Interesting Engineering

For those of us to see and hear without difficulty, then the Lorm hand touch alphabet may be unfamiliar unusual form of communication. But for many people ,it is essential. Now, thanks to a new device, Lorm users iwill be able to communicate via SMS.

Designed by Berlin-based Design Research Lab, the mobile Lorm glove allows person to  send and receive text messages via a tactile feedback. The glove used textile pressure sensors at different points located on the palm of the glove corresponding to the Lorm alphabet to construct words and sentences. Also letting the hearing and vision to communicate more freely via mobile text messages and e-mail, the developers also claim the device makes reading e-books easier.

You can see the Mobile Lorm glove in action in the video below.

1. Boogie Board LCD Writing Tablet

...first ever LCD writing tablet!

So much fun, you won't want to put it down! This is like having a notepad to doodle and write on - in electronic form! This gadget is still at the top of the list, for the second year in a row!

 

2. Watch, Camera & Camcorder

...all in one!

Watch Camera/camcorder - HQ 640 x 480 pixel 30FPS. Genuine Sphere Gadget Technologies branded product. Built in 4GB flash memory. USB compatible.

Sphere Gadget Technologies designed this spy camera and camcorder concealed in a wristwatch. Great for convenience (nothing to hold) and for getting those videos that some might not want you to have. 640 x 480 pixel HQ resolution video quality, with 4GB internal flash drive storage for three hours of video recording.

3. Ultrasonic Sensor Parking Alert

...for help with parking.

Very cool... an ultrasonic sensor will detect the distance of a car from the wall and help you get it into the right spot every time. These little gadgets have become uber-popular as of late.

4. Mighty Mini Laser

...a portable laser light show...

 

OMG I wish we'd had these in the sixties! That would have saved so much time and trouble! Yes, I worked with a light show company for a while. Lots to do! But now you can have a light show generator gadget in your pocket, turn it on, enjoy, and impress your friends. Very cool.

5. Mini Laser Stage Lighting Projector

...red and green.

Another way to fill your room with light. These things must be especially popular this year as two of them are in the top ten! This unit offers laser lighting in red and green for performers. If your room is large enough it can fill the room with light. Very impressive display!

6. Optical Finger Mouse

...2-button Ergonomic, USB, 800dpi.

For that price, I'd say this would make a fantastic stocking stuffer! It looks like something that would be fun to try out. It must also be a trendy gadget since it is in the top ten.

7. Powerful Green Laser Pointer

...5mw 532nm Astronomy Powerful Green Laser Pointer

This points a green laser beam at whatever you want to point out, and is a cool tool especially for teachers. I can think of other uses as well. Personally, I'm not a teacher, but I'd still have fun with it.

8. 8X Monocular

...Ruby Coated Lens 20mm, Heavy Silver Body.

The one person who reviewed this monocular stated "It is indeed the coolest item on Amazon." That could be. This works like a pair of binoculars, but is small enough to fit into your pocket. Awesome!

9. A Covert Coin

...looks like a real quarter but contains a secret compartment.

I don't understand why the covert quarter is number 9 on the list when it won't hold the micro SD card. The half-dollar will, so why isn't it in the top ten instead? Apparently these faux-coins are popular anyway.

10. Motorola H720 Bluetooth Headset

...lightweight bluetooth!

This fits over the ear, not in it, and has great sound quality. Definitely a worthwhile product.

Below this box are some items that were on last year's list. Most are still very popular.

Roku XDS Streaming Player 1080p

...instant access movies on your TV via high speed internet connection!

Apple iPod touch 64 GB (4th Generation)

This is the 64 gig with capacity for about 16000 songs, 80000 photos, or 80 hours of video. With a single charge there's 40 hours audio playback or 7 hours of video. 3.5" widescreen display.

Franklin Spelling Corrector

...an ingenious way to learn to spell the right way!

Very helpful for those who need help with spelling, crossword puzzles, students writing papers. Connects to the computer via USB. Includes Rolodex databank, calculator, and six word games. Displays up to sixteen characters.

SmartShopper Grocery List Organizer with Embedded Thermal Printer

...doesn't this look like fun for anyone who needs to do a lot of shopping?

Who ever thought grocery shopping could be so much fun? Attach this gadget to the fridge and when you run out of something, press a button and say what you need, be it milk, bread or spaghetti sauce. It has state-of-the-art voice recognition, 2500 pre-loaded items, a built in printer that requires no ink (it is thermal printing), and includes three rolls of paper for printing your lists. It works with four AA batteries.

I-Pen Digital Pen Writer Ipen Optical USB Mouse Input Device

...use it like a mouse with a computer!

This little gadget has two modes: mouse and pen. In mouse mode it acts exactly like a computer mouse should - fast, point and click action! But put it in pen mode and you can write notes on web pages that will still be there later, draw, write letters that will be transformed into typewritten text, and save reminder notes - or email them later. This pen is lightweight and small, ideal for laptop users. It has a standard mouse driver and standard USB connection - just plug in and play. Use on any surface; no pad required.

Wireless In Car FM Transmitter with Remote

...listen to your mp3 collection while driving in the car!

Wireless gadget that plugs into the car's cigarette lighter plug. Turn on the stereo and tune to the same frequency and you'll be able to listen to your mp3 collection via your car's stereo! The LCD display tells the volume and the name of each song.

Ninja Remote Stealth Television Gadget

 

This tiny keychain gadget can be used as a remote control with up to five hundred television brands. Provides master power on/off, volume, mute, channel changer, and audio/visual inputs. Easy to use - just point and click. Great stocking stuffer!

EZ-FIND! 25 Item Wireless Electronic Locator

...just what everyone needs!

I'll bet you know someone who constantly loses things. I do... and this is what I will get him! It can track up to twenty-five easily misplaced items including wallets, cameras, remote controls, pets, keys, and gameboys. EZ-find tags have an on/off switch and attach with keyrings or adhesive. Each item is assigned a number. When something is lost, press the number and you'll hear the tag beeping. Tags have low-battery features and you can buy replacements separately.

The Kindle

...couldn't end this list without mentioning the Amazon Kindle!

Electronic book readers are the rage, and threaten to take over the publishing industry. They are easy to carry and fun to read. There's no eyestrain, no piles of books, no bookcases collecting dust. You can carry and entire library full of books on your Kindle. I am a huge Kindle fan, can you tell? Very popular with anyone who loves to read, including teens.

Electronics, as the name suggests is a subpart of science and technology. A controlled motion ofelectrons is maintained using different mediums. Electrons are referred as the subatomic particle which carries a negative charge and revolves around the nucleus in well defined orbits of an atom. Electronics differs from electricity which deals in the distribution and generation of electrical power.

The electron control function is exhibited by using semiconductor devices. These devices are basically the electronic components which influence the properties of the electrons. The knowledge of these semiconductor devices comes under Physics and the study of Electronics is considered in Electronics Engineering. Other electronic components include the capacitors, resistors, diodes,transistors etc. which affects the electrons and their associated fields. These components are connected together to form a closed loop called a circuit. The circuits could be single or integrated in nature. This circuit builds the path for the electric current to flow.

The circuits and components are usually divided into Analog and Digital Circuits. The difference between both these circuits lies in the continuous range of voltage as opposed to discrete levels of voltage in digital circuits. Examples of analog circuits include Vacuum Tubes, Transistor Amplifiers, Operational Amplifies and Oscillators. Examples of digital circuits are Computers, Electronic Cocks, Programmable Logic Controllers and Digital Signal Processors.


Thermal Management is very necessary in Electronics. The heat generated in the circuits should be controlled in order to ensure the durability and reliability of the device. It is an important phenomenon which needs to be taken care of. There are many cooling techniques used which includes the use of Heat Sinks, Fans and Water Cooling. The concepts of convection, conduction and radiation of heat energy are utilized by these coolant devices.

Another aspect of is the electronic noise. Noise is defined to be an unwanted disturbance which interrupts the normal functioning of a device. These noises could be created electromagneticallyor thermally. The noises can be controlled by reducing the operating temperature of the circuit. There are also few noises which cannot be removed and eliminated due to the lack of physical properties. Such noises include the Shot Noise.
The study of circuits is very crucial in Electronics. It involves a lot of calculations like solving linear systems, finding the voltage at a particular node or current through a branch network. Electromagnetic Field theory is also an important area of study in Electronics.

Electronics Engineering involves designing of circuits using building blocks like power supplies,semiconductors and integrated circuits. Great emphasis is also given on Electronic Design Automation software programs. Many companies contribute in building this software for exampleOracle. The electronic systems are designed and produced using the EDA tools. It is also called CAD that is computer aided design.

Electronics is a very demanding and successful branch of study. The knowledge in this area manifests the career of many individuals as it covers broad aspects of information. New trends are acknowledged and updated which mainly involve the implementation of technology.

Chicago-based firm Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill (AS+GG) has officially been announced as the design architects for the Kingdom Tower that is to be built in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Initially planned to stand one mile (1.6 km) high and be called the Mile-High Tower, the building was scaled down after soil testing in the area in 2008 cast doubt over whether the location could support a building of that height. Now the building will stand over 0.62 miles (one kilometer) tall, which will still allow it to overshadow the 2,717 ft. (828 m) Burj Khalifa to claim the title of the world's tallest building.

 

The Kingdom Tower will be the centerpiece and first construction phase of Kingdom City, a 57 million square foot (5.3 million m2) development located along the Red Sea north of Jeddah, which is known as the traditional gateway to the holy city of Mecca. The entire development has been budgeted at US$20 billion, with the Kingdom Tower alone costing approximately $1.2 billion to construct and covering an area of 5.7 million square feet (530,000 m2).

 

The building will contain 59 elevators, including 54 single-deck and five double-deck elevators, as well as 12 escalators. The elevators serving the observatory will travel at 22 mph (36 km/h) in both directions. At level 157, a sky terrace roughly 98 feet (30 m) in diameter intended as an outdoor amenity for use by the penthouse floor extends from the side of the building.

 

The exterior wall system is designed to minimize energy consumption by reducing thermal loads, while a series of notches on the building's three sides create pockets of shadow that shield areas of the building from direct sunlight and provide outdoor terraces.

 

The three-sided tower rises from a three-petal footprint design with aerodynamic tapering wings that help reduce structural loading due to wind vortex shedding. Gill says the tower's sleek, streamlined form was inspired by the folded fronds of young desert plant growth.

"With its slender, subtly asymmetrical massing, the tower evokes a bundle of leaves shooting up from the ground - a burst of new life that heralds more growth all around it," added Smith.

While the building's exact height isn't yet known, when completed AS+GG claim it will be at least 568 feet (173 m) taller than the Burj Khalifa, which was also designed by Adrian Smith when he was at architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). At SOM, Smith also worked on the design for the Pearl River Tower, while AS+GG also recently won an international competition to design China's Wuhan Greenland Center.

 

AS+GG says design development of the Kingdom Tower is underway, the foundation drawings are already complete and construction is set to begin 'imminently."

Artists have their own passion for creating oddities that they know will definitely impress. We have seen people coming up with amazing creations from electronic waste and here we have 12 amazing creations made from discarded computer chips and circuit boards. Hit the jump to see the beauty of the rejected chips and circuit board creations.

1. Circuit Egg:

This 7-foot-tall sculpture created by Brazilian artists Adriana Varella and Nilton Maltz bleds technology and art together. Installed in 2005 at Lytton Plaza in Palo Alto, the Circuit Egg is made using recycled circuit board.

2. Gabriel Dishaw’s funky Nike shoe:

Recycle, reduce and reuse is what we have been listening to for quite some time now. Gratifying the logo is Gabriel Dishaw with Nike-inspired Frankenstein Terminators junk art, a shoe made from circuit boards.

3. Mono Lisa from motherboards and chips:

Proving that junk art isn’t a legacy of the sculptors alone, Asus has put some dead motherboards and chips together to create what is considered an unsolved mystery in art – the Mono Lisa.

4. Solar panels from computer chips:

IBM has come up with an ingenious idea of creating solar panels from waste computer chips. Each chip has tiny bit of silicon on it that can be used to make solar panels. IBM estimates that 3 million silicon wafers are sent to landfills annually, which if transformed to solar panels can power 6,000 homes.

5. Circuit-board jewelry:

Christoph Koch has designed contemporary jewelry using circuit boards. The designer created two chic circuit-board necklaces, making a great fashion statement.

6. Photo-frame from recycled circuit board:

It’s unimaginable how the parts that were made to head for the landfill has taken an elegant place in your bed room or drawing room desktop! This attractive photo frame is made from recycled circuit board.

7. Fabio Renaldo’s computer chip dress:

For the Eco Chic fashion shows in Jakarta a designer collected discarded computer chips and shaped it into a beautiful dress. Fabio Renaldo has balanced the heaviness of the shimmery metal and light flow of the silky material perfectly.

8. Circuit board bench:

Did you ever imagine that circuit board could be good to sit too? Well, this circuit board bench exemplifies that. Not only does it look durable and comfortable, but also aesthetically pleasing.

  
9. Eco-Green Clock:

Done at the TEcoArt, this Eco-Green Clock wears a mirror-finished disk platter with hour and minute hands and a zigzag second hand over a circuit board base.

10. Wild life out of circuit board:

Brenda Guyton has breathed new life into computer circuit boards and chips. The artist has beautifully transformed computers parts that are considered nothing more than waste into unique sculptures like Jack the jack rabbit, K-9 a good dog and guanagator.

11. High-tech dinosaur:

Bringing the memories of the dinosaurs back to life is the High-tech dinosaur. This sculpture brings the discarded circuit boards into life. Not only does it divert trash from ending up in landfills, but also exemplifies beauty.

12. Clocks and lighting from computer circuit:



Clocks, accessories, decorative items and chic lightings, all under one roof. And what are they made of? Circuit boards and chips…Isn’t that wonderful. Each piece is exceptionally beautiful and green.