Greatest press release of all time

Here's a must-save for our public relations classes. two companies working on a DARPA project have issued a release to counter 'net news gossip. The gist of the release is: Our robots are not flesh-eaters. They are vegetarians!

The release notes, in part:

"We completely understand the public’s concern about futuristic robots feeding on the human population, but that is not our mission," stated Harry Schoell, Cyclone’s CEO. "We are focused on demonstrating that our engines can create usable, green power from plentiful, renewable plant matter. The commercial applications alone for this earth-friendly energy solution are enormous."

The release even quotes the Geneva Convention to explain why the robot won't be eating battlefield dead.

Do these guys protest too much? Blah blah "we only eat green" blah blah. Only eat green, eh? Soyyyylent Green?

Greatest press release of all time

Here's a must-save for our public relations classes. two companies working on a DARPA project have issued a release to counter 'net news gossip. The gist of the release is: Our robots are not flesh-eaters. They are vegetarians!

The release notes, in part:

"We completely understand the public’s concern about futuristic robots feeding on the human population, but that is not our mission," stated Harry Schoell, Cyclone’s CEO. "We are focused on demonstrating that our engines can create usable, green power from plentiful, renewable plant matter. The commercial applications alone for this earth-friendly energy solution are enormous."

The release even quotes the Geneva Convention to explain why the robot won't be eating battlefield dead.

Do these guys protest too much? Blah blah "we only eat green" blah blah. Only eat green, eh? Soyyyylent Green?

Beer drinkers, rejoice!

A scientist at my alma mater has developed a catalyst capable of extracting hydrogen from urine. Notes Wired:

Garardine Botte [from Ohio University] claims the device uses significantly less energy than is needed to extract hydrogen from water and says it could power hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the near future. Her electrolyzer uses a nickel-based electrode to extract hydrogen from urea (NH2)2CO, the main component in urine. Hydrogen is less tightly bound to the nitrogen in urea than to the oxygen in water, so the electrolyzer needs just 0.37 volts across the cell to oxidize the urea, according to Botte. That’s less than half the amount of energy in an AA battery and considerably less than the 1.23 volts needed to split water.

Ohio University has patented the technology, and Botte is working with the DoD to develop electrolyzer technology for military applications.

Possible commercial applications, of course, include powering cars. So drink up!

Beer drinkers, rejoice!

A scientist at my alma mater has developed a catalyst capable of extracting hydrogen from urine. Notes Wired:

Garardine Botte [from Ohio University] claims the device uses significantly less energy than is needed to extract hydrogen from water and says it could power hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the near future. Her electrolyzer uses a nickel-based electrode to extract hydrogen from urea (NH2)2CO, the main component in urine. Hydrogen is less tightly bound to the nitrogen in urea than to the oxygen in water, so the electrolyzer needs just 0.37 volts across the cell to oxidize the urea, according to Botte. That’s less than half the amount of energy in an AA battery and considerably less than the 1.23 volts needed to split water.

Ohio University has patented the technology, and Botte is working with the DoD to develop electrolyzer technology for military applications.

Possible commercial applications, of course, include powering cars. So drink up!

Defining quality: the Hugo Awards

I've just finished reading this piece at io9 featuring the latest set of annual complaints about the Hugo Awards short list, and I find it tiresome as hell. (Before I write anything else, I need to get a bit of pedantry off my chest. The io9 piece discusses the "six books chosen for the Hugo Awards short list" -- there are only five. Count them, dammit. You only need *one* foot's worth of toes!) ( This runs a tad long...and it's not eligible for any award... )

Defining quality: the Hugo Awards

I've just finished reading this piece at io9 featuring the latest set of annual complaints about the Hugo Awards short list, and I find it tiresome as hell. (Before I write anything else, I need to get a bit of pedantry off my chest. The io9 piece discusses the "six books chosen for the Hugo Awards short list" -- there are only five. Count them, dammit. You only need *one* foot's worth of toes!) ( This runs a tad long...and it's not eligible for any award... )

My sister-in-law is a brilliant cook

Denise is also a wonderful baker. She and I have a deal: I ship lobsters, she ships cookies.

So when gerisullivan called and said she and Susan and Gavi wanted to know if we'd like to go out for dinner, it seem logical to counter that benveniste and I could cook...and cook up two things Denise had made for me during the Ohio trip: an absolutely stunning braised brisket and the best cornbread that ever went in my mouth. We couldn't find good-looking green beans, so opted instead for asparagus.

The kitchen smells mighty good. Here's hoping it comes out near Denise's standard. :-)

Add in a trip to Richardson's for ice cream later, and don't you wish you were eating here?

My sister-in-law is a brilliant cook

Denise is also a wonderful baker. She and I have a deal: I ship lobsters, she ships cookies.

So when gerisullivan called and said she and Susan and Gavi wanted to know if we'd like to go out for dinner, it seem logical to counter that benveniste and I could cook...and cook up two things Denise had made for me during the Ohio trip: an absolutely stunning braised brisket and the best cornbread that ever went in my mouth. We couldn't find good-looking green beans, so opted instead for asparagus.

The kitchen smells mighty good. Here's hoping it comes out near Denise's standard. :-)

Add in a trip to Richardson's for ice cream later, and don't you wish you were eating here?