From Geeks are Sexy Technology News: Building the Lego Super Star Destroyer

I am out and I get a call on my cell from a dear friend of mine. He just informs me that he is setting aside the rest of his day to build his new Lego Super Star Destroyer. My first reaction?

“You bought this massive Lego Star Destroyer with your very own hard earned money and you have the GALL to tell me you are starting without me??”

I promptly invade his home and insisted that I be a part of this massive undertaking.

Let me tell you. This is not a task for the easily distracted. Or Poor. The commitment to build the Lego Super Star Destroyer is a commitment not easily broken. Once you open that telephone book of instructions to this incredibly detailed 50 inch (1.27 meters) Lego masterpiece, you better have a lot of time on your hands.

Tran, Ken and I set out to build this set while our better halves decreased Tran’s wine reserves.

The Display Title with statistics.

Chassis assembly.

Partial hull detail with (not to scale) bridge interior.

Outer plating installed.

Another look at (not to scale) bridge interior. Includes holographic Emperor piece!

For scale, an Imperial Class Star Destroyer flies alongside.

Detail of bridge.

Rear view.

Tran making final adjustments.

The finished product.

This set is truly a masterpiece. This massive set comes packed in separate numbered bags. I wasn’t exaggerating when I said the instructions resembled a phone book. It is quite daunting. We were constantly amazed at the clever construction methods, and giggled like children when we saw the tiny Imperial Class Star Destroyer and minifigs.

Thanks again to Tran, who let me share in this amazing day of Lego building.

Lego Death Star is next on the list!

 
from Geeks are Sexy Technology News

From Gizmodo: The Man From Nowhere: This Is Why You Don’t Mess with the Quiet Ones

This movie will RILE you up!
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Imagine a man with Chuck Norris’ tenacity, Jason Bourne’s fighting prowess, Vlad the Impaler’s viciousness, and Bryan Mills’ motivation. That man pales compared to the single-minded destruction factory that is Tae-Sik Cha, a former CIA spook frantically searching for a missing child. More »



from Gizmodo

From Engadget: Nanoshells trap light for more efficient solar panels

Nanoshells

Scientists at Stanford are hard at work trying to improve the efficiency and durability of solar panels— two key factors that have kept the Sun from becoming a more popular source of energy. Their latest effort involves nanocrystalline-silicon, a material that has proven resilient and highly conductive, but not very good at absorbing light. Their solution, nanoshells — hollowed out spheres of silicon that trap and recirculate light much like a whispering gallery does sound. Balls of the crystalline material are dipped in silicon, then hydrofluoric acid is used to eat way the center of the sphere, leaving a path for light to enter. The shells trap the light, allowing more of it to be absorbed, and also reduces the effect of non-optimal angles on energy production. Hit up the source for a few more details.

 

from Engadget

From Autoblog: Video: Translogic visits Europe, first to drive the Lightning GT

The Lightning GT all-electric supercar has been inching its way towards production for years now. The last time we talked about itwas November 2010, but it’s back thanks to Translogic.

The video series from our colleagues at AOL Autos took a trip to Europe and managed to score the very first drive of the Lightning GT before anyone else. Not even Top Gear has sat in this thing and it’s being developed in their backyard.

The specs for the car as they stand today are 400 horsepower from its electric motor powering the rear wheels for a 0-60 time of around 4.5 seconds and a maximum range of 150 miles. The folks behind the Lightning GT even claim that their lithium-titanate batteries (sourced from the U.S.) can be recharged in just 10 minutes when paired with a big daddy ultra powerful off-board charger.

Bold claims for sure, and we’d likely describe the Lightning GT as vaporware if Translogic didn’t just drive it. Drive it they did, though, so follow the jumpto watch Translogic host Bradley Hasemeyer be the first to put foot to floor in the Lightning GT.

Continue reading Translogic visits Europe, first to drive the Lightning GT

 

from Autoblog

From Autoblog: Video: This is the difference between a sports sedan and the GT-R

m5 versus gtr

Okay, this is an easy one. If we told you to pick a performance winner between the Nissan GT-R and the BMW M5, we’re guessing the vast majority of you would pick Godzilla to come out on top. Both vehicles feature over 500 horsepower, but the BMW weighs over 400 pounds more, and the GT-R counters with one of the world’s most impressive all-wheel-drive systems.

That didn’t stop the Autocar team from pitting the M5 against the GT-R in a test of acceleration, cornering, braking, G-force and general feel. Given the GT-R’s 0-60 time of 2.8 seconds and its reputation for otherworldly handling, you know how this one is going to play out. But will the Nissan super coupe take all five tests? To be honest, a few of the tests were a bit closer than we would have thought. Hit the jumpto check it out.

Continue reading This is the difference between a sports sedan and the GT-R

 

from Autoblog