All Entries Tagged With: "cool technology"
Scientists Create Universal Mirror, The Exact Opposite Of An Invisibility Cloak
An invisibility cloak reflects light at the exact opposite direction as its source, basically making it look like there’s nothing in the way between you and the object you’re looking straight at. A universal mirror, on the other hand, is its direct contrary, bouncing light back at the exact same location from where it came.
Scientists in Europe and Asia have now been able to produce the latter, a mirror that basically reflects everything back to the same source, regardless of what angle its originating from. Objects it can work on include lights, microwaves and lasers, potentially making them useful for deflection laser weaponry, radar tracking and as a general-purpose shield. Yep, it’s a force field against laser attacks – take that, future soldiers.
The universal mirror (similar to the invisibility cloak originally built in 2006) uses metamaterials, tiny structures that are smaller than light waves, for its construction. [...]
Envirobank Reverse Vending Machines Make Recycling Easier
Remember how vending machines made getting drinks and snacks way easier? Envirobank is hoping the same happens to recycling with their “cash for cans” reverse vending machines.
Vending machines always worked the same way: we fed it money, it dropped down stuff. Envirobank’s new devices turn the process around, taking in recyclables in exchange for discount coupons to nearby stores. Instead of chucking your water bottles and softdrink cans the moment you’re done with them, the reverse vending machines can serve as an alternate destination, giving you a small token for your troubles and, hopefully, making you feel better about doing your part to reduce growing landfills all over the world.
Each Envirobank reverse vending machine can take up to 3,000 containers (deployed to a busy mall, I bet one machine can top out in an hour) and accept various types of recyclables, including PET bottles, green glass and aluminum cans. Each [...]
