Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Pain Gun vs. Reporter round two, reporter left feelin' hot, hot, hot (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/13/pain-gun-vs-reporter-two/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/13/pain-gun-vs-reporter-two/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/13/pain-gun-vs-reporter-two/#comments
You may not recall when 60 Minutes' David Martin took a shot at the Pain Gun, but it didn't end well for the fleshy anchorman. Now Wired's Spencer Ackerman's having a go, with similarly one-sided results. The Pentagon's sanguinely-named Active Denial System turns electricity into millimeter-wave radio frequency, silently pumping out 95GHz of searing hot agony from distances of 2,500 feet. The project's still got a few issues, namely that it takes 16 hours to boot up, uses a heck of a lot of energy and stops working if it's raining, snowing or dusty. But, you know, it'll be back when the air clears up, and you probably don't want to be around when it arrives. If you'd like to see the score go 2-0 to the weaponized microwave, head on past the break.

Continue reading Pain Gun vs. Reporter round two, reporter left feelin' hot, hot, hot (video)

Pain Gun vs. Reporter round two, reporter left feelin' hot, hot, hot (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Active Denial SystemActiveDenialSystemAir ForceAirForceArmyMicrowaveMilitaryPain GunPain RayPainGunPainRayPentagonRaytheonSpencer AckermanSpencerAckermanvideoWargadgetWiredTue, 13 Mar 2012 09:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Plasmonic cloak makes objects invisible, but only in the microwave region of the spectrum]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/28/plasmonic-cloaking-device/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/28/plasmonic-cloaking-device/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/28/plasmonic-cloaking-device/#comments Okay, so we're not up to USS Pegasus levels yet, but for the first time researchers have been able to cloak a three dimensional object. Don't start planning your first trip to the Hogwarts library restricted section just yet though, the breakthrough is only in the microwave region of the EM spectrum. Using a shell of plasmonic materials, it's possible to create a "photo negative" of the object being cloaked in order to make it disappear. The technique is different to the use of metamaterials, which try to bounce light around the object. Instead, plasmonics try to deceive the light as to what's actually there at the time -- but because it has to be tailored to create a "negative image" of the object you're hiding, it's not as flexible, but it could be an important step on the road to that bank heist we've been planning.

Plasmonic cloak makes objects invisible, but only in the microwave region of the spectrum originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A AluA KerkhoffAAluAKerkhoffAustinCloakingCloaking DeviceCloakingDeviceD RainwaterDRainwaterExperimental verification of three-dimensional plasmonic cloakinExperimentalVerificationOfThree-dimensionalPlasmonicCloakingInFrG MorenoGizmonicsGMorenoJ C SoricJCSoricK MelinKMelinMetamaterialsMicrowaveMicrowave CloakingMicrowaveCloakingPlasmonicsScienceUniversity of TexasUniversityOfTexasUSS PegasusUssPegasusSat, 28 Jan 2012 04:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Let the turkey power your Christmas tree lights]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/let-the-turkey-power-your-christmas-tree-lights/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/let-the-turkey-power-your-christmas-tree-lights/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/let-the-turkey-power-your-christmas-tree-lights/#comments No one's attempted this in a commercial product before, but Nihon Dengyo Kosaku Co has reportedly developed a device that makes it achievable: a 'rectenna' that can fit inside a microwave oven and recycle unused wave energy. The palm-sized gadget combines both an antenna for catching waves and a rectifier for converting them into DC current, with a maximum output of 100 watts. Foods with a low water content have the worst heating efficiency, which means they offer the best opportunity for reclaiming energy -- so stodgy Christmas cuisine would be perfect.

Let the turkey power your Christmas tree lights originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antennachristmascookingdefrostingDengyomicrowavemicrowave ovenMicrowaveOvenNihon Dengyo KosakuNihonDengyoKosakurectennarectifierrecyclerecyclingMon, 12 Dec 2011 08:12:00 EST<![CDATA[The Air Force will give you $150,000 to blast its weeds with a laser]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/11/the-air-force-will-give-you-150-000-to-blast-its-weeds-with-a-l/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/11/the-air-force-will-give-you-150-000-to-blast-its-weeds-with-a-l/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/11/the-air-force-will-give-you-150-000-to-blast-its-weeds-with-a-l/#comments
With the holiday season just around the corner, the Air Force has been busy compiling its yuletide wish list, and it's got some pretty strange requests. Included on its latest call for small business innovations is a curious proposal for a project called "Floral Disruptor - Directed Energy Weed Abatement and Prevention Tool." According to Air Force documents, this project calls for "a device that uses directed energy technology to prevent and abate unwanted plants (weeds) in areas that require control or defoliation." Translation: a ray gun to blast weeds. Turns out, the Air Force spends a handsome chunk of cash each year on weed control -- so much so, in fact, that it's willing to pay $150,000 in grant money to anyone whose device can "deter, disrupt, deny, or degrade the desired objective." Private companies have already begun testing devices that annihilate weeds with lasers, microwave radiation and even sound, which is why the Air Force feels confident that the approach can bear fruit. But before you start entertaining fantasies of mass botanical killings, keep in mind that the government will only accept solutions that don't "target personnel or wildlife." As a Force rep explained to Wired, the idea is to develop an eagle-eyed contraption that lessens its dependence upon costly chemicals and pesticides. Besides, have you seen the Army's front lawn? It's immaculate.

The Air Force will give you $150,000 to blast its weeds with a laser originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air forceAirForcechemicaldevelopmentFloral DisruptorFloralDisruptorgardeninglasermicrowavemicrowave radiationMicrowaveRadiationmilitarymilitary techMilitaryTechmoneypesticideproposalray gunRayGunresearchsoundweedingweedsFri, 11 Nov 2011 16:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Raytheon readying directed energy warheads to fry enemy electronics, cook allied Pop Tarts]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/20/raytheon-readying-directed-energy-warheads-to-fry-enemy-electron/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/20/raytheon-readying-directed-energy-warheads-to-fry-enemy-electron/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/20/raytheon-readying-directed-energy-warheads-to-fry-enemy-electron/#comments
Raytheon, the people who brought you the pain ray, are at it again. The defense giant is planning an arsenal of "directed energy warheads" expected to use radio and microwaves to electronically neutralize targets rather than blow them up. The company's being typically secretive about details, but mentions the recent acquisition of Ktech, a firm specializing in airborne electronic warfare and enemy vulnerability assessment, giving us a clue about how it might all work. It's believed the tech will be retrofitted to existing missiles: the new payloads will identify vulnerable electronics then disrupt or even destroy them with a radio frequency beam or high-powered microwaves (HPM). The warheads would monitor the results, providing valuable battlefield intelligence -- while, of course, killing fewer dudes on the ground. With industry rival BAE working on a seaworthy microwave gun to fry boat engines, we're looking forward to future of friendly drones circling overhead, always ready to heat up our Hot Pockets.

Raytheon readying directed energy warheads to fry enemy electronics, cook allied Pop Tarts originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beamdefensedirected energy warheadsDirectedEnergyWarheadsgunhigh-powered microwavehigh-powered microwavesHigh-poweredMicrowaveHigh-poweredMicrowavesHPMKtechmicrowavemicrowave gunMicrowaveGunmicrowavesmilitarymilitary techMilitaryTechRaytheonwarwar gadgetwar techwargadgetwarheadsWarTechMon, 20 Jun 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[US government contractor developing 'microwave gun,' Hot Pockets tremble]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/16/us-government-contractor-developing-microwave-gun-hot-pockets/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/16/us-government-contractor-developing-microwave-gun-hot-pockets/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/16/us-government-contractor-developing-microwave-gun-hot-pockets/#comments
Ah, the beloved "electronic bomb," able to disable all technology in its vicinity: variations on the concept go way back, but useful prototypes remain tantalizingly out of reach. Into the breach steps defense contractor BAE Systems, taking a fresh crack with a High-Powered Microwave (HPM) gun intended to disable small boat engines - if successful, the technology may also target ships, UAVs, and missile payloads. The secret-shrouded weapon sounds similar to Boeing's planned airborne EMP weapon, but lacking the missile delivery systems. BAE seems to be betting big on electromagnetic warfare as a future battlefield tactic, with a manager pitching the sci-fi scene to Aviation Week:
"Unlike lasers, HPM beams don't need a lot of accuracy. With a fan [of HPM energy] you can target 10-30 small boats. If you can knock out 50-75% of the engines in a swarm, you can then concentrate on the remainder with lasers or kinetic [cannons]."
To develop better defenses against such attacks, the contractor received $150,000 from the Air Force to test-fire microwaves at military computers. No word on whether said defenses involve generous use of tin foil.

US government contractor developing 'microwave gun,' Hot Pockets tremble originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 16 Apr 2011 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air forceAirForcearmyBEAElectromagnetic PulseElectromagneticPulseempgunhigh-powered microwaveHigh-poweredMicrowaveHPMmicrowavemicrowavesmilitarymilitary techMilitaryTechnavyoceans elevenOceansElevenray gunRayGunwar techwargadgetWarTechSat, 16 Apr 2011 16:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Handheld millimeter / microwave camera to see through walls, your underpants (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/05/handheld-millimeter-microwave-camera-to-see-through-walls-you/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/05/handheld-millimeter-microwave-camera-to-see-through-walls-you/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/05/handheld-millimeter-microwave-camera-to-see-through-walls-you/#comments You know those scanners that peep your naughty bits at the airport? Well, a team of researchers have been working on a handheld camera that sports the same technology, and while they're touting its future impact on stuff like cancer detection and aerospace engineering, we can't help but squirm thinking about its Peeping-Tom potential. The camera currently takes 30 images per second by transmitting millimeter and microwaves to a "collector" on the other side of a subject, and then sends them to a laptop for real-time inspection. Aside from being able to see straight through your BVDs, it can also be used to detect defects in spacecraft insulation, find termites lurking in the walls of your apartment, and help in the diagnosis of skin disease. The camera's creators are working on a smaller, one-sided version of the device that could have mass-market appeal -- we just hope this thing stays in R&D long enough for us to get our bikini bodies back. Check out a video of its G-rated abilities after the break.

Continue reading Handheld millimeter / microwave camera to see through walls, your underpants (video)

Handheld millimeter / microwave camera to see through walls, your underpants (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 Mar 2011 11:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aerospacebody scannerbody scannersBodyScannerBodyScannerscameracamerascancer detectionCancerDetectionengineeringmedicalmedicinemicrowavemicrowave cameraMicrowaveCameramicrowavesmillimeterMillimeter Wavemillimeter wave cameraMillimeterWaveMillimeterWaveCameraMissouri University of Science and TechnologyMissouriUniversityOfScienceAndTechnologysecuritysee throughSeeThroughvideowaveSat, 05 Mar 2011 11:24:00 EST<![CDATA[NASA considering beamed energy propulsion for space launches]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/25/nasa-considering-beamed-energy-propulsion-for-space-launches/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/25/nasa-considering-beamed-energy-propulsion-for-space-launches/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/25/nasa-considering-beamed-energy-propulsion-for-space-launches/#comments Truth be told, it probably does take a rocket scientist to truly understand the scope of what NASA is currently investigating, but the gist of it isn't hard to grok. America's premiere space agency is purportedly examining the possibility of using beamed energy propulsion to launch spacecraft into orbit, and while we've seen objects lofted by mere beams before, using a laser to leave the atmosphere is a whole 'nother ballgame. The reasons are fairly obvious: a laser-based propulsion system would effectively nix the chance of an explosive chemical reaction taking place at launch, and it would "make possible a reusable single-stage rocket that has two to five times more payload space than conventional rockets, which would cut the cost of sending payloads into low-Earth orbit." We're told that the study should be concluded by March, but only heaven knows how long it'll be before we see any of this black magic used to launch rockets. Sadly, we can't expect any Moon missions to rely on lasers for at least 50 or so years, but we're guessing that timeline could be shortened dramatically if Sir Richard Branson were to get involved.

[Image courtesy of Jordin Kare]

NASA considering beamed energy propulsion for space launches originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 00:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beamed energy propulsionBeamedEnergyPropulsionlaserlaser lightLaserLightmicrowavenasapropulsionrocketspacespacecraftTue, 25 Jan 2011 00:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Conan celebrates Christmas with Mr. and Mrs. SanMagnatron Claus]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/22/conan-celebrates-christmas-with-mr-and-mrs-sanmagnatron-claus/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/22/conan-celebrates-christmas-with-mr-and-mrs-sanmagnatron-claus/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/22/conan-celebrates-christmas-with-mr-and-mrs-sanmagnatron-claus/#comments Little Kenny Irwin junior just made the big time. Last night, Conan O'Brien revealed his new Christmas set built by the rather unconventional microwave artist. While highlights include Mr. and Mrs. SanMagnatron Claus, Godzilla holding a candy cane, and the RoboRabbi, the true highlight is of Conan interviewing the desert-dwelling artist himself. See both videos after the break, it's the greatest thing we've seen since the history of storytelling began and humanity first came upon this world - going back to the distant past and the future at the same time.

[Thanks, Dusty K.]

Continue reading Conan celebrates Christmas with Mr. and Mrs. SanMagnatron Claus

Conan celebrates Christmas with Mr. and Mrs. SanMagnatron Claus originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 03:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmasconanholidaykenny irwinKennyIrwinmicrowaverobotsSanMagnatron ClausSanmagnatronClaussantaWed, 22 Dec 2010 03:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Combi Chef 6 microwave has a USB port, nothing else matters]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/14/combi-chef-6-microwave-has-a-usb-port-nothing-else-matters/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/14/combi-chef-6-microwave-has-a-usb-port-nothing-else-matters/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/14/combi-chef-6-microwave-has-a-usb-port-nothing-else-matters/#comments Apparently these combi-ovens are all the rage in Europe, thanks to their terrific versatility and obvious good looks. So what's got our gadget-craving attention this time? Why, it's a bona fide USB port, replete with menu-creating software too! We can feign excitement all day long about this, but in actuality it's rather a neat option to be able to program the mode and time of cooking for your favorite meals -- porridge, three minutes; grilled cheese sandwich, till melty -- and then store them on a USB drive. Hell, the intended audience of restaurant chains might find that even more useful. Our only remaining question before June is, will it have the power to charge an iPad?

[Thanks, Darryl]

Combi Chef 6 microwave has a USB port, nothing else matters originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Apr 2010 11:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>combi chefcombi chef 6combi ovenCombiChefCombiChef6combination ovenCombinationOvenCombiOvenkitchenmaestrowavemicrowavemicrowave ovenMicrowaveOvenovenusbusb portUsbPortWed, 14 Apr 2010 11:13:00 EST<![CDATA[OLPC gets microwaved, molded into stunning piece of art]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/18/olpc-gets-microwaved-molded-into-stunning-piece-of-art/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/18/olpc-gets-microwaved-molded-into-stunning-piece-of-art/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/18/olpc-gets-microwaved-molded-into-stunning-piece-of-art/#comments
We've seen quite a few a) laptops and b) masterpieces in our day, but it's hard to recall the last time that we saw both in the same instance. Have a look at the object above, which is undoubtedly one of the most amazing pieces of laptop art this planet has ever had the pleasure of seeing. Kenny Irwin, known for his post-microwave creations, decided to zap one of the low-cost PCs and then mold it into the OLPCSlug while things were still gooey, all in the name of good publicity and charity. You see, the buyer of this lovely piece will see 80 percent of the proceeds head straight to OLPC, and given that it will also "help keep you safe from forest beasts of unimaginable size," those currently situated in backwoods retreats have an extra reason to plunk down. The only problem? That $26,001 asking price. A can't-miss demo video is after the break.

[Thanks, Robert]

Continue reading OLPC gets microwaved, molded into stunning piece of art

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OLPC gets microwaved, molded into stunning piece of art originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artauctionebayfor saleForSalelaptoplow-cost laptopLow-costLaptopmicrowavemicrowave artMicrowaveArtmutantnetbookolpcolpc xoOLPCSlugOlpcXoon saleOnSalexoFri, 18 Sep 2009 09:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Raytheon sells its first 'pain ray,' and the less lethal arms race begins]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/06/raytheon-sells-its-first-pain-ray-and-the-less-lethal-arms-ra/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/06/raytheon-sells-its-first-pain-ray-and-the-less-lethal-arms-ra/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/06/raytheon-sells-its-first-pain-ray-and-the-less-lethal-arms-ra/#comments
As you are no doubt aware, one of the perks of being in the corporate security field is that you get to try out things that would come across as, well, unseemly if put in the hands of the government. While there's been some controversy over the possible use of Raytheon's 10,000 pound "portable" Silent Guardian by the military, it appears that at least one private customer has no such qualms. We're not sure exactly who placed the order -- news of an "Impending Direct Commercial Sale" was just one bullet point of many at Raytheon's recent presentation at a NATO workshop on anti-pirate technologies. The company itself is being mum on the subject, saying that it would be "premature" to name names at the present time, but rest assured -- this is only the beginning. As soon as these things are small enough to fit in your briefcase or glove compartment, every nut in your neighborhood will want one. In the mean time, looks like you're stuck with the Taser. [Warning: PDF read link]

[Via Wired]

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Raytheon sells its first 'pain ray,' and the less lethal arms race begins originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-piracydefenseless than lethalLessThanLethalmicrowavemilitarynatononlethalnonlethal weaponsNonlethalWeaponspain rayPainRaypentagonpiracypiratesprotectionray gunRayGunRaytheonsafetySilent GuardianSilentGuardianThu, 06 Aug 2009 11:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Army's multimode death ray knocks out IEDs, vehicles, whiners]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/24/armys-multimode-death-ray-knocks-out-ieds-vehicles-whiners/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/24/armys-multimode-death-ray-knocks-out-ieds-vehicles-whiners/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/24/armys-multimode-death-ray-knocks-out-ieds-vehicles-whiners/#comments
While the US Air Force is dead set on shooting down missiles with airborne lasers, it looks like their colleagues in the Army are busy cooking up a little something called the Multimode Directed Energy Armament System (see our artist's conceptual rendering, above). According to Wired, this device uses an ultra-short pulse laser to create an ionized channel through the air, which it can use to send bursts of energy, conduct electricity, or act as a waveguide for an intense pulse of microwaves. If you're looking to knock out an IED, an oncoming vehicle, or an enemy combatant, this bad boy should do the trick just fine. The Army's Armament Research Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) plans on having a working prototype operating in a the real world sometime in 2011.

[Via Wired]

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Army's multimode death ray knocks out IEDs, vehicles, whiners originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 06:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ARDECarmydefenseiedlaserMDEASmicrowaveMultimode Directed Energy Armament SystemMultimodeDirectedEnergyArmamentSystemu.s. armyU.s.ArmyFri, 24 Apr 2009 06:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Fun with a microwave and PS3]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/12/video-fun-with-a-microwave-and-ps3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/12/video-fun-with-a-microwave-and-ps3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/12/video-fun-with-a-microwave-and-ps3/#comments
While the image above may be disturbing to the PS3 faithful, the path taken to its artistic destruction is oddly intoxicating. It's the latest console mod / art piece by the microwave Intertainer going by the alias d0vetastic. The video is long, real long at 12 and half minutes -- no sound track, no voice over, just you and your computer holed-up with a coagulating 60GB PS3 console and controller. So pull up a chair, set the video to full-screen and prepare to feel the darker side of your emotional response system. Anyone can microwave popcorn -- only an artist can microwave his gaming console. Heh.

Continue reading Video: Fun with a microwave and PS3

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Video: Fun with a microwave and PS3 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artd0vetasticmeltmicrowaveps3Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Cloaking device puts the kibosh on cellphone interference]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/15/cloaking-device-puts-the-kibosh-on-cellphone-inteference/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/15/cloaking-device-puts-the-kibosh-on-cellphone-inteference/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/15/cloaking-device-puts-the-kibosh-on-cellphone-inteference/#commentsThere has been plenty of research into cloaking devices, but while scientists are still working their way towards the visible light spectrum they seem to be having the best luck with microwaves. Most recently, a new metamaterial made from over 10,000 individual pieces of fiberglass has been used to cloak a bump on a flat mirrored surface -- the material prevents microwaves from being scattered, giving the RADAR (we're guessing it's a RADAR) the impression that the surface is flat. This has many possible applications, such as cloaking sources of interference to cellular communications. Unfortunately, the implication we most desire -- rendering us invisible during high society jewel heists -- has yet to become reality.

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Cloaking device puts the kibosh on cellphone interference originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>invisibilityinvisibility cloakInvisibilityCloakinvisiblejewel heistJewelHeistmeta materialMetaMaterialmicrowaveradarThu, 15 Jan 2009 21:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Cloaking device puts the kibosh on cellphone interference]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/15/cloaking-device-puts-the-kibosh-on-cellphone-inteference/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/15/cloaking-device-puts-the-kibosh-on-cellphone-inteference/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/15/cloaking-device-puts-the-kibosh-on-cellphone-inteference/#commentsThere has been plenty of research into cloaking devices, but while scientists are still working their way towards the visible light spectrum they seem to be having the best luck with microwaves. Most recently, a new metamaterial made from over 10,000 individual pieces of fiberglass has been used to cloak a bump on a flat mirrored surface -- the material prevents microwaves from being scattered, giving the RADAR (we're guessing it's a RADAR) the impression that the surface is flat. This has many possible applications, such as cloaking sources of interference to cellular communications. Unfortunately, the implication we most desire -- rendering us invisible during high society jewel heists -- has yet to become reality.

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Cloaking device puts the kibosh on cellphone interference originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>invisibilityinvisibility cloakInvisibilityCloakinvisiblejewel heistJewelHeistmeta materialMetaMaterialmicrowavemobileradarstudiesThu, 15 Jan 2009 19:59:00 EST<![CDATA[iWave Cube, the personal portable microwave]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/09/iwave-cube-the-personal-portable-microwave/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/09/iwave-cube-the-personal-portable-microwave/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/09/iwave-cube-the-personal-portable-microwave/#comments
There comes the time in every young person's life where they decide to graduate from the microwave to the stove. And fail miserably. Now instead of retreating dejectedly back to the kitchen microwave, where the rest of the appliances can point and make fun, you can hide your shame with the iWave Cube. The little microwave measures one cubic foot (about the size of a Kleenex box), and weighs just 12 pounds. Unfortunately, you'll still need to plug it in, so there's a limit to how far you can run. The iWave Cube comes in black, red or silver, and retails for $130.

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iWave Cube, the personal portable microwave originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Feb 2008 23:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iwave cubeIwaveCubemicrowaveSat, 09 Feb 2008 23:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Microwave beam car stopper tested, fries cars in nanoseconds flat]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/05/microwave-beam-car-stopper-tested-fries-cars-in-nanoseconds-fla/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/05/microwave-beam-car-stopper-tested-fries-cars-in-nanoseconds-fla/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/05/microwave-beam-car-stopper-tested-fries-cars-in-nanoseconds-fla/#commentsYeah, this idea has definitely been around the block a time or two, but Eureka Aerospace is doing a whole lot more than just envisioning yet another concept. Its 200-pound, 5-foot long prototype has recently undergone testing, and reportedly, it's been able to completely and utterly incapacitate any vehicle that dared roll in its path. The device has been used to shut down four whips thus far, each from a distance of 10 to 50-feet, and all it took was a microwave pulse lasting some 50-nanoseconds to do it. According to James Tatoian, the outfit's CEO, a version that weighs just 50-pounds and can disable rebel rides from 600-feet away is only a couple of years from reality, but it's highly doubtful that these will be available to the general public. Depressing, we know.

[Via Slashgear]

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Microwave beam car stopper tested, fries cars in nanoseconds flat originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Dec 2007 06:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microwaves with built-in bar code scanners aren't exactly entirely new, but it looks like those in the foodservice industry will soon be getting a new button-less fix to call their own, this one coming from RH Hall. As with similar units, RH Hall's so-called "Maestrowave" lets you simply swipe a package of food in front of it, with then automatically setting the appropriate time and cooking power. Unfortunately, it's still in the prototype stage (which could account its current low-budget sci-fi prop look), although the company says they expect to have it ready by the first quarter of next year.

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RH Hall prepping bar code-scanning Maestrowave originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bar codeBarCodemaestrowavemicrowaverh hallRhHallFri, 22 Jun 2007 15:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Sanyo announces Enegreen microwave / IH oven hybrid]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/22/sanyo-announces-enegreen-microwave-ih-oven-hybrid/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/22/sanyo-announces-enegreen-microwave-ih-oven-hybrid/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/22/sanyo-announces-enegreen-microwave-ih-oven-hybrid/#commentsSanyo is already pretty big on induction heating (IH), but the company seems to think it has found an even better way to speed up cook times while still producing food that's (presumably) edible, announcing what it claims to be the "world's first" microwave / IH oven hybrid. Dubbed the Enegreen, the oven doesn't simply offer two ways to cook your food, instead putting both cooking technologies to use simultaneously, with the IH component cooking food from the outside in and the microwave cooking from the inside out. Supposedly, that'll translate to about an 85% reduction in cooking times -- for instance, cooking a hamburger in just under two minutes. As its name suggests, the oven is also aiming to cut more than cooking times, promising a 37% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to other induction ovens. Not surprisingly, all that near-instant satisfaction won't come cheap, with the Enegreen oven set to demand 624,750 Yen (over $5,000) when it's released in Japan this April.

[Via Far East Gizmos]

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Sanyo announces Enegreen microwave / IH oven hybrid originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Feb 2007 11:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>enegreenihinducing heatingInducingHeatinginduciton cookingInducitonCookingmicrowaveovensanyoThu, 22 Feb 2007 11:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Mini-Z T-ray imaging device takes home the gold]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/17/mini-z-t-ray-imaging-device-takes-home-the-gold/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/17/mini-z-t-ray-imaging-device-takes-home-the-gold/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/17/mini-z-t-ray-imaging-device-takes-home-the-gold/#commentsWe're all about giving golf claps where they're due, and a healthy round is certainly in order for Mr. Brian Schulkin. The doctoral student in physics developed a breakthrough terahertz imaging device, dubbed a T-ray, that has already demonstrated its ability to "detect cracks in space shuttle foam, image tumors in breast tissue, and spot counterfeit watermarks on paper currency." The Mini-Z marks the first time such a powerful device has become portable in nature, weighing just five pounds and taking up about as much space as your average laptop. Taking home the first Lemelson-Rensselaer Student Prize ($30,000), Schulkin explained that this device didn't pose the same health risks as typical X-rays, and unlike ultrasound, terahertz waves can provide images and spectroscopic information without contacting an object. As expected, the patent-pending technology is already up for licensing, and has already received quite a bit of fanfare and commercial interest from larger companies. So while you may never personally encounter Brian's earth-shattering invention, we're fairly sure this young lad's working days are already drawing nigh if he so chooses.

[Via Physorg]

Mini-Z T-ray imaging device takes home the gold originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Feb 2007 06:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awardelectromagneticexplosivesimagingLemelson-Rensselaermicrowavemini-znasapatentpatentedpatentsphysicsprizeradiationsciencesecuritysensingsensorsshuttlespacespectrometerstudentt-rayterahertzultrasoundx-raySat, 17 Feb 2007 06:05:00 EST<![CDATA[People ruining microwaves, creating a stink because of Reuters report]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/29/people-ruining-microwaves-creating-a-stink-because-of-reuters-r/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/29/people-ruining-microwaves-creating-a-stink-because-of-reuters-r/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/29/people-ruining-microwaves-creating-a-stink-because-of-reuters-r/#commentsThe humble microwave: source of hot cups of water, stinky popcorn, and now, apparently, sterile kitchen sponges. A Reuters article recently reported that microwaves are great tools to sterilize bacteria-laden kitchen sponges -- but unfortunately for the not-so-sharp, it turns out that Reuters didn't tell the witless that the sponges should be wet before getting their nuke on. Apparently, more than one person threw his dry sponge into the kitchen microwave only to discover that the thing melted, burnt, stunk up the joint like hot bacteria, and reeked like burnt tires. One more for the Darwin awards. So for the uninitiated: yes, you can throw your kitchen sponge in the microwave for a few minutes to sterilize it. Do make sure it's wet, though, k?

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People ruining microwaves, creating a stink because of Reuters report originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Jan 2007 03:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bacteriagermsmicrowavesterilizationMon, 29 Jan 2007 03:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Daewoo's voice-recognizing microwave]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/27/daewoos-voice-recognizing-microwave/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/27/daewoos-voice-recognizing-microwave/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/27/daewoos-voice-recognizing-microwave/#commentsApparently being able to zap your meal in favor of kindling up a fire using sticks and lighter fluid just isn't efficient enough. If you'd prefer to maximize your couch time even more by not even mashing buttons on the face of your microwave, Daewoo's new device hears you loud and clear. Sporting a countertop design (as opposed to the "in-a-drawer" variety), brushed aluminum finish, and ironically enough, a full-fledged keypad, the voice recognition microwave recalls up to 40 cooking commands to get things fired up with just a shout. Niceties include its ability to react to anyone's voice (not just the programmer) as well as automatically determining the time required to properly heat / cook your food. Daewoo claims a "95 percent accuracy" rate on its automated determinations, so be sure not to scold it too fiercely when it torches your dinners the other 5 percent of the time.

[Via OhGizmo]

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Daewoo's voice-recognizing microwave originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Sep 2006 21:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appliancecookingdaewookitchenmicrowavevoicevoice recognitionvoice recognizingVoiceRecognitionVoiceRecognizingWed, 27 Sep 2006 21:44:00 EST<![CDATA[The self-explanatory Millennia microwave in-a-drawer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/26/the-self-explanatory-millennia-microwave-in-a-drawer/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/26/the-self-explanatory-millennia-microwave-in-a-drawer/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/26/the-self-explanatory-millennia-microwave-in-a-drawer/#comments
 If sporting a TV / microwave hybrid is too embarrassing for guests to see, or you just need one more completely extravagant household item to brag about, Dacor's got you covered. Its latest offering takes the conventional convention oven and relocates it away from the wall or countertop, and into a dwelling area most usually inhabited by silverware and Saran wrap. The Millennia microwave in-a-drawer was apparently engineered to be installed under a counter, in a kitchen island, or essentially any location where having a microwave would look thoroughly gauche. The 1.0 cubic foot cooker sports 950 watts of roasting power, defrost, reheat, and popcorn modes, 11 power levels, child lockout, automatic shutdown sensors, a timer function, and a nifty "one-touch" sliding door. While we aren't sure what this (presumably costly) device will run you, nor how much of your kitchen you'll ravage while installing it, you'll have the rest of the year to weigh your options and decide how important kitchen aesthetics really are to you.

[Via Gizmag]

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The self-explanatory Millennia microwave in-a-drawer originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Sep 2006 18:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appliancecookingdacorkitchenmicrowavemmdv30Tue, 26 Sep 2006 18:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Researchers create microwave drill/death ray]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/23/researchers-create-microwave-drill-death-ray/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/23/researchers-create-microwave-drill-death-ray/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/23/researchers-create-microwave-drill-death-ray/#comments If any of our peeps at Tel Aviv University have been noticing some suspicious holes around the campus lately, here's your culprit. It seems some researchers at the university have created a microwave drill that can easily bore holes through concrete, glass and other materials without leaving so much as a trace of dust left behind. It works by heating up the material to a toasty 2,000 degrees Celsius (over 5,400 degrees Fahrenheit), which softens the material enough for a metal rod to be pushed through it. Like any good death ray, however, the microwave drill has its weaknesses. For starters, the beam is unable to penetrate steel or sapphire, and there's also the small issue of microwave radiation, which could have some nasty consequences for the poor soul stuck operating the drill. According to the researchers, however, a simple shielding plate should be enough to protect anyone in the vicinity of the monstrosity -- maybe, but are there enough steel plates to protect us all if the device falls into the wrong hands? Like ours?

[Via Core77]

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Researchers create microwave drill/death ray originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Aug 2006 06:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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