New and Emerging Technology News part 246 ~ NEW GEN TECH LIFE : new generation technology news

Saturday 29 March 2014

New and Emerging Technology News part 246

View of MIT's new neutron microscope looking back along the beam path (Photo: MIT)
Neutrons have a set of unique properties that make them better suited than light, electrons, or x-rays for looking at the physics and chemistry going on inside an object. Scientists working out of MIT's Nuclear Reactor Laboratory have now invented and built a high-resolution neutron microscope, a feat that required developing new approaches to neutron optics.  Read More
The TAZ 2 sees the addition of an LCD screen and SD card slot to enable the printing of ob...
Aleph Objects, Inc., maker of the TAZ 3D printer through its LulzBot brand, has released the latest addition to its line of Libre Hardware printers. While bearing a strong resemblance to its predecessor that Gizmag reviewed earlier this month, the TAZ 2 boasts some improvements designed to solidify the printer’s structure and give it standalone functionality.  Read More
Young designer Adrian Perez Zapata from Colombia, won this year's competition with his aut...
Fancy coming home to find a swarm of flying mini robots doing your cleaning? That's the futuristic picture of domestic bliss envisioned by young Colombian designer Adrian Perez Zapata, whose Mab concept has trumped over 1,700 entries from 60 countries to win this year's Electrolux Design Lab competition. Here's a look at Mab and the other seven finalists for 2013.  Read More
Here's how to update Windows 8 to the new Windows 8.1 via the Windows Store
Windows 8 wasn't the greatest success for Microsoft, but the much anticipated update, Windows 8.1, is now available either electronically or through traditional physical discs in retail outlets. Here's a look at how to get your Windows 8 system ready and the process of upgrading to Windows 8.1 through the electronic update now available in the Windows Store.  Read More
WatsonPaths uses natural language and the ability to process unstructured data to aid diag...
When IBM’s Watson supercomputer took on two human champions of the television quiz show Jeopardy and won, it was hailed as a breakthrough in machine intelligence. Now in an effort to expand the practical applications for the "world’s smartest computer," IBM Research and has taken the wraps off two new projects aimed at the medical community.  Read More
The D5300 is the first DSLR from Nikon to include  built-in Wi-FI and GPS capabilities
As cameras all around them have gained built-in wireless capabilities, Nikon DSLRs have begun to feel strangely dated with their need for an additional Wi-Fi adapter to keep up with their wireless sharing and remote shooting counterparts. But with the freshly announced D5300, Nikon has finally revealed its first DSLR with built-in Wi-Fi and GPS.  Read More
Performance figures of 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 355 km/h (220 ...
Ever since the release of Lamborghini’s limited edition $4.3 million Veneno earlier this year, rumors of a topless version have been growing. This week Lamborghini turned rumor into reality with the announcement of its most expensive supercar to date – the $5.3 million Veneno roadster.  Read More
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 fits a Micro Four Thirds sensor in a tiny body which is smalle...
Over the past couple of years we've seen camera manufacturers trying to strike the right balance between image quality and camera size, by fitting ever larger sensors in ever smaller cameras. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera which continues this trend, by somehow squeezing a Micro Four Thirds sensor into a body which is smaller than many compact cameras.  Read More
Bridget spent six 'Martian' days in the desert (Image: ESA)
ESA’s Sample Acquisition Field Experiment with a Rover (SAFER) has completed six “Martian days” of tests roaming Chile’s Atacama Desert. Nicknamed "Bridget," the prototype of the space agency’s ExoMars rover is part of a program to gain experience in building and operating planetary rovers in anticipation of the 2018 ESA Mars mission.  Read More
We break down our expectations for Tuesday's iPad-themed Apple event
It's been about a year since Apple revealed new iPads. That can only mean one thing. This Tuesday, Tim Cook, Phil Schiller and friends will take the stage to reveal the latest versions of the company's market-leading tablet. But what exactly will we see? And what other surprises might be in store? Join Gizmag, as we break down the rumors leading up to Tuesday's Apple event.  Read More

The barely-there Infinity Seat
Of all the complaints that cyclists have about cycling, butt pain/numbness has got to be the biggest. While it's become very common to see bike saddles with a cut-out section in the middle, that's more for relieving pressure specifically on the crotch area (you know what I'm talking about). California chiropractor and triathlete Vincent Marcel, however, has extended that cut-out to include almost the entire inside of the saddle. The result, his Infinity Seat, is said to be very easy on the bum indeed.  Read More
The functioning Smart Sensor Label prototype Are you sure that the chicken you just bought has been kept cool from the time it left the plant to the moment you stuck it in your shopping cart? Well, you could be if it had one of Thinfilm Electronics' Smart Sensor Labels on the packaging.  Read More
The raw materials and end products of the recycling process
Of all the things that we regularly dispose of, you would think that shoes would be one of the most difficult to recycle. Not only are well-used shoes kind of ... gross, but they're also made of a variety of different materials, all of which are joined together. Nonetheless, scientists at Loughborough University in the UK announced last week that they have created and trialled "the world’s first comprehensive system for separating and recovering useful materials from old footwear."  Read More
Toyota's advanced active safety research vehicle
The race to the car that drives itself continues to heat up. Automakers around the world are eager to tease their latest autonomous capabilities. Most recently, we've seen a self-parking system from Volvo and a glimpse at Nissan's plans. Last week, Toyota became the latest automaker to show its hand, providing a look at its Automated Highway Driving Assist, a feature that should be available within the next two or three years.  Read More
The ZEOD RC has received some design updates over the past few months
"From zero to ZEOD in 33 weeks" – that's how long it took Nissan to develop the newest version of its Zero Emissions on Demand race car. Following the debut of the initial prototype show car at June's 24 Hours of Le Mans, Nissan has revealed the latest evolution in Japan, reiterating its intentions of racing it at next year's Le Mans event.  Read More
Unbounded Robotics' UBR-1 is about the price of a car (Photo: Eric Gulbransen)
A new research robot was unveiled today by Unbounded Robotics that has a good chance of infiltrating robotics labs around the world. Unbounded Robotics' founding members hail from Willow Garage, where they helped to develop the PR2 (a robot famous for performing everyday tasks like folding laundry). The problem with the PR2 was its hefty price tag; at US$400,000, it was simply out of reach of most university labs. Unbounded Robotics' UBR-1 is essentially a PR2 "lite", and at $35,000 it won't break the bank.  Read More
UK company Pro-Teq's glow-in-the-dark spray coating could prove a cheaper alternative to c...
UK company Pro-Teq has developed a new water-resistant, spray-on coating that absorbs UV light during the day and releases it at night, adapting to the lighting conditions in its surroundings. The technology is being given a test run at the Christ's Pieces park in Cambridge, and could prove a cost effective alternative to conventional street lighting.  Read More
Sony has launched the world's first 35 mm full-frame interchangeable lens cameras
Mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras offer consumers DSLR-like performance in a much less bulky package, but prothusiasts looking for something bigger than an APS-C sensor may still have to lug around a larger and heavier camera. The playing field is changing though. Panasonic has managed to squeeze a Micro Four Thirds sensor into a body that's smaller than many compact cameras for its new GM1, and now Sony's upped the ante even further. The Alpha 7 and 7R are claimed to be the world's first 35 mm full-frame mirrorless cameras.  Read More
Blow Up Hall: exterior (Photo: Loz Blain/gizmag.com)
I've traveled all the way to Poland specifically to check out one of the world's most unique hotels. Half luxury accommodation, half art installation, Blow Up Hall 5050 is the singular vision of Poland's richest woman. As soon as you step into the lobby, you become part of a giant digital artwork that sets the tone for a strange and wonderful luxury experience. Your door key is an iPhone, there's no room numbers, cameras and screens constantly capture, chop up and spit out your image as you walk through disorienting hallways, and no two rooms are the same. It's quite an experience ... if you can get past the square toilets.  Read More
CSIRO printed a set of four bespoke racing horseshoes in a few hours
Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has created a set of bespoke titanium horseshoes for a Melbourne race horse using additive 3D printing. According to CSIRO, this is a first for horse racing and demonstrates the potential for the technology.  Read More
 
Aluminum studs on top of a PV panel could boost the efficiency of any solar cell design (I...
A team of researchers at Imperial College London has found that attaching an array of cylindrical aluminum studs on top of a solar cell can dramatically improve the amount of light trapped inside its absorbing layer, leading to electrical current gains as high as 22 percent.  Read More
Google's uProxy is a P2P virtual private network that will help make Internet connections ...
At its Ideas Summit in New York, Google has announced that it is working on developing a browser extension that will act as an easy-to-use way to bypass country-specific Internet censorship and make connections safer and more private.  Read More
Gizmag gets to grips with the QuNeo 3D Multi-Touch Pad Controller
Musicians are spoilt for choice when it comes to MIDI controllers, but the QuNeo 3D Multi-Touch Pad Controller from Keith McMillen offers a new take on a familiar form, boasting a mix of pressure-sensitive touch sliders, velocity-sensitive pads, and 251 programmable LED lights – all in a package that's the same size as an iPad. Gizmag puts it through its paces.  Read More
Sunny side of GOCE, which has been dubbed the 'Ferrari of space'  (Image: ESA–AOES-Mediala...
ESA announced on Monday that its Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) has ended its extended mission to map the Earth’s gravitational field. Orbiting the Earth at an altitude of 224 km (139 mi), the unmanned probe, known as the “Ferrari of space” because of its streamlined shape, has run out of fuel for the ion engine that kept it in orbit and is expected to reenter the Earth’s atmosphere within two weeks.  Read More
The new 'Ene-Farm' home fuel cell installed in a condominium's pipe shaft with the fuel ce...
Panasonic and Tokyo Gas have continued joint development of their "Ene-Farm" home fuel cell unit, which became the world's first commercialized fuel cell system targeted at household heating and electricity generation when it went on sale in Japan in May 2009. The latest model is aimed at use in condominiums and features a number of modifications to ensure the units meet the more stringent installation standards placed on those buildings.  Read More
The InEco demonstrator vehicle was displayed at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show
One of the quieter debuts at last month's Frankfurt Motor Show was also one of the more interesting. The InEco electric car, developed at the Dresden University of Technology's Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology, combines an innovative mix of materials to keep its weight down to under a ton and allow it to get the most out of its small electric powertrain.  Read More
Only 375 McLaren P1s will be built
We've been following the McLaren P1’s journey from concept through extreme testing to production. Now the car maker has released the performance specs of the hybrid-engine supercar along with the announcement that a UK-based customer has become the first to take delivery of a P1 that rolled off the production line at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, England at the end of September.  Read More
Researchers have created new human hairs using dermal papilla cells found inside the base ...
Current hair transplantation techniques essentially rob Peter to pay Paul, redistributing hair, usually from the back of the head, to the balding area. However, according to Angela M. Christiano from Columbia University Medical Center, about 90 percent of women with hair loss are not strong candidates for hair transplantation surgery because of insufficient donor hair. A new technique developed by Dr Christiano and colleagues that generates new human hair growth from a patient's own cells could make transplantation feasible for such women, as well as men in the early stages of baldness.  Read More
Gizmag compares the features and specs of the Microsoft Surface 2 (left) and Surface Pro 2
The Microsoft Surface has been, by just about any measure, a commercial flop. When your company writes off US$900 million in unsold stock, well, that writing is on the wall. But that doesn't mean the first-generation Surface and Surface Pro haven't made some customers very happy. If you're part of that, ahem, "elite" group, or think you might be sometime soon, do you spring for the Surface 2 or the Surface Pro 2? Join Gizmag, as we compare Microsoft's second round of hybrid tablets.  Read More
Students applying fittings and materials created using the 3D printer to the robotic arms ...
Since it launched in 2011, the Robot House at the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) has challenged students to create material forms of digital models by orchestrating complex robotic movements in space. But aided by the 3D printer they are breaking even newer ground. Students have begun concocting their own materials, which they can then fit with sensors to follow changes in the material as it is manipulated and, they hope, produce an appropriate response.  Read More


Charging an electric vehicle on the street could be as easy as finding a HEVO charging sta...
Combine the convenience of a wireless electric vehicle charging station with the safety and inconspicuousness of a manhole cover. This is the vision of HEVO (Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Optimization), and it’s made the company a semifinalist for the SAFE Emerging Innovation Award. Noting the problems typically associated with EV charging, such as vandalism, faulty connectors, and the inconvenience of plugging in and paying, HEVO set out to make charging a car, or a fleet of cars, as simple as parking.  Read More
The assembled Poppy robot (Photo: Inria / H. Raguet)
A new 3D-printed robot called Poppy is helping a team of French researchers study bipedal walking and human-robot interaction. They were able to design, fabricate, and assemble a relatively large robot for around €8,000 (US$11,000) including servo motors and electronics. That's about a third the cost of commercial robots in the same size category like the RQ-TITAN, and is still cheaper than smaller humanoids like the Aldebaran Robotics NAO. And best of all, they plan to make their design open source.  Read More
The 'satin black' electric Batpod
If you've ever fantasized about cruising the city streets on a motorcycle not unlike Batman's Batpod, this may be your chance to turn that fantasy into a reality. Reno, Nevada-based welder/machinist "Jeff T" recently took the frame of a 2002 Harley Davidson V-Rod, and built his own electric interpretation of the Batpod around it. He's now got it up for auction on eBay ... although you'll have to get him to send some of the parts for its flamethrower and cannons separately.  Read More
The second iPad Mini gets its first 'Retina Display'
As expected, Apple unveiled a new iPad Mini with an improved display upgraded to "retina" status, and a complement of new colored covers and cases for both the smaller slate and the new iPad Air.  Read More
Today Apple pulled back the curtain on the iPad Air, the new full-sized (9.7-in.) entry in...
It seems like just yesterday that Steve Jobs stood on the stage and revealed the iPad to an uncertain but eager audience. More than three and a half years later, the iPad is a household name all the world over, with a popularity that rivals the iPhone. Today Apple revealed the fifth iteration of the full-sized iPad, and it's the first to carry a major physical redesign ... and a new name.  Read More
Apple's latest version of its Mac OS officially became available today for download as an ...
Apple's latest version of its Mac OS officially became available today for download as an app. Even better news for Mac fans – it's a single-step process available for free, even if you're still on that old 2007 iMac.  Read More
Today Apple revealed updated MacBook Pros (all Retina now), and the Mac Pro that was previ...
Before there were iPads, there were Macs. That's true historically, and it's also true at today's Apple event in San Francisco. Before unveiling its new iPad and iPad mini, Apple ran through some updates to its traditional PC line, including new 4th gen. Intel Core-powered MacBook Pros, as well as that redesigned Mac Pro that the company previewed back in June.  Read More
A new design for a semi-transparent plastic solar cell may be an important step toward the...
Researchers at the non-profit Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) have created a new design for an organic solar cell that retains good efficiency while being flexible, thin, and almost completely transparent. Put together, these characteristics may make the cells an ideal candidate for building-integrated photovoltaics.  Read More
The Lumia 2520 - Nokia's answer to the Surface 2
Nokia has unveiled the much-rumored Lumia 2520 tablet today. The device comes in a range of matte and glossy colors, and offers about what you might expect from a tablet in the Lumia range. The most prominent feature here is easily the cameras, which are more akin to what you might find on a mid-range smart phone than your average tablet.  Read More
The all-titanium Gittler Guitar
Back in January, the beautifully minimalist Gittler Guitar made its public debut at the Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, CA. Little more than a long rod topped by 31 rounded frets with built-in electronics, the all-titanium guitar has now launched on Kickstarter ahead of its first production run in December.  Read More

qCraft brings quantum mechanics to Minecraft
“Anyone who is not shocked by quantum theory has not understood it,” Niels Bohr famously wrote. However, Minecraft players can now be slightly closer to parsing the perplexities of quantum theory, thanks to qCraft, a collaboration between Google and Dr. Spyridon Michalakis, a scholar of quantum mechanics. What does this new mod bring to the game? Only quantum teleportation, observer dependencies, and Schrödinger’s Cat, for starters.  Read More
Shreddies underwear, available for both men and women, filters flatulence Most of us break wind from time to time; it's a natural function of a healthy body. It's a shame about the smell though. A "flatulence-filtering" range of underpants called Shreddies aims to combat this problem using technology found in chemical warfare suits.  Read More
A new generalized method for dna-assisted assembly can mix and match two different types o...
Researchers at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) have developed a generalized method of blending two different types of nanoparticles into a single large-scale composite material using synthetic DNA strands. The technique has great potential for designing a vast range of new nanomaterials with precise electrical, mechanical or magnetic properties.  Read More
A Gulfsteam G650 has set a new world record for the fastest westbound, around-the-world fl...
Even before it received type certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in September 2012, the Gulfstream G650 was racking up the records, thanks in large part to its Mach 0.925 top speed. The latest record it has claimed is for the fastest westbound, around-the-world flight for a non-supersonic aircraft, which the G650 completed in 41 hours and seven minutes.  Read More
Retrievor is solar powered and roughly the size of a US quarter
If you've ever wondered where you left the laptop or how your dog came home smelling like a frog pond, then a GPS tracking device might seem like a good idea. The trick is to find one small enough to be practical and doesn't need its batteries replaced every day. The Retrievor RET-100 is a self-contained, solar-powered GPS tracker no wider than a US quarter that is looking to find a way to market via a crowdfunding campaign.  Read More
The newest Caterham uses live-axle rear suspension inspired by classic Sevens
The latest generation of track-honed roadsters offer quick, corner-hugging performance at a more affordable price point. However, unless you're in a position to use a fast, furious, roofless two-seater as a daily commuter, a niche track-weekend auto may still be well out of your price range. Caterham is looking to change this with its all-new, entry-level Seven 160 that went up for pre-order this week.  Read More
Gizmag compares the features and specs of the iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina Display
Last year, deciding between the iPad 4 and iPad mini was a tough decision. But this year, choosing between the iPad Air's sleeker design and the iPad mini's Retina Display is trickier than ever. Let Gizmag try to help, as we break down the differences (and increasing similarities) between Apple's iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina Display.  Read More
The Wendy Schmidt Ocean Health XPrize aims at combating ocean acidification (Image: NOAA)
Since 1995, XPrize has been promoting science and technology by setting “Grand Challenges” with cash incentive prizes. On Monday, the organization announced the launch of three new competitions by 2020 as part of its XPrize Ocean Initiative, which is aimed at improving the health and understanding of the world’s oceans.  Read More
A CPV system brings electricity to Madagascar villagers
Fondation Énergies pour le Monde (Energy for the World Foundation), an organization that promotes clean energy in developing countries, has completed the installation of a concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) system in Ambondro, southern Madagascar. The CPV system was also combined with existing wind turbines in the village, with project partner Sunidarity claiming it is the first decentralized rural electrification operation of its kind in Madagascar.  Read More
The Whill Type-A wheelchair
A couple of years ago at the Tokyo Motor Show, we came across an interesting prototype device known as the Whill. Looking sort of like a giant pair of headphones, it could be clamped over the wheels of an existing manual wheelchair, temporarily providing it with an electric drive system. Although that particular device was never commercialized, its makers recently let us know that a product based on the technology is now about to enter production – the Whill Type-A motorized wheelchair.  Read More
 
Eucalyptus leaves showing traces of different minerals including gold
Scientists from Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation have discovered that eucalyptus trees in the Australian outback are drawing up gold particles from deep underground through their root system and depositing the precious metal in their leaves and branches. Rather than being a new source of "gold leaf," the discovery could provide a cheaper, more environmentally friendly way to uncover valuable gold ore deposits.  Read More
The F310 B is Ferrari Classiche certified RM Auctions, based in Blenheim, Ontario, is placing a prominent slab of Formula One racing history on the auction block with the sale of a Ferrari F310 B, chassis 179 that was once driven by Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine.  Read More
The skye system allows users to wirelessly play their music on devices that would not norm...
Many of the latest music players are launching with Wi-Fi for sharing music from a computer, iOS, or Android device. Perhaps you have an older model, and you still want to be able to take part in the wireless music listening fun. A new product called the Auris skye aims to bring such an experience to existing docks with a 30-pin connector.  Read More
According to its spec sheet, the electric eFROOG will travel up to 115 mi per charge © eFR...
Imagine a full-blown, desert-tromping 4x4 built with a plastic body – sounds kind of crazy to us. To German auto consultant Uniqueco, it sounds like the future. The company has designed two different models that use lightweight construction centered around plastic shells.  Read More
A newly developed silicon supercapacitor could allow for the seamless integration of energ...
A team of researchers at the Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee has designed a supercapacitor made primarily of silicon that has shown much improved power density over its commercially available alternatives. The advance could allow for interesting integration of battery technology in everyday electronics, from solar cells to smartphones.  Read More
Artist's concept of LADEE entering lunar orbit (Image: NASA)
NASA’s Lunar Laser Communication Demonstration (LLCD) experiment made history yesterday as it beamed data back to Earth from lunar orbit at previously unheard of speed for a space mission. Operating from the LADEE lunar orbiter, the LLCD used lasers to transmit data to Earth at 622 megabits per second (Mbps) as a demonstration of a technology that NASA hopes will one day not only keep up with the communications demands of future missions, but also greatly enhance their capabilities.  Read More
Magic Tank squeezes every last drop of gas out of your car's 'empty' fuel tank (Photo: Shu... Keeping a jerry can of gasoline in your car may help if you run out of fuel, but it's also highly dangerous and is therefore illegal in most places. According to the Makers of Magic Tank Emergency Fuel, their product is the safe – and legal – alternative to packing a jug of gas.  Read More
The eSight headset in use
If someone has difficulty hearing, they can use a hearing aid to boost the level of sounds reaching their ear. If someone has limited vision to the point that they're considered legally blind, however, it's not like they can just use an electronic "seeing aid" ... right? Actually, that's just what eSight is.  Read More
The Seven Stars' distinctive locomotive
The Japanese regional railway JR Kyushu has become the first company in Japan to build a luxury sleeper cruise train, spending close to 3 billion yen (US$29.9 million). The Seven Stars cruise train comes equipped with the latest motion control technology, 14 luxury guest rooms, two deluxe suites, three presidential suites, a lounge car, dining car and bar.  Read More
The Immerse-A-Clean wand is said to be much more portable than existing 'bleach generators...
Janitors and other people who do large-scale cleaning certainly don't have an easy job. Among other things, they have to lug around heavy bottles of bleach or other cleansers, then risk the harmful effects of those products when using them. Texas-based GenEon Technologies, however, is now offering an alternative. The company's Immerse-A-Clean wand can reportedly turn regular tap water into an effective sanitizer, glass- and general-purpose cleaner, using nothing other than electricity and a non-toxic catalyst.  Read More

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