Daimler Technicity

Making of F 125! Human Machine Interaction

Kai Eisele — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:31:34 +0000

Not only do pin-sharp 3D displays cater for natural viewing habits. The vehicle also responds to touch, gesture and voice control, turning it into an interactive partner.

F 125! »

Mercedes-Benz F 125! research vehicle » (external link)

Making of F 125! Human Machine Interaction

Kai Eisele — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:29:34 +0000

Making of F125 ! Part 5: Human Machine Interaction

Printable electronics

Kai Eisele — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:17:48 +0000

Stickers store temperatures No less than four companies from Norway, South Africa and the USA are pooling their innovations under the leadership of Thin Film Electronics ASA in order to develop a printable, battery-powered sensor for the first time that will be able to store ambient temperature conditions. Researchers and developers have long been searching for an inexpensive method of printing electronic components onto products and objects as easily as stickers. The battery of the new memory sticker should supply energy for up to nine months, and a small display for viewing the data should ideally be printed directly in the same process. This sticker, for example, should be able to comprehensively and permanently document maintenance of the cold chain for perishable goods. Existing storage solutions are still too expensive to be used for relatively cheap products.

(02/16/2012, Source: Technology Review)

More efficient servers

Kai Eisele — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:34:58 +0000

New design saves energy and space The chip manufacturer Intel and the electronics producer Samsung, in cooperation with the start-up company SeaMicro, are setting out to significantly boost the efficiency of server farms. According to this start-up enterprise, around 2.5 percent of the overall electricity consumption of the USA is accounted for by computer servers; this incurs annual costs of four billion U.S. dollars for the operators. A state-of-the-art server can now immediately cut this consumption in half by means of newly developed chips. These more fuel-efficient chips, such as those used in smart phones and tablets, have not yet been suitable for the demanding requirements of server units; they were simply not powerful enough. The new design also dispenses with several previously common motherboard components, such as USB ports, LEDs, and fans, which further impaired efficiency. By this means, space will also be saved in addition to energy.

(02/15/2012, Source: Technology Review)

Modeled on the whale

Kai Eisele — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:37:12 +0000

Helicopter inspired by marine mammal In their search for ways of further improving the maneuverability and maximum speed of helicopters, researchers from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Göttingen have come across an unexpected role model from nature: the humpback whale, which is fast and agile under water despite its body weight of up to 30 tonnes. This is made possible by small dents on the whale’s pectoral fin, which provide it with greater buoyancy and prevent or delay vortex breakdown. The DLR researchers have transferred these dents to the rotor of a helicopter in the form of so-called “leading-edge vortex generators” of rubber and have already successfully carried out initial test flights with this configuration. Precise measurement methods will now be used to document the promising effects in more detail. A major advantage of this innovation is that it could be quickly and inexpensively incorporated even into old helicopters.

(02/14/2012, Sources: New Scientist, scinexx)

The World’s Tallest Skyscrapers

Kai Eisele — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:08:04 +0000

Interactive chart: The world’s tallest buildings of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

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Making of F 125! Powertrain

Kai Eisele — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:19:43 +0000

The drive concept features a fuel cell combined with plug-in technology. A revolutionary approach integrates the hydrogen tank for the fuel cells into the bodywork structure. And the innovative four-wheel drive provides the platform for innovative assistance systems.

F 125! »

Mercedes-Benz F 125! research vehicle » (external link)

Making of F 125! Powertrain

Kai Eisele — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:13:10 +0000

Making of F125 ! Part 4: Powertrain

Making of F 125! Body in White

Kai Eisele — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:14:10 +0000

A body with a hybrid lightweight design comprising a mix of carbon fibre, aluminium and high-strength steels enables the weight to be reduced while substantially improving safety. The gull-wing doors that span the two seat rows create a sensational effect.

F 125! »

Mercedes-Benz F 125! research vehicle » (external link)

Making of F 125! Body in White

Kai Eisele — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:06:36 +0000

Making of F125 ! Part 3: Body in White