Solar cells thinner than a thread of spider silk.
On Wednesday, researchers from Austria and Japan unveiled solar cells thinner than a thread of spider silk that are flexible enough to be wrapped around a single human hair.
Continue reading… “Scientists develop solar cells thinner than spider silk”
Robotic hands uses artificial tendons.
While the quest for robotic grippers with a light, yet firm touch has led to innovative approaches, such as the universal jamming gripper, it’s still hard to go past the four fingers and opposable thumb form factor honed by millions of years of evolution. While the technology is available to create a robotic hand that is both powerful and delicate, cramming it inside a compact arm is still difficult. But European researchers have done just that by using a novel string actuator to act as an artificial tendon.
Continue reading… “Robotic hand uses artificial tendons consisting of strings”
Bendable e-reader.
One big disadvantage to e-readers is that they’re made of breakable glass and sensitive electronics that can get damaged when dropped. Books, by contrast, are pretty durable.
Continue reading… “XGA – bendable e-reader goes into production”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2fV7BGl9M4[/youtube]
Terrafugia, makers of Transition — the world’s first flying car — has released video of a production-type prototype flying over Plattsburgh, N.Y. today. (Video)
Continue reading… “World’s first flying car goes for test flight”
Altaeros Energies floating wind turbine.
Altaeros Energies has developed a floating wind turbine that’s a cross between a traditional windmill and a blimp in an effort to harness strong high-altitude winds. After some successful tests, the Altaeros team is confident that this new levitating wind turbine will be a viable clean energy option for remote villages and military sites.
Continue reading… “Floating wind turbines will harness high altitude winds”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzTZ0WmwahM[/youtube]
If your friend owes you money, lacking cash is no excuse if he’s got an iPhone. Just like sending contact information with the Bump app, you can now transfer money the same way with Bump Pay. The free app asks for your email address when it’s initially opened. You and your iPhone-wielding friend bump hands; when you feel the vibration, the money’s a-moving.
Continue reading… “Bump Pay – an app that lets you pay your friends by bumping iPhones”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EgVHdTuE10[/youtube]
ET3, a licensing organization, holds a patent to Evacuated Tube Technology or ETT and say that with their tubes, you will eventually be able to get you from New York to Beijing in 2 hours and from New York to London in less than an hour.
Continue reading… “Evacuated Tube Technology – rewriting the rules of high speed travel”
According to a new Nielsen report, there is a big shift happening right before our eyes: Smartphones now account for 50% of all mobile phones in the United States.
Continue reading… “Fifty percent of mobile phone owners in the U.S. have smartphones”
Robo-readers are computers programmed to scan student essays and spit out a grade.
High school students in the U.S. are terrible writers, and one education reform group thinks it has an answer: robots.
Continue reading… “Robo-readers: new helpers for teachers in the U.S.”
More than 55 million homes have at least one Apple product.
According to CNBC’s All-America Economic survey, half of all U.S. households own at least one Apple product. That’s more than 55 million homes with at least one iPhone, iPad, iPod or Mac computer. And one-in-10 homes that aren’t currently in that group plan to join it in the next year.
Continue reading… “Half of all households in the U.S. own at least one Apple product”
Nokia’s idea would involve semi-permanent markings on the user’s body.
A patent application was filed by Nokia that would involve users having vibrating magnetic tattoos that alert them to incoming mobile phone calls or text messages.
Continue reading… “Nokia patents vibrating tattoo that alerts you to a call”
Facebook users ‘should never have to share’ information.’
In the wake of controversy over the intrusive practice of employers – Facebook is warning employers not to demand passwords as part of job interviews.
Continue reading… “Facebook issues warning to employers not to demand passwords”
By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.
Learn More about this exciting program.