Farthest journey by hoverboard - Guinness World Records

Record setting 900' flight on a hoverboard you control with your feet. Looks cool but very unwieldy.

http://youtu.be/Bfa9HrieUyQ

What!? The CDC accepts industry money?

Whoa! I can't believe the CDC accepts money from drug companies, and that this might affect the advice they give.
http://www.bmj.com/content/350/bmj.h2362

This Futuristic Concrete Heals Itself With Built-In Bacteria

Cool! Dormant bacteria awaken if a crack develops in the concrete and water seeps in; the bacteria help form new concrete that seals the hole.

http://www.popsci.com/futuristic-concrete-heals-itself-built-bacteria-0?B2q8ZUVjLoErXJ2A.03

Driverless cars

Google has been working for several years on driverless cars. This one goes so far as to have no steering wheel, which must be strange when you get in the car. The commentator makes a good point about the liability that Google is taking on with this vehicle. 

http://youtu.be/aqrttLPjv1E

An earlier version, complete with steering wheel. Driven by a blind man - nice touch!

http://youtu.be/cdgQpa1pUUE

Reminds me of the van with the sign "Beware, blind driver" because he delivered window blinds to houses. 

Not to be outdone, Apple may be working on one as well. 

http://youtu.be/1lhU54nhyyk

And, a driver-less car from Mercedes. Nice Interior! Any passenger can be the driver. 

http://youtu.be/lqPfKt50zBI

A working prototype Mercedes self-driving car. An extended drive where it navigates traffic lights and corners and lane changes. 

http://youtu.be/r_RFzC_G5BA

Triple holes in concrete highway

I found it! Those repeating sets of triple holes in the highway are to install reinforcing rebar. I was looking for a picture to illustrate what I was talking about, and found this DOT article.

In July, traffic was switched off a test section of I-94 to allow crews to install reinforcing dowel rebar inbetween concrete section joints. The concrete dates back to the 1970's and the dowel bars that were installed have deteriorated to a point of being ineffective. Due to this, the overall ride was very bumpy.

The quarter-mile test project will assist in controlling concrete movements at the joints which is caused by Minnesota's seasonal changing temperatures and traffic loads.

Crews first sawed and hammered out three 18" lengths of concrete in each of the right lane tire treads. The new epoxy-coated rebar was then placed onto a foam stand in the cutout sections.

The reason the rebar is placed on foam stands is to ensure that the newly poured concrete will completely surround the rebar.

It is hoped that through constructing this research section, future dowel bar retrofit type repairs will be deemed cost effective on older concrete road pavements.

The $45,000 project was funded by the Destination/Innovation Fund administered by Central Office.

http://www.dot.state.mn.us/d3/hot.html

Demaine genius

His Dad, Marty Demaine, is oddly a frequent presence in his lab. 

http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-01/dazzling-sometimes-absurd-always-playful-genius-erik-demaine

Two Wheeler Self Balancing Electric Car

Clever system of gimbals and gyros keep this two wheel vehicle remarkably stable.

http://youtu.be/HEwv7Z4SSQQ

Mystery of Prince Rupert's Drop at 130,000 fps - Smarter Every Day 86

"Science is about to happen!" I love that quote. He gets so excited about demonstrating science.

http://youtu.be/xe-f4gokRBs