Clouds in the Room

How does it feel could be very close — even touch the clouds? Needless to skydiving or riding to the top of high mountains that could see the clouds from very close distance.

An artist Berndnaut Smildeas, Netherlands, managed to make a work of art: create a cloud. How to use engine smoke, combined with humidity at room temperature and dramatic lighting then so be "Nimbus II 2012", the clouds in the room.

Smilde, who lives in Amsterdam, said he wanted to make the image of a cloud of rain in a space. "I'd imagine walking into a classical museum halls with only a blank wall," he said. "Nothing else except the rainy clouds are hanging around in the room. "

Unfortunately, clouds of creation Smildeas could not last long, only a few moments and then disappearing like the original cloud characteristics. At the very least, interesting enough to be in a room full of clouds, right?

The 10 strangest facts about graphene

When first discovered, graphene was odd. Now odd is too small a word for a material seemingly set on winning all the records a material can win.

In the first part of our series, we looked at what graphene is and how it was discovered. In part two, we explored the different techniques we can use to make graphene.
But what is it that makes this material so remarkable? Here are 10 of the strangest facts about graphene.

1. Strength
"The most amazing thing to me about graphene is its strength. This is a sheet of atoms that you can pick up. That blows my mind."

So says Professor James (Jim) Tour of Rice University in Texas, and who are we to argue with that? A sheet of atoms that you can pick up: say it out loud to yourself a couple of times.
Everyone you ask about graphene's amazing properties says the same thing: it is really hard to pick one feature when the material is so astonishing. So let's consider a few more of them.

2. No band gap
Graphene has no band gap. A band gap is the gap between the energy of an electron when it is bound to an atom, and the so-called conduction band, where it is free to move around. An electron can't have an energy level between those two states.

This makes graphene a wonderful candidate for use in photovoltaic (PV) cells, for instance, because it can absorb photons with energy at every frequency — photons of different frequencies of light are converted to electrons with matching energy levels. A material with a band gap can't convert wavelengths of light that correspond to the forbidden energy states of the electrons. No band gap means everything is accepted.
This opens the tantalising possibility of highly efficient PV cells, but it's a problem if you want to use graphene in transistors, where you need the band gap to provide the isolation necessary if you want it to act as a switch that can be turned off.

It is possible to induce a small band gap in graphene by doping it. This is good enough for very fast amplifiers for radio work, but for transistors that make efficient logic circuitry you need a bigger gap.

3. Ballistic conduction
Yes, this is a really weird one: ambient temperature "unimpeded" conduction of electrons. It was observed in multi-walled carbon nanotubes at least as far back as 2002, and since graphene is basically an unzipped carbon nanotube, it does it too.

The most amazing thing to me about graphene is its strength. This is a sheet of atoms that you can pick up. That blows my mind.

– Professor Jim Tour

The hexagonal lattice has the longest "mean free path" of any known material — of the order of microns. This is the distance an electron can travel freely without bumping into anything, or having its path disrupted by scattering; the things that induce resistance. When the mean free path is longer than the dimensions of the material, you get ballistic transport.

In graphene, the mean free path is of the order of 65 microns — long enough that electronic components could be made that would operate at ambient temperatures with virtually no resistance. This is similar to superconductivity, but at room temperature.

4, 5 & 6. Best at electricity
And in case that doesn't impress you, Manchester University's Dr Leonid Ponomarenko points out that graphene also has "the highest current density (a million times that of copper) at room temperature; the highest intrinsic mobility (100 times more than in silicon); and conducts electricity in the limit of no electrons". Which means it can carry more electricity more efficiency, faster and with more precision than any other material.

7. Transparency
Back to Professor Tour for this one: "Another amazing thing about graphene is that you can see it. You can lay a sheet on a white piece of paper and actually see it. It is amazingly transparent, absorbing just 2.3 percent of light that lands on it, but if you have a blank sheet to compare it to, you can see that it is there." That means you can see a single layer of atoms with your naked eye, if they're graphene.

As well as making graphene even more useful as a potential solar cell component, its transparency makes it ideal for use in touchscreens. Currently most screens are made from Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), which absorbs 10 percent of incident light. But ITO is quite brittle, whereas graphene is extremely...

8 & 9. Elastic
Well, for a crystal, anyway. Graphene stretches up to 20 percent of its length. And yet it is also the stiffest known material — even stiffer than diamond.

10. Thermal conductivity
Graphene also beats diamond in thermal conductivity. In fact, graphene now holds the record for conducting heat — it's better than any other known material. [link]

12 ODDEEst Stories of 2011

1. JANUARY: 3500 brave people rode the subway half naked to celebrate "No Pants Subway Ride" in New York

Thousands of people dropped their trousers in the New York City subway, baring their bods to their briefs with bitter temperatures upstairs.

At 3 p.m. Sunday, participating New Yorkers stripped down to their festive underwear to kick off the 10th annual "No Pants Subway Ride", tucked their pants away into their bags and rode on as usual as unsuspecting passengers gawked away.

The party, organized by the New York-based group Improv Everywhere, only took place from the waist down -- pantsless transit riders kept their top halves fully clothed, donning scarves and gloves as the temperature hovered around a far-from-balmy 30 degrees. According to organizers, at least 3,500 people participated in New York, eventually converging on the city's Union Square to celebrate.

2. FEBRUARY: The man who got a tattoo on his penis to win a car

A German man didn't have to hand over a dime for a new car, but he did have to pay in ink.

Andreas Mueller won a silver Mini Cooper by pulling off the craziest stunt during a radio show contest by getting a tattoo of the word 'MINI' on his penis. Radio listeners heard Muller shriek as he received the tatty on his man part while a female host watched. "Once I'm sitting in the car, it won't matter anymore," said Mueller, 39.

3. MARCH: The sex book filled with 200 blank pages that outsold Harry Potter

An empty book entitled 'What Every Man Thinks About Apart From Sex' has soared up the bestseller charts. Outselling the likes of 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' by JK Rowling and 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown, 'Professor' Sheridan Simove's publication moved 134,256 places up Amazon's bestseller list to reach number 744. The book claims to reveal the mysterious workings of the male mind, providing a probing insight into what, other than sex, occupies their thoughts, and was recently featured on the ITV1 show 'Lorraine', with Lorraine Kelly. However, each of the 200 pages are completely blank. It seems the £4.69 journal has become a craze on campuses up and down the country, with students using the blank pages to take notes in lectures.

The book's 'author' said of the sales, 'When the book was published I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would outsell Harry Potter.' Prof Simove went on to reveal that the subject matter tackled in the book was thoroughly researched. 'After many years of hard work I finally realized that men think of absolutely nothing apart from sex,' he added. 

4. APRIL: The woman so obsessed with pink that she decorated her entire house as a shrine to the colour

A young mother is so obsessed with pink that she has turned her home into a shrine to the color. Wanda Matthews, 20, has loved pink from a young age, and, as soon as she moved into her own place, she set about transforming it. Her bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom and children's playroom are a candy-coloured testament to her passion for pink, with everything from the carpets, wallpaper, furniture and bedding in varying shades of the rosy hue.

The mother of two, from Bolton, wears something pink every day from her pink wardrobe, and her kitchen even has a pink kettle, toaster, pots, and pans. She only buys pink cleaning products, listens to a pink iPod and makes calls on her pink mobile. Her young daughters have happily fit in with the colour scheme, wearing pink clothes and playing with pink toys.

5. MAY: The man who was arrested for underage drinking six hours before turning 21

There's bad luck, and then there are times when fate's just being damn cruel. This is the latter scenario. Jesse Robinson was booked on May 21, 2011 for underage consumption. The thing is, he was born on May 22, 1990. That's right, Springboro police arrested him at about 6:30 p.m., less than six hours before he turned 21, the legal drinking age.

6. JUNE: The 3-yr-old toddler who escaped an 8-floor fall by getting stuck in the air conditioning unit

A lucky three-year-old boy had a miraculous escape after he fell from an eighth floor balcony and became trapped in the building's air-conditioning unit. The toddler, who has not been named, had been left home alone in the apartment in Beijing, China, before he fell. Neighbours, who heard him screaming in terror, called the police for help. But when they noticed he was starting to slip they decided to take the matter into their own hands. Two grocery shop workers, Mr Wang and Mr Zhou, leapt into action climbing out of the window and grabbing the boy's arm in the nick of time.

A passing witness, a Mr Miao, said he suddenly heard screaming and when he looked up he saw 'a kid was stuck behind an air conditioner while his legs were dangling in the air.' Mr Miao added, 'Then several men appeared at the balcony on the 7th floor. One of them climbed over and caught the boy's wrist'.

7. JULY: The man who got stuck in manhole while trying to get his mobile phone back

Walking to a friend's house, Jared Medeiros was set upon by a group of men who left him battered and bruised. And, adding insult to injury, his mobile was then chucked through a manhole cover by the attackers. But the 21-year-old refused to accept that the phone was gone and decided it would be a good idea to stick his head down the drain to retrieve it and call the police.

Bad idea. He became stuck fast – and the alarm was raised only after he had been in there screaming for about 40 minutes. ‘I was concerned but I was also laughing – it was funny!' said Brianna Mooney, 16, who raised the alarm. Mr Medeiros was freed by firefighters, who spent hours trying to pull him out. He said he had been beaten and kicked by four men.

Photos of his predicament were made public by police in Ceres, California. ‘I don't understand why they would sit and take pictures,' said Mr Medeiros. ‘That kind of p****s me off.'

8. AUGUST: The woman who got stuck with her car in fresh wet cement and didn't want to leave so she wouldn't ruin her shoes

A female lawyer got into a sticky situation when she attempted a U-turn and drove straight onto a bed of freshly laid wet cement in Houston, Texas. Road workers stationed in the city couldn't believe their eyes as the driver totally ignored the bright orange markers and planted all four wheels of her £70,000 luxury Lexus square on the concrete.

Three users of the website 'Reddit' were on hand to take pictures and within a few hours a social media storm of laughter had been created. One user, changitochulito, who witnessed the incident from an office block said the cement was barely five minutes old before it claimed its first set of wheels. Police were eventually called in to rescue the woman, but it's understood she decided to stay in her car so as not to ruin her shoes.

9. SEPTEMBER: The woman who was left ‘uniboob ‘after bad plastic surgery and then became a model

A 40-year-old woman went public with her 'botched' breast enhancement operation in a bid to warn other women about the dangers of using unqualified plastic surgeons. Dinora Rodriguez, from Los Angeles, California, was left with a 'uniboob' after her breasts were conjoined by skin. She also had a nip-tuck operation on her eyelids that has meant she is now unable to close them.

Mrs Rodriguez is now featured in a new advertising campaign being mounted by the American Board of Plastic Surgery in an attempt to warn people about the dangers of using unqualified surgeons. The ASPS want to warn people considering surgery to be on their guard against what they call 'white coat deception'. The advert featuring Mrs Rodriguez was unveiled at the annual conference of the ABPS in Denver, Colorado.

10. OCTOBER: The couple who got married on Octber 31st with a Halloween-themed wedding

Newlyweds Steve and Karen Vailes got into the spirit of Halloween when they had a spooky wedding at a Bristol Register Office, with everyone coming dressed as a ghoulish character. The couple were both dressed as skeletons, with the bride, Karen, wearing a black outfit instead of the usual white wedding dress. The guests were also convinced to come as creatures of the night, with some dressing as witches and others donning vampire costumes. The groom, Steve, admitted he was a bit hesitant at first but loved it once he got into the swing of things.

11. NOVEMBER: The baby who was born at 1:11 on 11.11.2011

Jacob Anthony Saydeh won't have any trouble remembering precisely when he was born. Virtua Memorial hospital in Mount Holly, N.J. says Jacob entered the world at 11:11 a.m. on Friday — 11-11-11.

And to make the Veterans Day birth even more remarkable, the boy's mother is an Air Force veteran and his father currently serves in the Air Force. It's the second child for Staff Sgt. Christopher Saydeh and his wife, Danielle. They live at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, where he is a member of the Air Force security forces. They are a third-generation military family.

Jacob weighed 8 pounds, 13 ounces.

12. DECEMBER: The couple who set the record for world's largest Christmas light decoration

The Christmas lights world record was smashed by an Australian couple. David and Janean Richards have an incredible 331,038 fairy lights covering their property - smashing the previous world record. David Richards, a barrister and father of three, has been working for the past four years to bring together all the decorations. The illuminations have helped raise money for the charity SIDS and Kids - an organisation Mr Richards said helped his family during tough times in 2002.

Although their entry into the Guinness World Records and the money raised for charity have obviously gone well with the Richards, the household doesn't plan to do the same thing next year. The couple will be passing the lights on, as a way of encouraging the new owners to raise money for charity. [link]

Extremely Weird People Of WalMart

It doesn’t take too long to find a bizarre person or situation at Walmart, but thankfully someone is documenting it. See the latest installment in this fun loving, and sometimes disturbing series.
 

Crocodile And Fish In A Body

10 Jobs That Need Lie

Lying a sin? Hmmm ... do not deny we sometimes need to lie in our lives, especially in the work. Consider just his review. 

In their work, not only takes skill selling, bargaining, designing, or speak it. Lying is one skill that turned out to be owned by some of the following work: 

1. Clothing salesperson "Well you must be perfect to wear this color, look right you know in the skin. Please try it, I'll help you find the right size for you. "Thus it is often said by the salesman at a boutique you visit.
When you're fun to see the collections they have, and fixated on a suit, the clerk will immediately go over and greet you warmly. Deftly they get some size to you, so you powerless to resist. As a result, you had only intended to wash the eyes, out of the shop laden with a bag of groceries. Not only good at selling, the salesman was also good at lying. You are actually more fit than slim to wear boot cut leg, but he managed to persuade you. 

Skill lies: 3  
What is done by the clerk did not include crime, because he basically just trying to induce you to buy the goods he offers. Tempted or not it is completely under your control. But 80% of women in and out of boutiques, they managed to flirt and come home with the groceries. 

2. Cosmetics saleswoman You know why those are cosmetics saleswoman flawless? The goal is only one, to attract customers to buy their products. Although both women, but as women we also admire the beauty of other women you know. Would not be surprised if you suddenly stop at the cosmetics counter and talking with the salesman who has spent all weapons tester.
"This color will give the impression to slim your cheeks. Can be combined with a nude pink lipstick to make it look more natural and adolescents. let me show you how its application in your face. " 

Skill lies: 2
Even if the salesperson is beautiful, but the skill lies still less than the salesperson clothes that are easier to convince customers with tricks. Even so, you know not a few customers who successfully wooed a bit fooled by his talents and matching mixing colors. Moreover, women always want to look beautiful and eliminate their chubby cheeks. 

3. Doctor Still do not remember when you were kids. When the smallpox vaccine should be injected, the doctor will say, "No pain really, dik, it feels like being bitten by ants." Is that right? Of course not, injected with ant bites are two very different things. When injected, then there is a chemical / drug is injected into the body. While the ants, biting as their resistance.
It is a lie made by doctors for the good. But when you've grown resentful of course you do, why must say it feels like being bitten by ants? Is not there any other creative story? 

Skill lies: 5 
Doctors in the end we can always persuade. Saying injected like an ant bite? Hmm ... very silly indeed. But while we weep, yet we also want to finally injected by it right?

4. Teacher A teacher's duty to give a lesson to us. But teachers also became a figure who often deceive us know. "This incident actually happened when I was in kindergarten, but I still remember though only a few pieces.
I was never far from the mother, and wished she could accompany me everywhere, including when I have to start school. At that time I was crying when the mother was allowed to enter, I was breaking down for several days. Having successfully persuaded a mother, I want to go back to school. And that day my mother was also not allowed to enter. But this time the teacher did not say that the mother had gone home, but is being studied in the next room. If I'm smart, I would immediately go up to the next grade with his mother. And it works! I no longer cry "Aurora - 27 years. 

Skill lies: 5 
The teacher does know best how to handle children who are crying because did not want much from her mother. And in many ways trying to distract us and make us forget that the earlier we're looking for the mother. However, this lie was good for us. At least train our independence and courage when starting school age. 

5. Photographers Woman calls the lies made by the photographer as a manipulation. Yes, they are very good at deceiving the eye with their skill playing his camera. Make you look slimmer or more white in an instant. Although the results are printed only on shots, but many who submit photos of their pre-wedding to the hands of the maestro in the field of wedding photographers. His name was married, of course want it to look beautiful all the time? 

Skill lies: 5 
Manipulation of the photographer almost always succeed perfectly. Moreover, supported by a customer who want to intentionally lied to the image capture technique and a little editing. 

6. Taxi driver When you're anxious to see that the meter jumps from second to second, it turns out you did not also reach the destination. Intrigued at the same time you are worried ask the driver who brought you the time, whether the journey is still far away. And he replied, "is imminent anyway, bu. Soon we're here, "he said. The fact that happens, you do not go up, and be anxious enough money in your wallet to pay for a taxi that was big enough.
Well, this one lie can sometimes fall into the category of crimes, especially if they are deliberately spinning and look for the path further, in order to reap more benefits from their meter. And if things happen like this, report it immediately to the customer service taxi company. 

Skill lies: 4  
They usually just say, 'is near', 'not far away', 'soon to really', but 15 minutes walk, you have not reached the destination. Immediately contact your colleagues or your family and ask the location you want to go actually. 


7. Hotel Receptionist You might not think that in the off season there are only two rooms are empty, and you are very lucky to get one of them. You'd think, ah really glad and lucky I am. But do not be trigger-happy, it is occasionally done by the hotel so that guests feel that they visit a decent hotel and had a name. Though perhaps not all the rooms filled, but they will give the impression that the guest is a person who was lucky to stay and get a special room. Here's how I used to be a guest feel at home and become regular customers. 

Skill lies: 3  
Skill lies the hotel receptionist was admirable. But sometimes a person chose the hotel area not only because of his ministry alone, but also because it is close to the field. Not more than 40% of people loyal to his favorite hotel, although far from where he will visit. 

8. Actor / Actress Yes, the skill lies they can say the most perfect, because they are required to be able to play various kinds of human characteristics. Sometimes it plays the protagonist or antagonist. And it can be said as a lie to the audience, which also awaited, entertaining and even awards. The greater the lie that is done, the more convincing acting an artist, and the behavior of all films diperaninya. 

Skill lies: 5 
Well, no doubt their skill in deceiving others (acting). And lie is worth a thumbs up (in a positive sense), especially if one could portray the character of a very difficult and complicated. 

9. Secretary "Good afternoon. Sorry, sir, this time we're meeting your boss. Are you going to leave a message? "Said a secretary when receiving a call from a client. And if the boss is always busy meeting? No! Sometimes the boss is intentionally giving black list on a few clients that they consider intrusive and did not make the list of co-operation. In contrast, if the client is calling is very important. How busy your boss, it will prompt you to bother him.

Skill lies: 3  
Their answer is always convincing, but not entirely trust the client directly, because most people already know when a boss said he was busy, so he did not want to take a call. 

10. Home Sales "Oh, this house has a good history, sir. Very comfortable and abandoned by the owner of the house because they have moved offices in other areas, "he said as he showed some dark spots and you feel less comfortable. Sure enough, some time later you try to find out the identity and history of the house, turned out to investigate have calibaration, a few months ago the house was disatroni by robbers. And not just this once. Had changed owners a few people, all disatroni robbers. 

Skill lies: 4  
Yes, they could have put together a story of horror, romance, or comedy about a house that they offer. But history never lies, if indeed the house keeps a history of bad, sooner or underlayer you will know it. To that end, always be careful in deciding to buy a house.[link]

WTF Photos From the Past

Some funny and weird black and white photos from the past. Even then people already knew how to make you wonder about the sense of a picture. Enjoy :)

 

[link]