Gizmodo: Sharks

An Underwater Generator Inspired by Sharks, Minus the Seal Killing

Adam Frucci — Wed, 21 May 2008 18:30:00 EDT

It never hurts to take cues from nature when designing technology, and that's just what BioPower Systems did when engineering its bioSTREAM underwater generator. It's inspired by shark tails, using the shape in a fixed device that moves with the motion of the ocean. It reverses the use of the tail, with the water moving it rather than it moving in the water, but by anchoring it to a fixed point it allows it to align itself in any direction depending on how the flow is moving. No word on just how cost-effective generating energy this way would be, however. [BioPower Systems via PSFK]

Anti-Shark Device Eaten by Irony-Loving Great White

Adam Frucci — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:45:00 EST

This is awkward…during the testing phase for the Shark Shield, an electronic device that is designed to go on the back of surfboards to keep sharks away, one of the devices was actually eaten by a shark.

Yeah, not only did this thing not keep sharks away, but it actually attracted the attention of a 12-foot great white enough that it mistook it for a tasty snack. Luckily, it was on a buoy and not a surfboard at the time.

The device uses electrical waves to give sharks some uncomfortable muscle contractions, at least in theory. The problem is, there's speculation afoot that the electrical waves designed to repel sharks actually attract them. Yeah, that's no good. The manufacturer claims that it'll work just fine as long as you aren't surfing, paddling, or moving at all, however. Uh, sold? [The Australian via Uberreview]

Shark Attacks Let'sGoDigital Reporter as She Reviews Underwater Cameras in the Bahamas

AddyDugdale — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 08:17:10 EST

This is the kind of thing you really don't want to happen to you, but if it does, and you survive, you will never have to buy another drink in a bar ever again. Karin Brussaard went shark-hunting in the Bahamas to write a tech review of the Nikon D80 in a Sea and Sea underwater housing. When a moody tiger shark got too close, one of her colleagues pushed him away with the camera. This was, perhaps, not a such a good idea. There's a gallery of Katrin's shots below, plus her account of what happened.

The next day we see more tiger sharks and I slowly start to get used to these enormous beasts. During a dive at sunset we are treated to four great tiger sharks. As a team we work together and take turns taking photos. At a given moment one of the sharks gets in too close to one of the divers and Jim intervenes. He gives the shark a push with the camera. The tiger shark is not impressed. He grabs hold of the camera and swims aggressively away with it. I am feeling uncomfortable and go through my oxygen quickly. Luckily the shark eventually lets go of the camera and swims away. Once we are back on board Jim asks if anyone made a photo of it. I ask him if he's crazy. When I look at my photos that night I realize someone did take photos...

For a full review and all of Karin's beautiful photos, go check out her report on Let'sGoDigital. [Let's Go Digital]

How To: Repel Sharks with Magnets

Brian Lam — Tue, 15 May 2007 06:49:07 EDT

Here's a cool trick Eric Stroud and and Michael Herrmann discovered: Sharks hate magnets. And the thing is, anyone who is a shark geek and a magnet geek can kind of mentally put it together. With the shark being able to sense weak currents in the water, this has GOT to feel like chewing tinfoil to Jaws. Next up: Magnets sewn into wetsuits.

Shark Bottle Opener: Dangerous For Other Reasons

Mark Wilson — Sun, 13 May 2007 18:00:42 EDT

"Uh ohhh honey! He's gonna get you!"
"Oh, that stupid bottle opener again?"
"No! It's a shark. And it wants-"
"It wants you to drink less."

The Shark Bottle Opener is made from ABS plastic and is sure to offer endless hours of fun...for one of you at least. Use the built-in magnet to stick it to the fridge—where it will look like it's hungry for your leftovers. $13.95 in green and orange, the only two colors that matter. – Mark Wilson

Product Page [via gizmoddude]

Battle Blaster Hammerhead: You Need It

Mark Wilson — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 11:48:32 EDT

Remember being a kid and thinking that sharks were the coolest thing ever?

Newsflash. They. Still. Are. While you were settling down, growing mentally and physically soft, accepting the practicality of the three-piece suit and generally bending over to take one from society, sharks didn't go anywhere. They were still kickin' ass—shark style.

Get back in the game, twinkies. Because a hammerhead+water cannon will equal you getting your balls back. Just see if that dry cleaner still lost your favorite shirt when they tell the story to a freaking hammerhead that's housing freaking water artillery.

Commence. – Mark Wilson

(Women, fill in anatomy and wardrobe appropriately, because this applies to you, too.)

Product Page [via shinyshiny]

Annoy Your Friends at the Pool With the RC Shark

Gizloco — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 10:14:21 EST

While strapping a fin to your back and pretending to be a shark may have been the way to scare your pool-going friends in the 20th century, it s time to upgrade that age-old gag. Why not try the remote controlled robotic shark from Hammacher Schlemmer? This mean monster from the murky depths is two feet long and can convincingly move like a real shark. There s a 40-foot range from the remote to the shark and the remote can even be taken underwater for even more fun. Like all good things there s a catch: the batteries only last for 15 minutes per one-hour charge. If you want, though, you can purchase an additional battery to ease the pain a little bit. This mini Jaws will set you back about $100 and comes in either blue or red, not to mention that it can operate on one of two frequencies, enabling complex wolf pack-style missions.

Product Page [Hammacher Schlemmer via OhGizmo]