A round-up of the latest technology news from around the globe.
DON'T SHARE PHONES: A recent study found that cellphones are great for spreading germs and viruses such as the flu. Researchers found a high risk of spreading pathogens via the glass surfaces on modern phones and tablets. Wash your hands and clean your phone too. More at Sacbee.
HYDROGEN POWER: The Johnson Thermoelectric Energy Converter has nomoving parts and produces no waste while it converts up to 60% of sunlight into electricity. Heat from sunlight expands hydrogen atoms in a sealed chamber, freeing electrons that charge a battery. Freed protons pass through a membrane to re-combine with the electrons, creating hydrogen that's used to continue the process. Sounds just like Parliament really. More at TheAtlantic.
CARBON ZERO CONFERENCES: Convention Centre Dublin claims to be a carbon neutral conference centre. It's constructed from low-carbon concrete, and uses an automated system to minimise energy consumption. One system reclaims energy from outgoing air and water vapour, while off-peak energy creates ice for cooling. There's plenty of hot air at most conferences. More at Inhabitat.
INDIAN IRON: India is to build a neutrino observatory 1,000 metres below Bodi West Hills reserved forest. The observatory will house the world's most massive magnet in a 51 kiloton detector made of iron and should be complete by 2015. That's a lot of iron. More at TimesOfIndia (Beware of the multiple pop-ups.)
PURPLE WIND: The trouble with wind turbines, if you're a bird, is that they're white. White and grey colours attract insects, and that attracts birds and bats. Then the blades may become instruments of death. Research suggests that purple is the least attractive paint colour. Well, yes, I think we'd all agree on that. More at the BBC.
- Miraz Jordan knowit.co.nz
