Newly created ultra-hard material rivals diamond

Scientists have solved a decades-long puzzle and unveiled a near unbreakable substance that could rival diamond as the hardest material on Earth. The research is published in the journal Advanced Materials. Researchers found that when carbon and nitrogen precursors were subjected to extreme heat and pressure, the resulting materials—known as carbon nitrides—were tougher than cubic Read more about Newly created ultra-hard material rivals diamond[…]

Origins of the sarsen megaliths at Stonehenge

The sources of the stone used to construct Stonehenge around 2500 BCE have been debated for over four centuries. The smaller “bluestones” near the center of the monument have been traced to Wales, but the origins of the sarsen (silcrete) megaliths that form the primary architecture of Stonehenge remain unknown. Here, we use geochemical data Read more about Origins of the sarsen megaliths at Stonehenge[…]

Indonesia unveils site of new capital on Borneo island

The capital of the world’s fourth most populous country, on the island of Java, is now home to 10 million people and is prone to floods, traffic gridlock and faces the risk of earthquakes. The as-yet unnamed new capital will straddle the regions of North Penajam Paser and Kutai Kartanegara in Indonesia’s province of East Read more about Indonesia unveils site of new capital on Borneo island[…]

Official: North America COMPLETELY OUT of new IPv4 addresses

In the past few minutes, ARIN – the non-profit that oversees the allocation of IP addresses in North America – confirmed the available pool of the 32-bit network addresses is totally depleted. Last night, the team estimated there were just 1,024 IPv4 addresses left in its pool – dregs, in other words. Now that’s all Read more about Official: North America COMPLETELY OUT of new IPv4 addresses[…]

‘Archaeology on steroids’: huge ritual arena discovered near Stonehenge

Researchers find hidden remains of massive Neolithic stone monument, thought to have been hauled into position more than 4,500 years ago Source: ‘Archaeology on steroids’: huge ritual arena discovered near Stonehenge Archaeologists have discovered the remains of a massive stone monument buried under a thick, grassy bank only two miles from Stonehenge. The hidden arrangement Read more about ‘Archaeology on steroids’: huge ritual arena discovered near Stonehenge[…]

Earthquake protection through levitating houses

Japanese Air Danshin Systems has come up with a system that levitates houses on a 3cm layer of pressurised air during an earthquake. They claim the system is one third of the price of existing anti-earthquake systems and will be installed in 88 houses across Japan. Japanese Levitating House System Could Protect Homes From Earthquakes Read more about Earthquake protection through levitating houses[…]

Gazprom CEO’s palace removed from Google Maps

The head of Gazprom is building a most luxurious palace in the style of the XVIII century worth $ 50 million Design documentation for anticipated future residence of the head of Gazprom, Alexei Miller, who looks like a huge palace in the style of the XVIII century. Impressive, very similar to the mansion in Peterhof, Read more about Gazprom CEO’s palace removed from Google Maps[…]

The Dubai Ziggurat: 1 million living souls in a pyramid, entirely self-contained

Pyramids and ziggurats represent an oddly survivable form of architecture. Built by civilizations such as the Egyptians, Mayans and Babylonians, several of these testaments to ancient ingenuity are still standing after thousands of years. Timelinks, a design firm based in Dubai, has unveiled plans to make a pyramid of its own — one that could Read more about The Dubai Ziggurat: 1 million living souls in a pyramid, entirely self-contained[…]

Kuwait building world’s tallest tower, huge rail network

There are some big plans underway in Subiya, Kuwait in Madinat al-Hareer, the City of Silk. Not only are they planning to erect the world’s tallest tower, stealing the crown from Dubai, but they’re also planning on creating a hugely ambitious rail network that would link the Middle East with China. The railway will connect Read more about Kuwait building world’s tallest tower, huge rail network[…]

Single-column bridge is not for the faint of heart

How brave are you? Because from the looks of it, the Sky Bridge in Langkawi, Malaysia will require some guts to gross. That’s because this majestic cable-stayed bridge is supported by only one support column as it wraps its way around a mountain a whopping 2,250 feet above sea level. Even scarier? The single support Read more about Single-column bridge is not for the faint of heart[…]

Future Skylines: plans for amazing green skyscrapers in Singapore

The Brits are once more taking Singapore by storm, but this time with their snazzy, sustainable architecture. Firm Foster + Partners has plans for an over-1,600,000-square-foot (filling an entire city block), mixed-use structure that’s completely decked out with green-friendly tech. The design of the structure maximizes the amount of natural light that filters throughout the Read more about Future Skylines: plans for amazing green skyscrapers in Singapore[…]

Concept building has farms on top and sculptures below

When asked to design a building for a vacant lot in downtown Manhattan, the designers at Work AC went hog wild. They’re local foodies, you see, which means that they try to avoid buying produce that’s traveled from far-flung places like New Zealand. What better way to eat local than to bring the farm to Read more about Concept building has farms on top and sculptures below[…]

Next Guggenheim Museum looks like a designer UFO

The Guggenheim Museum has established a tradition of building structures to house and display art that are themselves works of art. Following the lead of the original Guggenheim in New York designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and the stunning Bilbao, Spain building by Frank Gehry, this latest design is no exception. Created by 2004 Pritzker Read more about Next Guggenheim Museum looks like a designer UFO[…]