university of michigan

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UMich VIVACE Hydropower System Makes Energy From Slow Currents
Carbon Nanotube-Coated Threads Make Wearable, Biosensing Electronics
Army's Miniature Spy-Bat Concept Makes Lucius Fox Drool
HERCULES Laser is Most Intense Laser in the Universe, Almost as Powerful as the Death Star
University of Michigan Giving Up Students to the RIAA

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ANoel
11/26/08

In reply to UMich VIVACE Hydropower System Makes Energy From Slow Currents
Yet another great human in(ter)vention.
Wax it!
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Ridley
11/26/08

In reply to UMich VIVACE Hydropower System Makes Energy From Slow Currents
Hate to be that guy, but what about the ecosystem it would destroy to lay these things down over the size of a track. And what about the build up of algae over time. Underwater, even in fresh water, is a very brutal environoment for mechanical / electrical systems
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BeautifulAgony
11/26/08

@Optimus-Prime: There is always the option of creating "run-off" pip-lines that have these inside of them. The diverter pipes would simply have grates over each end to prevent small animals from passing through, yet still allow freely moving water current to agitate the rods.

This could also be used in water run-off collection systems such as city sewer drains. With hydrophobic nano coating, the rods would stay clean for a long time and they could provide electricity to the very water reclamation centers where the water is headed.
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OMG! Ponies!
11/26/08

In reply to UMich VIVACE Hydropower System Makes Energy From Slow Currents
How many ppm of human urine can it withstand? Figure that out and install them in kiddie pools. Injuries to small children be damned.
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BeautifulAgony
11/26/08

@OMG! Ponies!: My kids are in the pool making the electricity to run mommy's blender, so I can make frozen margaritas without worrying about the environment!

Finally, mommy can relax...
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Markarian
11/26/08

In reply to UMich VIVACE Hydropower System Makes Energy From Slow Currents
I'm so sick of hearing about green energy. Ever since I was a kid, I've been hearing about environmentally-friendly energy that was just around the corner. The only major development I'd say I've seen is the Hybrid car. Everything is just experimental, the energy equivalent of a concept car: Everyone who sees it wants it, but only a few testers can have it.
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BeautifulAgony
11/26/08

@markarian: Hybrid cars (and all-electrics), as they are currently manufactured and sold, are not environmentally friendly. The massive amount of unrecyclable chemicals in the batteries used represents a tremendous amount of environmental waste.

The energy used, CO2 produced during manucture, and future disposal costs of said battieries, is equivalent to the amount of pollutants produced in the lifetime of any typical internal combustion engine vehicle.

The only savings, potentially, is for the consumer, who may well pay less at the pump, and have a warm fuzzy feeling. But hybrid cars do nothing positive for the environment in their current incarnation.
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First
11/26/08

In reply to UMich VIVACE Hydropower System Makes Energy From Slow Currents
if you could install one in your toilet it would make power from being peed on...and if one were in every toilet in the world...just think of all the free energy.
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SGlick1980
11/26/08

@winmac: Great accept for the whole "stuff" getting caught on the little rods issue.
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BeautifulAgony
11/26/08

@SGlick1980: Does "stuff" keep getting caught on your "little rod"? Billy Mays has a solution for you, and it's pure orange oil.
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92BuickLeSabre
11/19/08

In reply to Carbon Nanotube-Coated Threads Make Wearable, Biosensing Electronics
How about cool medical uses?

You go to the doctor's office and change into "diagnosis pajamas" and then instead of just sitting and waiting for the doctor, you lay there and the clothing checks you out - temperature, blood pressure, pulse, maybe some kind of imaging.

By the time the Doctor shows up, he or she has a full read-out.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
11/19/08

In reply to Carbon Nanotube-Coated Threads Make Wearable, Biosensing Electronics
Intelligent pants?

Invader's blood marches through my vein like giant radioactive rubber pants! The pants command me! Do not ignore my veins!

With lasers!
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