There was a time when high school science projects involved baking soda volcanoes dropping egg-filled containers from helicopters. That may actually still be the case, but not for a batch of 1,600 high school students at this year’s 2013 Intel International Science. 18-year-old Eesha Khare developed a super-capacitor with a special nano-structure that allows more energy within a lower volume. It is able to deliver the energy more efficiently and stores it for up to 10,000 cycles (compared to most batteries that last around 1000 cycles). It can charge cellphone batteries in 30 seconds and…

Most people don’t bother to think about how automated our society is. So many basic utilities that are necessary for our society to function are working around the clock without any human assistance. Technological advancements and the growing transition to renewable energy are quickly turning our society into a completely automated mechanism. Power stations that once required a constant stream of fuel can now sit unattended under the sun and still provide us with energy. That energy is then automatically distributed to whatever automatic utility requires it. Notice a pattern? As fascinating…

If cost weren’t an issue, would you rely on solar power? For most who don’t live in Seattle, the answer would be yes. Between the environmental benefits, the social credibility, and the grid-free style of living that solar power allows people, it often just comes down to cost as the primary reason that solar isn’t as big in the United States as it is in other countries like Germany. The infographic below goes into great detail about the top solar states in the country. By “great” detail, I mean that as a fan of infographics, it’s enlightening to see one that focuses on a series of useful data sets without…

For the sake of full disclosure, let me state up front that I supported California Proposition 37 which would have mandated labeling of genetically modified foods that we buy, I try to eat organic foods whenever possible (restaurants are sadly behind on this one so some GMO slips into my body), and I am not the biggest fan of Monsanto or their practices. With that said, I came close to feeling sympathetic to them. Close. Then I came to my senses. The moment of weakness came in a story I was reading on RT.com that discussed the “seed oligarchy” that they’ve created for themselves in the parts of the world…

One of the things that Americans take pride in is the way that the country and its people are technologically advanced when compared to the rest of the world. Many of us have smartphones, tablets, computers, cars, and other advanced gadgets and gizmos that keep us occupied and often informed. This does not, however, translate very well in the political arena. A year ago, most would have thought that there was no way that California could possibly vote against Proposition 37. In a state that is generally so liberal and whose people strongly condone healthy eating habits, it wouldn’t be possible…