New T-ray technology could help enable Star Trek-style “tricorders”

New T-ray technology could help enable Star Trek-style “tricorders”: "We recently looked at one of the potential contenders in the US$10 million Qualcomm Tricorder X PRIZE, which as the name suggests, was inspired by the medical tricorder of Star Trek fame. Now scientists have developed a new way of creating Terahertz (THz) or T-rays, which they say could help make handheld devices with tricorder-like capabilities a reality."

'via Blog this'

Kepler spacecraft discovers tiniest solar system yet found

Kepler spacecraft discovers tiniest solar system yet found: "Astronomers using data from NASA's Kepler mission have discovered a tiny solar system consisting of a single red dwarf star, known as KOI-961 and three planets which are 0.78, 0.73 and 0.57 times the radius of Earth."

'via Blog this'

Semi-human-powered flight project gets off the ground ... maybe

Semi-human-powered flight project gets off the ground ... maybe: "A Dutch mechanical engineer is working on realizing da Vinci's dream of human-powered flight, with some help from modern technology. Jarnos Smeets is the driving force between the Human Birdwings Project, which utilizes a combination of gadgets including an HTC Wildfire S and a Wii remote. He claims to have conducted his first successful test flight this week, even though he didn't appear to get too far off the ground."

'via Blog this'

First flight of Cessna Citation Ten prototype a success

First flight of Cessna Citation Ten prototype a success: "What is set to be the latest addition to Cessna's Citation line of business jets made its first flight this week. The Cessna Citation Ten prototype flew for more than two hours in the skies over Cessna's main manufacturing facility at Wichita, Kansas, with the aircraft's stability and control, handling, autopilot and autothrottle systems, engine operability and avionics all put to the test."

'via Blog this'

Camcorder device allows for live, computer-free video streaming

Camcorder device allows for live, computer-free video streaming: "Japanese electronics manufacturer Cerevo might already be known to some readers for its Cerevo Camera Live. Released in May of 2010, the video camera is able to stream content live to Ustream, without the need of a linked computer."

'via Blog this'

Researchers engineer microbe to make seaweed a cost-effective source of renewable fuel

Researchers engineer microbe to make seaweed a cost-effective source of renewable fuel: "One of the biggest criticisms leveled at biofuels that are derived from crops such as wheat, corn and sugar cane, is that they result in valuable land being taken away from food production."

'via Blog this'

Would you buy another one? Automotive Customer Retention survey reveals the truth

Would you buy another one? Automotive Customer Retention survey reveals the truth: "For starters, something incredibly positive is happening at Hyundai - just two years ago, Hyundai was below the industry average in customer retention - now the Korean brand has flown past Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Lexus, Infiniti and Acura to become the stickiest brand in the business, with a healthy margin of 4% to Ford and Honda."

'via Blog this'

Power Bank two-in-one flashlight and phone charger

Power Bank two-in-one flashlight and phone charger: "Though falling into that tiny category of things exhibited at CES 2012 that don't have an HD screen and aren't an iPhone peripheral, we did want to briefly mention Poldera's Power Bank Energy Holder."

'via Blog this'

NYPD developing portable body scanner for detecting concealed weapons

NYPD developing portable body scanner for detecting concealed weapons: "You have to feel sorry for the police officers who are required to frisk people for guns or knives - after all, if someone who doesn't want to be arrested is carrying a lethal weapon, the last thing that most of us would want to do is get close enough to that person to touch them."

'via Blog this'

Village Defense: Neighborhood Watch 2.0 - the good guys are winning

Village Defense: Neighborhood Watch 2.0 - the good guys are winning: "If you've ever lived within the bounds of a Neighborhood Watch footprint, you have no doubt been astonished by the amount of crime in your community. Neighborhood Watch newsletters in most locales carry lists of burglaries and worse and their locations, all of which are in your neighborhood."

'via Blog this'

GM's Windows of Opportunity project turns car windows into interactive displays

GM's Windows of Opportunity project turns car windows into interactive displays: "In-car DVD players and handheld game consoles have proven a godsend to parents looking to avoid the regular cries of "are we there yet?" from kids in the back seat."

'via Blog this'

Personal Rover - personal EV for under US$1000

Personal Rover - personal EV for under US$1000: "It is no secret that personal transportation form factors are beginning to diverge and a new one caught our attention this week that is almost certain to carve itself a niche in this intensely interesting and competitive space. It's not as sexy as a Yikebike, Honda U3-X or Toyota Winglet, but it is easy to use, has a range of 12 miles (20 km), a top speed of 15 mph and a price under US$1000."

'via Blog this'