Compression

If you suffer from any leg discomfort – temporary or chronic – you'll know how hard it can be to treat, beyond frequent sessions on the physiotherapist's table. Now, US company Ublives wants to give you the same relief – whenever you need it.

Maltese startup Magtor is starting to gain worldwide attention for a new linear compressor design that pumps in both directions. The Magtorpressor's radical efficiency over today's tech could make it a key weapon in the fight against climate change.

This California company says its oil-free, centrifugal air compressor design, inspired by the air pumps used in sixteenth-century Catalonian blacksmith forges, is quieter, cleaner, longer lasting, and cheaper to run than traditional piston designs.

​How did one of the most anticipated television events of the year turn into an incoherent anti-climax for viewers? What went wrong with the latest Game of Thrones episode? Did the creators of the show make a grave technical error or is this an illustration of the limits to streaming technology?

Forget variable length intakes and variable valve timing, Infiniti is going all the way and introducing variable cylinder compression ratios. The new VC-T turbo engine automatically adjusts between a high-powered 8:1 and a hugely efficient 14:1 ratio as you drive.

While the fashion in high-tech automotive developments might lean towards hybrids and electrics at the moment, there’s still plenty of scope to improve the good old internal combustion engine. One of the holy grails of such development is the creation of a viable variable-compression-ratio system.

From an altitude of 20,000 ft, DARPA's newest aerial surveillance camera, ARGUS-IS, can keep a real-time video eye on an area 4.5 miles (7.2 km) across down to a resolution of about six inches (15 cm).

Adobe has included lossy compression in the recently announced 1.4 specification for its Digital Negative (DNG) RAW file format.

Mini Digi is a 0.3MP camera that is so small it can be attached to your keychain.

The DPM 800 is an in-cylinder pressure transducer that comprises a proprietary Piezo spark plug system with built-in pressure sensor which will enable engine tuning and the accurate gauging of wear rates as the season progresses.

Pioneer Electronics US recently announced four new receivers to add to its Elite line-up, bringing greater clarity, detail and response to the high definition audio that Blu-Ray and HD DVD offer.

It seems that most people are content with the performance they get from their white iPod earbuds – subpar audio in a convenient package. Has the performance of a humble set of headphones been forgotten in favor of something more compact, and to some more fashionable?