The Passing of an Author

Author James Oliver Rigney Jr aka Robert Jordan passed away this weekend. He is the writer of Conan the Barbarian series and the more well know, Wheel of Time series. He has been battling with Cardiac amyloidosis for several years now, but lost the battle yesterday at 2:45 p.m. I started reading his Wheel of Time series almost 10 years ago now and have been keeping up with them as it comes to an end, but before he could finish writing the final novel, he had to go. All though, there are enough notes and recordings with all of his ideas, plots and such to finish out the last book, A Memory of Light, it will not be the same without him. This reminds me of when Issac Asimov died before completing his Foundation series, all though the last book was released completed by the publishers. I have enjoyed his writings and sad to see him go, he will be missed.

Paper Batteries

Okay, wait a second, paper Batteries? It sounds like something from the TV show Eureka, but no turns out batteries that has the properties of paper is real. Using Carbon Nano tubes embedded into cellulose material (aka paper) you end up with a paper like substance that stores power like a battery, discharges like a capacitor, and can activate with sweat or blood from a human body. Last part sounds kinda gross, but think about it, the chemicals in the human body can be used to activate these batteries so that means, no more harmful chemical batteries in pacemakers, or possible bionic body parts. Kinda cool huh? Thankfully this tech is already patented and they are working on better ways to mass produce the batteries. Oh, and in case I forget to mention it, these things are made of cheap and easy to get a hold of materials. Isn't science cool?

Transformers

Okay, I finally had a chance to see the new Transformers movie on Sunday, and I must say, I loved it. I loved the whole setup for the movie, the action, the silly stuff that happened, (please speak clearly into the phone or I can not help you). This is what a summer movie is about, just plain fun. Also keep in mind, this is the first time in almost 17 years that there has been a live action robot movie, (see Robot Jox). I enjoyed the movie and my wife enjoyed it as well. Now I can't wait for the DVD and watch the Transformation sequinces in slow motion over and over again :).

Transformer's Theme

Okay, a rock group called Blacklab decided to remake the original Transformers theme song form the 1986 movie. Drop Unicron and put in Megatron and tada, you have a new song. Song's okay, but but the clips are cool. I can see redoing the music video with better scenes after the movie is released.

Anyway, here's the New Transformer's Theme Song

And the Original Song, to the movie credits

Enjoy

Plastic, heal thyself

Surfing around on the net, and this artical caught my eye. A polymer, (plastic to us layman's) that is able to fix or heal it self. The way this work is by having an underlining layer of vessels that have the healing liquid in them. So if an area was damaged the liquid is released and the healing process begins similar to our own skin. This has very far reaching quality's to it. imagine cars fixing dents and scratches, planes fixing holes in the wing, the shuttle able to fix it's own thermal coating, or even a house that is able to fix it's own walls when you punch a hole in it :). The application to everyday us may be several years off, but the implications are mind boggling. Just think, next time you cut your favorite pair of jeans or shirt, it could fix it self.

The WhiteStar

Your dreams of electric sheep... I mean cars, are closer at hand than you believe. The Tesla corporation, (the one bringing you the electric sports car) have bought land are beginning construction of a new plant in Albuquerque New Mexico. This plant will start production in 2009 of the Whitestar, the sedan electric car. The price on it though it still steep, around 50 to 70 thousand dollars for this all electric car. It may be expensive but I'm looking forward to this car coming out, maybe it will get the other automakers to realize that people want to drive a car that doesn't cost a C-note to fill up. Keep your eyes and ear open, and I'll let you know more details about the Whitestar as they come out.

Starcraft II

After many a long year since it's first release back in 1998, Starcraft finally has a sequel, Starcraft II. The announcement was made this weekend in Korea and the net is singing it's praise... well the geeks are anyway :). I loved the first Starcraft games, and the Broodwar expansion as well. Now I have to go back and play them again the get familiar with the story line. Till the game hits the shelves I shall chant, My Life for Auir!