Scan this

[unixronin]

Not worldshaking news, but cool anyway:  About a year and a half ago, we salvaged a HP ScanJet 5470c from a computer recycler in Greenville, condition unknown, no cables, no power supply.  We picked up it, another scanner, a ViewSonic 19" pivoting LCD monitor (also without power supply), and a Bay Networks 16-port 10/100 switch, all for something like $20.  (There may have been something else too, I no longer remember.)  Last week, I finally got around to ordering a power supply from HP for the ScanJet.  A little frobbing and finagling, a cannibalized USB cable, and a firmware upgrade later, and we have a fully functional 2400dpi 24-bit color scanner.

Among other things, I'll probably be using this to see if I can successfully scan some of my airbrush paintings (and maybe rework them a little) and be able to offer digital prints for sale.

---

Other cool stuff:

A new spin on the IC engine:  motomuffin found this interesting engine from Axial Vector Engine Corporation.  The basic concept is quite simple; it's a 12-cylinder swashplate engine with no crankshaft, camshafts, or spark plugs, using piezo-electric valves, direct fuel injection, and capacitive-discharge plasma ignition.  The engine doesn't need a starter motor; you just determine which cylinder is ready to fire, inject fuel, and fire it.  Axial Vector claims 205HP and 650 lb.ft of torque (no, that's not a typo) from an engine weighing under 100lb, with 40% better fuel efficiency than a conventional Otto-cycle engine.  Apparently the FAA certified an engine of this basic type for experimental light aircraft applications in 1957, but "it was never commercialized because the energy efficiency, weight and space advantages of the original engine were not sufficient to overcome entrenched competitive technologies in an era when energy efficiency, weight and space didn't matter."

What the well-dressed soldier of 2010 will be wearing:  Israeli company ApNano has developed fullerene armor (yes, I'm talking to you, Schlock Mercenary fans) which they claim is five times stronger than steel and twice as strong as anything currently being used in protective gear (which would include Kevlar, Spectra, and Zylon).  ApNano's fullerene ballistic material has successfully resisted penetration by a steel projectile fired into it at 1.5 km/sec (about 5000fps).  ApNano plans to begin full-scale production of fullerene ballistic armor by 2007; the first fullerene-armor products could be on the market in 2009.

And last but not least, when it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight:  james_nicoll discusses some of the ramifications of a new quantum theory which, if correct, could yield a real, workable, within reach of today's technology FTL stardrive.

Comments

[richspk.livejournal.com]

What an appropriate song for the last two bits! Starship Trooper, fullerene armor, and FTL travel. :)

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Yeah, could hardly have come out better if I'd planned it. :)

[bfudlmint.livejournal.com]

If that company is above board it may be a good place to invest.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

For those who have money to invest, yes.....

[bfudlmint.livejournal.com]

You need to have money to invest? No wonder I never do it.

[juuro.livejournal.com]

A swashplate engine with high torque? I'm not sure... the forces acting on the sine plate will be somewhat large. I need to be a bit more convinced of the wear and aging characteristics of the thing.

[olafthunderfoot.livejournal.com]

hmm, that engine would be great for a bike!

[motomuffin.livejournal.com]

I dig the credit, but it was posted on NEDoD, then I swiped the link and pasted it on motorcycles just 'cause things like that get me all hot & bothered.

Mmmmm, Engine Design. *drool*

;)