MIT's Freaky Non-Stick Coating Keeps Ketchup & Mayonaise Flowing

So how many of you have pounded the hell out of a ketchup bottle trying to get the darn thing to pour out?  Or found yourself at the end of a rope, trying to get the remaining remnants from a mayonaise bottle? 

Well, thanks to some PhD students at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), an invention like no other has been created, or better yet, a non-toxic substance.

Meet LiquiGlide, a "super slippery" coating made up of nontoxic materials that can be applied to all sorts of food packaging--though ketchup and mayonnaise bottles might just be the substance’s first targets.

Here are the before and after videos...

Check out what happens when you pour ketchup out of a LiquiGlide-coated bottle:


For point of reference, here’s ketchup coming out of a regular bottle. Keep in mind, this is the exact same ketchup. It’s so time-consuming and wasteful.



Here’s mayo coming out of the coated bottle:



As opposed to this:


Keep in mind, these students worked in collaboration with the FDA to make sure they could use materials the FDA had previously approved.  According to Dave Smith, one of the PhD candidates, "I can’t say what they are, but we’ve patented the hell out of it."

Can you smell instant millionaires?

Qbo The Robot Sees Its Own Reflection and Recognizes It

Meet Qbo, the robot.  Created by Francisco Paz, Qbo is able to use recognition software in conjunction with pre-programmed responses to recognize its own image.

In the video below, the lime-green Qbo transits to the "Object Recognition" state from its internal state machine, to learn to recognize its mirror image, as if it were a regular object. Technically, how does Qbo do it?

According to it's YouTube Description:

The "Object Recognition" state is implemented to execute simultaneously different ROS nodes: one responsible for the head and base movement; another to select an object from the image using the stereoscopic vision; another to recognize objects or learn new ones. The object recognition algorithm uses "SURF" descriptors and the "Bags of Words" approach (through the OpenCV library), and stores images in Qbo's internal storage system.

Qbo has several stored answers and behaviors in an internal knowledge base, that we upgrade as the projects evolves, to make questions or orders to Qbo such as "What it this? or "Do this". Qbo interprets the object "Myself" as a an ordinary object, for which it has special answers in its internal knowledge base such as "Woah. I'm learning myself" or "Oh. This is me. Nice". Qbo selects its reflection in the mirror in the image that he sees using the stereoscopic vision, and one of our engineers interacts (speaks) to him so that Qbo can learn to recognize himself as another object. For direct interaction, Qbo uses the open-source software Julius for speech recognition (in the video, you see how Qbo receives the order to turn around, and he responds to it by moving its base 90 degrees), and Festival for voice synthesis.

Last Night KARA Stunned a Nation and The World

As you all know I'm not big on gaming.  It never was a hobby, nor was it ever entertaining for me. The most I've ever had fun playing growing up was Pac-Man or Duck Hunt. LOL.  But this has got to be the best gaming trailer I have ever seen to date, and I have seen many.

Quantic Dream, the maker of this amazing piece of work released the following video last night as you were probably sleeping. LOL. I didn't even know about it, until I saw it in my inbox from Ryan (my partner) this morning.

The company has been hush, hush ever since their successful game, Heavy Rain was released, and gamers everywhere have been curious to know what they've been up to.  And OMG, even though this is just a tech demo, it clearly shows that this company has the ability to create something so stunning and emotionally riveting at the same time.  The video was only meant to show off the company's technological advancement, but now everyone is hoping they would consider making this into a game.  

KARA has truly touched my heart, and now, millions more. View it here...

iPad 3 Facts

The folks at Joy of Tech have released this wonderful chart showing you the truth about the new iPad 3, and why they think you should get this awesome new pad.  

I, for one, am enjoying the original iPad.  I don't get why people keep buying the newer versions of everything, nothing really changes in their lives. LOL.  Seriously. I use mine to check email, get on the internet, read books, blog, and watch videos.  What is so different about the iPad2 or 3 that will make it more convenient for me?  It's not like I'm going to be walking around taking pictures with this huge square object.  I have my iPhone for that. Just sayn'.

WTF Has Obama Done? - Issue No. 022 - Commerce, Trade & Technology

I remember reading, not even a month or two ago about President Obama asking congress for more power to streamline and reorganize the federal government.  He asked to be able to combine several agencies into one that would primarily deal with commerce and trade, including the Small Business Administration.  We'll see what happens, because you know how the REDs are only about making Obama a one-term president - that is their number one goal according to Mitch McConnell.  I ended up finding an article on the President's plan, you can read it here.

But long before he asked congress for help on his new, bold plan, he's been working on his achievements and promises.  We are going to look at three WTFs today, one concerning a broad policy, one in regard to funding and a targeted action - all having to do with technology, commerce and trade. 

WTF-64

Promoted internet freedom as part of U.S. foreign policy.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in early 2010 urged China to investigate cyber intrusions that led Google to threaten to pull out of that country – and challenged Beijing to openly publish its findings.

"Countries that restrict free access to information or violate the basic rights of Internet users risk walling themselves off from the progress of the next century," she said. Clinton said the U.S. and China "have different views on this issue, and we intend to address those differences candidly and consistently" as part of a cooperative relationship. [Read More]

***

In early 2010, Larry Downes over at c/net wrote an article showing how clear the White House was in developing an ambitious new plan to support information technology that previous administrations simply didn't have. The emerging emphasis on IT could lead to very positive developments, particularly for Internet companies and users.

There's no doubt that the plan will make universal broadband access for all Americans a national priority. Universal access will be defined as affordable, high-speed Internet availability throughout the United States and will rely on a combination of fiber, cable, satellite, copper, and high-speed wireless. (I heard no mention of broadband over power lines, a technology that has shown promise but has so far been held back by regulatory inertia.) Set-top box technologies that will make televisions act more like computers are also critical, particularly to lower-income Americans.

The administration believes that an aggressive rollout of higher speeds and full coverage will translate to faster economic recovery and increased competitiveness for U.S. businesses. Although broadband Internet access is currently available in 90 percent of the United States and installed in roughly 73 million homes, as a percentage of population, the U.S. currently ranks eighth in overall broadband penetration. [Read More-1, Read More-2]

WTF-65

Expanded loan programs for small businesses.

"the Small Business Administration's loan and micro-loan programs which provide start-up and long-term financing that small firms cannot receive through normal channels." were President Obama's words and promise during his campaign in 2008.

President Obama gave small business some love when he announced he was expanding programs for the Small Business Administration on March 16, 2009.

"Our recovery in the present and our prosperity in the future depend upon the success of America's small businesses and entrepreneurs," he said.

The Obama administration announced it was increasing the amount it would guarantee to private lenders making loans under Small Business Administration (SBA) programs. Previously, the federal government would guarantee 85 percent for loans at or below $150,000 and up to 75 percent for larger loans. Under the new program, the government will guarantee up to 90 percent of all loans for a limited time.

Obama promised he would expand Small Business Administration loan programs. The SBA does not lend money directly, so these moves have the effect of expanding the program by increasing incentives for private lenders. These efforts are temporary, but Obama specifically said he would be outlining further steps on behalf of small businesses in the weeks and months ahead. For now, the Obameter moves to Promise Kept. [Read More]

WTF-66

Small Business Act.

On Sept. 27, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Small Business Jobs Act, the most significant piece of small business legislation in over a decade. The new law is providing critical resources to help small businesses continue to drive economic recovery and create jobs. The new law extended the successful SBA enhanced loan provisions while offering billions more in lending support, tax cuts, and other opportunities for entrepreneurs and small business owners. [Read More]

• New Law Puts More Capital in the Hands of Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners

SBA Enhanced Loan Provisions – more than $12 billion in lending support
Higher Loan Limits – increased maximum loan sizes in top loan programs
Alternate Size Standards – more small businesses eligible to get SBA loans
Temporarily Allow for Commercial Real Estate Refinancing
Dealer Floor Plan (DFP) Pilot Program
Small Business “Intermediary” Lending Pilot

• New Law Strengthens Small Businesses’ Ability to Compete for and Win Contracts, Including Implementing Recommendations from the President’s Task Force on Federal Contracting Opportunities for Small Business

Equal Treatment across Federal Contracting Programs
More Opportunities for Small Businesses
Combating Fraud, Waste and Abuse

• New Law Promotes Small Business Exporting, Building on the President’s National Export Initiative

• Law Expands Training and Counseling

• New Law Provides $12 Billion in Tax Relief to Help Small Businesses Invest in their Firms, Create Jobs

• Treasury Department Provisions

I would like to list everything under each category, but there comes a time when even a blog gets too large. LOL. But make sure to click on the "Read More" links to read more on WTF-66.

I promise to come back to this topic in another issue, until then, please feel free to read my previous issues by clicking here.

Make sure to read the next issue
Issue No. 023 -Government Efficiency

WTF Has Obama Done is an ongoing series posted daily or weekly on BLADE 7184 until Election Day, 2012!

WTF Has Obama Done? - Issue No. 008 - Scientific and Medical Research

Okay, okay, I didn't post an issue of "WTF Has Obama Done?" yesterday, but it was the Superbowl and Madonna at half-time, can you really blame me? LOL.  There's going to be days I'll probably miss "here and there," because of personal events in my life, but I will continue posting them until election day, I promise.

In the last 7 issues I brought up the top 7 most important issues concerning Americans today - Civil Rights, Health Care, Immigration, our Military, Taxes, the Economy, and Foreign Policy.  I listed all of our President's achievements in regard to his broad policies and targeted actions for each topic.  I included an excerpt from each reference and listed the sources for each.

In today's issue I will cover 3 of the President's broad policies concerning Scientific and Medical Research.

WTF-20

Removed restrictions and provided support for embryonic stem-cell research and new biomedical research.

Pledging that his administration will “make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology,” President Obama on Monday lifted the Bush administration’s strict limits on human embryonic stem cell research. [Reference-1]

"I believe that the restrictions that President Bush has placed on funding of human embryonic stem cell research have handcuffed our scientists and hindered our ability to compete with other nations. As president, I will lift the current administration’s ban on federal funding of research on embryonic stem cell lines created after August 9, 2001 through executive order ... .." [Reference-2]

"In recent years, when it comes to stem cell research, rather than furthering discovery, our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values," Obama said at the White House.   In this case, I believe the two are not inconsistent. As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering. I believe we have been given the capacity and will to pursue this research -- and the humanity and conscience to do so responsibly." [Reference-3]

Launching a dramatic expansion of government support for one of the most promising but most contentious fields of biomedical research, the National Institutes of Health on Wednesday authorized the first 13 lines of cells under the administration's policy...[Reference-4]

WTF-21

Extended the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to establish an advisory council on science, technology, and innovation, it is hereby ordered as follows:

The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) is hereby established. The PCAST shall be composed of not more than 21 members, one of whom shall be the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology (the ‘‘Science Advisor’’), and 20 of whom shall include distinguished individuals and representatives from sectors outside of the Federal Government appointed by the President. These nonfederal members shall have diverse perspectives and expertise in science, technology, and innovation. The Science Advisor shall serve as a Co-Chair of the PCAST. The President shall also designate at least one, but not more than two, of the nonfederal members to serve as a Co-Chair of the PCAST with the Science Advisor. [Reference-1, Reference-2]

President Barack Obama said, "This council represents leaders from many scientific disciplines who will bring a diversity of experience and views. I will charge PCAST with advising me about national strategies to nurture and sustain a culture of scientific innovation."

PCAST will be co-chaired by John Holdren, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; Eric Lander, Director of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and one of the principal leaders of the Human Genome Project; and Harold Varmus, President and CEO of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, former head of the National Institutes of Health and a Nobel laureate. [Reference-3]

WTF-22

Supported Landsat Data Continuity Mission to enhance earth mapping.

Landsat is a satellite program, jointly run by NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey, that has been used for climate research, natural resources management, land development, public safety, homeland security and disaster recovery. It has operated for more than 25 years, with two satellites — Landsat-5, launched in 1984, and Landsat-7, launched in 1999 — still in orbit. But they are operating beyond their planned life and are subject to failure.

To ensure that the program survives, NASA and USGS are developing the Landsat Data Continuity Mission, or LDCM, which is planning to launch a spacecraft in December 2012, according to the Congressional Research Service.  [Reference]

As promised, I will come back to this topic in another issue.  Please make sure to read Issue No. 009 as I continue with WTF-23
Posted daily or weekly on BLADE 7184 until Election Day!

2012 GM Advanced Tech Window

I'm starting to think there's really nothing one can't do.  

General Motors has not implemented this innovative technology into their vehicles, but I'm sure you'll be seeing it in the near future.  As you will see in the video below, GM challenged Bezalel Academy graduate students from Israel to conceptualize new experiences for rear seat passengers. And this when the Windows of Opportunity Project was born.

It's actually pretty darn cool.  I wish this were around when I was a kid.  It sure would have kept me occupied during the 9 hour trip to grandma's house.  And it would've definitely kept me and my sister from fighting in the backseat so much, LOL.

Yes, I Still Have The Original iPhone...

Despite the fact that it's been dropped hundreds of times, run over once, and in a swimming pool for 15 to 20 minutes - the damn thing still lives on.  Sorry guys, but I'm waiting for the iPhone 6 or 7 - so hush.

Why do I want to buy something that ain't going to understand "ain't" or "work"?  Like this poor Japanese guy who can't get that dumb bitch, Siri to understand him.

America's Most Protected Car

Ever wonder how well our U.S. President is protected?  Well the Daily Mail felt it was a great idea to share the news to the rest of the world, and all our terrorist friends.  In article titled, "How Barack Obama's armour-plated Beast was grounded in Ireland: Let's hope it doesn't hit any speed bumps in London," the online news site provided a detailed image of President Obama's car, along with where his pump-action shotguns are stored.  And since the image has already reached the entire hemisphere, let's take a look inside...

click to enlarge

Tech News 101: iPad2

Thinner, Lighter, Faster, I don't care what everybody tells me.  The iPad2 is phenomenal.  So phenomenal that it is believed to be sold out at all locations, including retail stores and partners.  Don't get me wrong, I love my iPad "One," but I really, really want the iPad2.  The second generation tablet became an instant hit over the weekend, selling over 1 million of them.  In comparison to last year's launch of the first generation iPad, which sold 1 million in a month, this is quite a huge deal.  This is what you call "huge" revenues for the Apple crime family.  LOL, just kidding.

I just wonder how many folks are kicking themselves in the ass for buying the iPad "One" over the holidays and not waiting 3 months for the new and improved version.

Tearing It All Apart

Growing up I found myself tearing things apart; not for aesthetic purposes, but for the mere joy of finding out how they were made.  Of course, once I took the items apart I could never figure out how to put them back together.  I can't recall how many toys, clocks, watches, and miscellaneous things my dad would tell me not to play with, that I destroyed.

Today, the thought of taking apart my cell phone or my iPad would be unthinkable.  I can't imagine what mess I would be in.

In the images below you will be able to see several outdated gadgets, with all the pieces that were used to make them laid out on a table.  At the bottom of the last image, you can click on the 'Read More' link and look at them in a different perspective.  This is photography and technology at its best, check them out.