holland
Design
The Citadel: The World’s First Floating Apartment Complex
3:00PM Dan Nosowitz | Since Holland is mostly under sea level, keeping houses from flooding is a constant problem. This concept fixes that problem by just having an apartment complex that floats. More »
Science
Heated Sleep Suit Uses Same Technology as Spacesuits, for Insomniacs, Not Astronauts
12:27AM Addy Dugdale | Dutch researchers have come up with a heated sleep suit that could help insomniacs and older people who suffer from disturbed sleeping patterns. A system of micropipes filled with water warms the patient, increasing their body temperature by just 0.4 degrees Celsius. At 35.4ºC, the body shifts from nocturnal wakefulness to a deeper sleep because, scientists believe, that skin temperature affects cells in the hypothalamus of the brain responsible for controlling sleep. As long as it doesn’t spring a leak, eh? [Wired] More »
Phones
Spyker’s Intriguing Take on the iPhone has Keypad, Squiggly Logo
2:06AM Addy Dugdale | All the talk in Barcelona at this year’s MWC was really about one thing: how Steve’s iPhone has changed the face of phones as we know it, as all the handset manufacturers rush to make everything touchscreen. Dutch mobile phone company Spyker had its own take on the iPhone, but, intriguingly, their version had a keypad squished up on the bottom of its face. So, what do you think—is it more Dutch oven than Dutch iPhone? [Crave at cnet.co.uk] More »
Home
Modern Boat Homes to Survive Rising Sea Level
6:33AM Gizmodo US Edition | Holland may soon be dotted with floating buildings as Dutch architects plan against global warming. The country is already 20 percent below sea level, and rising water levels are a concern. A flooded river is no threat to a floatable building with airtight foundations, and with slack built into electricity and water cables feeding it, the whole kaboodle can simply bob upwards. The gallery shows some building concepts, dreamed up by a company called Waterstudio, among others. Melting ice caps? Bring’em on. [Waterstudio, NPR via io9] More »
Gadgets
