Posts Tagged ‘Soda’
Remainders – Things We Didn’t Post [Remainders]
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News on October 17th, 2009
Baby Gets Hit By Train, Strolls Away...There's a Hole In My Heart That Can Only Be Filled By—Stem Cells?...Beware Bobbies Bearing BlackBerries...Science Figures Out Why We Break Out Bubbly
Sure it's been the lead story on CNN and a big story on Gawker, but there just wasn't enough DIY mechanics or cellphone-related mayhem for us to pounce on this little gem. As a dad, I don't like seeing shit like this, but knowing there's a happy ending made it a bit easier to view. Oops, did I give too much away? [Gawker]
Hairband balladeers from the roaring '80s will be disappointed to learn that holes in the heart previously only able to be filled by some girl who is already dating some other guy can now be filled by a patch made of stem cells. As for the rest of us, we naturally assumed that if stem cells could give Christopher "Butthole" Reeve real Superman strength and build replica's of Shakey's Pizza, well, of course they can patch heart holes. [PopSci]
By March of next year, many British police officers will be handed a smartphone in order to maintain communication while increasing time in the field. It may work, assuming they block like a million distractions. Frankly, the only reason I wanted to even mention this in Remainders was to remind the world of that stroke of British police genius, Hot Fuzz, through Photoshop. It was that or an image of the gmilfy Prime Suspect herself, Helen Mirren. Did I choose wrong? [BBC via Engadget]
Science produces explanations great and small, and finally got around to one we've been waiting for since Heinrich "Coca" Cola invented the fizzy beverage: Why do we love the carbonation? Everyone used to think it was the exploding carbonation bubbles, but sure enough, it's the carbon dioxide itself—you listening, Al Gore???—that sends a message to open up the sour taste buds, delivering a genuine flavor change. Sure, it's not gadget news, but now, when you head out to the bars, you can order beer in the name of science. [Daily Mail UK]
Redesigned Coke Can Won’t Roll Off the Table [Design]
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News on September 23rd, 2009
This concept Coke can design uses a manufacturing process called impact extrusion to form geometric shapes into the can rather than making it round. I'm not sure how practical it is, but I like it. [The Dieline via PSFK]
Update: That Mentos Ice Cubes in Soda Trick Doesn’t Work [Pranks]
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News on August 20th, 2009
Sorry, would-be pranksters: freezing Mentos in ice cubes and then putting them in soda doesn't cause the soda to fizz up. But why doesn't it work?
It's because when you get the Mentos wet, their pitted candy surface starts to dissolve. And without a surface that's covered with thousands of little pits, there's nowhere for the carbon dioxide to go, which is what creates the fizz. Instead, you just have a gross soda. Too bad! Pretty amazing that it took this long for someone to actually try this prank, eh? [Steve Spangler Science]
Coca-Cola’s 100-Flavor Soda Fountain of the Future [Vending Machines]
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News on July 22nd, 2009
Originally codenamed "Jet," Coca Cola's top secret flavor bomb now known as "FreeStyle" is poised to give adventurous palettes 100 different beverage options in a single machine.
The machine is more technologically complex than you'd imagine. The "PurePour" technology was originally developed to measure extremely precise amounts of dialysis and cancer drugs. Beyond that, RFID scanners are used to match cartridges to dispensers, and the onboard computer confirms everything is in place. Existing soda fountains use five-gallon concentrate bags and lots of backroom labor. Now all that is required is a highly concentrated 46-ounce cartridge inside a self-contained machine.
Using a touchscreen UI, customers can navigate through the dizzying array of sodas, flavored waters, energy drinks and other beverages in what appears to be a fairly straightforward way. The machines are currently being tested in Georgia, California, and Utah, but Coca-Cola plans to roll out 60 additional dispensers across the country by the end of the summer. [Fast Company]
