I like the optimism of this kind of future. See more here.
Vaccine - FDA Emergency Approval (Pfizer & BioNTech)
Curious to see how fairly this vaccine rolls out. Here’s an interesting article from NYMag that lays out possible challenges.
Lightness In Architecture - Masters in Advanced Studies/Digital Fabrication (ETH Zürich)
Twelve groups of students collaborated with researchers on robotic fabrication processes & 3D printing technologies. All topics show the ability to turn concepts into software and digital building processes with the power to transform the way we build. Check out projects here.
Juheko (Estonia)
Estonia craftspeople are making these lovely products. Not sure if these can be found in the US yet but they have a large assortment of lighting related goods. See more here.
Parametric Design
Parametric Design can be thought of like a spreadsheet, you supply the parameters and the computer kicks-out a summation. It’s a quick way to explore designs while adjusting the variables.
Copenhagen Loop B.I.G. (Bjarke Ingles Group)
Charged with rethinking urban sprawl and an outdated infrastructure in/around the city of Copenhagen, B.I.G. proposes a 50yr plan (LOOP) that links energy exchange, waste/recycling, water treatment, EV charging, and most interestingly, a public transportation line that is also building, park, commerce hubs and health care campus.
Covid Detect (At Home Test Kit) - Jonathan Rothberg
Our daughter, Greta (16), shared this article from the New Yorker with us in the early Fall. Rothberg’s test will be a self administered/at home/rapid test (30mins.) that is less than $20. Approval and roll-out projections are for January 2021, it has a very high accuracy rate and will hopefully be a game changer - in the meantime, where a mask and give everyone lots of space.
Rothberg received the 2015 National Medal of Technology and Innovation.
Kelvin Doe - Engineer/Inventor/DJ (b. 1996)
Inspiring youth from Sierra Leone, who created among many other things, a windmill (made of scavenged parts) to provide electricity for his community. At 13 years old, he built his own radio equipment and station where he broadcasts news and plays music to his community under the name “DJ Focus”. By age 17, he signed a $100,000 solar project pact with Canadian High-Speed Service Provider Sierra WiFi. Read more here.
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Rivian - Electric SUVs
These guys created the prototype support vehicles for the Long Way Up series, as well as, peppered the western seaboard of S. Am. with charging stations. Very impressive vehicles and company. More here.
LONG WAY UP (Documentary)
RECOMMEND: This is the 3rd installment in the LONG WAY (Round and Down) series. The idea in this one is Ewan McGregor and buddy Charley Boorman ride electric motorcycles from southern tip of S. America to L.A. (15,000 miles) in 3 months. The rub is…they’ve never ridden electric bikes before, there is no charging infrastructure in place in S. Am. and the motorcycles get about 100+ mile range on a charge. So much problem solving is required, I love it.
Electric Scooter - Stilride
Hold on to your helmets, this team out of Sweden wants to build the most stylish and sustainable electric scooter in the world. More here.
Virgin Hyperloop
Virgin just completed it’s first transport test with humans at just over 100mph (1/6 of the eventual top speed). Their goal is to link major cities like DC - NYC and turn a 1hr plane ride into a 30min. trip. More here.
3D Printed Textiles - MIT Media Lab
I’ve been waiting for this type of application to develop and looks like the folks at MIT are pushing the boundaries of 3D printing. See more here.
The Ocean Cleanup
Boyan Slat was just 18 when he founded The Ocean Cleanup, an ambitious system for removing plastic waste out of the world's waterways. The aim is for plastics-free oceans by 2050.
Holographic Display from Fan Blades
This is one of the cooler technologies I’ve run across - might need to do a Halloween-themed one. Check it out here.
NASA Space pics
Hubble and the Chandra Observatory opens treasure trove of cosmic delights. See more photos here.
Morpholio Trace
This is by far the best app I’ve purchased ($20/yr.) for iPad. It’s like being able to sketch in Photoshop. Lots of information and videos online.
Charging Station - Cobe (Denmark)
These timber, grove-like electric car charging stations are a nice touch - they even have green roofs and swings to help everyone pass the time. More information here.
Engineer Makes Gun that shoots masks onto faces
I give this a solid B+ for inventiveness and fun problem solving. Check out Allen Pan’s enthusiastic video here. We could have used one of these at the grocery store this morning.
DIY KAYAK
Made of fir branches/strips and skinned in plastic wrap (with a later fiberglass/epoxy option). Can’t wait to try this. See more here.
