Month: July 2014

Growing carbon fiber

it seems indeed silly to create carbon fiber from petroleum if you can do it directly from trees.

we might be growing many strains of poplars. we might modify the molecular weight of the lignin. polymer scientists would work with geneticists and plant breeders to target the right combination of genes.

Knitted shoes

knitting creates far less waste, can be fully automated, and highly customized.

knit technology just might transform the entire traditional shoemaking process. Athletic shoes make up 30% of all footwear sales, and Nike and Adidas dominate, with $14.5B and $9.5B in sales. Widespread use of the knitting technique could boost the industry’s efficiency—cutting down on materials, labor, shipping, and time, as the products can be made start-to-finish in 1 place.

Bringing down “Dr.” Oz

a new front on the war on quacks. i wish this bright student good luck.

Mazer brought a policy before the Medical Society of the State of New York—where Dr. Oz is licensed—requesting that they consider regulating the advice of famous physicians in the media. His idea, Treat health advice on TV in the same vein as expert testimony, which already has established guidelines for truthfulness.