MAGIC MOLECULE FONEW MATERIALS ,
`F‘QQ PU‘E';
`
`
`
`AUGUST I991
`$2.00
`CANADA $2.50
`
`-nmnumum u‘fiu‘i
`
`EXHIBIT
`Petitioner . Kyocera
`
`PX 1042
`
`Kyocera PX 1042_1
`
`

`

`Reversing the
`greenhouse
`unar factories, satellites, and float-
`islands in the ocean are several
`.s the proposers of Project Phoenix
`planning to help the earth rise
`m the ashes of global warming;
`
`POPULAR SUENCE AUGUST ”9| 0 3
`
`AUGUST I99!
`Founded in 1872/Vol. 239, No.2
`
`52
`Buckyball
`‘
`What magic molecule
`has scientists scrambling to
`play a new kind of ball
`game? It’s shaped like a
`soccer ball, and it may rev—
`olutionize everything from
`batteries to plastics to can—
`cer therapy.
`
`ere’s an exclusive sneak
`ek at what’s coming from
`.S. automobile makers.
`ext month: a look at the
`ports.
`’
`
`0
`o
`0
`MM D5:
`The latest child of the computer tech-audio
`5 marriage is Sony’s ultra-portable 2.5-inch format
`~but it’s not compatible with anything else.
`
`THE WHAT'S NEW MAGAZINE
`
`WHAT'S NEW............................. l0
`
`SCIENCE AND ncuuomev
`Science newsfront...................... . 25
`
`Purifying water '
`with sunshine. ........................... %
`
`Sunlight: chandeliers................... 28
`Buckyball:
`the magic molecule................... 52
`
`Exploring earth’s
`ancient climate......................... 7O
`Reversing the greenhouse......... 78
`
`COMPUTERS AND
`ELECTRONICS
`Electronics newsfront................. 39
`The Mini Disc................
`
`CARS AND DRIVING
`Automotive newsfront................ 32
`Car test: no frills..........................60
`
`5-year guide: sneak peeks
`atU.S.cars to come..................... 74
`
`HOME PRODUCTS AND
`TECHNOLOGY
`Home newsfront.......................... 47
`
`The anybody bike....................... 58
`Revenge of the tiny 35s ............... 84
`
`ADDITIONAL FEATURES
`From the editor.............................. 4
`
`‘1 Readers talk back.......................... 6
`Product information.................. IOI
`
`.
`
`Looking back............................. 102
`
`COVER BY
`TOM WHITE
`
`
`
`
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`
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`
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`Kyocera PX 1042_2
`
`Kyocera PX 1042_2
`
`

`

` From The Editor—
`
`
`As a discovery alone—it’s only the
`third known form of the element that’s
`the basis for all life—buckyball is an
`achievement of major significance. But
`there is also excitement about how this
`60-atom molecule may ultimately afl'ect
`our lives. To scientists itching for new
`ground to explore, buckyball is “like a
`gift from the gods,” says Rice Univer-
`sity professor Richard Smalley, who
`first worked out the elegant structure of
`this magic molecule, which is strong,
`slippery, superconducting, and more.
`Its applications‘are already the subject
`of speculation and experimentation and
`include new medical treatments, new
`types of plastics, superior lubricants,
`' more efficient batteries—and that’s just
`the short list.
`
`f POPULAR SCIENCE had an award for
`
`I molecule oftheyear, wewouldgive it
`
`to the subject of this month’s cover
`story: the buckyball. Buckminster—
`fullerene, as it is officially known, is a
`newly discovered form of carbon that
`has the geometry of a soccer ball. We
`are pretty sure that scientists around
`the world would endorse our vote—that
`is, when they recover from their aston-
`ishment and take enough time away
`from their frenzy of experiments with
`this sooty sensation. “For decades, sci—
`entists thought they knew everything
`about carbon,” explains_Science and
`Technology Editor Arthur Fisher. “Now
`the world of chemistry is in shock.”
`
` JOHNE.
`
`
`CARNETT
`
`Buckybdl player: Richard Smalley’s discovery
`of a soccer-ball-sllaped carbon molecule has re-
`searchers scramllfing to find new applications.
`
`,
`
`l nourJuneissue,wetoldyou abouta
`
`newly proposed audio cassette for-
`mat, the Digital Compact Cassette,
`that will be showing up in 1992. Just in
`case DCC versus DAT—the rival Digit-
`
`4 O POPULAR SCIENCE AUGUST I99]
`
`al Audio Tape format—doesn’t have you
`befuddled about your next audio equip—
`ment purchase, hang on for the latest
`news. Far East Correspondent Dennis
`Normile reports that Sony has devel—
`oped another new format: the Mini Disc.
`Also scheduled for introduction in
`1992, the Sony Mini Disc system is a
`good news/bad news development. It
`promises greatly improved Walkman-
`style portability: lighter weight, smaller
`size, greater tracking reliability than
`portable CD players, and better sound
`reproduction than portable cassette
`units. Unfortunately, Mini Discs aren’t
`compatible with anything else in your
`audio repertoire. Your current and fu-
`ture audio equipment selection process
`just got more complicated.
`Sometimes it’s difficult to believe that
`the makers of these marvels have our
`best interests at heart. Indeed, there is
`plenty of talk that the Mini Disc system
`is simply Sony’s way of countering the
`DCC format of its rivals. Although it is
`hardly possible to judge the pros and
`cons of the various audio formats until
`the two newest ones are Commercially
`available, we have included a compari-
`son chart that can at least get you in
`touch with the trade—offs as we know
`them today.
`’
`
`peaking of future choices, don’t
`miss our exclusive five-year guide
`to new car models. Here too, we
`have compiled achart for ajump—start look
`at what’s ahead. This-mmth offers cloak-
`and-dagger previews of the upcoming
`models from US. makers. Next month,
`we’ll pick up with the imports. This ear-
`ly—warning system will be useful if
`you’re contemplating a new car puré
`chase or even keeping a score card on
`how close the auto makers have come to
`delivering what they originally planned.
`We don’t think you can take everything
`we’ve reported to’the bank. But most of
`what we’ve learned is likely to hold up.
`Of course, we will continue to give
`you news about actual new-model intro-
`ductions in our Automotive Newsfi'ont
`and What’s New departments. We will
`also make the five-year guide an annual
`feature. Drop me a line and let me
`know how you like it and what else you
`would like to see included.
`
`Editor-in-Chiei '
`
`
`
`scien’gg
`
`'
`
`EDITOR-III-CIIIEE
`
`Fred Abatemorco
`
`EXECUTIVE EDITOR
`Richard L Siepler
`
`SCIENCE & TECIIMLDGV EDITOR
`Arthur Fisher
`ARI ICIES EDITOR
`
`Claudia Valentino
`AR’I' DIRECTOR
`
`W. David Houser
`MANAGING EDITOR
`
`Cecilio Wessner
`
`SEIIIDR EDITORS
`Sluart F. Brown (West Coast), John Free,
`
`Dan McCosh (Detroit), Dawn Siover
`ASSOCIATE EDITOR
`
`Marielle DiChriinna
`
`SENIOR COPY EDITOR
`
`Rochelle Goldslein
`COPY EDITOR
`
`Stefanie Benodo
`
`ISSISTAIIT EDITORS
`Marcelle M. Soviero, Judith Anne Yeaple
`
`ASSOCIATE m DIRECTOR
`
`W. Thomas White >
`
`m A'ssocun
`
`Carol Drozdyk
`
`not! morocmun '
`John B. Cornea
`PICTURE EDITOR
`
`Cynthia van Roden
`
`DEPUTY noun: armor:
`
`Gail Henry
`
`EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT
`
`David Scott
`
`In em mesmnam
`Dennls Normile
`
`EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
`Suzanne Kanfra
`
`EDITORIAL DDSINESS MANAGER
`
`Roberta S. Lee
`' CONTRIDIITIIIG EDITORS
`
`Robert Gannon, A. J. Hand,
`Ben Kocivar, Norman 5. M ersohn,
`
`
`Jim McCrow, Phil McCaudlerIy
`
`and olhers regisIered with lhe Copyfighl Clearance Cenlar (cccl la 9
`articles In was 3500 Iarme Hal lee 015! Del copy oI each article or any -
`
`article. Send correspondence and paymenl Io ccc (21 Congress Susana ,
`01970); $90ch Get: code orslr7370/ssm .oo— 0.00. Coming m ’0!
`personal or valelence use wimcul ma wrmen aenmsslon ol Popular
`'
`_
`mailed. Address requests lAr permission on bulk mum: to 9th Barber. LA
`
`Syndimlo. InII.. 2 Park Ave. New York NY were Ior lureign ruqubls. For
`requesas. wrile Io Pamlssons Desk. LAJ'lmes Synaieau. Times Minor
`-
`Angelee CA90053. Pmular Science“) is a registered Iradomark M TIMOS W
`
`11098. Inc
`
`POPULAR SCIENCE BUSINESS AND BECU‘HVE OFFICES: 2 Park A
`York NV more. EDITORIAL OFFICES: Address canaiuulians Io Popular
`Eallorial Dept. 2 ram Ave. New yam NV Iools. We are nor rasponsizle Inf
`unsolIciIed queries. manuscripls. phmngmphs.
`IPZI‘ISDHIBIICIGS. or other
`They will not be rammed un|e§ accompanied by return-pumps. MW
`are availanb tram Xerox Unlversin Mlcrolllms Serial eia cacvdinalor. 300.
`'Hd.. Ann Arbor MI dams. SUBSCRIPTION INoulRIEs: Send new or
`subscriptions or change or address {sens both now and old addresses) '0
`Science. Box 54965. Boulder (:0 903224965. Allow SI! lo eigm weeks lot '
`address. I you have a sibscriorion problem. please was to me above and -
`socialists: u.s. and no possessions, 1 year $13.94: 2 years $24.97: a
`For Canada, add $7 per year (Incluaes 681’). For Foreign, and
`Subscriptions processed electronically. POSTIASTERV Sana cheap!
`mines to Popular Science. Box 54965. BwldarCO 303224965. Popular
`Iered as seconadass poslage paid al New York NY and aadlrianal lull
`Also entered as secona~class malIar al Ihe F.0. Dona. Canada. C
`Hegistmlion Number R-Izzeaeoss. Popular Science (ISSN 015177370)
`monthly by Tunes Mirror Magazines. Inn. 2 Pam Ave. New roar NY 100
`Inc USA.
`Copyrigm e 1991 by Tums Mirror Magazines, Inc. All nghls meow-d. -
`nor be reprinled dharwise reproduced wilhour wriaan pandsslon. Pow
`mohair: and Hamicraflo
`'
`
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`Kyocera PX 1042_3
`
`Kyocera PX 1042_3
`
`

`

`
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`K
`
`EDITED BY MARCELLE M. SOVlERO AND JUDITH ANNE YEAPLE
`
` MESSAGES
`
`
`3v SATELLITE
`
`Using handheld devices, subscribers to
`
`this sotellitebased communications
`
`system could reéeive and send short
`
`
`.
`messages inexpensively. The system,
`
`proposed by Orbital Communications
`
`
`in Fairfax, Va., uses a constellation of
`
`20 small satellites in low Earth orbits.
`
`An experimental satellite is scheduled
`
`
`for launch this summer.
`
`
`$0»?
`
`
`
`
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`
`
`
`
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`
`
`WHA'I‘S new ,4
`
`
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`
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`
`
`TESIING ELECI'Ro-VANS
`
`By l993, Ford plans to lease about 70 electric demonstration vans to US. and
`European electric utilities and other service-oriented companies. Modeled on the
`European Escort van, the vehicles are powered by sodiumsulfur batteriesnnd are
`expected to have a lOO-rnile range, i4-second (Ho-50mph acceleration, and six-
`hour recharge time. Air conditioning is optional.
`
`INFRARED NIGU‘I
`VISION SENSOR
`
` Scounm;
`
`HELICOPTER
`
`Boeing Helicopters and Sikorsky Aircraft
`
`won a $30 billion Army contract to build
`.
`,
`,
`
`this final design of the tight Helicopter,
`-
`-
`,
`- 5W1;
`tumult unmro
`
`
`an armed scout aircraft. The twoperson
`"W“ ”l” STINGER ”55"“
`'
`
`chopper willi'be equipped with night vi
`
`
`
`seasons roe FARGET orr'ccnorr/
`sion and target identification systems.
`
`
`aessrrrainon svsrm
`
`
`Extra fuel tanks will enable it to fly more
`
`than 1,250 nautical miles nonstop. The
`
`
`first production aircraft of nearly 1,300 heli-
`
`
`copters is scheduled for delivery in 1998.
`
` I0 0 POPULAR SUENEE AUGUST i991
`
`
`
`Kyocera PX 1042_4
`
`Kyocera PX 1042_4
`
`

`

`.
`
`'
`
`
`
`SOBER
`STARTER
`The Guardian Interlock System ten
`ders a vehicle inoperable if the driver
`is impaired by alcohol. Required by
`some states for DWI offenders, the
`hand-held breath analyzer and
`microcomputer connect to a
`vehicle’s electrical system. A driver
`must exhale into the analyzer to
`measure his blood alcohol concentra—
`tion; it it’s above a preset limit, the
`car won tstort.
`
`
`
`ECO-SHOE
`DeiaShoe women’s walking shoes
`are made entirely from recycled ma
`teriols. The fabric lining and outer
`shoe are used polypropylene, the
`sales are reclaimed fire rubber, the
`eyelets contain recycled metals, and
`the collar and tongue padding are re
`cycled foam rubber. The box, which
`is also recycled, doubles as a gift
`box. Price: $59. Northwest
`Quality Innovations, Box 830,
`lake Oswego OR 97034.
`
`.
`
`FANTAIl
`1A". ROTOR
`FOR EXTRA
`MANEUVIRABIlITY
`
`CELLULAR
`sansmou
`
`_
`
`ongwinded phone users may be in-
`terested in Oki Telecom’s 900
`portable. Its powerconserving circuit
`design, galliumarsenide chips, and
`- optional extended-life battery pro-
`'de 120 minutes of call time or 20
`hours of standby time, double that
`ailable with current cellular battery
`. packs. The phone costs $1,100; op
`tional battery, $66.
`
`mm
`INOCULARS
`sh a button on Steiner’s 7x50
`mmander Electronic marine binoculars
`d receive digital compass readings through
`lenses. A pivoting sensor coil and micropro-
`ssor calculate hearings to within one degree. Price: $1,900. Pioneer
`arlceting 8 Research, 2l6 Haddon Ave., Westrnont NJ 08108.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Colcu—Tape+, a l2-loot measuring
`tape, has a built-in level and angle
`finder on one side and a solarpow
`ered calculator on the other. Sonin
`Inc., 672 White Plains Rd,
`Scarsdale NY l0583. SI 5.
`
`POPULAR SCIENCE AUGUST l99l ' ll
`
`Kyocera PX 1042_5
`
`Kyocera PX 1042_5
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`ls I'l' REAL, OR IS IT...
`
`
`
`Unlike most underwater propulsion
`systems, which must be held out in
`front of you while you swim, the
`
`Nautilus system attaches to a scuba
`
`tank. Rated to operate at depths of
`
`up to 150 feet, the unit uses two
`
`lZ-valt batteries that strap to a div
`
`er’s waist and replace most of the
`
`diving weights. Batteries recharge in
`
`five hours. Two speeds, 1.5 and 2.5
`mph, provide 60 or 90 minutes of
`operating time. Price: $995. The
`Parkway Systems, 24] Roritun St.
`South Amboy NJ 08879.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DOUBLE
`nunr
`Campbell Hausteld’s Cordless Air
`Compressor doubles as a power
`pack. Delivering up to 220 psi, it
`flates anything from tires to beac ..
`balls. As a power pack, it can be
`car batteries or run T 2-volt tools.
`The $50 device can be recharged
`on a standard i 1 Such circuit or
`car cigarette lighter, Campbell
`Housfeld, 100 Production Dc,
`Harrison OH 45030.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`'4 ' POPULAR SCIENCE‘ AUGUST l99l
`
`
`
`l
`1
`l
`‘
`I
`.
`CID-ROM CHANGER STORES SIX m
`Cartridges for Pioneer’s DRM—600 CDROM minichonger store six (DRUMS so you can switch discs
`computer commands instead of manually swapping them The changer offers rapid access to more th
`three billion bytes of data, such as encyclopedia or zip-code CD ROMs. The machine can also play be
`standard audio CDs into hiti systems. Price: $1,295.
`
`
`
`Kyocera PX 1042_6
`
`
`
`
`
`The links interactive golf game may make you think you’re on the course instead
`.of at your PC. The $60 program takes into account variables like wind speed, your
`stance, club used, and the force of your swing. Sounds, such as the ball being hit,
`enhance reulism Available from Access Software (545 W. 500 South, Suite l30,
`Bountiful UT 8401 0), it works with IBM PCs and compatibleswithVGA
`
`
`lemm;
`
`PHONE USE
`
`TeleBlocker programmable call restric-
`
`tors plug into your phone to help con—
`
`trol usage. Restrict long distance calls,
`
`outgoing calls except 9i l, 900 num
`
`bers, or others. You can even set time
`
`limits on calls or confine them to a
`
`specific time slot. Prices for the three
`
`models are $50, $80, and ST 00.
`
`Telegen Corp, lBl Second Ave,
`Suite 21 1, San Mateo CA 9440i,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`EASIER
`
`“IAN FINS
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`Kyocera PX 1042_6
`
`

`

`FLAw FINDER
`This segmented prototype robot, de-
`veloped by the Gas Research In-
`stitute in Chicago, crawls through
`gas pipelines looking for faults,
`leaks, and corrosion. Dubbed "The
`Mouse," it travels up to 2,000 feet
`and relays data via a fiberoptic cable.
`
`
`
`Make dovetail ioints precisely and quickly with the wallmounted Woodrot. Clamp
`two boards on a sliding crossbar and cut the joint toils by following a marker
`block. Then use the cut board as a template for perfectly matched pins. You can
`complete a set of seven drawers in oneandahalf hours, claims Woodrat (The Old
`School, Godney, Wells, Somerset, RAS TRY, England). Price: about $700.
`
` FAS'I'JOINTS
`
`
`
`SECURITY
`
`The Security Alarm and Lock Bar pro
`tects household windows or doors
`three ways: a 90decibel alarm, a
`flashing light, and an adiustable bar
`lock. Sensors in the batteryoperated
`bar detect motion and activate the
`alarm. The window unit costs $28;
`the door unit, $30; Honeywell, lnc.,
`T985 Douglas Dr. N., Golden Valley
`MN 55422.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TH'REE-IN-ONE cmnvnu.
`Flip the Porter Case storage compartment down and the unit becomes a log-
`gage cart for carrying additional bags; snap it back up, and it’s a rolling tote
`(left). Retracting the handle in the tote mode converts the unit to a 22hy—
`12hy8inch canyon case, small enough to fit under most airline
`seats or in overhead compartments. The lOpound case costs
`$l95. Porter Case, Box 2526, South Bend lN 466802526.
`
`
`
`
`
`HUFlDWINDOWCOURTESYBALDWlNLUMBER
`
`POPULAR SUENCE AUGUST T99] ' 15
`
`Kyocera PX 1042_7
`
`Kyocera PX 1042_7
`
`

`

`l:‘lr
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`'
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`:
`.
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`.
`‘:
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`,
`'
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`Voiceactivoted video and data dis-
`plays ore built into the helmet of the
`Command/Control Pressure Suit, al-
`lowing astronauts to view vital data
`and at the some time perform other
`manual operations. The circuitry can
`also connect to Rovers or other ma-
`chinery, tuming the suit into a one
`man cockpit. Flat glass plates pro-
`- vide an undistorted view.
`
`conventional pods, claims the German manufacturer. The sheets come-in e ‘
`fine, medium, and coarse grades, and cost less than $2 each. R. Z. lnternation,’
`'
`1300 Morse Ave, Elk Grove Village IL 6000
`
`PORTABLE POWER
`Two nickel-cadmium batteries power the Safari NSX/20 notebook
`computer for up to six hours, says AT8J. The $5,399 computer has a
`386SX processor, 401negabyte hard drive, 3.5inch floppy drive, two
`megabytes of randorrraccess memory, a liquidcrystol display, plus a
`2,40%itper-secand modem. Panasonic manufactures the 7.3pound
`personal computer for ATM Computer Systems.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`GRIFFIN-HUDSONCONCEPTS
` Rakso’s steel-Wool sheets for power or manual sanders last 10 times longer th
`'6 O POPULAR SEtEME AUGUST 1991
`
`
`
`
`Not A mliownwmr
`Unlike the simple, disposable panoramic cameras on the market now, Minoltafs
`Freedom Vista is the first sophisticated, nondisposoble, wide—format 35mm
`camera yielding standard 3 '/2- by -l 0-inch panoramic prints. Its features
`include automatic focus, flash-and film transport, and a fiveelement f/4.5
`24mm lens. Price: $300.
`-
`
`
`
`surement setting, score it with
`tungstentipped scribing tool, on
`press against a work-top edge
`break. Price; $l 5. Excalibur Hand
`' Tools, 1062] S. Lockwood, 00
`LGWn ll 60453.
`
`
`
`Kyocera PX 1042_8
`
`Kyocera PX 1042_8
`
`

`

`RIMMER WITH
`“NIS'I'
`
`mming the grass and edging the walkway can
`how be done with the same tool. Push a button and
`ack and Becker’s Groom ’n' Edge grass trimmer
`twists 180 degrees to snip grass growing along side
`walks, driveways, or walls. .The $80 model GE600
`has a 3.l-ampere electric motor and an automatic
`nylon line feeding system.
`
`FORM AND
`FUNCTION
`The Intersections Ceiling System’s
`modules not only create special de
`sign effects, they make it easier to
`install lights, speakers, and firesafe
`ty fixtures without disrupting the de
`sign, claims the maker. USG
`Interiors, 10] S. Wacker Dr.,
`Chicago lL 60606-4385.
`
`Posmou
`lOCA'I'OR
`
`V
`
`Delanne Mapping of Freeport,
`Maine, combined a global-position
`ingsatellite receiver and a CD—ROM
`data base of US. maps to create the
`GPS MapBox. Connect it to a 286 or
`386 portable and a blinking dot indi-
`cates your location. It’s accurate to
`within i00 feet. Price: $7,995.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`GLOVE
`
`f
`
`IX DesignR Wall powder with wa-
`ter and apply it to any wall with a
`hawol, roller, or spray gun for a wall
`paperlike finish that hides cracks. It
`omes in l0? color and texture
`ombinations. One bag covers 32 to
`0 square feet and costs Si 7 to
`20. Design-R Products, RD. 2, Box
`7l, Spartansburg PA l6434.
`
`Scooping up a ground ball may no
`longer be hazardous to your hand.
`_ The doublewelting design on the
`. back of the lZinch TechFire base
`ball glove provides extra protection,
`closefitting finger stalls for better
`control, and longer glove life, claims
`Mizuno Sports (577 Airport Blvd,
`Burlingame CA 940102025).
`Price: 565‘
`
`'
`
`POPULAR SCIENCE AUGUST MN 0 I7
`
`Kyocera PX 1042_9
`
`Kyocera PX 1042_9
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`
`QUICK
`TOGGlE
`
`The El Toggle makes anchoring fix-
`tures to drywall as easy as turning a
`screw. Use its sharp point to cut
`through the wall, then insert a
`sheet-metal screw, which flips the
`clamp against the wall’s interior,
`Price: $2 fora set of two. lTW
`Buildex, T349 W. Bryn Maerve.,
`Itasca IL 60143.
`
`Wedged between an elevated highway and railway
`lines, this boatlike office building will be "moored” in
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`Hammersmith, London. The structure's sloping roof will
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`help to link aesthetically residential and commercial
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`areas. Multilevel walkways, decks, gnd shops will
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`surround the atrium. The glass— and copperclad
`building will be completed this fall.
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`ROTAIING
`RECEIVER
`The remote control for Fisher’s newest
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`fuzzy logic camcorder, the FVC-990,
`sends signals to an infrared receiver ”but-
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`ton” that pops up from the camcorder
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`body. The button rotates to face any direc-
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`tion, so you don’t have to be in front of
`the camera to use the remote. The
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`$1,200 binocularstyle camcorder also has a built-
`in microphone with left and right channels for stereo recording.
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`PCnAmo
`NEC’s tic-9801 personal computer is the first PC with a built—in modem for radio
`communication via a switching service. The unit manages 9,600bitpersecond t0-
`dio data communication with backup error correction capabilities. Available only in
`Japan, it costs about $4,000 plus a monthly service fee.
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`BlC
`Redd'rFot
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`building 1
`teeth for
`fit. Secur
`9.5-inch
`concrete
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`ranging 1
`They ftflt
`value on
`square Ti
`Redd'rFa
`Hills PA
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`Because numerous iniections can damage veins, doctors may someday impla
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`the Osteoport into a patient's hip so that medication is infused directly into bone .
`marrow. The membrane on the 3/4-inch stainlesssteel device reseals after ea
`iection to prevent leakage. Developed by ijtequest Medical in San Antonio, Teti
`the Osteoport was approved by the FDA for clinical testing.
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`Kyocera PX 1042_10
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`tiueusr mt
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`Kyocera PX 1042_10
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`Commuter:
`suurne
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`SA.HELLER/A.C.C
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`A proposal by Art Center College of
`Design students in Pasadena, Calif.,
`plans for a mass-transit electric train
`system elevated above highway me-
`dians. Express trains would run atop
`the tracks, and smaller trains would
`hang below, making local stops.
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`TWO-IN-ONE
`wnucmnn
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`Sanyo’s SPTT 000 Sportable combines an AM-FM cassette
`player with a builtin pedometer. Select one of three set-
`tings—walking, speed walking, or iagging—and input
`your stride, average pace, and target distance. The unit
`then calculates actual number of steps, pace, and dis-
`tance, and displays them on the LCD panel. The $55 unit
`comes with headphones and features an extended AM
`band and a clock/stopwatch.
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`'I'mv TORCH
`Use the Instant-Ignite Pencil Torch
`for soldering, plumbing, iewelry re
`pairs, or paint removal. To ignite, flip
`the onswitch and tap the ball at the
`end of the tool. The adjustable
`2,500degreeF flame lasts for 45
`minutes per butane refill. Price:
`$50. Blazer Corp, T14 E. 32 St,
`— New York NY 10016.
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`POPULAR SUENCE AUGUST 19‘” . I9
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`ilding blocks have interlocking
`eeth for quick assembly and a tight
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`. Secured with reinforcing rods, the
`nctrwide blocks are filled with
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`concrete and finished with materials
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`nging from stucco to wood siding.
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`‘ They have an H 6-toR—ZT insulating
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`value and cost less than $5 per
`square foot assembled and finished.
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`Reddi—Form, 250 Canal Rd, Fairless
`Hills PA T9030.
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`luxumr
`TURBO
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`Renault ups the ante in the European
`luxury sports car market with the up
`graded Alpine A610 Turbo. The rear-
`mounted V6 engine with a three
`way catalyst is enlarged to three
`liters, with a 25—percent power boost
`to 250 hp. Available in France, the
`vehicle’s peak torque is 258 lb.-ft.,
`with 246 lb.-ft. available from
`2,000 to 5,200 rpm. Price: about
`$55,000.
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`mt
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`one
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`ch in-
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`taxes
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`Kyocera PX 1042_11
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`Kyocera PX 1042_11
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`S'l‘l'l'CHER
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`1
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`The Memory Craft 8000 sewing ma-
`chine's computerized minicassettes
`produce preprogrammed sotinstitch
`embroidery designs. Touching an on—
`screen pattern sets the width,
`length, and sewing speed and pro
`vides how-to instructions. Two cas-
`settes are included with the $3,000
`machine; two additional cassettes
`cost $69 each. The New Home
`Sewing Machine (0., TOO Hollister
`Rd., Teterboro NJ 07608.
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`Made with aluminum oxide and ce
`ramic material, the Purple Belt an the
`Model 360 series sanders lasts twice
`as long as standard belts, provides
`faster stock removal, and reduces heat
`and loading, says Porter Cable (4825
`Hwy. 45 N., Box 2468, Jackson TN
`38302-2468). Cost. about 30 per-
`cent more than other belts.
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`"""‘°"J‘ ""‘ “i"
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`RECYCLE AT HOME
`Turn old newspapers, cardboard, and milk cartons into greeting cards with the
`RemakingSet, a home recycling kit. Materials are shredded and boiled to make
`pulp, which is poured into wood homes, dried, and pressed. Price: about $38
`Japan. Sun-Star Stationary (0., 3-35-13 Ryusen, Taitoku, Tokyo 1 10, Japan
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`WIND CHEATER
`A sleek, aerodynamic bicycle fairing, designed for the long-distance cyclist to re
`duce drug, can cut five minutes from a 25mph hour-long ride on a level course.
`The 24ounce Flyer fairing doesn’t interfere with hands or broke levers. Once in
`stalled, the molded lexan shell can be removed withouttoals via small hitch pins.
`Price: $90. Zwaan Design, Box 844, Sierra Madre (A 91025.
`22 . POPULAR SCIENEE AUGUST 1991
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`The polrrrsize (FR-900 cellular a
`tenna adheres to the inside of a
`car's windshield so it can’t be do
`aged by wind, storms, or a car
`wash. Price: $80. Terk Technolo
`Corp, 233-8 Robbins lane, Syo
`NY 1 T79].
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`Kyocera PX 1042_12
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`Kyocera PX 1042_12
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