Tech Universe: Thursday 27 January

The 44 metre superyacht catamaran Ocean Empire LSV runs off solar power and wind energy, with space for 10 guests and 8 crew. Photo / Supplied

YACHTING KEPT SIMPLE: How would you like to live at sea, be self-sufficient and carbon neutral? The 44 metre superyacht catamaran Ocean Empire LSV runs off solar power and wind energy, with space for 10 guests and 8 crew. A wave motion damping system keeps seasickness at bay, while its 2 hydroponic farms and fishing facilities help with the food supply. Reckon on US$25 million for the basic model. Go on, trade your house in Auckland for one. More at LuxuryLaunches.

STRATOCAMS: The high altitude, long endurance Global Observer doesn't have a crew. Just as well, since it's expected to fly at almost 20 Km and stay aloft for up to a week, on its surveillance and communication missions. On a recent test flight, powered by liquid hydrogen, it reached 1,500 metres and flew for 4 hours. Global Observer has a wingspan of 53 metres, is 21 metres long, and can carry payloads of up to 180 Kg. That payload capacity could cover a lot of camera and comms gear. More at Gizmag.

DOUBLE THE CARBON: At around 1,600 degrees C cerium oxide 'exhales' oxygen, while at lower temperatures it 'inhales' it. A prototype cerium oxide fuel reactor from Caltech removes oxygen from carbon dioxide or water, using sunlight concentrated through a quartz window. The reaction leaves products that are easily turned into fuels such as syngas. The reactor could capture waste CO2 from coal-powered electric plant chimneys and create more fuel from it. There's a nice symmetry in that. More at CalTech.

JAMMY IDEA: Traffic jams are such a nuisance. In China, though, they're epidemic. Smart businesses are offering jam rescue. A motorcycle with 2 riders arrives. One person takes over driving the car to the destination, while the other whisks the motorist quickly through the traffic to their meeting. Here's a thought: just buy a motorbike in the first place. More at Yahoo.
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GUIDED DOGS: Auburn University's Canine Detection Research Institute puts a backpack on a dog. The backpack contains a high resolution GPS system and radio modem to track the dog's location. Side panels vibrate and emit a tone to command the dog. Signals can be sent from up to 6 Km, guiding the dog to a remote destination. Add a camera for a dog's eye view. Maybe in future you could send the dog to the shop for a bottle of milk. Details at DVice.

- Miraz Jordan knowit.co.nz