competitions

First proposed in 1895, and popularized by the Arthur C. Clarke book The Fountains of Paradise, space elevators have a rich history in the culture of space travel. Unfortunately, the history of their engineering success is far less impressive. But if the results from this week's Space Elevator Games are any indication, that might be about to change.

The bright future of green living has been on display for the past two weeks at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., during the Department of Energy's 2009 Solar Decathlon. The biennial contest, which wraps up this weekend, brings hundreds of university students from around the world to a temporary solar village for two weeks, where spectators can walk through student-designed houses and marvel at the latest green tech.

These solar homes have it all, including things that aren't commercially available yet -- like self-activating curled-metal shades; walls made of plants, both living and recycled; and roofs that tilt at the sun, making them efficient sun-catchers from Phoenix to Fargo. Worried about efficiency while you're away? How about an iPhone app that controls your entire house?

If you haven’t heard of the Polaroid Pogo, you’re missing out. From the makers of the amazing Polaroid cameras comes the digital era’s answer to them. The Pogo prints photos instantly without the need for ink! That’s right, no ink. Just connect your camera to the printer, stick in some of the special paper for use in the Pogo and you’re good to go. No more running out of ink! You may run out of images to print and of paper, but that’s your own fault.

PopSci.com.au readers, thank you for entering the STM comps. Your feedback has been louder and stronger than the reverberations of the horn of a freight train sounding off in a tunnel. One resounding bit of feedback we kept getting was ‘can we have a shoulder bag instead’? Usually we would say, ‘no, stop being greedy, you just won yourself a free bag anyway’, but that isn’t very sporting of us. Luckily for you, STM bags are pretty good sports even if we aren’t, so they will be throwing three lucky PopSci.com.au readers a free shoulder bag of their choosing each month!

It's on again! That's right, three more backpacks to throw to some lucky readers out there. Last months winners were Patrick Robinson, Dom Francis and Fiona Robinson, all of NSW.

Even people who don’t call themselves ‘Trekkies’ usually admit that Star Trek is a name that will forever be etched in popular culture. And with the latest installment, aptly titled ‘Star Trek’ tearing up the box office, it’s a great time to get into the classic adventures as well.

Wireless music is slowly beginning to catch on in Australia. It’s a great idea: Stream music wirelessly all over your house from one source so you don’t have to buy numerous systems or go running around looking for that elusive favourite CD. There are a few ways you can do it, such as Bluetooth and over radio frequencies, but generally they don’t sound very good and they can be extremely difficult to set up.

Enter Sonos, the master of the wireless music system. Not

Wireless music is slowly beginning to catch on in Australia. It’s a great idea: Stream music wirelessly all over your house from one source so you don’t have to buy numerous systems or go running around looking for that elusive favourite CD. There are a few ways you can do it, such as Bluetooth and over radio frequencies, but generally they don’t sound very good and they can be extremely difficult to set up.

Enter Sonos, the master of the wireless music system. Not

FINAL WEEK OF THE COMPETITION

To celebrate the release of the hilarious new film What Just Happened? Hopscotch Films and Popular Science are giving you the chance to win a double in-season pass to see the film when it opens in cinemas nationally on May 21.

Here's your chance to score an STM backpack of your choice absolutely free. Again (it's a monthly comp, remember)?

Last month's winners were Reece Foster, Cameron Muir and David Roach. Congratulations! Your STM backpacks will be heading your way soon!

Thank you Tom Hanks! OK, well Tom Hanks only played a small part in this. If he didn't act so finely, The Da Vinci Code perhaps wouldn't have been such a big hit, and therefore it may not have ended up on Blu-ray. But it was a big hit and it has ended up on Blu-ray and you'll soon be able to pick up a copy of it for yourself. But why do that when you could win it... and a Blu-ray player... which is also a PS3!!! It's fun pressing keys three times in a row.

Welcome to week 2 of the What Just Happened competition. To celebrate the release of the hilarious new film What Just Happened? Hopscotch Films and Popular Science are giving you the chance to win a double in-season pass to see the film when it opens in cinemas nationally on May 21.

Experience the mystery of The Da Vinci Code like never before. Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code is released on Blu-ray May 20 for the first time! The Da Vinci Code on Blu-ray includes a 32 page booklet of productions notes, Langdon's diary entries and exclusive footage from Angels and Demons.

To celebrate the release Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Popular Science are offering you a chance to win a The Da Vinci Code Pack. The pack includes a PLAYSTATION®3, the ultimate gaming console and Blu-ray player in one, and a copy of The Da Vinci Code on Blu-ray!

To celebrate the release of the hilarious new film What Just Happened? Hopscotch Films and Popular Science are giving you the chance to win a double in-season pass to see the film when it opens in cinemas nationally on May 21.

Here's your chance to score an STM backpack of your choice absolutely free. Again (it's a monthly comp, remember)?