Ben Coxworth
Edible electronic medical devices could be swallowed like regular pills
Over the past several years, scientists have developed so-called “camera pills,” that can be swallowed by patients and then transmit video from within their bodies. While such non-digestible gadgets could serve as an invaluable means of imaging, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are now looking into tiny electronic medical devices that could be swallowed and partially digested, providing non-invasive treatment in the process. Read More
There are already plenty of telephoto lenses that you can add onto the lens port of your smartphone case, but Honolulu-based inventors Daniel Fujikake and Mac Nguyen have come up with an alternative. Their Snapzoom device is a universal adapter mount, that lets you use your existing binoculars to bring your smartphone closer to the action. Read More
For several years now, it’s been possible to buy Swiss Army Knives with flash drives. The USB Utility Charge Tool, while it’s obviously inspired by the Swiss Army Knife, is a little different – it contains four fold-out plugs for charging or syncing your electronic devices. Read More
Last year, much to the delight of squeamish people everywhere, scientists were successfully able to remotely control the paths traveled by live cockroaches. They did so by wirelessly stimulating the insects’ antennae and cerci sensory organs. Now, a group of scientists from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have reported success in controlling the paths of walking turtles. Fortunately for the reptiles, the KAIST researchers’ methods were considerably less invasive than those used on the cockroaches. Read More
Sony’s new everything-proof Actioncam is definitely a worthy opponent to the likes of the GoPro HERO, although sometimes people just want a user-friendly video camera that can go in the water. Well, that’s where the Sony Handycam HDR-GW66VE comes into the picture. It’s a compact HD camcorder that can be submerged to a depth of 10 meters (33 feet) for up to an hour. Read More
Back in 2009, we heard about a 3D bio-printer that had been developed through a collaboration between Australian engineering firm Invetech, and Organovo, a San Diego-based regenerative medicine company. The device incorporates two print heads – one for placing human cells, and the other for placing a hydrogel, scaffold, or support matrix. At the time, the hope was that the printer could someday be used to create organs for transplant purposes. This week, Organovo announced that it has succeeded in using the device to create three-dimensional functioning human livers – albeit tiny ones. Read More
Studies have already shown us how white-painted roofs can help cool buildings by reflecting sunlight, while "green" roofs beat the heat by blocking sunlight and providing a source of evaporative cooling. Now, a team of scientists from Stanford University have created a panel that not only reflects sunlight, but it also draws heat from within the building and emits it into outer space. Read More
The Barman actively guides you in making cocktails
Making mixed drinks can be a tricky business for non-bartenders, so various people have invented machines that do it – witness the likes of the Inebriator, the Social Drink Machine, and the Bartendro. These machines are complex arrangements of tubes, pumps and bottles, however, that aren’t likely to ever see use by regular consumers. That’s why John Gallagher has created the Barman. It guides the user through the drink-making process, and can tell how much of each ingredient is being added based on its mass. Read More
Lumbia assesses and helps treat lower back pain
While lower back pain can have a variety of causes, poor posture is one of the most common culprits. Already there are a number of wearable devices available – such as the Lumoback and iPosture pendant – that detect when the user’s posture is improper, and alert them to the situation so they can correct it. The new Lumbia is one other product that performs this service, although it also provides data to therapists to assist in the treatment of back problems. Read More
When it comes to electronic gadgets, consumers like to see more power packed into a smaller device. With that in mind, all the flashlight geeks out there should be fans of Nitecore’s new Tiny Monster TM26 – it’s billed as the world’s smallest 3,500-lumen flashlight. Read More
