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Fire and steel-- at home

I figured I'd take a moment away from reviewing consumer electronics to write a little about a particular application in materials science. That field has long been an interest of mine, especially when it leads to unusual, attractive, and sophisticated products.

The Japanese samurai sword was arguably the ultimate expression of materials science and craftsmanship for hundreds of years. The PBS television series Nova this week aired a show titled "Secrets of the Samurai Sword" that took viewers through the complete process of making a sword.

Watching the show reminded me of a similar sequence from the … Read more

'Transformer' gun-bot hits showroom floor

Based on the apparent premise that bigger is better, the company that makes the SWORDS gun-toting robot has introduced a plumper version called MAARS, or Modular Advanced Armed Robotic System.

Foster-Miller is pitching MAARS as its "Transformer model." Presto--watch it "literally 'transforming' from a remote weapons platform for force protection to Improvised Explosive Device (IED) identification and neutralization tool."

It takes some wrenching, but the modular design robotic platform can clear the souk with its turret-mounted M240B Medium Machine Gun, then quickly transform to bomb-disposal duty with an attachable arm and gripper.

And while it tips … Read more

Unsheathe your games like a samurai

This item falls squarely under the category of major geekdom, but we're here to serve, not to judge. So we herewith offer the "Card Saber DS"--a sleeve that holds three DS games and a cartridge, according to Ubergizmo. Yes, it's not the most practical thing, but it costs only about $7. Besides, there's no price on the ability to unsheathe your games like a samurai. And it would go splendidly with your MP3 Lightsaber.