Recently it was announced the the first entirely artificial heart will be ready for human trials in two and a half years. With about 20,000 people per year in line for heart transplants, this is sure to be the medical breakthrough of the decade. The main problem with prototypes in the past has been that the immune system rejects the foreign device and it would cause way more harm that it would help the patient. But Alain Carpentier, head of the European research team that developed the device, is using chemically treated animal tissue so apparently rejection isn’t an issue. With help from aerospace engineers, the device is shaped just like a human heart and has the same blood flow rhythms. The heart has been tested on animals and in computer simulations and has shown no complications thus far. Very cool stuff.

Filed under: Science, technology by cuda114
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Ever need more digital storage on the road? Does that new netbook lack the storage to hold your whole movie and/or music catalog? Well, Lacie’s latest network drive doubles as internet storage so you can retrieve and save files from your hard drive at home remotely, wherever you’ve got an internet connection. Coming in both 500gb and 1tb models, this product will allow more of us to jump on the pricey solid state harddrive bandwagon in new netbooks and laptops because we won’t need the space physically in your rig. The new product is only showing up on the UK site and will run ya 134.99 and 179.99 pounds for each model. [via GizMag]

Filed under: Computer, Home by cuda114
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Completed just last year, this beautiful four story building is located in the East end of Melbourne, Australia. Designed by the architects of McBride Charles Ryan, the Monaco House is an extremely interesting spectacle which utilizes every square inch of its small land allotment of only 6.1m width by 17m depth. This is another post that is all about the pictures, so peruse the pictures to see the outrageous angles used in this visually stunning piece of the architecture.

Filed under: architecture by cuda114
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Italian Company Sturm Und Plastic, designers of some pretty snazzy furniture has released an innovative new couch/bench called the “Double Up” that is equally as comfortable as it does cool. The backing of the seats is comprised of a series of colorful slats that fit in the seat slats when pushed down. The user can do anything they want with these slats such as create half bench, half sofa, or fan them out to create a stunning presentation. It is made from soft, self-skinning polyurethane, which gives it a cushy feel. There are some unknowns here, such as what self-skinning means, or how much this will cost, but it is currently available to the public. [Via LikeCool]

Filed under: Furniture, design by cuda114
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Tanya Vlach is a blogger like myself, however she sees things in a very different perspective. In 2005, she lost an eye in a car accident, and since then has run a blog called the “monocular life.” She currently has a realistic acrylic prosthesis but she is planning for a huge change. On her blog she challenged her engineer readers to design an “eye cam” for her prosthesis. That’s right, a webcam built in her eye that is capable of recording her daily life with DVR recording on a mini SD card. Now that is awesome. Her doctor has cleared it and it’s only a matter of time before the first person in history has a recording robotic eye. Very Cool. [Via Engadget]

Filed under: Misc, technology by cuda114
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There are a few indisputable facts in this world. The earth is round, the sky is blue and bacon makes everything better. In that vein, the self-proclaimed Bacontrepreneurs at J & D’s have come up with a baco-lutionary new product, Baconnaise. (too much baco- for you? never!) This takes the delicious flavor of bacon to a whole new spreadable, dip-able level. Channel your inner Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and slather it on pizza. Or pour some on your pancakes as an homage to Homer Simpson. I kid, I kid, for us mere mortals baconnaise is great as a dip for french fries, onion rings, calamari, even veggies. Smear on a sandwich or use in place of regular mayo (aka sucker’s mayo) in potato, macaroni or egg salad. Check out their website for recipes, retail locations or to buy online.
Props to the guys at J & D’s for being equal opportunity bacon providers: Baconnaise is vegetarian and kosher. FTW!

Filed under: Food by cuda114
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After three years of extensive research and development, Rip Curl has released an innovative product known as the H-Bomb. As a surfer, I know what it’s like to be freezing during a surf sesh. You are sitting on your board in NorCal waiting for the next set to roll in, but its absolutely freezing and the 2 mm wetsuit aint cuttin’ it. The H-Bomb, the worlds first power heated wetsuit would be ideal for situations like this where warmth is truly needed. When your body is faced with extreme cold conditions blood flow is restricted to your core to protect your ograns. This decreased bloodflow to your limbs results in numbness and discomfort. With the H-Bomb wetsuit, your core is kept warm which means that your body will continue to pump valuable blood to your extremities. It works using a non-metallic carbon-fiber heating element that is built into the back of the suit that’s coupled with a high-stretch titanium lining that reflects the heat from the elements onto your body. It is powered using lithium ion batteries which provide about 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 hours of heating depending on the intensity level you use. Rip Curl actually teamed up with a waterproof camera housing manufacturer to develop a 100% waterproof low-profile casing that ensures that the heating element and battery will remain dry even at depth. The Rip Curl H-Bomb wetsuits retail for between $1,000 to $1,100 depending on the size. Be sure to check out the H-Bomb website for videos showing how it works, the thermal technology, and other cool media features. [Via OhGizmo]

Filed under: Gear, Outdoor, technology by cuda114
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Perhaps the coolest, most innovative wallets we have seen yet have made their way to the marketplace. Dosh Wallets of Australia have revealed their ‘09 line of wallets which are a extremely unique in its design, packaging, construction, and appearance. They are made from a blend of flexible and semiflexible polymers, which result in a durable, flexible, and waterproof wallet. And thanks to the very wide array of technicolor options, you can choose exactly which wallet suits your taste. The pictures tell the rest of the story, so enjoy and check out the website to purchase one. They are about 100 bucks give or take, depending on the model.

Filed under: Clothes, Gear, design by cuda114
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