tingilinde

when tech companies stop making things

How do you retain technical capability? - the transcript of a talk by Bert Hubert

A few companies do it, many don't.  The Boeing paper linked inside is very good.

 

 

 

will the aptera make it this time?

The first Aptera was an extremely efficient three wheeled car that didn't make it to production.  Years later it's been rethought and now Sandy Munro - one of the serious gurus on automotive production - is involved. It's radically different from anything else and would be very interesting if it catches on.

br>

the corona time machine

Using old photos from the Corona spy satellites to extend the environmental record of Earth.

 

13 megawatts

Size rules when it comes to wind turbines.  A race to build giant offshore turbines is beginning.

 

making them dance

As Greg notes:  should we be scared or impressed?  Here's the story. 

 

a quick dive into the proraw image format

More of a toe-wetting, but it's impressive what's happening with smartphone cameras these days.

a tip of the hat to John

 

 

solar racing

Since it began in the mid 80s solar car racing has become very sophisticated.  It isn't about engineering future cars as much as developing new technologies.  Here's Derek Muller (Vertasium) on a recent race (there are several in a series)

 

another chapter for alvin

The deep sea explorer is 60 and getting ready for new explorations.

I've been lucky enough to see it during its last teardown.

 

energy use and inertia

The history of American energy use - turning ships takes a lot of time.  Always nice seeing Sankey diagrams.

 

a tip of the hat to Mike

 

 

cheap, jury-rigged air cleaners

Perhaps about a tenth the cost of commercial units.  It sounds like some experimentation, serious testing,  and good design work could be very useful for schools and offices that have to be open.

a tip of the hat to Jim