The Fount of Useless Information
Your place for useless information that just might possibly be interesting.
Stuff is related to things that draw my attention.
Next Generation: Souped-up Probiotics Pinpoint Cancer
Genetically engineered commensal bacteria help researchers detect cancer metastases in mouse livers.
http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/43100/title/Next-Generation–Souped-up-Probiotics-Pinpoint-Cancer/
This is a cool kind of biotechnology where you can actually see changes with your own eyes. Most of the experiments …
Team Designs Liquid Metal Antenna Twice as Powerful than a Regular One
http://www.wallstreetotc.com/team-designs-liquid-metal-antenna-twice-as-powerful-than-a-regular-one/218388/
Interesting idea. I was intrigued to note this passage: “NCSU researchers have long shown a special interest in liquid metal devices…”. I guess they just think the …
Light Detector has Unprecedented Performance
http://www.laboratoryequipment.com/news/2014/09/light-detector-has-unprecedented-performance
Really interesting concept, being able to cheaply detect terahertz rays (below heat but above microwaves). These rays tend to pass through the surface of most materials and are reflected from deeper within, so once …
Eavesdropping with a camera and potted plants
http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/06/tech/innovation/visual-microphone-research/index.html?hpt=hp_t4
A really interesting idea that seems related to my earlier post on clear air turbulence. I like the idea that it is totally passive, nothing to give away that it is …
Self-Healing Battery Electrode Shows Promise for Smartphones, EVs
http://www.dailytech.com/SelfHealing+Battery+Electrode+Shows+Promise+for+Smartphones+EVs/article33767c.htm
I didn’t get the impression that this design had higher density, just that it lasted longer. Sure, that is nice, instead of replacing your PV/wind turbine batteries every 5 years you …
Devices Connect with Borrowed TV Signals, and Need No Power Source
Devices that can make wireless connections even without an onboard battery could spread computing power into everything you own.
http://www.technologyreview.com/news/518111/devices-connect-with-borrowed-tv-signals-and-need-no-power-source/
It has been a while, sorry to my regular …
Once a Joke, Battery-Powered Airplanes Are Nearing Reality
Aerospace companies are working on hybrid electric airplanes, and the earliest versions will likely arrive before the end of the decade.
http://www.technologyreview.com/news/516576/once-a-joke-battery-powered-airplanes-are-nearing-reality/
To get a 25% decrease in fuel usage is quite …
Flexible Glass Could Make Tablets Lighter and Solar Power Cheaper
NREL shows that Corning’s Willow glass can be used to make flexible solar cells that could be installed in place of roofing shingles.
http://www.technologyreview.com/news/516471/flexible-glass-could-make-tablets-lighter-and-solar-power-cheaper/
Not quite ready for prime time, …
$27,500 gun hits targets at 1,000 yards
http://money.cnn.com/2013/06/11/news/companies/trackingpoint-gun/index.html?hpt=hp_t5
I am not totally sure that this is as revolutionary as made out to be. Sure, it is hard for ordinary people (i.e., not snipers) to hit targets at that range, but …
Printing Electronics Just Got Easier
A new technique developed by researchers in China allows easier printing of electronic components onto paper.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/13/130509-paper-printed-circuits-electronics-technology-science/
I think the next decade is going to be as eye popping as the last quarter century (in …