The electrode in the pic above was attached to a rotating apex, once turned on, the revolving surface was fed by an electricity supply, which gave rise to the effect above via a multiplier. Using various photography techniques, the images above were captured. Disconcertingly, the hot electrode was quite close to the user's face, maintaining a constant distance away by only a few centimeters. We have to ask; when will this madness stop? Electrocution is not cool. [Tesladownunder]

According to the Deputy DA in Portland, Ryan Wittman had made comments to witnesses saying he wanted his child "to be tough." When first questioned, the dad's genius response was to say that the two of them had been "playing peekaboo." Hmm, that'll be the special version of kilovolt peekaboo we've never heard of, then.

The 100,000-volt weapon Wittman used is, apparently, more powerful than police tasers. Wittman's excuse for the incidents? Arguments with his wife. It took just 20 minutes for the court to decide that Wittman should be sent down for four years. [CNN]

Noticeable Differences Between Volt Hydrogen and Volt:

1. Volt Hydrogen features two hydrogen tanks near the rear of the vehicle.
2. Hydrogen still features a battery stack (we were told for electric-only option), but it's about 20% smaller than what you see in the Volt classic. (Specs say that it can go 40 miles on electric alone.)

Noticeable Similarities Between Volt Hydrogen and Volt:

1. That chassis looked identical—it's truly the Volt in hydrogen form.
2. It's called a Volt.

When can we expect to see it on the market? There's no official timeline out there, as GM is waiting for the hydrogen refueling infrastructure problems to be solved before launching a hydrogen car. In addition, GM isn't finalizing the design until they see how the Volt performs for the masses.

And as for that infrastructure problem, "we're working on a solution," a GM spokesperson said.

Like the Volt's unleaded offerings, the Opel E-Flex diesel engine is not a motor at all, but a backup power generator for the electricity-driven car. Let's just swap out that diesel engine for a nuclear reactor, and we're in business. Hit up Jalopnik for more photos. [jalopnik and carscoop]

If you want one, email Richard Lawson at richl[at]forpeople.co.uk. – Jason Chen

Richard Lawson's 9Vo(l)tive [Core77 via Random Good Stuff]

"I'm going to just plead with all of you, let's get the power supply problems fixed, or let's get all these devices talking together."

Google is pushing for a standard where nearly everything runs on 12-volt power. See how cool this could be, after the jump.

A great side effect of this push from the "don't be evil" Google guru would be the elimination of annoying wall warts, instead distributing power inside homes and businesses at 12 volts. That would bring plenty of power for everything but amp-sucking appliances in the kitchen and laundry room, and pave the way for lots of reasonably-priced, easier-to-install and way-cool low-voltage lighting. Another upside would be a savings of 40 billion kilowatt hours over three years, worth $5 billion. It would be safer, too. Yeah, Larry, let's don't be evil. – Charlie White

Google Pushes for PC Electrical Efficiency; Side Effect: No More Wall-Warts [treehugger]

This will certainly be welcome inside that car that can heat up to well beyond 150 degrees on a sunny day in late July. Plus, you can use it inside the home or office, too. If you have to spend your day around those cold-blooded fussbudgets who must be from the planet Vulcan, insisting on maintaining temperatures that are well above 80 degrees inside, there's an AC adapter that lets you use this coolness indoors, too. Does it feel like it's hotter than a June bride in a feather bed were you are? Sweet, blessed relief is on the way. – Charlie White

Product Page [Smarthome, via Crowded Brain]