If you were heading into a burning, smoke-filled building, you’d probably want someone else to know your location within it at all times. German scientists have developed a system that’s claimed to serve that very purpose, for use by firefighters and other rescue workers. The technology is being developed at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, by a team led by […]
Safety System For Firefighters
A New Home For Cats
Whether we’re transforming toilet paper rolls into bird feeders, making produce bags out of old string, or creating planters from old mason jars, we’re always happy to take on new upcycling projects here at Green Matters. Now it seems like electronics giant, Samsung, is also hopping aboard the upcycle train by packaging their new lifestyle TVs in reusable boxes. Samsung’s […]
Wireality
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon’s Future Interfaces Group have come up with a novel way of letting VR users “feel” virtual surfaces, with the use of a puppet-style glove that can stop your fingers in space when they touch a virtual object. The “Wireality” system prototype places a chunky pack on the user’s shoulder, with light, spring-retractable wires running out to […]
Aerogel Purifies Water Cheaply & Quickly
By converting liquid salt water – or tainted water – into steam, it’s possible to obtain pure, clean drinking water. Doing so could soon be cheaper and easier than ever, thanks to a newly developed material. Created by postdoctoral student Shaobo Han at Sweden’s Linköping University, the substance takes the form of an inexpensive and highly-porous aerogel composed mainly of […]
Rescue Miners
Remember back when carabiners were designed solely for hanging one thing from another? Nope, us neither. Now, a new multi-purpose ‘biner is claimed to help users get out of crashed vehicles. Called the RescueBiner, the aluminum-alloy device was created by Kentucky-based wilderness first responders Matt Able and Kelly Moore. The two of them figured that both drivers and emergency response […]
Nitecore Carbon Fiber Charger
Known for small, powerful lighting solutions, Nitecore turns attention to a different breed of ultralight portable gadget. Billed as the world’s lightest, smallest 10,000-mAh mobile power solution, the new NB10000 charging brick keeps iPhones powered through 100-mile (161-km) ultramarathons. Its thin, lightweight carbon fiber construction fits inside the runner’s jersey and won’t weigh him or her down. The NB10000 has […]
FavaBeans As Substitute For Soy
Many vegans and vegetarians swear by soy as a meat-free protein source, but concerns have been raised over the environmental sustainability of soybean farming. With that in mind, new research now suggests that specially-prepared fava beans may be a better alternative. Although some varieties are relatively cold-tolerant, soybeans generally must be grown in places with warm climates. This means that […]
Smart Tech Mosquito Trap
In order to gauge the risk of mosquito-borne diseases within a given area, authorities typically monitor the numbers of specific mosquito types that are known to carry those illnesses. A new system makes it possible to do so remotely, and thus more effectively. Ordinarily, hundreds of mosquito traps are set up in various locations within one region, left there for […]
Copenhagen Parkipelago
Copenhagen, Denmark, has its fair share of floating architecture, with BIG’s floating housingand Urban Power’s artificial islands being two notable examples. A project by Marshall Blecher and Fokstrot is another highlight and will add greenery-covered park-like islands to the city too. Copenhagen Islands is a not for profit initiative supported by Københavns Kommune, Og Havn and Den Gode Havneliv. The […]
Galaxy Tab S6 Comes With More Responsive S Pen
Samsung has announced the launch of the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, a more affordable version of last year’s premium Android tablet. And it comes with a refreshed S Pen designed to be more comfortable to use. Samsung says that it’s improved latency on the new battery-free S Pen, which tips the scales at just 7.03 g (0.25 oz), and treated […]