A Fish Blog.com is reporting an really interesting chance encounter by a Norwegian research vessel. It appears they’ve encountered an interesting “marble iceberg“.

The iceberg seemed to be marbled. The iceberg had dark stripes or layers in between. Is it made by ice crystals with different density, or ice with different density of salt? Are the dark layers made of ice with ash; proof of volcanic activity thousand of years ago? Maybe some readers know the answer?

The origin of the amazing iceberg was being pondered by the author and commenters until Steve Warren cleared it up for everyone:

This is an iceberg containing stripes of “marine ice”. The stripes originated from crevasses in the iceberg (probably bottom-crevasses on an ice shelf) that filled with seawater which then froze. Most of the iceberg consists of bubbly bright ice which was formed by compression of snow; that’s why it has so many bubbles that make it bright; the dark stripes were formed by freezing of liquid water. We saw such striped icebergs in October 1996 near Davis Station. See my 1993 paper on green icebergs, which you can find at http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~sgw/PAPERS/1993_grenth.pdf; the stripes are mentioned briefly at the top of page 6927. We cite Wordie and Kemp (1933) who may have been the first to publish a report of striped icebergs. [Wordie had been a member of Shackleton’s Endurance expedition.]

In what is being billed as the worlds greenest building, the architects behind the Freedom Tower in New York are developing the “Energy Plus” building in Paris. So what is energy plus and why is this cool? Well besides the building actually looking cool (see pic), ‘Energy Plus’ is the coined term to mean the building will be completely self-sufficient energy-wise. Its roof will be covered in solar panels (more than any other building) which will generate enough electricity to power the entire building, and then some.

Found at PSFK via The Daily Telegraph 

Quick facts about the building:

• It was designed by Skidmore Owings & Merrill, the architectural firm behind New York’s upcoming Freedom Tower.
• Patrick Getreide, who is leaders of the project said: “It will be the first building in the world to be ‘energy plus’ and carbon zero.”
• The proposed building will be more than 70,000 sq m and house up to 5,000 people
• The building will produce enough of its own electricity to power all the heating, lighting, and air conditioning required by tenants.
• The building will generate its own electricity by having more solar panels on it than any other building in existence
• The building’s cooling system will take water from the nearby river Seine and pump it around the offices instead of conventional air conditioning.
• It’s expected to cost approximately 25% to 30% more than a traditional office building (though there will be no utilities/electricity bills in the future).

Firstly, if you don’t read xkcd, go read some now. Its good stuff.

Now, as everyone in a relationship will find out at some point, hugging in bed is just not possible. At least not in a manner thats comfortable for each person and also completely embracing. I think xkcd sums it up nicely with this comic and their solution (click for the full size):

Now wouldn’t it be nice if such a bed were real? Whats that? It is?! No way! Thats cool!

Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing the Love Mattress in all its glory:

The Love Mattress offers a simple solution to the limp arms that often follow a lovers’ embrace.

Embracing is a magical human behaviour, and one that distinguishes us from other animals. A loving embrace, especially between partners, is one of the most calming actions. Embracing, and bodily proximity and connection after lovemaking, are very important for strengthening relationships. However, what usually stops this pleasant state is not mental tiredness; it is physical weakness.

Studying the embracing styles of couples in bed showed that placing the arm under your partner’s body causes abnormal pressure on the arm muscles, blood vessels and nerves. It occasions weakness and pain in the arms. In some cases (usually in the first months of marriage), tolerating this continuous pressure on the arms causes an affliction called “Radial Neuropathy”. The symptoms are typically weakness in wrist dorsiflexion (i.e. wrist drop) and finger extension.

The Love Mattress offers partners a simple yet effective position for embracing. This mattress allows you to hug your loved one intimately without any wrist or arm weakness. The assembled mattress has the same dimensions as other mattresses, with the added advantage that you can make a gap between joined parts. Your arm and shoulder can occupy the gaps when you are lying on your side. In other lying styles, you can easily find your most comfortable position. For example, if you are lying on your tummy, your foot can project comfortably into the mattress. Anatomical research supports the claim that The Love Mattress provides greater comfort than existing mattresses.

I can not wait to get my hands on this mattress. Found at red dot (where it won a design concept award).

Also, if you’re interested, freshome.com have a cool interview with Mehdi Mojtabavi, the designer of the “Love Mattress”.

Candles can be cool right? Well this one definitely is! Its not your average one… Well it starts off as one, then can end up being as many as 5 candles. Its a large bit of wax with a wick thats put in such a way that it divides into multiple flames. Here is the quote from www.madeindesign.co.uk where the candle can be purchased:

The Bravit candle is a decorative highlight for any table. The arrangement of the wicks in the centre of the candle forms an almost graphic design that becomes visible through the thin wax layer. The design is traced by the burning wicks. As the candle evolves through the various phases of burning wicks. As the candle evolves through the various phases of burning, Bravit continuously invokes new atmospheres. The candle undergoes a constant metamorphosis as two, three, or sometimes even five flames at the same time assume the shape of a transient work of art. Bravit will not only burn for hours, but the perfectly orchestrated drama of its flames will also become the focal point of conversation. The candle is made of a special mixture of wax, the wicks of cotton. The contents live up the promise hinted at in the exquisite packaging. An exciting and luxurious gift ! Bravit is available with diffrent patterns and in 4 differents sizes : XL, L, M and S. For the Model S, the cander holder is sold separately.

If you have flash, you can view it burn in a video here.

You can find the candle for sale here . Or see the design studio website here.

My friend sent me this one the other day. These are tattoos that use with a special ink that is only visible under UV light. They are invisible in normal light (though some still have a scarring outline in the skin).

I found this really cool lamp cover that is made from a special materal so that it moves away from heat. Taking advantage of this Boiler Design Office created a lamp with ‘petals’ that move away,opening up the lamp when it is turned on and the light heats up. From their page:

Protea is a pendant lamp that is “thermo tropic” in plant terms (it moves away from heat). In a closed state (i.e. the light is off), the shade is cold and hugs the bulb closely. When the lamp is turned on, the petals move away from the hot bulb. It is a lot of work keeping cool, so they like it when you blow on them.

View the lamp page on their website www.oboiler.com

Seinfeld fans, eat your heart out. I just came across this new shirt on Busted Tees and ordered one right away!

Vandelay Industries Shirt

Hello, World! This is Freakin’ Cool Stuff. Its a blog chock full of, well, Freakin’ Cool Stuff! Who doesn’t like cool stuff?

This site is more a collection of things I consider cool that I’ve found elsewhere, a point where I can catalog the ‘cool’ found on the internets.  There is no limitation of what I’ll post. If *I* think its cool, it’ll go on here.

Though, I have to say there was some inspiration for this. If you haven’t seen The Cool Hunter (thecoolhunter.net), then go now. Seriously, now. They have awesomely cool stuff, though I hope to expand on that with a wide range of cool things, plus comments!