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John W. Campbell |
John W. Campbell was born in 1910; he died in 1971. He received a degree in Physics from MIT in 1923, publishing his first stories when still a student. In 1937 he became editor of Astounding Stories and discovered many great talents of sf, including Asimov, Heinlein, Sturgeon, van Vogt and others. He freely offered his ideas to his writers; Isaac Asimov has credited Campbell with the Three Laws of Robotics. Science fiction in the News articles describe real-world events that relate to the ideas and inventions in sf novels and movies. Select a news article: |
BLEEX: Robotic Exoskeleton Making Strides
The Berkeley Lower Extremity Exoskeleton (BLEEX), a DARPA robotics engineering project that is designed to help foot soldiers carry more supplies for longer distances, was demonstrated in California earlier this week.
Super-Photons Used For Good, Not Evil
Super-photons may be able to provide a way to encode yet more information on CDs; more powerful computers and higher data security may also be possible. This is not your father's Thessian super-proton technology.
NASA's New Radiation Shielding First Proposed By John W. Campbell In 1936
NASA engineers are working on a clever new idea for shielding astronauts from cosmic rays - using the fuel and water needed for the journey for shielding. Just like John W. Campbell first proposed in 1936.
LEXID Sees Through Walls To Next Apartment
The LEXID looks suspiciously close to being a consumer product; so much for privacy for apartment-dwellers.
Moon Dust Substrate For Solar Panels
Simulated moon dust has been used to make the substrate of a solar cell, according to University of Houston researchers. The fine grey powder is 50% silicon dioxide, along with a mixture of oxides of twelve different metals (including aluminum, magne
Nanostructured Thermoelectric Devices (And John W. Campbell, Jr.)
Nanostructured thermoelectric devices may have a wide variety of practical applications, generating electricity from heat; sounds a lot like John W. Campbell's thermelectrium from a 1935 story.
Radiation Aging - The Deadly Years In Space
Radiation is a problem outside of our Earth's friendly magnetic field. Accelerated aging could result.
ReWalk Medical Powered Exoskeleton
The ReWalk device is slim enough that you can even fit it under your clothes, which you can't say about some of those other exoskeletons.
Intel Wireless Power Transmission
Wireless transmission of power inflamed the imaginations of early twentieth century sf writers; Intel appears to have improved the efficiency of a basic technique.
Wooden Helicopter Personal Transportation
The do-it-yourself spirit is alive and well in China; this farmer used materials at hand to construct a personal flying vehicle.
Solar-Powered Aircraft In Fact and Fiction
Solar aircraft have certain advantages; that's why they're attractive in fact and in fiction.
Be Martin Jetpack Test Pilot Via eBay
Of course you do. Now, you have your chance at free flight with a jetpack.
Solar Impulse HB-SIA Solar-Powered Plane Tested
Who will be the first person to fly a solar-powered plane around the world?
Electric Jet Planes With Superconducting Generators
A recent study blames 15-20% of arctic melting on high altitude emissions from jet planes. Could electric jet planes work?
Bose Ride System Smooths Your Ride
Yes, you'll ride the spaceways - uh, roads - in much greater comfort with a highly technological seat.
Buy Martin Jetpack This Fall
Ah, how long we've been waiting for a usable jetpack. Remember those sf ideas of yesteryear?
Solar Impulse Solar-Powered PlaneFlies!
First flight test for this plane.
Solar Impulse Completes Night Flight
Recharge by day, fly by night. Solar Impulse completes a 26-hour journey.
MIT's Cornucopia Digital Robotic Food Concept
Digital food the modern way. In concept, at least.
'Super Photons' Blob State Matter
Amazing new material reveals once again the quantum nature of light.
Active Electrostatic Radiation Shielding For Space Craft
You're going to need a shield out there; better get started.
VoltAir Electric Aircraft Concept
An electric powered aircraft might be quieter and more comfortable.
Songdo IBD Smart City
How smart do you want your city?
See People Through Walls
You (and your imaginative proxies, sf writers) have been trying to see through walls for a long time.
HAL Exoskeleton To Assist At Fukushima
Maybe atomic-powered lifting suits are not quite right for this mission. With video.
Transcontinental Flight By Solar-Powered Plane
'...Placed in the wings of a plane to generate power from the light falling on that surface...'
3D Printer Runs On Moon Dust
Fifties SF leaves engineers in the dust again.
Students! NASA's Space Radiation Challenge Is On
'The rocket-water tanks - all around us... that saved us?'- John W. Campbell, 1936.
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Polar Ice
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Coder
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