Steampunk We have written about a couple of Steampunk gadgets before. These were the Steampunk Nerf Maverick Gun and a Steampunk Furnace Mouse. Both look cool and this next one is no exception. I have to admit that it’s not something I would ever wear to a party, but it is still quite cool to see. For those who are not familiar with what Steampunk is, it is the process of building a modern day gadget type object with a Victorian look and normally made or brass, wood and other materials commonly used in that era. <a href =" >polls</a> – <a href =" >Take Our Poll</a> Via: Flickr It's all about tech. Everything about technology. Molecular Expressions: Images from the Microscope
Future technology How does an electronic caliper work? Victorian Organ Command Desk & Steampunk Home Tour You'll recall I recently visited the Steampunk home of Bruce and Melanie Rosenbaum. During that visit Bruce showed me a partially finished project that I decided really needed a story of it's own when it was completed This is the "Victorian Organ Command Desk" that Bruce commissioned. It's made from bits and pieces of Victorian detritus that Bruce had collected including the carcass of a 19th century pump organ. All of the major components are in fact authentic Victorian antiques, period reproductions, or salvaged items. It took 6 months to build using four different crafts persons to design the desk, restore and modify the antiques, and install the computer systems. The gorgeous clock face on the 'dashboard' is flanked by 6 LCD digital picture frame displays that featured rotating images of Bruce's friends and family. The desktop included an iPhone doc and a document scanner hidden under a leather lined panel beneath the keyboard. Carved and be-geared oaken busts flank the console.
TechCrunch ScienceBlogs Scientists Make Headway Toward Invisibility Cloaking The world of science fiction is rife with examples of invisibility - whether it is Harry Potter’s cloak, Romulan cloaks integrated into a spaceship’s shields, or the One Ring that helped our favorite hobbits steer clear of orcs. Of course, actually creating a device that is capable of bending light so an object appears to be invisible to the eye is a fairly tall order. However, a group of materials scientists led by Debashis Chandra at the University of Central Florida have made significant strides forward to making this long-fabled device a reality. The team was able to a 3D metamaterial from nanotransfer printing. Chandra notes that “such large-area fabrication of metamaterials following a simple printing technique will enable realization of novel devices based on engineered optical responses at the nanoscale.” Okay, all joking aside, the technology used in developing the metamaterials used in invisibility devices have some incredible commonplace, real world applications.
Modern Machine Shop Blog Blog This photo was taken by Todd Schuett of Creative Technology Corp. during Superior Tooling’s NCTAP orientation session back in March. The program’s stringent application process weeds out all but the most promising applicants before any commitment is made. A press release from Schunk recently caught my eye, but it didn’t have anything to do with the Morrisville, North Carolina, company’s workholding technology. Rather, it highlighted the critical leadership role that established workforce development programs have played in getting similar, brand new initiatives off the ground. As detailed in the press release, that role was recognized in a November 5 ceremony by the North Carolina Department of Commerce and Governor Pat McCrory, who also announced the state’s participation in the first annual Apprenticeship Week. In my view, the programs the Governor praised deserve all the recognition they can get. Back then, NCTAP was the program benefitting from the guidance of its peers.