Tech Universe: Tuesday 12 July

FLYING ON IMPULSE: The Solar Impulse is a 1600 kg single-seater plane made of carbon fibre. 12,000 solar cells on the wings are its sole source of power. The total wingspan is 64 metres, and the plane is almost silent. The team aim to fly around the world within the next few years. We'll never hear it coming. Check out the plan on the Solar Impulse website and video here.

JET SURFERS: Surfers may ride the waves in, but then they have to paddle back out again for the next one. The WaveJet board includes batteries and water jets that can move the board along at up to 19 km/h. Control comes through a wrist-strap remote. Dude. Wired has more.

ENJOY A COLD ONE: Japanese cosmetic companies are selling spray gels to help their customers cool off. The chilling foam hardens into a kind of string that can be used like a bracelet or necklace. Marketing is emphasising energy saved by not using air conditioning. I hate to think what's actually in the products and what that's doing to the environment. JapanTrends.com has details, and there's video here.

SMART POOR: Indian authorities are trying out a biometric smart card as a way to ensure the poorest people receive food rations intended for them. Each eligible family in the test area gets a smart card that stores fingerprints, photographs and other details of the head of the family and two or more other members. Unlike paper ration books this should mean that subsidised food is provided only to those who are eligible. The card can also keep a record of purchases. Fingerprints too! They're serious about this. Details on BBC.

CLEAN CLOTHES: Scientists from the University of Georgia in the USA have developed an anti-microbial spray that kills many dangerous pathogens, such as staph, strep, E. coli, pseudomonas and acetinobacter. They intend it to be sprayed on clothing used by healthcare workers. Even hot water laundering doesn't wash it out of clothing or degrade it. The chemistry behind the spray is simple and inexpensive. The war on germs never ends. More information here.

- Miraz Jordan knowit.co.nz