| Researchers working on thermal cloak, Predators trill their disapproval Mar 29th 2012, 08:34 
Slathering yourself with mud to avoid head-hunting aliens is great and all, but it ain't exactly the paragon of good personal hygiene. Fortunately, researchers have concocted a cleaner and less cakey defense against Predators that's more likely to be mom approved. Fresh on the heels of the microwave invisibility project at the University of Texas at Austin, French researchers have found a way to make a cloak that can hide a subject from thermal imaging devices. The concept uses alternating materials with varying rates of diffusion to move heat around and create a thermally invisible region. Conversely, the technique can be used to concentrate heat in one spot so it gets hot rapidly. Although it doesn't quite have the wow factor of Cornell's invisibility project, the thermal research may prove to be more practical because it also can be used to manage heat and improve cooling in components such as computer chips. Of course, the question now is, can it be used to cloak an entire tank?
Researchers working on thermal cloak, Predators trill their disapproval originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 04:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink  BBC News |  Optics InfoBase | Email this | Comments | | Raspberry Pi faces distribution troubles over CE certification Mar 29th 2012, 07:44 Raspberry Pi hit another snag in distribution this week, though the company seems optimistic that shipments of its long-awaited Linux PC won't be dramatically affected. The issue centers around two companies -- RS Components and element14/Premier Farnell -- that have confirmed they won't distribute the device until it's been anointed with the CE label. Raspberry Pi had previously argued that its PC is not a "finished end product," and that it, like Beagleboard, could therefore be distributed without the CE mark. Its distributors, however, disagreed. As a result, the team is working to get their computers CE-compliant "as soon as humanly possible," and are already pretty confident that they'll meet category A, and perhaps even category B requirements. They're also working closely with the UK's Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to better understand the standards to which non-CE products like Beagleboard are held. No word yet on when RS and Farnell might issue a verdict, but the Raspberry Pi Foundation says it'll let us know as soon as they do. Raspberry Pi faces distribution troubles over CE certification originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 03:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Raspberry Pi | Email this | Comments | | Nikon offers cashback on D3100, D5100 and D7000 in the UK Mar 29th 2012, 07:22 If you're still pouring over the specs of Nikon's current DSLR consumer models, then you've managed to dally just long enough to snag a tidy cashback offer. At least, that's if you're in the UK and can make your purchase before the end of May. Nikon has confirmed to us that this is a local promotion, but we're on the case to see if a similar deal is coming to the States. In the meantime, the Brit-only discounts range from £30 ($50) on the D3100, £50 ($80) on the flip-screen D5100 (shown above) and £80 ($130) on the D7000 when purchased body-only, or slightly more if you pick up a Nikkor lens at the same time. On the other hand, if you're casting about more generally for a kit upgrade, and if you can bear to stall just a little longer, then this could potentially hint at new models coming soon -- although it's not the first cashback offer to hit this range. You'll find further details after the break. Continue reading Nikon offers cashback on D3100, D5100 and D7000 in the UK Nikon offers cashback on D3100, D5100 and D7000 in the UK originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 03:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | |
