A round-up of the latest technology news from around the globe.
HOMEGROWN CAR: The Canadians are developing an electric car, the Kestrel. Not much new there, except the body will be made from an impact-resistant composite material produced from hemp. Hemp grows well in Canada, with a high yield per hectare. That's a nice agribusiness. More at CBC.
EMBRACE A BABY: In many parts of the world low birth weight babies face hypothermia and incubators are not available. The Embrace Infant Warmer is a kind of high-tech sleeping bag whose sealed wax pouch is heated with hot water. The Embrace is inexpensive and easy to use. Rock a bye baby, in the heat pouch. More at EmbraceGlobal.
NUT PHONE: NEC's new bioplastic made from cashew nut shells and other non-edible plant materials bonds cellulose with cardanol. The plastic is strong, heat resistant and water resistant. That means it's great for electronics. I hope it doesn't trigger any allergies. More at NECEurope.
DUAL MODEM: Telstra Australia's Ultimate HSPA+ USB modem uses dual-carrier technology. Customers can send and receive wireless data using two channels simultaneously, at up to 42Mbit/s. Actual speeds are more likely 10 to 20 Mbps. Two way sending bodes well for VOIP calls. Details at APCMag and video on YouTube.
SCANNED 101: Northern Arizona University want to boost attendance rates for first-year students, in hopes that more will eventually graduate. That's why they're installing attendance scanners outside 20 large lecture halls to keep a tally via student ID cards. You can lead students to lectures, but can you make them learn? More at NPR.
- Miraz Jordan knowit.co.nz.
