geekosystem

Plants use energy from the Sun through photosynthesis, and humans use energy from the Sun through things like solar panels. A new technique created by researchers at the University of Georgia allows humans to get electricity from plants by hijacking the photosynthesis process. This research could someday lead to some very literal power plants.

You know everything there is to know about Mr. Minxie-Bums, right? You know just the way he likes his belly rubbed, you know exactly when he wants his supper, and you know at what time he likes to go outside every night, but do you know what he does when he's out where the streetlights replace the sun and the rules don't mean a thing? A study conducted by students and researchers from the University of Georgia are catching a glimpse of the secret lives of outdoor cats with their Kitty Cams. The unobtrusive video cameras where attached to 60 urban free-roaming cats whose owners volunteered them for this project. Make the jump to watch a short video from USA Today and learn about the atrocities your precious Mr. Minxie-Bums is committing in your very own neighborhood!

New anti-microbial technology, invented by Jason Locklin of the University of Georgia, can be used to keep clothes and other fabric based items permanently germ-free. As you may or may not know, this isn't the first time technology like this has been invented, but Locklin's iteration holds a few significant advantages over its predecessors. For instance, it can be applied easily via spray, it does not wash out, it does not require repeated applications to maintain effectiveness and, perhaps most importantly, it does not have to be applied during the manufacturing process like other similar technologies, so it will be effective when applied at any point during the shirt, pair of pants, or jockstrap's life-cycle. Of course, it's a little bit of a logical jump to go from "germ-free" to "clean," and the fact they're testing this stuff in the wash probably means that it's not going to put Maytag out of business any time soon. A germ-fee patch of dried mustard is still a patch of dried mustard after all. Still, some of the germs it is able to stop include the ones that cause stains and, more importantly, odors, so it may provide a better alternative to just turning your boxers inside out. Wonderful domestic uses aside, the technology is being considered most seriously for nobler pursuits, like keeping hospital linens uncontaminated and use in packaging of food and medical supplies. Nonetheless, I pine for the day that I can say "I'll be right back, I'm going out to the store for a can of laundry," or however people will say that in the future. (via Science Daily)