From Engadget: Open-mesh PC case keeps heat, dust bunnies at bay

open-mesh-pc-case-keeps-heat-dust-bunnies-at-bay

If you haven’t done it in a while, opening your PC case can be like a slasher flick — you know you’ll see something disgusting, but you’re never sure what. Taiwan’s YoungYear Electronics claims to stop the horror with its Green Mesh case, which has neither fans to suck dust, nor filters, and keeps your components cool with a “chimney effect” instead. It’s this same action that repels dust out the top, so that only one quarter the usual amount of filth is drawn in — according to the company. The only downside is that with poor heat dissipation, the maximum power supply unit size is 300 watts — which probably scratches it off the list for most modders or power-users. For the rest, if you don’t mind your computer’s innards blowing in the breeze, at least you’d have no nasty case-opening frights.

 

from Engadget

From MAKE: Cool Superhydrophobic Surface Demos



Both these videos are from German web retailer Innovative Materials, who apparently used to sell something called “superhydrophobic aerogel” in powder or granule form. In these videos, surfaces coated with this powder react in interesting ways to water. They seem to be sold out of the stuff, but a bit of Googling confirms that superhydrophobic aerogels do exist and can be made in many ways. Exactly what type was used in these demonstrations is unclear. [via Boing Boing]

Innovative Materials Blog: Aerogel Powder

More:
How to make water bounce

from MAKE

From Lifehacker: Use a Soap Pump as a Mess-Free Toothpaste Dispenser

If you share your bathroom with a spouse or siblings, one of the most disgusting ways the sink gets dirty is from globs of toothpaste left behind by the people who brushed their teeth before you. Thankfully, the solution is simple: a simple, $1 soap pump from the dollar store. Load it up with the toothpaste of your choice, put it next to the sink, and enjoy your clean sink. More »
 

from Lifehacker

From Engadget: Visualized: Stunning long-exposure ‘star trail’ photo taken from the ISS

Visualized:ISS Photo

Ever wondered what goes on up at the International Space Station? We like to think it’s all floating around and eating freeze-dried steak. Astronaut Don Pettit decided to take a break from his no-doubt mundane routine and capture the spectacular image you see above. We say image, it’s actually multiple 30-second exposure snaps layered on top of each other. Needless to say the result is both humbling, and hypnotic. Best of all? There’s a collection of them, waiting to steal your afternoon with slack-jawed wonderment. Hit the source for the mind-melt.

 

from Engadget