Bendy Batteries a Step Closer

Korean researchers from the  Advanced Institute of Science and Technology  have found a new solution to bendable energy sources that is not only more powerful than standard lithium-ion batteries, but also potentially cheaper. The researchers developed a graphene-based hybrid electrode and produced a flexible lithium rechargeable battery. The cathode material (V2O5) was grown on a graphene sheet using pulsed laser reposition and the anode was lithium-coated graphene.

This battery actually has promising performance compared to non-flexible batteries - higher energy density, power density and better cycle life. The team now works on extending the performance using solid-state or polymer electrolyte. 

[Via Engadget]

Sneaker Speakers - Arts and Useful Gadgets?

If it is not for the purpose of art I am not sure if it can be considered as useful gadgets because the sounds won't seem to be excellent given that it is made of rubber.

The Sneaker Speakers were made by high-end sneaker customizer Nashmoney for the recent Inspired Ingenuity creative competition for Havana Club.

They’re made from a pair of Nike Air Force 1 sneakers, with a full-range and tweeter loaded into each shoe, along with volume controls, an amplifier and controls built into the right shoe.

I am interested in making a pair of this speaker using a used par of shoes... I hope not patent pending.

[Via Technabob]

Samsung Gem - New Smartphone from Samsung

Samsung Gem

Samsung Gem is a CDMA Android smartphone. The device runs Android Eclairand has 800 MHz processor, 3.2-inch WQVGA touchscreen display and 124 MB of internal memory (with expansion via microSD cards). The Samsung Gem also has GPS, 3.2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, 3G Rev A of 3.1 Mbps, It doesn't seems to have Wi-Fi. It weight 3.85 Ounces. Samsung website says that the price of this phone is competitive.

[Samsung]