Lunar scientists’ plan for sustainable and affordable Moon base

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Settlement on the Moon

It’s been a dream for a long time to have a human settlement on the Moon, but in this age of budget cuts and indecisive plans for NASA’s future, a Moon base may seem too costly and beyond our reach.  But a noted lunar scientist, Dr. Paul Spudis from the Lunar and Planetary Institute and a colleague, Tony Lavoie from the Marshall Space Flight Center, have come up with a plan for building a lunar settlement that is not only affordable but sustainable. It creates a Moon base along with a type of ‘transcontinental railroad’ in space which opens up cislunar space – the area between Earth and the Moon – for development.

 

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Only One Week Left to Exhibit!

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/30221121[/vimeo]

Deadline for Exhibiting at the DaVinci Inventor Showcase is Friday, Oct 28th

The DaVinci Inventor Showcase is one of the nation’s premier events focused on creating a link between inventors and world marketplace. By allowing inventors to take center stage and tell the world about their product, they hope to create an unparalleled experience for everyone involved.

The DaVinci Institute often get asked the question about how many of the inventor for the DaVinci Inventor Showcase have become successful. The short answer is – “lots of them.” We don’t know the details on everyone, but we thought we’d share a few stories about some of them:

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How much radiation are you exposed to on a plane?

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Radiation is all around you on an airplange.

Since the Fukushima nuclear disaster, you’ve probably heard me and other people talk about the radiation exposure we experience in everyday life. All humans, throughout history, have been exposed to background radiation produced constantly by the natural environment. Then there’s added exposures from modern sources: X-rays and medical scans, living near power plants (both coal and nuclear, and the coal is actually worse), and flying in airplanes…

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Children’s drawings transformed into stuffed toys

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From the mind of a child.

Child’s Own Studio is a home-based craft business which makes stuffed toys from children’s drawings; some drawings are sent in by adults who want personalized gifts for their children, and sometimes children submit the drawings to make gifts for their parents…

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Autistic kids have distinct facial characteristics: study

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Images like this helped researchers determine differences in the faces of children with autism.

University of Missouri researchers may be a step closer to understanding what causes autism.  They have found differences between the facial characteristics of children who have autism and those who don’t.

 

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Genetically modified pigs could provide human organs by 2013

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GM pigs could provide human organs for transplant.

There is a persistent shortage of human organs and this has led experts to investigate methods of using pigs created with human genes, so that body parts grown in them can be harvested for use in patients without their immune systems rejecting them.  Organs grown in genetically modified pigs could be transplanted into humans in as little as two years’ time, scientists believe.

 

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Man-mad world – diagrams show how technology has taken over Earth

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Global map showing major road and rail networks over land, along with transmission line and underwater cable data superimposed over satellite images of cities illuminated at night

The images show silvery threads stretching around the dark globe that create a dramatic spider’s web showing the patterns of our global sprawl. (Pics)

 

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Imec – membrane-based plant cultivation lets plants grow on film instead of soil

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWvrkJJbPoM&hd=1[/youtube]

This video provides more insight (on both the advantages and the disadvantages of Imec)

Tokyo-based Mebiol is working on an membrane–based plant cultivation technology called Imec that makes it possible to let plants grow on thin film instead of soil. The film is made of a water-absorbent material called hydrogel and is just “tens of microns” thick.

 

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‘The Lamplighter’ shines bright for Inventor Art Contest winner Tyler Voorhees

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The Lamplighter is one of five images in the ‘Jobs of Yesteryear’ series.

As the dust settles on the award ceremonies for the Inventor Art Contest held on Friday, October 14 at DaVinci Institute, ImpactLab took a moment to talk with Best of Show recipient Tyler Voorhees about his work, his future and his studio, Doc’s Lollipops…

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Leash Locket – retractable leash magnetically snaps to your dog’s collar

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Featured invention at the Davinci Inventor Showcase 2011

An innovative retractable dog leash designed to fit into a compact, incredibly strong locket that snaps to a magnetic collar attachment when not in use, allowing your dog to carry the leash when you want hands-free convenience.

 

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NASA To unfurl the largest Solar Sail ever flown in space

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Come sail away.

In a series of upcoming technology demonstration missions, NASA is hoping to prove that giant solar sails are a practical way to explore the cosmos, even though warp drive engines and rocket powered spacecraft make for better movie fodder.

Starting in 2015, NASA will be launching a series of three experiment driven missions, including one that will confirm the feasibility of using solar sails as a viable means of cheap propulsion. The giant 125×125 foot sail is seven times as large as those previously flown in space, but will one day need to be considerably larger to shuttle astronauts around…

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Discover the Hidden Patterns of Tomorrow with Futurist Thomas Frey
Unlock Your Potential, Ignite Your Success.

By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.

Learn More about this exciting program.