Gizmodo: jet engine

Jet Works Engine Inspires Tomorrow's Rocket Scientists

Sean Fallon — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:20:00 EST

Let's face it—educational toys are not popular gift items. However, the Jet Works Engine is something that curious kids will be excited to find under the tree this year.

The kit comes with 50 parts for kids to assemble into a battery operated simulation of a jet engine. They can also control thrust, turbine speed and jet sounds using the control panel. The way I see it, $30 is a small price to pay to educate our youth—especially if those youth grow up to become successful engineers. Daddy wants a flying, fuel-friendly vehicle before he kicks the bucket. [Discovery Store via 7 Gadgets via DVICE]

Intel Licensing Laptop Cooling Systems Based Upon Jet Engine Tech

Mark Wilson — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:40:00 EDT

Intel has developed a system to cool laptops that's not so different from that used on the surface of jet engines. The technology utilizes a laminar (non-turbulent) airflow to push heat away from the bottom of the case, making your laptop suitable for your lap again. Intel finds this technology particularly important as their new mobile processors are bound to be thinner but run hotter. So hang on, Goose. This ride might get bumpy. [CNET via electronista]

The 75 MPH Bicycle That's Powered by a Jet Engine

Kit Eaton — Mon, 19 May 2008 08:40:00 EDT

Robert Maddox is a builder and seller of real pulse jet engines with powers up to 1000 pounds... and if that's not a cool enough hobby, he's also bolted one to a bicycle. The 50-ish pounds of thrust developed by the engine could push the bike up to 75 MPH, which would be a real bone-shaker of a ride. And a deafening one too: the pulse jet engine makes a frightening racket, and its humming sound earned the Second World War cruise-missile V1s that used similar engines the nicknames buzzbomb and doodlebug. You can hear and see the results of this DIY craziness in the video.

Robert's engines run on kerosene, and he apparently builds the largest pulse jets in the world. Strapping even a small one of these roaring monsters to a bicycle sounds like madness, or at least an early start on an application for a Darwin award. At least he gets to be one of the few people in the world who could sing "Bicycle, Bicycle... I want to ride my (jet-engined) bicycle" and mean it. [Autoblog Green via Gizmo Watch]

Turbo Toaster Prototype Jet Engines Make Your Toast

Jason Chen — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 14:30:06 EST

Want to make bread into toast in under a minute? This Turbo Toaster prototype by Oliver Newberry of London can do just that, provided you're okay with the noise that two huge jet engine-like fans blowing hot air onto the toast will make. The inspiration for this invention? The fact that his beans became cold before the toast was done heating up. To this, we have two things to say. One, who eats beans on toast? And two, why not just wait until your toast is done to make your beans? [Daily Mail]

Jet Engine: The Perfect Firestarter

Charlie White — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 15:00:00 EDT

Bored? Why not rent a jet engine on wheels for your next bonfire? It'll save you the trouble of futzing with those tedious matches, lighter fluid and kindling. Beats fireworks! [Live Leak]