Monday, March 28, 2011

Battery-powered surgical lamp designed for developing nations

Battery-powered surgical lamp designed for developing nations: "While those of us living in First World countries may take an easily-accessible source of continuously-flowing electricity for granted, such is not the case in developing nations. Many communities have little or no electrical infrastructure, and experience frequent power outages."

Nanocomposite material gets stronger when stressed

Nanocomposite material gets stronger when stressed: "If someone does a lot of arm curls at the gym, the typical result is that the bones and muscles in their arms will get stronger. Recently, researchers at Houston's Rice University inadvertently created a nanocomposite that behaves in the same way. Although the material doesn't respond to static stress, repeated mechanical stress will cause it to become stiffer."

Eurotech launches Zypad WL1500 wearable computer

Eurotech launches Zypad WL1500 wearable computer: "Around the time I was hoping to swap my Olivetti typewriter for one of those new-fangled Apple Macintosh things, Seiko also created the UC-2000 wrist computer. The images of the device docked onto a QWERTY keyboard strapped to someone's arm still raise a smile even now."

Festo creates SmartBird flying robotic seagull

Festo creates SmartBird flying robotic seagull: "Festo has added to its robotic menagerie with the creation of a robotic seagull that weighs just 450 g (15.87 oz) and boasts a wingspan of 1.96 m (6.4 ft). Dubbed the SmartBird, the ultralight flying robot was inspired by the herring gull and can take off, fly and land autonomously, without the help of any additional drive systems."

Jabra pulls a triple with new in-car speakerphone

Jabra pulls a triple with new in-car speakerphone: "Jabra says that its new FREEWAY in-car speakerphone is the first to offer virtual surround sound through a three speaker configuration that provides quality audio when making and taking calls or listening to music."