Wired Science heads to the National Ignition Facility, where an enormous 192-beam laser bay may become capable of fusing hydrogen atoms into helium – creating an endless, clean source of energy. For more information, check out the Wired Science blog: snurl.com Or subscribe to Wired Science video podcasts through iTunes: snurl.com
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Science Project 1974
Image by The Rocketeer
In 8th Grade, I invented a safety feature for electrical outlets. It uses an attachable magnet that goes on the male plug (and stays on the plug when you unplug the appliance) and a magnetic reed switch inside the electrical outlet. The current doesn’t turn on inside the outlet until a magnetic field is present. That keeps kids with forks or knives poking into the outlet from being electrocuted.
I won 1st place in Physical Science at the school and the Regional Science Fair that year. I didn’t get to go to State because I was only in 8th Grade. If I had been a Freshman, I would have been invited to go to State competition.
My Dad commissioned a law firm in 1975 to do a patent search. They found in Argentina (U S Patent 3,868,160), someone had a similar invention that used a magnet and two others (No. 3,846,598 and No. 3,699,285) that used the ground prong to push the circuit into a closed state and one other (No. 3,596,019) that was just like my idea except it used a pin attachment on the plug to turn on the circuit in the outlet. Another similar invention was a power cable coupler (Patent 3,496,500) intended to be used in marine environments that had a sliding collar with a magnet in it that matched a reed switch inside the coupler housing and actuated it after the cable was plugged in and locked. I never saw those items on the market. The lawyer said otherwise it was a perfectly patentable idea.
Other ideas I’ve had but other people patented first:
Legos with batteries, wires, lights and motors inside and put together to form a circuit. I have a rejection letter from Samsonite (the owner of Lego products at the time). Now Lego is selling my idea.
Dental Floss Picks (I came up with this idea in the mid ’70′s too, but didn’t do anything with it)
GPS Enabled Polaroid Cameras (now Ricoh has announced a GPS Enabled Digital Camera)
Urinal Toy (pee on a sensor and get a high score)
I have a couple more ideas that I haven’t seen patented yet… but can’t afford the process of getting the patent! It is frustrating waiting too long and seeing your ideas make someone else money.
Are there any other frustrated inventors out there?
Science, culture connect
Getting Hawaii Island’s students engaged in science, which can provide stepping stones to a better future, is easier when you bring Hawaii’s culture and scientific history into the picture, cultural practitioners said Saturday in Kailua-Kona.
Read more on West Hawaii Today
Mystery science photo: guess right, win
Mystery science photo: guess right, win – The first reader to correctly identify this ph
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Science may solve chocolate cravings
CHOCOHOLICS can turn to science for help because the national science agency says it has a proven method to deal with cravings.
Read more on Adelaide Now
This video is a Neal Adams animation about his theory that the Earth is growing. This collides with the Pangea theory. Watch it, you will be amazed. www.youtube.com
Video Rating: 3 / 5
By www.weebls-stuff.com Everything you ever need to know about science.
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Science Applications receives new contract
Military contractor Science Applications International Corp. said Wednesday that it received a contract valued at more than $ 343 million from the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command to provide modeling, simulation, analysis and integration support to warfighters.
Read more on AP via Yahoo! Finance
Science Foundation of Arizona directs million to solar energy research
Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) today announced the use of a $ 1 million grant for a project to make large-scale solar electricity generation more cost-effective. Pioneered by internationally recognized and celebrated University of Arizona (UA) researcher Roger Angel, the “energy telescope” project uses principals of optics and large telescope design in an innovative way to produce electricity …
Read more on Arizona City Independent
GO-Science group acquires building for Regional Science Center
GREENVILLE, N.C. – GO-Science, a group hoping to foster an interest in science in both kids and adults, finally has a place to call home.
Read more on WNCT Greenville
‘Science sense’ list trashes celebrity health tips
Science campaigners laid bare some of the most dubious celebrity-endorsed health tips on Wednesday, rubbishing ideas such as reabsorbing sperm and wearing silicone bracelets to boost energy.
Read more on Canada.com
Music Video Of She Blinded Me With Science
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Created by Prof Richard Wiseman from the University of Hertfordshire (UK). For more quirky science visit his daily blog richardwiseman.wordpress.com.
Movie: Equilibrium Artist: System Of A Down Song: Science
