Spiraling Skyscraper Farms for a Future Manhattan

As the world’s population continues to skyrocket and cities strain under the increased demand for resources, skyscraper farms offer an inspired approach towards creating sustainable vertical density. One of three finalists in this year’s Evolo Skyscraper Competition Eric Vergne’s Dystopian Farm project envisions a future New York City interspersed with elegantly spiraling biomorphic structures that will harness cutting-edge technology to provide the city with its own self-sustaining food source.

If we consider the future needs of our cities, few urban designs address the world’s burgeoning population better than vertical farms. It is a known fact that by 2050 nearly 80% of the world’s population will reside in urban centers, and 109 hectares of arable land will be needed to feed them. These organic structures you see in pictures abowe will harness systems such as airoponic watering, nutrient technology and controlled lighting and CO2 levels to meet the food demands of future populations.

Eric Vergne’s Dystopian Farm is a designer for the Hudson Yard area of Manhattan. He aims to provide New York with a sustainable food source while creating a dynamic social space that integrates producers with consumers.

In a trial to infusing dense urban areas with that CO2-consuming green spaces, Vergne envisions the structures as dynamically altering the fabric of city life: “Through food production and consumption, this skyscraper sets up a fluctuation of varying densities and collections of people, bringing together different social and cultural groups, creating new and unforseen urban experiences that form and dissipate within the flux of city life.”

This year’s Evolo Skyscraper Competition resulted in an incredible crop of 416 projects from designers, architects, and engineers in 64 different countries. Their website currently lists the finalists, boiled down to three winners and 15 special mentions.

Company claims new cell phone chip neutralizes radiation

A Belgian health products distributor plans to introduce a new stick-on cell phone chip that somehow counters the effects of heat and radiation in cell phones that some studies say could cause cancer.

The company, called Omega Pharma, will start selling its E-waves phone chip in pharmacies throughout Belgium starting tomorrow, and will eventually make the product available in other countries.

The launch is being sold in a sea of unanswered questions, including the following:

1. Do cell phones really cause cancer? In the past 20 years, we've gone from nobody using cell phones to everybody using them. Where's the brain-cancer epidemic?

2. Is this new chip yet another quack fix designed only to profit from public fears about cell phones? 

3. Will anyone else besides the company test this product? 

4. Is the chip itself safe? How does it work? Why should we trust it? 

If this thing sells, which it might, what does that say about public fears about cell phones? What should the handset makers do to counter these fears? 

When will someone do a real study that proves statistically significant increases in actual cancer, rather than just the likelihood of cancer?

First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Better than Prius?

Ford has redesigned and re-engineered the midsize Fusion for 2010. Now it included its second-generation gas-electric hybrid technology into the model mix. The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is now officially America's most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan. Fusion Hybrid is certified at 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway.  



Trim Choices

A volume player, the single Fusion Hybrid model is a fully equipped 4-door, 5-passenger sedan. Starting with the standard Fusion’s SEL trim means that nice features such as automatic dual-zone climate control and power seats are already in place. To these Ford has added a single 110-volt power point, 6-speaker sound and reverse sensing system as standard equipment. And in a fit of eco-marketing, the seat fabric is made from 100 percent post-industrial materials. A full suite of options is available, including voice-activated navigation with an 8-inch touch screen and satellite radio.
 

Under the Hood

An Atkinson cycle version of the newly developed 2.5-liter twin-cam, 4-valve-per-cylinder 4-cylinder gasoline engine is the Fusion Hybrid’s prime mover. It makes 156 horsepower and is coupled to a continuously variable automatic transmission. Electric power comes from a 106 horsepower AC motor, for a combined maximum output of 191 ponies and generous torque, all driven through the front tires.

A second starter/generator motor starts the gas engine and provides braking power, which is used to recharge the 275-volt nickel-metal-hydride battery pack.

Because the gasoline engine is often not running — the Fusion Hybrid can reach an impressive 47 mph on battery power alone — the power steering and air conditioning are electrically powered. Furthermore, the gasoline engine and all computer controls are optimized to keep hot water on hand for the heater and defroster.

Inner Space

There is a generous spase inside for the passengers. A new dash, improved seat structures and upgraded materials are found throughout. The Hybrid does fix the rear seat to accommodate the battery pack and controller, so there is no pass-through capability.


An innovative LCD instrument cluster packs a library of powertrain information clearly and intuitively. Multiple menus both inform and subtly teach the finer points of hybrid driving, including a growing vine display to graphically underscore the instant and trip fuel-economy digital readouts. It sounds corny, but is actually fun.

Creative And Unique Cufflinks

This is a list with 50 Amazing Cuff Links. I've gathered the most creative works I could find on internet. Rise to the occasion with these sophisticatedly simple, yet intriguingly complex cufflinks.