Drones That Can Suck Up Water Hunt Oil Leaks, Invasive Species

Drones able to take water samples could be the first in a new wave of hands-on aerial robots.

Drones carrying cameras or infrared sensors have already found favor with farmers, police forces, and extreme sports enthusiasts. Now engineers are testing versions of the tiny craft that can do more than just observe.

from New on MIT Technology Review http://ift.tt/151fj1y
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Why Do Sneezes Come In Twos and Threes?

Sneezes never seem to be lonely. As soon as you expel your first mighty “achoo,” there’s usually another sneeze lurking right behind to follow it up. For some people, there…

from Popular Science http://ift.tt/1J52qTx
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Aircraft with Hybrid Engine Can Recharge in Flight

Researchers from the University of Cambridge, in association with Boeing, have successfully tested the first aircraft to be powered by a parallel hybrid-electric propulsion system, where an electric motor and gas engine work together to drive the propeller. The demonstrator aircraft uses up to 30% less fuel than a comparable plane with a gas-only engine. The aircraft is also able to recharge its batteries in flight, the first time this has been achieved.

from NASA Tech Briefs – Nasa Tech Briefs http://ift.tt/1CGibMA
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