Category Archives: Cool Things

Electronic Eyeglasses Lets You Change Perscription in a Blink – Cool Thing

Hidden in the frames of the otherwise normal-looking glasses, are a microchip, micro-accelerometer and miniature batteries. Each lens has a transparent LCD layer that can electronically change its molecular structure, changing the focus only as needed. If you tilt your head down say to read a book or peek at an object up close, the accelerometer automatically detects the motion, sending a signal to the LCD that alters how light is refracted, change the prescription quietly and in, well, a blink of the eye. You can also put the glasses in manual mode.

So why would you choose these glasses compared to conventional progressive lenses? One answer: With ordinary progressives, you might be lying on a couch or bed and tilting your head up to watch TV, which would otherwise be a challenge if you’re peering out of that portion of the lens that isn’t meant for distance viewing. With emPower, you’d only summon a lens optimized for reading or closeups when you needed to.

Read More at: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/technologylive/post/2011/01/empower-electronic-eyeglass-lenses/1

Adult Center Debuts Organic Greenhouse – Cool Thing

St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center in El Cajon, CA (outside San Diego) which helps adults who have developmental disabilities recently debuted the greenhouse in its organic garden.  The greenhouse uses passive solar heating, which reduces electricity costs. 

In the new greenhouse adult students with developmental disabilities will learn to propagate California native drough-tolerant plants for sale to the general public, divide root systems, plant seeds, prune old growth and grow flowers, plants and herbs. 

The students earn a paycheck, develop social skills and increase their physical health and feeling of well-being.

The garden is source of fresh produce for the lunches that are prepared for its students and staff.

The organic garden was established in 1998 in a former horse pasture.  It is open to the public weekdays from 8am to 4pm and Saturdays from 9 to 3pm. 

The 2 acre site is a certified organic garden and member of the California Association of Nurseries.  It includes a citrus orchard, flower gardens, ornamental trees, shrubs, herbs and worm farm. 

Drought-resistant succulents and perennials are sold there starting at $4 along with gardening tools.  This is a nonprofit organization.

The garden is located at 2119 E Madison Ave, El Cajon.  (619) 442-5129.

Read More At: http://stmsc.org/programs/organic-garden

Thanks to Karen Pearlman at the UT for the info.

Disclaimer: For information and entertainment purposes only.

Recycled Stainless Steel Nesting Cookware – Cool Thing

Natural Home Eazistore cookware takes a pioneering approach to high-quality stainless steel cookware. Its award-winning design allows each set of pots or pans to nestle inside one another, reducing storage space by more than 67 percent.

Natural Home cookware is manufactured using impact-bonding technology. This technology takes advantage of the structural benefits of stainless steel and the thermal conduction of aluminum.

Unlike copper and nonstick materials, Natural Home cookware is scratch-resistant, dishwasher safe and can be used with induction heating elements. We use wastewater recycling systems, recycled raw materials and natural light instead of electric fixtures in our workshops, reducing the energy needed to manufacture our cookware by 60 percent without sacrificing structural or thermal integrity. In addition, our manufacturing process is free of harmful byproducts, utilizes more than 50 percent recycled content, and produces a line of products that consume about half the energy per item to ship.

Read more at:  http://www.naturalhomeandgarden.com/marketing.aspx?id=2147488815&amp&amp&amp&amp

Disclaimer: For Information and Entertainment Purposes Only