All six Pratt Whitney Rocketdyne space shuttle main engines from Endeavour’s STS-134 and Atlantis’ STS-135 missions sit in test cells inside the Engine Shop at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. For the first time, all 15 shuttle main engines are in the shop at the same time, being prepped for shipment to NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, where they are being repurposed for use on NASA’s next generation heavy lift rocket, the Space Launch System. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

Although we certainly didn’t arrive early enough to be at the front of this joyous funeral procession, I made my way to the front to see the Fisker Karma in action. The fisheye lens of my GoPro does not do this car justice. But you’ve already seen better pictures. What was really interesting was the sound. It was very spacey-wacey. (credit Dr. Who with that one)

I chose to not add music to this video because The Silence is what’s really interesting. Granted, not much noise comes through the waterproof housing of the GoPro, but still, the silence was indeed deafening. I stopped to ride with my friends, but the parade continued on, there were at least 20 more cars behind us.

Read more about the event, and see video interviews with EV industry luminaries here.

Continue the celebration by heading to a theater near you to see Revenge of the Electric Car, opening this weekend.

Vienna is Austria’s cultural, political, and economic center. It’s rated as one of the best cities in the world in which to live. It attracts millions of tourists a year. And the cyclists are taking over.

Austria’s transportation association, the Austrian Transport Club (VCÖ), has been counting the cyclists on the road daily between April and August since 2003. This year, they’ve got good news for Austrians and the rest of the world – more cyclists are on the road than ever before.

Bicycle Traffic Up an Average of 25%

Martin Blum of the VCÖ reports that cycle traffic is up all over town – nearly 5,000 cyclists daily go through the Opernring section of Vienna’s Ringstrasse, and well over 2,000 pass Vienna West Station each day. The Vienna Row saw nearly double its previous numbers of cyclists – just shy of 1,200 per day!

In addition to putting out traffic counters and recording the number of cyclists each day, the VCÖ also polled the city – 44% of the respondents reported they were cycling more often because of high gasoline prices, not to mention health or environmental concerns. Regardless of the reason to cycle, Blum strongly supports his fellow citizens: “Anyone on a bicycle not only saves money, but reduces traffic congestion, improves air quality, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The cyclists deserve our heartfelt thanks,” he said.

Vienna Responds to the Cycling Crowd

Vienna is responding to the rapid increase of cyclists; the cycling infrastructure is expanding to accommodate the new cycle traffic, and existing bottlenecks are being removed. Blum also advocates abolishing mandatory use of the bicycle lane. “If experienced cyclists are allowed to slip into normal traffic lanes, then the newer riders have more space in the bike lane,” he explains. “That’s where they’ll feel the safest.”

The VCÖ is promoting further infrastructure improvements, including opening one-way streets to two-way bike traffic. Belgium and the Canton of Bern have already adopted this practice, allowing cyclists to ride either way on all but the narrowest of streets. Another example the VCÖ would like to see followed is the Cycle Superhighway seen in London.

Traffic Increase By Location

The VCÖ compiled a list of the most popular cycling locations in Vienna and tracked the increase in cyclists for each of them between 2010 and 2011, summarized in the list below.

• Vienna Row: up 76%
• Vienna West Station: up 25%
• Argentinierstrasse: up 24%
• Opernring: up 22%
• Lasallestrasse: up 16%
• Donaukanal: up 13%

We know a lot of our readers are cyclists themselves, or interact with them on the road – any stories? Impressions? Tell us what you think of cycling in major cities in the comments, below.

Source: Oekonews.at | Image: Eurobike.

Although Connie is very fit and active, she really enjoys her time on the sofa. This laid back lady can live with other dogs, children and cats. She is sure to make a wonderful addition to the family.

Rocky is a friendly and good natured lad who gets along with other dogs, cats, and children of all ages. He is desperately seeking a permanent or foster home due to his owner becoming too ill to care for him. Can Rocky join your family?

Nissan announced yet another EV charging system on Thursday – but their newest offering doesn’t need cords or cables. The very cool Zero Contact Charging System is ready to go as soon you put the car on top of it. No fuss, no muss, just automatic charging as soon as the EV is within range.

The Zero Contact system is Nissan’s proprietary technology, and uses the electromagnetic induction method. Testing performed and reported by Nissan claim about 80-90% efficiency when compared to charging the EV with a standard cable.

When a vehicle with the appropriate integrated charging equipment parks on the Zero Contact Charging System mat, the above-ground supply unit’s coils transmit current using magnetic force. The current is then sent to the receiver’s coils on the EV. Parking doesn’t even need to be that precise – the EV can still charge even if the supply unit isn’t perfectly aligned with the receiver.

No word yet on pricing or availability.

Source | Picture: Response.jp.

Wrik Sen:

Blue Peace motor yacht by Aras Kazar DesignsBlue Peace motor yacht by Aras Kazar Designs rear view.

Aras Kazar seems to be in the mode to capture the eco-luxury market by storm, almost literally. After presenting the Blue Dream II eco-luxury yacht, this time the designer presents us with the eco-friendly luxury speed boat, the Blue Peace yacht. With a top speed of up to 60 knots, the boat can travel faster than most in the competition. Its futuristic eco-friendly design allows it to meet 100 percent of its electricity requirements from solar energy alone. However, the boat is still at a conceptual stage.

Continue reading…

Gorgeous Patch is hardly more than a puppy at 8 months old, but he has his whole life to look forward to with the help of a caring and loving owner to support him with his blindness. He’s full of beans and very friendly. Patch will need a home with someone around most of the time who has maybe had a blind dog before although advice can be given. Can you help him please?

Megha Chaturvedi:

Lean mean greenLean mean green motorbike

If you are among those who can splurge out riding on your designer bikes and want to make your Christmas a unique one then we have news for you. The Lean Mean Green Machine by Hammacher Schlemmer is hitting the market this Christmas. The 9’ wheeled motorcycle is inspired by the 1970s toy. Powered by an air-cooled, 80″ cu. Harley-Davidson v-twin Evo engine, this motorbike cum toy can run at a speed of 50mph.

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Wrik Sen:

Jaeger Le Coultre AMVOX 5 World Chronograph limited editionJaeger Le Coultre AMVOX 5 World Chronograph limited edition inspired by the LMP1 raccing car.

Jaeger LeCoultre had introduced the AMVOX 5 World Chronograph in 2007, from where it saw multiple versions of the timepiece along with signature customizations. Now to give it the elite touch, a limited edition series of 250 pieces, which will use some of the watch brand’s favorite precious fabrics in construction, has been launched. Though a mechanical one, this watch takes a rather modern turn as compared to the classical 80th anniversary Reverso one-off earlier this year.

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Megha Chaturvedi:

Charlie Turner clocksCharlie Turner contemporary clocks

Festive season is just around the corner and people have already started revamping the décor of their houses. To add on to the classic touch, British film producer turned designer Charlie Turner has instigated his line of contemporary clocks. These clocks are perfect blend of classic and contemporary design. The designer has produced five different clocks and each one is made of hand in solid wood. These clocks depict a distinct art of work and are produced in Cornwall. Below are the details of these masterpieces, have a look:

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According to many, downturns in the U.S. and European markets are primarily the result of unsustainable behaviors in the financial industry. But, some critics are asking – was declining energy quality a major contributor to these negative turns? According to Dr. Carey King, a research associate at the  Jackson School of Geosciences at The University of Texas at Austin, the answer to this question is likely “yes.” And, he is not alone is his opinion – critics including Professors Robert Ayres and Charles Hall , as well as former chief economist at CIBC World Markets Jeff Rubin have also voiced their belief that energy quality was (and will continue to be) a main driver in our economic strength (or weakness).

Dr. King’s research focuses on a metric called  Energy Return on Energy Invested (EROI). In his work, he strives to define what EROI includes and what it means – with the hope of allowing us to compare the efficiency of the different energy sources that we currently, or might soon, rely upon to power our lives. In Dr. King’s  publication in  Environmental Research Letters , he discusses EROI in terms of another interesting dimension, called the Energy Intensity Ratio (EIR), which brings economics into the mix.

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Wrik Sen:

The Wendyplay houseThe Wendyplay house front view

Bringing in realism miniature models of houses seems to be the latest demand of the rich folks. We had seen the World’s most expensive dollhouse – the Moore dollhouse, which had ancient murals and artwork in every bit of the detail one could think of. Now, the Wendy Miniature House brings in a similar kind of detailing, which costs as much as the real thing in Liverpool, UK.

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Wrik Sen:

West Elm Parsons Audio End tableWest Elm Parsons Audio End table which is also an iPod and iPhone dock.

Apple seems to be controlling a lot more than just the tech world alone. Considering its devices and their respective features, even furniture designs seem to move in their direction. We earlier had inspirational furniture in the form of Horus pyramid table, iLounge coffee table. Something on the similar lines is the West Elm Parsons Audio end table, which is more than just a table. It’s a bedroom iPod and iPhone docking station with built-in speakers.

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Wrik Sen:

Dr. Dre Beats Rose Crytal headsetDr. Dre Beats Rose Crytal headset which has 4300 crystals embedded on it.

With the tech world flying higher each day, it seems it’s catching up with luxury too. After the 24 Carat Gold headphones by Crystal rocked, Dr. Dre has now created the Light Rose Swarovski studded headphones, that will surely ‘bling’ up your sound listening experience more than anything else. With high quality sound output and external noise cancellation, these headphones are equally capable of catering to your professional audio needs.

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Wrik Sen:

OneDof TurntableOneDof Turntable which uses a unique liquid suspension technology to cut down on resonance.

Buying top end audio equipment is one thing, but that piece of equipment being as expensive as your house is a whole new dimension altogether. OneDof (One degree of Freedom) turntable, designed by NASA award winning engineer Aleks Bakman, apart from a numerous unique features, has generous use of gold in its components. This is perhaps the reason why this turntable comes with the price tag of $150,000, the equivalent of your home.

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Wrik Sen:

Ernest Hemingway gun and cameraErnest Hemingway gun and camera which will be going on auction conducted by Tamarkin.

Ernest Hemingway, who gave us many classic pieces of literature and won noted awards like the Nobel Prize in literature (1954) and the Pulitzer Prize (1953), will have his special Leica Gun and Leica camera sold at an auction. The event conducted by Tamarkin will have the personal memorabilia of the noted author going under the hammer, and will let an insight into the sporting and leisurely side of the literary persona.

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Happy Monday. See what great stuff the bloggers posted over the weekend and today:

– Davide Castelvecchi – On the Physics Nobels, The Atlantic Gets Dark Energy All Wrong and `We Hate Math,’ Say 4 in 10 — a Majority of Americans

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Like the prize inside a Crackerjacks or kids’ cereal box, Siri, Apple’s voice-controlled digital assistant, is the raison d’être for buying an iPhone 4S, especially if you already own a 4.

A cult of personality has already arisen around Siri. Numerous bloggers have cited her snappy answers to stupid questions, such as “What are you wearing?” “Where can I hide a body?” “Open the pod bay doors,” “Will you marry me?” “What are you wearing?” etc.

But I hope you aren’t thinking of buying an 4S just to get a really fancy Magic 8 Ball. Siri does a lot more than wittily answer esoteric questions. She could represent the first true user interface paradigm shift since the iPhone and its capacitive touchscreen, and perhaps since the Mac and the Graphical User Interface 27 years ago.

And like any paradigm shift, Siri will change how you behave, and introduce a whole new set of social rules of engagement.

One of the new apps that Apple released with the new iOS 5 software is Find My Friends, which lets you pinpoint the location of your friends who also use the service. And it just claimed the life of its first marriage.

In the terrifying event that an astronaut finds themselves floating away from their space station, there’s not a lot they can do. But some scientists are hoping to develop tractor beams, that old sci-fi mainstay, as a way to make sure they can make it back.