ARC LIGHTS: We all know that lasers go in straight lines. A team in France though has been able to bend laser beams by as much as 60 degrees. The beams themselves are only a few micrometres across. A spatial light modulator superimposes interference patterns that cause the beam to bend. Bent or even circular laser beams could have many uses, such as making surgical incisions behind structures inside the body, or manipulating nanoparticles in new ways. You still need to see around corners for the actual surgery though. New Scientist explains.
6 BY 6: Honda's little U3-X uncicyle has grown up into the UNI-CUB. The UNI-CUB is a seat on a single self-balancing omnidirectional wheel, powered by a Lithium-ion battery. You move, control speed and direction by shifting or weight, or with an optional app for a smartphone or tablet. The UNI-CUB can climb gradients, has a range of 6 Km, and can reach a top speed of 6 Kph. Now even that annoying walk from the lounge sofa to the fridge needn't be so much trouble. Gizmag details.
THE BEST COFFEE EVER: Being paralysed may have just got a smidge less limiting. As part of the BrainGate2 clinical trial a quadriplegic woman with a brain implant was able to direct a robotic arm to bring a coffee to her lips. Just by thinking about it she made the arm lift a bottle, move it towards her and tilt it so she could drink her coffee through a straw. This is the first time a human has used a brain-computer interface system to manipulate a physical object in 3D space. Once that robot's mobile just think of the things it could do, starting with making the coffee first. Wired has more. Check out the video here.
BLOWN UP IN ORBIT: Bigelow Aerospace plans to put inflatable BA 330 habitats into orbit for use by scientists and businesses working with microgravity. The new module offers 330 cubic metres of habitat, though they've had smaller test rigs in orbit since 2006 with no problems. SpaceX will provide transport to the Bigelow modules. Quick, think up a good microgravity experiment. The Register elaborates.
FLYING BACKUP: An earthquake can easily disrupt cell towers and cables, so Japan's Softbank has decided to float their cellphone towers, using balloons and cables to keep them tethered. The floating mobile relay stations will serve as backup to the regular cell towers, able to carry signals if the land-based towers are damaged. Better hope there are no hurricanes just before a major earthquake. Ubergizmo has further information.
