY

I WANT TO PLAY THIS.

I like this game. WE SHALL PLAY.

GAME ON YOU GUYS

GAME ON

UH YEAH?

(Source: halliebadger, via jenniferskanks)

girlengineer: I have a friend in the petrochemical software business who thinks all his customers are stupid. He’s a really great engineer though :D This made me giggle. repetitivedrivel: As a marketing man, this speaks to my heart courtesy of Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal

girlengineer:

I have a friend in the petrochemical software business who thinks all his customers are stupid. He’s a really great engineer though :D This made me giggle.

repetitivedrivel:

As a marketing man, this speaks to my heart

courtesy of Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal

jenniferskanks: lizardhiggs: I feel like asymptotic high fives would suck.  They always approach, but can never touch. Sounds like a big upset to me. More like the fun never starts.

jenniferskanks:

lizardhiggs:

I feel like asymptotic high fives would suck. 

They always approach, but can never touch. Sounds like a big upset to me.

More like the fun never starts.

I feel like asymptotic high fives would suck. 

I feel like asymptotic high fives would suck. 

(via proofmathisbeautiful)

(Source: phoenixandlittlegrey, via howimetyourmother)