January, 2015 | TechieTonics

The Flashing of the Clam Ctenoides ales: Underwater Light Show

January 8, 2015January 8, 2015 Neha Shukla

Depth of ocean stores many beautiful creatures that are still alien to us. Researchers are baffled to see that even in the deepest and the darkest part of the oceans have different forms of life flourishing. They study the deepest parts of the water to find creatures and to understand how they flourish in such depths of oceans. One such marine organism that caught the attention of underwater divers is ‘disco clam’ (Ctenoides ales, a species of saltwater clam). Native to Indo-Pacific coral reefs, they are named so because they…

Fats Cells Protect against Bacterial Infections: Body’s Defense Mechanism

January 7, 2015January 7, 2015 Neha Shukla

Most of us work hard to keep fat at bay from our body, the evil leads to obesity and increased level of cholesterol. However, these fat cells lying under the skin actually safeguard the human body from bacterial invasion. The imperative role of fat cells was discovered by researcher Richard Gallo from UC San Diego School of Medicine and explained the valuable role of fat cells also known as adipocytes. He found that adipocytes synthesis molecules termed as antimicrobial peptides, which fight infections and other pathogens. Apart from adipocytes, previous…

Sepios the Nautical Robot inspired by Cuttlefish: Biomimicry

January 7, 2015 Pooja Kashyap

The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zürich has come up with a robot, movement of which is inspired from cuttlefish. One of its own kind, Sepios is a bot with four orthogonal fins. Peep on the link below and see the undulating fin propulsion from the ETH’s nautical robot:

10 Screenshots from Musk’s Open Source Tube Transport System: The Hyperloop

January 1, 2015January 1, 2015 Pooja Kashyap

Elon Musk’s concept of travelling through conduits has started making progress. His research company, Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) has already gathered over 100 engineers and is working along crowd collaboration approach. Musk, the inventor, engineer and entrepreneur, envisions developing ultra speed, intercity transporter using a low-pressure tube train, which would run at a speed of 760 mph. Each capsule would carry 6-8 passengers and depart after every 30 seconds. As per him, the project, Hyperloop, would touch completion within seven to ten years. Due to his current commitment with SpaceX,…