tech e blog

Thanks to heated sheets of carbon nanotubes, underwater invisibility cloaks on a large scale could be closer to reality than you think. In technical terms, "Ali Aliev and colleagues at the University of Texas in Dallas embedded a sheet of carbon nanotubes into aerogel, a foam-like material; when electrically heated, the nanotubes bent light waves to create a mirage, effectively cloaking the sheet and anything behind it." Video after the break.

Aliev says the mirage forms because the nanotubes transfer heat to the surrounding air more efficiently than regular metals, allowing a steeper temperature gradient to form near the device's surface. Because photothermal deflection depends on light's ability to propagate faster through hotter, less-dense material, the device works better when the temperature gradient is steeper. Plus, he adds, because carbon nanotubes do not store heat well, the mirage can be turned on and off quickly.

There's nothing wrong with owning a non-Apple laptop, but when you're in a lecture hall filled with MacBooks, it does make you seem a bit out of place, or so this image wants you to think. Click here to see more funny school pictures, courtesy of Schoolfailblog.org. Continue reading for a video on how to do a news report without actually knowing anything.

Researchers at Igarashi Design Interfaces Project in Tokyo, Japan have developed smart headphones, called "Universal Headphones", that "automatically switch channels when placed in the wrong ear." Continue reading for a video demonstration.

The new "Universal Headphones" solve the mix-up problem by placing a proximity sensor on one of the headphones that measures distance to your ear.

Historically speaking, "Japanese animation dates to 1917, and many original Japanese cartoons were produced in the ensuing decades, the characteristic anime style developed in the 1960s - notably with the work of Osamu Tezuka - and became known outside Japan in the 1980s." This is how some of the Star Wars characters would look in an anime / manga series or movie. Click here to see more incredible Star Wars fan-art. Continue reading to see the worst Star Wars movie trailer ever.

[Sources 1 | 2 | 3]

Pick up lines rarely work these days, or so we heard, but if you're going to attempt one, be sure it's not one of these weird winter-themed examples. For example, putting pneumonia and chills together is something best left for your physician, and not a potential crush. Continue reading to see more.

[via CollegeHumor]

Researchers at National Taiwan University have built a real-life transformers-inspired robot that boasts wheels that "fold in half to form crude legs so it can go where no wheeled robot has gone before." Continue reading for a video.

[via Geekologie]

What could be better than enjoying great food with awesome company, adding in some sweeping water views, or so we'd like to think. These cool floating restaurants will provide just that, and possibly more. Continue reading to see a few of the world's coolest.

[Sources 1 | 2 | 3]

That's right, "it's not just flat stones that can skip across the surface of water; despite their spherical shape, water-bouncing balls can jump across ponds just as seamlessly." This super ball was developed by Tadd Truscott and his team at Brigham Young University in Utah." Video after the break.

The water-bouncing ball, however, was able to maintain a crushed shape for longer to help it scoot across the pond. Its contact area with the water increased when it was squished, helping it to ride along. The ball sprung from the water over 20 times, covering a stretch of nearly 60 meters.

The FC Mobile II makes "retro NES excitement available at your fingertips, gracing all its glory with a 2.5" Active Matrix LCD Screen and auto-fire buttons." It's currently on sale for just $45.59 shipped (normally $59.99). Product page. Continue reading for a video demonstration.

Then, plug the FC Mobile II into a TV with its included AV Cable to take everyone down to memory lane, riding with a pair of wireless controllers; and a wireless light gun for shooting classics.

Getting a text message from your mom, or any parent for that matter, can be annoying for some people, but one quick way for them to get your attention is with the "getting you a car" line. Click here to see more of today's most popular images, courtesy of Imgur.com. Continue reading for a video of an unlikely creature playing mother to a kitten.