I love science. It's an incredible tool that we take for granted every day. Science is all about making people's lives easier, better, and longer. Here are a couple of my favorite "science projects" that I've come across recently.
Big Dog
The Big Dog is an experimental hydraulic quadra-ped robot. Big Dog's appearance is a bit bizarre (somewhere between a headless Llama and two people walking face-to-face) but it remains an extremely versatile robot. It can maneuver rough or icy terrain, and climb hills. It also has an amazing balancing system that allows it to regain it's balance after impact (such as seen in the video, when the tester kicks the Big Dog.) In lab tests, where the Big Dog can be supplied additional power, it can gallop, run, and even leap obstacles.
The Big Dog's applications are mainly thought to be transportation of equipment, but it also makes a capable scout vehicle. There's even talk of weaponizing Big Dog
VIVACE
The VIVACE (Vortex Induced Vibration Aquatic Clean Energy) is a phenomenal new hydro power device. The VIVACE utilizes the same force that tore apart the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to generate electricity. This effect allows the VIVACE to operate efficiently at a speed of 1-3 knots. This is very important when you consider most current hydro power solutions require a speed of 5-6 knots minimum to operate, and that most of the world's lakes and rivers flow at less than 4 knots. This puts the VIVACE in a great position to gather electricity in non oceanic bodies of water. Right now the device is being tested in the Detroit river. On top of everything else, the device is smaller than any other hydro-power device, and produces cheaper energy than windmills and solar panels. While it might not power the entire world, the VIVACE poised to be an integral part clean, sustainable energy in the future.
William Kamkwamba
For a slight shift from Science to Scientist, I present William Kamkwamba. Kamkwamba is a senior at the African Leadership Academy and co-author of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. Learning out of foreign science books, Kamkwamba taught himself physics an electrical engineering. Soon he was able to design a windmill out of scrap parts from cars and the local junkyard. Kamkwamba was able to give his village a steady supply of electricity for lights and to charge cell phones. Now Kamkwamba is giving lectures while still finishing his high school education and innovating and inventing.
Finally Awesome Fighting Robots , Getting People to use the Stairs, and the Coolest Business Card Ever