dry
Latest
Mars is much drier than expected
As if we needed another reminder that Mars isn't exactly friendly to life, researchers from Scotland's University of Stirling have revealed that the planet is more arid than Earth's driest deserts. That might not exactly sound surprising, but it's yet another wet (dry?) blanket on the usefulness of surface-level Mars water. The researchers also measured a chemical weathering rate on Mars for the first time, a process that relies heavily on moisture in the atmosphere. It can take between 10 to 10,000 times as long on Mars for meteorites to form equivalent levels of rust as on Earth, according to the research paper.
Dryer Box hits Japan, promises to dry out soaked cellphones for $12
Chances are you've probably heard of the rice method for drying out water-logged gadgets -- and possibly been in the unfortunate position of having to try it -- but it looks like folks in Japan now have a considerably more high-tech option at their disposal: the Dryer Box. That's reportedly already found its way into some Yodobashi Camera shops in Tokyo, and promises to dry out your soaked cellphone (or other gadget, presumably) in about 30 minutes for ¥1,000 (or $12). Exactly how it does that isn't clear, but there's apparently no charge if it fails to revive your device.
Don't panic: Liquid damage, and what to do about it
We've all had an "oh poopie" moment involving liquids: Time slows down, you watch as the glass tips over, its contents cascading (beautifully, in another context perhaps) over the rim and onto the table. The rivulets of beverage roll in a miniscule tidal wave across the surface, over the edge, and drip to the floor. All in the span of a few seconds. The worst part is when there's a computer between the cup and the table. That's when an oops becomes a crisis. What's the best thing to do when there's a spill on your laptop? Keep calm and carry on: 1. Don't panic. First, know that your data is safe. Hard drives -- while not hermetically sealed -- are tightly put together. If you act quickly, you can prevent the liquid from getting to your hard disk, and damaging your valuable data. (I'll save the bad news for later.) 2. Turn off the computer. Even before you run to get a towel, turn the computer off. If you can't shut it down normally (the keyboard won't respond for example), try pressing the power button for several seconds to force the computer to shut down. Unplug the laptop, and disconnect any cables and USB devices. 3. With the lid open, turn the computer upside down. This prevents the liquid from getting too far into the computer. While the computer is upside down, remove the battery and set it aside. 4. Wipe up the liquid. All joking aside: use toilet paper. Ounce for ounce, it's the most absorbent material you're likely to have handy. It's also thin, so it can reach down into crevices in and around your keyboard to soak up the liquid. This is especially important for sugary drinks like colas and juice: Sugars are sticky, and if they dry, you'll have a bigger problem. Next: If you're prepared, you can take your computer apart to clean up any liquid inside.
Ion-mask military waterproofing technology coming to civilian garb
Gore-Tex is fine and dandy, but the real argonauts out there know it still buckles under the most extreme conditions. Now, however, adventurists that happen upon a ridiculous amount of water could soon ford rivers (à la Oregon Trail, of course) without worrying about soggy socks. The technology, dubbed ion-mask, was originally crafted to "ensure soldiers' clothing remained impermeable to chemical weapons," but now shoe maker Hi-Tec has inked a deal that will being the solution to a smattering of its kicks. Reportedly, ion-mask can outperform "commercial waterproof fabrics such as Gore-Tex by more than a factor of 100," and in testing, it maintained its breathability / waterproof abilities even after 100,000 flexes. No word on when full suits will be doused in this stuff, but hopefully you'll be able to wear the same outfit to the office and the jungle here shortly.
