Extreme Technology

Extreme Blogging!

2008-10-15T20:55:00.004-07:00

:: Extreme technology deserves an extreme blog! It also deserves a TLD (Top Level Domain) name.
++ Blog Tech: USA / Don Cook / Extreme Technology Blog

Extreme Technology (ET) will soon have a brand new look and feel.

Also, ET will have the TLD (Top Level Domain) name of: extremetechnologyblog.com. The new and improved ET is scheduled to launch in May of 2010. ET is just a "baby" (about 3 years old), yet we have already had over 150,000 unique (first-time) visitors from 94 different countries.

The first step in launching our new Journal (Blog) was to launch Don's Digital Café. This has already been accomplished. You can check it out here.

Every single one of these visitors deserves the very best articles (that are well written and well researched), the very best graphics (photos, videos and animations), and the very best links. They will receive all of this and more in the newest evolution (and the next generation) of ET!

Note From Technophile: The technology involved in creating a world-class "Extreme Technology" blog is . . . well . . . extreme! To accomplish this, I will be using a Mac Pro 8-Core and an extreme custom PeeCee (that I built myself) with studio monitors, that are networked together in order to share extreme high-speed internet access by fiber optics cable (courtesy of AT&T U-verse). This requires an extreme dedicated server, that I also built myself. By the way, my Mac has eight browsers (Navigator, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Camino, Explorer, Mozilla, and iCab) in order to accommodate my extreme surfing needs. When I'm doing research, I always feel the need, the need for speed (each browser has its own strengths and weaknesses in that area). I will also be using the very best software, including the Adobe Creative Suite 4 (CS4), Aperture 2, Lightroom 2, Macromedia Studio 8 and other goodies such as the Art Directors Toolkit, the DigitalColor Meter, and countless Plug-Ins, Adobe Open Type Fonts (over $10,000 worth), Clip Art and Digital Stock Photos.ditor, Flash 8 for animations (and video), and Adobe Photoshop CS3 for photo manipulation and optimization.

:: Source: [Extreme Technology Blog]
:: Innovation: A world-class, International blog about technology and how it might affect our everyday life.
:: Available: Februaary, 2010.
:: Cost: Priceless (free to you)!

“Never before in history has innovation offered promise of so much to so many in so short a time.” ~Bill Gates

Extreme Memory!

2006-06-23T20:21:00.000-07:00

:: How would you like to have an assitant with a perfect memory?
++ CompuTech: USA / Gorden Bell / Microsoft Bay Area Research

Humans naturally have the ability to remember almost two bits of information per second, or a few hundred megabytes over a lifetime. Compared with a DVD movie, which holds up to 17 gigabytes, that’s nothing. Worse, you might easily recall the 40-year-old dialogue from Hogan’s Heroes yet forget your mom’s birthday.

It’s a problem that’s been bothering Gordon Bell for almost as long as he can remember. In 1998 Bell, a senior researcher at Microsoft, began digitally capturing his entire life for a project he calls MyLifeBits. First, he scanned his old photographs, research documents and notes. He began recording his meetings and phone calls and cataloguing his new photos and movies he saw. Every e-mail exchange he had was digitally archived, and he started using the company’s prototype SenseCam, which he wears around his neck, to automatically snap photos throughout the day.

Upgrading our memory is a matter of improving our recording and retrieving abilities. At the current pace of miniaturization, camera components could be made tiny enough to fit in a contact lens (A) in just a few years. A high-precision microphone could fit in your ear (B). And the data could be downloaded to a searchable handheld gadget (C)

Note From Technophile: The biggest challenge to Bell’s vision is developing the software required to search your memory database effectively. So far, MyLifeBits pulls together more than 20 data types to link various memories to one another. Using a full-text search, Bell tracks down what he’s looking for in no more than 30 seconds. Soon, when searching through meeting notes, for instance, photos of people attending those meetings and their contact information will appear side by side. The effort could be pushed along by Columbia University researchers who are using statistical-analysis programs to automatically sort hours of recorded audio by time and location (office, café, etcetera). Next, they’ll tackle speaker recognition, which would allow for categorizing and searching conversation by who’s talking.

:: Source: [MyLifeBits Project]
:: Image Credits: [Big Sesh Studios]
:: Innovation: Miniaturization and the falling cost of image sensors and data storage will soon allow for unobtrusive recording, as well as on-person storage, of several terabytes—which means a vast upgrade in personal processing power, resulting in a surrogate memory that will create a freeing and secure feeling among all its users.
:: Available: 2021.
:: Cost: Unknown.

"To look backward for a while is to refresh the eye, to restore it, and to render it the more fit for its prime function of looking forward." ~Margaret Fairless Barber, The Roadmender

Note from Dan Lelevier, ET (Extreme Technology) Consumer Product Advisor: Start "capturing" your life now! Free remote backup is finally here! Download and install PC Magazine Editor's Choice (and my choice), "Mozy" to ensure your photos, research documents, notes, audio and video files are safely backed up at a secure, remote location. Folks, "Mozy Free" is well . . . FREE! No setup fee, and no monthly payments for a whopping 2 gigabytes of secure (448-bit Blowfish encrypted) storage! You can help support this site by clicking on the banner below for this great (FREE service). Or upgrade to Mozy Plus (for just $4.95 a month) for an extreme amount (30 gigabytes) of safe and secure online storage!

Extreme Pest Control!

2006-06-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

:: A lean, mean extreme bug killing machine!
++ Outdoor Tech: New York City, USA / Hammacher Schlemmer

Easily the best non-propane unit on the market, the Mosquito Mega-Catch is virtually maintenance free: just plug it in and turn it on. The trap uses a strip of octenol (to generate a scent that resembles breath), a UV bulb, and flashing LEDs (oscillating frequencies determined to coincide with spectral sensitivities of many mosquitoes). [Image credits: Mosquito Biting ~ Gabor Bibor (Budapest, Hungary) | Mega-Catch ~ Hammacher Schlemmer]

When mosquitoes get close to the trap, the patented airflow system that disperses the attractant sucks the insects inside, where they are collected in a mesh catch bag or a liquid catch pan that is easy and safe to empty.

Note From Technophile: In a USDA suburban test, the Mega-Catch trap captured up to 1,200 mosquitoes in a single night and diminished mosquito populations over an entire acre! The question is, will it trap ghosts? (Looks kinda like a Proton Pack from Ghostbusters.)

:: Source: [Hammacher Schlemmer, VIA OHGIZMO and uncrate ]
:: Image Credits: [Hammacher Schlemmer]
:: Innovation: High-tech bug trap.
:: Available: Now.
:: Cost: USD $199.95

"We hope that, when the insects take over the world, they will remember with gratitude how we took them along on all our picnics." ~Bill Vaughan

Extreme Dreamliner!

2006-05-31T05:11:00.000-07:00

:: A suite of new technologies has been incorporated into a next generation wide-body jet that will be the first ever to use composite materials in an attempt to build the most fuel efficient passenger transporter on the planet!
++ Aviation Tech: Seattle, Washington, USA / Everett Facility / Boeing Commercial Airplanes

Is big always beautiful? The new Airbus A380 commences service this year. It is a space guzzler. It needs more runway to clear the ground, more taxi-way for the sweep of its enormous wingspan, and boarding gates have to be re-tasked in order to deal with the logistics of deplaning 800 people from a towering double-decker.

Boeing believes large capacity aircraft flying to big, overcrowded, dispersal “hubs” to be things of the past. Travellers want speed and direct connections. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the result of Boeing’s new beliefs. The aircraft is swift and fuel efficient, it is smaller and can access regional airports.

Welcome to the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner! The interior designers understand fully that first impressions can be everlasting. Therefore, they've designed a larger, more open entryway with sweeping arches that immediately direct the eye upward.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner "family" (models 3-10) will carry 210 - 350 passengers on routes of 3,000 to 8,800 nautical miles (5,550 to 16,300 kilometers), depending on the model. The various models are expected to enter into service from 2008 to 2010.

The airplane will use 20 percent less fuel for comparable missions than today's similarly sized airplane. Yet it will also travel at speeds similar to today's fastest wide bodies (Mach 0.85). And it will do so with more cargo revenue capacity.

Passengers will also see improvements with the new airplane, from an interior environment with higher humidity to increased comfort and convenience throughout.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner's new interior will create a new sensation for passengers inside the cabin. Illuminated by arrays of light emitting diodes, both the brightness and the color of the sky-like cabin ceiling can be controlled in flight by the crew. Flight attendants can give passengers a sense of daylight when desired, and when they want to help passengers rest, simulate a beautiful nighttime sky.

Other innovations include sweeping arches, wider aisles, larger lavatories, larger windows (extending above seatback height, the windows offer a view of the horizon to passengers seated anywhere in the cabin), and larger overhead storage bins. All these innovations are designed with the goal to make the passenger feel more connected and comfortable with the flying experience.

Another very cool innovation are the electrochromatic windows which require no shades and can be darkened at the touch of a button.

Note From Technophile: An open architecture will be at the heart of the 787's systems, which will be more simplified than today's airplanes and offer increased functionality. For example, the team is looking at incorporating monitoring systems that will allow the airplane to report maintenance requirements to ground-based computer systems. It is expected that advances in engine technology will contribute as much as 8 percent of the increased efficiency of the new airplane, representing a nearly two-generation jump in technology. New technologies and processes are in development to help Boeing and its supplier partners achieve unprecedented levels of performance at every phase of the program. For example, by manufacturing a one-piece fuselage section, they will eliminate 1,500 aluminum sheets and 40,000 - 50,000 fasteners. The Boeing board of directors granted authority to offer the airplane for sale in late 2003. Program launch occurred in April 2004 with a record order from All-Nippon Airways. Since that time, 29 customers have placed orders and commitments for 393 airplanes from five continents of the world, making this the most successful launch of a new commercial airplane in Boeing's history!

:: Source: [Boeing Commercial Airplanes]
:: Image Credits: [Boeing Photos]
:: Innovation: Unparalleled performance, fuel economy and passenger comfort in a next generation wide-body passenger jet designed by an international technology development team.
:: Available: 2008 - 2010 (depending on the model).
:: Cost: USD $120 million per aircraft.

"Qantas has committed a potential US$18 billion for up to 115 of the sleek B787s with the first 65 coming on line from 2008. " ~Smart Travel Asi

Note from Dan Lelevier, ET (Extreme Technology) Consumer Product Advisor: Just as Boeing is an innovative airliner designer and builder, WestJet is and innovative Airline. WestJet is Canada's leading low-fare airline offering scheduled service throughout its 34-city North American network. Named Canada's most respected corporation for customer service in 2005, WestJet pioneered low-cost high-value flying in Canada, and is known and respected for its modern, comfortable jets. To make a reservation, just click on the banner below. Happy and smart flying!

Extreme Cop Car!

2006-05-30T17:47:00.000-07:00

:: A Lamborghini Gallardo has been donated to the Italian State Police (Polizia di Stato).
++ Auto Tech: Bologna, Italy / Italian State Police / Lamborghini

If you hope to evade the police, the last thing you want to see in your rear view mirror is this Italian police car. This is the first (and only) V10, 520 horsepower, 196 mph extreme cop car! (It can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 4 seconds.)

It is equipped with apparatus to transmit and receive information and images in critical situations such as road traffic accidents, fires and other disaster situations. It will also be fitted with the Italian police's Provida system which records traffic violations and sends images in real-time, and has a direct connection to the police database as well as the Elsag "Autodetector" system for number plate recognition. [Image credit: Automobile Magazine (please note: this image has been modified from the original)]

The Lamborghini Gallardo police car will be used by the traffic police (Polizia Stradale) during emergency situations on the Salerno-Reggio Calabria highway in southern Italy. [Image credit: Automobile Magazine (please note: this image has been modified from the original)]

The police's use of their Lamborghini Gallardo won't be limited to fair-weather driving: as well as the benefits of the Gallardo's permanent four-wheel drive, during winter months it will also sport special "Sottozero" snow tyres developed by Pirelli for Lamborghini.

Note From Technophile:In addition, the Gallardo is equipped with first aid equipment including defibrillator apparatus with the capability to perform electrocardiograms, and automatic diagnosis of arterial pressure and the presence of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. The car will also be used for the transportation of plasma and human organs for transplant. By the way, because Ferruccio Lamborghini (founder of the famous super car company, Automobili Lamborghini) was born under the zodiac sign of Taurus, he gave to it the symbol of the fighting bull. Honoring this tradition, the Management of Automobili Lamborghini have decided to baptize their latest model with the name of a fighting bull’s breed: the Gallardo (pronounced: ga-yardo). Most people probably are not aware that the origins of the fighting bull proceed from five main breeds, that is: Cabrera, Navarra, Vasquena, Vistahermosa and Gallardo. The Gallardo breed was created in the XVIII century. It draws its name from Francisco Gallardo and his brothers – cattle breeders at Santa Maria, Cadiz – who, thanks to the good results obtained by their bulls’ behavior in the arena, reached a considerable prestige in the most important "Plazas de Toros".

Lambo Lady: Laura Ciano is one of the team of eight Italian police officers who crew the Lamborghini Gallardo. (No doubt, one of the fastest women on earth, but the real question is: Is she a Taurus?) [Image credit: Motoring.co.za (please note: this image has been modified from the original)]

:: Source: [Lamborghini]
:: Image Credits: [Automobile Magazine]
:: Innovation: A high-tech, high-horsepower, high-speed police multi-purpose vehicle that an exremely few Italian (or any other) motorists can outrun.
:: Available: Now (sorry, one model only).
:: Cost: USD $165,900 (for the Italian State Police, nada, as it was donated).

"Maverick: I feel the need...
Maverick, Goose: ...the need for speed!" ~Top Gun

Extreme Camera!

2006-05-25T14:26:00.000-07:00

:: The world’s first, and only 270 degree panoramic fisheye camera!
++ Photo Tech: USA / Scott Aichner / The 270 Project

It’s the brain child of renowned surfing photographer Scott Aichner. It has 2 fish eye lenses facing at 90 degrees from each other and the images it produces are truly spectacular.

This is a Scott Aichner photo taken with a normal "fisheye" lense. Not bad.

This is the same photo taken with Scott's revolutionary camera. Incredible!

Note From Technophile: Scott has been asked, why not use a panoramic camera? For two reasons, first the angle of view from a normal panoramic camera wasn't even close to what he wanted to achieve. Second, the shutter speed was too slow to capture action scenes. The original goal was to be able to capture a surfer in the the tube and see out of the tube in the same photograph. I would say that Scott has accomplished his goal! Special note: I am a photographer also - this accounts for my interest in Scott's "Extreme Camera" (you can check out my photos here - I have 26 photos (at this site) that have been downloaded 6,662 times - as of today).

:: Source: [The 270 Project]
:: Image Credits: [Scott Aichner]
:: Innovation: A camera with two lenses set at 90 degrees allowing an image that covers 270 degrees of view!

“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.” ~Dorothea Lange

Extreme Trek Tech!

2006-05-11T11:33:00.001-07:00

:: Will the real world evolve to resemble the Star Trek universe, or is it all just extreme-tech escapism for people who can't deal with reality?
++ Trek Tech: USA / David Allen Batchelor / The Science of Star Trek

On March 11, 1964, Gene Roddenberry wrote a 16-page draft pilot for a show he told network executives would be a "Wagon train to the stars," in homage to the many popular Westerns of the time.

Later that year, shooting began on the first "Star Trek" episode. In June, 1969, the last episode aired a little more than a month before the first man walked on the moon. In syndication, Star Trek became one of the most successful franchises in the history of the entertainment industry! [Image Credit: Franz Joseph / Vektor / Ivor The Engine / Don Cook's Digital Café]

"Star Trek" has influenced a generation of engineers and scientists, inspiring them to "boldly go" forward in an attempt to participate in the utopian future they saw on TV.

"When I designed the UI (User Interface) for the Palm OS back in '93, my first sketches were influenced by the UI of the Enterprise bridge panels,'' said Rob Haitani, product design architect for Palm-One Inc., the Milpitas firm that makes the popular handheld personal computers. "Years later, when we designed the first Treo (a combo phone and wireless PDA), it had a form factor similar to the communicators in the original series. It had a speakerphone mode so you could stand there and talk into it like Capt. Kirk.'' [Image Credit: Kim Komenich / Chronicle | Don Cook's Digital Café]

"I went to Star Trek conventions. During my Apple design days I’d come home to my apartment, from work at nearby HP, to watch Star Trek (reruns) and then head back to HP to work late . . ." ~Quote from a "Techie" who is a "Trekkie": Steve Wozniak, Apple Co-founder! [Image of Steve Wozniak: John Todd / AP | Image Credit: Don Cook's Digital Café]

"On Star Trek, computers were ubiquitous, running everything from life-support systems to long-range sensors. The voice-activated computer gave any crew member instant access to a database containing the recorded histories of Earthlings, Vulcans, Romulans and other known life forms. Episodes contemplated technology that could create an artificial reality. This was hugely inpiring to me, and it’s one of the things that drove me into exploring computer graphics, motion capture, and audio perception." ~Steve Perlman, Silicon Valley entrepreneur and founder of WebTV. [Image of Steve Perlman: Kurt Rogers / Chronicle | Image Credit: Don Cook's Digital Café]

No article about the "Tech of Trek" would be complete without reference to the influence that Star Trek has had on interior design. One example is the coolest apartment on earth (and maybe in the 'verse)! Designed and built by interior designer Tony Alleyne, of 24th Century Interior Design, this Star Trek Apartment has made world news and been featured on many television and radio shows around the world. Note: This apartment is for sale! Price: A cool $2 million (and, of course, you will have to move to the UK). [Image credit: Tony Alleyne]

Another designer who is doing great SF interiors is Julie Bolder. She is a production designer with over 10 years experience designing sets for episodic TV, features and commercials. [Image credit: Julie Bolder]

Trek Tech: Universal Translater. Whenever a new alien race was discovered, a device built-in to the ship's computer and their personal communicators, called a Universal Translator, would allow them to communicate with species that have different languages, vocabularies (and dialects).

This was an important plot device, since the majority of episodes would involve communicating with alien species.

Today our own military communicates with a different type of "alien" (Afghans and Iranians) using a translation device called the Phraselator.

Various dialects are programmed into the device, and when an "alien" speaks into it, a computer voice translates their speech into English and vice versa.

Trek Tech: Non-Invasive Surgery. McCoy was able to perform surgeries without cutting into someone's body. Blade-free surgery is now possible with equipment like the CyberKnife, developed at Stanford University. (There are also non-invasive laser surgeries for treating kidney stones or prostate inflammations.) [Image credit: CyberKnife Society | Don Cook's Digital Café]

Trek Tech: Yellow Eyes. "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" was a short story by Philip K. Dick, that the exceptional movie "Blade Runner" was based upon.

An important research organization for robotics is the American Association for Artificial Intelligence. At a recent conference on cybernetics, the president of the Association was asked what is the ultimate goal of his field of technology. He replied, "Lieutenant Commander Data."

Creating Star Trek's Mr. Data would be a historic feat of cybernetics, and right now it's very controversial in computer science as to whether or not it can be done.

Maybe a self-aware computer can be put into a human-sized body and convinced to live sociably with us and our limitations. This is far in advance of our current computer technology, but may be possible.

By the way, Data's "positronic" brain circuits are named after the circuits that Dr. Isaac Asimov (the inventor of the three laws of robotics) imagined for his fictional robots.

Trek Tech: Spooky Action. In the future universe of Star Trek, transporters can make a precise image of every particle in a person or object, convert these into a stream of matter (or energy), focus this stream on a precise destination and reassemble these particles in its original form. [Image Credit: Tony Alleyne / Don Cook's Digital Café]

Lawrence Krauss, author of The Physics of Star Trek, claims that transporting a person is not possible.

However, researchers at the California Institute of Technology, Aarhus University in Denmark and the University of Wales have all achieved real teleportation. What they transported wasn't any person or object - it was the quantum property of a photon or light particle.

Quantum mechanics is the study of things that are very, very small. In the Quantum universe, things can go against everything we know about physics. One particularly strange feature is called "entanglement". When you create two particle twins from a single sub-atomic particle, the quantum properties of each particle will always be opposite, no matter how far apart they get. Change one, you instantly change the other - even if the particles are at opposite sides of the universe, the change will be instantaneous. Albert Einstein called this "spooky action at a distance."

This paradox has existed on paper for more than 50 years. But it wasn't until more recently that researchers were able to prove this process actually works, that it's been happening in nature since the dawn of time and that it could be exploited by humans to achieve bona fide teleportation!

Trek Tech: Shuttlecraft. Nissan of Europe has designed a Star Trek shuttlecraft inspired concept car, called the Terranaut. If your office is the great outdoors, this vehicle might be the perfect one for you. Designed for “scientists, geologists, archaeologists, and adventurers” (which pretty much describes a good portion of the Enterprise crew), it seats three people and features a spherical laboratory that has a seat that swivels 360 degrees in order to give the intrepid scientist (and/or explorer) access to all of the vehicle's workstations.

Terranaut has enough refrigerated storage space to house food, water and other provisions for stays of upwards of a week out in the field. Lightweight tents, and sleeping bags built for extreme conditions and simple cooking facilities are carried in storage compartments in the doors. [Source: Nissan Europe]

Note From Technophile: The Star Trek series was probably the only SF series crafted with respect for real science and physics (although sometimes they did get the scientific details wrong), with ideas designed not only to entertain, but to expand the mind as well, and stories written intelligently with an effort to be faithful to humanity's greatest achievements. Star Trek has had probably the greatest influence on real-world science and technology, and ET (Extreme Technology) of any SF series.

". . . a dream that became a reality and spread throughout the stars" ~ James T. Kirk (from the episode, "Whom Gods Destroy")

More to follow on the "tech of trek" (as I have time): Star Trek punk rockers, matter-antimatter power generation, impulse engines, alien beings, sensors (and tricorders), deflector shields, tractor beams, artificial gravity, subspace communications, phasers, healing rays, replicators, holodecks, warp (interstellar) drives, and time travel!
Regards, Technophile

Note from Dan Lelevier, ET (Extreme Technology) Consumer Product Advisor: This year, "Star Trek" celebrates its 40th Anniversary of the Original Series. The "Star Trek Store" is the official "Star Trek" franchise e-commerce site, and contains the largest selection of official and licensed "Star Trek" items available online. Items range from DVDs, collectibles, clothing, books, autographs from cast members, comics, action figures, model kits, etc, etc., etc. This "Super Star Trek Store" includes items from ALL the television series and movies. Experience more "Extreme Trek Tech" by clicking on the banner below:

Extreme ET Search!

2006-05-02T04:44:00.000-07:00

:: A leading astronomer at the SETI Institute in California, estimates that advances in technology will enable humankind to discover intelligent life somewhere else in our Galaxy within 20 years!
++ Radio Astronomy: California, USA / Scott Hubbard / SETI

For every exceptional person who believes that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe, and believes in the search for ET (Extra Terrestrial) intelligence, you will most likely find another exceptional person who believes that man is alone in the universe (and that searching for ET intelligence is a waste of time and money). However, I believe most people will agree that the following is an enormous (and important) question: Is life a rare happenstance, or a cosmic commonplace?

One exceptional person who believes in the search for ET intelligence, is Scott Hubbard, an 18 year NASA veteran and Director of the NASA Ames Research Center from 2002 to 2006. He has been interested in the broad question of life in the universe since he was 12 years old. He has recently assumed the Carl Sagan Chair for the Study of Life in the Universe at the SETI Institute.

By 1997, Scott had established a new way of doing business at NASA as manager of the successful Lunar Prospector mission. He helped spearhead the discipline of Astrobiology at NASA and was the initiator and first Director of NASA's "virtual institute", the NASA Astrobiology Institute. He became NASA's “Mars Czar”, taking on the task of successfully restructuring the agency's Mars Exploration Program in the wake of two major mission failures. Scott was frequently in the papers during the Shuttle Columbia accident investigation, running the test program that demonstrated the definitive physical cause of the accident. He developed a reputation as a leader in innovative collaboration, establishing the NASA Research Park at Ames as well as being the driving force behind that Center's supercomputer initiative, Project Columbia, a 10,240-CPU SGI Altix supercluster, with Intel Itanium 2 processors. Very recently he initiated a high-profile, long-term cooperative agreement with Google.

Another exceptional person who believes in the search for ET intelligence, is Frank Drake, the developer of the "Drake Equation". As Professor Emeritus of Astronomy and Astrophysics (who also just happens to have Engineering and Physics degrees from Cornell University, and a M.A. and Ph.D. from Harvard), and the founder of the scientific search for extraterrestrial civilizations, Frank Drake believes that a minimum of 200 highly developed civilizations exist somewhere in our Galaxy. (His followers estimate the actual number ranges most likely from 10 thousand to 1 million!)

Part of the Extreme Technology involved in the ET intelligence search, is the world's largest computer network. Anyone who downloads a computer program from SETI@home will be able to process data provided by the world's largest radio telescope located in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. More than 5 million PC's all over the world are taking part in the project!

Another part of the Extreme Technology involved in the ET intelligence search, is the Allen Telescope Array (ATA) in Hat Creek, California. The ATA is the first of a new generation of radio telescopes. It is a radical departure from the traditional radio telescope design and construction.

When completed, the ATA, with 350 six-meter dishes, will be among the largest fully-steerable telescopes in the world. This number of antennas yields approximately one hectare (10,000 square meters) of geometric collecting area, about the same amount as the 100 meter telescope at Greenbank, West Virginia.When the signals from all 350 antennas are combined in one set of processing systems, the array is transformed into sixteen virtual telescopes, each with the sensitivity of a 114-meter diameter antenna and the resolving power of a 900-meter antenna.

These virtual telescopes (called "beams"), can be pointed anywhere in the field of view seen by the six-meter dishes. Another processing system, called a correlator, acts as a “radio camera” that can image that entire field of view. The ATA will have two correlators. It will also be able to operate over a wider range of frequencies than any other telescope in the world, processing four independent frequency bands simultaneously. This gives the ATA the potential for eighteen different projects to use the telescope at the same time (extreme sharing)!

Note from Technophile: The outputs are sent to either a correlator (which takes all of the signals and makes an image) or one of several phased-array back-ends (PABE's). Some of the planned PABE's are: (1) SETI detectors, (2) pulsar processors, (3) astronomical spectrometers, and (4) RFI monitors. (In other words, "extreme sharing".)

In the 70's, NASA proposed a new project (at a potential cost of $10 billion), called Cyclops, with a thousand telescopes installed at 15-kilometer intervals from one another. The telescopes would be tuned to the reception of signals traveling within a range of 1,000 light years (9,500,000,000,000,000 kilometers)! A more advanced version would put Cyclops on the dark side of the moon, greatly increasing its range (no atmosphere and no light to interfere with sensitive instruments).

After NASA dropped the ball on Cyclops, the SETI League picked it up with an even more ambitious project, called Argus. Composed of about 1,300 enthusiasts, this "league of their own" has worked hard to establish a network of amateur SETI observers, each operating their own radio dish. Eventually, the SETI League hopes to have 5,000 SETI observing stations worldwide.

The Space Interferometry Mission (SIM), to be launched early in the next decade, consists of multiple telescopes placed along a 30 foot structure. With an unprecedented resolution approaching the physical limits of optics, the SIM is so sensitive that it almost defies belief: orbiting the earth, it can detect the motion of a lantern being waved by an astronaut on Mars!

The SIM, in turn, will pave the way for the Terrestrial Planet Finder, to be launched late in the next decade, which should identify even more earth-like planets. It will scan the brightest 1,000 stars within 50 light years of the earth and will focus on the 50 to 100 brightest planetary systems.

The year 2001 marked the 40th anniversary of humanity's quest to find intelligent life in the universe (what I refer to as the search for ET intelligence).

Humans have repeatedly tried to draw attention to themselves by sending various messages and objects into deep space: Capsules containing the earth's coordinates within the Milky Way; basic physical constants, and the human DNA code; recordings of music by Bach, and pictures of the Egyptian pyramids were all launched into space aboard various spacecraft.

So far, all efforts to find any intelligence in space have ended in failure.

Does this mean that, after 45 years of trying, we should give up? A radio signal can take tens of thousands of years to reach earth from some of the most promising star clusters like "Tau Whale", "Eridan's Epsilon", and a spherical mass, "No. 13", in the constellation of "Hercules", and therefore it is not logical to be impatient. Besides, there are 200 billion stars that we need to check out in the Milky Way galaxy alone.

The time required for resolving such an enormous global question, as to whether or not ET intelligence exists elsewhere in the universe, will most likely depend on progress made in microelectronics and by the technology of radio telescopes - although we may very well locate ET intelligence by a means other than radio - maybe by using a technology that hasn't been developed yet, or by looking for heat emissions.

Another exception person who believes in the search for ET intelligence, is Freeman Dyson (shown above with his daughter, cyberspace visionary, Esther Dyson). A physics professor at Cornell University in the '50s, he later worked on the Orion Project (which proposed the possibility of space-flight using Nuclear Pulse Propulsion), and has published a number of collections and observations about technology, science, and the future. As of 2003, Dyson is the president of the Space Studies Institute.

In 1960, Dyson theorized the Dyson's Sphere, a structure that could be built by a technologically advanced society completely surrounding its native star in order to maximize the capture of available energy. This was illustrated in an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, in which retired engineer Scotty (from the original Star Trek series) was found to have crash-landed on an abandoned Dyson Sphere.

Larry Niven's novel Ringworld was also based on Dyson's concept, and was a scientifically detailed attempt to visualize a much simpler structure.

Since advanced civilizations (Type II, or Type III) use a lot of energy, they must, by the Second Law of Thermodynamics, emit waste heat. Because of this, Dyson has proposed looking for infrared emissions (rather than radio and/or TV).

Note from Technophile: Should we debate about whether or not ET intelligence exists? Such a debate would be as pointless as arguments were over whether or not the Earth was round, or that the Earth revolved around the Sun, or that our solar system is part of the "Milky Way" galaxy. Countless arguments and debates did not answer any of these complex questions (and these questions pale in comparison to the question about whether or not ET intelligence exists). Scientific investigation did! However, if you wish to read an excellent debate on the subject (between Carl Sagan and Ernst Mayr), just click here.

:: Source: [SETI]
:: Image Credits: [SETI]
:: Innovation: The discovery of intelligent life beyond our solar system.
:: Available: Predicted 20 years to first contact.
:: Cost: Millions, if not billions.

"You could be happy here, I could take care of you. I wouldn't let anybody hurt you. We could grow up together, E.T. " ~Elliott

Note from Dan Lelevier, ET (Extreme Technology) Consumer Product Advisor: "Alienware" has rapidly developed into the leading manufacturer of high-performance desktops, notebooks, professional workstations, and media center systems. Consumers requiring the latest innovations, cutting-edge designs, and award-winning customer support turn to "Alienware" to meet their demands. Already a powerful force in the gaming industry, "Alienware" has emerged as a strong presence in a diverse set of markets including the home and home office, creative professional, home entertainment, business, and government industries. Stunning, fast, mobile, versatile, cool, impossible, high performance . . . just some of the words that describe "Alienware" design!

Extreme Cuisine!

2006-04-28T06:05:00.000-07:00

:: A Chicago Chef is using technology to change the way people think about food!
++ Food Tech: Chicago, USA / Homaro Cantu / Moto | Cuisine

How many times have you been to a restaurant where the menu is edible? How many chefs do you know that use a Class IV laser, tanks of liquid nitrogen, and a vacuum chamber filled with carbon dioxide as important cooking tools? Or use helium, superconductors and a hand-held ion-particle gun to levitate food, making whole meals float before awestruck diners?

Homaro Cantu, executive chef at Moto in Chicago uses his own combination of childlike humor, high technology, shock value, flavor, and haute cuisine to turn the fine-dining experience on its head! [Image credit: Dan Winters | Fast Company]

In Cantu's skilled hands, liquid nitrogen becomes a tool for coalescing a pureed head of romaine lettuce into flavorful Pearls of Caesar Salad (chilled to -273 degrees fahrenheit). Carbonation adds fizz to real fruit (an orange bubbles like orange crush soda when squeezed): The result of hours of compression in a carbon dioxide tank at 60 pounds per square inch. Sea bass arrives raw in a heat retaining polymer box heated to 350 degrees, cooking to perfection on the table while two other courses pass by.

Dessert is the most impressive course of all. Cantu fills a sphere with the juice of yuzu (a japanese citrus) and spins it while it is chilled with another dose of liquid nitrogen. What emerges is a thin, spherical shell, almost like an edible balloon. (All that is missing is helium to make the balloon float, and Cantu hopes to add that touch someday soon.)

Cantu's menu offers the adventurous a bizarre-yet-tasty combination of food and science, of high and low culture, and of the comfortable and the absurd.

Case in point is his version of "Surf & Turf": Hawaiian sea bass and duck cooked sous vide (in a vacuum), with mushrooms, a foamy puree of foie gras (duck liver), and apple butter.

Accompanying the dish is synthetic champagne injected into your glass with a giant medical syringe, and a sketch inspired by M.C. Escher (the mind-bending surrealist), depicting a sea that morphs into a sky. The drawing is edible, and if you eat it, you will find the top flavored like a bird and the bottom flavored like a sea!

Another case in point is Cantu's take on the PB&J with milk (photo). The peanut butter is hidden inside a hemisphere of jelly, which rests on a dab of whipped milk. [Image credit: Dan Winters | Fast Company]

Cantu's "sous-chef" is an inkjet printer that he calls the "food replicator" (in homage to Star Trek). He prints images of fish on pieces of edible paper made of soybeans and cornstarch, using organic, food-based inks of his own concoction. He then flavors the back of this special paper (which is ordinarily used to put images onto birthday cakes) with powdered soy and seaweed seasonings, rolls the paper up and stuffs it with fish and rice, in order to create his own version of "sushi".

He also prepares edible photographs flavored to fit a theme: An image of a cow, for example, might taste like filet mignon. On the set of Iron Chefs of America, he took a digital photo of himself and his two sous chefs drinking a cocktail flavored with horchata (a Mexican rice-based beverage). He then poured his cocktail into his "food replicator" and it printed out a horchata-flavored picture, which he served to the judges along with a dessert of Mexican chocolate pudding with beets and caramelized popcorn.

On a Cantu-designed plate (photo), diners use pipettes to add flavors to their desserts. The choices are: Chile-mascarpone, milk-chocolate-sesame, and orange-olive-oil. [Image credit: Dan Winters | Fast Company]

Make no mistake that Cantu has not lost sight of what brings us all to the dinner table – great tasting food. While guests may be positively shell shocked with some of the mind boggling creative creations of Cantu, rest assured that this young chef can cook. Having grown-up in Portland, Oregon, Cantu graduated from Le Cordon Bleu. He then worked his way up the ranks in nearly 50 kitchens on the West Coast before moving to Chicago to work at Charlie Trotter’s. Cantu spent four years there attaining the coveted title of Sous Chef before leaving to open "Moto | Cuisine".

Since opening "Moto | Cuisine", Chef Homaro Cantu has attracted much attention with his interpretation of Postmodern Cuisine. While Postmodern Cuisine is in its infancy in America, it seems that many diners and critics weighing-in on this new style of cuisine still view it as the "Wild West of whimsy". And this is true at "Moto | Cuisine", because the sky is the limit as Cantu stretches known scientific and gastronomic boundaries.

Postmodern Cuisine, often times referred to as Avant-Garde cuisine, found its roots in Spain with Ferrán Adrià of El Bulli leading the evolution. With the exact definition of Postmodern Cuisine still open for interpretation, it is safe to describe this culinary movement as one that reacts against earlier modernist principles. It reintroduces traditional or classical elements, typically carrying modernist styles or practices to extremes. [Image Credit: Moto | Cuisine]

Chef Cantu simply describes it as, “The human race has been eating the same way for hundreds and hundreds of years. At Moto, we strip away the rules, stretch the imagination and entice guests with never-before seen dishes. It’s about being open-minded and having a lot of fun with food.”

For Cantu, edible paper is just one of his many creative ideas. Another idea will be to use nanotechnology to create time-release foods that expand to fill your stomach.

Already, Cantu is part of a group working with the Institute of Advanced Concepts, the futurist arm of NASA, to help rethink notions of food in space.

Cantu is obsessed with patenting his ideas in a world in which the battle for intellectual property can make or break a business. With the help of his patent attorney, Charles Valauskas, a partner at Baniak Pine & Gannon, he has 12 patents pending, including the polymer cooking box, a utensil that can deliver an entire dish (from within its handle) with the push of a button, a prototype for a combination fork-spoon-knife, and his edible paper (with many others ideas on there way).

"Moto’s cuisine is such a unique combination of culinary expertise, artistic ability, chemistry, and technological innovation. The food is delicious, visually appealing, and every course challenges your senses and gives you something new to think about and experience." ~Linda | At Our Table [Image Credit: Linda | At Our Table]

If you are not fortunate enough to live near Chicago (I live in California), you can still visit Moto, by taking a "virtual" tour via a blog titled "At Our Table", from a fellow food fan, Linda (who lives there). Linda visited Moto for a birthday celebration, and she has the photos to prove it! She chose to experience this unique restaurant through their Grand Tour Moto ("GTM" - $240 per person) menu choice, featuring 18 (with gusts up to 20) courses and an accompanying 13-step wine progression (with champagne - if it's your birthday). You can enjoy Moto vicariously by reading her article, titled "Have you had Doughnut Soup?: 18 Unique Courses at Moto".

Note From Technophile: Behind the scenes, Cantu continues to experiment: A medical centrifuge, designed to separate blood proteins, could clarify rich, thick meat stocks. A high powered laser could cook beef with a precision impossible on a grill. It could also be used to burn a hole through a piece of sashimi tuna, cooking the fish thoroughly inside but leaving its exterior raw. And it could be used to create "inside out" bread (where the crust is baked inside the loaf and the doughy part is the outer surface). Cantu meets with DeepLabs, conveniently located around the corner from the restaurant, on a weekly basis to strategize on what he calls his “Star War’s stuff” to make his dreams a reality. Cantu also sees a humanitarian end to his culinary trickery. He envisions dispensing vitamin-enriched edible books in regions where people suffer from malnutrition; each page would be both food and information about when and how best to eat it.

:: Source: [Fast Company Magazine, May, 2006]
:: Image Credits: [Dan Winters | Fast Company / Linda | At Our Table / Moto | Cuisine]
:: Innovation: Using humor, technology, shock value, and flavor to redefine the nature of food!
:: Available: Now (at Moto, in Chicago).
:: Cost: $240 per person for a 20 course tasting menu with wine.

"The only difference between a madman and me is that I am not mad." ~Salvador Dali (from the huge photo of Salvador Dali mounted above the stairs leading into the basement kitchen of Moto Restaurant, Chicago, Illinois, USA)

Note from Technophile: My name is Don Cook, I am the author of this blog, and one of my hobbies (for the last 25 years) has been gourmet cooking. I have won several cooking contests including a clam cook-off and a chili cook-off in Mexico, and have taken classes at 4 different cooking schools.

If you do not live near Chicago, or if you don't feel like going out to eat, you can still enjoy a fabulous meal in the privacy of your home. One of our sponsors, Legal Sea Foods is proud to report to us that they are still at the #1 spot in Boston’s Zagat Survey for 2005/06. This award illustrates their dedication to serving and delivering the absolute freshest fish in the seafood industry (which they have for over 50 years). Legal Sea Foods has set the standard for quality and freshness with seafood and gourmet products that you will love. Their popular food items include live lobsters, salmon, filet mignon, jumbo shrimp, clam chowder, gourmet chili, oysters, desserts (like Boston cream pie), sauces (like chipotle marinade), and spices, just to name a few. You owe it to yourself to check out their extreme site and their extreme cuisine!

Extreme Wearable 3D Interface!

2006-04-24T23:58:00.000-07:00

:: This is guaranteed to garner some odd looks!
++ Personal Tech: USA / Hartmut Esslinger / Frog Design

PC Magazine asked the industry's top design experts to reveal their most innovative ideas for future products. Some of these concepts will become commercial products in the near future. For others, we'll have to wait until the technology catches up with the imagination. The Tribons is one of these!

The Tribons is a wearable laser projection system that exists mostly in the imagination of frog design CEO Hartmut Esslinger, the legendary visionary behind early Apple computers.

Controlled by an intuitive 3D interface, the Tribons projects educational material and gives kids (and other humans) access to environments they would otherwise not be able to experience!

Note From Technophile: An extra module can monitor the wearer's health. Additional modules can monitor whatever fits within the imagination of the designer (or the needs of the humans who will be wearing them)!

:: Source: [PC Magazine]
:: Image Credits: [PC Magazine]
:: Innovation: Wearable, intuitive 3D interface.
:: Available: Unknown.
:: Cost: Unknown.

"I never think of the future. It comes soon enough." ~Albert Einstein

Note from Dan Lelevier, ET (Extreme Technology) Consumer Product Advisor: The future of PC interfaces is here, now! Let's say you’re out of town on business; your meeting starts in fifteen minutes, and you realize you’ve forgotten a critical file. No need to panic. You’ve got Internet access in your hotel and you installed "GoToMyPC" on your office computer before you left. "GoToMyPC" is a secure and easy way to access your computer from any browser-equipped computer anywhere in the world. Once your computer is enabled, you can access it at any time from anywhere by logging in to the "GoToMyPC" web site. You have full control of the computer and all files, programs and network resources available on the machine. You simply work on your PC as if you were sitting in front of it, even though you may be thousands of miles away!

Extreme Networking Pen!

2006-04-21T21:54:00.000-07:00

:: Near-future, near-perfect, ubiquitous minamalist networking pen visualized by NEC designers!
++ Personal Tech: Japan / NEC Design, Ltd.

It seems that information terminals are infinitely getting smaller. However, we will continue to manipulate them with our hands for now.

P-ISM is a pen-style personal networking gadget package! NEC has visualized the connection between the latest technology and the human, in the form of a pen!

P-ISM is a gadget package including five functions: a pen-style cellular phone with handwriting recognition, a virtual keyboard, a micro-miniature projector, camera scanner, and personal ID key with cashless pass function. (P-ISMs are also connected with one another through short-range wireless technology).

Note From Technophile: The whole set is also connected to the Internet through the cellular phone function. This personal gadget in a minimalistic pen style enables the ultimate ubiquitous computing!

:: Source: [PC Magazine]
:: Image Credits: [NEC Design, Ltd.]
:: Innovation: Minamalist personal networking pen.
:: Available: Soon.
:: Cost: Unknown.

Note from Dan Lelevier, ET (Extreme Technology) Consumer Product Advisor: Until the P-ISM becomes available, you can't get a better cellular phone deal than this! "LetsTalk" is an independent reseller of cellular phones and services plans. You can actually get a better deal through them than you can by going directly through the carrier (they activate phones for Alltel, Cingular, Nextel, Sprint, T-mobile, and Verizon). They also offer pre-paid solutions from MetroPCS and Cricket. Their website offers user-friendly features such as "find and compare", "quick search", and "top sellers". The bottom line: Same plan, better phone, less out of pocket expense! Get your free Motorola Razr V3 now!

Extreme Floating City!

2006-04-21T16:18:00.000-07:00

:: Imagine a community that combines the amenities of a modern city with those of the finest resorts, in an attractive, stimulating, and secure environment. Now imagine this community circumnavigating the world every three years, stopping at all the best places!
++ Sea Tech: USA / Norman Nixon / Freedom Ship International

The Freedom Ship would accept up to 40,000 full time residents, 30,000 daily visitors, 10,000 nightly hotel guests, and 20,000 full time crew. This population of 100,000 people would provide a wealth of talent and diversity for the private businesses aboard the ship and to those they visit daily on their adventures ashore.

With a design length of 4,500 feet, a width of 750 feet, and a height of 350 feet, Freedom Ship would be more than 4 times longer than the Queen Mary. The design concepts include a mobile modern city featuring luxurious living, an extensive duty-free international shopping mall, and a full 1.7 million square foot floor set aside for various companies to showcase their products.

Attractive artwork and creative architecture would grace the ship. Parks and promenades would boast waterfalls, ponds, and extensive landscaping. Most levels would feature large saltwater aquariums. The shopping mall, one of the world's largest, would also be one of its most beautiful. Portions would be dedicated to individual countries, featuring culturally characteristic architectures. The planned 100-foot-wide main deck would lead to a marina at the stern. Over 200 acres of open area are planned for recreation and relaxation.

As it circumnavigates the world, Freedom Ship would make a series of offshore stops, including exotic tropical islands accessible only by sea. These stops would provide the ship's residents and entrepreneurs with extensive and varied touring and business opportunities, and bring a continual stream of visitors to the ship to patronize its shops, restaurants, and entertainment facilities.

The ship would provide as many as 40,000 tourists to ports around the world. These cities and countries would eagerly anticipate this influx, as well as the major market the ship represents for local farmers, fishermen, and merchants. Stopover schedules would be based on business volume and touring popularity. Customers, merchants, businessmen, and residents would be able to utilize the ship's fleet of aircraft and hydrofoils, as well as commercial commuter airlines, to come and go from the ship even between stopovers.

Freedom Ship would not be a cruise ship, it is proposed to be a unique place to live, work, retire, vacation, or visit. The proposed voyage would continuously circle the globe, covering most of the world's coastal regions. Its large fleet of commuter aircraft and hydrofoils would ferry residents and visitors to and from shore. The airport on the ship's top deck would serve private and small commercial aircraft (up to about 40 passengers each).

The proposed vessel's superstructure, rising twenty-five stories above its broad main deck, would house residential space, a library, schools, and a first-class hospital in addition to retail and wholesale shops, banks, hotels, restaurants, entertainment facilities, casinos, offices, warehouses, and light manufacturing and assembly enterprises. Finally, this concept would include a wide array of recreational and athletic facilities, worthy of a world-class resort, making Freedom Ship a veritable "Community on the Sea."

Note From Technophile: The vessel's proposed flat bottom hull construction, along with its extraordinary size, would result in unmatched and unprecedented stability providing a smooth ride in the roughest seas. Proposed safety of the vessel is enhanced by the use of 600 individual air/water tight hull sections. Extensive use of 4 hour rated firebreaks between decks areas within the decks will enhance fire safety. The ship would be virtually fireproof. The proposed electro-static ventilation system would supply uncontaminated, filtered and purified air.

:: Source: [Freedom Ship]
:: Image Credits: [Freedom Ship]
:: Innovation: Engineering a floating city that will allow thousands to realize their dream of circumnavigating the world, while enjoying an incredible lifestyle!
:: Available: Unknown.
:: Cost: $8 billion.

"All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree. All these aspirations are directed toward ennobling man's life, lifting it from the sphere of mere physical existence and leading the individual towards freedom." ~Albert Einstein

Note from Dan Lelevier, ET (Extreme Technology) Consumer Product Advisor: No doubt, future residents of the Freedom Ship will be conducting meetings and sales presentations with people all over the world, using the next generation in online meetings. With Citrix "GoToMeeting", they will have the ability to host meetings on-the-fly, perform live demos in real-time to multiple customers or collaborate on projects with their colleagues. They'll be able to host unlimited online meetings - with up to 10 attendees per meeting! For a free trial, click on the banner below.

Extreme Micro-Miniature Projector

2006-04-17T23:08:00.000-07:00

:: British company Light Blue Optics has developed a micro-miniature laser-holographic projector that can fit into a cell phone (or other pocket-sized device).
++ Personal Tech: United Kingdom / Ian Collins / Light Blue Optics

Holographic projection of 2D images represents a compelling alternative to conventional image projection. Holograms are efficient: they work by routing light to the places where you want it, and away from the places you don't. Unfortunately, all present systems are just too complex, expensive and of very low quality. That was, until now!

UK-based startup, called Light Blue Optics, has developed a new holographic laser technology aimed at future pocket-sized video projectors, PDAs, or even cell phones. The company's new technology requires only a very few components, which means the projector can be made relatively cheap and very small, so that it could easily be integrated into any portable device. [Image credit: Light Blue Optics]

The company also created as special chip that is capable of generating and displaying high quality holograms at video frame rates.

How does it work? A hologram pattern, which to the naked eye looks like a collection of random dots, is displayed on a small Liquid-Crystal-On-Silicon (LCOS) microdisplay (a very tiny, very fast liquid crystal display built on top of a chip). The hologram patterns are calculated by Light Blue Optics' proprietary hologram chip so that when the microdisplay is illuminated by laser light, the light interferes with itself in a complex manner through the physical process of diffraction which, when carefully controlled, results in the formation of a large, high quality projected image on, for example, a screen or a wall. [Image credit: Light Blue Optics]

Unlike a conventional video projector, heavy, bulky lenses are not required: diffraction does all the work for you, and the projected image is sharp and in focus at any distance.

Note From Technophile:This micro-projector has no moving parts and is just 3.78 cubic inches square (roughly the size and shape of a matchbox). The PVPro uses lasers to project green monochrome images at up to a 1024 x 512 resolution, although the company points out that up to 2048 x 1280 will be available by request. The PVPro is really geared towards short-range projection from a pocket-sized mobile device, and there won't be a full color version until probably around Christmas time, so don't pull your projector from the ceiling just yet.

:: Source: [Light Blue Optics ]
:: Image Credits: [Light Blue Optics]
:: Innovation: A projection system that can easily fit into pocket-size devices!
:: Available: Late 2006.
:: Cost: Unknown.

Note from Dan Lelevier, ET (Extreme Technology) Consumer Product Advisor: If you need a larger projector, say for presentations or for your home theatre system, this is the place to go: "Buy.com" offers approximately 2 million high-quality technology and entertainment products at extremely competitive prices! To check out their projectors, just click on the banner below, click on "Computers" in the left sidebar, and when the new window opens, click on "Digital Projectors" in the left sidebar. When the new window opens, you will find projectors as low as $630.99 ($1,368.01 below retail). Also, by going through "Buy.com", you will receive 10% off on over 900,000 books at "Amazon.com"!

Extreme Adventures!

2006-04-15T01:19:00.000-07:00

:: Some forward-looking companies are using technology to provide their customers with adventures of a lifetime!
++ Adventure Tech: USA / Incredible Adventures / Strato-X / Space Adventures, Ltd. / Rocketplane Limited, Inc.

How would you like to fly in zero gravity, take a ride on a balloon into the stratosphere, participate in cosmonaut training, fly a Russian MIG-25 to the edge of space, meet a Great White shark up close and personal, "camp out" on the International Space Station, engage in air combat, or take a ride on a suborbital spacecraft? Thanks to some adventure-oriented companies you now can (or soon will be able to)!

Extreme Rocketplane Adventure: [Rocketplane Limited, Inc.] You’ve waited your whole life for this flight, and now the time has come to take the ride of a lifetime. Your day begins with a special breakfast and a brief photo shoot. Then you board the Rocketplane XP to begin a ride that will forever transform your life and your perception of Earth.

Within minutes, you reach an altitude of over 20,000 feet. At this point the pilot flips the switch to ignite the powerful rocket engine, pulling up into a nearly vertically climb.

As the engines cut off you feel the sensation of weightlessness as the vehicle soars up into space. Out the window is a spectacular view of Earth, a view that only a select group of people has ever seen before! [Image credit: Rocketplane Limited, Inc.]

Extreme shark adventures: [Incredible Adventures] Specially designed high-tech shark viewing cages provide adequate protection for the sharks from sport divers, while allowing divers total freedom of movement and panoramic views. [Image credit: Incredible Adventures]

Extreme zero-gravity adventures: [Space Adventures, Ltd.] You can take a ride in a special aircraft designed to simulate the weightlessness of outer space. It performs a series of parabolic flight maneuvers that counter the forces of gravity. Each flight gives you a sample of what it would be like to take trip through a portion of our solar system.

First, you learn what the 1/3 gravity on Mars is like. Next, you'll experience 1/6 lunar gravity parabolas. (Just like the lunar astronauts, you can make small steps and giant leaps.) Finally, you get to sample what it is like to live and/or travel in space.

Nothing can prepare you for your first encounter with zero-gravity. You'll be bouncing uncontrollably about the cabin like human popcorn, accidentally touching fellow passengers in places you'd never dream of touching them on Earth. Soon, you'll master the fine art of moving in zero-gravity and performing out of this world maneuvers! Just like an astronaut, and just like Dr. Charles Simonyi (in the photo above), who is training for his mission to the International Space Station (ISS). [Image credit: Space Adventures, Ltd.]

Extreme orbital adventure: Space Adventures, Ltd., which offers space experiences to the very wealthy, is the only company to have successfully launched private tourists to the International Space Station (ISS), currently has a contract with the Federal Space Agency of Russia that provides them with the sole rights to transport the next four private space explorers to the ISS.

"I have always dreamed of the wonder of spaceflight and the exploration of space has always inspired me. I consider my future flight (to the International Space Station) to be a small part of an important trend to make space accessible to more people, not just to experts. I am very much in favor of commercial space travel which promises to advance technology just like commercial aviation did many years ago." ~Dr. Charles Simonyi

Extreme stratospheric adventure: The Global Western Company in Denver, Colorado is working on making near space flight a reality.

Their flights into the stratosphere will be on a 1.3 million cubic foot balloon called "Strato-X", and the missions are described as "two people, two days, at 100,000 feet"!

A normal flight will last about 40 hours, and the "stratonauts" will be suited up in partial pressure suits. The initial ascent rate is about 900 feet per minute.

At this rate it will take about 3.5 hours to reach a "float" altitude of 100,000 feet.

This is an altitude that no humans, except astronauts and a very few elite military test pilots have been to (such as those flying the Russian MIG-25.

Being above 99% of the earth's atmosphere, the sky is black above and blue below!

Extreme "edge of space" adventure: [Space Adventures, Ltd.] Of all the legendary MiGs, the MiG-25 "Foxbat" flies the fastest and goes the highest. Space Adventures has a seat reserved for you in the cockpit of this amazing supersonic high altitude interceptor. It is capable of Mach 3.2 and rockets to a height of over 80,000 feet - to the edge of space where the sky is black above and blue below.

Your pilot will be one of Russia's finest "top guns", and you'll have the best seat in the house for an unforgettable view of planet Earth! [Image credit: Space Adventures, Ltd.]

Extreme hydrolab adventure: [Incredible Adventures] If you are in good health and have a full day to spare, you can train inside the hydrolab, the same underwater training center used by cosmonauts to prepare for space walks. You'll suit up in an authentic Orlan Space Suit (equipped with health sensors) for a simulated mission inside the neutral buoyancy tank. [Image credit: Incredible Adventures]

Extreme spaceport adventure: [Space Adventures, Ltd.] American adventure company, Space Adventures, Ltd., has confirmed that Australia is now the most likely location for its planned suborbital spaceport.

"Numerous government authorities in Australia view the construction and operation of a suborbital spaceport as a truly unique opportunity to bring numerous jobs and, eventually, thousands of tourists to the area," said Chuck Sammons, vice president of Suborbital Spaceflight and Spaceport Development for Space Adventures. "We, at Space Adventures, continue to strive to bring private space travel to all private citizens worldwide. Selecting a viable location for our spaceport is another step in making commercial suborbital spaceflight a reality."

Extreme combat adventure: [Incredible Adventures] The British Aircraft Corporation Strikemaster 167 is a jet fighter/bomber with a top speed of 900 kph. Designed for reliability and safety, the Strikemaster can accelerate from 0 to 600 kph in less than 20 seconds. The jet is powered by a Rolls Royce "Viper" jet engine producing 3,410 lbs. of thrust. It can climb to 37,000 feet. The Strikemaster has flown in a variety of air forces, including the air forces of Great Britain, Singapore, New Zealand, Kenya and Saudi Arabia. The fighter features side by side seating, allowing for easy communication between you and your pilot during each mission. [Image credit: Incredible Adventures]

Note from Technophile: You can fly one of two types of missions: 1) An "Air Combat Mission": Participate in three air combat engagements, learning the dynamics of a flat engagement, then a vertical engagement and finally a three dimensional dog fight. And 2) a "Low Level Strike Attack Mission": Descend to 500 ft above the ground for a low-level run-in to the target, flying up and over ridges and into valleys to avoid radar and visual detection. Pop up and roll in on the target for a simulated weapons delivery. Dive down then pull straight into the vertical to rocket upward and perform high “G” aerobatics. Being a pilot, this is the adventure for me!

From Dan Lelevier, ET (Extreme Technology) Consumer Product Advisor: While you're on your Extreme Adventure, you will definitely want to take a "Turbo Charge" with you. Turbo Charge is an electronic, reusable, portable cell phone charger! This revolutionary product was recently chosen as one of the "Top 5 Products of 2006" at the famed Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Shortly thereafter, the product was picked up by QVC, highlighted on Good Morning America, ABC News, Fox News, and has captured news headlines across the United States. Get it here.

Turbo Charge can be used anywhere in the World when you travel (or in the case of unexpected power outages). The ultra small device runs on a single "AA" battery and provides up to 3-hours of talk time, and it works with ALL cell phones!

Don't let your talk time get cut short. Electronic, portable, and reusable, the Turbo Charge cell phone charger is equipped with exclusive Dual AlgorChip technology for extra power. It's digitally controlled for a safely regulated charge, and made of convenient lightweight aluminum that allows you to charge anywhere, anytime. Just click on the banner below:

Extreme Mobile Office

2006-04-12T18:37:00.000-07:00

:: Executives can now travel in business jet style without leaving the ground!
++ Auto Tech: Country / Howard Becker / Becker Automotive Design

For some business tycoons, flying in a Gulfstream or Learjet, or an Extreme Business Jet, may not make economic sense in the course of their everyday business. Their trips just may be too short, or there may not be any airports close to their destination. However, because time is money, they still need to be productive while traveling. And they need to arrive at their destination feeling rested, refreshed, energized and ready to work.

For these people, a $250,000 van conversion from Becker Automotive Design may be the perfect answer. The interior amenities alone make this mobile office worth every penny. The 32" LCD screen functions as a computer display, a display for the GPS navigation system, your "window on the world" from either of two closed-circuit video cameras, and a screen to watch satellite television, or movies from the DVD player (complete with an 11-speaker sound system).

Note From Technophile: A built-in Dell PC is accessed by a wireless keyboard and infrared pointer (to control the curser). High-speed internet access is provided by a Verizon EVDO card. The handcrafted leather seats are not unlike a business-class seat on an overseas flight. Curtains and several layers of sound-deadening material isolates passengers from traffic noise, effectively allowing them to concentrate, rest, reduce stress, and focus on their work. A single blog post cannot do justice to these incredible SUVs. However, Becker has an excellent site with lots of high quality pics and diagrams. You can view it here.

:: Source: [Business 2.0 Magazine]
:: Image Credits: [Becker Automotive Design, Inc.]
:: Innovation: Traveling in jet-set style without leaving the ground.
:: Available: Now.
:: Cost: $250,000 (add $75,000 or more for armored protection).

Note from Dan Lelevier, ET (Extreme Technology) Consumer Product Advisor: If you would like to have satellite television in your home as well as your Extreme Mobile Office, this satellite DISH deal cannot be beat: Up to 4 rooms of equipment for free (a $2,000 value). Free home protection plan. Free Digital Video Recorder. Free lifetime equipment warranty. Three months of Starz movie channel for free. $10 off for the first ten months. The lowest priced all-digital service in America ($19.95 a month for the basic channels). Free professional installation, and free home theatre system (with a DVD player)!

Click on the banner below to get it all from the #1 provider in America (according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index - ACSI):

Extreme Boating Stability!

2006-04-12T03:29:00.000-07:00

:: An Anti-Rolling Gyro (ARG) system has been developed, over a twelve year period, utilizing advanced technology developed for the space program!
++ Marine Tech: USA / Marine Motion Dampening System / Marine Max

The ARG operates on the principle of a “Control Moment Gyro.” A heavy flywheel, spinning at high speeds, is supported by a gimbal mechanism which rotates to generate an effective suppression force on the rolling motion of a boat.

The Ferretti 880 has joined the FERRETTI YACHTS product range in top position. The new 27 meters superyacht introduces a new approach to experience a high-class motor boating through wide and luxury spaces, a preserving atmosphere and matchless performance.

The major design effort undertaken by Studio Zuccon International Project and the Engineering Division of FERRETTI YACHTS can be recognized in wide flying bridge, where the different "islands" constitute an invitation to spend sunny days and relaxing times. Cruising is made more comfortable thanks to a large corner sofa located near the pilot-house, accompanied by a coffee table. The horse-shoe-shaped sofa can seat 8 persons around the table for an open-air lunch. A large round tub with positioned hydro-massage, can be located in the center of the large sunbathing platform where guests can comfortably chat with those seated as well as those having a hydro-massage.

What really makes this yacht special is that it can be fitted with multiple Anti-Rolling Gyros! (Ferretti Group Yachts have the exclusive rights to fit the ARG stabilizers on all of their yachts for the entire european market.)

"ARG" or Anti-Rolling Gyro, produces a gyroscopic momentum within the vessel that reduces the rolling motion known as "Rolling Angular Velocity"

The ARG comes as a self-contained unit, requiring only secure mounting to the boat structure (the gyros spin at 4,400 to 2,000 rpms - depending on the size) and a source of electricity.

A simple control panel is included to turn the system on and off and monitor its function.

Ease of use and low maintenance are among the system’s numerous advantages.

Note From Technophile: The gyroscope units vary in weight from 639 to around 3,750 pounds and take up about the same space as a genset. There is no noise from the units, except for a faint hum that can be heard while standing right next to them. Estimated roll reductions are approximately 50 percent. Having recently returned from a sailing trip in the San Diego harbor, I can really appreciate this technology, as at times the sailboat (while at anchor) would rock and roll considerable from the wakes of power boats.

:: Source: [Beyond Tomorrow]
:: Image Credits: [Marine Max, FerrettiGroup, USA]
:: Innovation: Using space technology to reduce the rolling motion of yachts!
:: Available: Now.
:: Cost: Comparable in price to conventional fin stabilizers.

Note from Dan Lelevier, ET (Extreme Technology) Consumer Product Advisor: If you think the Ferretti 880 has lots of gadgets, visit the Oregon Scientific store! From MP3 players to digital cameras, iPod accessories to fitness electronics – let’s face it, gadgets are a gotta-have, and are only getting hotter. Oregon Scientific offers a wide variety of products, ranging from youth and learning to sports and fitness. Its devices couple innovative technology with fluid design, and feature advanced liquid-crystal displays (LCD). Built from its hallmark of timing and weather devices, Oregon Scientific is expanding to meet diverse needs of its customers to enhance the way we live, work and play. Consider Oregon Scientific as Technology Designed for Life! To go to their store, just click on the banner below:

Extreme Cancer Fighters!

2006-04-08T21:49:00.000-07:00

:: A new drug has been developed that can prolong the life of liver cancer patients by several months.
++ Bio Tech: Hong Kong / Adrew Young / Hong Kong Polytechnic University

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has won one Special Gold and Gold Award in the 33rd International Exhibition of Inventions, New Techniques and Products, which was held earlier on in Geneva. This award was for their novel method in the treatment of liver cancer. This is the first drug developed in Hong Kong that has been able to come to the stage of clinical trial. It is regarded as a cornerstone in the development of bio-technology.

The new drug, called "BCT-100, developed by scientists Thomas Leung, Thomas Lo, and Paul Cheng, is showing promise as an alternative to chemotherapy (without the nasty side effects). Instead of killing off the cancer cells, it starves them and buys precious time for patients, while at the same time giving them a better quality of life.

Note From Technophile: Human trials have recently began on the drug, which is made of an edible bacterium called Baccilus subtillis. The bacterium creates a natural chemical that destroys cancer-causing arginine proteins. This new drug is considered to be a first step in finding a more permanent cure for liver cancer, which kills some 1,400 people in Hong Kong each year.

:: Source: [The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)]
:: Innovation: First step in finding a permanent cure for liver cancer!
:: Available: Soon.
:: Cost: $8 million.

"My cancer scare changed my life. I'm grateful for every new, healthy day I have. It has helped me prioritize my life." ~Olivia Newton-John

:: Crushed Pineapple stems can fight cancer by blocking the growth of breast, lung, colon, ovarian, and melanoma tumor cells!
++ Bio Tech: Australia / Tracey Mynot / Queensland Institute of Medical Research

Australian scientists have discovered pineapple molecules can act as powerful anticancer agents, and could lead to a new class of cancer-fighting drugs.

Scientists at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research said their work centered on two molecules from bromelaine, an extract derived from crushed pineapple stems that is used to tenderize meat, clarify beers, and tan hides. One of the molecules (CCZ) stimulates the body's immune system to target and kill cancer cells. The other (CCS) blocks a protein called Ras, which is defective in 30 percent of all cancers.

"In searching for these components, we discovered the CCS and CCZ proteins and found that they could block growth of a broad range of tumor cells, including breast, lung, colon, ovarian, and melanoma," Mynott said. While clinical trials are a long way off, Mynott said the research had huge potential. "The way CCS and CCZ work is different to any other drug in clinical use today," she said. "Therefore, CCS and CCZ will represent a totally new way of treating disease and potentially a whole new class of anticancer agent."

Note From Technophile: The institute has launched a two-year study to examine the safety of the treatment and means of securing a reliable source of CCS and CCZ. If it succeeds it will seek a commercial partner to develop a drug that could be used in human clinical trials.

:: Source: [Queensland Institute of Medical Research]
:: Image Credit: Diane Groves, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (thanks, Diane, for your excellent photo of a "baby" pineapple).
:: Innovation: Developing a whole new class of anticancer agent.
:: Available: Unknown.
:: Cost: Millions.

"She's going to be fine. She's really lucky her cancer has been treatable. She's getting better by the day. I can't wait to see her back on her feet. She's inspirational, she's a fighter." ~Dannii Minoque (Australian Actress)

:: Single-malt whisky can protect against cancer!
++ Bio Tech: London / Dr. Jim Swan / Charlene Nuble

Dr. Jim Swan, an independent consultant to the global drinks industry, said that, according to research, single-malt whisky contains "more ellagic acid than red wine."

He said that ellagic acid is an effective "free-radical scavenger" that "absorbs" or "eats up" rogue cells that occur in the body during eating.

"The free radicals can break down the DNA structure of our existing cells, which then leads to the risk of the body making replacement rogue cancer cells," he said.

"So, whether you indulge in the odd tipple, or you are a serious connoisseur, whisky can protect you from cancer--and science proves it."

Note From Technophile: Lesley Walker of Cancer Research UK finds the claim dubious. "There is considerable data documenting the link between drinking excess alcohol and the increased risk of a number of cancers, particularly in smokers," she said. "Ellagic acid is a powerful antioxidant, but that does not mean it is necessary to hit the bottle," she said, noting that the ellagic acid can also be found in soft fruits.

:: Source: [Charlene Nuble]
:: Image Credit: Dominic Morel, Knysna, Western Cape, South Africa

:: A combination treatment that can double the survival rates for pancreatic cancer, a disease that has very high mortality rate.
++ Bio Tech: Milan, Italy / Michele Reni / San Raffaele H. Scientific Institute

Many patients with pancreatic cancer die within a few months of diagnosis because their condition is already far advanced by the time it is spotted. The standard treatment is a single chemotherapy drug, gemcitabine (Gemzar), which interferes with the growth of cancer cells. However, the survival rate is not good. Only 17 to 28 percent of diagnosed patients using gemcitabine survive beyond a year.

Italian researchers recruited 99 volunteers with pancreatic cancer and assigned gemcitabine-only treatment to 47 of them, while the other 52 were given gemcitabine in combination with other chemotherapy drugs: Cisplatin (Platinol), Epirubicin (Ellence), and Flourouracil (Adrucil). After a year, about 40 percent of the group on the combination treatment had survived, twice that of the gemcitabine-only group.

Note From Technophile: The study was led by Michele Reni, an oncologist at the San Raffaele H. Scientific Institute in Milan, who suggests that a wider trial be carried out before the combination treatment is enshrined as the new standard.

:: Source: [San Raffaele H. Scientific Institute]
:: Innovation: Using combination therapy to double the survival rate of cancer patients.

:: Treatment switch almost doubles the chances that breast cancer will not reoccur.
++ Bio Tech: Vienna, Austria / Raimund Jakesz / Vienna Medical University

Women diagnosed with early breast cancer who are on the mainstream drug tamoxifen can greatly improve their chance of avoiding a recurrence of the disease if they switch treatment after two years.

Austrian and German doctors looked at data from two big trials in which patients were randomly assigned just tamoxifen for their postsurgery drug, or were switched to anastrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, after two years on tamoxifen.

At a follow-up five years after surgery, women who made the switch to anastrozole were 40 percent less likely to have a recurrence of breast cancer.

Of the 1,606 women in the tamoxifen-only group, there had been 110 cases of recurrence by the five-year mark.

Among the 1,618 in tamoxifen-then-anastrozole group, there were 67 cases of recurrence.

Note From Technophile: The study was headed by Raimund Jakesz, a professor at Vienna Medical University.

:: Source: [Vienna Medical University]
:: Image Credit: Marek Bernat, Wroclaw, Dolnoslaskie, Poland.

Extreme Streaming!

2006-04-06T22:56:00.000-07:00

:: The Internet is about to become a major medium for delivering high-definition TV, video content and movies on-demand!
++ IP Tech: California, USA / IPTV / MatrixStream

The future of the Internet may have been realized. The MatrixStream system lets users download high-definition video content (such as television shows, movies, concerts, sporting events, and music videos) over standard broadband lines at incredible speeds (as fast as 6 Mbps).

MatrixStream has optimized the video streaming delivery method so that DVD quality videos can be delivered over the internet in real time (provided you have a broadband connection that is at least 3 times the desired video bandswidth). They have overcome the inherent problems of the Internet such as traffic bursts and unstable bandwidth by combining the best of streaming, push VOD (Video On-Demand) and download VOD technology.

The general rule about downloading HD (High Definition) video using competing technologies, is that downloading the content takes longer than watching it.

The peer-to-peer file sharing model, popularized by technologies such as BitTorrent, breaks a movie up into various pieces to transmit it, inherently increasing wait times.

With the speed MatrixStream is achieving, you could download a 90-minute movie in less than 15 minutes (this means you can watch it while you are downloading it - also known as "streaming").

MatrixStream's patent-pending MatrixCast protocol is extremely efficient in the delivery of video to digital media clients such as an IP (Internet Protocol) set-top box (like the IMX 1020 High Definition set-top box, shown above) or the PC. MatrixStream has spent years in optimizing this video delivery method, because like many others (including cable and satellite companies), they have realized that that video streaming is the future of the Internet!

Note From Technophile: MatrixStream's end-to-end solution is designed to be plug-n-play. IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) providers can deploy a MatrixStream solution quickly and easily without all the hassles of integrating different pieces of IPTV solutions from different vendors. All they need is one (or more) MatrixStream servers. The end-user can view streaming video on multiple digital media platforms such as their PC, television, or their home theatre system (each set top box fully supports Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound via the optical PCM output). The set top box can also be used as a server to provide a multi-room video environment. The whole family can then access the entire VOD library stored on the digital media server and watch different videos at the same time. Incredible!

:: Source: [MatrixStream]
:: Image Credits: MatrixStream.
:: Innovation: Delivering HD (High-Definition) video over the Internet on-demand!
:: Available: Now (to view a podcast about this technology, click here).
:: Speed Test: To know how fast your Internet connection really is, click here.

A quote from the movie, "Matrix": "Morpheus: Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself."

Extreme Singing & Dancing Robot!

2006-04-03T19:54:00.000-07:00

:: The QRIO Entertainment Robot is Sony's newest corporate goodwill ambassador, an embodiment of the company's dreams of melding artificial intelligence with autonomous movement, communications capabilities, face recognition, space perception, stable bipedal locomotion, and real-time motion control.
++ Robot Tech: Japan / Sony / QRIO

He doesnt just sing and dance; QRIO has a clear singing voice and has fluid moves to rival any of today's pop superstars.

He's also a smart and likeable fellow who can recognize voices and faces, memorize words, stabilize his body so he can walk on uneven surfaces, and get up on his own when he falls down.

He even has capabilities for accessing and sharing information from the Internet, and can even convey intimacy with words and actions.

Featuring the latest technology in voice and face recognition, motion control and communication, Sony QRIO has also contributed to the creation of a new generation of Sony products and technologies.

His posture sensors are taken from the steady-shot technology for the HandyCam; his movements come from the precise machinery assembly of Sony's CD players.

Note From Technophile: QRIO (pronounced "Curio") is still in the early stages of development, but he has already made the first pitch at a San Diego Padres game, conducted for the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra in concert, played soccer in Portugal, and performed a traditional Thai dance for a live audience in Bangkok. During a visit to Athens this summer, QRIO even gave a short speech and interacted with visitors. QRIO's development could lead to more exciting technology concepts and innovations from Sony in the future. You can also view him in action on his home page at www.sony.com/QRIO. Since 2003, countries all over the world have been sponsoring special soccer games as part of the RoboCup project. The ultimate goal is for robots to play against humans, and win!

The ultimate goal of the RoboCup project is to by 2050, develop a team of fully autonomous humanoid robots that can win against the human world champion team in soccer.

RoboCup is an international joint project to promote AI, robotics, and related fields. It is an attempt to foster AI and intelligent robotics research by providing a standard and complex problem where a wide range of technologies need to be integrated and examined.

RoboCup chose to use soccer games as a central topic of research, because of the challenges that the game represents. In order for a robot team to actually perform a soccer game, various technologies must be incorporated including: design principles of autonomous agents, multi-agent collaboration, strategy acquisition and goal seeking, real-time reasoning, robotics, and sensor-fusion.

Solutions to these challenges can be applied towards solving socially significant challenges as well as other challenges found throughout the industry.

:: Source: [QRIO]
:: Image Credits: Sony.
:: Innovation: Human vs. Humanoid: QRIO is one of the first steps towards developing a team of fully autonomous humanoid robots that can win against the human world soccer champion team.
:: Available: 2050
:: Cost: Unknown.

Quote from I, Robot (2004):

"Detective Spooner: Can a robot write a symphony? Can a robot turn a canvas into a beautiful painting?

Sonny: Can you?"

Extreme Gravity Car!

2006-04-02T10:49:00.000-07:00

:: The Volvo "Aria" won the grand prize in the extreme gravity competition by designing a car, without a motor, that reached a top speed of 54 mph!
++ Auto Tech: USA / Don MacAllister / Extreme Gravity Racing (EGR)

Extreme gravity racing is a high-tech, high-speed version of the quintessentially grassroots soapbox derby, a slice of Americana that has fascinated kids for the past seven decades.

Conceptually, not much has changed since the first event was staged in 1934: Build a small, simple race car according to tightly constrained rules, and coast down a racetrack powered by nothing more complicated than gravity. However, a lot has changed in the design of the cars, as evidenced by Volvo's "Aria", the car that won the latest extreme gravity car race!

“We paired a cost-effective fiberglass body with a steel-frame chassis and space-age high performance ceramic components, orchestrated with the latest sophisticated computer modeling and test techniques, yielding a design that reflects and harnesses Volvo’s brand and Scandinavian soul.” ~Blair Taylor, Volvo Designer, and leader of the Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center (VMCC) team.

The Extreme Gravity Competition, was founded by Don MacAllister of America Works for Kids. Their way of helping foster kids is to provide as many job opportunities for them as possible during the extreme gravity races. This helps support the foster kids transition from the foster care system to become working, self-sufficient members of the community!

“We were very happy with how the kids were able to contribute to the Monterey race,” said MacAllister. “It would have been very difficult to carry out the race without the hard work of our foster kids. I look forward to their involvement in the upcoming Irvine race.”

Volvo won the grand prize for design in its first attempt (2004) to build a gravity car. It was constructed from lightweight materials such as aluminium, carbon-fibre and fibreglass giving it an "anorexic" weight of just 15 kgs. Every inch of this car was optimised for aerodynamic performance, and to decrease rolling resistance. The rider lies face down inside cramped bodywork with their head just behind the front wheel, steering is controlled by handlebars attached directly to the front axle, and braking is done by a trigger on the left handlebar. This car tops out at around 40 mph.

Note From Technophile: Aerodynamically optimized, engine-less cars (built by engineers and stylists at nine automobile manufacturers) race wheel-to-wheel, while hurtling down intimidating curves, essentially turning extreme gravity racing into a mini "Formula One". As in a traditional soapbox derby competition, gravity still rules, but the materials, fabrication techniques and costs have moved into the 21st century. Computer-aided design and carbon-fiber components are commonplace, and engineers are experimenting with demon tweaks ranging from formula-car suspensions to tires that are integrated into the wheels. Several teams used computational-fluid-dynamics programs to shape the futuristic bodywork. Some even tested their cars in wind tunnels!

:: Source: [Gravity Series, Inc.]
:: Image Credits: Gravity Series, Inc.
:: Innovation: Designing and building gravity powered cars that can travel at incredible speeds!
:: Available: Now.
:: Cost: $100,000 for design and development. $30,000 (donation) to purchase.

"To finish first, you must first finish." ~Rick Mears

Extreme Ski Domes!

2006-04-01T11:37:00.000-08:00

:: Snow domes are fast becoming an alternative to the expensive (and sometimes disappointing) pilgrimages to the mountains in search of the perfect snow!
++ Ski Tech: Arlington, Virginia, USA / Mills Corporation

Indoor skiing has been around for years, with about 30 snow domes already up and running in Spain, Germany, Japan and England, and dozens more are in the planning stages, in places as disparate as New Jersey and Dubai.

One of the newest ones is located in the Madrid suburb of Arroyomolinos (about 10 kilometres south of the Spanish capital). It is called Xanadu, (pronounced zan-ah-doo) and it is part of a huge, 1.4 million square-foot, 220-shop mall called Parque de Nieve Xanadu Madrid.

Two hundred and fifty metres long and 80 metres wide, it's big enough to accommodate two CFL football fields laid end to end, with room to spare. Featuring live bands, slopeside DJs, lasers, disco balls and colored lights, the electricity bill tops $57,000 each month! [To view a great video of the grand-opening of Xanadu, click here.]

Serviced by a four-person chairlift, it can accommodate up to 300 skiers on its perfect, daily-made snow in its constant, climate-controlled environment.

Xanadu represents the Spain of tomorrow. It has been drawing growing numbers of middle-class Spaniards. They may not have the euros to tackle the Sierra Madres, but they do like a little adventure, and a lot of flash, mixed with their shopping.

Building on the success of the Madrid Xanadu, a $1.3 billion, a New Jersey Xanadu is set to open in late 2007.

The American project has super-sized the blueprints of the Spanish complex with a planned 4.8 million-square-foot entertainment complex. Located just five minutes outside of Manhattan, the ambitiously sprawling venture has been under construction since March and also boasts a professional hockey venue, a skating rink, and an ESPN skatepark.

If built as planned, the Xanadu indoor snowpark will run 820 feet long, stand seventeen stories tall, and accommodate 300 riders at one time. Featured inside the chilled box will be four runs, two halfpipes, a user-friendly moving carpet, two quad chairlifts, moguls, kickers, and rails. For the big spender, Xanadu will provide rental equipment, VIP lessons with snow boarding pros, valet parking, freestyle workshops, and even a luxury spa!

Note from Technophile: The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority required $160 million in upfront lease payments for the Meadowlands Xanadu project. On March 22, 2006 the developers authorized paying the final $31 million owed, ahead of the March 31st deadline. It looks like there will be two Xanadus indeed! By the way, "Xanadu" was the palace of Kubla Khan (his empire covered much of Asia).

:: Source: [The Science Channel]
:: Innovation: Two high-tech complexes that allow humans to enjoy snow sports (and more) year 'round.
:: Available: Now (in Spain), 2007 (in the USA).
:: Cost: $1.4 million (in Spain), $1.3 billion (in the USA).

"In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
A stately pleasure-dome decree:
Where Alph, the sacred river, ran
Through caverns measureless to man
Down to a sunless sea." ~Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Minamalistic Motoring Magic!

2006-03-31T02:57:00.000-08:00

:: Do you own a Honda? Now you can own the closest thing to a F1 (Formula One) experience in a road car. It goes from 0 - 60 mph in 2.91 seconds, and it has the same motor as your Honda.
++ Auto Tech: United Kingdom / Simon Saunders / Ariel Motor Company

Designed with a clean sheet of paper, by a company with a 108 year race car heritage, the Atom is a completely unique car built for outright performance and dedicated to serious fun!

Famous for innovative engineering, advanced design solutions and performance oriented vehicles, Ariel, founded in 1898, is one of the oldest names in British motoring history. From race cars to motorcycles, Ariel represents a 108 year tradition of automotive design and innovation. The Atom continues that tradition with one of the most exciting pieces of automotive design ever.

Minamalistic . . .

It has no seat padding or upholstery. It has no roof, no doors and no windscreen. No anti-lock brakes or airbags. If it doesn't need it, it hasn't got it. The exposed Honda iVTEC engine is bulletproof and the beautifully detailed suspension and substantial steel chassis are brilliantly executed. It feels special before it's even turned a wheel. This car is built without any concession to comfort, all that matters is handling and performance. One squeeze of the throttle is enough to leave Porsche divers struggling in its wake. The Ariel Atom turns conventional wisdom on its head to embarrass some of the biggest names in the automotive business.

Motoring . . .

"It’s as cool as a Phillipe Starck Juicer, as tempting as any of the brushed aluminium toys you find in an airport gadget shop. But unlike underwater currency converters, I doubt you’d ever get bored with what it can do. In terms of sheer thrills the Atom is easily a match for the Porsche Carrera GT which makes its price look almost ludicrously low. That’s yet another reason why I have no hesition in giving the Atom five stars. This car is motoring nirvana." [Sunday Times, Jeremy Clarkson]

Magic!

"How to describe this car's acceleration? Well you're effectively entering a Spirit World. It's more than a parallel universe you didn't know existed: it's an entirely human-created land, an almost religious place which at first shocks you into muted fear, but after a time draws you in and traps you. The fastest of all Atoms, a track tool that will give everything - and I mean everything - something to think about, and one that looks properly 21st century and handles like a mid - engined single seater." [Autocar Magazine]

"Hit the throttle in the Atom and the scenery scrolls backwards at astonishing speed. Suddenly all other cars on the road appear to be standing still. For comparison with the stripped down racer feel I get behind the wheel of the Lamborghini Gallardo, a car rightly regarded as being an exceptionally exciting machine in its own right. The Lambo, incredibly, feels about as quick and responsive as a passenger bus. My senses have become horribly warped by the Atom, in a twilight zone where otherwise normal physical laws have been renegotiated... I'm off to find a very accommodating bank manager." [Driver Magazine, New Zealand]

Note from Technophile: The 300 hp version is equivalent to 1,000 hp because of the low weight-to-horsepower ratio. The cockpit is wide and accommodating with the pedals perfectly positioned. This car is sensational and deserves every success as a club racer. It looks quick and is quick. Add slick tires and front and rear spoilers and you have a serious racing car with one huge advantage: You can take a friend along!

[Thanks to an email message from Craig Bramscher, I can now offer the following update to my post: Brammo has begun shipping the Ariel Atom (in the United States) equipped with the GM Ecotec 2.0 Liter engines in 205, 230, 245 and 300hp configurations. Nine additional Honda powered cars are to be made in 2006 for US customers. The deposit for these cars is $20,000 rather than the standard $10,000 as they are obtaining the engine in advance due to the very limited availability. They do not know whether additional Honda drivetrains will be available, nor do they know if 2007 will bring a new supply of Honda engines, so understand that this may well be the end of the Honda powered Ariel Atom for North America!]

:: Source: [Beyond Tomorrow]
:: Innovation: Making a true race car affordable, fun and available to the public as a road car.
:: Cost: Base price for the 300 hp, supercharged version is US $43,640, with many options that can drive the price up considerably.
:: Available: Now.

Air Bag For Riders!

2006-03-30T08:21:00.000-08:00

:: Motorcyle jackets and vests that incorporate "airbag" safety systems designed to protect the rider's neck, spine and vital organs in the event of a fall or collision!
++ Safety Tech: Japan / Mugen Denko Co, Ltd. / Hit-Air

Motorcyclists have long been the most vulnerable road users because they do not have an effective barrier between themselves and other objects in an accident. Until now!

The Hit-Air jacket system uses CE certified armor to protect the shoulders, elbows and the spine but most importantly, the Hit-Air jacket also incorporates an air cushion system.

If a rider is thrown from the motorcycle, the air cushion instantly inflates to protect the rider's body.

The inflated jacket provides the necessary impact protection.

After a few seconds the gas is automatically released through the gas release valve.

When inflated the airbag acts to reduce or prevent body injuries by absorbing collision blows or shock forces by being compressed at the point of impact and redistributing the load throughout the entire bag over the riders' body.

Activation is simple and automatic. A coiled wire lanyard is attached to both the motorcycle and the jacket. Once the rider and the motorcycle are separated, the coiled wire lanyard pulls a "key" out of a gas release system and inert gas inflates the air cushion.

A leather motorcycle jacket may help save you from "gravel rash" but will it help absorb the unexpected impact of being thrown to the road from your bike and a collision with a motor vehicle, guard rail or any of the many other "unfriendly" objects that are common on our roads?

Motorcycle accident statistics are clear: Collisions, resulting from a rider being thrown from the motorcycle and impacting with the ground or crashing into an obstacle such as a guardrail, are the main reasons for deaths and serious injuries.

More than 90% of these injuries are to the head, neck or chest. A helmet may protect the head but an impact to the helmet may also cause an injury to the neck. Hit Air offers protection to the neck where various kinds of protection padding have been lacking.

Protection is also provided for the front and the back of the body by a shock-buffering airbag system, offering riders additional protection during accidents.

The construction of the jackets is much stronger than most existing jackets as the materials and stitching have to cope with the rapid and forceful action of the airbag inflation. Compared with existing jackets too, the abrasion resistance is increased due to the additional layers and qualities of the airbag and its protective sleeve materials.

The airbag also prevents the jacket from being stripped off the rider and acts as a body "air splint" to keep the wearers' spine immobile – significantly reducing the risks of major spinal cord injury.

Note from Technophile: The jackets are already in use by police departments in Brazil, Italy, Japan and Spain and appear to offer significantly greater protection than a normal jacket. The inflatable vests are finding application in many other potentially dangerous activities such as horse riding and power sports. After activation, a slow air release valve automatically deflates the high pressure airbag over a 3-5 minute period. If the airbag is not damaged, the system is easily repacked and the activating mechanism reset within 3-5 minutes. The replacement CO2 cartridge costs only $20. The airbag itself is protected by a Kevlar sleeve and it is unlikely to be damaged. (The name "Hit-Air" means "hit air, not tarmack").

:: Source: [Hit-Air]
:: Innovation: Air chambers in jackets and vests that instantly inflate to protect the wearer in case of accident.
:: Available: Now.
:: Cost: There are 13 styles of jackets ranging from $700 to $960 and 5 styles of vests ranging from $600 to $750.
:: Image credits: Hit-Air.

Extreme Business Jet!

2006-03-28T13:30:00.000-08:00

:: The concept behind the Javelin Mk 10 is to combine state-of-the-art glass instrumentation, safety features, and two 1,800 pound thrust turbo fan jet engines, into a two-seater executive jet.
++ Aviation Tech: George Bye / Aviation Technology Group (ATG)

This is the instrument panel of the prototype/test cockpit (it is not what the actual civilian cockpit will look like). [Image credit: Aviation Technology Group]

With its high speed (600 mph), manoeuverability, and unprecedented performance, coupled with the economy, reliability, and comfort of a light business jet, the Javelin Mk 10 is unique in general aviation.

Whether you're a business executive, experienced pilot, or aviation enthusiast; the Javelin Mk 10 is the solution when you absolutely, positively have to be there on time. With dual controls in pressurized comfort, the Javelin Mk 10 caters to pilots who love to fly fast and passengers who love to ride in luxury.

Note from Technophile: It takes just a glance at the Javelin personal jet to understand that it was born from the intense desire to offer military performance to the general aviation market. The existence of a market prepared to pay $2.795 million for a two-seat jet aircraft (capable of Mach 0.90) has been verified by the Aviation Technology Group (ATG). It is holding 103 firm orders for the Javelin Mk 10 (accounting for the entire first year of production). Initial customer deliveries of the FAA-certified Javelin Mk 10 are slated for 2008, so if you get your order in now, you'll still be waiting until 2009 to be the first in your neighborhood to have one of these beauties! [Special thanks to Sara Newton, Communications Manager for ATG, for taking the time to communicate with me (by email) in order to ensure the accuracy of this post. Thanks, Sara!]

:: Source: [Aviation Technology Group (ATG)]
:: Innovation: Filling a niche in the aviation marketplace by building a personal jet that is similar to a military jet.
:: Cost: $2.795 million (taxes not included, folks).
:: Speed: Mach 0.90 (600 mph)!
:: Maximum Rate of Climb: 10,000 feet per minute.
:: Certified Ceiling: 45,000 feet.
:: Available: Certification/first delivery = 2008.
:: Image Credits: [Aviation Technology Group (ATG)]

"There is no excuse for an airplane unless it will fly fast! "~ Roscoe Turner

Free Beer!

2006-03-26T11:04:00.000-08:00

:: Fred's pub is a special place, it is named after Frederick Miller, the founder of Miller Brewing Company!
++ Biz Tech: Frederick Miller / Miller Brewing Company

Yes, it offers seven beers on tap and 13 varieties of bottled brew, but that's not what makes this bar special. This 2,700-square-foot bar is special because company employees always drink for free!

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best (regardless of whether you are building a rocketship to Mars, or the best tasting beer). Miller Brewing Company has the technology of beer making down to a science. However, for six years they have not been able to increase their sales. Until now. [Image credit: Molla Zi, New York, New York.]

Free beer is the brainchild of Norman Adami, a chief executive, and he is on a quest: To make his company the new "King" of beers.

Note from Technophile: Norman believes that drinking their own product allows the employees to get to know the business better (I think Norman is a cool guy). His idea has certainly helped to re-energize the company. But has it helped the company to sell more beer? Sales of Miller beer increased in 2006 for the first time in six years. You get to decide. (It gets better! After doing some digging, I found out that one of their employee's many benefits is 3 cases of beer a month and and extra one on your birthday!) Miller tastes great indeed!

:: Source: [Miller Brewing Company]
:: Innovation: Giving employees free beer as an incentive to increase profits!
:: Available: Now.
:: Cost: Depends on the thirst of their employees.

"Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza." -Dave Barry

Got The Time?

2006-03-26T06:33:00.000-08:00

:: Physicists have found the law of nature which prevents time travel paradoxes, and thereby permits time travel!
++ John Gribbin / Time Travel For Beginners

What allows time travel to be possible turns out to be the same law that makes sure light travels in straight lines (and which underpins the most straightforward version of quantum theory, developed half a century ago by Richard Feynman).

Relativists have been trying to come to terms with time travel for the past seven years, since Kip Thorne and his colleagues at Caltech discovered (much to their surprise) that there is nothing in the laws of physics (specifically, the general theory of relativity) to forbid it. [Image credit: Sanja Gjenero, Zagreb, Croatia]

Among several different ways in which the laws allow a time machine to exist, the one that has been most intensively studied mathematically is the "wormhole". This is like a tunnel through space and time, connecting different regions of the Universe (different spaces and different times). [To view my post about a "Macroscopic Tranversable Spacewarp!", click here.]

The two "mouths" of the wormhole could be next to each other in space, but separated in time, so that it could literally be used as a time tunnel.

What has made time travel seemingly impossible is the possibility of paradoxes. What if a time traveler goes back in time and accidentally kills his or her grandfather? If you killed your grandfather before you were born, how could you be born and travel back in time to kill your grandfather? The list of possible paradoxes is endless.

Watch the excellent movie "Somewhere In Time", and try to answer the following question: Where did the watch come from (for a decent answer to this question, click here)?

How great would it be if we could simply pause life, rewind a mistake, or fast-forward through an exam? Or go back (or forward) to our future in order to see the consequences of our present decisions.

If time travel really is possible (after seven years of intensive study, all the evidence says that it is - although maybe not in a Delorean) there must be a law of nature to prevent such paradoxes arising, while permitting journeys through time.

Igor Novikov, who holds joint posts at the P. N. Lebedev Institute, in Moscow, and at NORDITA (the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics) in Copenhagen, first pointed out the need for a "Principle of Self-consistency". Now, working with a large group of colleagues in Denmark, Canada, Russia and Switzerland, he has found the physical basis for this principle.

It involves something known as the Principle of least action (or Principle of minimal action), and has been known (in one form or another) since the early seventeenth century. It describes the trajectories of things, such as the path of a light ray from A to B, or the flight of a baseball tossed through an upper story window. [Image credit: H. Destreich, Franfurt, Hessen, Germany]

Action, in this sense, is a measure both of the energy involved in traversing the path and the time taken. For light (which is always a special case), this boils down to time alone, so that the principle of least action becomes the principle of least time, which is why light travels in straight lines.

Feynman, who was entranced by the principle of least action, formulated quantum physics entirely on the basis of it, using what is known as the "sum over histories" or "path integral" formulation, because, like a light ray seemingly sniffing out the best path from A to B, it takes account of all possible trajectories in selecting the most efficient.

So self-consistency is a consequence of the Principle of least action, and nature can be seen to abhor a time travel paradox. Which removes the last objection of physicists to time travel in principle. This leaves it up to the engineers to get on with the job of building a time machine. [Image credit: Daniel Cardle]

Note from Technophile: The "action" is a property of the whole path, and somehow light (or "nature") always knows how to choose the cheapest or simplest path to its goal. In a similar fashion, the principle of "least action" can be used to describe the entire curved path of a baseball thrown through a window (once the time taken for the journey is specified). Although the ball can be thrown at different speeds on different trajectories (higher and slower, or flatter and faster) and still go through the window, only trajectories which satisfy the Principle of least action are possible. In a mathematical tour de force, Novikov and his colleagues have shown that only self-consistent solutions to the equations satisfy the principle of least action. In their own words, "the whole set of classical trajectories which are globally self-consistent can be directly and simply recovered by imposing the principle of minimal action".

:: Source: [Time Travel For Beginners]
:: Innovation: Being able to travel forward and backwards in Time!
:: Available: Unknown.
:: Cost: Unknown.

Extreme Undersea Habitats!

2006-03-25T07:56:00.000-08:00

:: How about an island of unique, self sufficient, non-polluting, semi-submerged dwelling environments?
++ Sea Tech: Giancarlo Zema / Italian Naval Architect / Sub-Find

Life, say the experts, began in the sea. And if the way we spend our vacations is an accurate indicator, there are few things we enjoy more than revisiting our submerged roots. Cavorting with dolphins, badgering sharks from the safety of steel cages and photographing exotic fish through the portholes of tourist submarines fascinates landlubbers from Prague to Peoria.

For those who find these forays into Neptune's realm too brief, Italian naval architect Giancarlo Zema has the perfect dream home, the Trilobis 65. Part yacht and part submarine, it could possibly convince Captain Nemo to hang a "for sale" sign on the Nautilus.

At first glance, the Trilobis 65 (named after the Trilobites, prehistoric creatures that lived in the sea 500 milion years ago) looks as if it would be more at home soaring into the sky than plying the waters of atolls, bays and maritime parks. Looking at a computer image of the bow conjures up visions of the flying saucers in science fiction films.

The Trilobis's blueprints, however, reveal a nautical heritage that reaches back to the humble dugout while simultaneously embracing 21st century technologies that include high-strength composites, photovoltaic panels, foam-reinforced fiberglass, and nonpolluting hydrogen fuel cells.

Perhaps the most striking feature of Zema's design is one that reflects his willing recognition of the great unspoken truth about luxury yachts. Powerful engines and sleek hulls aside, these vessels typically stick close to home. Acknowledging the fact that well-heeled mariners often prefer to keep their floating palaces moored inches from the dock, Zema also designed a special type of marina that will enable like-minded Trilobis owners to create their own floating villages. The traditional rectangular dock will disappear, to be replaced by a roughly 60 foot in diameter circular island in the shape of a 6-tooth gear, into which individual yachts fit like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

Note from technophile: Descending from the top to the craft's third level, yachtsmen will enter what Zema calls the day area. Its use of space is a reminder that spherical structures are more efficient than rectangular ones. As with the space above it, the day area is surrounded by self-shading glass, offering a panoramic view from the gourmet kitchen, formal dining area and three seating groups. On this level, the spiral stairway serves a secondary function of separating interior and exterior spaces. Sliding glass doors fully retract, opening onto a teak deck.Returning inside and following the stairway down one more flight leads to what is known as the night zone. The Trilobis sleeps six, with a premium on privacy. The design calls for two single and two double bedrooms, each with a private bathroom. With the deck at this level beginning 3 ft. below the waterline, the wraparound window cuts off at eye level.This level also houses the yacht's propulsion system, which consists of two electric motors. Each is rated at about 300 hp. They are powered by hydrogen-fed Ballard fuel cells. The hydrogen for the fuel cells will be stored in a pair of 240-gal. tanks located just aft of the single bedrooms. The fuel supply is not intended for ocean crossings, but to be sufficient for moving the yacht to nearby reefs to explore seasonal changes in marine life and catch a true fish-eyes view of unusual migrating species.

:: Source: [Sub-Find]
:: Innovation: Technology that allows anyone to live in a unique environment inside of a self-sufficient, nonpolluting dwelling that exists in unison with the surrounding ocean !
:: Available: Unknown.
:: Cost: $4 - 5 million.

Extreme Superyacht!

2006-03-23T03:41:00.000-08:00

:: The 118-foot (36-meter) WallyPower is a high performance superyacht that flawlessly integrates technology with design.
++ Design Tech: Principality of Monaco / Luca Bassani / Wally

Just about everything concerning the $33 million WallyPower is Extreme: The propulsion system consists of three gas turbines that generate 16,800 HP. These drive water jets that push this high tech craft to a top speed of nearly 60 knots. The fuel capacity is 5,812 gallons. Fuel consumption at top cruising speed is one liter per second, or about 15 gallons per minute!

The sleek lines of the WallyPower are the result of an extensive R&D (Research and Development) programme that included the tank testing at the SSPA facility in Goteborg, Sweden, and the wind tunnel testing in the Ferrari facility at Maranello, Italy. The wind tunnel tests were conducted to optimize the air inlets of the gas turbines, to verify any turbulence and back flow of the exhaust gas on deck and living areas, and to have a further confirmation of the geometry of the hull and superstructure.

The hull form is a deep "V" of 22 degrees at the stern, with a straight stem bow designed to perform as "wave piercing". An innovative interceptor system controls the boats trim to improve even further performance and comfort in any sea conditions.

The deck is flush and features from bow to stern: the tender garage (where you can store your water "toys" and have them hoisted into the water by crane), the social cockpit, the glass superstructure, and the aft cockpit. Large open areas are designed to allow humans to comfortably and safely move around the deck when at anchor.

The yacht features all the spacious comforts of a mega yacht together with all the nautical characteristics of a coast-guard boat: while remaining comfortable on board, guests are capable of cruising at nearly 60 knots not only in flat seas but also in rough waters.

The pure lines of the WallyPower are enhanced by the absence of visible cleats, mooring winches, radar antennas, TV domes, and anchor systems. Everything is perfectly and neatly concealed and hidden (without sacrificing functionality).

The deck, cockpit, navigation, dining and saloon areas have been conceived as one continuous element. Inside the superstructure, the atmosphere if that of a New York style loft. The open space incorporates three areas, from stern to bow: the saloon, the dining/seating area, and the navigation cockpit.

The spacious galley encloses the crew mess with a 15" plasma screen. The galley is equipped with a professional oven and stove, as well as plenty of refrigerators.

The port console is dedicated to the engineering, start-up, and monitoring systems while underway. The starboard one serves for the steering, control, communication, navigation and interceptor systems.

Note from Technophile: Genuinely new and high-tech, from her engine room to her folding radar mast, the WallyPower has Carbon Composite, Fiberglass, Nomex, Lexan, Triple Laminate Glass, Honeycomb construction, and a superbly minimalist Euro interior by Lazzarini & Pickering. The chameleon-like paint finish is metallic dark green and changes reflections and colour depending on the light and landscape. If the Gotham City branch of Ikea ever gets into designing mega-yachts, this is what they would look like! This is an express motoryacht with berths for six guests (in three "en suite" staterooms), and six crew. I cannot do justice to this incredible technology with one blog post (it would take an entire web site), so I encourage you to go to the Wally site and look around. It is extremely interesting!

:: Source: [The Science Channel]
:: Innovation: High tech, high performance Superyacht!
:: Cost: $33 million!
:: Available: Now!
:: Image credits: Wally

Sustainable Urban Wind Power!

2006-03-19T17:38:00.000-08:00

:: Absolutely sensational small scale wind turbine technology that will allow you to "stick it the man (power company)"!
++ Environ Tech: Netherlands / Delft University of Technology / Turby B.V.

This 2.5 kilowatt wind generator designed for rooftops can generate enough electricity to reduce the electric bill of a typical home by two thirds.

The Turby is a brand of vertical axis Darrieus wind turbine. The three vertical aerofoil blades have a helical twist of 60 degrees, similar to Gorlov's water turbines. Since the wind pulls each blade around on both the windward and leeward sides of the turbine, this feature spreads the torque evenly over the entire revolution, thus preventing the destructive pulsations (and noise) of the straight-bladed wind generator.

Another advantage of the helical twist is that the blades generate torque well from upward-slanting airflow. This is negligible in open country, but tall buildings and cliff faces generate a bow wave which directs airflow up and over them.

Turbines mounted on building rooftops or clifftops are exposed to significantly slanting flow, and the Turby can extract more useful energy from it than a propeller-type turbine can.

The turbine measures 2.0 meters in diameter by 2.9 meters high (including generator), and weighs 136kg. It is specified to generate in winds of between 4 meters/second and 14 meters/second, and can survive winds of 55 meters/second.

Rated power at 14 meters/second is 2.5 killowatts. The AC (Alternating Current) output from the synchronous generator is rectified to DC (Direct Current), then inverted to AC. The Turby's angled layout of the magnets aids in minimizing startup torque.

Note from Technophile: Couple the Turby with some PV (Photo Voltaic) solar panels and you could either remove yourself from the grid and become self sufficient, or make you electric meter run backwards and sell electricity to the power company. The neat thing about this sort of "hybrid" power system is that normally when the sun doesn't shine, the wind is blowing (like in the case of a storm). What can make you real happy is when the sun is shining and the wind is blowing at the same time!

:: Source: [Beyond Tomorrow]
:: Innovation: Absolutely sensational small scale wind turbine technology!
:: Available: Now.
:: Cost: £ 11,466 (turbine and generator).

Note from Dan Lelevier, ET (Extreme Technology) Consumer Product Advisor: You can't get a better cellular phone deal than this! LetsTalk is an independent reseller of cellular phones and services plans. You can actually get a better deal through them than you can by going directly through the carrier (they activate phones for Alltel, Cingular, Nextel, Sprint, T-mobile, and Verizon). They also offer pre-paid solutions from MetroPCS and Cricket. Their website offers user-friendly features such as "find and compare", "quick search", and "top sellers". The bottom line: Same plan, better phone, less out of pocket expense! If you get a Turby, you can use your new phone to call everyone and let them know how much you saved on your cell phone and how much you're saving on your electric bill!

Fly Like A Vulture!

2006-03-18T17:51:00.000-08:00

:: Just like Gollum the Vulture, you can learn to fly in a high-tech wind tunnel designed for skydivers!
++ Personal Tech: Simon Ward / AirkiX

A vulture that can't fly became airborne for the first time in a new wind tunnel designed by SkyVentures for indoor skydivers.

Four-year-old Gollum (an African White Back Vulture) was bred in captivity so couldn't learn to fly by launching himself off cliffs like wild vultures do. The result of his wind tunnel flying experience is that he can now fly unaided.

Imagine a wind tunnel that could be used for testing the aerodynamics of an F1 (Formula One) racing car, turn it upright, step into the airflow and you are flying! It's a proven concept operating in several countries to the benefit of the skydiving community and anyone else who wishes to taste the thrill of freefall in a completely safe environment.

The setup is simple, a 12ft (3.66m) diameter tunnel has two open doorways into the ante chamber (in effect, the outer chamber) which can seat up to 15 people. Inside the flight chamber is the invisible airflow and all is calm in the outer chamber. The flight chamber has a sprung floor made from aircraft standard steel wires. The instructor will spend much of their time walking on the floor as they look after flyers.

To enter the tunnel, stand in the open doorway and lean forward, you will feel your legs lifted from under you as you assume a horizontal flying position. The instructor will take a loose grip on your flight suit and help you get into a neutral flying position before teaching you the basic moves.

Movements such as going up and down, forwards, backwards, sideways and turning are all simple and easy to master and you will soon be learning acrobatic tricks! To leave the tunnel, simply fly to the second doorway, take a grip on the sides and stand up and you are back in the ante chamber. Don’t worry about small matters such as jumping, falling or hitting the fans – it just can’t happen!

Starting at the bottom of the wind tunnel is a plenum that is 27.4m long by 8.5m wide and 4m deep (90x28x13ft). Inside are some huge aluminium banks of turning vanes that smoothly turn air around corners in straight lines. This takes out the turbulence.

The air is forced through the inlet contractor in the centre of the plenum and up into the flight chamber. The inlet contractor squeezes the air into the chamber at normal flying speeds of about 100-110mph (161-177 kph).

The air travels through the clear acrylic walled flight chamber and on up through the diffuser before hitting turning vanes at the top that turn the air left and right into the huge fans which push the air out into the top corners where it is turned on its downward path through the return air towers (RATS).

Note from Technophile: This tunnel is very cool (or warm) depending on the weather. It recirculates the air which gets warm very quickly as the 1000HP motor creates energy and heat. Warm air can be forced out of a huge door and cool air sucked in from an opposite mounted door. The air then gets a final turn at the bottom corners before the cycle starts again at the turning vanes back into the inlet contractor. In winter it’s warm and in Summer it’s cool!

:: Source: [The Science Channel]
:: Innovation: Using wind tunnel technology to allow people to fly!
:: Available: Now (there are seven tunnels world-wide).
:: Cost: At AirkiX, if you book online, £37.99 (£32.99 off-peak) will get you a short class with a video brief and instruction, and 2 flights of one minute each – that’s about the same as three tandem skydives.
:: Image Credits: AirkiX

Urban Light Transportation!

2006-03-15T20:07:00.000-08:00

:: PRT (Personal Rapid Transit) provides on-demand driverless travel using its own guideway network!
++ Environ Tech: Martin Lowson / Advanced Transport Systems, Ltd.

ULTra (Urban Light Transportation) offers an advanced form of PRT, giving effective, low cost and sustainable transport for cities, airports and special developments worldwide.

ULTra is an innovative form of Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system. ULTra (Urban Light Transport) emerged from a fundamental reappraisal of the transport needs of a city. It is designed to meet the expectations of passengers - convenient, inexpensive, reliable, safe and easy to use, while also satisfying public demands for value for money, ease of construction and environmental benefit.

Conventional forms of public transit require passengers to collect in groups until a large vehicle is scheduled to travel on predetermined routes. In contrast, ULTra offers personal transport with no waiting, and takes passengers non-stop to their chosen destination. This is a transport system which is as convenient as, or in congested environments more convenient than, the car, but with minimal environmental impact.

Note from Technophile: The passenger uses the system by going to the nearest station on the network. Stations are distributed around the area served like bus stops or cab ranks. At each station there are a series of berths at each of which the passenger can select their desired destination. This is done via a smart card process. Because each passenger can be identified by their smart card the service can be personalised to respond to any special requirements of the passenger. The passenger destination selection is passed to central control which provides movement instructions to the vehicle assigned to the berth. The passenger boards the programmed vehicle which takes them to their desired destination automatically, non-stop and by the best available route. At the destination the passenger leaves the vehicle, which may either wait there for the next fare or, alternatively, be redirected by central control to places with known demand. Four out of 5 passengers will have no wait. The rest will have less than a minute to wait. It doesn't get much better than that!

:: Source: [Beyond Tomorrow]
:: Innovation: A revolution in personal transportation!
:: Available: The first paying passengers before the end of 2006.
:: Cost: Over £15 million and 50 man years of design effort.
:: Speed: 45kph (25mph).

Macroscopic Tranversable Spacewarp!

2006-03-14T21:24:00.000-08:00

:: An Iranian "Einstein" believes that tranversable spacewarps can be created, allowing us to travel between countries, planets, and even the stars!
++ Space Tech: Mohammad Mansouryar / FTL (Faster Than Light) Travels

An Iranian student by the name of Mohammad Mansouryar (known to his friends as "Mammad") wants to lead a world-wide revolution in physics, but does anyone care?

You should care! The development of wormhole technology may very well be mandatory to ensure the long term survival and/or prosperity of our species.

Mammad's methods would allow people, spacecraft, and other useful goods to take a cosmic bypass, riding a spacewarp through an artificially created wormhole that radically alters distances through space while maintaining spacetime stability for the passengers and/or cargo!

This rendition, by artist Les Bossinas, depicts a hypothetical spacecraft with a "negative energy" induction ring, inspired by recent theories describing how space could be warped with negative energy to produce hyperfast transport to reach distant star systems. [Image credit: NASA]

This rendition, by artist Les Bossinas, depicts a cockpit view of a hypothetical spacecraft traveling at eight-tenths the speed of light and shows the visual distortions that would be experienced at such high speeds. The star field is actually being wrapped toward the front of the craft in addition to being significantly blue-shifted. [Image credit: NASA]

Like the author of Centauri Dreams, I am not competent enough in theoretical physics to completely understand Mansouryar's analysis. However, because he was kind enough to correspond with me by email, I think I understand the basic concept for creating an artificial wormhole (what Namsouryar calls a Virtual Pregnant Worm, or VPW): If you take metal plates, and duplicate these anywhere else in the known universe, and arrange them in a certain way (Mansouryar calls every couple of plates a cavity, and his style of arranging them asymmetric perforating), you would yield the initial energy needed, from the "vacuum fluctuations", to warp spacetime!

If you could build a wormhole on earth, theoretically you would walk through it and emerge elsewhere, just like in the movie "Stargate", and what they do on the popular television series, SG-1 almost every day. Image Credit: [Don Cook's Digital Café]

Note from Technophile: The mechanism that Mansouryar is starting with is to experiment with two special plates separated by a nano distance.

No human or useful goods could traverse between these plates.

However, according to Mansouryar, if you take a framework of metal plates along with special electromagnetic equipment to create a charge-back reaction, you could create enough "needed" energy to create a "macroscopic" spacewarp.

A huge challenge to spacewarp engineers is to find a way to allow humanoid passengers to pass through.

Mansouryar thinks he has found the way!

:: Source: [FTL Travels]
:: Innovation: Traveling long distances instantaneously using artificially created wormholes.
:: Available: Could be realized in less than a year.
:: Cost: Millions (but worth it)!

Quantum Leap!

2006-03-07T21:30:00.000-08:00

:: Michelle Simmons is among the physicists racing to keep us computing by making the Quantum Computer a reality!
++ Extreme Tech: Michelle Simmons / Centre for Quantum Computer Technology

As the limits of traditional silicon look set to hit a ceiling in the next few years, the work of Professor Simmons and other quantum computing researchers offers the best hope of continuing processing speed and improvements.

The biggest barrier to the future of semiconductor manufacturing is the size of the transistor, which needs to shrink to fit in the same amount of space. The pathways etched into the original 4004 processor in 1971 were 10 microns wide (about 1/10th the width of a human hair). The pathways on the latest Intel processors are 65 nanometres (nm) wide (about 1/1500th the width of a human hair).

Engineers expect pathways to go down to below 5 nm, possibly even 1 nm (although there's probably a practical limit at 10 nm).

Given the width of your average atom is only about 1/10th of a nanometre, we're getting to the point where the atoms themselves are simply too big for our engineering purposes.

Even with continual developments in semiconductor materials, manufacturing and an emphasis on parallelism rather than producing faster and faster single chips, the days of the microprocessor as we know it appear to be numbered.

The US-based Semiconductor Industry Association sees a point in about 15 years where the barriers to continued scaling of transistors will get the better of us. At this point we depart from conventional semiconductor engineering and go quantum in order to see computing's future. The task for Professor Simmons and other researchers at the Australian Centre for Quantum Computer Technology is to build a quantum computer.

Technogirl has a morning chat (her last) with extremetech:

extremetech says I just finished building my Quantum Computer! In order for it to work, it has to interact with an alternate universe on the sub-atomic level.
technogirl says According to quantum mechanics, any interaction with another universe could result in decoherence, causing a flux quantum Shift, making it collapse into a single fixed state. This could kill everyone living in that universe!
extremetech says Shift happens!
technogirl says OK, then, start it up!
extremetech says OK, I'm hitting the Shift key!
Poof! The universe, as we know it, is destroyed by some extreme techie!

Simmons' prototype is made of silicon, the same materials used in a traditional microprocessor. Her work is concerned with developing the technology to build qubit test structures in silicon atom by atom with atomic precision.

A qubit is a "quantum digit" and is the quantum computing equivalent of a bit. It not only represents a 0 or a 1 but, because of the vagaries of superposition, it can also represent other values in between 0 and 1. This means computations done with qubits can process much more information than conventional computers.

Her "qubit" is a single phosphorus atom in silicon. Her goal is to be able to engineer devices where she can control the position of single phosphorus atoms, their environment and how to electronically manipulate them. Each of these is a challenge.

The barriers to continued transistor cramming do not stem from a lack of faith in human ingenuity. The problem is we can't change the laws of physics - and that is where quantum physics offers the best hope for continued computing advances.

Note from Technophile: Intel co-founder Gordon Moore observed that the complexity of an integrated circuit at a given cost would double every 18 months. Computer chips would get faster, while their price stayed the same or fell. This so-called "Moore's Law" is challenged by the speed limits of the universe, which make further miniaturisation beyond a certain point impossible. Normally, nothing can travel faster than the speed of light, including information. However, some quantum particles are fundamentally linked together, so if a change takes place in one particle, the other particle also changes instantaneously. This is known as "entanglement", and is used in a quantum computer to enable two or more qubits to interact and exchange information. However, there is a problem. It's called "decoherence": When a particle in a state of quantum superposition is observed, it "collapses" into a single fixed state. When it does so, it loses all its quantum information - essentially changing from a qubit into a bit. If decoherence occurs in a quantum computer, all the valuable superposition information is lost and the computer ceases to function!

Source: [Center For Quantum Computer Technology]
Innovation: Build a better, faster computer.
Available: Difficult to determine. Simmons predicts 10 years (or more) from now.

The Nose Knows!

2006-03-07T11:44:00.000-08:00

:: Surgeons implanted nasal stem cells in the spine of a quadriplegic and the results are extremely incredible!
++ Med Tech: Dr. Steven Hinderer / Center For SCI Recovery

Witness an extraordinary medical breakthrough. A young woman is told she’ll never walk again after a car accident left her a quadriplegic. But Erica Nader is standing up and doing things doctors never thought possible. The secret to her recovery may be due to a new experimental treatment designed to repair her spinal cord, and believe it or not, it’s all thanks to her nose!

Until now it was believed that adult stem cells grew only in bone marrow and the brain. The discovery of the nasal stem cells sprang from the observation that sensory neurons in the nose (the olfactory epithelium) are able to regenerate throughout life. Since these neurons are often killed by bad smells, colds and viruses, they need to regenerate throughout life to maintain sensory function (your sense of smell).

Given this ability to regenerate, it was thought that nasal stem cells might be able to assist with the reconnection of the nerves across the region of damage in the spinal cord.

Griffith University (Brisbane) researchers say there have been positive results in a trial of the use of transplanted nasal cells to help paraplegic patients. A year ago, cells were taken from six volunteers and implanted into their damaged spinal cords.

The Center for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Recovery at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan is a world-class facility that offers therapeutic programs and techniques based on the newest information available from emerging research around the globe.

In late March 2003, Erica Nader became the first American to undergo Olfactory Ensheathing Cell (OEC) implantation. This jumpstarted a collaborative program between Dr. Carlos Lima, a Portugese pioneer in the procedure, and the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, located in Detroit.

Note from Technophile: Erica was injured, went through a traditional rehab program and was being told frequently and emphatically that she was not expected to recover and that she should get on with her life. That was not a message that she was prepared to hear. After two years of therapy, she is now showing signs of at least partial recovery. Sensory restoration is evident down to about the T10 level, and partial motor restoration has resulted in greatly strengthened abdominal muscles and the ability to stand with braces and a walker. Her arms and hands have also been strengthened, with some return of grasping ability.

Would you like to know more? Click here for an excellent article on the tech of Spinal Cord Regeneration. Click here for a personal note from Erica Nader (OEC Implantation Pioneer). To learn about the tech of using autologous incubated macrophages to promote recovery from spinal cord injury, click here, and here.

:: Source: [Center For SCI Recovery]
:: Innovation: Transplanting stem cells to regenerate damaged nerve tissue.
:: Available: Now (if you qualify for the clinical trials).

Virtual Treasure Hunt!

2006-03-06T01:00:00.000-08:00

:: THE FUTURE OF GAMING is location-based games for GPS-enabled phones!
++ Peter and Robert Sprogis / Your World Games

It's morning and your cell phone directs you to a nearby Starbucks - not just for a mocha, but also for a free vial of magic potion. Spotting a friend in line, you strike him down with your virtual scepter! Three thousand points to you!

Inspired by a new FCC regulation requiring cell-phones to use GPS technology, Your World Games was founded and the owners filed a patent on games that send players on virtual treasure hunts in real-life locations via GPS. Their first title, The Shroud, is due this spring. To protect a farming village from enemies, players visit specific spots all aver the United States (and race against other players).

KnowledgeWhere, a Calgary, Alberta, company has already shipped two successful GPS games (Swordfish and Torpedo Bay) from their subsidiary, Blister Entertainment.

Now it's trying to sell retailers like 7-Eleven on what it calls the "the cowboy effect" - hearding players into stores using the games.

How much would McDonald's pay to be the setting of your personal victory over evil? The Sprogises can't wait to find out.

Note from Technophile: Imagine a mix of Harvest Moon and Zelda. Now put your tongue back in your mouth! There are hardcore gamers circling the mobile scene now, and looking for games that will speak to them, and if The Shroud is able to hit all of the marks the ambitious Hardcore 3D folks are aiming for, I believe you'll be seeing more than one person walking straight into a telephone pole because they're concentrating too hard on turning back a stream of Golems pouring forth from dimensional breaches!

:: Source: [Your World Games].
:: Innovation: A revolution in gaming!
:: Available: Spring, 2006.
:: Cost: $150,000 is the typical cost for a new game.
:: Market Potential: $43 billion by 2010!

Five Billion Star Hotel!

2006-03-05T14:30:00.000-08:00

:: Need to get away from it all? Extreme Technology presents a tour of the CSS Skywalker, an orbital resort that’s a lot closer to reality than you might think!

++ Aviation and Space: Robert Bigelow / Earth Orbiting Hotel!

When it comes to grand ambition, the impresarios of the Las Vegas Strip are mere pikers next to Budget Suites owner Robert Bigelow. For his next hotel enterprise, Bigelow is looking beyond the bright lights of Las Vegas—beyond Earth’s atmosphere, in fact. He is actively engaged in an effort to build the planet’s first orbiting space hotel.

For its water show, this hotel will have all of Earth’s blue oceans flying past its windows at 17,500 miles an hour. Guests on board the 330-cubic-meter station (about the size of a three-bedroom house) will learn weightless acrobatics, marvel at the ever-changing face of the home planet, and, for half of every 90-minute orbit, gaze deep into a galaxy ablaze with billions of stars.

Developed at NASA as part of a project called TransHab, inflatable space-station modules have some important advantages over their tin-can counterparts. They weigh significantly less, and they launch in a compressed state, with their fabric hulls wrapped tightly around their rigid cores like a roll of paper towels. This allows them to use less-powerful launch vehicles and makes for roomier space stations.

After a rocket fires a Nautilus into space, explosive bolts will release the girdle securing the compressed hull, and then the station’s life support system, housed in the core, will inflate the structure with breathable air, expanding it from 15 feet in diameter to 22 feet.

Power comes from solar panels that unfold from the rigid bulkheads at each end of the module. Each bulkhead also houses an airlock and a docking adaptor. Astronauts arriving later enter a shirtsleeve environment in which they can go to work unpacking removable panels, equipment and supplies from the core to create three levels of living and working space.

A docked rocket engine called a multi-directional propulsion bus (MDPB) will eventually allow the station—the first one is tentatively called CSS [Commercial Space Station] Skywalker—to maneuver within Earth’s orbit or even leave it, for, say, a trip to the moon.

Welcome to your Space Hotel Lobby! Fiberglass panels will cover the fabric webbing, visually dividing the module’s living areas. Open passages will connect the levels.

Note from Technophile: This basic architecture was created by NASA senior engineer William Schneider, in an effort that began in 1997. The design won numerous converts at NASA, with then- administrator Daniel Goldin calling it a major breakthrough. For a while, it was seriously considered as an alternative to the International Space Station (ISS) Habitation Module under development at the time by Boeing. But TransHab was cancelled without explanation in 2000, before it could produce flight-ready hardware. Its demise is an example of what Bigelow sees as NASA’s monumental inefficiency. Here was a perfectly good program to develop a technology that was less expensive and tougher than conventional designs, but, as far as Bigelow could tell, it got axed for purely political reasons.

:: Source: [Bigelow Aerospace]
:: Innovation: Making living in space available to humans (other than astronauts)!
:: Available: January 10, 2010 (make your reservations)!
:: Cost: Bargain basement hotel prices start at $7.9 million per week (a bargain compared to the $20 millions it costs to live on the ISS for a week)!

Obedient Luggage!

2006-03-03T16:19:00.000-08:00

:: Fido luggage is a state-of-the-art suitcase that (thanks to advanced motion robotics) will faithfully follow you around the airport, train station, or park!

++ Personal Tech: Peter Yeadon / Fido Luggage Project

Dragging your luggage around the airport is, well, a drag. You've probably imagined almost every scenario possible for making life easier when traveling. Almost - because you definitely haven't thought of this: Using motion robotics and voice recognition technology, Fido Luggage packs the trainability and loyalty of a dog into a bright, shiny suitcase that follows you around.

The obedient invention comes from architect/designer Peter Yeadon, who merges high-tech, scientific, and utilitarian approaches into a body of work that is as stupefyingly brilliant as it is hilariously ironic.

Fido has laser sensors that keep it from nipping the heels of other travelers, and the ability to recognize and navigate uneven terrain. The internal battery can be recharged through an electrical cord, and also recharges through the rotation of Fido's (independently controlled) wheels! Fido's shiny coat comes in an array of solid colors and computer-generated patterns, or you can customize your own. And for times when Fido gets tired, a leash comes built-in.

Fido Luggage appears, at first glance, to be remarkable only because of its colorful exterior and blob-like shape. But then you might notice it at all. Until it moves on its own, heels beside its owner, and changes direction on command.

The owner wears a wristband, which holds an on-off switch for activating Fido, and a receiver for programming voice recognition. And in ways that only a robot can be superior to a dog, even when Fido gets old, you can still retrain it to respond to new commands.

Note from Technophile: This innovative work provides a new advancement in Universal Design. Fully commanded by voice activation, there is no need to drag or lift your luggage, just tell Fido what to do. Once trained, Fido is able to recognize your voice and follow your lead. You may now toss your haphazardly rollerskating luggage out the window and go in search of Fido. It's a traveler's new best friend.

:: Source: [Peter Yeadon]
:: Innovation: New advancement in luggage design!

Interactive Wall!

2006-03-01T23:25:00.000-08:00

++ Jason Bruges / Jason Bruges Studio
ENVIRONTECH :: Lighted wall interacts with people as the walk by!

The Puerta America Hotel, in Madrid is integrating artwork into its design. But it is not your typical, boring hotel artwork. We're talking lights and magic!

The "Memory Wall" shown here is integrated into the lobby space and interacts with humans passing by.

Note from Technophile: Working in collaboration with architect Kathryn Findlay, the interactive installations are the only integrated artworks created for the hotel and will be a permanent part of the 8th floor lobby and corridors.

:: Source: [Jason Bruges Studio]
:: Innovation: Ground breaking art that interacts with humans!

Micro-Village!

2006-03-01T21:58:00.000-08:00

++ Richard Horton / Micro Compact Homes, Ltd.
ENVIRONTECH :: A village of seven micro-compact homes [m-ch], sponsored by international telecoms company O2 Germany, has been built at the Technical University, Munich.

The village, which was launched in November 2005, accommodates six students. The intention was that the selected six would live there, alongside their British Professor Richard Horden, for a single term.

The micro-compact home [m-ch] student village was commissioned by Dieter Massberg, director of the Technical University of Munich's Studentenwerk (Student Housing Authority). The project has been developed and supervised by Professor Richard Horden and colleagues at the TU Munich and by Horden Cherry Lee Architects, London, and Haack Hopfner Architekten, Munich.

The use of progressive materials complements the sleek design of these micro-compact homes [m-ch]. The low energy concept, providing a high level of insulation and low emission coated glass, contains heating and air conditioning that is easy to operate and adjust. Surfaces are chosen for their warmth and clean feel to touch, and windows have privacy blinds. Lighting consists of the latest LED low temperature technology, and communication and entertainment is provided by an integrated sound system with two flat screen TV monitors with broadband connection. The kitchen integrates a double radiant hob and microwave oven and a double compartment fridge / freezer combination.

The design of the micro compact home has been informed by the classic scale and order of a Japanese tea house, combined with advanced concepts and technologies in Europe.

The tiny cube (2.65 meters cubed) provides a double bed on an upper level and working table and dining space for four or five people on a lower level. The kitchen bar is accordingly arranged to serve these two levels. The entrance lobby has triple use and functions as a bathroom and drying space for clothing. Storage is provided for each of these four functioning spaces.

Note From Technophile: Micro-compact homes [m-ch] may be grouped in horizontal or vertical arrangements in compact clusters, or form larger villages for social or student accommodation or for short stay business or leisure use. The 02 student village of micro-compact homes at the Technical University of Munich has proved so successful that all six students living there have extended their stay from one term to the full academic year.

:: Source: [Micro Compact Homes, Ltd.]
:: Innovation: Building homes that are energy efficient and compact in form and function.
:: Available: Now!
:: Cost: $150/month to rent, $60,000 to buy!

Note from Dan Lelevier, ET (Extreme Technology) Consumer Product Advisor: Punch! Software is the world's #1 best-selling 3D home and landscape design software package! You can use it to design your own micro-compact home [m-ch], or village and do a 3D walk-through to see how you like it!

Understanding Human Consciousness!

2006-03-01T19:31:00.000-08:00

++ Bill Newsome / Stanford University - Newsome Lab
BIOTECH :: Neuroscientist Bill Newsome wants to implant an electrode in his brain to better understand human consciousness.

Bill Newsome, a neuroscientist at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, has spent the last twenty years studying how neurons encode information and how they use it to make decisions about the world.

But Newsome is obsessed with a lingering question: How does consciousness arise from brain function? He feels the best way to answer that question is by implanting an electrode into his own brain -- and seeing how the electric current changes his perception of the world.

Electrical stimulation of the brain is not new. Wilder Penfield, a neurosurgeon in Canada in 1930s and 40s, who pioneered the neurosurgical treatment of epilepsy, was the first to start stimulating the brains of conscious humans.

He wanted to be able to identify the parts of the brain involved in speech and movement, before he took out the piece of brain he thought was responsible for disease, so he developed ways to make a hole in the skull and expose the brain in fully conscious humans.

While he was stimulating the brain for clinical purposes, he also stimulated other parts of brain. He showed that by stimulating the visual cortex, you can get people to see stars or flashes of light. When he stimulated the auditory cortex, people could hear buzzing signals. When he went deeper into the brain, into the temporal cortex, he could elicit complex perceptions. A patient would say things like, "I'm sitting on the back porch of my mother's house and she's calling me to dinner."

Note from Technophile: Wilder Penfield did all of this in the 1930s, but the field never went anywhere because he knew nothing about the circuitry of the brain. Penfield was just stimulating neural tissue. He could elicit conscious phenomena, but he gained no insight into how, exactly, the conscious phenomena are related to the activated neurons. Now we know about single cells, neural circuits, and their selective properties. So we can make better hypotheses about how cells might contribute to cognitive phenomena such as perception or memory or attention. The second part, and one that is far more philosophical and complex, is how that brain activity translates into consciousness -- a person's self-awareness and perception of the world around them.

:: Source: [Newsome Lab]
:: Innovation: Exploring the frontier of human consciousness.
:: Image credit: Justin Moses

Backyard Buck Rogers!

2006-02-28T17:07:00.000-08:00

++ Juan Lazano / Backyard Rocketeer
Personal Tech :: From Buck Rogers to 007, the rocket pack has fueled our greatest personal-technology fantasies.

For Juan Lozano, it has inspired a lifelong obsession! The road to a rocket-belt flight is long. Today Lozano, 51, will attempt his 12th tethered flight since he first deemed his rocket belt ready for liftoff. Eight years and more than half a million dollars after he began building his device.

Lozano’s dream began when he was seven years old. It was February 1963, and NASA had brought its American space expo to the Campo Marte polo grounds in Mexico City. The expo’s star feature was the Bell Rocket Belt! Few, if any, of the 620,000 observers at the NASA expo would ever again see the likes of what they saw that February. Despite the great optimism of the early ’60s, in the rocket belt’s brief history, only 12 souls have flown one. More people have walked on the moon. But Juan Manuel Lozano didn’t want to go to the moon. It is the dream of flying that has him hooked!

“I have flown everything—gyrocopters, helicopters and aerobatic planes,” Lozano says. “The rocket belt is the hardest. If you can learn to fly a rocket belt, you can learn to fly anything!”

Lozano’s strategy is simple: Do it yourself, study the results, then do it again. To build his rocket belt, he has turned himself into a one-man team—researcher, designer, test pilot. The hope is that everything he has learned will lead to an untethered flight on a rocket belt of his own design and construction. If all goes as planned, he’ll then be able to sell a complete turnkey package of fuel machine, custom-fit rocket belt, flying instruction and tech support for $350,000. Two sales, and he will have made back his personal investment, with a little spare change for his next project.

The first thing he had to do was learn how to make his own fuel. Hydrogen Peroxide was his ticket to paradise. It was costly, for one thing, so unless he made it himself, training would be prohibitively expensive. Engineers and chemists alike told him that a person couldn’t make his own rocket fuel. And for good reason: Hydrogen peroxide is no joke. The stuff in your medicine cabinet that you use to clean a cut is about 3 percent hydrogen peroxide. The stuff that bleaches your hair is 6 percent. The stuff in a rocket-belt tank is 90 percent.

However, after eight versions of his Hydrogen Peroxide machine and, yes, 19 years later, Lozano was satisfied. It took that long to perfect the distillation, a process of delicately separating water from the peroxide.

Next, it was time to turn his attention to the catalyst pack, one that could react as powerfully as possible with his Hydrogen Peroxide. He found inspiration at his day job. In the back of the jewelry shop, Lozano mixed metals in small glass containers and noticed how different alloys and proportions caused slight changes in reactions and temperature. After two years of testing, he created what he calls the “penta-metallic catalyst pack,” composed of silver, gold, platinum, palladium and rhodium. Certain that he had derived the most reactive catalyst ever tested with Hydrogen Peroxide, he went about building not one or two but three working rocket belts.

Note from Technophile: When Wendell Moore created the first rocket belt, he had a lot of help. His team included advisers from the U.S. space program, as well as physicians, ergonomics experts, exotic-metal welders, machinists, draftsmen and materials-testing technicians. Lozano’s team is considerably leaner. With every test flight, Lozano learns more about his rocket belt and how to control it. When you’re flying a machine with multiple points of control and 800 horsepower coming off your back, any tiny adjustment can make a huge difference in your trip! Each time Lozano flies, he gets a little closer to removing the tether and flying free. If he flies free, he can sell at least one of his belts so he can continue to fund his work. If he flies free, he can line up endorsement deals and get handsomely paid to propel himself or an apprentice over a soccer game. If he flies free, he becomes a member of one of the most exclusive clubs in history!

:: Source: [Popular Science]
:: Innovation: Using a rocket pack to fly free!
:: Available: Soon.
:: Cost: $350,000 USD
:: Image Credits: John B. Carnett

Need A Lift?

2006-02-27T17:29:00.000-08:00

++ Tom Nugent / The LiftPort Group
Space Tech :: Take a ride 62,000-miles high in an elevator car the size of a Boeing 747!

The theory behind the Space Elevator is simple. First proposed 111 years ago by a Russian scientist, it was popularized by Arthur C. Clarke in his award-winning 1978 novel, The Fountains of Paradise, and goes like this: Earth is constantly spinning. So if you attach a counterweight to it with a cable, and put it far enough away (62,000 miles), the cable will be held taut by the force of the planet's rotation (just as if you spun around while holding a ball on a string). And if you've got a taut cable, you've got the makings of an Space Elevator!

A working Space Elevator would reduce the cost of launching anything into space by roughly 98 percent. The $500 million it takes to launch the average satellite (insurance not included) would be a thing of the past. Business won't have seen anything like it since the railroad. "All of a sudden," says Brad Edwards, a former Los Alamos National Laboratory astrophysicist who founded Sedco, one of the startups, "space will be open for real activity."

The cable, known to Space Elevator scientists as a ribbon (black line next to the red laser beam in the illustration, above), would be dropped in stages from space and hooked up to a floating platform similar to an offshore oil rig. The ribbon would most likely be made of spun carbon-nanotube fibers.

An elevator car roughly the size of a Boeing 747, able to carry hundreds of people or 200 tons of cargo, could climb and descend the ribbon at a speed of 120 mph. That means the first trip to geosynchronous orbit (22,000 miles) would take seven days, but scientists say that could be reduced to four days by the time the first passengers make the journey. (Still, bring a good book for when the view of Earth gets dull.)

Over time, a substantial transfer (way) station would be built at geostationary orbit, 36,000 kilometers (22,000 miles) up the cable. In addition to deploying satellites into other orbits, handling cargo, and even assembling or refueling spacecraft, the station could also become a tourist destination!

Note from Technophile: Not only would an elevator slash launch costs, but it would increase the amount of cargo capacity for orbital trips. More than 90 percent of the space shuttle's weight is fuel, with cargo making up less than 5 percent. On the elevator, no fuel is necessary, because the car would be electric, with power cells energized by a ground-based laser beam.

:: Source: [LiftPort Group]
:: Innovation: Giant elevator cars replace many rocket-powered flights into space!
:: Available: 2018
:: Image Credits: Alan Chan

Smart Antibody Bombs!

2006-02-26T10:47:00.000-08:00

++Jennie Mather / Raven Biotechnologies

At age 50, Jennie Mather left biotech giant Genentech to develop antibodies. The beauty of antibodies is that they're so much safer than other disease-fighting drugs. Antibodies are more targeted, going after specific disease mechanisms, and tend to have fewer side effects: A "smart antibody bomb".

Raven isn't the only company working with antibodies. One forecast puts the worldwide market in 2010 at $26 billion!

But Raven is turbocharging the way they are discovered and developed: Since 1999, Mather has raised $115 million in venture capital, and now has a colorectal and pancreatic drug in clinical trials.

Note from Technophile: In six years, Mather has gone from "that's impossible" to "that's unbelievable", to "why isn't everybody doing it that way?"

:: Source: [Raven Biotechnologies]
:: Innovation: A very smart female scientest doing things differently!

Disaster Master!

2006-02-26T09:52:00.000-08:00

++Steve Adams / Strategic National Stockpile

If the worst-case scenarios are terrible and horrible, and many people would die, then welcome to the world of Steve Adams, deputy director of the Strategic National Stockpile.

Set up back in 1999 as an arm of the CDC (Center for Disease Control), the SNS does two things: 1) Plan the medical response to a bioterror attack or pandemic, and 2) maintain a nationwide network of 12 secret warehouses filled with the supplies we'll need in the event of bioterrorism or a sudden, sweeping outbreak of disease.

The SNS has 30 million full courses of treatment for anthrax infection, for instance; billions of tablets.

Note from Technophile: Each warehouse holds 50 tons of identical supplies, preloaded into containers. The goal is to be able to deliver them anywhere in the country within 12 hours!

:: Source: [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]

Psychotech Pain Relief!

2006-02-26T09:00:00.000-08:00

Put on a $32,000 VR (Virtual Reality) helmet. Feel it fit snugly against your face. Suddenly you are sailing through the air in a deep glacial canyon, a cool blue river lies below, and picturesque snowflakes drift down.

As you look around, you see snowmen, igloos, an occasional penguin, and a few murderous robots, standing on narrow ice shelves along the sides of the canyon. Press a button and snowballs shoot forward. Arcing tails streak across the sky as your snowballs fly toward their targets, which explode satisfyingly when you score a hit. You are having fun playing in SnowWorld!

Virtual reality headgear has been around for a number of years. To create an illusion of stereoscopic vision and to exclude external visual stimuli, all VR set-ups use a pair of eyepieces mounted as close to the head as possible. The better systems are built with high-resolution monitors for each eye (for true 3-D), and motion sensors to allow the scene to shift as the person moves their head.

When the helmet is off, your every move hurts. Even with opiate pain medications, every touch causes excruciating pain. If you are a burn patient having dressings changed at Seattle, Washington's Harborview Medical Center.

Distraction, according to Harborview staff psychologist David Patterson (an expert on pain management), is known to be an effective way to reduce pain and anxiety, especially in a hospital setting.

Note from Technophile: Patterson and the University of Washington experimental psychologist Hunter Hoffman have been conducting a study in acute pain management in burn patients for a long time. They have tried hypnosis, relaxation therapy, guided imagery, and video games. "Immersive virtual reality" is one of the most effective methods they have seen!

:: Source: [Virtually Better]
:: Innovation: Using immersive virtual reality to reduce patient's suffering!

Yes, They're Real!

2006-02-26T00:32:00.000-08:00

Technically speaking, anyone can mine diamonds. But Robert Linares and his son Bryan can GROW them. In a process known as "chemical vapor deposition", the Linareses spray heated carbon gas over diamond chips. Under extreme pressure, the carbon atoms settle on the chips and conform to the structure. Wait a week or two, open the lid, and take out a fistful of diamonds of a size and quality almost impossible to find in nature.

A microwave plasma tool at the Naval Research Lab, used to create diamonds for high-temperature semiconductor experiments.

Put pure carbon under enough heat and pressure - say, 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit and 50,000 atmospheres - and it will crystallize into the hardest material known. Those were the conditions that first forged diamonds deep in Earth's mantle 3.3 billion years ago. Replicating that environment in a lab isn't easy, but that hasn't kept dreamers from trying. Since the mid-19th century, dozens of these modern alchemists have been injured in accidents and explosions while attempting to manufacture diamonds.

To grow single-crystal diamonds using chemical vapor deposition, you must first divine the exact combination of temperature, gas composition, and pressure - a "sweet spot" that results in the formation of a single crystal. Otherwise, innumerable small diamond crystals will rain down. Hitting on the single-crystal sweet spot is like locating a single grain of sand on the beach. There's only one combination among millions. In 1996, Linares found it.

Last June, he finally received a US patent for the process, which already is producing flawless stones. The price per carat: about $5.

Note from Technophile: By the end of 2007, Apollo aims to be producing flawless 1-inch by 1-inch diamond cubes that could drive research in areas such as neurological implants (diamonds are bio-inert), high-density holographic storage (with many times the capacity of Blu-Ray or HD-DVD), and precise, efficient optical switches in Internet routers. Within 10 years, the company plans to be growing diamond wafers the size of DVDs for use as semiconductors!

:: Source: [Apollo Diamond, Inc.]
:: Available: 2016
:: Innovation: Because diamond has a much higher melting point than silicon, Apollo's diamonds could be used to make much smaller, faster processors than are currently available (instead of a "Silicon Valley", we could have a "Diamond Valley").

Note from Dan Lelevier, ET (Extreme Technology) Consumer Product Advisor: Jewelry Television offers fine jewelry, watches, loose gemstones, castings, jewelry-making tools and related books. Jewelry Television is one of the largest retailers of loose gemstones in the world and their online store is incredible. You will be very pleased with their wide selection of "gotta have" items, and you will LOVE their amazing prices! This site is a true "gem" of the Internet.

:: FOLLOW UP from Technophile:

These diamonds are being called "immitation", "cultured", "synthetic", "real synthetic", and just plain "fake". Folks, these are real diamonds. These are not Cubic Zirconia or Moissanite, which are made to pass as diamonds. Lab-grown stones are the real thing. It's just that instead of the millions of years it takes to create natural diamonds, they're grown by man in a matter of days.

Even the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the foremost diamond research and grading body, acknowledges that these are diamonds. "To say it's not diamond is really false," says William Boyajian, gemologist and GIA president. "It's just man-made diamond."

I also prefer to call them "man-made", or "manufactured" diamonds, as opposed to "natural" or "mined" diamonds. Of course, right now, I would only refer to the diamonds coming from either Apollo or Gemesis as being the real thing.

Gemesis uses High Pressure, High Temperature presses (HPHT) to create colored stones such as "fancy yellows". He uses Russian designed presses.

Apollo uses Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) to create colorless diamonds. The process came out of research at MIT into developing diamonds for computer chips.

What is not generally know is that Apollo diamonds are thin, and they are brown to grey. After production, they need expensive HPHT processing to remove the color.

Beyond Gemesis and Apollo, one company is convinced theses diamonds are real: De Beers Diamond Trading Company. The London-based cartel has monopolized the diamond business for 115 years, forcing out rivals by ruthlessly controlling supply. But the sudden appearance of multicarat, gem-quality synthetics has sent De Beers scrambling.

Several years ago, it set up what it calls the Gem Defensive Programme - a none too subtle campaign to warn jewelers and the public about the arrival of "manufactured" diamonds. At no charge, the company is supplying gem labs with sophisticated machines designed to help distinguish "man-made" from "mined" stones.

In its long history, De Beers has survived African insurrection, shrugged off American antitrust litigation, sidestepped criticism that it exploits third world workers, and contended with Australian, Siberian, and Canadian diamond discoveries. The firm has a huge advertising budget and a stranglehold on diamond distribution channels.

But there's one thing De Beers doesn't have: retired brigadier General Carter Clarke. Clarke, 72, has been retired from the Army for nearly 30 years, but he never lost the air of command. When he walks into Gemesis - the company he founded in 1996 to make diamonds - the staff stands at attention to greet him.

His lieutenants have 27 diamond-making machines up and running -- with 250 planned -- at this factory outside Sarasota, Florida. Looks like De Beers is in for a war!

You can order the above design printed on a black t-shirt (for a special friend, or yourself), by clicking here.

A similar design is also available on Baby Doll Tees, Spaghetti Tanks, Cap Sleeve Tees, Camisoles, Thongs, Women's Tanks, Raglans, and other Tees. And you can have it printed on Framed Art Prints, Hats, Teddy Bears, Aprons, Mugs, Pillows, and Mousepads.

It features a man-made diamond inside of a 3d heart shaped box (very cool)!

Eco Imagination!

2006-02-25T15:26:00.000-08:00

The Earth's surface is 70 percent water, yet less than 1 percent of it is usable – and even that is not always located where it's needed most. Currently, more than one billion people do not have access to safe water to meet their daily needs. The World's water supply will continue to dry up in the next decade, but a growing number of forward looking companies see opportunity in that "half-empty" glass.

Forty percent of the world's population currently lives in areas with moderate-to-high water stress. By 2025, it is estimated that about two thirds of the world's population – about 5.5 billion people – will live in areas facing such water stress.

Last year, GE (General Electric) dropped $1.1 billion to buy Ionics, a global desalination and water-recycling operation, and made it the centerpiece of its new "Ecomagination" program. GE's new $390 million Sulibiya plant (above photo) in Kuwait purifies 100 million gallons of water per day!

GE recently won a $300 million contract to build a deslination plant in Algeria, where the taps are now open only every third day (by 2007, it will produce 53 million gallons daily).

GE's membranes are used in a wide range of applications, from purifying water for soft drinks to removing harmful chemicals from wastewater.

GE is the world's leader in Reverse Osmosis, Nanofiltration and Ultrafiltration technologies, with membranes that can operate at high temperatures and throughout wide pH ranges.

Note from Technophile: The private sector manages water for just 7% of the world's population, a number predicted to double by 2016. Privatized water is estimated to be a $200 billion-a-year business. The World Bank believes it could hit $1 trillion by 2021.

:: Source: [Ecomagination]
:: Fast Fact: In 2004, Israel closed a 20-year deal with Turkey to swap guns for water!

Drug Delivery Man!

2006-02-25T09:46:00.000-08:00

The idea for a "pharmacy on a chip" came to Robert Langer one evening about 10 years ago. What if you implanted an electronic device to control the distribution of drugs in the body? This simple question triggered mountains of research that should change how medications are administered.

Langer, 57, a professor of chemical and biomedical engineering, is so creative, and so astonishingly prolific, that it is hard to imagine another scientist so poised to have a major impact in so many ways, over the next decade!

He has generated more than 300 patents (with another 250 pending), authored or coauthored more than 800 articles in scientific journals, cofounded more than a dozen biotech companies, and licensed his lab's discoveries to more than 150 others. His work encompasses biomedical plastics, drug development, gene therapy, and tissue engineering.

But Langer's specialty is drug delivery. His challenge: The body instinctivley resists foreign objects, so it dilutes or alters many drugs before they get to their destination. So Langer created unconventional ways of safely getting medicine where it belongs.

With the help of John Santini, one of the 60 or so "brainiacs" in his MIT lab, he is making the new electronic drug chip a reality. Residing under the skin, it consists of thousands of tiny, individual sealed reservoirs containing one or more drugs. These reservoirs can be programmed to open at a specific time or operated by a wireless remote control; an electrical impulse melts a gold seal, releasing the well's contents.

Note from Technophile: Testing in humans should begin in a couple of years. It's an elegant solution, one Langer believes will improve millions of lives. Langer says that he would "rather do revolutionary than evolutionary work". I like this guy!

:: Source: [Langer Lab]

Vision Ary!

2006-02-25T07:46:00.000-08:00

When David Green is asked how many people benefit from his work to make cataract surgery affordable in the developing world, he guesses "about 6 million". His approach is startingly simple: Enlist leading scientists to reduce the cost of technology, then price the results on a sliding scale.

The WHO (World Health Organization) estimates 55 million people are functionally bilaterally blind worldwide, and an additional 110 million have low vision and are at risk of becoming blind.

The largest portion of these patients are blind due to cataracts—a condition where the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy and must be removed and replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL) to restore vision.

Although premium quality sight-restoring IOLs are readily available for around $100-$150 each, this price is well outside the grasp of the 4 billion people who make under $2 per day. Project Impact has addressed this problem through the development and deployment of a premium quality intraocular lens which can be produced for under $3 using a Project Impact designed production line in India at Aurolab.

Five or ten years from now, the world will recognize David's work as one of the leading examples of melding business models and social good!

Note from Technophile: Four billion people have a per capita income of less than $1,500, the minimum considered necessary to sustain a decent life. A billion people make less than $1 per day. Globally, the income gap between rich and poor is growing: the richest 20% account for 85% of income. The extreme inequity of wealth distribution reinforces the view that the poor cannot participate in global economy, even though they are majority of population. The work of Project Impact and its partners has been seminal in demonstrating viable business models for making medical technology and services affordable to the poorer two-thirds of humanity. Instead of dealing with the growing income disparity, this work focuses on the ‘pricing’ disparity’ where goods and services that provide basic human needs, like sight or hearing or life itself, are receding further from the reach of the poor. The success of Aravind, Aurolab and other eye care programs has proven that the poor can be a profitable market, provided there is not the traditional pursuit of high margins; in their model, profits are driven by volume and capital efficiency. As Green expands his model to other applications, his efforts may overhaul a system that stubbornly values money over basic human needs.

:: Source: [Project Impact]
:: Image Credit: Emin Ozkan, Turkey
:: Innovation: Making basic human needs - vision, hearing, health, even life itself available to the World's poor humans by combining technology, volume, and capital efficiency.

Desert Ballet!

2006-02-25T04:13:00.000-08:00

By the Spring of 2010, each dawn will see a startling robotic ballet performance in the Mojave Desert. Just before sunrise, thousands of mirrored dishes will "wake" in unison, and face to the east. Each will be as wide as a school bus is long; arrayed in perfect lines for miles, they will track the sun all day, feeding the power hungry city of Los Angeles.

This is beyond cool, it is revolutionary! For the first time, solar collectors will generate electricity on a scale only coal, gas, or nuclear plants have managed. Not kilowatts or megawatts, but city-sized gulps of power, hundreds of megawatts. With zero emmissions!

The technology is deceptively simple: Each dish is nearly 1,000 square feet and is designed to collect and concentrate energy from the sun into a focused beam that is 1,350 degrees Fahrenheit (talk about very hot, cool technology)! This heats the gas in the four cyclinders of the "Stirling" engine. As the gas expands, it drives pistons connected to electrical generators.

The "Stirling" engine: On September 27, 1816, Robert Stirling applied for a patent for his "Economiser" at the Chancery in Edinburgh, Scotland. By trade, Robert Stirling was actually a minister in the Church of Scotland and he continued to give services until he was eighty-six years old. But, in his spare time, he built heat engines in his home workshop. Lord Kelvin used one of the working models during some of his university classes.

Today, Stirling engines are used in some very specialized applications, like in submarines or auxiliary power generators, where quiet operation is important. Stirling engines are unique heat engines because their theoretical efficiency is nearly equal to their theoretical maximum efficiency, known as the "Carnot Cycle efficiency".

Note from Technophile: The SES (Stirling Energy Systems) Solar Dish technology is well beyond the research and development stage, with more than 20 years of recorded operating history. The equipment is well characterized with over 25,000 hours of on-sun time. Since 1984, the Company's solar dish equipment has held the world's efficiency record for converting solar energy into grid-quality electricity. Their Mojave Desert facility will be capable of producing more electricity from solar energy than all U.S. solar projects (currently in existence) combined!

:: Source: [Sterling Energy Systems]
:: Image Credit: Randy J. Montoya, Sandia National Laboratories
:: Country: United States
:: Available: 2010
:: Innovation: Reliable and efficient energy from the sun!

Broadband PerHAPs?

2006-02-23T13:54:00.000-08:00

The CAPANINA project will develop wireless and optical broadband technologies for use on High Altitude Platforms (HAPs).

Typically a HAP is an airship that cruises at an altitude of around 20 kilometers, well above any normal aircraft (but being in the stratosphere, substantially below any orbiting satellites).

CAPANINA will deliver low cost broadband communications services to small office and home users at data rates up to 120 Megabits per second. A staggering 2,000 times faster than today's dial-up modems and more than 200 times faster than a typical "wired" broadband facility.

Users in rural and other "hard to reach" areas will benefit thanks to the unique wide-area, high-capacity wireless coverage provided by HAPs.

Additionally, use of "smart" roof-top antennas on trains will provide the moving user with high speed internet connectivity.

Note from Technophile: Stratospheric broadband fills the gap between satellite and terrestrial wireless technologies. Furthermore, without the need to dig up roads to lay new cables, it is of particular relevance to rural, suburban and moving users. Is Wi-Fi in the sky a dream? Perhaps. However, in August of 2005, Capanina successfully tested the concept in Sweden, sending data 37 miles!

:: Source: [CAPANINA]
:: Innovation: Can deliver wireless broadband access anywhere in the world!
:: Available: 2011
:: Cost: 1/10 as much as satellites and could support a thousand times as many users!

Negative Ion Clothes Cleaner!

2006-02-22T23:25:00.000-08:00

A waterless clothes cleaner that cleans and refreshes garments in a few minutes has been developed at the National University of Singapore. The appliance uses negative ions, compressed air and deodorants to clean clothes.

The AirWash won the ElectroLux Design Lab 2005 Award. The jury selected AirWash as the winner because of its intuitive, ecological and beautiful design.

Industrial design students Wendy Chua, 21, and Gabriel Tan, 23, beat entries from 3,000 other students from over 88 countries. They said they were inspired by the technology in air purifiers, which uses negative ions to clump dirt and bacteria, making it easier for the dirt and bacteria particles to be removed. The negative ions are a natural cleaning agent.

The sleek and compact design is modelled after a waterfall, a natural negative ion generator.

With water prices going up everywhere (especialy in Malaysia) and humans becoming impatient, it was only reasonable to find someone designing a clothes cleaner that does not need water.

Note from Technophile: AirWash also does away with the expensive, time consuming task of going to the dry cleaners. They should also expect NASA to be knocking on their door, as this looks like something that might fit into the future of space travel!

:: Source: [Fast Company Magazine, March, 2006]
:: Country: Singapore
:: Innovation: Waterless, Detergentless Clothes Cleaner
:: Available: 2008 [Maybe]
:: Cost: Unknown

Video From Mars!

2006-02-19T07:40:00.000-08:00

Nanotechnology traps photons to create a super-sensitive sensor that could allow interplanetary broadband access, such as streaming video from Mars!

Manned missions to Mars would benefit from high-speed communications, even streaming video, rather than the clunky, hours-long image downloads from the likes of the Cassini-Huygens Saturn probe, or the Mars Rovers [Image credit: "Distant Shores", painting by Pat Rawlings].

Conventional optical communication can carry such video data, but the lasers needed to transmit a readable signal for interplanetary distances would require far more power than is generally available on power-starved space missions.

This has some researchers looking to single-photon detectors, the ultimate low-light sensors, to make it possible to detect relatively low-power laser signals. So far, however, such detectors have been either inefficient (missing most of the photons sent to them), or too slow for high-bandwidth data transmission.

"The detection of extraordinarily low levels of light with high bandwidth has been a challenge for many years," says Karl Berggren, an electrical engineering professor at MIT who helped develop the new device. "This demonstration illustrates what nanotechnology, and in particular nanofabrication, can do when applied to a problem like this."

Now a nanotechnology-based device called a "photon trap", reported this week in the journal Optics Express, combines efficiency and speed, promising to make such interplanetary communication more practical.

Photon detectors have been around for a couple of years, at the heart is a wire 100 nanometers wide that meanders like coils on a refrigerator to increase the area of detection. The wire is cooled to just above absolute zero, at which temperature it becomes a superconductor. When a photon hits the wire and is absorbed, the wire heats up just enough to stop superconducting, creating a detectable jump in resistance [Image of a 1550 nanometer single-photon detector by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology].

In the new design, the photons that slip past or reflect off the wire bounce around in the photon trap, giving them more chances to be absorbed by the wire. The trap, with a little help from an antireflective coating, approximately tripled the efficiency of previous detection efforts.

The efficiency is "a huge jump forward," says Jeffrey Stern at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Indeed, he says this efficiency is enough for optical communication in space.

Note from Technophile: One engineering hurdle remains before the sensors are ready for such applications, however. Although devices have already been built and tested, because they are so small, focusing the photons on them is a challenge. This problem is expected to be solved within two years.

Source: [Technology Review]

If I Only Had A Heart!

2006-02-18T13:26:00.000-08:00

One of the coolest and most recent breakthroughs in Biotechnology is the concept of "Organ Printing". Also known as "Tissue Engineering Technology", it has the potential to solve the organ transplantation crisis.

Graphic artists have modified ink jet printers to increase their ink capacity. This however, would be the ultimate mod: Using modified ink jet printers to make human skin and other organs. The printers are modified by filling the ink resevoirs with suspensions of cells instead of ink.

Several labs can now print arrays of DNA, or proteins, but for tissue engineers, the big challenge is creating three-dimensional structures.

Note from Technophile: This process also may eliminate the need for cloning (recreating entirely new bodies to be used for spare parts) and the moral and ethical issues that go along with it. If one of your organs is failing, scrape a sample of your tissue and print out a new one!

Source: [PC Magazine, February 7, 2006, "Future Watch"]

Project Ultraviolet!

2006-02-18T04:14:00.000-08:00

Thanks to advances in the speed of supercomputer simulations, complex phenomena such as weather systems, protein folding, and nuclear explosions are becoming easier to model and understand. But only a small part of this speedup is due to faster processors. Instead, the most common way to reach supercomputing capacities is to assemble hundreds or thousands of separate machines in clusters. When yoked together, such a cluster will shares a single memory and can perform massive simulations in parallel by breaking up the work into many small parts.

Mountain View, CA-based Silicon Graphics, also known as SGI, builds some of the world's largest supercomputing clusters. The fourth-fastest one in the world, for instance, is Columbia, a system that SGI built for NASA Ames Research Center in 2004. Columbia includes 20 SGI Altix "superclusters," each with 512 processors, for a total of 10,240 processors that share a 20-terabyte memory.

Cooling this behemoth (which NASA uses to model problems involving large amounts of data, such as climate change, magnetic storms, and designs for hypersonic aircraft) is currently a very low-tech affair: it's accomplished mainly by blowing air past the processors at high speed.

Eng Lim Goh, a computer scientist and chief technical officer at SGI, says one NASA administrator told him, "'I spent millions of dollars on your supercomputer just so we could run simulations that replace our wind tunnel -- and you gave us a new wind tunnel.'"

Goh is now the leader of Project Ultraviolet, SGI's effort to develop its next generation of superclusters. The chips that SGI is designing for Ultraviolet will run applications faster - yet use less electricity and produce less heat.

Note from Technophile: So how did SGI make applications run cooler? They broke problems down into pieces and the way they allocate those to the processors. They did an analysis of about 50 customer applications to see what was going wrong with these applications when they were running in parallel. They were able to identify five major problem areas. This allowed them to develop the Ultraviolet design which incorporates the following improvements: 1) More reliable memory, 2) less communications latency, 3) more communications bandwidth, 4) better load balancing, and 5) less memory latency.

:: Source: [Technology Review].
:: Image credit: Silicon Graphics.
:: Keywords: [next generation hec architecture], [multi-paradigm computing], [petaflops], [high-end computing], [supercomputer], [petabytes], [climate modeling], [weather systems], [cluster], [supercluster], [supercomputer simulations], [project ultraviolet], [sgi], and [silicon grahics].

Next Generation Spacecraft!

2006-02-17T16:04:00.000-08:00

Before the end of the next decade, NASA astronauts will again explore the surface of the moon. And this time, we're going to stay, building outposts and paving the way for eventual journeys to Mars and beyond. There are echoes of the iconic images of the past, but it won't be your grandfather's moon shot.

This journey begins soon, with development of a new spaceship. Building on the best of Apollo and shuttle technology, NASA's creating a 21st century exploration system that will be affordable, reliable, versatile, and safe.

The centerpiece of this system is a new spacecraft designed to carry four astronauts to and from the moon, support up to six crewmembers on future missions to Mars, and deliver crew and supplies to the International Space Station. The new crew vehicle will be shaped like an Apollo capsule, but it will be three times larger, allowing four astronauts to travel to the moon at a time.

Coupled with the new lunar lander, the system sends twice as many astronauts to the surface as Apollo, and they can stay longer, with the initial missions lasting four to seven days. And while Apollo was limited to landings along the moon's equator, the new ship carries enough propellant to land anywhere on the moon's surface.

Once a lunar outpost is established, crews could remain on the lunar surface for up to six months. The spacecraft can also operate without a crew in lunar orbit, eliminating the need for one astronaut to stay behind while others explore the surface.

With a minimum of two lunar missions per year, momentum will build quickly toward a permanent outpost. Crews will stay longer and learn to exploit the moon's resources, while landers make one way trips to deliver cargo. Eventually, the new system could rotate crews to and from a lunar outpost every six months.

Planners are already looking at the lunar south pole as a candidate for an outpost because of concentrations of hydrogen thought to be in the form of water ice, and an abundance of sunlight to provide power.

Note from Technophile: These plans give NASA a huge head start in getting to Mars. We will already have the heavy-lift system needed to get there, as well as a versatile crew capsule and propulsion systems that can make use of Martian resources. A lunar outpost just three days away from Earth will give us needed practice of "living off the land" away from our home planet, before making the longer trek to Mars. As President Bush said when he announced the Vision for Space Exploration, "Humans are headed into the cosmos." Now we know how we'll get there.

Source: [NASA]. Image credits: Artist's concept by John Frassanito and Associates. Keywords: [moon], [nasa], [mars], [astronauts], [spacecraft]

Brain Fingerprinting!

2006-02-17T13:04:00.000-08:00

Brain Fingerprinting Laboratories, Inc. has developed and patented EEG/P300 based testing systems that determine with extremely high accuracy whether or not specific information is stored in a person's memory. The test measures individual brain-wave responses to relevant words, pictures or sounds presented by a computer.

The measurements are recorded in fractions of a second after the stimulus is presented, before the subject is able to formulate or control a response.

In a major milestone for the company, the results of this patented testing methodology have been ruled admissible in court as scientific evidence.

Note from Technophile: The technology has many exciting applications in several very large markets: national security, medical diagnostics, advertising, insurance fraud, counterterrorism, and in the criminal justice system!

Source: [Brain Fingerprinting Laboratories, Inc.] Image credits: Fingerprint image by Davide Guglielmo. Brain image by Rodrigo Galindo. Keywords: [brain fingerprinting], [counterterrorism], [criminal justice], [medical], [security testing], [advertising], [medical research], [national security], [medical diagnostics], [insurance fraud], and [criminal justice system].

Hot Dry Rocks, Oh Yeah!

2006-02-16T15:18:00.000-08:00

Keywords: [resources], [energy], [geothermal energy], [alternate energy], [renewable energy], [green energy].

Not much has changed since the age of steam. If you live in Australia or North America, the computer screen on which you are reading this text is most likely to be powered by coal. Think about it. State of the art technology, powered by coal!

Electricity demand continues to expand worldwide, with consumption projected to grow by nearly 100% by 2020 (International Energy Outlook 2001). Electricity generation generally relies on burning fossil fuel which produces carbon dioxide (CO2) as one of its waste products. Concern has developed over the last decade about the effects of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) on the atmosphere, particularly with respect to global warming.

Fossil Fuel Alternatives: The expansion of the nuclear power industry appears to be socially unacceptable. Solar and wind power cannot replace fossil fuels, just augment them and they are limited in scope, intermittent, and unreliable. Large-scale hydroelectric projects are now rejected on environmental grounds.

Hot dry rocks (HDR) has the potential, worldwide, to significantly reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

HDR geothermal energy relies on existing technologies and engineering processes, and is the only known source of renewable energy with a capacity to carry large base loads.

The concept behind HDR geothermal energy is relatively simple. Heat is generated by special high heat producing granites located 3km or more below the Earth's surface. The heat inside these granites is trapped by overlying rocks which act as an insulating blanket. The heat is extracted from these granites by circulating water through them in an engineered, artificial reservoir or underground heat exchanger.

Note from Technophile: One cubic kilometre of hot granite at 250 degrees centigrade has the stored energy equivalent of 40 million barrels of oil. Australia has large volumes of identified high heat production granites within 3 to 5km from the surface. This represents a vast resource of clean energy that can potentially be tapped by hot dry rock geothermal technology.

Source: [Geodynamics]

PEBBLES For The Remote Child!

2006-02-12T23:19:00.000-08:00

Two child-sized robots transmit real time, audio and documents between classroom and child. The classroom-based robot features a microphone and speakers, a swivelling monitor and camera competition, and a robotic hand. Together, these mimic the movement and interaction of an actual student. All functions are controlled by the remote child, who communicates with the classroom via a game pad-style controller and personal robot complete with microphone, touch screen video monitor, microphone and speakers.

PEBBLES is the world's first fully functional 'telepresence' application - social and technology solution that virtually places a child within the classroom.

PEBBLES creates a presence so strong in fact, that teachers, students and remote children all react as if the remote student is physically present in the regular classroom.

Note From Technophile: The PEBBLES robot series T360 is designed to operate using Internet Protocol (IP H.323) communications protocols, with ISDN support available as an optional feature. The PEBBLES T360 codec provides a higher quality picture at lower bandwidth. Standing at 60", each PEBBLES robot is a gateway to learning and communication that exists beyond traditional videoconferencing. The remote child can interact with the home classroom with PEBBLES' built-in camera, speakers, microphone and touch screen LCD. An integrated printer/scanner sends homework assignments and receives in class work. Remote students control the in-class PEBBLES robot via a gamepad-style controller. With the controller, the remote student can initiate contact with the in-class robot, raise its hand and turn its head to reposition the on-board camera.

Source: [Telbotics]

The Flying Dutch Car!

2006-02-12T22:34:00.000-08:00

A Dutch entrepreneur, working with a design engineering firm, has developed a three-wheeled vehicle that travels both on the ground and in the air, via a set of unfolding helicopter blades. The PALV (Personal Air and Land Vehicle), powered by a rotary engine, has a top ground speed of 125 mph (120 mph in the air) and can get between 60 and 70 miles per gallon of conventional gasoline. It can take off at close range, and can land vertically.

On the ground, the slimline, aerodynamic 3-wheel vehicle is as comfortable as a luxury car, yet has the agility of a motorbike, thanks to its patented cutting-edge 'tilting' system. The single rotor and propeller are folded away until the PALV is ready to fly. Once airborne, the PALV flies under the 4,000 feet (1,500 meters) floor of commercial air space.

Note from Technophile: Its straightforward autogyro flying technology means that the PALV is economically and technically feasible in comparison to other forms of air travel. Like a helicopter, it has a Very Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (VSTOVL) capability making it possible to land practically anywhere. It can be driven to the nearest airfield or helipad and, because it flies below 4,000 feet, can take off without filing a flight plan. The autogyro technology means that it can be steered and landed safely even if the engine fails as it descends vertically rather than nose-diving. Lift is generated by the forward speed produced by the foldable push propeller on the back. What makes the PALV attractive is the convenience of fully integrated door to door transportation. Providing smooth transition from road to air without having to change vehicle. The versatility to allow the driver to change their mind!

Source: [Spark Design]

World's Most Sensuous Car!

2006-02-10T03:35:00.000-08:00

The "Senso", which runs on environmentally friendly natural gas, has, not without reason, been labeled the most sensuous car in the world. The "Senso" actually "senses" the driver by measuring his (or her) biometric data, and then exerts a positive effect on him with the help of patterns, colors, music and fragrances. A person who is relaxed and wide-awake simply drives better and more safely.

On the basis of the measured data, the driver now receives various impulses to his senses that put him in a state of relaxed attentiveness. The idea of "communicating surfaces" stems from Andreas Fischer, a designer who developed the "zenMotion concept" at the Institute for Computer Sciences at the University of Zurich in close cooperation with the Institute for Psychology at the University of Innsbruck. The inspiration for the development came from studies by scientists dealing with the emotional effect of moving patterns on people. In the "Senso" – depending on the condition of the driver - four small Sharp LCD monitors emit stimulating (orange/yellow), relaxing (blue/violet) or neutral (green) color patterns into the driver's line of vision. They are integrated into the futuristically designed interior paneling, which lights up over the entire area and bathes the cockpit in dazzle-free ambient light.

The whole project is based on an elaborate sensory system that forms the heart of the vehicle. It consists of a number of sensors that have the job of gathering data about the driver's condition. Firstly, there is a biometric Polar watch to measure the driver's pulse. A "Mobile Eye" camera records his driving behavior, in other words how well and how often he changes lane, and how close and at what speed he approaches the cars in front. Then - this, at any rate, is the vision - a HP board computer evaluates the data and establishes, with the aid of special algorithms, the driver's current state of mind.

It is all made possible by an innovative electroluminescent film technology developed by Bayer MaterialScience and the Swiss electronics specialist, Lumitec. This "smart surface technology" is celebrating its world premiere in the automotive industry. Johannes Seesing: "In the "Senso", we are showing what breathtaking possibilities this new technology can open up for car designers. The glowing material can be made into any shape and does not need electric bulbs or LEDs." The high-tech surface is computer-controlled and, depending on the applied voltage, shines green, blue or orange.

The optical stimuli are reinforced by especially composed sounds stored digitally on a computer. In addition to the eyes and ears, the nose is stimulated, too – by scents developed by the fragrances specialist, Voitino CWS, which flow into the car through the ventilators. Vanilla-mandarin has a calming effect, while citrus-grapefruit is more stimulating. Even the tactile senses are included: should the central computer establish any symptoms of tiredness in the driver, electric motors integrated in the seat will shake him awake by vibrating.

Note from Technophile: "Senso", the name of the Swiss concept car says it all. The vehicle "senses" the driver and adapts itself to him. After all, the accident risk is reduced considerably if the person behind the wheel is relaxed and wide awake. This is made possible by a sophisticated sensory idea which has been developed by the Universities of Zurich and Innsbruck. Smart Surface Technology, a new ductile 3D electro-luminescent foil from Bayer Material Science and the Swiss electronics specialist Lumitec, ensures a lighting in the driver's surroundings, among others which have a positive effect on him thanks to biometric readouts.

Source: [Rinspeed]

GongGong is no Kong!

2006-02-08T22:37:00.000-08:00

NASA's Mars Exploration Rover, Spirit, used its microscopic imager to capture the image below. This spectacular, jagged mini-landscape is on a rock called "GongGong." Measuring only 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) across, this surface records two of the most important and violent forces in the history of Mars: Volcanoes and wind. (Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell/USGS.)

GongGong formed billions of years ago in a seething, stirring mass of molten rock. It captured bubbles of gases that were trapped at great depth but had separated from the main body of lava as it rose to the surface. Like taffy being stretched and tumbled, the molten rock was deformed as it moved across an ancient Martian landscape. The tiny bubbles of gas were deformed as well, becoming elongated. When the molten lava solidified, the rock looked like a frozen sponge.

Far from finished with its life, the rock then withstood billions of years of pelting by small sand grains carried by Martian dust storms that sometimes blanketed the planet. The sand wore away the surface until, little by little, the delicate strands that enclosed the bubbles of gas were breached and the spiny texture we see today emerged.

Note from Technophile: GongGong is one of a group of rocks studied, up close and personal, by Spirit and informally named by the Athena Science Team to honor the Chinese New Year (the Year of the Dog). In Chinese mythology, GongGong was the god-king of water in the North Land. When he sacrificed his life to knock down Mount BuZhou, he defeated the bad Emperor in Heaven, freed the sun, moon and stars to go from east to west, and caused all the rivers in China to flow from west to east. Spirit's microscopic imager took this image during the rover's 736th day, or sol, of exploring Mars (Jan. 28, 2006). The rock lies in the "Inner Basin" between "Husband Hill" and "McCool Hill" in Gusev Crater. Spirit acquired the image while the rock was fully shadowed, with diffuse illumination mostly from the top in this view.

Source: [NASA]

Beam Me Up, JIMO!

2006-02-08T21:12:00.000-08:00

JIMO (Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter) is Proposed for Flight in 2015. JIMO is an ambitious mission to fly a spacecraft out to Jupiter, orbit three of its planet-sized moons, and study the vast saltwater oceans locked under their icy surfaces. JIMO will visit Callisto first, then Ganymede, and then Europa.

The Electric Ion Propulsion System (Image credit: NASA)

JIMO designers will use the electric drive system known as ion propulsion to power it to Jupiter. That kind of drive previously was used successfully by NASA's Deep Space 1 mission, which demonstrated it for interplanetary travel. (Deep Space 1 was launched in 1998. It flew by Asteroid 9969 Braille in 1999 and then by Comet Borrelly in 2001.)

Deep Space 1 drew electricity for its thrusters from solar panels. JIMO would draw its electricity from a nuclear fission reactor. Heat from JIMO's nuclear fission reactor is converted to electricity, giving the probe more than 100 times as much power as a non-fission system of comparable weight.

JIMO will increase dramatically NASA's capability for space exploration. That technology will make it possible to consider such a large-scale mission as orbiting the moons of Jupiter one after the other. It also will open all of the vast unexplored regions of the outer Solar System for exploration.

Note from Technophile: Such a mission as JIMO poses extreme technical challenges, the main one being: It takes an enormous amount of propulsive ability (in other words rocket fuel) to reach Jupiter, then descend into its gravity well and enter orbit around Europa and the other moons. NASA will spend $2 billion over the next few years to develop a fleet of nuclear-powered spacecraft. No one knows what the program will eventually cost (certainly several billions). But NASA and the US administration is solidly behind the project, dubbed Prometheus (after the thief of fire from the gods, who gave it to man). Already three contracts, each worth $6 million, have been awarded to industrial contractors for early studies. JIMO will be the first of these spacecraft.

Source: [AerospaceGuide.net]

Spy On Your Neighbor!

2006-02-08T15:32:00.000-08:00

Most radio-controlled planes just fly around, but this one functions as a real spy plane!

The Estes Remote-Control Digital Camera Plane has a camera pod on top of it that can snap up to 26 digital pictures upon command. The 360-degree camera mount will let you capture color images from any angle, so you can take shots from the side, behind or in front of the plane as you fly it using the included controller. (Rechargeable batteries and a charger are included to power the plane.)

"All radio electronics are pre-installed, and the plane is factory painted and decorated to resemble a real AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft flown by the U.S. Air Force."

This remote-controlled plane may sound complicated, but it's actually designed to be flown by everyone from beginners to pros, ages 12 and up. It can perform climbs, dives and turns with two simple knobs. It has a giant, 55-inch wingspan, and using its twin ducted fan jet engines, it can reach heights of 1000 feet. (For smooth takeoffs, you can use the E-Z Launch Takeoff system.)

Once you've landed the plane, you can detach the camera pod for easy downloads of your aerial photos to your laptop or PC using the included USB cable and software.

Engineered to resist breakage, the Estes Remote-Control Digital Camera Plane's wings and tail surfaces simply plug into place, as do the engines and camera pod. This assembly protects each part from major damage due to rough landings and use (almost quaranteed to happen, according to the reviews).

The good news? You can buy this plane, with lots of accessories, at Wal-Mart for only $148.32! (Unbelievable deal!)

Note from Technophile: Put a high-resolution camera on this baby and you've got me! Yes, I know this may not be a good example of "Extreme Technology", but you have to admit it is cool, and a lot more fun than a 65-nanometer processor!

Source: [MacAddict Magazine, March, 2006]

Pocket Rocket

2005-12-29T19:45:00.000-08:00

What are some of the biggest challenges using a projector? One of them is that fact that the lamp doesn't last very long and they are expensive to replace ($350, or more). Other challenges include weight, and warm-up and cool-down periods, and that you have to be close to an electrical outlet to use one.
Not any more. Mitsubishi Electric Presentation Products incorporates the latest LED (Light Emitting Diode) and DLP (Digital Light Projection) technology in their new one pound "PK-10 PocketProjector". The LED lights are rated to last up to 10,000 hours (in other words, you could use the projector for 3 hours every single day for over 9 years).

Because LED lights use the least amount of energy for light produced of any other source, Mitsubishi is able to offer an optional battery that is expected to last up to 2.5 hours (with a full charge). LED lights also produce very little heat for the light they produce. This translates into instant-on (no warm-up necessary), and non-existent cool-down periods.

The trade-off for all this portability and longevity is a small (but impressive) viewing area, and low (but usable) light levels. The image size is 12" to 60" (optimal is 40" to 50"), and the LEDs generate approximately 250 lux (lumens per square meter), making it fully usable in a dimly lit room with low ambient lighting! Not bad for a native resolution of 800 X 600 (SVGA), and 1024 X 768 (XGA) maximum.

Note from Technophile: How about a portable big screen theater? Or watching movies with a portable DVD player? Or enlarged video for more exciting gaming? Or mobile video for camping (just charge the battery during the day using a PV (Photo Voltaic) panel. The applications are limited only by your imagination, and with a street price of just $799, you may not even be limited by your wallet. Buy it now at the CDW Mac Warehouse.

Sleep With The Fishes

2005-12-14T18:53:00.000-08:00

:: POSEIDON WILL BE the world's first permanent sea floor one-atmosphere undersea resort!
++ L. Bruce Jones / U. S. Submarines / Poseidon Undersea Resort

Currently in the final design stages, Poseidon will be the world's first sea floor resort complex. The resort will be a unique, intimate and exclusive, five-star destination providing the highest possible levels of luxury and service. Poseidon's guests will experience a marvelous ambiance of comfort and camaraderie that will not soon be forgotten. The first Poseidon Undersea Resort is scheduled to open before the end of 2007.

Poseidon was conceived and developed by L. Bruce Jones, the President of U.S. Submarines, Inc. and engineered by the tremendously experienced staff at U.S. Submarines. Years of painstaking effort and design refinement with expert advice from outside world-class consultants has resulted in the world's first viable undersea luxury resort.

The site of the first Resort, in the Bahamas, is just a short plane ride from South Florida. This is a site where water clarity and marine life are both exceptional.

The Poseidon Undersea Resort will be a true five-star facility offering the finest wine and cuisine and the highest levels of service. The entire experience will be designed to foster an ambiance of comfort and camaraderie among guests. There will be a visiting celebrity program and regular guest lecturers. Diving lessons and expeditions will be available onsite and a swim with the dolphins program may also be implemented. Excursions on a deep diving submarine are also likely.

In summary, the underwater portion of the resort will consist of:

20 Luxury Suites
2 Service Areas
Central Corridor Assembly
Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Kitchen
Grand Poseidon Suite
Nautilus Suite

The last 20 years has seen the widespread use of transparent acrylic plastic (polyethyl methacrylate) in deep submersible and aquarium applications. The material is strong and remarkably transparent and its characteristics are well understood. The resort's design takes full advantage of acrylic's ability to maximize viewing while maintaining structural soundness. Only five different acrylic molds are required to build the entire complex.

During daylight hours it is not possible to look into the individual suites from underwater. At night, guests will be able to opaque various areas of the acrylic to protect their privacy.

There are 20 luxury suites, each 51 m2 (550 ft2) in size and comprising a bedroom with large jacuzzi tub, a sitting room with views of a private coral garden, and a bathroom with a toilet and bidet, two sinks and a shower. All the rooms are superbly appointed. Ceilings and seaward walls are composed of acrylic and offer spectacular views of individual coral gardens and the ocean beyond. Guests may actuate exterior underwater lights and automatic fish feeders from control consoles in their sitting rooms.

Two spectacular large themed suites, the Captain Nemo Suite and the Grand Poseidon Suite will also be available.

The exclusive undersea gourmet restaurant and bar are located in one of the main end units which is 20 meters (65 feet) in diameter and contains an area of 308 square meters (3,300 square feet). The periphery of each unit is composed of 24 flat panels of acrylic providing a continuous view of nearly 360 degrees. In the center of the restaurant above the bar is an 8 m (26 ft) diameter transparent acrylic dome.

The restaurant will rotate 360 degrees in a 40 minute period. High backed booths will face outward and seat 4-6 people and will be interspersed with larger conventional tables.

An attached submarine garage would provide access to a 4-passenger, 1000 foot capable submersible for local exploration.

Note from Technophile: With the exception of the central corridor, which is permanently fixed to the structural base of the facility, each individual unit is neutrally buoyant and capable of being removed from the complex - and the water - if necessary. All important systems are shore-based or inside the complex, where they are easy to maintain. Automated viewport cleaning systems obviate the laborious and expensive need for divers to clean the viewport surfaces of marine growth.

:: Source: [U.S. Submarines, Inc.]
:: Innovation: First undersea resort to offer the comfort of living underwater at one atmosphere pressure.
:: Available: Before the end of 2007.

Erganomic Ball Point Pen

2005-12-02T21:36:00.000-08:00

Pens were created by the ancient Arabians in the Middle East towards the end of the slushee era before even paper had been invented. Thousands of years have since passed, and every great mind in recorded history has held one, yet most pen-related innovation has concentrated on the tip of the pen: fountain pens from Waterman, ball point pen from Laslo Biro, rollers from Japan.

During the last century there have been approximately 150 patents granted connected with pens and improving the writing process. The shape of the holder though has remained the same, looking kind of familiar ... like the stick it was derived from. Until now that is, 'cause now there's the ergonomically-designed RinGPen.

Now, don't dismiss this item because of its simplicity. This new design for one of man's oldest tools has great merit. The pen has found favourable review from the Arthritis Foundation of the USA because it relieves suffering due to its ergonomically sound design. As it relieves many of the stresses of the ordinary pen, it also relieves Carpal Tunnel Syndrome sufferers, all because it's the first writing instrument that takes a wholistic perspective on how a pen should be designed to fit the human hand.

It is also reported to reduce writers cramp and fatigue while writing and render the writing more fluid and even.

Note from Technophile: When writing with the RinGPen, there is no need to lay the pen down to answer the telephone or to use a calculator - it sounds corny, but having the pen attached to your finger could be kinda handy.

Source: [RigGPen]