Tech Universe: Tuesday 21 June

Tokyo's National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation's six-metre globe was made using 10,362 OLED panels over an aluminium sphere. Photo / Supplied

EARTHSHINE: It's six metres in diameter: a Geo-Cosmos globe made from OLEDs that's been installed in Tokyo's National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. The globe uses 10,362 OLED panels to cover an aluminium sphere that hangs 18 metres from the floor. It displays satellite images of Earth, while touchscreen panels allow visitors to call up and display images and data from all over the world. That's a pretty huge globe. More at Tokyotek.com and video here.

COOL CLOTHES: ClimaWare jackets allow the wearer to choose just how hot or cool they'd like to be. It puts around 20 heating and cooling points on parts of the body where we don't sweat, but where we have a high concentration of blood vessels. Heat sinks, thermally conductive material, insulation layers and material that transfers or absorbs heat all combine to create a customisable jacket. LiPo batteries in a detachable belt power the jacket. Other items of clothing like scarves and shoes have also been designed. It's not clear though if they're actually for sale. Details here.

Q FOR COIN: QR codes — you've seen them all over the place, but until now not on coins. That's changed with the latest release from The Royal Dutch Mint. A Limited Edition set of coins commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Mint in Utrecht will feature a QR code. Scan the code and it directs you to a web page.
Since it's a collectors item, will the web page still work in years to come? Crazy cash here.

FIRED: You never know when a fire extinguisher may come in handy, but they tend to be big and bulky. J&R Fire's PFE-1 model though is about the size of a TV remote. It's a one-use device that shoots coolant three metres on the press of a single button. It may be just the thing for a fire on the stove. Good fun for the kids too, I bet.
More here and video here.

LIVE LAUNCH: Iran's space programme is taking flight with the recent launch of the Rassad-1 (Observation-1) satellite into orbit 260 kilometres above the Earth. Iran's first satellite went into orbit in 2009. They've announced plans for several future launches, testing with live animals before sending a human into space. Imagine what we could do if countries would only combine their research.Physorg has more.

- Miraz Jordan knowit.co.nz