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This West Harlem-Built Battery Could Overthrow Lithium Ion

West Harlem in NYC isn’t exactly known for its robust industrial capabilities. Nor is zinc particularly—well, ever—used as a secondary, rechargeable battery. But that’s not going to stop the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) from developing both into an energetic powerhouse. As part of ARPA’s Manhattanville Factory District redevelopment initiative, the agency…

How Shapeways Squeezes Every Last Bit Out of a 3D Printing Run

With the help of the latest in 3D printing technology, Shapeways has redefined how a factory floor works. Instead of an assembly line where workers slowly assemble a single product, a sea of 3D printers methodically build up a myriad of different objects all at the same time. And to maximize the print runs—which can…

Astronomers discover an insanely strong magnetic field

The dead core of a once massive star is producing one of the most powerful magnetic fields ever recorded by scientists. Measuring a mere 12 miles across, the “magnetar” is exerting a force 20 trillion times stronger than a fridge magnet. Top image: Artist’s impression of Magnetar SGR 0418+5729. The looping magnetic field measures only…

Archaeologists Just Found the Oldest Board Game Tokens Ever

In a tomb near Siirt in southeast Turkey, archaeologists believe they may have just found the oldest gaming tokens ever after dating them back to a whopping 5,000 years young. The extensive set is made up of 49 small, carved stones that wouldn’t be entirely dissimilar to chess pieces if not for the fact that,…

This Bizarre Installation Mimics a Real Biological Ecosystem

At first glance, we weren’t entirely sure what Radiant Soil, a massive installation by architect Philip Beesley, actually was. An industrial-sized Lite Brite crossed with a giant set of K’Nex maybe? A sentient being sent here to lord over us? Either way, it’s mesmerizing—and we wouldn’t mind being beamed up inside of it. Radiant Soil…

Vampire Academy trailer feels like maybe this movie could be good?

WAIT! Before you blow off this trailer as part of the teen vampire glu,t know this: Vampire Academy was made by Mean Girls director Mark Waters and adapted by Heathers writer Daniel Waters. Plus the book was pretty great. Set in a VAMPIRE ACADEMY where vampire royals attend classes with the vampire half-breeds who are…

Turn a Drill Into a Shotgun with This Spinning Disc of Doom

Slingshot psycho Joerg Sprave has done some of his best work with rubber, but there’s more to slingin’ than elastic. All it takes is a powerful drill and centrifugal force to whip up a whole different breed of slinger. https://gizmodo.com/thats-it-slingshots-cant-possibly-get-more-insane-than-5983191 With the aid of power tools and the hidden strength of spirals, Sprave has managed…

There may be a new Emperor in the Star Wars Universe

The Star Wars rumor maelstrom keeps sucking everyone and everything. This one says that J.J. Abrams—creator of Lost and the Star Trek reboots—could be a lot more than the director of the new episode of the galactic series. He could have gained control over everything. https://gizmodo.com/is-j-j-abrams-taking-complete-control-of-the-star-wars-1146160176

Futurama proves that I’m dead inside

There are plenty of ways to find out that you’ve moved past the point of basic compassion for humans, but the most embarrassing is enlightenment-by-TV-show. Sadly, that’s what I’ve had to deal with while watching Fry interact with his family in “Game of Tones.” This week’s Futurama started out promising, with the best intro screen…

The Tiny Cannon Returns to Explode Its Tiny Pirate Foes

Bigger isn’t always better. If you need proof, look no further than the devastatingly adorable tiny cannon. And what could possibly make a tiny cannon better than a healthy slathering of slow-mo. https://gizmodo.com/the-tiny-cannon-is-back-and-destroying-bigger-stuff-tha-5606516 It may not be the same thimble-sized cannon of yore, but the slow-motion madmen over at Distort have been playing with their…

New Game of Thrones FX reel reveals the magic of season 3

If you’ve seen any of the Game of Thrones CG special effects videos before, this new one covering SpinVFX’s marvels of season 3 is more of the same. But since that “same” includes beautiful digital environments and special effects seamlessly integrated into its live-action, “more of the same” just means “more awesomeness.” [Via The Mary…

Whoa, This Tiny Tail-Equipped Robo Monkey Can Leap Like a Superhero

There’s a reason the animals that spend their days leaping from tree to tree have developed long prehensile tails. It not only gives them an extra limb for clinging to branches, it also helps them steer and adjust their center of gravity as they sail through the air. So it makes sense that if you…

Chinese zoo tries to pass off a dog as a lion

A Chinese zoo is under fire for trying to disguise a Tibetan mastiff dog for a lion. The twisted scheme began to unravel when the supposed “African Lion” started to bark. Top image: An example of the very lion-like Tibetan Mastiff. The zoo, which is located in the People’s Park of Luohe in the central…

Facebook will soon test a system where users can make purchases via the mobile app using their login info. The PayPal-style quick payment system begins testing next month with men’s clothing site JackThreads. [AllThingsD]

A New Carbon Supermaterial Is Stronger Than Graphene and Diamond

Move over graphene; get outta here diamond. There’s a new carbon supermaterial in town, and it’s stronger and stiffer than either of you. Researchers from Rice University in Houston have calculated the properties of a new form of carbon that promises more strength and stiffness than any other known material. Called Carbyne, it’s a chain…

7 Street Art Stencils That Interact With Their Surroundings

Paris-based street artist ABOVE is known for weaving stencil paintings into the surrounding streetscape to create images that border on optical illusions. Traveling the world to make art that comments on social and political issues, ABOVE keeps an eye out for situations where real world and painted image can interact, with results that are playful,…

Is J.J. Abrams taking complete control of the Star Wars universe?

Kick-Ass star Aaron Taylor-Johnson says he isn’t officially an Avenger yet, but he’s optimistic. Director Alan Taylor explains how Thor: The Dark World combines genres like never before. Keri Russell describes the world of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. Plus how is the world of Arrow big enough for The Flash? Spoilers ahoy!…

The Urban Trike: Big Wheels for Grown-Ups

There’s nothing worse than getting set for a fun-filled day of Trike Drifting with your bros only to realize, “Wait a second, I’m an adult. There’s not trike on Earth that will fit my man-sized frame.” You’re right! Well, only sorta right. There is a trike out there for you fatty! It’s just that they…

Why the Hell Do People Insist on Posting About In-Flight Internet?

What the hell, they have internet on planes these days? You must be, like, the first person ever to be able to post to Facebook from thousands of feet in the air. Quick! Tell your friends! Right now! Waste no time! Everyone will be fascinated. [Oatmeal]

A Brief History of Physics

You probably read about new physics discoveries all the time on this site, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you know how we got to where we are today. This brief history of physics describes how scientists have tried to build on each others work for hundreds of years—with varied success. Produced by the BBC,…