Electrolux Mobile Kitchen

As you can see here, the Electrolux Mobile Kitchen concept design is inspired by laptops. The futuristic design of this mobile kitchen provides a small workspace for you to do multi-task as you usually do in the kitchen. Its portability is defined by your needs, whether for outdoor camping or home to prepare delicious meals. Electrolux Mobile Kitchen features compact 3-in-1 design.

The base is an induction cooktop covered by board as the second layer that can be used as a cutting board. Electrolux Mobile Kitchen utilizes inductioncooking technology and features 4 induction rings in different sizes. In this way, depending on the type of food you’re cooking and the pan size that you need, you can choose the appropriate induction ring size in order to save more energy. The touchscreen display can be used to find your recipesonline, watch and download free and complete cooking tutorial, cooking is more fun and interactive this way. It is also possible to do video call with your friends while they guide you through the cooking process.

Designer: Dragan Trenchevski
Source: TUVIE.com

Apple Headphones

Keeping with the tradition of simplistic minimal design, Sang-hoon Lee has designed his vision for the Apple Headphones. Looks more like a hairband with a sleek finish. I think the touch of volume controls within the glowing apple logo is just too clever!

Designer: Sang-hoon Lee
Source: YankoDesign.com

Round The Clock

Almost unrecognizable as a watch, the Round-the-Clock bracelet communicates the time with hour and minute rings that rotate around the user’s wrist. Made of stainless steel, plastic and rubber, this exceptional timepiece is modern and elegant with a touch of masculinity that an equally unusual wearer will appreciate.

Designer: Kőrös Benedek

Skylon Spaceplane Concept

Whenever we think of space endeavors, organizations such as NASA, European Space Agency or even ISRO crop up in our heads. But a private British aerospace company – Reaction Engines Limited (REL) is all set to rather develop a more inclusive system of space traveling, with their Skylon spaceplane concept.

The Skylon concept will be a single stage to orbit combined cycle powered orbital spaceplane. A single stage to orbit (SSTO) vehicle reaches orbit from the surface of a body without jettisoning hardware, in the process expending only propellants and fluids. That means the Skylon will not use booster rockets of any kind (though SSTO vehicles still remain in conceptual stages).

And here comes the part about fuel efficiency that interests us – if the researchers can work it out, the cost of launching a payload to geostationary orbit would be than it i fifteen times cheapers now! The concept will be using the company’s own SABRE engine (Synergistic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine), and according to European Space Agency:

“ESA has not identified any critical topics that would prevent a successful development of the engine.”

Again it should be duly noted that the SABRE is also at its conceptual stage (though a engine derivative has already being designed for a passenger jet). The system basically calls for a hypersonic precooled hybrid air breathing rocket engine for launching the proposed Skylon into low Earth orbit (LEO). The precooling mechanism cools the hot, ramcompressed air, in effect creating a high pressure ratio within the engine. Thecompressed air is further fed to the combustion chamber, to be ignited with liquid hydrogen, while the high pressure ratio provides the high thrust at very high speeds andaltitudes.

Source: EcoFriend.com

OLED car sun roof concept soaks the sun to illuminate after dark

Have you ever seen OLEDs installed in car roofs? Well, if not, this new concept is worthy of a glace. The OLED car sunroof will change the way your car looks right from the inside and outside. Fitted into the cars expertly, this really cool device will make your life all the more easier. Also the roof will appeal visually to all onlookers.

OLED car sunroof

OLED car sunroof drinks in sun by day, provides light at night.

Taking its design cue from the transparent OLED TV, it is a multi functional sun roof that will cater to your lighting needs at night time. In the morning the sun roof becomes completely transparent, while at night it glows and is opaque. The roof harnesses solar energy in the morning, converting it into electrical energy to be used at night for powering LED’s.

The idea has been conceived in partnership by Philips and chemical company, BASF. The smart innovation has given birth to this OLED sun roof, which has been topped with solar panels. The design of the roof will not hamper the car’s design in anyway. The whole concept is revolutionized, making the car’s roof all the more jazzy from inside.

The roof in the morning would look spangled with silver dots, which are nothing but the OLED modules. The solar energy proves sufficient for powering some streaming light in the car’s interiors. Although one does not usually put on interior lights while driving, the cool looks of these lights are incentives enough for having them in your car.

MT55 Platform Multitouch Table

In this era of multitouch phones, monitors and other such devices, one cannot really predict what the next invention would be. Multi-touch tables are something that catches our focus. If you are updated about the multitouch gadgets, you must have heard about the high definition LCD multitouch tables by Ideum.

Now, Ideum has added some more functionality to that 55-inch model. This new invention, a 31-inch tall multitouch table named MT55 Platform, possesses single button operation and LED under-table illumination effects along with the Bluetooth and Wireless LAN that is present in the older series as well.

The most interesting feature of MT55 Platform is its size. With 76 mm top surface and 57 mm bottom, MT55 can be termed as the thinnest commercially available multitouch table. Being proficient at handling 32 touch points, the platform features an optical touch system. In addition to this, the device also comes with an SSD storage system.

The hidden physical ports present in the system include HDMI-out, USB 2.0 and Ethernet. Windows Professional is the software on which the table is run. With a consumption of 400W, the table enjoys an additional benefit 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth connectivity, supplied with a Bluetooth keyboard.

This multitouch table sells for $17,950 including the GestureWorks SDK that supports 200 gestures, plus pre-built Open Exhibits. You can even enjoy an Intel Core i7-620M processor running at 3.06GHz for additional $750. Furthermore, if you shell out $1,000, you can have the top surface of the tableprotected with the help of micro-etched HaptiGlas, which is a non-reflective, scratch and fingerprint resistant surface.

Source: DesignBUZZ.com

Eco Architecture: Food City – A self-sufficient metropolis planned for Dubai

Eco Factor: Off-the-grid sustainable complex plan for Dubai.

Where on Earth do you see the craziest architectural dreams coming to life? Yes, it’s Dubai. After shocking the world with the most outrageous land reclamation projects, Dubai is all set for another shocker, The Food City. Designed by GCLA Architects, the Food City is an off-the-grid structure designed to make people live the greenest possible life.

Taking modern architecture to its utmost limits, the Food City is designed to feature green walls, aquatic farms, artificial roof landscapes and renewable energy generation at a scale no one has ever tried before. The metropolis will generate all the electricity it needs using concentrated solar collectors, towers draped in photovoltaic modules and piezoelectric pads in all pedestrian areas. Additionally, the complex will extract methane from sewage tanks for days when the sun isn’t shining.

 

food city dubai 3

 

Potable water has always been a cause of concern in Dubai. To ensure that the residents of the Food City never lack freshwater, the architects have envisioned the used of atmospheric water harvesting systems and the use of solar energy to run desalination systems. Moreover, grey water will also be recycled for non-potable uses.

 

U.S.-Taliban talks only “exploratory”: Afghan envoy

1 of 2. Taliban fighters ride on motorbikes in an undisclosed location in Afghanistan July 14, 2009.

Credit: Reuters/Stringer

By Serena Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD | Thu Feb 16, 2012 11:05am EST

(Reuters) – The Afghan Taliban and the United States have made only “exploratory” contacts for possible reconciliation which do not involve the Kabul government, the Afghan ambassador to Pakistan said on Thursday.

The Wall Street Journal said that the U.S. and Afghan governments had begun secret three-way talks with the Taliban, based on an interview it conducted with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

“I must emphasize that word ‘exploratory’. They are not talks,” Afghan ambassador to Pakistan Umar Daudzai told Reuters.

“When there’s talks, it’s supposed to be between the Afghan government and the Taliban. We have not reached to that stage although we wish to reach to that stage.”

The Wall Street Journal quoted Karzai as saying the Taliban were “definitively” interested in a peace settlement to end the 10-year war in Afghanistan, and that all three sides were now involved in discussions.

It said Karzai had declined to specify the location of the talks or go into further detail, saying he feared this could damage the process.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid also said the group had not held talks with the Karzai government.

The Afghan Taliban announced last month it would open a political office in Qatar, suggesting the group may be willing to engage in negotiations that could likely give it government positions or official control over much of its historical southern heartland.

“At a high level, (there are) secret talks and American-Taliban talks. I’m not aware of any other than the Qatar process,” said Daudzai.

“The Qatar process is exploratory contacts between Taliban and the United States.”

The Afghan ambassador said the Kabul government’s contacts with the Taliban were limited to communications between low-level officials and local insurgent commanders.

Washington wants to accelerate contacts with the Taliban so it can announce serious peace negotiations at a NATO summit in May, officials say, in what would be a welcome bright spot in Western efforts to end the war in Afghanistan.

The United States hopes it can declare a start to authentic political negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban at the May 20-21 summit in Chicago, after a year of initial, uncertain contacts with militant representatives.

It would be a needed victory for the White House and its NATO partners in Afghanistan as they struggle to contain a resilient insurgency and train a local army while moving to bring their troops home over the next three years.

(Additional reporting by Chris Allbritton in ISLAMABAD and Rob Taylor in KABUL; Editing by Michael Georgy and Nick Macfie)

Sanchez brace gives Barcelona edge over Leverkusen

Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez celebrates after scoring during the Champions League last 16 tie against Bayer Leverkusen.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Barcelona enjoy comfortable 3-1 win in first leg of Champions League tie against Bayer Leverkusen
• Lyon beat Cyprus’ APOEL FC 1-0 to edge first leg of their last 16 tie

(CNN) — Barcelona have one foot in the quarterfinals of the Champions League after completing a 3-1 win at Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night.

The reigning European champions dominated possession for large parts of the game with Alexis Sanchez opening the scoring in the 41st minute.

The Chilean striker chased onto a pass from Lionel Messi before firing past Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

Leverkusen equalized seven minutes after the break as recent signing Vedran Corluka chipped in a cross from which Czech Republic defender Michel Kadlec headed home.

But it wasn’t long before Barca were back in front as Sanchez bagged his second of the night scoring from a tight angle after received the ball from Cesc Fabregas.

Leverkusen had chances to equalize again as Renato Augusto forced a save from Victor Valdes and midfielder Gonzalo Castro also hit the post in the 64th minute.

But it was Messi who had the final say on the evening converting a cross from Dani Alves in the 88th minute.

The return leg will be played at the Nou Camp on March 7.

In Tuesday’s other tie, Lyon scored a narrow 1-0 win over Cypriot minnows APOEL FC at the Stade Gerland.

Alexandre Lacazette goal in the 58th minute proved the difference between the teams but the first team from Cyprus to reach the knockout stages are still in the tie which concludes in Nicosia on March 7.

There were two Europa League ties played Tuesday with Besiktasbeating 10-man Braga 2-0 in the first leg of their last 32 tie.

Helder Barbosa’s dismissal in the first half capped a miserable night for last year’s finalists as their Turkish visitors made the most of the numerical advantage with goals in either half from Tomas Sivok and former Portuguese international Simao.

Olympiakos narrowly beat Russian side Rubin 1-0 thanks to a goal from David Fuster in the 73rd minute with former Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll coming on as a substitute to save a penalty five minutes later to earn the Greek side a hard fought victory.

Thai police charge 2 over Bangkok blasts as Iran denies involvement

Thai bomb squad officials inspect the site of an explosion in Bangkok on February 14, 2012.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• A Thai official says materials used in Bangkok bombs are similar to those in India attacks
• The authorities charge 2 Iranians in relation to the blasts in Bangkok
• Two more people connected to the explosions are still at large, the police say
• Iran denies accusations by Israel that it was behind the bombings

Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) — Thai authorities on Wednesday charged two Iranians in relation to a string of blasts that hit Bangkok the day before as Tehran denied accusations by Israel that it was behind the explosions.

A Thai official also drew a tentative link between the Bangkok bombings and attacks earlier this week aimed at Israeli officials in India, saying the materials used in the explosive devices were similar.

The authorities in Thailand said they are still on the hunt for two other people, one man and one woman, in connection with the blasts in Bangkok, which wounded at least five people.

The first bomb Tuesday went off in a rental house, believed to be leased to foreigners, according to Thai authorities. After the blast, two of the men left the scene while a third detonated two more bombs — one when a taxi driver refused to give him a ride, and another when he tried to throw a bomb at police officers as they closed in on him.

The last bomb exploded near the man, blowing off one of his legs, the authorities said. He was taken to Chulalongkorn General Hospital for treatment and Iranian documents were found on him.

Another man arrested at the airport is holding an Iranian passport and is one of the two who left the scene, the Thai government said, adding that he was identified as Mohammad Hasai, 42, and was about to leave for Malaysia.

The authorities charged those two men with several offenses, including illegal possession of explosives and intent to kill a police officer, said Gen. Pansiri Prapawat, deputy police commander.

The third man and the woman, who the authorities say they believe was renting the house, are still at large. The man is believed to have left the country, possibly for Malaysia, said Thitima Chaisaeng, a spokeswoman for the Thai government.

The Israeli defense minister on Tuesday blamed Iran for the bombings in Bangkok, a day after attacks against the country’s diplomats in India and Georgia.

“The attempted terror attack in Thailand proves once again that Iran and its proxies continue to operate in the ways of terror and the latest attacks are an example of that,” said the defense minister, Ehud Barak.

But Iran on Wednesday denied Barak’s accusation, state media reported.

Ramin Mehmanparast, a spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, “condemned the blasts and said that Israeli agents are often the perpetrators of such terrorist acts,” Press TV said in an article on its website.

Israeli Foreign Ministry personnel based overseas have been on alert in recent weeks to the heightened possibility of attacks at Israeli facilities by Hezbollah, the Lebanese Muslim militant group and political party backed by Iran.

Sunday marked the fourth anniversary of the death of Hezbollah leader Imad Mugniyah in a car bombing in Damascus, Syria. Hezbollah holds Israel responsible for his death and has vowed revenge.

Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said that the level of alert in the country had been raised following a security assessment after the overseas incidents in New Delhi and Tbilisi, the capitals of India and Georgia.

The alert means patrols will be heightened in and around various public areas inside Israel, and around Israeli embassies and offices worldwide.

In the Monday incidents, a device attached to an Israeli Embassy van in New Delhi exploded and injured four people. Another device was found on an embassy car in Tbilisi but it was safety detonated.

Iran has also denied involvement in those events, which are still being investigated.

The materials used in the Bangkok bombs had many similar characteristics to those used in India, said Wichean Potephosree, secretary-general of the Thai National Security Council.

The Israeli government issued a travel advisory this year for citizens traveling to Thailand after Thai security officials arrested a man in January connected with a planned attack in the country.

The police charged the man, Atris Hussein, after finding “initial chemical materials that could produce bombs” in an area just outside Bangkok. Police said Hussein, who also holds a Swedish passport, led them to the location.

The authorities are accusing Hussein of trying to attack spots in Bangkok that are popular with Western tourists and say he is believed to belong to Hezbollah, the Shiite Muslim group active in Lebanon that the United States views as a terrorist organization.

Potephosree said Wednesday that the Thai authorities do not believe there is any link between Hussein and the blasts in Bangkok on Tuesday.