HIDE AND SEEK: The US military have started using a weapon called the XM25. This 6kg gun programmes the 25mm round it fires to explode near its target rather than when it hits something. The point is to be able to kill enemy combatants who are taking cover behind objects such as rocks. A laser rangefinder determines the distance to the covering object, then the shooter estimates the distances from the object to the person and feeds in that data. After firing, a computer in the XM25 calculates the distance the round has travelled and detonates it so as to cover the target with lethal shrapnel. It's accurate at ranges of up to 500 metres. At the moment each bullet has to be made by hand and costs several hundred dollars. Imagine if it could be programmed to disable, perhaps with sound or light, rather than kill. More at The Economist.
POLE POSITION: Getting tired of your electric skateboard? Looking for something a little different? The Personal Rover is an 800W four-wheeled electric powered board that you steer with handles like ski poles rather than a T bar. You stand facing forward on this one. It also has casters and a small platform at the back so you can store it in a vertical position. Stand, Rover, stand. More details here and video
here.
GUN SHOW: The New York Police Department have a new gadget to help officers determine if someone's carrying a gun. The infrared scanner works from a distance of around a metre and will be mounted on a van. Since infrared rays can't pass through metal it's easy to see a gun's location on the human body. Police hope to extend the scanner's range to 25 metres. If it's mounted on a van I'd think the biggest problem
would be getting a clear view of the suspect in the first place. The New York Post has more.
NANO SPONGE: On the battlefield uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of death. Traditional methods of controlling bleeding have many drawbacks for use in battle. So MIT researchers developed a nanoscale biological coating that consists of layers of thrombin and tannin. This is sprayed onto sponges that can be stored for months then used when they're needed. The sponges mould to the shape of any wound.
Tests showed that applying a sponge for 60 seconds with light pressure would stop bleeding. Pick up a few for your home first aid kit. MIT News has more.
CARTOON TEST: The Dynamic Ocular Evaluation System is an inexpensive eye test for young children that's also easy to administer. The child watches a three minute cartoon or plays a computer game. Infrared light is used to test various aspects of the child's vision. Results are recorded digitally and can be sent to a specialist if needed. The child needs only watch the screen and doesn't have to answer any questions. The idea is for paediatricians to be able to administer the tests during routine visits. I wish eye tests for adults were as simple. The University of Tennessee.
