Darren Quick
Gizmag
Australia
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Past articles by Darren:
SeaSki high-speed boat design leaves little in its wake
The SeaSki uses special skis on top of the water rather than foils underneath it to provide lift. Its creator says this approach allows for greater fuel economy, stability in rough waters, a shallow draught, and higher speeds while generating minimal wash or bow waves. → Read More
Graphene membrane makes for a more sensitive condenser microphone
Demonstrations of real-world applications for the wonder material graphene are slowly but surely starting to appear. Now scientists have developed a graphene-based condenser microphone that is more sensitive than its conventional cousins. → Read More
"Covert contacts" enable more efficient solar cell design
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a way to make the reflective metal contacts that form grid lines on solar panels almost invisible to incoming light, thereby increasing solar panel efficiency. → Read More
Hyundai provides peek at Genesis flagship
After announcing Genesis as the name of its new luxury line last week, Hyundai has given a sneak peak at the design of the car that will top the range. The G90, or EQ900 in Korea, is a large sedan that shares more than a few design elements with the Vision G Concept Coupe that debuted in August. → Read More
Tomato growth boosted with a spray of nanoparticles
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) have used zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles to boost the tomato plant's ability to absorb light and minerals, resulting in significantly more fruit by weight. → Read More
"Magic" native Australian tobacco plant could be key to space-based food production
Scientists at the Queensland University of Technology in Australia have discovered a gene in an ancient Australian native tobacco plant that they say is the key to growing crops in space. → Read More
The Homido VR Headset Provides an Immersive Experience for Under $70
Virtual reality is the most immersive way to experience visual content, and it is becoming increasingly affordable. Gizmag Store currently has the smartphone-powered Homido VR Headset at half price, bringing the price under $70. To use the Homido, you simply slot your phone (iOS or Android) into the front of the headset. Your phone then provides the visuals, while the headset has lenses that… → Read More
Glowing fingerprints to highlight criminals
A new technique developed at Australia's CSIRO not only reveals fingerprints in cases when dusting won't, but makes them glow under UV light, enabling high resolution images to be easily captured for analysis. → Read More
Lunar detour could lighten the launch load for manned missions to Mars
A new study out of MIT says that, although possibly a little out of the way, the Moon would make a worthwhile refueling pit stop for manned missions to Mars by reducing the mass of a launch from Earth by 68 percent. → Read More
Garmin babyCam merges GPS navigation and back seat video monitoring
Garmin is getting in on in-vehicle monitoring with its new babyCam. While in-vehicle video monitors aren’t new, Garmin’s is the first to work in conjunction with an existing GPS navigator display – as long as it’s one of the compatible models from Garmin. → Read More
Garmin babyCam merges GPS navigation and back seat video monitoring
Garmin is getting in on in-vehicle monitoring with its new babyCam. While in-vehicle video monitors aren’t new, Garmin’s is the first to work in conjunction with an existing GPS navigator display – as long as it’s one of the compatible models from Garmin. → Read More
Airbus A350-900ULR to fly world’s longest commercial passenger route
Airbus is to supply Singapore Airlines with seven Ultra-Long Range versions of its A350-900 that can fly for up to 19 hours non-stop, allowing the airline to relaunch direct flights between Singapore and the US, including New York. → Read More
LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition stands alone with addition of cellular connectivity
LG is breaking the smartphone tether with its LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition, which is set to be the first Android Wear device to boast in-built cellular connectivity for a data connection or taking calls without a smartphone. → Read More
Onward and very much upward after Perlan Mission II's maiden flight
The Perlan Mission II glider, which is designed to fly higher than the U-2 spy plane and SR-71 Blackbird, has made its maiden flight after separating from its towplane at an altitude of 5,000 feet above Roberts Field at Redmond Municipal Airport in Oregon. → Read More
Volkswagen admits "defeat device" used to circumvent US emissions tests
The US EPA has issued Volkswagen and its subsidiary Audi with a notice of violation (NOV) of the Clean Air Act by running software in their 2.0-liter diesel passenger vehicles that turns full emissions controls on only when undergoing official emissions testing. → Read More
Lumenus smart jacket signals a change of direction for cyclists
The Lumenus jacket on display at Interbike 2015 is embedded with strips of LEDs that automatically light up, not only to tell other road users of the cyclist's turning intentions, but to guide the cyclist to their destination. → Read More
Bugatti makes Vision reality at Frankfurt
Having revealed its Vision Gran Turismo in digital form a couple of weeks ago, Bugatti has rolled out the real thing at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The show car on display at IFA serves as a design language stepping stone between the Veyron and Bugatti's next super sports car offering. → Read More
Responsive sports bra opens up when things get hot and sweaty
To show off the potential for its Curie module, Intel teamed up with architectural sportswear designer Chromat to produce two "responsive garments" – a bra and a dress – which change shape is response to the wearer's body temperature, adrenaline or stress levels. → Read More
Patient receives 3D-printed titanium sternum and rib cage
Following a 3D-printed heel bone, a 3D-printed mouth guard and the world's first 3D-printed jet engine, the CSIRO's Lab 22 has added to the growing list of 3D-printed medical implants by designing and printing a replacement titanium sternum and rib cage for a 54-year-old cancer patient. → Read More
MagnifiSense uses electromagnetic signatures to keep tabs on your energy use
MagnifiSense is a wrist-worn prototype that identifies what electronic devices and motor vehicles an individual interacts with throughout the day by detecting their unique electromagnetic signatures. → Read More