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This blew my mind!! There’s enough water in Lake Superior to cover all of North and South America in one foot of water!! – It’s the largest freshwater lake by surface area, and it holds an incredible amount of water

Innovation

Ford’s Strange Hologram Patent

Ford is envisioning a future where sci-fi-inspired holographic technology could bring digital representations of police officers, guard dogs, and even polar bears to life around its vehicles as a means to deter criminals. A recent patent filing from the automaker details a system of Integrated Holographic Camera Modules (IHCMs) that could create “moveable and interactive holograms” both inside and outside of a car. While it’s uncertain if Ford will ultimately pursue this hologram tech, the filing outlines various potential uses, such as warding off unwanted visitors or projecting a virtual drive-thru menu inside the car for easier ordering.

Holograms for Security

The patent explores projecting holograms on a vehicle’s exterior and interior, with one illustration showing a digital police officer standing beside a parked car. The system would use multiple IHCMs, which combine cameras, projectors, and computing components to create projections without noticeable distortion. Drivers could activate these holograms by simply looking at the car and giving a “thumbs up” gesture. The patent, filed in February 2023 and published recently, was first spotted by Ford Authority.

Ford envisions a scenario where if someone touches or walks through a holographic police officer guarding the vehicle, the driver would be alerted. The patent also describes a selection of holographic images stored in the car’s system, including a guard dog, intended to patrol the vehicle's perimeter like a digital watchdog.

How Holograms Work

Holograms are created using lasers and light waves to project three-dimensional images that appear real to the naked eye without any special viewing equipment. A common version of this is on currency and credit cards. However, this is not the same type of hologram suggested in Ford’s Patent. The patent doesn’t delve deeply into the specific technology behind their system but focuses on the “system and method” of projecting these holograms via a vehicle.

Practical and Creative Uses

According to Ford, holograms of police officers or guard dogs could serve as a deterrent, alerting the vehicle owner if someone interacts with them. Inside the car, holograms could display drive-thru menus, movie listings, or even assist with navigation and parking by projecting guidance lines. Smaller holograms might appear on surfaces within the car, such as screens or mirrors, enhancing infotainment, video calls, or other interactive features.

The patent also imagines merging exterior and interior holograms into one large, bizarre projection—such as a giant holographic polar bear sitting in the driver’s seat, with its head protruding through the sunroof because it’s too big to fit inside. Personally, I think that internal drive-thru menus and parking guidance lines are where the strength of this tech could truly lie.

Innovation

Adaptive Skin Fabric

We’ve all felt uncomfortable when our clothing doesn’t match the weather—like being too hot in a jacket or too cold without one. As a solution the researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have created a new type of fabric that can adjust its temperature to keep you comfortable in any weather. This innovative material lets air flow through easily, is simple to wash, and can be used in a variety of flexible clothing items. The inspiration for this fabric comes from squid skin, which can change color. Just like squid skin has layers that help it manipulate light, this new material works by reacting to the heat from your body. When your body temperature goes up, it releases heat as invisible infrared radiation. The fabric is designed to detect this heat and adjust itself to keep you comfortable.

Here’s how it works: the fabric is made of a special polymer covered with tiny copper pieces. When you stretch it, these pieces move apart, changing how the fabric interacts with heat. This means it can help keep you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold. To make the fabric even better, the researchers ensured it could be washed, breathe well, and be easily added to other fabrics. They used a thin layer to make it washable, created holes for airflow, and attached it to a mesh to help it blend into different materials. This way, it can let air and moisture pass through, similar to regular cotton.

The researchers tested the fabric's ability to regulate temperature and found that their improvements didn’t affect its heat-controlling abilities. According to study author Alon Gorodetsky, this advanced fabric has exciting potential for various clothing, especially for cold-weather gear like ski jackets, thermal socks, insulated gloves, and winter hats. He also mentioned that the techniques they used could be applied to other wearable technologies, making them washable and flexible too.

Entertainment

Fall Movie Picks

As fall arrives and temperatures drop, it's a great time to enjoy some classic films. Here are three movies that are must-watches for your next movie marathon!

1. Hocus Pocus (1993)
This Halloween classic is a mix of comedy and fantasy. The story follows three witch sisters resurrected in modern-day Salem on Halloween night. Hocus Pocus features a charming cast and memorable moments, making it a favorite for family viewing. Its humor and engaging storyline appeal to audiences of all ages, making it a seasonal staple.

2. Practical Magic (1998)
Starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, Practical Magic focuses on two sisters who are witches trying to break a family curse that affects their love lives. This film combines elements of romance and comedy with supernatural themes, perfect for spooky season!

3. The Blind Side (2009)
Based on a true story, The Blind Side centers on Michael Oher, a homeless teenager taken in by a supportive family that helps him succeed in football and life. This drama highlights themes of kindness and community impact, making it a solid choice for a family movie night.

Do you have a fall movie playlist you want to share? Let us know so we can feature it on our next newsletter for the other readers to watch! 🌞 

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Mind Stretchers

⁉️

I go up, I go down, but I never move.
What am I?

Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:
A house full, a hole full, but you can never gather a bowl full.

What is it? -Fog/Smoke

No one got fog or smoke, but multiple people answer with “Air” which is a pretty good answer regardless.

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected]or reply to the email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.