Monday, November 24, 2008
Hotel Atlantis Lightshow Trial Run
Friday, June 27, 2008
The fish tank that's so big it can hold FOUR whale sharks
It certainly beats watching a lonely goldfish swimming round its tiny bowl.
This is one of the world's biggest fish tanks - so big that it's even been named the Kuroshio Sea.
Located in the Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa, Japan, the enormous tank is some ten metres deep, 35 metres wide and 27 metres long.
A giant whale shark behind the world's largest acrylic panel at Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa
It holds a staggering 7,500 tonnes of water - roughly equal to three Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Eighty species live in the Kuroshio Sea tank, including yellow-fin tuna, bonito (a type of large mackerel) and manta rays.
But the daddy of them all is the world's biggest fish, the whale shark - which can grow to be 12 metres long and needs a quarter of a tonne of food every week.
Only three aquariums in the world have tanks large enough to house these giant creatures.
Viewers observe a giant manta ray
The four whale sharks at Churaumi move around comfortably - swimming diagonally past each other and feeding with their long tails touching the plethora of colourful corals at the bottom of the tank.
Rather than hand-pick fish from around the world and force them to mix in unfamiliar waters, the emphasis in the Kuroshio Sea tank is placed on local sea life.
All the species housed here can be found thriving around Okinawa - and even the water itself is pumped in from 300 metres offshore.
It is no surprise, then, that this titanic space requires an equally large observation panel.
The Kuroshio Sea: The world's largest fish tank in Okinawa, Japan has a focus on local sea life
The world's largest aquarium window, it measures a staggering 8.2 metres by 22.5 metres and is more than 60cm thick - this is necessary to stop the tank from collapsing under the huge water pressure placed on the glass.
It was constructed from seven acrylic-resin sheets, which were stuck together using a strong glue with a secret formula.
The appearance is dazzling and the window is so clear that each year millions of visitors can believe, for a moment, that they have stepped into a magical underwater world.
This is one of the world's biggest fish tanks - so big that it's even been named the Kuroshio Sea.
Located in the Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa, Japan, the enormous tank is some ten metres deep, 35 metres wide and 27 metres long.
A giant whale shark behind the world's largest acrylic panel at Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa
It holds a staggering 7,500 tonnes of water - roughly equal to three Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Eighty species live in the Kuroshio Sea tank, including yellow-fin tuna, bonito (a type of large mackerel) and manta rays.
But the daddy of them all is the world's biggest fish, the whale shark - which can grow to be 12 metres long and needs a quarter of a tonne of food every week.
Only three aquariums in the world have tanks large enough to house these giant creatures.
Viewers observe a giant manta ray
The four whale sharks at Churaumi move around comfortably - swimming diagonally past each other and feeding with their long tails touching the plethora of colourful corals at the bottom of the tank.
Rather than hand-pick fish from around the world and force them to mix in unfamiliar waters, the emphasis in the Kuroshio Sea tank is placed on local sea life.
All the species housed here can be found thriving around Okinawa - and even the water itself is pumped in from 300 metres offshore.
It is no surprise, then, that this titanic space requires an equally large observation panel.
The Kuroshio Sea: The world's largest fish tank in Okinawa, Japan has a focus on local sea life
The world's largest aquarium window, it measures a staggering 8.2 metres by 22.5 metres and is more than 60cm thick - this is necessary to stop the tank from collapsing under the huge water pressure placed on the glass.
It was constructed from seven acrylic-resin sheets, which were stuck together using a strong glue with a secret formula.
The appearance is dazzling and the window is so clear that each year millions of visitors can believe, for a moment, that they have stepped into a magical underwater world.
Labels: amazing, Technology
Read more!Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Rotating skyscraper set for Dubai
DYNAMIC TOWER: Italian architect David Fisher announces the world's first building in motion in New York. (Getty Images)
The "Dynamic Tower", a slender, shifting skyscraper of rotating luxury apartments, was presented in project-form Tuesday in New York by Italian architect David Fisher, before it goes up in Dubai.
The innovative, 420-metre building features 80 pre-fabricated apartments that spin 360 degrees, at voice command, around a central column by means of 79 power-generating wind turbines located between each floor.
"This building will have endless different shapes," Fisher told reporters.
As each floor rotates independently from the other, the Dynamic Tower will constantly change its profile, in a new architectural concept that is taking root around the world.
The Mirax group plans to build a similar, 70-story skyscraper in Moscow.
"We look forward to build a third one in New York and maybe in other cities," said Fisher.
"These buildings will open our vision all around, to a new life."
The apartments, ranging from 124 to 1,200 square metres will take between one and three hours to make a complete rotation, and at 30,000 dollars per square metre, will cost from $3.7 million to $36 million.
Fisher said the pre-fabricated components made in a plant in Altamura, southern Italy, will allow the skyscraper to go up in record time, one floor per week instead of the usual one-per-six-weeks for similar high rises, and slash building costs by 10 percent.
He said the skyscraper, which will be completely energy self sufficient and will cost an estimated $700 million dollars to build, should be operational in Dubai in 2010.
The "Dynamic Tower", a slender, shifting skyscraper of rotating luxury apartments, was presented in project-form Tuesday in New York by Italian architect David Fisher, before it goes up in Dubai.
The innovative, 420-metre building features 80 pre-fabricated apartments that spin 360 degrees, at voice command, around a central column by means of 79 power-generating wind turbines located between each floor.
"This building will have endless different shapes," Fisher told reporters.
As each floor rotates independently from the other, the Dynamic Tower will constantly change its profile, in a new architectural concept that is taking root around the world.
The Mirax group plans to build a similar, 70-story skyscraper in Moscow.
"We look forward to build a third one in New York and maybe in other cities," said Fisher.
"These buildings will open our vision all around, to a new life."
The apartments, ranging from 124 to 1,200 square metres will take between one and three hours to make a complete rotation, and at 30,000 dollars per square metre, will cost from $3.7 million to $36 million.
Fisher said the pre-fabricated components made in a plant in Altamura, southern Italy, will allow the skyscraper to go up in record time, one floor per week instead of the usual one-per-six-weeks for similar high rises, and slash building costs by 10 percent.
He said the skyscraper, which will be completely energy self sufficient and will cost an estimated $700 million dollars to build, should be operational in Dubai in 2010.
Labels: Design, Longest, Science, Technology, World Business
Read more!Saturday, May 03, 2008
China First World's Longest Trans-sea Bridge Opens up In China
Hangzhou Bay Trans-sea Bridge was opened to traffics on a trial basis on May 1. China inaugurated the longest's bridge in the country as part of its effort to boost economic integration and development in the Yangtze River Delta.
Presented as the "world's longest sea bridge", the 36-kilometre (22-mile) structure connects Jiaxing city near Shanghai to the port city of Ningbo in the eastern province of Zhejiang.
The 11.8 billion yuan (US$1.7 billion) bridge cuts the length of the road trip from Shanghai to Ningbo by 120 kilometres. Link
HANGZHOU, June 8 (Xinhuanet) -- China started Sunday the construction of its first sea-crossing bridge, also said to be the longest in the world, at the Hangzhou Bay in east China.
With an estimated investment of 11.8 billion yuan (1.42 billionUS dollars), the 36-km-long Ningbo Hangzhou Bay Sea-crossing Bridge is much longer than the 25.23-km-long Chesapeke-Bay Bridge Tunnel in the United States and the 25-km-long Saudi Arabia Baharian Cause Way.
With a designed life span of 100 years, the bridge will have six lanes in two directions which allow for a driving speed of 100km per hour.
The Hangzhou Bay is a gulf in the East China Sea. Famous for the Qiantang River Tide, one of China's natural wonders, the bay is encircled by a group of economically booming cities including Shanghai, China's leading industrial and commercial hub, and Ningbo, one of China's leading port cities.
The Yangtze River delta, where the bay is located, accounts for two percent of China's total land space and 10 percent of its total population, but contributes to 22 percent of the national gross domestic product.
The S-shaped stayed-cable sea-crossing bridge, linking Cixi City on the southern bank of the bay and Jiaxing City on the northern bank, will be completed in 2008.
Upon completion, the bridge will shorten the distance between Shanghai and Ningbo by 120 km.
The bridge is a coastal routeway connecting the areas along theBohai Bay, the Yangtze River and Pearl River deltas. It is also the largest project of the planned 5,200-km-long national highway that runs through China from Tongjiang of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province to Sanya of south China's Hainan Province.
China's first self-designed and self-built bridge, the Qiantang River Bridge, about 200 km away from the new sea-crossing bridge, was completed in 1937. Up to now, China has constructed thousands of bridges on its rivers.
Construction of the new sea-crossing bridge is an indication of China's increasing economic power, and it is expected to boost economic development in the Yangtze River delta, said Jin Jianming,an official in charge of the bridge construction.
It shows that China now is capable of building world-class bridges, he noted.
Following the Hangzhou Bay bridge, a number of sea-crossing bridges at the Bohai Bay, Huangdao in Shandong Province and East China Sea will be constructed involving more than 100 billion yuan(12.09 billion US dollars), authoritative sources have disclosed.
In the early 20th century, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, forerunner of the democratic revolution of China, had initiated the construction of a Hangzhou Bay trans-sea bridge.
Preparations for constructing the bridge started 10 years ago, and more than 500 experts had spent eight years on designing the Hangzhou Bay bridge, which sets many records in China's history ofbridge construction.
Costing the biggest investment in building a single bridge in China, the bridge is the first State Council-approved large infrastructure project on China's mainland that invites private investment.
Seventeen private enterprises will invest 50.25 percent of the total funds needed to build the bridge. The remaining part of the investment will come from some state-owned enterprises.
Upon completion, daily traffic volume on the bridge is estimated to reach 45,000 vehicles during its first year of operation. The bridge is scheduled to open to traffic in 2009. source
Labels: amazing, Design, Technology, World Business
Read more!Monday, April 21, 2008
World's First Scar-free Appendectomy
The world's first scar-free appendectomy has been successfully performed at University of San Diego Medical Centre, USA. Jeff Scholtz, a former U.S. marine, has recently secured his place in medical history, becoming the first patient in the world who had his appendix through mouth removed.
The operation, which is a major advance in the quest for scar-free surgery, was performed by doctors in San Diego, California, who used a flexible tube to thread miniature surgical instruments down the 42-year-old's throat to his stomach.
A tiny incision was then made in the stomach wall to get at the appendix - a small worm-like pouch attached to the large bowel.
The inflamed appendix was cut away, bagged and pulled back into the stomach - and out of the mouth.
Labels: Science, Technology
Read more!Thursday, January 03, 2008
World's Most Unusual Hotels & Motels
Matthew J. Malone and Lauren Sherman(Forbes)
Casablanca HotelNew York City
Ever wanted to live like Bogey? The 48-room Casablanca Hotel in Times Square features a Moroccan décor complemented by Rick's Café, named for the restaurant in the classic 1942 film featuring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.
Ever wanted to live like Bogey? The 48-room Casablanca Hotel in Times Square features a Moroccan décor complemented by Rick's Café, named for the restaurant in the classic 1942 film featuring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.
HydropalaceQingdao, China
Scheduled to open in 2009, the Hydropalace in Qingdao, China, will be anchored in the Yellow Sea in water that is 16 to 20 meters deep at low tide. Guests will arrive at the hotel by yacht, which will also stop at a planned land-based hydrotower, scheduled to open for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Scheduled to open in 2009, the Hydropalace in Qingdao, China, will be anchored in the Yellow Sea in water that is 16 to 20 meters deep at low tide. Guests will arrive at the hotel by yacht, which will also stop at a planned land-based hydrotower, scheduled to open for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Ice HotelQuebec, Canada
The Ice Hotel is created anew each year out of 15,000 pounds of snow and 500 pounds of ice. The 34-room hotel features an ice chapel, two art galleries and a host of outdoor activities. The temperature inside the hotel ranges from 23 to 28 degrees Fahrenheit, and the beds are carved from ice. You don't sleep directly on the ice, though--there's a wooden plank between the ice and a comfy mattress, plus you're insulated with a special sleeping bag that can withstand the harshest climes (-40 degrees Fahrenheit). Happily, the bathrooms are not frigid--the heated facilities are in the adjacent hotel.
The Ice Hotel is created anew each year out of 15,000 pounds of snow and 500 pounds of ice. The 34-room hotel features an ice chapel, two art galleries and a host of outdoor activities. The temperature inside the hotel ranges from 23 to 28 degrees Fahrenheit, and the beds are carved from ice. You don't sleep directly on the ice, though--there's a wooden plank between the ice and a comfy mattress, plus you're insulated with a special sleeping bag that can withstand the harshest climes (-40 degrees Fahrenheit). Happily, the bathrooms are not frigid--the heated facilities are in the adjacent hotel.
Propeller Island City LodgeBerlin, Germany
Would you rather sleep in a coffin or in a bed atop a castle? These are just a couple of options available when visiting the Propeller Island City Lodge, where each of the 31 rooms embrace a different theme. From the orange room to the symbol room--tiled entirely with wooden blocks painted with 300 different symbols--this gallery-esque spot gets those creative juices pumping.
Would you rather sleep in a coffin or in a bed atop a castle? These are just a couple of options available when visiting the Propeller Island City Lodge, where each of the 31 rooms embrace a different theme. From the orange room to the symbol room--tiled entirely with wooden blocks painted with 300 different symbols--this gallery-esque spot gets those creative juices pumping.
Library HotelNew York City
Appropriately located near the New York Public Library, the hotel has 60 rooms on 10 floors. Each floor is designed after one of the 10 categories of the Dewey Decimal System, such as Math and Science and Religion, and each room houses part of the hotel's collection of 6,000 books.
Appropriately located near the New York Public Library, the hotel has 60 rooms on 10 floors. Each floor is designed after one of the 10 categories of the Dewey Decimal System, such as Math and Science and Religion, and each room houses part of the hotel's collection of 6,000 books.
The Pitcher InnWarren, Vt.
The nine rooms and two suites at The Pitcher Inn are designed on themes such as "School," "Trout" and "Calvin Coolidge." We're not just talking variations in wallpaper--the "Stable" suite has a hay chute opening into it. Guests don't rough it, however. The inn is a Relais and Chateaux property, and it includes a spa and dining room that uses fresh local and regional ingredients.
The nine rooms and two suites at The Pitcher Inn are designed on themes such as "School," "Trout" and "Calvin Coolidge." We're not just talking variations in wallpaper--the "Stable" suite has a hay chute opening into it. Guests don't rough it, however. The inn is a Relais and Chateaux property, and it includes a spa and dining room that uses fresh local and regional ingredients.
Ariau Towers HotelBrazil
Not for the acrophobic, this hotel lets you sleep in the treetops of the Amazon Rainforest. "Tarzan's house," for example, is perched on stilts 80 feet above the ground. Situated on the bank of the Negro River, Ariau's apartments, suites and tree houses are linked by a series of catwalks
Not for the acrophobic, this hotel lets you sleep in the treetops of the Amazon Rainforest. "Tarzan's house," for example, is perched on stilts 80 feet above the ground. Situated on the bank of the Negro River, Ariau's apartments, suites and tree houses are linked by a series of catwalks
Beckham Creek Cave HavenParthenon, Ark.
A "luxurious cave" may sound like the ultimate contradiction. This property, built into the Ozark Mountains, features natural rock walls and ceilings as well as Jacuzzi bathtubs and large windows for letting in light. Built as a Cold War bomb shelter by John Hay, founder of Celestial Seasonings tea, it's now a base from which to hike, bike and explore local springs.
A "luxurious cave" may sound like the ultimate contradiction. This property, built into the Ozark Mountains, features natural rock walls and ceilings as well as Jacuzzi bathtubs and large windows for letting in light. Built as a Cold War bomb shelter by John Hay, founder of Celestial Seasonings tea, it's now a base from which to hike, bike and explore local springs.
WinvianMorris, Conn.
At Winvian, lodging options range from a helicopter to a log cabin. The hotel features 18 individually designed cottages and one suite located in the main house. Included in the rates are all meals and drinks (excluding a reserve wine list), Vespa scooters, horseback riding and other activities.
At Winvian, lodging options range from a helicopter to a log cabin. The hotel features 18 individually designed cottages and one suite located in the main house. Included in the rates are all meals and drinks (excluding a reserve wine list), Vespa scooters, horseback riding and other activities.
Jules Undersea LodgeKey Largo, Fla.
This former research lab is located underwater in a tropical mangrove habitat, and guests must scuba dive 21 feet to get to the main lobby. It can accommodate up to six guests, and each air-conditioned room features a 42-inch window in the water. The dining room has custom mermaid and "mer-man" tables. Our only question: Where's the pool?
This former research lab is located underwater in a tropical mangrove habitat, and guests must scuba dive 21 feet to get to the main lobby. It can accommodate up to six guests, and each air-conditioned room features a 42-inch window in the water. The dining room has custom mermaid and "mer-man" tables. Our only question: Where's the pool?
Labels: Technology, World Business
Read more!Monday, December 24, 2007
Antigravitational Water
Cool trick, sent by Paula. Watch also this man on steroid and these antigravitational photos.
Labels: Science, Technology
Read more!Friday, December 14, 2007
Worlds Largest Passenger Cruise Ship - Royal Caribbean
"Freedom of the Seas"
M/S Freedom of the Seas is a Royal Caribbean International cruise ship. The world's largest passenger vessel, she can accommodate over 4,300 passengers on her fifteen passenger decks, served by over 1300 crew.
She is about 229 ft. longer, about 108,000 gross tons larger, and can accommodate 2,147 more passengers than RMS Titanic. Her operating costs are $1 million per day. Rooms for the maiden voyage were priced from $1,900 to $22,000 for the week. As routine service continues, starting room rates are expected to descend as low as $700 for cruises scheduled in the autumn of 2007. The ship consumes approximately 28,000 gallons of fuel per hour.
Facilities -
The ship features three swimming areas; an interactive water park, a dedicated adult pool and the main pool. There are 2 whirlpools cantilevered out from the ship's sides. The Royal Promenade sports a coffee shop, Sorrento's Pizzeria, a Ben and Jerry's ice-cream shop, Vintage's winery, the Bull and Bear Irish pub, and many Duty-free shops. The 13th deck features a sports area with amenities such as a rock climbing wall, the FlowRider (an onboard wave generator for surfing), a miniature golf course and a full size basketball court. Other items include an ice skating rink, a casino, a Johnny Rockets, Wi-Fi capabilities throughout the ship, flat panel televisions in all staterooms, and cell phone connectivity.
M/S Freedom of the Seas is a Royal Caribbean International cruise ship. The world's largest passenger vessel, she can accommodate over 4,300 passengers on her fifteen passenger decks, served by over 1300 crew.
She is about 229 ft. longer, about 108,000 gross tons larger, and can accommodate 2,147 more passengers than RMS Titanic. Her operating costs are $1 million per day. Rooms for the maiden voyage were priced from $1,900 to $22,000 for the week. As routine service continues, starting room rates are expected to descend as low as $700 for cruises scheduled in the autumn of 2007. The ship consumes approximately 28,000 gallons of fuel per hour.
Facilities -
The ship features three swimming areas; an interactive water park, a dedicated adult pool and the main pool. There are 2 whirlpools cantilevered out from the ship's sides. The Royal Promenade sports a coffee shop, Sorrento's Pizzeria, a Ben and Jerry's ice-cream shop, Vintage's winery, the Bull and Bear Irish pub, and many Duty-free shops. The 13th deck features a sports area with amenities such as a rock climbing wall, the FlowRider (an onboard wave generator for surfing), a miniature golf course and a full size basketball court. Other items include an ice skating rink, a casino, a Johnny Rockets, Wi-Fi capabilities throughout the ship, flat panel televisions in all staterooms, and cell phone connectivity.
Labels: amazing, Entertainment, Technology
Read more!Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Radical new tyre design by Michelin
What do you think?
Radical new tire design by Michelin. The next generation of tires.
They had a pair at the Philadelphia car show.
These tires are airless and are scheduled to be out on the market very
soon ..
The bad news for law enforcement is that spike strips will not work on
these tires.
This is what great R&D will do, and just think of the impact on
existing technology:
a... no more air valves
a... no more air compressors at gas stations
a... no more repair kits
SCAN DOWN & SEE.
These are actual pictures taken in the South Carolina plant of Michelin.
It will be awhile before they are available to the automotive industry.
Radical new tire design by Michelin. The next generation of tires.
They had a pair at the Philadelphia car show.
These tires are airless and are scheduled to be out on the market very
soon ..
The bad news for law enforcement is that spike strips will not work on
these tires.
This is what great R&D will do, and just think of the impact on
existing technology:
a... no more air valves
a... no more air compressors at gas stations
a... no more repair kits
SCAN DOWN & SEE.
These are actual pictures taken in the South Carolina plant of Michelin.
It will be awhile before they are available to the automotive industry.
Labels: Technology
Read more!Thursday, July 19, 2007
1.5 GigaPixel photograph
gone are the days of megapixel.......
photography meets software in this amazing creation....
This is something really amazing…..
So all the guys the talkin abt Megapixel ’n’ all those..chk out where the technology is headed toooo…..
Do not forget to check the technical details link below that foto……
It will makes ur Eyes Wide Open……
Once on the site…..ZOOM the Foto…. It will take some time to refresh the page…. Zoom it to the MAX and see the Diff………
Simply Amazingggggggggg………………….
The same photographer who did a 720 megapixel photo of Sydney earlier this year has now done a 1500 megapixel photo of Machu Picchu. The level of details is amazing - you can zoom in so far you can see the expressions on people’s faces!!!
http://www.docbert.org/MP/
photography meets software in this amazing creation....
This is something really amazing…..
So all the guys the talkin abt Megapixel ’n’ all those..chk out where the technology is headed toooo…..
Do not forget to check the technical details link below that foto……
It will makes ur Eyes Wide Open……
Once on the site…..ZOOM the Foto…. It will take some time to refresh the page…. Zoom it to the MAX and see the Diff………
Simply Amazingggggggggg………………….
The same photographer who did a 720 megapixel photo of Sydney earlier this year has now done a 1500 megapixel photo of Machu Picchu. The level of details is amazing - you can zoom in so far you can see the expressions on people’s faces!!!
http://www.docbert.org/MP/
Labels: Technology
Read more!Monday, July 16, 2007
Sony Transparent TV
The looks are enthralling and it really seems to be a new spin on the idea of TV viewing. Well, the Sony claims to have built an innovative "Transparent TV".
Do you guys really think it's a transparent TV? Well, I doubt it. Take a close look at the pictures and you would find that it's nothing more than a projector.
The looks are enthralling and it really seems to be a new spin on the idea of TV viewing. Well, the Sony claims to have built an innovative "Transparent TV".
Still, an idea is an idea. Hats off to Sony for the magnificent idea of making a "Transparent TV" that is sooner or later going to revolutionize the meaning of a TV.
Do you guys really think it's a transparent TV? Well, I doubt it. Take a close look at the pictures and you would find that it's nothing more than a projector.
The looks are enthralling and it really seems to be a new spin on the idea of TV viewing. Well, the Sony claims to have built an innovative "Transparent TV".
Still, an idea is an idea. Hats off to Sony for the magnificent idea of making a "Transparent TV" that is sooner or later going to revolutionize the meaning of a TV.
Labels: Design, Technology
Read more!
