Gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine

NASA asks future explorers to respect historic landing sites

David Szondy — Mon, 28 May 2012 01:46:48 -0500

When the last American astronauts blasted off from the Moon in 1972, it seemed as if they were leaving behind monuments that would stand for all time. On a lifeless, airless satellite there would never be any scavengers or souvenir hunters, no wind to bury or wear down the abandoned spacecraft and artifacts, and no air to corrode metal. Even the footprints would still be there millions of years from now. Or so everyone thought. Now, with more and more nations and private organizations planning manned and unmanned missions to the Moon, NASA is worried that the Apollo landing sites and others could be endangered by the next wave of lunar explorers. To prevent this, the space agency issued a set of guidelines that politely asks everybody to keep their distance... Continue Reading NASA asks future explorers to respect historic landing sites

Section: Aero Gizmo

Tags: History, Moon, NASA, Space, Spacecraft

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Ultra-sensitive biosensor could detect diseases in their earliest stages

Darren Quick — Mon, 28 May 2012 01:36:14 -0500

A new ultra-sensitive test developed by scientists from the Imperial College London and Spain’s University of Vigo has the potential to detect the earliest stages of a disease, thereby giving any treatment the best possible chance of succeeding. The researchers claim their new biosensor test is capable of detecting biomarkers (molecules which indicate the presence of a disease) at concentration levels much lower than is possible with existing biosensors. While the new test has already proven capable of detecting a biomarker associated with prostate cancer, the team says their biosensor could be easily reconfigured to detect biomarkers related to other diseases or viruses... Continue Reading Ultra-sensitive biosensor could detect diseases in their earliest stages

Section: Health and Wellbeing

Tags: Biomarkers, Disease, Gold, Imperial College, Nanoparticles, Virus

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Square Kilometer Array Organisation opts for dual site solution

Darren Quick — Sun, 27 May 2012 22:46:22 -0500

After a tense few months that has had many in Australia and South Africa anxiously awaiting word on whether their particular site will be chosen to host the world’s largest and most sensitive radio telescope, the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) Organisation has finally made its decision. And it’s good news for both bids – or bad news, if you’re the glass half empty sort - with the organization opting for a dual-site solution that will see the SKA telescope shared between Australia and South Africa... Continue Reading Square Kilometer Array Organisation opts for dual site solution

Section: Science and Education

Tags: Africa, Astronomy, Australia, South Africa, Space, Telescope

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Dream Team releases near-universal Jailbreak for iOS 5.1.1

Adam Williams — Sun, 27 May 2012 20:01:43 -0500

The so-called "Jailbreak Dream Team" - which includes members of both the Chronic-Dev Team and iPhone Dev Team camps - has released a new iteration of the Absinthe Jailbreak tool that boasts the ability to Jailbreak almost every fully updated iOS device out there without the need for SHSH blobs, tethered booting, or any other complex hacks. .. Continue Reading Dream Team releases near-universal Jailbreak for iOS 5.1.1

Section: Mobile Technology

Tags: Apple, iOS, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Jailbreak

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Apple patent hints at future stylus support for iPhone and iPad

Nick Moore — Sun, 27 May 2012 18:37:57 -0500

Apple has submitted an application to patent an "optical stylus" for use with future touch based devices, leading to speculation that the next iPhone or iPad could include stylus support. Competitors HTC and Samsung have both released devices featuring stylus control, but Apple's potential product is far more complex, featuring haptic feedback, an on-board speaker, and an optical sensor, all transmitting data back to the device via short range wireless communication. .. Continue Reading Apple patent hints at future stylus support for iPhone and iPad

Section: Mobile Technology

Tags: Apple, Patent, Stylus

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DLI 9000 rugged tablet comes with 5-in-1 payment module option

Paul Ridden — Sun, 27 May 2012 18:04:38 -0500

As you might appreciate, I spend quite a chunk of my free time pacing the aisles of my local consumer electronics store. On my latest visit I was pleasantly surprised to see a sales assistant carrying a tablet computer around to advise customers on current stock levels, access detailed product information or to match the best online prices - but folks still had to head for the checkouts to pay. DLI's 9000 Rugged Mobile Tablet has been designed with the retail and hospitality sectors in mind and is available with a 5-in-1 mobile payment module that attaches to the back of the device to offer customers secure payment options at the point of sale... Continue Reading DLI 9000 rugged tablet comes with 5-in-1 payment module option

Section: Mobile Technology

Tags: Payment Technology, Point-of-sale, Rugged, Secure, Tablet

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Rafael Nadal demonstrates Babolat Play & Connect interactive tennis racquet

Simon Crisp — Sat, 26 May 2012 19:43:57 -0500

Some people argue that technology makes us lazy couch-potatoes who spend all day sitting in front of various screens. But tech can also make us better athletes by providing us with information about our sporting performance - whether it's shoes which log a basketball player's jumps, or outfits which give dancers feedback about their moves. Tennis players could soon be getting in on the tech-helping-hand action with the introduction of an interactive racquet. .. Continue Reading Rafael Nadal demonstrates Babolat Play & Connect interactive tennis racquet

Section: Sports

Tags: MEMS, Sensors, Sports, Tennis, Training

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Knut internet-connected sensor keeps you in the know via email

C.C. Weiss — Sat, 26 May 2012 04:30:11 -0500

Our lives are very connected these days. You can check in on friends and family, your car and your home within seconds by typing a few words and pushing a few buttons. Despite this, there are still many pieces that remain cut off from our networks by physical space. The Knut sensor hub aims to connect a few more of those pieces. .. Continue Reading Knut internet-connected sensor keeps you in the know via email

Section: Electronics

Tags: Internet of Things, Kickstarter, Monitor, Sensors, Wi-fi

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Researchers create first of its kind invisibility cloak array

Ben Coxworth — Fri, 25 May 2012 17:57:32 -0500

When we think of invisibility cloaks, probably the first things that come to mind are Harry Potter-like contraptions that allow people or large objects to instantly disappear. Scientists from the University of Maryland and nearby Towson University, however, today announced their development of something a little different – little being the key word. They have crammed 25,000 tiny “invisibility cloaks” onto a gold sheet, which itself only measures 25 millimeters per side. While the resulting biochip array may not allow any young wizards to vanish from sight, it could allow them to identify biological materials... Continue Reading Researchers create first of its kind invisibility cloak array

Section: Research Watch

Tags: Biosensor, Invisibility, Light, Towson University, University of Maryland

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Porsche tuning house Gemballa introduces diamond-based car coating

C.C. Weiss — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:48:16 -0500

German tuner Gemballa has announced an innovation that should lead to many cars that surpass the gaudiness of even its own gold-splashed Mirage GT Gold Edition. It's a car finish made from crushed diamonds. .. Continue Reading Porsche tuning house Gemballa introduces diamond-based car coating

Section: Automotive

Tags: Diamonds, Gemballa, Porsche, Tuner

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LG unveils 55-inch OLED TV at Monaco's Salle des Etoiles

Paul Ridden — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:17:14 -0500

LG unveiled the world's largest and slimmest 55-inch OLED (organic light-emitting diode) TV at the Salle des Etoiles in Monaco earlier this week. First given a U.S. showing at CES 2012, the OLED TV's four-color pixel technology and Color Refiner work together to offer vibrant, natural and comfortable Full 1080p HD viewing in both 2D and 3D. Cutting edge technology doesn't come cheap though, so be prepared to gasp as the price is revealed after the jump... Continue Reading LG unveils 55-inch OLED TV at Monaco's Salle des Etoiles

Section: Home Entertainment

Tags: 3D, High Definition, LG, OLED, TV

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First Thunderbolt-packing desktop motherboard from Intel launched

Paul Ridden — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:09:40 -0500

After over a year of Mac dominance, the first Intel desktop PC motherboard featuring Thunderbolt I/O technology has been – somewhat quietly – announced. Based on the latest Z77 Express chipset, the DZ77RE-75K has been optimized for the new Intel -K Core processors. It features a new GUI BIOS, comes with integrated HD audio and video, and benefits from RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 support... Continue Reading First Thunderbolt-packing desktop motherboard from Intel launched

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: Intel Core -K, Motherboard, Personal Computers, Thunderbolt

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New OmniVision sensor chips promise 4K2K smartphone videos

Enid Burns — Fri, 25 May 2012 12:45:41 -0500

Smartphones are quickly replacing the need for a camera. The phone is always within arm's reach, and ready to capture any subject worth documenting with a digital still or video image. The reason we're still toting around cameras is the resolution and a few other features such as focus for a sharp image. The Smartphone may soon catch up, however. OmniVision just released details on two new 16-megapixel CameraChip sensors for use in digital still cameras, digital video cameras and high-end smartphones... Continue Reading New OmniVision sensor chips promise 4K2K smartphone videos

Section: Mobile Technology

Tags: 4K2K, Digital Video, Photography, Smartphone

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Stable dye-sensitized solar cell may provide cheaper alternative to silicon

Antonio Pasolini — Fri, 25 May 2012 12:44:51 -0500

Solar power is up there as the quintessential clean energy and there’s a race worldwide to develop better solar cells to overcome current challenges related to cell efficiency, manufacturing costs, durability and materials, among other things. One of the latest developments in the sector comes from Northwestern University where researchers have developed a stable dye-sensitized solar cell that may one day prove cheaper than silicon-based cells... Continue Reading Stable dye-sensitized solar cell may provide cheaper alternative to silicon

Section: ecoGizmo

Tags: Dye-sensitized, Northwestern University, Solar, Solar Cell

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FIFA trial goal-line technology in international soccer match ahead of key vote

James Holloway — Fri, 25 May 2012 11:39:14 -0500

The international football friendly (the association kind) between England and Belgium scheduled for June 2 may not be burning a hole in your diary, but it will be notable in at least one respect. The match, to be held at London's Wembley Stadium, will be the highest profile match to date to make use of so-called goal-line technology, designed to detect whether or not the ball has crossed the line (and therefore whether a goal should be given). The goals at Wembley have been fitted with a Hawk-Eye system similar to those now officially used to assist umpires in tennis and cricket. However, though the system will be up and running for the entire match, it will not be used to help adjudicate in the event of a difficult goal-line decision... Continue Reading FIFA trial goal-line technology in international soccer match ahead of key vote

Section: Sports

Tags: Fraunhofer, Oxford University, Soccer, South Africa

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SpaceX Dragon successfully grappled by ISS

Ben Coxworth — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:23:25 -0500

Well, it’s official. Just moments ago, the SpaceX Dragon became the first-ever privately-made spacecraft to reach the International Space Station (ISS). “The International Space Station Expedition 31 crew successfully captured the SpaceX Dragon capsule with the station's robotic arm at 9:56 AM EDT,” NASA has stated. “The feat came 3 days, 6 hours, 11 minutes and 23 seconds after the mission's launch. The station was 251 miles over northwest Australia when capture occurred.”.. Continue Reading SpaceX Dragon successfully grappled by ISS

Section: Science and Education

Tags: International Space Station, NASA, Spacecraft, SpaceX

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Renault reinterprets the Alpine A110 to commemorate its 50th Birthday

Mike Hanlon — Fri, 25 May 2012 08:29:20 -0500

It's fifty years ago since the Renault Alpine A110 Berlinette was introduced as one of the most beautiful road cars of its time, embodying light weight and sweet handling and furthering the long and successful Renault motorsport heritage by winning rallies all over the world. Not surprisingly, such a memorable automotive birthday has precipitated a very appealing concept car. The Renault Alpine A110-50, is a reinterpretation of the original Alpine's key features in a thoroughly modern way, all cloaked in stylish Alpine Blue carbon fiber bodywork, with a 400 bhp Mégane Trophy power train. All up weight is 880 kg. It seems like a recipe for a very stylish rocketship. .. Continue Reading Renault reinterprets the Alpine A110 to commemorate its 50th Birthday

Section: Automotive

Tags: Alpine, Automotive, Motorsport, Renault

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Animated "LED matrix shades" coming to an urban dystopia near you, July 2012

James Holloway — Fri, 25 May 2012 07:32:36 -0500

The LED-meisters at macetech LLC seized upon this week's Maker Faire to unveil an eye-catching pair of prototype "LED matrix shades" that light up in a variety of dynamic patterns. When the shades hit the market in six to eight weeks, users will be able to program patterns of their own, thanks to the Arduino-compatible electronics from which they're made. macetech's Garrett Mace gave Gizmag an exclusive insight into the development of the shades, which look like they've fallen through a portal from some future urban dystopia... Continue Reading Animated "LED matrix shades" coming to an urban dystopia near you, July 2012

Section: Wearable Electronics

Tags: Arduino, Glasses, LED, Macetech

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UAVs and open source software combine to digitize historical buildings in 3D

James Holloway — Fri, 25 May 2012 04:37:22 -0500

The human implications for living in a world with UAVs are very much dependent on one's latitude and longitude at any given time. Though the term is likely to conjure images of covert military operations, it's not a connotation that the term, or the technology, necessarily implies. Fundamentally, a UAV is merely an unpiloted flying machine, and that's a potentially useful thing to have for all sorts of civilian applications. It's already happening. Exhibit A: research at the University of Granada into using small UAVs, equipped with cameras, that scan buildings in order to construct 3D models. .. Continue Reading UAVs and open source software combine to digitize historical buildings in 3D

Section: Aero Gizmo

Tags: 3D scanner, UAV, University of Granada

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World record price for Aston Martin - £1.23 million

Mike Hanlon — Fri, 25 May 2012 03:42:40 -0500

Yet another world auction record fell during the week when a 1991 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato Sanction II Coupé was sold for GBP1.23 million (US$1.93). One of just four cars built 30 years after the first batch, the car was previously owned by singer Phil Collins' manager Tony Smith and had just 4,748 miles on the odometer... Continue Reading World record price for Aston Martin - £1.23 million

Section: Automotive

Tags: Aston Martin, Auction, Bonhams, Convertible

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Audi's AMOLED video rear-view system

Mike Hanlon — Fri, 25 May 2012 02:20:26 -0500

The fascinating lead-up to the Le Mans 24 Hour race in three week's time is a technological smorgasbord as usual, with new technologies being used to gain infinitesimal increments of seconds per lap in the hope that it will lead to a winning margin over 350+ laps and 24 hours. A new addition to the dominant Audi R18 cars for this year's race will be an AMOLED digital rear view mirror - how can a better rear view mirror make you go faster? .. Continue Reading Audi's AMOLED video rear-view system

Section: Automotive

Tags: Audi, Le Mans, OLED, Sports Cars

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Doping leads to new efficiency record for graphene solar cells

Darren Quick — Fri, 25 May 2012 02:12:49 -0500

Doping graphene with trifluoromethanesulfonyl-amide (TFSA) has enabled researchers at the University of Florida (UF) to set a new efficiency record for graphene solar cells. While the record-breaking efficiency of 8.6 percent is well short of the efficiencies seen in other types of solar cells, it is a big improvement over previous graphene solar cells that saw efficiencies ranging up to 2.9 percent. The development provides hope for cheaper, durable graphene solar cells in the future... Continue Reading Doping leads to new efficiency record for graphene solar cells

Section: ecoGizmo

Tags: Graphene, Solar Cell, University of Florida

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Lasers used to zap weeds into submission

David Szondy — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:38:42 -0500

Weeds are pesky things. They grow everywhere and, by definition, where they’re not wanted. Whether a large-scale farmer or a weekend gardener, everyone who has tried to raise crops has wished that there was a ray gun that could just blast the wretched things out of existence. Now, thanks in part to researchers from the Laser Zentrum Hannover (LZH) at the Leibniz University of Hannover, Germany, that frustrated daydream is closer to reality. Through the use of low-powered infrared lasers, the team has found a way to inhibit weed growth without harming neighboring plants, providing an alternative to expensive, hazardous and environmentally-damaging chemicals... Continue Reading Lasers used to zap weeds into submission

Section: Research Watch

Tags: Agriculture, Farming, Laser, Plants

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Aerovironment testing potential for UAVs to re-establish communications in event of disasters

Darren Quick — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:13:22 -0500

While UAV’s continue to reshape the theater of war, they are also finding more and more non-military applications, from gathering atmospheric data to delivering supplies to remote villages. Now Aerovironment is examining the potential for its UAVs to rapidly re-establish communications when existing communications networks are knocked out following a natural or man-made disaster... Continue Reading Aerovironment testing potential for UAVs to re-establish communications in event of disasters

Section: Aero Gizmo

Tags: AeroVironment, Aircraft, Communications, UAS, UAV, Unmanned

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Bessel beam "tractor beam" concept theoretically demonstrated

Darren Quick — Thu, 24 May 2012 22:12:21 -0500

Last year, we looked at three potential “tractor beam” technologies being evaluated by NASA to deliver planetary or atmospheric particles to a robotic rover or orbiting spacecraft. At the time, the third of these, which involved the use of a Bessel beam, only existed on paper. Researchers at Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) have now proven the theory behind the concept, demonstrating how a tractor beam can be realized in the real world – albeit on a very small scale... Continue Reading Bessel beam "tractor beam" concept theoretically demonstrated

Section: Research Watch

Tags: A*STAR, Laser

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