Hands-on: Duracell's new Daylite LED flashlights

Duracell has just introduced a new line of flashlights with superbright LED bulbs. Dubbed "Daylite", the series is comprised of three models: Two 80 lumens models (one AA and a more squat AAA model) that will retail for US$25 each, and a twice-as-bright US$35 model powered by Lithium CR123 batteries. (Yes, each model includes Duracell batteries.) The rear end of all three models sports a battery cap reminiscent of Duracell batteries' trademark coppertop design.

Duracell provided CNET with an early sample of the AA model, which I've been using off and on for the past few weeks. All in all, it seems to have the makings of a top-notch electric torch. Duracell suggests that the unit's "TrueBeam" design reflects and focuses nearly 100 percent of the LED's light output; while I can't claim to verify that, it's hands-down the brightest flashlight I've ever used.
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Volkswagen steers into Singapore with auto-parking SUV

One of the bugbears for greenhorns taking their driving test is the grind of parking. Fail this, and you can kiss your licence goodbye. That is, until the next test. As a bit of self-congratulatory patting, yours truly, by a miracle, managed to ace parking on the first attempt.

Well, the bad news is, you still have to pass your parking to score a driving licence. The good news is, once you do, you may never have to worry about parking again. Short of getting your own chauffeur, Volkswagen is bringing its Tiguan to Singapore roads, joining the rarified car marques here like Toyota Estima Aeras in offering an intelligent parking system.

Volkswagen's 2-liter SUV will launch in early September in the Republic with its nifty auto-parking feature. But like the Toyota, this is extended as an option. So if you desire this functionality, do factor in an additional amount (price to be revealed later) to the car's S$105,000 sticker (with COE, for 150bhp turbo engine; S$125,000 for the 200bhp version).
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Summon Batman using USB

Angry with your evil boss for giving you too much work? Maybe he needs a visit from the Dark Knight. To do that, you'll need your own Batman summoning lamp and the best way to get one is to make it yourself.

User KaptinScarlet on Instructables has a very detailed guide on how you can whip up your own Batman spotlight using a few common craft items and a cheap USB laptop light. The end result is pretty impressive and according to the creator of the guide, it takes only about two hours to finish this project. The only really tough part we foresee is having to solder some USB wires. If you don't have the necessary skills, it shouldn't be too hard to find a friend who can.

Here's an image of the effect:

Instructables (Via OhGizmo!)

This toothbrush ditches the bristles

In the evolution of the toothbrush, will the standard bristle model end up being the Australopithecus afarensis of the tooth-cleaning species? With a new concept device that replaces bristles with sponges, Fabio Dabori seems to suggest that today's brushes could one day go the way of that early human ancestor.

The Brazilian industrial designer says his patent-pending Giro Sponge can carry water, massage gums, and polish teeth at the same time. It's especially suited to babies, the elderly, denture wearers, and people with gum disease, he says, and can even be used for pets.

He's made two models of the electric toothbrush: One for adults and one for children. The latter comes with cute little animal-embossed sponges--monkey (pictured), pig, koala, dog, and lion--to liven up the brushing experience (or possibly make it more frightening, if you're a pet).

Dabori says he hopes to get his Giro Sponge to market soon. Once he does, we bet kids will get a kick out of it, but we'll be curious to see if dentists feel the same.

Via Crave CNET | Picture credit: Fabio Dabori

Solar cell breaks world record for efficiency

Department of Energy researchers have claimed to have broken the world record for efficiency in a solar cell.

Their cell converted 40.8 percent of light into electricity at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo. They subjected the cell to the equivalent concentrated light of 326 suns.

Researchers grew the solar cell upside down on a wafer of gallium arsenide rather than thick germanium, and then removed the wafer.

The development could lead to flexible, lightweight solar cells used in land-bound, concentrated photovoltaics as well as in space satellites.

The previous record for photovoltaic efficiency was 40.7 percent. Scientist Mark Wanlass is credited for leading that design. A key innovation in those multi-junction solar cells was to space their atoms at uneven intervals. Researcher John Geisz led the team that expanded Wanlass' work to improve efficiency.

Via CNET News

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