Gizmodo: compressed air

AirPod is Like a Smart Car Full of Hot Air, and That's the Idea

Jack Loftus — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:30:00 EDT

This post is almost half a Retromodo, in that compressed air cars have been peddled by companies like MDI for the last 20 years. But this compressed air-powered pod, the AirPod, is all new. The three-seater is powered by MDI's proprietary compressed air system, which uses electricity to force the air to power the engine's pistons. The car might appear in U.S. cities by 2010, and possibly India and Europe a bit sooner.

The range, as expected, is quite limited. The AirPod gets up to about 40 mph, and goes approximately 130 miles between charges.

Once the tank is depleted, refilling it is described as "extremely quick" if you happen to have a specialized compressed air filling station handy. Otherwise, you'll have to fill up using a traditional home air compressor (think: filling your bicycle tires). [EcoGeek]

UR-202 Wristwatch Features Winding System Regulated By Compressed Air

Sean Fallon — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:20:00 EDT

The UR-103 watches from Urwerk were interesting, but their new 202 Hammerhead Automatic goes a few steps further with a unique winding system regulated by compressed air. Instead of a traditional rotating vane, the 202 uses miniature twin turbines to control the rate of automatic winding. Plus, the level of air compression generated by the turbines can actually be controlled using a 3-position selector switch.

As far as telling time is concerned, the watch utilizes a rather elegant series of rotating hour blocks built around hands that automatically adjust their length to mark the minutes. That is a hell of a lot of technology to do what any cellphone or bubble gum machine watch can do, but I have to admit that I'm pretty damn impressed. No pricing information has been made available, but think expensive thoughts. [Urwerk via Watchismo via Gearfuse]

Compressed Air Knife Patent Cranks Up the Killing Power

Sean Fallon — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:10:20 EDT

You would think that knife blade technology had reached its pinnacle a long time ago, but there are still inventors out there bound and determined to re-invent the wheel. Imagine if Crocodile Dundee whipped out a knife that was not only huge, but could also blast compressed air into an open wound—causing massive organ and tissue damage in the process. Now THAT would be a knife. The truth is, inventor Gregory Rondinone has patented this very idea, saying that it would be particularly useful in underwater situations.

The weapon as Rondione envisions it would be best utilized by divers to protect them from aggressive undersea creatures. The device would kill quickly (and spectacularly) plus, the compressed gas would make the carcass more buoyant, so it would most likely float to the surface. The problem is that we all know where this thing would end up if it were ever produced—like the backpack of some kid in a high school. [Patent via Wired via DVICE]

Memorex Makes Air Dusters Harder to Huff

Jason Chen — Sat, 26 May 2007 13:10:00 EDT

Now, you probably didn't know this—because you're a normal human being—but kids apparently like to huff cans of compressed air. Boy, children are really high-tech these days. Back when we were small we stuck with markers, glue, and chalk, but now they're getting all futuristic with compressed air.

That's why Memorex just released a new line of Air Duster with "bitterant," which makes huffing these things unpleasant. Hopefully this additive doesn't affect normal dusting, just direct sniffing, or else people are going to be stocking up on old-school dusters. Crazy-ass kids. Get off my—oh wait, I'm too poor to have a lawn. – Jason Chen

Memorex Air Dusters feature bitterant [Uber Gizmo]