Altoids tins are pretty darn cool, but most of us don't have any use for them besides the occasional storage space for buttons. If you're the type who hates to throw things away, then you're certain to find a lot of value in this great article describing 5 tech-related ways to reuse an Altoids tin. My favorite tin is the one pictured, which combines two AA batteries and a few electronics to create a USB charger. Do you have any favorite uses for Altoids tins, tech-related or... READ ON

The tobacco mosaic virus may be a devastating plant blight that destroys over 125 types of crops, including tomatoes, tobacco and peppers, but it also could increase the lifespan of a typical lithium battery by up to ten times. The tiny, rod-like cells of the virus are first coated with conductive materials and then added to battery technology. Because the virus is the perfect size, can bind to metal and is self-replicating, it's an ideal candidate for use in batteries. The increased surface area... READ ON

Did you ever pick up the phone in another country and miss our North American dial tone? When I spent three years abroad, I never got used to the various tones I heard in my ear, both the dial tones and the ringing tones. It seems like a small thing, but when I finally moved back to New York, the dial tone was one of the most comforting things I experienced! So what’s the deal with our warm dial tone? Well, for starters, it’s not just one frequency, it’s two tones that modulate or “beat”... READ ON

If you're one of those people that's been complaining about the fact that we don't have jetpacks yet, it's time you find a new rallying cry. Jetpacks will finally be commercially released to the public next year. The devices can travel 30 miles in 30 minutes on five gallons of gas. Our future is decidedly capitalist though, so if you're ready to invest in a jetpack, you'd better have $100,000 ready. Personally, I'm going to hold my breath for a hybrid before I fork out a hundred grand for a personal... READ ON