Compression

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 undoubtedly modern, there’s an unassuming beauty to Cherem Arquitectos’ Casa Candaleria. It’s the perhaps the choice of materials that is most understated: the house is built from the Earth on which it stands.

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.

The Cuddle Mattress is a normal mattress divided up into slices that give you somewhere to put your arm when snuggling up to your significant other. This simple idea could help prevent bad backs, dead-arm-in-bed issues ... and arguments between couples.

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.

Fraunhofer engineers have developed a new audio coding technology called Enhanced Low Delay Advanced Audio Coding - or AAC-ELD - that takes the same approach used in MP3 files to improve telephone and video conferencing audio.

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.