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MIT's DIY muon detector sniffs out cosmic particles
Scientists at MIT have designed a pocket-sized muon detector that can be easily made with common electrical parts, meaning anyone can kit themselves out with legitimately-functional Ghostbusters-esque gear for less than $100. The device detects the charged particles -- muons -- that come from the high-energy cosmic rays blasted from supernovae beyond the solar system. These particles last only a fraction of a second but can be found in every layer of the planet's atmosphere, with some even penetrating the Earth's surface and burrowing into rock and ice.
Engadget giveaway: Win a pair of Muo speakers courtesy of KEF!
As the reality of spring takes hold, we get to enjoy longer, warmer days and a burst of colorful foliage. To celebrate this positive seasonal swing, we've got a duo of rose-colored Muo speakers for one lucky reader this week. These Bluetooth portables from high-end UK audio maker Kef feature 12-hour battery life, a compact version of the company's Uni-Q driver array and styling by industrial designer Ross Lovegrove. The design echoes the curves of Kef's flagship $225,000 Muon loudspeakers. You'll be able to send CD-quality audio over Bluetooth aptX to the Muo (with a compatible device) or connect directly to its 3.5mm jack. They can be used as standalone speakers or paired for wider coverage and stereo sound when it's time to party. All you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning this colorful speaker set from Kef. Winner: Congratulations to Christopher S. of San Jose, CA!
Fukushima nuclear reactor will get mapped with subatomic particles
Scientists from Los Alamos National Lab have discovered how to look through and map just about anything with a new process: the science-fictionally sounding muon tomography. Even in places like the highly radioactive Fukushima reactor, the method doesn't require any disassembly or any need for x-rays or ultrasound. Instead it logs the movement of muons (of course), a radioactive subatomic particle that exists, well, everywhere. Two giant aluminum sides are put either side of whatever needs looking into, and the system measures the trajectory of these muon particles. From this, the scientists are able sketch the object, given enough of the tiny things.
Muon the humanoid robot is our ideal best friend
We don't speak German, and machine translation continues to be an intermittent and annoying bundle of failure, so bear with us on this one as we try to cobble together what exactly is going on here. This is Muon, the humanoid robot who is apparently being developed in Berlin by Frackenpohl Poulheim at the ALEAR Laboratory of Neuro Robotics at the Humboldt University in Berlin. Like other humanoid bots, Muon is about the size of an eight year old child so as not to creep out his human companions by being too threatening, and his design, while reminiscent of previous robots we've seen, is pretty original. It's actually hard to tell what stage of development Muon is in -- certainly many of the photos we have spied were concepts -- but we're going to keep our eyes peeled for him moving into the future. If you hit up the source link, you can check out a video of Muon's development. There's one more amazing shot after the break.
KEF intros new XQ Sseries loudspeakers
If the speakers in your HT rig are summed up by "sound great, look terrible" and you want need to move into "sound great, look great" territory, then KEF's new XQ Series speakers are worth checking out. The updated XQ Series made its debut at CEDIA and enjoys some technology "trickle-down" from KEF's Reference Series; notably the new Uni-Q driver that covers midrange, tweeter and hypertweeter duties in one tidy package. The speakers also inherit a little bit from KEF's over-the-top Muon in the form of milled aluminum front baffle. In the looks department, the cabinetry is available in a choice of three high-gloss, "furniture grade," natural wood veneers: birds-eye maple, khaya mahogany, and piano black. With five models in the range (XQ 10 pictured), you can make sure every single channel in your "wall of sound" matches. Prices range from $1400/pair for the XQ 10 bookshelf up to $3400/pair for the floorstanding XQ 40. Available September 2007.
KEF's Muon speakers: 253 pounds of aluminum, no sense of decency
Catering to the highest of the high-end in speakers will grab the attention of both consumers and designers, and KEF has contracted Ross Lovegrove, who designed such throw-aways as the Walkman and the iMac, to create this spendy new "Muon" series of speakers. These curvy monsters are carved out of a six-foot block of solid aluminum using computer-aided manufacturing and take a week to create. The four-way, eight-speaker setups weigh 253 pounds each, and will retail for £70,000 ($140,500 USD). If you've got the pocketbook, better have your butler write out a check right quick, as the edition is limited to 100 pairs.
