A driverless Audi TTS will speed to the top of Colorado's Pikes Peak. Photo / Supplied
A round-up of the latest technology news from around the globe.
INSIDE INTEL: US researchers used a new technique called scanned probe FMRI to see inside a 40 nanometer thick magnet. They were studying how the magnetic properties vary. Their findings could lead to new types of computers, where storage is on the chip itself. Can it tell me how long
the computer has to live? More at TechNewsDaily.
PULSAR PALS: Einstein@Home is a distributed astronomy project that uses spare capacity on home computers to analyse data collected by the Arecibo radio Observatory. 3 participants have jointly discovered a
rare disrupted binary pulsar catchily named PSR J2007+2722. 'Discovered a rare pulsar' should look good on the CV. Details at BBC.
FAB IN GREEN: Net Zero homes are designed to produce as much energy as they need. Michelle Kaufmann Studios in the US makes prefabricated green homes, while the Danes have an "Active House" prototype on the go. So you mean grass in the gutters doesn't make it green?
PEAK SPEED: Beware on Pikes Peak road in Colorado next month: a driverless Audi TTS will speed to the top at up to 100 kph. The car will be operated by 2 computers, and use a differential GPS system to keep it within 1.5 centimeters of its course. A computer doesn't drink and drive, fall asleep at the wheel or get distracted by cellphones.
This could be a winner. More at ScientificAmerican.
TWEETIE BIKE: Precious is the name of a bicycle being ridden across the USA for charity. Nothing much new there, but the bike itself is equipped with a load of sensors, and sends out tweets with updates on location, distance, conditions, humidity, gradient and so on. Yes, that's 2 rims to rule them all. More at YesIAmPrecious and video on YouTube.
- Miraz Jordan knowit.co.nz.
