Tech Universe: Thursday 31 March

The TEROOS is a shoulder-mounted avatar for telecommunication. Photo / Supplied

JOINED AT THE SHOULDER: The TEROOS is a shoulder-mounted avatar for telecommunication. It's a robot with a camera, mic, speaker and a couple of 'eyeballs' that can change expression. The robot, mounted on one person's shoulder, is operated via smartphone command. The wearer communicates with the operator via a Skype audiovisual connection. Arrr, it's a sort of modern-day parrot. More at DigInfo and video on YouTube.

SPEED CHARGING: 2 minutes to recharge a battery? How quickly batteries charge depends to some extend on how far ions have to travel. Scientists from the University of Illinois, USA, found a new way to construct a cathode that reduces travel distance. The techniques can scale to mass production and various battery materials such as nickel or lithium can be used. Imagine recharging a cellphone in 2 minutes. More at Wired.

CUTTING GAME: Microsoft's Kinect is getting about. In Toronto, Canada, surgeons are using it to browse MRI or CT scans without needing to touch any potentially non-sterile surfaces. Instead hand gestures allow them to zoom in and out or freeze the shot they need. This can reduce time taken during surgery while surgeons make more precise cuts. When will it enable hands-free surgery? Details at the Globe and Mail.

MUSICAL THOUGHTS: Playing music on a computer isn't so new these days - unless you're paralysed and can move only your eyes. A composer at the University of Plymouth, UK, has created a system that picks up the electrical impulses of neurons in the brain via EEG. The wearer selects notes and melody merely by thinking about which button to push on a computer screen and how hard to push it. One person with locked-in syndrome was able to play music to a backing track using the system. Reading thoughts rather than simply gaze allows the system to gauge intensity as well as determine which on-screen object is being attended to. Sounds like great brain training. More at Nature.

45 HOUR LEAF: A chemist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, claims to have created the first practical artificial leaf. It's a solar cell, about the size and shape of a playing card, that mimics photosynthesis. It uses silicon, electronics, nickel and cobalt catalysts and sunshine to split water into hydrogen and oxygen to power a fuel cell. This 'leaf' is made from inexpensive, readily available materials and can operate continuously for 45 hours without a drop in productivity. Solar energy's a growing business. More at Physorg.

- Miraz Jordan knowit.co.nz