The Zambulance. Photo / Supplied
A round-up of the latest technology news from around the globe.
MODEL T.25: The British T.25 City Car is so small you could park 3 cars in one parallel parking space or 2 side by side in a garage. It seats 3 and travels at up to 145 Kph. It's made of upcycled plastic and tubular steel, using flexible and inexpensive
manufacturing techniques, based on Formula 1 ideas. How do you share out the parking fees? More at GordonMurrayDesign.
COLD POWER: Vaccines must be kept cold and that's impossible in some countries. The University of Pennsylvania's idea could save lives. 75% of the world's rural inhabitants get cellphone signals - from towers powered by diesel generators, solar or wind. So how about using their surplus power for cooling vaccines and treating water? Efficiency could save lives. More at NewScientist.
LIFE BIKE: In rural Africa ambulances are rare. The Zambulance is a bicycle fitted with a trailer that has a mattress, privacy curtain and intravenous hangers. After 12 months in one Ugandan community the
number of women who died in childbirth dropped from 30 to zero, thanks to the Zambulance. High tech or low, it's the effect that counts.
Details at RedFerret and video on YouTube.
TEAR GAS PEN: See the fountain pen that shoots tear gas pellets and the shaving brush with a secret compartment. The first 40 years of
Britain's MI6 spy agency has been written up in a new 800 page book.
Yes, spy rings were real. Details and video at the BBC.
FISHING TOGS: The Norwegian Safe@Sea project is integrating high tech into the clothes that fishers wear. Features may include surface
treatments so blood and guts wash off more easily, a wireless system
to stop a vessel and trigger an alarm if the fisher goes overboard,
and clothes that repair themselves to stay watertight. Self-repairing
clothes sounds great. More at ScienceDaily.
- Miraz Jordan knowit.co.nz
