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July 3, 2008
Every Fourth, Perfectly Timed Pyrotechnics Make Grucci Family America’s Fireworks Gurus: Time Machine (July 1997)
Nearly a decade ago, PM reported on the crafting and history of fireworks with a profile of the Grucci family, who insisted that, while the technology goes back to China before Marco Polo arrived, the real art of fireworks is in the timing....
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13 Tough Questions for the Army Corps of Engineers' Flood Reconstruction Chief
We spoke with Eric Halpin, the Special Assistant for Dam and Levee Safety for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, about flood response lessons learned, and the state of the nation's levees....
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NASA Jumps at Patent for Plasma-Powered UFO Technology
Recently, a patent application was submitted for an aircraft in the shape of a flying saucer. Dubbed a “winged electromagnetic air vehicle,” the battery-powered prototype has already got NASA and the Air Force interested....
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Lost for Dummies: Your Must-Have Science Glossary on New Island Mysteries!
To help you navigate tonight's two-hour, physics-packed finale of Lost, we followed up a season's worth of debunking with more TiVo and experts on hand for a recap on all the science we could find....
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In Dawn of Space Race, Americans Chased Soviets to the Moon: Time Machine (August 1959)
In 1959, America’s space program lagged behind the Soviet effort—and PM wasn’t picking the United States to reach the moon first....
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NASA's Phoenix Spacecraft Heads for Mars Seeking Microbial E.T.
The robotic spacecraft has a simple mission, but it’s being conducted in a very challenging corner of the solar system. If all goes well (and we’re on hand if it doesn’t), Phoenix will analyze ice and soil for signs of life....
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Is Lost’s Island Electromagnetic Enough to Move Itself Through Space? Time-Travel Expert Says It’s Not Impossible
In the Locke-centric episode, “Cabin Fever,” we finally found out this season’s end game: If Locke wants to save the island, he’s going to have to move it....
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Micro Fueler Is First Ethanol Kit for Brewing Backyard Biofuels on the Cheap
The E-Fuel Corporation, a Silicon Valley startup, has introduced the first ethanol refinery system designed for home use. The backyard fueling station can create a gallon of pure E100 ethanol from 10 gallons of sugar—with offsetting cost options galore....
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10 Questions and Photos for Smithsonian UAV Curator/Fighter Pilot Dik Daso
The Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., recently opened an exhibit dedicated to these robotic aircraft. We got a sneak-peek tour of the gallery and chatted with the exhibit's curator, Dik Daso....
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How Can Lost's Super Doc Get Sick on an Island Where Sickness Doesn't Happen?
"Something Nice Back Home" revolved more around the psychological action than the scientific, we’re still curious as to how exactly super surgeon Jack Shephard landed on sweetheart maternity doc Juliet Burke's operating table....
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- 4 Big Reasons the D.C. Area's New Super Bridge Took One of America's Top Engineering Honors
- 15 Questions for Lost Bosses Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse—and 40 Revealing Answers!
- Planet's Largest, Most Powerful Laser Will Modernize Nukes (With New Pix!)
- 5 Questions for Lillian C. Borrone on Boosting Efficiency in America's Ports
- 10 Expert Solutions for a Smarter, Cleaner U.S. Electric Grid: Live @ the PM-NSF Bridges to the Future Summit
- 6 Questions for Port of Los Angeles Chief Geraldine Knatz
- 5 Questions for Geologist Jeff Mount on California’s Crumbling Delta Levees
- 6 Questions for Intelligent Bridge Geek Jerome Lynch
- New Minnesota Bridge’s Super Sensors Scan Tragedy Before It Strikes: First Look (With Video)
- 10 Expert Solutions for a Better American Water Supply: Live @ the PM-NSF Bridges to the Future Summit
Robotics
Real WALL*E Bots!
Much like the fictional cleaning robot currently packing movie theaters, these four robots are being used to clean humanity’s worst messes.Digital Hollywood
Get Smart & Spy Gizmos
The new Steve Carell comedy makes our movie geek's top 10 list in the evolving combination of gadgets both ludicrous and hilarious.Extreme Machines
Extreme Roller Coasters
Prepare for NASA-worthy g-forces, blistering speed and the ride of your life: PM takes you behind the cutting-edge tech of America's steepest new ride ... with video!Military & Law Enforcement
Nukes Upends Air Force
The agencies chiefs were forced out, and reports say a mishandling of nuclear weapons was the last straw. We look at three lessons from the nuke run.Science
Alien Hoaxes: Inside the Cult
A new alien video reveals an alleged close encounter is of a new kind. Experts agree the digital invasion of UFO evidence has gone too far.Drive Green
Algae's Big Moment
After years of hype as the mucky green grail of the oil crunch, algae is finally taking on its "impossible" hurdles to move from test tubes to barrels.Future of Space
First Pix From Mars!
NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander didn't blow up—it shot these breathtaking images of the Martian arctic surface.Workshop
MythBusters Go Electric
Jamie breaks down his new experiment: pitting a Ferrari, Harley, ATV, compact car and go-kart against each vehicle's electric counterpart.Technology
OLPC 2.0: More Hurdles?
The third-world laptop returns with the XO-2 tablet. But high-priced screens make the $150 target "impractical," says an Apple manufacturer. What now?Technology
Turn Your PS3 Into a PC
With a little effort and expense, we turned a PS3 into a Linux computer—without losing any of its gaming goodness. And we're giving it away.Digital Hollywood
Speed Racer F/X
How 10 million robotic photos, Google Earth and simulators influenced by video games turned a green-screen dream into summer's best action scene.Technology
Microhoo: What Would've Been
Yahoo played hard-to-get, and Microsoft walked away, but what would a merger have looked like? Engadget's legal geek weighs in.Drive Green
Top 10 X Prize Cars
The most comprehensive, up-to-date scouting report on the field for the 100-mpg car of tomorrow.Extreme Machines
Bucky Fuller's 10 Best
From super-efficient cars with room for 11to entire cities encapsulated by one roof, he made Frank Lloyd Wright look positively normal.Technology
10 Classics for Wii
After the Wii Fit, kick back with Nintendo's Virtual Console: instant downloads of retro games. Here are some titles still missing.Drive Green
Future of Biofuels
Looking way beyond ethanol, scientists have begun harnessing bacteria to produce eco-friendly hydrocarbons en masse by 2010.Digital Hollywood
Top Gear Q&A
In his first interview since being named host of NBC's new version of the cult car show, Adam Carolla spits out some gearhead details.Science
Nano Food Fix
Could nano-enriched feed help chickens poop out pathogens and keep your table clean? Scientists may have found a safer option.Research
New Tornado Tech
Even as a twister killed four Boy Scouts, scientists tested a radar network that bounces signals from the sky to Wi-Fi for real-time reaction.Worst-Case Scenarios
3D After the Flood
As rising crests move into Missouri, scientists have rigged high-end DLP projectors and set out to tell Americans where not to risk it next time.Transportation
Segway's 2nd Coming?
Could personal transporters save gas and stop WMDs? PM crisscrosses America and finds more people buying them than ever before.Technology
5 MIT Startups
The class of '08 moves on, we look at projects (from a Google Android program out to beat the new iPhone, to a low-tech solution for Sudanese farmers) with big potential.Military & Law Enforcement
The New Cold War
PM maps the arms race between Russia and the U.S., with six hotspots and a snapshot of weapons deals.Digital Hollywood
MythBuster on Lost Finale
In one of three expert analyses for PM, Lost geek Adam Savage explains why Thursday's episode changed his theories on the future of our favorite sci-fi show.Future of Space
Win the Lunar X Prize
Google's $20M purse is open to all, but to take your best shot at winning, you'll need a good game plan. PM's ultimate DIY guide can help you beat NASA to the moon.Drive Green
10 Quick MPG Tips
Our guest MPG geek breaks down the vehicle mods, driving habits and common-sense fixes you need to know to max out your tank.Science
10 Med-Tech Breakthroughs
Nano implants, virus-busting lasers, precision cancer killers and more breakthroughs for your body of the future.Reviews
Ultimate GPS Test
700 miles, 5 new nav units, no manuals. We pick the best mapping devices for summer road trips on the road and in the lab.Digital Hollywood
Debunking Lost's Science
As the show returns, its creators reveal the making of high-tech mythology—and let slip a few secrets about the island’s future.Digital Hollywood
Sci-Fi Down the Tubes?
Before the summer blockbusters, PM's resident geek traces the decline of our favorite genre—and looks for a future fix.Special Report
Rebuilding America
PM's report on fixing U.S. infrastructure examines new plans for bridges and beyond.Green Living
Green Design 2008
We salute the top 16 products and projects for saving money, energy and water in your eco-friendly home.Reviews
10 Midyear Gadgets
Some came out within the last few months, and others you'll have to wait until later in the year. All are on our wish lists for birthdays, holidays, tax-return sprees and everything in between.Automotive News
Chicago Auto Show
The return of the Dodge Challenger is just one of several live unveils of new cars from the Windy City this week.Election News
Primary Sci/Tech Issues
The Democratic race winds down as Hillary Clinton tries to hang on against Barack Obama. Get behind their policies—and John McCain's—with PM's Geek the Vote '08 guide.Reviews
PM Gadget of the Week
Cobra XRS 9950"It works as advertised, blurting out a voice warning whenever red-light or speed-enforcing cameras are in your path."
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Car Buyers Guide
Find Your New Ride!
Browse over 200 expert reviews (now with video), plus compare constantly updated specs on up to four brand-new cars and trucks at once.Election News
Geek the Vote '08
The presidential race hangs in the balance, and PM compiles the candidates' science and tech proposals.PM Ad Partner Links
Current Issue
Extreme Coast Guard Rescue & More
In an exclusive report, PM details a dramatic story of survival at sea.Reviews
Future Warfare: New DVD
PM's four-hour, two-disc set deploys battle footage, CG animation, live-action weapons testing and expert interviews to examine everything from robot warriors to UAVs.