Tech universe: Tuesday 31 August

Japan's Shinoda lab Airborne Ultrasound Tactile Display uses ultrasound to create tactile sensations. Photo / Supplied

A round-up of the latest technology news from around the globe.

HOLOTOUCH: Japan's Shinoda lab Airborne Ultrasound Tactile Display uses ultrasound to create tactile sensations. Users viewing their interactive 3D display actually feel objects on their hand while looking at holographic images. Game play moves up a level. More at Alab and video on YouTube.

PEEK A BOO: Some California preschoolers are being dressed in special jerseys to track their movements. The jerseys contain RFID tags so staff can remotely monitor location and attendance. I really doubt any kids will take the jerseys off. More at MercuryNews.

BRIGHT EYES: The cornea is clear tissue over our eyes. If it's damaged we may go blind, and donated corneas are hard to come by. Scientists used artificial corneas made from synthetic collagen in 10 patients. Six of them could see well again after 2 years. Grow your own cornea today. More at Discovery.

IS THAT YOU?: Facial recognition is fine, until your face changes, perhaps with age or weight gain. NEC's recognition system focuses mainly on eyes, nose and mouth, and shows up to 95% accuracy. It took less than half a second to recognise one face from more than 1.6
million. Hah. On CSI it takes minutes not seconds. More at CrunchGear.

POWDERED WATER: If you encase droplets of water in silicon
nanoparticles the water cannot form a liquid. Dry Water acts like a
sponge for carbon dioxide and other gases making them safer and easier
to store and transport. So I guess those are solid gases. Details at IO9 and video on UStream.

- Miraz Jordan knowit.co.nz.