Tech universe: Wednesday, 23 June

Imagine being able to take your LCD screen off the wall, roll it up and hide it away. Photo / Supplied

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

ROLL UP LCDs: It's tough to make graphene — a sheet of carbon that's only 1 atom thick. They've cracked it now though and can create flexible touchscreens for phones and flat-panel displays. Unrolling new technology takes on a whole new meaning. More at Tech Review.

BULKY FIBRE: Last-century's copper cables are on their way out in Australia. They're installing a national fibre network for Internet.
So where the bloody hell are you, Kiwis? Answers at Ars.

SUCKY FIBRE: Fibertect cotton has an activated carbon core. The fabric both blots up crude oil and captures its nasty vapours. "How much for 24,000 square kilometres of material, please?" More here and video evidence here.


FAR-SIGHTED FLIERS: The US Army has commissioned 3 huge blimps, or in army-speak, Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicles. The airships will fly 3-week missions at 6,000 metres above Afghanistan, sending data back to soldiers on the ground. Peekaboo! We see you!

NEAR-SIGHTED SWITCH: Toss out your bifocals and progressive lenses. PixelOptics emPower specs use motion sensors to change their focus when you move your head. Now you won't need a boat to feel seasick! Look here.