models

Students blast off in egg payload rocket contest

Big rockets like the SpaceX Grasshopper and the Orbital Antares have been in the news lately, but those are a little out of reach for the average student. That's why the Aerospace Industries Association's Team America Rocketry Challenge exists. It fans the maker flames by challenging kids to design, build, and launch model rockets.

The rocket challenge finals took place over the weekend. It was a record year for the competition's turnout, with 725 teams battling through the initial rounds. The top 100 teams participated in the final fly-off in Virginia, representing 29 states with teams from schools, 4-H clubs, and even a team made up of Civil Air Patrol volunteers.

The competition was open to students in grades 7 through 12. All the teams had one goal: build the best model rocket. The challenge was to fly an egg to 750 feet up in the air, and then parachute it back to the ground with no damage. That's even harder than it sounds.… Read more

Tesla hits first profitable quarter ever

In his quarterly earnings letter to shareholders on Wednesday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that "Tesla reached profitability in the first quarter of 2013 for the first time in our 10-year history."

Not only did the electric car company exceed analyst expectations, but Musk said (PDF) Tesla even outdid its own expectations for deliveries and gross margin. The company reported adjusted earnings of 12 cents per share on revenue of $562 million, which is far higher than the expected 3 cents per share. Its profit was $11 million after charges.

Tesla's total revenue for the first quarter … Read more

Crave Ep. 119: The flexible MorePhone contorts when you get a call

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This week on Crave, we take a look at a concept phone that can change its shape when you get a notification. Plus, Microsoft shows off the IllumiRoom projector that puts gamers inside video games and we play another round of "Into It Not Into It"! … Read more

Caffeine-infused lingerie claims to blast fanny fat

There are many ways you can attempt to fight fat. You can exercise and revamp your diet or you can try slipping into some super-slinky French undies. Not just any French undies will do. A new line of Top Model shapewear from French lingerie designer Simone Perele comes with lacy trim and some interesting cellulite-fighting claims.

We've already seen Wrangler jeans with infused moisturizers and underwear made with copper, so I guess it should come as no surprise that we can now buy shapewear infused with caffeine, vitamin E, Retinol, ceramides, fatty acids, and aloe vera. Those extras, encapsulated in the microfiber fabric, rub off on your skin as you wear it.… Read more

Tesla offers loaner cars, valet service

Tesla announced today that it would offer its high-end Model S Performance edition, with an 85 kilowatt-hour battery pack, and the Roadster as loaner cars for when owners' cars are being serviced. As Tesla sells cars directly to owners, the company, rather than a dealer, handles all service and loaner-car issues.

No matter what Model S version is in for service, owners will have their choice of the Model S Performance edition, which retails for $87,400, or one of the older Roadster models as a loaner car. Further, Tesla said it will let owners who would like to upgrade … Read more

Tesla plans big announcement that Model S owners 'will like'

There's the possibility that Tesla may be looking to make its luxury all-electric cars a tiny bit more affordable. The company's CEO Elon Musk tweeted Thursday that Tesla will announce some big news on Friday.

Announcement of new @teslamotors strategy tomorrow. Tesla owners will like this.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 25, 2013

While no further information is given, this tweet does offer some clues into what Musk may be suggesting. The fact that he mentioned it will be something "Tesla owners will like" harkens back to a similar tweet from last month.

After tweeting about an … Read more

A new way to predict breast cancer survival

A researcher who used to work in digital television has just led a team of Columbia University engineers to win the Sage Bionetworks / DREAM Breast Cancer Prognosis Challenge.

Dimitris Anastassiou, who is now a systems biologist (meaning he investigates interactions within biological systems), reports in the April 17 issue of Science Translational Medicine that his team's winning computation model is extremely predictive of breast cancer survival.

Before the challenge, Anastassiou and his team identified what they call "attractor metagenes," which are genetic signatures expressed in almost the exact same way across many types of cancer. Their new … Read more

Tesla kills 40 kWh battery for Model S over 'lack of demand'

The 40 kWh battery option that was offered to Tesla Model S customers won't be put into production after all.

Tesla announced the news yesterday, saying that its decision was made after it witnessed a "lack of demand" for the 40 kWh (kilowatt-hours) battery. Just 4 percent of those who ordered the Tesla S asked for the smaller battery pack.

Tesla, an electric carmaker, said that customers who ordered the 40 kWh option will get a 60 kWh pack instead. However, to keep the price down to the same level as the 40 kWh option, the better … Read more

Raspberry Pi $25 model sells out soon after U.S. debut

U.S. consumers unable to grab a $25 slice of Raspberry Pi yesterday are now out of luck.

The so-dubbed Linux PC on a stick hit the U.S. market yesterday morning. Both the $25 Model A and the $35 Model B versions are listed by U.S. retailer Allied Electronics. But the $25 flavor of Raspberry Pi has already flown off the virtual shelves.

Trying to purchase Model A today triggers a message that says that "this item is out of stock and may not be backordered. Please remove to continue."

Model B is still up for … Read more

Plastic model urinals, toilets aimed at Japan hobbyists

The deep, dark world of Japan's otaku geeks contains fetishes galore. For those who find both figurines and toilets exciting, Santa came very early this year.

Now they can get their hands on these 1:12-scale toilet and urinal model kits that guarantee hours of fun -- and perhaps some social ostracism.

Released earlier this month by hobby goods makers Milestone and Aoshima, the Oretachi no 1/12 Benjo loos are of course obsessively detailed. … Read more