• Science

    Why Aren't Batteries Better Yet?

    By Posted on 8.13.2008 16 Comments

    PopSci reader VectorAKA2004 raises a good question: "I wonder why batteries are lagging behind portable technologies. We advance cell phones and all kinds of things so far and still barely have the power to run them. We have yet to create batteries that can efficiently store solar energy, or other renewable energy sources." What do you think? Discuss in the comments. Submit your science and technology questions to fyi@popsci.com.

    Article Rating:
    8.15.2008 at 09:28pm - Comment by chamberlanderic

    Advances in portable power is a war on many front first the batteries themselves, second the power consumption of the devices. with tinier processors and miniaturization, companies have come a long way. we would probably be way further by now if the Electric car of 1839 had pick up instead of the gas car. but to go the way of infinite power we need to bring in more technologies together, solar charger embedded in the device etc. one thing I don't get thou is why things like cell phone don't have some kind of shaking recharging system, to help keep the charge .

  • Science

    Prehistoric Explosions Wiped Out Ocean Life-- And Created Petroleum

    By Posted on 7.26.2008 38 Comments

    A new study by the University of Alberta suggests that a massive undersea volcano eruption 93 million years ago was the source of much of the world’s oil. Researchers Steven Turgeon and Robert Creaser were alerted to the prehistoric blast when they found specific levels of osmium isotopes (indicators of volcanic activity in sea water) in black shale rocks off the coast of South America and in the mountains of central Italy.

    7.25.2008 at 02:03pm - Comment by chamberlanderic

    Don't tell that to the oil industry they are going to trigger volcano everywhere

  • Entertainment & Gaming

    Cycling Linked to Numbness, Irritation and More

    By Posted on 7.8.2008 5 Comments

    To some men, bicycles may look like the key to good health and a prosperous sex life—riding around all day keeps you fit and attractive; you can save that $4.50 a gallon of gas money for your date/girlfriend/boyfriend/house party; and you get to wear really, really tight clothes. But there’s a downside. Cycling can also cause genital numbness, erection problems and skin irritations in the groin area, a new report in the urology journal BJU International confirms, citing several medical studies over the last few years.

    7.10.2008 at 11:00am - Comment by chamberlanderic

    you just need to get a good seat, not one of those ultra light competition seats that feel like sitting on a brick. BTW, runners end up with problems too, so are golfers etc etc the whole thing here is to do it with moderation.

  • The Environment

    Is Pollution Slowing Global Warming?

    By Posted on 7.9.2008 12 Comments

    Wait, now pollution is preventing global warming? That’s the conclusion of a recent study in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, which says rising temperatures seen in Europe over the last few years result as much from the reduction of air pollution as from the creation of it. The research, which looked at the effects of aerosols on climate, confirms an older concept known as global dimming, and complicates our understanding of how mankind affects the climate.

    7.10.2008 at 10:55am - Comment by chamberlanderic

    I agree with all you guys, to blame all our problems on CO2 is the same narrow mind thinking that we had in the 80 with the aerosol cans. we thought that getting rid of them would save the ozone and therefore the planet. I can think of many others (recycling paper anyone ?). They can't even predict this afternoon weather right! I agree the climate is changing but to concentrate all our effort on CO2 is just going to make miss the whole picture once again.



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