Popular Mechanics articles from May 2008

Popular Mechanics archives from May 2008

We can do better.(EDITOR'S NOTES)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A bridge seems a very simple thing when reduced to its main function--transporting people or things between two disconnected points. Take a step back and it becomes more complex: a ramp leading to the bridge, a road...

Robots to the rescue?(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2008... Regarding March's cover story ("Ultimate Fighting Machines"), I like the way the military is trying to reduce the number of troops, but I don't think that robots will be a good tool unless used in a controlled environment. What if the machines...

Avalanche safety.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2008... The article by Jeff Wise about avalanches in the backcountry ("Avalanche!" March '08) was educational and instructive--hopefully it will save lives. One aspect to reiterate is that no matter how much technology you have, it's critical to...

On the road.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2008... I really liked the "Ridge Riding" piece in the March issue and thought it was nicely written. My wife and I went to the Honda Hoot last year. We did the 900 miles in four days and hit the Downtown Grill & Brewery that you mention. RICHARD...

Going, going, gone green.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2008... As an avid reader of PM, fm pleased to see an increasing number of "green" articles in your magazine and look forward to more in the future. LUCAS WHITE BAINBRIDGE, OH

America 2.0.(PopularMechanics.com)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Our special report on U.S. infrastructure (page 60) only begins in these pages. Follow PM's Bridges to the Future conference on April 10 with a webcast, plus more from political leaders and engineers. Live...

NY auto show.(PopularMechanics.com)
May 1, 2008... From Acura s new, refreshed TSX (at right and on page 38) to nit-fuel vehicles built by companies big and small, catch up on first looks and exclusive test drives by PM's car team at the final key showcase of the 2008 auto show season. ...

Share your shop.
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Building a bit more than aplanter (page 124) in your garage this spring? Show off your creation in PM's user-powered online community, then see how it ranks among the top projects to compete for new prizes. ...

Windows of opportunity: space tourists, rejoice--your ride is almost ready.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In a nondescript hangar in California's Mojave Desert, workers at Scaled Composites are assembling SpaceShipTwo, the first spacecraft expressly designed for tourists. The company, which is owned by engineer Burr...

Bright, shiny record breaker.(Sandia National Laboratories and Stirling Energy Systems' reusable energy)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Even on a cloudless afternoon, the seemingly unlimited energy of the sun pales as a power source if solar cells can't efficiently convert sunlight into electricity. In January, on a cool, clear day in New Mexico,...

Unnatural snowflakes.(imaging system innovation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] What nature produces in 15 minutes takes a computer 24 hours of intensive calculation to simulate--at least, that's how long it takes for a new software model to track the growth of a single snowflake. By tweaking...

Sticky notes get smart.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] People are loath to abandon familiar technology. With that in mind, a team at MIT has altered the common adhesive note, adding RFID tags (circled, at left) on each paper square so they can't be lost. Slap a note...

A scanner darkly.(high-contrast X-ray technique )(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A new high-contrast X-ray technique developed by Swiss researchers promises greater accuracy in detecting hairline cracks in bones and airplane wings, and in distinguishing between healthy and cancerous tissue....

New spin on nuclear power: a state of the art centrifuge design speeds production of the enriched uranium that powers nuclear plants.(United States Enrichment Corp.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Nuclear power, which already supplies 20 percent of the electricity in the United States, is a leading option for addressing the country's energy crunch. In 2007, operators filed license applications with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for...

Precision delivery: computer-controlled parachutes safely airdrop the army's freight with pinpoint accuracy.(Joint Precision Airdrop System)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Troops in remote areas of Afghanistan have been receiving supplies from new smart parachutes that could alter the future of military logistics. The Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS) steers cargo to specific GPS...

Time machine: April 1915.(maintenance of Brooklyn Bridge )(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Not long after construction ends, upkeep begins, to protect buildings, bridges, tunnels and other structures from the ravages of time and hard use. In 1915, PM described how workers climbed the cables of the Brooklyn...

What are they doing up there? The International Space Station's newest lab will answer questions about reactions to space--plant, animal and human.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... The International Space Station is more of a science fair than a boarding school. The crew recently hooked up the final modules of the European-built Columbus Laboratory, a 23-ft.-long, 10.3-ton cylinder that contains equipment for experiments...

Nerf Herder.(Nerf N-Strike Vulcan EBF-25 Blaster)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Like plenty of other toy guns, the Nerf N-Strike Vulcan EBF-25 Blaster ($40, nerf.com) has a pneumatic pump that's used to fire off single rounds. But six D batteries turn the hybrid Blaster into a foam-shooting...

Pigment control.(Canon PIXMA MX7600 Office All-In-One Printer)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Printing in color on most home office printers can feel like finger painting. Unless you splurge on premium paper, the heavy inks are likely to leave you with soggy pages and bleeding colors. Before laying down the...

Test drive: Wii Wheel and Mario Kart Wii.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... The Wii's sticklike, motion-sensing controller is a natural stand-in for a sword or bat. But as a steering wheel, it stinks. The Wii Wheel may be little more than a plastic hoop with a slot for a controller, but it makes driving feel a lot more...

Your best cookout ever: anybody can toss meat on a grill. But if you want to cook the perfect steak, chop or burger, it helps to have the right skills and the right equipment. Here's what you need, and what you need to know, to crown yourself king of the roast.(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1 INDIRECT GRILLING Applying too much heat can make tough cuts like brisket or ribs even tougher. Instead, brown them over a hot burner. Then slide the cuts over an inactive adjacent burner but keep the...

Competitive cutters.(power cutting tools)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2008... With its ability to handle construction, demolition and even odd yard jobs, the reciprocating saw is a power tool that is virtually unmatched in its versatility. Today, the saws are easier to handle and pack more power. We put four new models...

Waterworks.(PUR Clean Drinking Water Kit)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Many companies want us to think their products are world-changing, but few items live up to such lofty claims. After seeing the PUR Clean Drinking Water Kit ($30) in action, however, we believe it could be a monumental innovation. Essentially...

Showdown: flashlight faceoff.(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... What happens when you put the world's most powerful flashlight--with the ability to melt plastic, it's really more of a lightsaber--up against the latest in Stanley's line of practical tripod lights? Yes, it's fun setting things on fire with a...

Sony Dav-HDX576WF Bravia S-Air Home Theater System.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... We've seen multiroom audio streaming before, and home theaters with wireless rear speakers are nothing new. But until now, no device has ever combined the two. The 5.1-channel Sony DAV-HDX576WF Bravia S-Air Home Theater System ($500) uses radio...

Test drive: Loc8tor Lite tracking beacon.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Key-tracking beacons have been in SkyMall catalogs for years, but most are bulky and underpowered. The fingernail-size homing tags of the Loc8tor Lite ($80) are small enough to fit on a key chain, and the device is...

Toast test.(Breville Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster )(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... A high-tech toaster won't change your life, but it could just make it a slice easier. The Breville Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster ($130) is full of simple upgrades that take the guesswork out of browning bread and even make it--dare we...

Back on top: the G8 is unquestionably the best Pontiac sport sedan in the company's history--it's nearly a bargain BMW.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Thanks to the all-new G8, Pontiac appears to have its performance mojo back. Our GT test model packed the robust 6.0-liter V8 with 361 hp and 385 lb.-ft, of torque paired to a six-speed auto. Base cars qet a 3.6-liter V6 with 256 hp. Pontiac...

Changing positions: 2009 ACURA TSX.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Like the outgoing TSX, the new version is a gilded, spit-shined and delicately tweaked version of the Accord sold in Europe. It's now bigger than the original and weighs more, too. Yet the 2.4-liter i-VTEC Four...

Members only: 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] From behind the fat rimmed steering wheel and upright windshield of the Mini Clubman, there is nothing to suggest that this Mini is anything other than, well, a conventional Mini. But the Clubman is about 9.5 in....

Three-wheel motion: 2008 Piaggio MP3 500.(TEST DRIVES: PM NEW CARS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Piaggio's odd-looking three-wheeler is rapidly developing a cult following. We tested the $8899, 500-cc, 40-hp MP3 in Los Angeles and got lots of head-twisting attention--and nearly 60 mpg, too. The MP3 has an...

Dressed for success: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK 350.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... The most dramatically altered part of the new SLK 350 is an important one: The 3.5-liter V6 gains a solid 32 hp for a total of 300. Mercedes engineers ditched the previous model's variable air intake system for a more efficient single-stage...

Topless teuton: 2008 BMW 135i Convertible.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... The 1 Series convertible has that seductive BMW flavor: the great sound, the trademark chassis feedback, it's all there. The silken sledgehammer--a 300-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline Six--is paired to a manual or automatic. We drove a...

Raging bull: 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lamborghini's smallest model has never been wanting in the horsepower department. But in the supercar world, you need to step up your game to remain a player. Well, the new LP560-4 does just that. The V10 has 40 more...

Head turner: 2009 Nissan Maxima.(TEST DRIVES: PM NEW CARS)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The remodel of Nissan's top sedan looks sharp. But bucking the current trend in which sedans grow with each new generation, the new Max is actually a bit smaller in some dimensions than previous models, to hold down...

Ultralight haulers: the tougher 35-MPG law is causing a shift in the pickup paradigm get ready for carlike trucks.(TRENDS: PM NEW CARS)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Weight and aerodynamic inefficiencies are the natural enemies of fuel economy. And some of the industry's porkiest and least aero-friendly rides are tall pickup trucks. Their heft and height come largely from body-on-frame construction--a...

Flex power: a car that satisfies both the environmentalist and the car enthusiast. What a concept!
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHETHER IT'S A HIGH-TECH wind turbine, a vintage generator that runs on coal gas or a restored steam engine, I'm fascinated by alternative power sources and fuels. I'm also interested in powerful cars that are fun to...

10 inventions we're still waiting for: PM's resident roboticist imagines new tech that will transform our lives. Now all we need is someone to invent it.(IMAGINARY SCIENCE)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sonic Showers Though much has changed since humankind fled the wilderness for civilized comforts, one thing hasn't: We still clean ourselves with water. Yet traditional showers take time, waste resources and...

The work starts here: American infrastructure is in trouble, from collapsed bridges to leaking dams. In a yearlong investigation, Popular Mechanics uncovered the fresh ideas, smart engineering and new technology we need to fix it. Here's the plan.(REBUILDING AMERICA)(Cover story)
May 1, 2008... A raw wind is cutting across the Mississippi River, freezing exposed skin at the sprawling construction site for the St. Anthony Falls Bridge in Minneapolis. The project is hurtling toward completion. Three crane drivers work at their controls...

Separated at birth.(Popular Mechanics: Platform Road Test)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Carmakers often build very' different vehicles on similar platforms. That makes life easier for manufacturers, but what's in it for drivers? We tested six vehicles based on three common platforms to find out. ...

Mac vs. PC: is it a matter of technological taste, or is one platform truly a more powerful performer than the other?(personal computer)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2008... We all know the stereotypes. Apple's popular commercials have painted the picture in stark terms: There are two types of people, Mac people and PC people. And if the marketing is to be believed, the former is a hip,...

Planespotting: at any given time, at almost any airport in the world, you can find a small group of strangers intently observing--and rapidly photographing--the comings and goings. In fact, if you're reading this in an airplane, they may be looking at you.
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE PICNIC area at Imperial Hill rises above the south side of Los Angeles International Airport. A few passersby sip coffee from a doughnut shop a block away, but the majority of the people here--about eight of...

Hearth warming: install a new mantel to convert a plain-looking fireplace into the room's focal point.(DIY HOME: CEDAR PLANTER + PEGBOARD TOOL STORAGE + HANGING A HAMMOCK + SHOP SAFETY)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] There was nothing wrong with the fireplace in our family room. Solidly built of red brick with a large bluestone hearth, it had a functional mantelpiece--a simple plank trimmed with crown molding. The draft up the...

Green house: provide a handsome home for plants, indoors or out.(Classics: Simple Do-It-Yourself Projects)
May 1, 2008... This planter is designed to suit a range of skills, various tools and different methods of working. Those who are up for a challenge will like its subtle double taper: Cut parts square and then trim away a few whisper-fine shavings of wood for...

The glories of pegboard.(HOMEOWNERS CLINIC: Q + A)(tool storage)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Q I'm fixing up my garage. While I'm at it, I'm going to improve my tool storage because I'm tired of tools falling down every time I lift one off the pegboard wall rack. Should I just tear down the old pegboard?...

Quiet, please.(HOMEOWNERS CLINIC: Q + A)(sound insulation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... I live in a townhouse with such poor sound insulation I can hear my neighbors talking. One wall is particularly sound-porous. What can I do to stop the noise? For simple, low-cost solutions, we called Myron Ferguson, a drywall and...

Support group: don't put up with slipshod hardware. Make your own.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1 Heads Up Problem: Big hammers, like ball-peen and framing tools, ore tough to hang because of the head shapes. Fix: Cut two pieces of 1-in. aluminum flat stock to length and bend them into L's. Fasten each...

Lag time.(HOMEOWNERS CLINIC: Q + A)(placing hammocks)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... I want to hang a hammock on my back porch. How high does it need to be, and how do I hold it in place? Hanging a hammock is easy, but there are a couple of things to watch out for. First, use beefy eye screws (also called eye...

Too close for comfort.(HOMEOWNERS CLINIC: Q + A)(improperly bored holes for pipes inside basement)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... I started finishing my basement, but then noticed holes for some pipe had been improperly bored. Seven 2 x 8 joists in a row have holes bored in them. Each hole is 1 1/2 in. in diameter and is 1 1/2 in. from the bottom of the joist. A...

Your call.(HOMEOWNERS CLINIC: Q + A)(on digging for fences)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... I had my property surveyed because I'm putting up a fence. My surveyor told me to have buried utilities marked as well, so I won't hit them with the posthole digger. Sounds expensive; is he drumming up business? Your surveyor's advice is...

It's all fun and games until ... a flying chip is too small and fast to see. You'll feel it, though, if it hits your eye.(THE DIY LIFE)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... While breaking up concrete recently, a particularly hard blow from the sledge sent up a shower of tiny meteorites, one of which struck the lens of my safety glasses and chipped it. I'm no stranger to this risk. More than 30 years ago, a finish...

Edge condition.(HOMEOWNERS CLINIC: Q + A)(garage wall leaks)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Rain runs down the front of my prefabricated metal garage, hits the concrete pad in front of the door and leaks in under the door. Any ideas how to fix this? It's a common problem with many garages, not just those that are prefabricated....

Spring cleaning: get your car ready for the travel season, and save a few bucks in the process.(DIY AUTO: SPRINGTIME + HEAD BOLTS + OIL PANS)
May 1, 2008... The snows have melted, the trees are beginning to sprout leaves and the sun is visible in the sky for the first time in months. Yep, it's finally springtime, and you're looking forward to a road trip with the whole clan. Time to tune up the old...

Gadget-free gas saving.(DIY AUTO: SPRINGTIME + HEAD BOLTS + OIL PANS)
May 1, 2008... The summer road trip is still a part of our culture. True, gasoline ain't getting any cheaper--but neither is air travel. Plus, have you dealt with the TSA lately? A good road trip might be more appealing now than ever before. Here are a few...

Plastic fantastic.(CAR CLINIC: Q + A)(Ford Escort gasket)
May 1, 2008... Q I decided to replace the head gasket on my Ford Escort. When I went to the auto parts store to buy the parts, the counterman insisted that I needed to purchase new head bolts. I think he's just trying to punch up the bill by another $30. Hey,...

Typically nontypical.(CAR CLINIC: Q + A)(Audi brake maintenance)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... My Audi has 160,000 miles on the ticker, so I decided to perform a brake system overhaul. I replaced the calipers, rotors and pads on all four corners. Now the pedal feels soft. I performed the brake bed-in process per the rotor/pad...

Travelin' too fast.(CAR CLINIC: Q + A)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... I recently purchased a portable GPS unit. I was cruising on the freeway the other day and noticed the vehicle speed displayed on the GPS was consistently 4 mph less than the car's speedometer. Since the GPS uses a calculated time/ distance...

Niche marketing.(CAR CLINIC: Q + A)(tractor batteries)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... I've always replaced the battery on my tractor with one from the dealer. They say that their batteries are the only ones built to withstand the vibrations and demands of a diesel. Is there any downside, or possibility of damage to the...

Need suspenders?(CAR CLINIC: Q + A)(repairing car belts)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Last spring, the belts started squealing whenever I started my car. But then the noise would stop right away. I took the car to the mechanic and he applied some lube to the belts. It was okay for a while and only made noise occasionally. When...

One at a time, please: don't be in such a hurry to torque down that First bolt before the others are started.(OIL PAN INSTALL)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Oil pans aren't usually much fun to deal with, whether you're replacing them for engine work on the bottom end or just installing a new pan gasket. Here's our tip: Install the bolts at opposite corners and then...

Did you say wood?(CAR CLINIC: Q + A)(methanol)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Methanol is derived from wood sources. If methanol can be blended with petro-based fuel to form gasoline, then we will be able to have a renewable fuel source without causing undue hardship on the regions of the world that rely on corn for...

How dry I am.(CAR CLINIC: Q + A)(moisture effects in car engines)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... How harmful is it to your car's engine and/or its related underhood parts when water gets on them? I had the hood wide open while I was inside a parts store, and it suddenly started raining. Did the rain hurt anything? There's plenty of...

Desktop special effects: using consumer-grade software, you can create stop-motion and green-screen effects on your home PC.(DIY TECH: WIRELESS HDMI + BLU-RAY CLASSICS + DEFRAGS FACTS)(personal computer)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Amateur video doesn't have to be as unpolished as the name implies. High-def camcorders and PC video-editing software have made quantum leaps in quality and sophistication compared to what was available only a few...

Cutting the HDMI cord.(DIGITAL CLINIC: Q + A)(high-definition multimedia interface)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Q I want to reduce the wire clutter behind my flat-panel TV and am interested in purchasing a wireless HDMI system. What kind of range do these get and are there any issues with picture quality? A While companies...

Film classics in the digital world.(DIGITAL CLINIC: Q + A)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... I just bought a Blu-ray player and am a big fan of old films. Is it possible for older movies that were shot before high-definition existed to really be HD? There's no reason movies shot on 35-mm film can't look great in HD; their native...

Clearing disk clutter.(DIGITAL CLINIC: Q + A)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... For years, I've run defragmentation software on my computer's hard drive every few weeks to keep it running smoothly. I just bought a new computer with an enormous hard drive that I likely won't fill for years. Do I still need to defrag it? ...

Tracing cells.(DIGITAL CLINIC: Q + A)(mobile phones with global tracking)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... I read that all new mobile phones have some sort of GPS tracking installed in order to trace the location of 911 calls. Is there any way to turn this off?. While FCC rules require that phone companies provide all handsets with some way of...

SkullTrail.(TECH TERM)
May 1, 2008... SkullTrail (a garner-friendly CPU platform) Intel's just-released gaming platform (the macabre title is a code name) combines two quad-core processors (that's eight cores) with up to four graphics cards. The result: rapid-fire rendering with...

This is my job: Chris Mieras Ladson, S.C. years on job: 5.(FIELD MECHANIC)(Interview)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Nearly 60 percent of U.S. deaths in Iraq are caused by roadside bombs, which makes Chris Mieras's goal pretty simple: Keep people alive. As a field mechanic for Force Protection, a military contractor, he has spent...