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Infrared
Wireless optical system offers one gigabit per second transmission
By Paul Ridden
19:31 January 28, 2010 PST
Sending and receiving data over a wireless network is generally undertaken via radio waves. But that's not the only method. Using the optical spectrum offers the advantage of better security and blisteringly fast transfer rates to boot. Engineers from Pennsylvania State University have now succeeded in moving data outside the usual line of sight restrictions at speeds of over one gigabit per second, more than double that achieved by Siemens recently. Read More
The board game V2.0
By Ben Coxworth
13:58 January 28, 2010 PST
Board games aren’t necessarily bound to become obsolete - at least, not if researchers at Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada have anything to say about it. They will change, however. Queen’s Human Media Lab (HML) recently unveiled a prototype board game that uses traditional flat cardboard tiles (i.e: cards), but the images on those tiles are projected onto them by an overlooking digital projector. The images stay on the tiles as they’re moved around by the players, courtesy of an overlooking camera that tracks their movements. This means that the tiles could display moving video, that their display could change entirely depending on what’s happening in the game, or that it could be customized by the players. Monopoly night may never be the same. Read More
L5 Remote turns your iPhone/touch into a universal remote
By Tim Hanlon
01:47 January 5, 2010 PST
In this age of HDTVs, home theaters, game consoles and media streamers, you're likely to have a growing collection of remotes in your living room, and regularly battle the issues that arise with such a collection. Inconsistent designs, missing battery covers, a myriad rechargeable AA batteries, a significant other who still can't figure out how to play a DVD, and our favorite - not being able to find the remote for the TV. Logitech's Harmony series of universal remotes are one answer to the problem, but L5 Technology has a promising device that will turn an iPhone or iPod touch into a customizable universal remote for just US$50. Read More
Hubble sees further than ever before
By Alan Brandon
15:11 December 15, 2009 PST
NASA's recently upgraded Hubble Space Telescope has made the deepest near-infrared image of the universe ever taken. Taken using a newly installed camera, the image shows deep space objects such as galaxies that formed only 600 million years after the Big Bang, making them the oldest galaxies ever seen. The image was taken with the Hubble’s new Wide Field Camera 3, which astronauts installed in May. Read More
Non-Lethal Thermal Laser prototype only works on nudists
By Darren Quick
01:07 September 22, 2009 PDT
Non-lethal weapons are intended to have reversible effects on personnel and material. They provide soldiers with another option when lethal force isn’t considered to be the best first response to a situation. One non-lethal weapon prototype that is being evaluated by U.S. military is the Thermal Laser System, which attaches to a rifle and uses a laser to create a heating sensation to repel adversaries. Unfortunately, current trials indicate that clothing nullifies the weapon's effectiveness. Read More
dariusvons
- February 10, 2010 @ 00:56 UTC
