OCTOSNAKE: Israeli researchers are developing a second generation robot snake with military applications and increased Degrees Of Freedom. The snake combines 8 individual units, some of which can be left behind with sensors or explosives. The robot includes a thermal imager, miniature cameras or low-light TV sensors, and possibly laser scanners. 8 bits; beware the snake byte. More at DefenseUpdate. Video of
the 1st generation snake on YouTube.
JUNGLE ATV: Steve Saint's flying car is road legal. It looks like a regular car, but with a propeller on the back. Add the removable 7 metre mast and unfold the 51 square metre cloth wing to fly through the air. With pontoons it could land on water. It's designed to access jungle villages and other remote areas beyond roads. Ah, an all-terrain vehicle. More at iTecUSA and video at EAAVideo.
SET THE TIMER FOR 10: Scientists at Kyushu University in Japan are measuring heart rate and other vital signs in test subjects, but no tricky electrodes are involved. Instead they're exposing the patients to microwaves. The waves that reflect back indicate motion such as breathing. That's one I study won't volunteer for. Details at Gizmag.
LESS SMOKING: In developing countries many people cook their food on fire-powered stoves that also produce dangerous fumes. A US student is experimenting with converting the waste heat into sound waves, and then transforming that acoustic energy into electricity. The electricity can power a fan to make the stove more efficient, reducing smoke and dangerous fumes, and also charge a battery. No fire without smoke. More at Sify.
KNITTING BUILDINGS: It'd be great if cracked buildings could be knitted together, rather than just bulldozed. BacillaFilla bacteria are genetically modified microbes. They enter cracks in concrete and start germinating on contact. Once they form clumps they differentiate into 3 types of cells that produce calcium carbonate crystals, create filaments and produce a kind of glue. Crystals, filaments and glue 'knit' the cracks back together. I'm sure they could use that in Christchurch. More at TechNewsDaily.
- Miraz Jordan knowit.co.nz
Tech universe: Monday 22 November
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