Surge Barriers for New York — the Best or Worst of Solutions?

After the flooding caused by Superstorm Sandy in 2012, a proposal was developed to build storm surge barriers to protect New York City and nearby municipalities. Given the rising sea levels and increasingly violent storms associated with climate change, many … Continue reading

MIT’s SoFi — the Swimming Robotic Fish

Researchers at MIT’s  Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have developed a swimming robotic fish with a soft silicone skin, which they have dubbed SoFi, for “soft fish.” SoFi is controlled by a modified video game controllers sending ultrasonic signals to … Continue reading

SB Met, First Robot Vessel to Cross the Atlantic — Or Is It?

Recent reports in the media have announced that the 2-meter long robot sailboat, SB Met, has become the first unmanned vessel to cross the Atlantic after completing a 1,800-mile (3,000 km) journey from Newfoundland in Canada to Ireland. The Daily Mail reports … Continue reading

Wreck of 400 Year Old Portuguese Spice Ship Discovered Near Cascais

Archaeologists have found a 400-year-old shipwreck off the coast of Portugal, near Cascais, close to the capital Lisbon. The shipwreck was found in early September while dredging the mouth of the Tagus river.  Spices, ceramics, and cannons engraved with Portugal’s … Continue reading