University of Toronto engineering students and alumni have won a $250,000 Sikorsky prize for the world’s first human-powered helicopter. Says the AeroVelo website: We’re very excited for the world to learn about this exciting milestone in aviation history. At AeroVelo we hope to inspire people to take on great challenges and accomplish the impossible. We…

This sounds like a great idea with many other applications. What do you think? Glow in the dark roads sound like science fiction, and unfortunately, at least for the moment they are being banished back into that realm. An experiment in the Netherlands with self illuminating roads has been shelved for the time being, because…

Here are some national health statistics that should frighten you out of your chair: Our western sedentary lifestyle is responsible for an estimated $24 billion in direct medical spending. Physical inactivity is responsible for almost 200,000 or 1 in 10 deaths each year. Diabetes accounts for more than $98 billion in direct and indirect medical…

What do thoughts look like? Here is a fascinating video of how Japanese researchers recorded a real-time video of thoughts forming in the brain. This brain is of a live animal called a zebrafish — a species with a translucent head — as it was stalking its prey.   The scientists used a fluorescent protein that…

Imagine a car that can drive itself – as in no human intervention – on busy city streets!  Google is making this happen. The story is below this video, which I found to be very well done. I am less nervous after watching it: Google is testing its self-driving cars on the streets of its…

Graphene is an amazing material that will soon transform our gadgets to be thinner, more durable, and help us surf online 100 times faster. Imagine something so thin – a million times thinner than paper, according to the American Physical Society. Read more: Graphene is really pushing the frontiers of what could be – make…

I’m sharing what some will tell you is one of the best motivational speeches ever. Croix Sather is a remarkable innovator who thinks outside the box and inspires many.  He recently appeared on TedTalks, telling the story of his run across America, and how he was able to push through the pain and challenges of…

Our car’s plates can tell others a lot about us. But imagine the embarrassment of having your expired license plate exposed for the world to see! Compliance Innovations, LLC is a Columbia, South Carolina-based company developing an Electronic Vehicle License Plate, which will allow the issuing agency or law enforcement the capability to change the…

Imagine a car that can drive itself – as in no human intervention – on busy city streets!  Google is making this happen. The story is below this video, which I found to be very well done. I am less nervous after watching it: Google is testing its self-driving cars on the streets of its…

In a disaster, rescue operations can take more strength than humans can muster. The Raytheon Sarcos Guardian HT – Big Arm is a dual-armed robot that can lift up to 400 pounds, as well as assemble things delicately. In addition to industrial use, manufacturer Sarcos says it can be useful in first responder and logistics…

Imagine a grocery store sending zero waste to the landfill. That’s what is happening in the UK with Sainsbury’s stories. “Last summer Sainsbury’s achieved its 20×20 sustainability target of putting all its store waste to positive use – and diverting it from landfill.  All general waste from stores is recycled or turned into fuel. Surplus…

Here are some national health statistics that should frighten you out of your chair: Our western sedentary lifestyle is responsible for an estimated $24 billion in direct medical spending. Physical inactivity is responsible for almost 200,000 or 1 in 10 deaths each year. Diabetes accounts for more than $98 billion in direct and indirect medical…