Gizmodo: gravity

Scientists Looking to Reduce Cost of Space Travel by Using Tubes

Rosa Golijan — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:00:00 EDT

It's not a new idea—the concept was used with the Genesis spacecraft mission—but scientists are now attempting to actually map out the tube-like gravitational currents in space. Didn't someone think of this in a TV show or two?

The idea is that traveling by way of these gravitational currents would save drastically on fuel, as it would only be needed to correct course or move between currents. Sadly, it's not exactly a fast way to travel and "attempting to get a free tube ride from Earth to Mars would take thousands of years." Ah, well. At least it proves that some sci-fi writers weren't complete nutters. [Telegraph]

NASA Pays "Pillownauts" Well To Lie In Bed For Weeks On End

Sean Fallon — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:40:00 EDT

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.In order to study the long-term effects of micro-gravity on the human body, NASA is looking for a few ~~good~~ lazy people to lie in bed all day sleeping, watching TV and playing video games.

Apparently, the job pays as much as $160 a day—which means I could earn an extra $5,000 per month writing for Giz while lying down and peeing into a bedpan. Sounds like a dream come true, but I will not be signing up. You see, these "pillownauts" experience nasty side effects like sore feet, muscle weakness, headaches, toothaches and runny noses/eyes. Plus, I would think that lying on your back for weeks on end like that would drive you to madness.

Still, this is what our astronauts will have to contend with should we make extended trips to the Moon and, eventually, Mars—so it is a necessary evil. But the question remains: could you handle this for a month in the name of science? [PopSci]

QuantumGravity Watch Defies Laws of Physics, Logic

Sean Fallon — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:40:00 EST

To be honest, I'm not sure what I'm looking at here. But, the manufacturer assures us that it is a watch—a watch that can defy "all laws, including that of logic and most of all, of gravity."

Tourbillion watches, like this one, are able to tell time with extreme accuracy because its escapement and balance wheel is mounted inside a rotating cage—allowing it to counteract the forces of gravity. So, by claiming that it can defy the laws of gravity, they are basically hyping a technology that has been around since the late 18th century. Nonetheless, the inner workings of this watch look pretty damn awesome, although I haven't the faintest idea how you will tell time with it when the final product is released in March. [Watchluxus via DVICE via OhGizmo]

DIY G-Force Meter Turns Your Civic Into Top Gun

Jack Loftus — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:15:00 EDT

Perfect for Speed Racers and out-of-control Soyuz capsules, this DIY personal G-force meter attaches to your dashboard and enhances the driving experience when a mere speedometer won't do. The device measures acceleration/tilt on one axis and attaches to the windshield of your ~~Porsche~~ Honda Civic with a few suction cups. Three 7-Segment LED displays show instantaneous acceleration measurement to two decimal accuracy. Watch designer Chris build the meter in rhythm to techno music and pull a paltry 0.6 G's while braking after the jump.

Sorry, Chris. Hate to break it to you but the Russians have you beat. Their capsule pulled 10 G's reentering Earth's atmosphere the other day and they weren't even trying. Literally. [Pyroelectro via Neatorama]

Silbervogel Gravity Car Has No Muscle, Still Makes the Mark

Haroon Malik — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 06:45:00 EDT

The Silbervogel Gravity Car concept, by Jakob Hirzel from the Pforzheim University Of Applied Sciences in Germany, has no engine, but still wants to grow up and be a real racing vehicle. The racer relies solely on, you guessed it, gravity to pick up speed. We're thinking the whole exempt engine thing is going to give the Gravity Car a little handicap in conventional races, but as a play thing, it would be pretty great. [Jakob Hirzel via Tuvie]

Gravity Lamp Lasts 200 Years, Will Gmm/r2 Torchiere Lamps Out

Jason Chen — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:40:41 EST

This Gravity Lamp by a Virginia Tech student won second place at the Greener Gadgets Design Competition this week. The idea is quite simple in theory: a mass moves slowly down a column, which generates electricity by when the potential to kinetic energy conversion of the mass falling spins a rotor. To "reset" the lamp, the user just flips the thing over and sets the process in motion again. The entire setup should last about 200 years if used only eight hours a day, but should be plenty long for anyone we know. [Greener Gadgets via via DVice]