Scientists at the Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology in Barcelona, Spain have invented what they claim to be the most accurate nanomechanical sensor for measuring mass ever. The sensor so sensitive it can measure a change in mass as small as 1.7 yoctograms. That is roughly the mass of a single proton.

The sensor uses a tiny carbon nanotube that is shorter than those that previous sensors utilized. To work, the sensor must be lowered to a temperature of -269°C and placed in a ultra-high vacuum. The sensor was able to weigh an atom of xenon to the nearest yoctogram. The researchers think in the future such a sensor might be able to measure human tissue at an atomic level to allow for diagnosis of disease conditions.

[via New Scientist via Geek.com]

The Medisana TargetScale will determine weight, body mass index, body fat, water percentages, muscle and bone mass for up to four users. It comes with an active matrix screen, surrounded by glowing rings that light up like a disc from TRON. The rings are supposed to let you see how far or how close you are to your ideal weight. The scale comes equipped with Bluetooth technology so that it can pair up with the VitaDock app you can run on your iPhone.

You can find the Medisana TargetScale at Firebox for £129.99 (~$208 USD), and you can get the VitaDock app from iTunes for free.

[via Uncrate]

ust a 1:15 scale model of the real thing, so it isn’t large, but it is impressive.

What it lacks in size it makes up for in detail – especially in comparison to some of the models out there. This highly-detailed replica of Doc Brown’s ride from BTTF II was created by Alex Jones(Orion Pax). What’s most impressive here is the fact that it’s made completely of standard LEGO parts. The only other addition was a custom silver paint job. The wheels even go into hover mode, and it’s even got a tiny Mr. Fusion on back.

The detail is amazing and looking at the images, you can’t help but imagine Minifig Marty McFly and Doc Brown adventuring around in this thing. Too bad it doesn’t leave a trail of fire when it hits 88mph, but hey, you can’t have everything.

[via Brothers Brick via Nerd Approved]

This means a lot of wasted food, a lot of frustration, and many more minutes where me (and my family) go hungry while I fix up some instant noodles or call for delivery.

If sometimes, you get a little bit absent minded in the kitchen like me, then you’ll definitely find the Scale Gas Range concept useful. It’s also a lifesaver, both figuratively and literally.

The Scale Gas Range is a cooking range with an integrated weighing scale, designed by Naeun Kang of SADI. The concept works on the assumption that as food is cooked, water is gradually evaporated. When the weight of whatever it is you’re cooking decreased by 30%, the gas valve is shut off automatically.

Of course, not all food would cook properly on the basis of this assumption, but it should at least prevent you from overcooking.

[via Yanko Design]

Industrial designer René Lee envisioned the Scale² (aka the “Scale Scale”) as a single adaptable scale which works with humans, animals, suitcases or various other things. Instead of requiring a different size scale based on the footprint of its subject, the Scale² can accommodate a variety of sizes.

The device has a stupid-simple user interface, with icons for people, pets or luggage on the face. Simply press the appropriate icon, and the Scale² automatically opens up to accommodate its subject.

In addition to displaying weight, Scale² would display Body Mass Index, as well as sync with your smartphone or the Internet to track weight loss, and can store multiple user profiles. I also think the color-coded weight tracker is brilliant.  When you lose weight, the display is in green, while weight gain would result in a nasty red display.

While I’m not sure how often I really need to weigh my dog or cat, I could see weighing my baggage as a more common practice these days with the ridiculous surcharges airlines are tacking on these days. Even if it’s not a device you use every day, the Scale² is definitely a clever bit of industrial design, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it manufactured some day.

[via I.D.]

So what several Japanese scientists from the RIKEN Brain Science Institute did instead was develop a chemical reagent that could turn biological tissues transparent. The photo above is not of a human embryo (because not only is it unethical, it’s also illegal, but the thought still crossed my mind all the same), but of a mouse embryo.

The reagent is called Scale (with an italicized “l”, as you can see) and was developed by Atsushi Miyawaki and his team at RIKEN. Scale can turn any tissue transparent, without causing any major alternations or changes in the overall shape or proportion of the sample. While Scale is definitely the most advanced of its kind, it still has a long way to go. The reagent can be used on living tissue; however, it quickly turns the tissue from living to non-living because of its nature.

Miyawaki explains that Scale was primarily intended for conducting research on the brain of mice, but that he and his team hope to improve the reagent more to extend its application to heart, muscle, and kidney tissues–not only of rodents, but also to human and primate tissues in the future.

[via PopSci via Dvice]

However, if you want to be all sneaky about it (and if you happen to be the fearless type), then you might want to position this scale in a corner of the room or something where a woman’s bound to step on it. Wait and few seconds, and shazam! Her weight will be displayed in bright, bold red LED against the wall, visible for anyone in the vicinity to take a gander.

She won’t be too happy about it, that’s for sure, so try to lay low about the whole thing for the next couple of days.

These Wall Projection Scales are available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $69.95 (USD). Dignity sold separately.

[via Coolest Gadgets]

That said, you might think this USB mouse is just like any other mouse, except that it’s not. Once you lift the cover off this thing, then you’ll find a teeny tiny little surprise in the form of a miniature digital scale.

I normally love things that are multi-purpose, but I’m not really sure what to make of the mouse you see here. It’s totally something that I have never chanced upon before today, which makes it sort of strange yet cool at the same time. At least for me, anyways.

But if, for some reason, you’re involved in some line of work where you’ll randomly need to weigh things that are less than 500 grams, then this is one quirky mouse you might want to check out. The mouse is available online for $22(USD) over at Brando.

[via Gigadgetry]

Kwon Sunman’s Rug With Scale is a neat-looking scale that looks like a shaggy rug. In addition to looking all warm and fuzzy, the scale will track your weight and can also display your target weight in comparison to your previous weight and goal weight.

I use a scale regularly and wouldn’t mind something like this that’s nice and soft underneath my feet instead of the typical cold metal or glass scales out there. Too bad it’s just a concept design at this point.

[via Yanko Design]

This hand-painted 1:6 scale representation of R2-D2 comes with 8 accessories, including a periscope scanner, mechanical gripper, and utility saw. As you can see you can stick them on Artoo’s head or on his chest. You can pre-order the limited edition R2-D2 statue at the Star Wars Shop for $149 (USD). Unfortunately Artoo won’t make it in time for Christmas; orders won’t be shipped until June next year.

[via Nerd Approved]

He moves! He glides! He staggers in robotic fashion! And if he doesn’t talk crap about you in a series of boops and beeps, why, then I’d bet that’s the plan for the next version. If it’s not, it should be. I’ve had a lot of critters and things smart off to me in my day, but I’ve never been insulted by an itsy-bitsy robot, and that alone makes me wish I had the know-how to build myself a tiny R2.

He’s actually pretty impressive on the move. Check out the video:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

This R2 unit is an amazing 1/18th the size of the real R2, and was made with three of Solarbotics GM15 pager gearmotor (and, probably, a lot of spare time).

[via MAKE]

The eScale is equipped with an LED display, and can measure up to 300 lbs. As I said, the eScale sends your stats to BodyTrace’s website using a GSM network. You don’t need to pair it with a computer or anything like that, although I’m wondering if it’s like a mobile phone in that the signal strength will vary. By the way, the eScale will only be able to transmit data from the US, for now at least. BodyTrace envisions a Facebook-like setup wherein people will share their stats and their thoughts about their common dilemma. Below is a sample of the website:

Good for DreamGirl7. But going back to the earlier technique, this could turn out to be quite embarrassing for people who don’t lose or gain as much weight as they intended, even if only your friends can see your profile. Of course, you can always trick the system – put something or someone else on the eScale – but that would be missing the point, and it’s quite a pricey point at that: the eScale will be available starting this September for $119 (USD). If you want to subscribe to the online service you’ll have to pay an additional $20 for every 3 months, but as an introductory offer BodyTrace is giving away 3 months for free if you’ll pre-order it now at their website. Are you man – or woman – enough to try the BodyTrace challenge?

[via Freshpilot]

Perfect for those who really don’t want to know how much they weigh, the scale lets you see how you measure up to everyone from Donald Trump, to Fozzie Bear, to Ron Jeremy and even to Baby Jesus. The scale costs $34.95, and comes in both white and blue styles.

I won’t tell you what I weigh, all I’ll say is that it’s somewhere in between Yoda and Mister Ed.

[via Coolest Gadgets]