Cool Hunting Video: NYU Fluid Dynamics Lab

A visit to the NYU Applied Math Lab, where they unlock the secrets of aerodyamics—one flying jellyfish robot at a time

The concept of flight has always held humankind’s imagination captive—yet making that concept a reality continues to baffle even the most ingenious innovators. We recently got a few insights and a lesson in aerodynamics from NYU Professor of Mathematics at the Applied Mathematics Laboratory, Leif Ristroph. He explains that mathematicians and physicists studying flight and aerodynamics view water and air both as fluids and showed …

Design-Minded Disaster Response Housing

Veggie kiosks, time warp photography, news from space and more in our look at the web this week

Hurricane Katrina is among the most devastating natural disasters in American history. Inspired by the needs of those displaced by flooding and the US government’s inefficient, costly and poorly equipped housing solution, designer Michael McDaniel created a smarter housing solution for displaced persons. EXO costs a quarter of the current trailer-like housing, is recyclable and sets up in just two minutes. Each EXO comes equipped …

Chicago’s Fresh Food Vending Machine

Veggie kiosks, time warp photography, news from space and more in our look at the web this week

Founder Luke Saunders prefers the term “kiosk,” but there’s no denying that his Chicago-based Farmer’s Fridge invention is actually a veggie vending machine. Built from recycled barn wood and sporting a touchscreen display, the machine dispenses farm-fresh salads in plastic containers, as well as a variety of healthy drink and snack options. The machine is restocked every 24 hours and by layering the ingredients within …