Future Gadgets

Power your mobile from your shirt:
Researchers reveal the ultrathin material that could turn your clothes into a chargerebook

Piezoelectricity is a well-known effect in which stretching or compressing a material causes it to generate an electrical voltage (or the reverse, in which an applied voltage causes it to expand or contract). But for materials of only a few atomic thicknesses, no experimental observation of piezoelectricity has been made, until now.
The observation provides a new property for two-dimensional materials such as molybdenum disulfide, opening the potential for new types of mechanically controlled electronic devices.
'Proof of the piezoelectric effect and piezotronic effect adds new functionalities to these two-dimensional materials,' said Zhong Lin Wang, Regents' Professor in Georgia Tech's School of Materials Science and Engineering and a co-leader of the research.

The ultrathin Piezoelectric matrial that could powere wearables Columbia researchers have discovered a radical new material (pictured) that can create electricity and could be sewn into clothes.

Jeep Hurricane The Future Of Off-Roading

If you think that today’s off-road vehicles can carry you anyway no matter how difficult the terrain is just think what the future will bring: an ultimate off-road car that won’t be stopped by anything.

This vehicle could be the Jeep Hurricane, a Daimler-Chrysler concept unveiled at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Until now there’s nothing special about this car, but think about this: Hurricane is a Jeep with more horsepower, more climbing ability and more steering options than any car ever made.

What Makes The Hurricane So Perfect?

First of all the way it’s made. Jeep Hurricane is made from lightweight yet strong and durable material. The two seats, no doors interior surrounds the occupants with an exposed carbon fiber and polished aluminum. The suspension and powertrain are mounted directly to the body. It measures some 108.1 inches of wheelbase, a width of 80.0 inches, and a height of 68.2 inches. It holds a five speed automatic transmission system, as well as wheels measuring 20 x 10 inches. The Hurricane 14.3 inches of ground clearance, 20 inches of suspension travel, and incredible approach/departure angles of 64.0 /86.7 degrees makes it not the most comfortable and luxurious off road vehicle, but the most functional one.

Jeep Hurricane the future of off-roading

The second thing that makes this car so perfect is its engine, actually engines. Yes, the Jeep Hurricane is powered by two real American muscle 5.7-liter HEMI engines, one in the front and one in the back. Those two engines generate a total of 670 hp and 740 lb-ft of torque. Depending on the driver’s needs the Hurricane the engines are using 16, 12, 8 or 4 cylinders.

The third and maybe the most exceptional feature of the Hurricane is the steering system that offers the best performance and maneuverability. This marvel of engineering offers a multiple steering modes using four-wheel independent steering, that means that each wheel can turn separately from the others. In the standard steering mode, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels, which tightens the turning radius and makes for more accurate steering. In the second mode, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels, meaning the Hurricane can move to the side without changing the direction that it faces. The third mode, utilizing the "T-Box Zero Steer" mechanism, allows all four wheels to "toe-in" and changes the drive direction to each wheel so that they alternate making the Hurricane to rotate in place.

Jeep Hurricane the future of off-roading

The body work, the two powerful HEMI engines and the innovative steering system make the Jeep Hurricane the perfect car for the off-road driver. Maybe one day we could actually buy it!