Want the ambience of candlelight, but not the messy, hot, dripping wax or the fire hazard? Check out these gorgeous LED driven synthetic candles. [engadget]

Someone went ahead and reinvented the wheel.

Josh Ellis offered to write an article about the Trinity Test Site if random strangers who read his website were willing to pay his way. They did, and the piece that came out of it makes for a fascinating read.

IBM announces the development of a method to hardwire encryption into a microprocessor. The system encrypts data at all stages, including onboard RAM – the only place it would be un-encrypted would be at the user’s screen. So good news for people worried about sensitive data being lifted from stolen kit, but bad news for the anti-DRM lobby – this system would make copyright enforcement a lot easier.

Researchers at Dartmouth in conjunction with a bunch of other institutions have developed a semi-autonomous, solar-powered robot that’s intended for use in Antarctica. The eventual goal is to create a mesh of self-powered robotic monitoring stations. What I dig the most about this thing is that it looks like a robot is meant to look: ugly as sin and utilitarian as hell. It looks like a cardboard and tinfoil prop from a Dr. Who pretender. Check out Regine’s write up for more details than are available from the project site.