Author: Michele Debczak

Building a battery isn’t terribly complicated: All you need is a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte that transmits ions between them. In a quest to develop a sustainable alternative to lithium, a team of scientists from South Korea is looking to the sea for some of those components, inhabitat reports.

In their study published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, the nine researchers from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) illustrate the science behind their seawater battery. Here the saltwater serves as a catholyte, which acts as both the electron-collecting cathode and the ion-transporting electrolyte simultaneously. Their invention (technically a sodium-air battery) depends on sodium-ion-rich saltwater to function, and with access to the ocean, it’s able to provide a constant charge.

The sustainable nature of seawater makes it the perfect contrast to lithium, which is used in the batteries that power our iPhones and electric cars. Lithium needs to be mined from the earth, which can have damaging effects on entire landscapes. Seawater, on the other hand, is something we have in excess.

The seawater battery still needs some fine-tuning before it’s ready to compete with lithium on the commercial market (UNIST’s battery produces an average of 2.7 volts compared to the average 3.6 to four volts discharged by a lithium-ion battery). But the potential for a day when ocean-powered batteries become mainstream is there.

[h/t inhabitat]

In every office yankee or white elephant swap, there’s always that one gift everyone’s clamoring to steal away. Maybe it’s too practical or too unique to leave up for grabs. No matter what you have in mind, any item on this list is sure to be a winner at your company’s holiday party.

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1. STARLIGHT POCKET VR; $13

Though virtual and augmented reality are slowly becoming more mainstream, the technology is still enough of a novelty to be a smash hit with your coworkers. Anyone with an Android or iPhone between 4 and 6 inches tall can use this. Users simply slip their device in the plastic headset and immerse themselves in one of the many VR and AR apps out there to choose from. Unlike some other low-cost VR goggles this one doesn’t use a strap, so your glasses-wearing office-mate can still get the full experience. Once they’re done it folds up into a compact, pocket-sized package.

Find It: Amazon

2. BEEROPOLY; $32

The best drinking games are the ones that don’t require you to remember any rules. With Beeropoly, the instructions are printed right on the pine wood board. Players take turns rolling the dice and move their bottle cap pieces to the corresponding squares. Each square gives instructions for mini-challenges, like “Never Have I Ever” and a dance competition. The last person standing is responsible for finishing the community cup in the middle of the board.

Find It: Uncommon Goods

3. CARDS AGAINST HUMANITY; $25

Sometimes you can’t beat the classics. This cult game includes 550 cards ranging from awkward to absurd. Each round the funniest card match-up wins. If you bring this to your office swap just be prepared to break it open before the party ends.

Find It: Amazon

4. NICHOLAS VINOAIR WINE AERATOR; $11

Some wine lovers are fine with waiting for their drink to aerate before taking a sip. Others believe the best wine is whatever they can drink as soon as possible—this gift is designed for the latter group. The Nicholas VinOair aerator uses a dual oxygen chamber to pull out air with twice the vacuum power of leading competitors. The spout doubles as a wine pourer and drip stopper, while the rubber ring in the center creates an airtight seal.

Find It: Amazon

5. STAR WARS USB DRIVE; $10

For the office nerd: Here’s an out-this-world tool for storing their next big presentation. This R2D2 USB drive holds up to 4 GB of data. When it’s not plugged in to a computer it stands upright, which means it can be used as a delightfully geeky desk ornament.

Find It: Amazon

6. AMAZONBASICS MINI BLUETOOTH SPEAKER; $25

Is it a good idea to enable your office-mate who loves to blast music without headphones? Probably not, but it’ll be fun to watch the rest of your coworkers struggle to keep this from them. The 3.3-inch-by-2.6-inch device includes a 3-watt speaker and a built-in microphone for making hands-free phone calls. It works wirelessly up to 30 feet from the source and lasts for 10 hours on a single charge.

Find It: Amazon

7. PLANT THEATRE FUNKY VEG KIT; $19

The funky vegetables in this growing kit can brighten up even the dreariest desk lunch. Each box comes with seed packets for five unique crops: purple carrots, red Brussels sprouts, stripy tomatoes, yellow zucchini, and multi-colored Swiss chard. Also included are five pots, peat blocks, and plant markers as well as instructions for “sowing and growing.”

Find It: Amazon

8. L’OCCITANE SHEA BUTTER HOLIDAY ORNAMENT; $14

This festive trinket is four gifts in one. Attached to the ornament are L’Occitane’s luscious shea butter hand cream, shea butter ultra-gentle milk soap, and shea butter ultra-rich body lotion. After ringing in the new year with radiant skin, owners can save the decoration to hang on their tree next year.

Find It: Amazon

9. BARTENDING GLASSES, SET OF FOUR; $20

Pouring perfect cocktails doesn’t require professional bartending experience, or even fancy measuring tools. All it takes is a glass with a handy cheat sheet printed on the side. This set of 8-ounce glasses includes vessels for four cocktails: a mojito, a salty dog, a whisky fix, and a bloody mary. Just add the ingredients according to the instructions printed on the exterior then let the imbibing begin.

Find It: Amazon

10. PENCILS FOR DAYS; $15

Everybody may be working for the weekend, but these playful pencils are a good reminder that there’s something worth celebrating every day of the week. This multi-colored set has all the bases covered, from #sundayfunday to #flashbackfriday. It even includes a bonus #mondaymotivation pencil in addition to the #mancrushmonday one, because at the beginning of the work week we all deserve a little something extra.

Find It: Etsy

11. STACKABLE LUNCH POT; $25

The work-mate who’s been brown-bagging their lunch for years will thank you for this one. This set of plastic pots includes two airtight containers that stack neatly on top of one another. A carrying strap secures the components together, and an attachable spork makes for easy eating whenever hunger strikes.

Find It: Uncommon Goods

If 2016 has you feeling stressed, Pantone’s new annual color may provide a much-needed dose of relaxation. On the morning of December 8, the color authority announced that PANTONE 15-0343 Greenery will assume the mantle of 2017’s color of the year.

A “fresh and zesty yellow-green shade,” Greenery evokes feelings of wellness, renewal, and communion with nature. Pantone’s video announcing the color is filled with images of vibrant plant life and plates of wholesome food. After the year we’ve just had, it’s not surprising that Pantone also found a way to give their 2017 color selection a political edge. They wrote on their Facebook page, “Greenery symbolizes the re-connection we seek with nature, one another and a larger purpose amid a complex social and political landscape.”

Last year, Pantone chose two annual colors—Rose Quartz and Serenity—instead of one for the first time ever. The surprise of that announcement is hard to follow, but we’re perfectly fine with this year’s color placing an emphasis on simplicity.

Thanks to the popularity of Stranger Things, fans started getting in the holly jolly spirit a little early this year. The sci-fi series made its record-breaking Netflix debut this past July and has spawned countless parties and cosplays in the time since. In addition to likely increasing demand for big glasses and blonde wigs, the show has led to a shortage of holiday lights at one British craft chain. As NME reports, B&Q’s inventory of multicolored LED string lights is already down 90 percent.

One of the most famous scenes from Stranger Things takes place in the third episode. Winona Ryder’s character Joyce builds a makeshift messaging system out of Christmas lights in an attempt to help her missing son contact her from the Upside Down. Fans have found clever ways to recreate the scene in real-life, but now that the holidays have arrived stores have to deal with the unintended consequences.

B&Q’s Christmas market director Mike Norton reported a significant jump in demand for multicolor string lights compared to previous years. Despite being blindsided by the trend, the store apparently has no problem playing along. Norton told NME, “Despite the similarity in the lights, we’d like to remind customers that this product should not be used to try to contact the ‘upside down’. B&Q cannot claim any responsibility for Demogorgon-related damage to homes this Christmas.”

@BandQ strange things seem to be happening in my local store today… @Stranger_Things found your lights! #StrangerThings #TheUpsideDown pic.twitter.com/nJgeOmP0ah

— April Flanagan (@Flanners_85) December 6, 2016

B&Q has yet to completely sell out of the lights, but if you’re planning on purchasing some for non-holiday-related purposes it’s probably best to wait until the new year. You can check out some alternative ways to contact the Upside Down in the meantime.

[h/t NME]

The U.S. still lags behind the rest of the world when it comes to paid maternity leave, but several companies are starting to step it up. This includes IKEA, the Swedish brand which, up until now, followed the sort of bare-minimum family leave policy you’d expect from a big-box retailer with a 29 percent turnover rate. But as The Washington Post reports, the business recently announced a major change that affects their U.S. employees: Starting this January, workers in IKEA’s U.S. corporate office and stores will be offered up to four months paid or partially paid family leave whether they’re a new mom, dad, or non-birth parent of any gender.

A handful of tech companies have made headlines in recent years for their generous policies that extend paid leave benefits to all parents. But in the retail sector, where employees are often viewed as replaceable, progressive benefits like these are rare. IKEA U.S.’s human resources manager Nabeela Ixtabalan told The Washington Post that the move is being made to retain more workers and eventually lead to less spending on recruiting and training efforts. Even more importantly, she says, the company hopes the change will bring them closer to their goal of fostering a “healthy and safe workforce.”

IKEA’s previous family leave policy didn’t offer much to new parents: short-term disability leave for mothers who had recently given birth and five days of paid leave for all other parents. Under their new rules, biological parents, foster parents, and adoptive parents who’ve worked with the company for at least a year will be eligible to receive six weeks of fully-paid time off followed by six more weeks with 50 percent pay. New parents who’ve been with IKEA for three years will have access to those same benefits for eight weeks at a time.

Up to 16 weeks of time off sounds like a good deal for an hourly worker, but the policy could have unintended consequences. Half of their regular pay isn’t enough for many workers to survive on—especially with a new addition to the family—and employees with the lowest wages may be most likely to skip out on the full benefits. But IKEA says this is something they’ve already considered, and they plan to allow workers to supplement the partial pay window with unused vacation and sick days. If more retailers follow IKEA’s lead, the positive impact could be felt beyond each company’s individual workforce—more comprehensive paid leave policies throughout the U.S. could save America billions each year.

[h/t The Washington Post]

Giving feels great—so great that there’s an entire holiday season devoted to it. This year, instead of limiting yourself to conventional presents, give a gift that extends that warm and fuzzy feeling to your loved ones. Making a donation in someone else’s name or gifting an item that benefits a charity is the perfect way to brighten the holidays for those who need it most. And when your friends and family feel included in the effort, a little generosity can go a long way.

1. ONE WORLD FUTBOL; $39.50

For every soccer ball purchased from the One World Play Project, one ball is given to children in a disadvantaged community. The organization’s model is simple but effective: So far over 1 million balls have been distributed in the name of “the power of play.” Each ball is ultra-durable, making it a great gift for any roughhousing kid.

Give back: One World Play Project

2. WHOLE TURKEY FOR A BIG CAT; $20

More than 80 lions, tigers, bobcats, cougars, and other exotic cats call the Big Cat Rescue sanctuary in Tampa, Florida home. After rescuing the abused or abandoned animals, BCR provides them with shelter, healthcare, and plenty of fresh meat to eat. One of their favorite treats to enjoy around the holidays is poultry. For $20, you can make a big cat’s day with a whole turkey given in someone else’s name. The sanctuary also lists cheaper gift options: $10 for a chicken or half turkey for medium-sized cats and a $5 Cornish game hen for even smaller cats. If your donation exceeds the cost of the bird, that money will go to meeting other needs around the sanctuary.

Give back: Big Cat Rescue

3. THE AUTOBIOGRAPHER’S HANDBOOK: THE 826 NATIONAL GUIDE TO WRITING YOUR MEMOIR; $13

Whether you’re a part-time pirate, superhero, or cryptozoologist, there’s an 826 chapter out there for you. The national organization of themed tutoring centers has been inspiring kids to read and write since 2002. If you’re looking for a way to give back to the nonprofit, includeThe Autobiographer’s Handbook: The 826 National Guide to Writing Your Memoir on your holiday shopping list. This how-to guide is full of precious nuggets of advice from accomplished writers like Elizabeth Gilbert, Nick Hornby, and Sarah Vowell. In addition to upping your memoir writing game, the proceeds of each purchase will directly benefit the student programs offered at 826 centers across the country.

Give back: Amazon

4. ROMA BOOTS; $62

Roma makes giving back look good. Every purchase of a pair of their sleek, fashionable boots results in a new pair donated to an underprivileged child. The shoes come in a variety of styles and designs, with the cheapest classic boot priced at $62.

Give back: Roma

5. ALPACA; $150

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning an Alpaca but don’t have the yard space, buying one for someone in need is a great alternative. Heifer International does more than provide livestock to families—they also empower them with the tools and knowledge they need to turn animal products like milk and wool into a source of income. Alpacas are some of the more fun items in their gift catalogue, but gifters have their pick of farm animals ranging from $20 for a flock of ducks to $500 for a heifer. After selecting the gift, donors can send a personalized card to the person who inspired it.

Give back: Heifer International

6. JELLY HEART IPHONE CASE; $30

If you have a friend who still hasn’t gotten around to putting a cover on their phone, here’s a good excuse to buy them one. One hundred percent of the proceeds from this stylish iPhone 6 case go to The American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR). The organization’s Countdown to a Cure for AIDS project aims to find the basis for a cure by the year 2020. They plan to put $100 million towards the initiative, so every dollar helps.

Give back: The Blonde Salad

7. SOLAR LANTERN; $40

For families living without access to electricity, a simple lantern can help extend their day. This solar-powered lamp from the global charity Oxfam doubles as a cell phone charger. And because it runs on sunlight, owners never have to worry about spending money on fuel or batteries. If you want to donate the lantern in honor of someone else, Oxfam gives you the option to send them a physical or digital card or print one out at home.

Give back: Oxfam

8. NARWHAL ADOPTION KIT; $55

Narwhals are known as the unicorns of the sea for a reason—they’re mysterious, elusive, and famous for their horn-like teeth that grow up to 8.8 feet long. For just $55, you can symbolically adopt the sea creature for yourself or someone you know. An adoption kit includes a photo, a plush toy, a gift bag, a species card, and an adoption certificate from the World Wildlife Fund. Donors looking to make an even bigger impact can choose to opt out of the gifts with more of the proceeds going towards WWF’s conservation efforts around the world. And if you don’t have any whale lovers in your life, WWF has dozens more “adoptable” species to choose from.

Give back: World Wildlife Fund

9. MOSQUITO NET; $10

One of the easiest ways to save a life is by providing a mosquito net to a family that needs one. According to Nothing But Nets, a campaign from the UN foundation, bed netting reduces malaria rates by 90 percent. After donating $10, the organization will send a insecticide-treated net to a home in sub-Saharan Africa where the disease is especially prevalent.

Give back: Nothing But Nets

10. COOKIE JAR MIX; $15

If you don’t have the energy to bake cookies for everyone on your gift list this season, buy them a jar of dry mix instead. The mixes come in two flavors, pumpkin and s’more, and include a recipe for putting all the components together. The cause it benefits makes this sweet treat even more satisfying: For every jar purchased, That’s Caring will donate a weekend food bag to a child facing food insecurity.

Give back: That’s Caring

11. THE UNEXPECTED PIT BULL 2017 CALENDAR; $20

This 2017 wall calendar shows that pit bulls are just as deserving of love as any other breed. The calendar includes photos of the dogs jumping, snuggling, and striking handsome poses, and each month features a true story from a human owner who’s taken a pit bull into their home. All of the proceeds go to helping dog rescue and advocacy groups. For animal lovers who can’t adopt a pet of their own, hanging up this wall calendar is a simple way to show support.

Give Back: The Unexpected Pit Bull

December 7, 2016 marks the 75th anniversary of the day Japanese forces bombed the Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii. In addition to the two U.S. vessels still sitting at the bottom of the harbor, two Japanese mini-subs can also be found in the waters nearby. On the anniversary of the attack, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will provide a live stream of their briny, barnacled remains to viewers online, Live Science reports.

The first Japanese submarine was sunk by U.S. troops before it could successfully penetrate the harbor. After it was seen partially submerged in the surrounding waters, the USS Ward destroyer brought it down about an hour before the first bombs fell on Pearl Harbor. Those shots were the first ones fired by the U.S. during World War II, and marked the country’s entry into the conflict. In 2002, the University of Hawaii’s Undersea Research Laboratory (HURL) stumbled upon the two-man submarine in about 1200 feet of water.

The second sub also vanished that morning before the attack officially began. After it was found in 1951 the Navy raised the sub and transported it to deeper waters. It laid there undisturbed until it was rediscovered (also by HURL) in 1992.

On December 7 web users around the world will have a chance to see both historic vessels up close. A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) will be deployed from NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer ship to capture the footage, with the live stream set to begin at 11:30 a.m. EST.

[h/t Live Science]

This past year held some pleasant surprises for fans of Hayao Miyazaki. The legendary director recently announced he’s coming out of retirement to direct his final feature, and earlier this week, Spirited Away (2001) returned to theaters for a limited time. And 2017 is also shaping up to be a good year for the fanbase: As Screenrant reports, Princess Mononoke (1997) will play in select theaters across the U.S. this coming January.

In celebration of the film’s 20th anniversary, Fathom Events and Studio Ghibli’s American distributors GKIDS are joining forces for a special two-day event. The first screening scheduled for January 5 will feature the original Japanese audio with English subtitles. The second screening on January 9 will spotlight the English dub featuring Claire Danes, Billy Crudup, and Minnie Driver. Spectators at both showings will be treated to a bonus look at the rare music video Miyazaki directed for Japanese band Chage & Aska’s song “On Your Mark” in 1995. Animation enthusiasts can reserve tickets today through Fathom Events.

When Princess Mononoke debuted in 1997, it toppled box office records to become Japan’s highest grossing film. Today the movie is considered one of the best works to come out of Studio Ghibli. When it’s re-released on January 5, Princess Mononoke fans will have a second reason to celebrate: The date also marks Miyazaki’s 76th birthday. Despite more than 30 years with Ghibli, the director is still hard at work at what he promises is one last feature for the studio.

[h/t Screenrant]

Holiday songs are usually full of imagery of snowy nights, cozy fires, and loved ones gathered around the Christmas tree. One thing they lack, though, is a reminder of how artificial intelligence is slowly creeping into our lives. But don’t worry, this new tune from the University of Toronto has that base covered.

According to Smithsonian, computer scientists at the university developed an artificial intelligence system capable of composing an original song inspired by a digital photo of a Christmas tree. The result below is a valiant effort, but it’s no reason to think the next Irving Berlin will be coded by a software developer. The University of Toronto team is just the latest group to experiment with music and AI. Earlier this year Sony shared a Beatles-inspired AI composition entitled “Daddy’s Car,” and they plan to release an entire album of neural network originals sometime next year.

[h/t Smithsonian]

Header/banner images courtesy of iStock.

Flying cars have been zipping through our science fiction films and TV shows for decades, but in the real world they’ve yet to take off. It’s not that the technology isn’t there—flying cars that utilize vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) technology have been a possibility for years. But there are many roadblocks, like safety and cost, that have prevented them from becoming mainstream. Despite all the barriers, at least one group of venture capitalists still believes that flying cars are the future. As TechCrunch reports, the venture firm Atomico is investing €10 million (about $10.7 million) in a German vertical take-off and landing plane developer called Lilium Aviation.

Lilium cites several reasons why their concept will succeed where others have fizzled out. Their vehicles will be relatively cheap, for one, with the cost of a commuter trip comparable to that of an Uber ride. They also claim that their product will be safer and more energy-efficient than other VTOL passenger drones in development.

When they’re commercial-ready, the electric-fan powered pods will be presented as an alternative to helicopters and conventional planes. The aircraft will eventually have a range of 185 miles and reach speeds of 185 MPH. Lilium writes on their website:

“What if the way you thought about distances radically changed? Imagine, you could have breakfast in Munich, go shopping in Milano and enjoy dinner in Marseille […] Commuters will use VTOL aircrafts to land directly on landing pads extending from their balconies, on rooftops and assigned landing areas. No need to wait for the bus, no need to conform with plane and train schedules.”

Founded in 2015, this latest investment marks a major step forward for the company. After expanding their team of specialists and engineers with the new funds, they plan to begin full-scale test flights within the next year.

[h/t TechCrunch]