WIND BENEATH ONE WING: The Samara copter is a miniature prototype helicopter with a special feature: it has only one wing, just like maple seeds. It can fall safely to the ground if the motor fails or stay aloft indefinitely if the air currents are just right. Developers hope to eventually deploy full size versions into the jet stream for mapping or military purposes. I can't see tourists wanting to fly in one. Details at NewScientist and video at BrightCove.
YOU HAVE TO LOOK JUST SO: Fujifilm's ForgeGuard system hides high resolution full colour text and images in labels and products. The images are revealed only to a proprietary viewer, using nanometer
wavelengths of light. The aim of the hidden messages is to help
prevent successful counterfeiting. Wait till the bad guys hear about
this one! More at DigInfo and video on YouTube.
CLEANING UP SPORT: SilverSport make gym towels and yoga mats that eliminate bacteria. The secret's in the embedded silver nanoparticles. Sweat activates the particles that then bind to bacteria, also eliminating the smell. Hmmm, going for silver. More at Wired.
GRAPHENE CHIPS: Graphene is carbon that's only one atom thick.
Researchers at the University of Southampton created transistors from
graphene by creating sharp bends and corners in bilayer graphene
nanowires. These transistors can switch very fast and open up the
possibility of using graphene in computer chips. But will the name
'silicon chip' hang on anyway? Details at the University of Southampton.
VENDOR LENDER: Polk County in Florida, USA, have a new way to get books to people: vending machines in locations far from the library. Residents swipe their library card to have the machine dispense best-selling books or DVDs, and can return items there too. A computer at the Library monitors the vending machines so workers know when to restock them. They'd make money if they put snacks and drinks in machines beside the books and DVDs, for sure. More at BayNews9.
- Miraz Jordan knowit.co.nz
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