Tech News Update

Amateur and student inventions have a long and noble tradition. We all know about Youtube or Ford, but did you know that the guy who invented TV was also an amateur? (thank you, for making Firefly possible.)Lately, amateur science has been making strides all over the place thanks to better micro-chips, modular components, and huge advances in miniaturization and nanotech.

Miharu Home Care CameraTiny cameras that sneak into tiny places are currently all the rage overseas, and Miharu’s dental-oriented device is one of the pack leaders. Though it looks like a highly sophisticated toothbrush, the unit features a tiny video camera and an LED light, through which you can film in places that don’t normally see the light of day – like the back of your mouth, the back of your refrigerator, or that little crack between the floorboards.

From 1790 until 1870, U.S. patent law required inventors to submit actual physical models of their novel machines along with their drawings and descriptions.These miniature testaments to innovation — “not more than twelve inches square … neatly made” — are the subject of a new exhibition at Harvard University, Patent Republic.

This isn’t your dad’s beer.Or even your grandpa’s. It’s your distant prehistoric mammalian ancestor’s. And you’ve never tasted anything quite like it.There are only four ingredients in most beer: Malted barley, water, hops and yeast. But on the banks of northern California’s Russian River, Stumptown Brewery’s Peter Hackett is cooking up a different kind of brew.

Snow-Blowers From Hell, and more…The picture of a rusted Soviet truck with a mounted jet engine provoked lots of interest from our readers, so we decided to make a full page about such monstrous machinery.First of all, full disclaimer – they’re not dormant Decepticons or armies of malevolent AI ready to tackle the world at the first notice.

The Alcohol-Fueled Whoosh RocketHere’s something different: the alcohol-fueled whoosh rocket. It is volatile so keep a small fire extinguisher at hand. You will need:• 2-liter plastic soda-pop bottle• Duct tape• Pliers• Electric drill• Disposable ballpoint pen• Wire clothes hanger• Small amount of isopropanol alcohol—this is known as rubbing alcohol and can be found at drug stores • Eyedropper or pipette• Cable tie• A long taper (with which to light the rocket)• Matches or lighter• Safety gloves and goggles• If you wish to add fins, follow steps 2–7 of project 1.2 and add them after step 2Step 1Unscrew the cap from the soda-pop bottle and carefully drill a hole about 3/8 inch (10 mm) diameter through its center.