Posted Sep 03, 2008 at 11:12AM by Isaac C. Listed in: News Tags: podcast, Popular Mechanics, Mythbusters, Adam Savage
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MythBuster:US School Evolution Theory Bugs the Hell Outta Me - Image 1This whole debate about Evolution versus Creationism is a very touchy subject. Religion and Science usually don't see eye to eye on this. Some have even criticized Science as if it's a religion in itself, wanting to answer all of life's "ultimate truths." It can't do that. Adam Savage of the Mythbusters clarifies on a few things about what Science is. Details in the full article.

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Posted Oct 13, 2007 at 08:34AM by Sally B. Listed in: Engineering, Alternative Energy Tags: Popular Mechanics
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Frayne - Image 1This may be one of the more groundbreaking inventions to date: Shawn Frayne managed to come up with the Windbelt, a brilliant device that can generate 40 milliwatts from 10 mph winds, just enough to power LED lights and radios.

The set-up is virtually simple, and involves a thin strip of membrane that oscillates between metal coils, and two magnets. So simple, it can easily be fixed by someone with a little technical know-how.

Frayne, who works in Haiti, wants his invention to be used by people living in third-world countries. Haiti locals usually use kerosene, a virtual fire hazard, as their staple source of energy. With the Windbelt, its easy to see how it can easily replace kerosene for their lighting needs, provided that there's wind around.

The Windbelt's current record of 40 milliwatts isn't much right now, but it's a great start. We can now see a future with more manageable, simpler devices that can generate needed electricity, with no neighbors ragging us about how unsightly wind turbines look in the neighborhood.

Frayne's Windbelt invention was featured in Popular Mechanics magazine, for its November issue.

Check out the video in the Read link!

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Posted Mar 31, 2007 at 05:48AM by Dia A. Listed in: Physics, Engineering Tags: Popular Mechanics
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In the above video clip from the show The View, co-host Rosie O'Donnell made some comments, fueling renewed debate on the collapse of the World Trade Center 7. Ms. Donnell was quoted to have said;


I do believe that it’s the first time in history that fire has ever melted steel. I do believe that it defies physics that World Trade Center tower 7—building 7, which collapsed in on itself—it is impossible for a building to fall the way it fell without explosives being involved. World Trade Center 7. World Trade [Center] 1 and 2 got hit by planes—7, miraculously, the first time in history, steel was melted by fire. It is physically impossible ... To say that we don’t know that it imploded, that it was an implosion and a demolition, is beyond ignorant.


Popular Mechanics corrects Ms. Donnell's observations by citing details in their book Debunking 9/11 Myths.
  1. Towers 1 and 7 were approximately 300 ft. apart, a distance too small for structures that large. Tower 7 may not have been hit by the plane, but it was severely damaged by the collapse of the North Tower.
  2. The North and South Towers of the World Trade Center weren't knocked down by the planes, but the crashes destroyed support columns that weakened - not melted - the steel structures until the towers could no longer support their own weights. And it is physically possible for steel to melt. Steel melts at about 2,750 degrees Fahrenheit. It loses strength at temperatures as low as 400 F. At 1000 F, steel loses nearly 50 percent of its strength. It is unknown what temperatures were reached inside the WTC7, but the fires raged for 7 hours before the tower collapsed.
  3. Demolition experts tell that wiring a building the size of WTC7 for secret demolition would present insurmountable logistical challenge. The entire Tower 7 fell in on itself as the slumping east side dragged down the west side in a diagonal pattern.
If you're interested on more details about the collapse of the WTC Tower 7 and 9/11 in general, just follow the source link - Popular Mechanics also published a book about it.

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