SCREEN CRUMPLE: E-ink make screens for readers like the Kindle. Now they're working on embedding bendable e-ink screens in fabric or in Tyvex — the cloth used in some shipping envelopes. Such envelopes could be re-used many times with a permanent and programmable e-ink address label, for example. Imagine having personalised bottles for prescriptions too, with an embedded screen with ID, prescription and so on. More at The Digital Reader and video on YouTube.
BACTERIAL COLOUR CODE: Certain infectious bacteria have a distinctive smell. Researchers attached sensors to petri dishes growing various bacteria and then watched as they changed colour. The sensor for each bacterium showed a unique pattern of colour changes over time. The sensors were even able to identify specific species and strains of bacteria. From smell to colour to name. Astonishing. More at Medgadget.
A TON OF TERABITS: 100 terabits of information per second through a single optical fibre is quite an achievement, yet at least 2 groups have just achieved that record. That one second burst could give you 3 months worth of HD video. While such speeds are excessive for individuals, companies that handle huge amounts of data, such as Google and Amazon could put it to good use. Not to mention scientists and film makers. More at NewScientist.
SATELLITE DUST: I tend to think of satellites as being at least the size of a rubbish bin, maybe bigger. Cornell's Sprite satellites though are about the size of a postage stamp. Each chip collects data such as chemistry, radiation or particle impacts. The thin chips may in future travel like dust by force of the solar wind, without any fuel of their own. I'm sure there's room for tiny solar sails though too. More at Physorg.
TOUCHING PICTURE: People with impaired vision may read a text book by Braille or with current text to speech technology, but diagrams are a problem. Monash University in Australia have created a prototype device called GraVVITAS to help. It's a standard touchscreen tablet PC. Small vibrating motors attach to the user's fingers and buzz when an object displayed on the screen is touched. Sound guides the user to the diagram, then a voice explains it. I'm sure everyone could benefit from a voice explaining diagrams. Great idea. More at Monash.
- Miraz Jordan knowit.co.nz
Tech Universe: Wednesday 11 May
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