Transparent solar panels could replace your windows.
German startup company Heliatek are testing their flexible, transparent solar panels which could one day be built into houses to act as power-generating windows.
The panels are only able to convert around 8% of available energy into electricity, compared with around 12-17% for traditional solar panels, but the company claims that they are able to make up for that by providing better performance in low light and high heat to provide almost the same energy production overall.
The technology works by depositing a layer of organic molecules on polyester films, in a similar way to how OLED displays are produced.
The company recently started making a small amount of panels on a “proof of concept” production line, and say that within four to five years the cost should come down to around 40 to 50 cents per watt, which will make them competitively priced compared to conventional solar panels. The new technology would also work out cheaper to install in new houses, as opposed to having to install windows as well as conventional solar panels on the roof.
(Source: technologyreview.com)
Call of Duty: Black Ops II (PC/PS3/360 - November 13th)
In a surefire bid to reinvigorate a quickly stagnating property, Activision and Treyarch are embracing something rather uncommon in the Call of Duty series: change. The biggest retooling would be the developer’s use of choice-oriented tactical missions that are spread throughout the story campaign. These Strike Force missions are more than interesting distractions, as their outcomes and your performance in them changes the overarching story, even down to who makes it through the war alive. There’s several different branches to take during a Strike Force mission, finally promoting single-player replay.
Co-written by one of Hollywood’s favorite genre screenwriters, David S. Goyer, the narrative pushes forward with the events of the 2010 original, bringing back familiar faces Mason and Woods (Sam Worthington and James Burns reprising their roles respectively) in covert ops taking place in the ‘80’s, while the bulk of the campaign sees Mason’s offspring, David, fending off the escalating conflict between the U.S. and China in the year 2025 (where you will fight literal fuck tons of enemy robot drones).
Mum’s the word on multiplayer, although it has been mentioned that Treyarch is shaking the cobwebs out of the totem feature in order to liven up the joint. It should be noted combat online will take place solely in the future, not the ‘80’s, so as to avoid time collapsing in on itself.
Oh, and by the by, they’re fleshing out zombies mode. Running on the multiplayer engine and decked with dedicated matchmaking, Zombies returns with its own set of unspecified modes (yeah, plural), and more than we’ve ever experienced from what once started as an Easter Egg.
Bethesda has begun the ad spree for the Arkane Studios developed Dishonored. The title holds much promise, what with an all-star development team that includes the art designer of Half-Life 2 and Harvey Smith of Deus Ex fame, Dishonored could just be one of the most surprising titles of the year. Only time will tell, but it sure has a nice looking CG trailer so far.
Synopisis: Dishonored casts you as a supernatural assassin driven by revenge. You are the once-trusted bodyguard of the beloved Empress. Framed for her murder, you become an infamous assassin, known only by the disturbing mask that has become your calling card. In a time of uncertainty, when the city is being besieged by plague and ruled by an oppressive government armed with strange technologies, dark forces conspire to bestow upon you abilities beyond those of any common man.
Co-Op
Included series: Borderlands, Super Mario Bros, Portal 2, Castle Crashers, Little Big Planet, Kirby Superstar, Secret of Mana, River City Ransom, Gunstar Heroes, Toejam and Earl, Gears of War, Left 4 Dead, Zombies Ate My Neighbors, Donkey Kong Country, Sonic, Bomberman.
You’re in a helicopter flying over a post-apocalyptic, zombie-infested wasteland, heading towards a small outpost of survivors known as Abel Township. Your mission is top secret. All of a sudden, a figure appears out of the woods toting a rocket launcher and shoots your aircraft down. You survive the crash, but hordes of undead are closing in on you from all sides, eager to taste your flesh. There’s only one option: you’ve got to run. Run for your life.
This might sound like the opening sequence of the latest George A. Romero flick, or possibly even the start of some zombie shoot ‘em up game, but it’s actually the opening of a new iPhone sports app designed to help you run faster and for longer. The principle is simple: convince yourself you’re being chased by zombies, gain a quick adrenalin boost, run faster.
Zombies, Run! is primarily an immersive audio experience. You pop in your headphones, open the app on your iPhone and go for a run. While running, you listen to an intricate story written by award-winning novelist Naomi Alderman, detailing your adventures trying to escape the marauding zombie hordes which now dominate the landscape. Those adventures, perhaps unsurprisingly, invariably involve your character running from danger. While fleeing the undead, you collect items, such as medical kits, military equipment and food supplies, which - in classic strategy-game style - can be used to help build your base. This is all great fun, but what really makes this app stand out is its innovative use of the iPhone’s GPS tracking system. While you’re out running, your progress is monitored and the sound of the undead groaning in pursuit is played through your headphones. As the zombies get closer, the sound gets louder and the groans become ever more chilling. You have to run faster to escape. (via CultureLab: Run faster – zombies are chasing you)
Gearbox Drops New Borderlands 2 Trailer
And out of nowhere - a new trailer for Borderlands 2! Along with the trailer, Gearbox has also announced that the game will be coming at you on the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC starting September 18 (September 21, internationally).
I honestly can’t wait.
(via: Kotaku)
