PlantSense, which just raised a $3.5 million first round, makes soil sensors that collect data about the soil, and then makes suggestions for what you can grow.

Check out the cords under my desk - before and after my solution.

BEFORE

AFTER

I made pancakes a couple weekends ago, which reminded me that using a spoon to scoop batter and drip it into a frying pan is a messy, and imperfect process!

Welcome The Batter Blaster, a pressurized can filled with organic pancake mix, where you can point the can to the grill and shoot batter, to create perfect pancakes every time!

European company Loftcube has developed a modular unit, which is specifically designed for the rooftop of buildings. The high-end version, with a bathroom and kitchen is US $180,000, and can be delivered either by helicopter or crane. Wouldn’t it be cool to live on a city rooftop?

Green Fortune has an an innovative way of integrating living greenery into public spaces via its Plant Wall, which has an integrated drip irrigation and fertilization system, and textiles to prevent the spread of moisture. I’m a big believer of bringing “the outside in,” especially in office spaces where many spend a huge chunk of their lives, and hypothesize it can dramatically improve productivity.

An Argentinian company, Ustatic, is developing a grass wall system, which also integrates an irrigation and a moisture retainment substrate.

[thanks, Jeff McIntire]

To see an authentic “Indoor Sky” previously on SHARKRIDE!, click here.

I’ve heard of custom wallpaper before, but this is really innovative:

Artistic Tile that can be easily swapped so entire walls and floors can be totally changed to suit your various moods or fit the season. The tiles adhere via magnets and require no mortar, adhesives or grout, and are durable enough for commercial settings, including hotel suites, or office lobbies, for example.

check out the cool cowhide tiles,

and glass mosaics,

and stone!

[thanks, gizmag]

Chumby was created by hackers who wanted to create a different kind of device that can sit on your bedside table, or in the kitchen, or in the bathroom, and can do a lot more than a simple clock radio. Expected to cost about $150, and be available in March 2007, the Chumby is WiFi enabled, has two speakers, audio in/out and a USB port.

The really cool and distinguishing functionality is Chumby’s interface, which is completely customizable and “hackable” via widgets, which you can arrange and select at Chumby’s website when the device is registered. Options are limitless, including showing pictures, blog headlines, your horoscope, the weather or streaming MP3 music! It’s soft and squishy and can also be customized with stylized shells. There is no keyboard, so it’s not meant to replace your existing computing devices, but it does have a touch screen and even a “squeeze” sensor!

[via CrunchGear]

OLD:

NEW:

The winner of the 2006 Modern Marvels and Invent Now Challenge, a competition sponsored by the History Channel, is the Strawjet. Invented by David R. Ward, the machine processes straw that’s left over after harvests into a mat, similar to a very large bamboo window blind, which can be used to construct eco-friendly composite building panels.

Click here to check out the top 25 finalists via makezine.

Scientists from Princeton, University of Southern California and University of Michigan have published a paper in the scientifc journal Nature about their potentially revolutionary invention, an organic material that emits natural appearing light when attached to an electrical source. The material can be printed in wafer thin sheets and could potentially transform walls, furniture, and ceilings into lights. The (OLED) material does not heat up, lasts much longer, and is significantly more energy efficient than light bulbs.

[via BBC]

Inspired by outdoor cafe tables, which often wobble or are sloped due to uneven ground, the patent-pending FLAT (Fluid Locking & Adjustment Technologies) system has a number of potential applications, including helicopter landing gear, ladders, industrial crane bases, and mortar launchers for the military. An interconnected series of hydraulic actuators provide horizontal support on uneven surfaces and then locks to provide stability at the chosen level or angle the user requires. Demonstration videos are available here.

FLAT is seeking a partner to commercially develop the technology.

[thanks, gizmag]