In 2011, scientists reported that they created the “world’s first practical artificial leaf”.  This leaf mimics real leaves by producing energy from water and sunlight.

This idea was presented as a potential for inexpensive electricity for people who are in developing countries and remote areas of the world.  The reason why it would be so beneficial in these environments is because it has the ability to self heal and produce energy using dirty water.

The Artificial Leaf has many of the abilities of regular leaves such as getting energy from sunlight and water but, unlike a real leaf, lacks the ability to perform photosynthesis.  Daniel G. Nocera, Ph.D. who was head of the research on this project says that the leaf is made out of a simple wafer of silicon coated in a catalyst.  Once this device is dropped into water and then exposed to sunlight it breaks down the water into its original components of hydrogen and oxygen.  The gases from these two basic elements bubble up to the surface and are collected to be used as fuel.  The fuel can then be used to make electricity.

Déjà Visité

Déjà visité is an amazing feeling of familiarity with a place you’ve never been. If you’re walking around a new city or perhaps forest and you have this strange feeling of being there before – well maybe you have in a dreams state or on a higher frequency. I was walking around a neighborhood in Santa Cruz – a place I never thought I’d visit.

I had a completely overwhelming feeling of being here before.

I had actually thought of this place as a kid, and it had more to do with the feeling of being here rather than what everything looked like.

The experience was amazing and brought me to tears as I was overcome with feelings of gratitude.

This mesmerizing time-lapse video shows a variety of ice crystals melting! The video was captured using cross polarized light which is light that vibrates only in one direction.

Sunlight and almost every other form of illumination produces light waves whose electric field vibrates in all directions.

If the electric field is restricted to a single plane by filtering the beam with specialized materials, then the light becomes polarized. You end up with magic:

Sound is a powerful vibration and our words carry weight.  The meaning behind our words can change how people will hear them and react.  What can you do to change how people hear you?

“Have you ever felt like you’re talking, but nobody is listening? Here’s Julian Treasure to help you fix that. As the sound expert demonstrates some useful vocal exercises and shares tips on how to speak with empathy, he offers his vision for a sonorous world of listening and understanding.” -TED