Leapfrog / Disruptive Technologies

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 01 Feb 2007 06:45

Polymer nano-fibres can increase greatly in stiffness and strength if the fibre diameter falls below a critical threshold:

http://www.physorg.com/news89490689.html

Sounds like a way to produce new value from older materials.

Hmm, I wonder what could be done with Kevlar?

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 01 Feb 2007 09:17

Here is yet another different YouTube video on Contour Crafting from the program Daily Planet by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7r-qlKkUo

This one is much more informative.

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 01 Feb 2007 10:23

Here's their home site:

http://www.contourcrafting.org/

They have some interesting animations, including stuff describing their business plan. Could be useful for India, with it's massive housing needs.

Raju · Post by **Raju** » 01 Feb 2007 19:33

US Urges Scientists To Block Out Sun
David Adam and Liz Minchin
January 29, 2007

link

THE US wants the world's scientists to develop technology to block sunlight as a last-ditch way to halt global warming.

It says research into techniques such as giant mirrors in space or reflective dust pumped into the atmosphere would be "important insurance" against rising emissions, and has lobbied for such a strategy to be recommended by a UN report on climate change, the first part of which is due out on Friday)......

link

bala · Post by **bala** » 02 Feb 2007 00:34

Indian researcher mimics spider-silk properties

Amazing properties of spider-silk may still be a mystery for scientists around the world, but Nitin Kumar, a former IITian and one of the developers of the technology at the Massachassets Institute of Technology, US, nano-technology researcher has been able to produce material that mimics the properties of this nature's wonder.

Nanotechnology is basically a manipulation of atoms, molecules, and materials to form structures on the scale of nanometres (billionths of a metre)

"In our work we mimicked the nanoscale structure of spider silk by creating selective nano-reinforcements in a synthetic polymer. With our work we also conclusively proved the exceptional spider silk properties are a result of this natural bio-nanocomposite structure," says Kumar.

The new technology could be used in a variety of applications including, tear-resistant clothes, light-weight medical devices, high heat-resistant scratch free coatings on surfaces, such as car windows, windows of buildings and others.

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 05 Feb 2007 10:38

Lotus pairs with ZAP to market electric vehicle:

http://www.businessweek.com/autos/conte ... =rss_daily

This may be the most market-ready electric vehicle yet. As such, it would offer considerable mileage economy, since the cost of electricity is much less than the equivalent amount of gasoline.

Unfortunately, India with its constant load-shedding problems would not be the most reliable place to keep your vehicle charged up.

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 05 Feb 2007 10:50

Or, for those still petroleum-addicted, Oil from Algae:

http://www.techreview.com/Energy/18138/

Hey, maybe India could try this.

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 06 Feb 2007 05:34

And here is another self-powered streetlamp:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/02 ... street.php

Note that it uses both solar and wind for power. These things could be used to spread wireless internet across all the streets and public outdoor places, for example.

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 06 Feb 2007 09:54

Bangladeshi prof invents cheap arsenic decontamination system:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16947780/

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 09 Feb 2007 08:50

Nintendo Wii going the exercise route:

http://gear.ign.com/articles/763/763009p1.html

This could make fitness for youngsters commonplace and fun!

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 14 Feb 2007 04:59

Nanotube filters will be able to purify water more easily and in a more controllable way:

http://www.physorg.com/news90599715.html

Voltage makes the difference.

bala · Post by **bala** » 15 Feb 2007 02:11

Indian American's project could pave way for sharper MRIs

Naresh Dalal, the Dirac Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at FSU, has recently conducted experiments with other researchers from FSU, the University of Colorado and the National Institute of Standards and Technology that uncovered unique properties in a molecular magnet - properties that could significantly increase the resolution of MRIs.

Their paper, "Efficacy of the Single-Molecule Magnet Fe8 for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agent Over a Broad Range of Concentration," was published in the current issue of Polyhedron, a rigorously peer-reviewed science journal, according to a news bulletin from the University in Tallahasse, Florida.

"There are continual efforts to enhance the level of image clarity found in today's MRI devices," Dalal said.

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 15 Feb 2007 04:05

D-Wave Unveils First Quantum Computer

http://www.physorg.com/news90685737.html

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financia ... 9NHDG0.htm

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 15 Feb 2007 09:20

IBM uses SOI to develop fast DRAM that can be used for CPU cache memory in place of SRAM:

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/i ... 140E8FE%7D

Great stuff.

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 15 Feb 2007 09:30

This invention by an MIT student would be good for mountaineering troops or special forces:

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/mit- ... 236677.php

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/sit ... ewsLang=en

It could be used for mountaineering, or even scaling buildings or the side of a ship.

Kati · Post by **Kati** » 16 Feb 2007 11:00

First disable your machine's cookie storing ability. Preferably use a public machine.

Next, go to google, and type in cap letters "h-a-a-r-p" (without the hyphens and quotation marks), and then search.

Check out the site.

Some say that this secretive org under unkil's 'pratiraksha' dept is devising methods to alter weather pattern on a landmass. Others say that this is nsa's evsdropping arm with a benign front.

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 20 Feb 2007 07:52

Here's another good article on home wind power, and how it's taking off:

http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/16/magazin ... 2007021907

Mainly being offered on upscale homes with large land area right now, but it's certainly a promising trend.

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 21 Feb 2007 08:06

Again, more on this super-powered cable-climbing device, which can be useful for mountaineering or urban warfare:

http://www.techreview.com/Infotech/18204/

Certainly a clever, eyecatching invention.

Alok_N · Post by **Alok_N** » 21 Feb 2007 09:17

Kati wrote:Some say that this secretive org under unkil's 'pratiraksha' dept is devising methods to alter weather pattern on a landmass. Others say that this is nsa's evsdropping arm with a benign front.

HAARP was discussed in the beams weapons thread ...

let's not get carried away with "eavsdropping" stuff ... or, perhaps, let's just get carried away anyway ... the science fiction thread with leaping frogs deserves it ...

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 21 Feb 2007 10:42

Better mirrors for better lasers:

http://www.techreview.com/Infotech/18209/

and maybe even possibly better TV:

http://www.investors.com/editorial/IBDA ... e=20070206

or even smaller ones:

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/co ... 023101.htm

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 23 Feb 2007 04:25

Buy the Electric Car, But Lease the Battery

http://blogs.business2.com/greenwombat/ ... buy_t.html

An interesting business model in support of green transportation.

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 23 Feb 2007 08:47

Auto insurance by the mile, and by the hour of day:

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/02/22/ ... insure.php

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 23 Feb 2007 09:24

Xerox's inkless printer:

http://www.tfot.info/content/view/115/58/

Doesn't need ink, and the paper can be re-used

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 23 Feb 2007 09:36

Sea-Dog water pump harnesses energy from ocean waves and pumps desalinated water:

http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/re ... D?id=47522

India faces critical water needs in the future.

sanjaykumar · Post by **sanjaykumar** » 26 Feb 2007 00:33

http://www.rxpgnews.com/science-technol ... 7039.shtml

India poised for breakthrough in nanotechnology: experts

Hype or just being hopeful? I will read around it when I get more time. Comments anyone?

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 01 Mar 2007 07:34

Graphene has been used to make a tiny single-electron transistor:

http://www.nature.com/news/2007/070226/ ... 26-10.html

http://www.physorg.com/news91891899.html

By definition, the device is extremely tiny and uses very low voltage.

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 01 Mar 2007 10:43

Electric hybrid technology accelerated by tax credits:

http://www.techreview.com/Energy/18247/

What's wrong with India considering stuff like this? Fine, India suffers load-shedding and poor availability of grid power. Yet for urban areas this could be good, and electric power is still cheaper than petrol. This could keep down inflation. It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, electric cars could act as power supplies which extend the reach of the electric grid, while also buffering it. You charge at night, you use during the day.

The fact remains that electricity can be generated by a more diverse set of methods than gasoline can be.

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 01 Mar 2007 10:54

With real estate and home prices booming, value-added features like solar power should be considered. If it can be done in California, then it can be done in some of India's growing upscale gated communities:

http://www.dailytech.com/Homebuilder+Go ... #cmt112270

Solar water heaters are already a growing phenomenon in India. Solar saves costs, especially with today's rising energy prices. Govt should consider offering tax credits, or encourage investment in these industries.

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 07 Mar 2007 10:52

Imagine a new type of game controller that could take your brain impulses, and use them to control a game:

http://www.techreview.com/Biztech/18276/

Now that would be some serious virtual reality.

This is the stuff scifi is made of, and yet the hormonally-driven gaming industry is reknowned for pushing phenomenally rapid technological development rates.

Imagine the applications for warfare. Deep integrated control over weapons systems. Faster response times. Immersive telepresence. The pilot controlling their tank, aircraft, etc remotely from a safe distance, with only millisecond lag time.

"You must think in Russian, Mr Gant. You must think in Russian."

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 09 Mar 2007 10:17

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7006686430

Researchers Hope Miniature Beetle Robot Could Reduce Future Surgery Needs

March 8, 2007 5:29 p.m. EST

Shaveta Bansal - All Headline News Staff Writer

Tokyo, Japan (AHN) - Researchers from a Japanese University have developed the prototype of a robotic beetle which they say could delve into the deeper layers of the body and perform surgical procedure there. The beetle, which weighs five grams and measures 0.79 inches in length and half of that in diameter, is said to be fitted with a small camera, sensors and even a drug delivery injector.

According to Ritsumeikan University scientists, the robot can be inserted into the body through a small incision, which thereafter can make its way to the target region inside the body.

The robot then sends the data to an outside computer through a slim cable although researchers hope to develop a transmitter, the French Press Agency, AFP reports.

Although several previous researches have resulted in the development of miniature robots for inside the body, their functionality had been limited to taking pictures.

U.S. researchers are also reportedly working on a small robot that could enter through an incision to treat heart problems.

Developers of the beetle robot say the gadget could be particularly useful for cancer sufferers.

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 12 Mar 2007 03:51

Battery from A123 Systems May Revolutionize Transportation

Gururaj Deshpande of Sycamore is the Chairman of this company.

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 13 Mar 2007 08:39

Electro-active polymers could make an
Airship that swims like a fish

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 20 Mar 2007 05:49

Anti-malaria strain of mosquitos capable of replacing ordinary malaria-carrying mosquitos

http://www.physorg.com/news93544513.html

sanjaykumar · Post by **sanjaykumar** » 20 Mar 2007 06:04

Astrox.com

Hypersonic Air-breathing (RBCC) SSTO and TSTO vehicles, Trans-Atmospheric vehicles, Rocket engines and Rocket systems, and Hypersonic and Supersonic Missiles. Of particular mention are the fifteen years of experience in the development of inward turning inlet methodology and analysis for which Astrox Corporation holds a patent.

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 24 Mar 2007 18:55

Setting up an Indian supercomp.

Raju · Post by **Raju** » 28 Mar 2007 21:27

SolCool showcases new solar-powered air conditioners

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 30 Mar 2007 04:31

Here's an interesting new idea:

http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/03/27/dig ... s-willson/

By interfacing design software with a laser-cutting machine, architectural company Bell-Travers-Willson has come up with a way to quickly design and build customized homes with minimal effort.

So you design the home on your computer screen, and then computer software will process that design shape into a series of small wooden lego-style blocks, which can then be fabricated by a computer-controlled laser-cutting machine.

You can see those lego type blocks in the third and fourth pictures on the page. These hollow blocks are of a size that only one or two people are required to lift them. No cranes or heavy equipment are required, as a pile of these blocks can be transported to the site for lego-style assembly. So an entire house can be assembled just from these custom-made blocks -- even a large house like in the first photo.

India has a lumber industry, and there is a strong demand for affordable housing for the poor.

Indians like to brag about how many businesses they have improved through the use of information technology. But has anyone really considered this particular type of IT-enabled application?

AshokS · Post by **AshokS** » 30 Mar 2007 22:41

This is big... reading minds to control machines... I know work has been going on for over a decade, but this is the next level...

http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=22665

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 31 Mar 2007 03:38

Nanobuds:

http://www.physorg.com/news94478341.html

A hybrid of nanotubes and fullerene buckyballs, they are expected to have superior properties to both.

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 01 Apr 2007 11:59

Company Claims Wireless Power Technology

Hmm, I hope it's not an April Fool's joke.

Bharat Rakshak

Leapfrog / Disruptive Technologies

Nano-fibres

US Urges Scientists To Block Out Sun

home wind power taking off

mirror, laser, tv

Buy, Lease

graphene transistor

The Firefox Helmet

A123 Battery

Digital House