Replacement developed for rare material widely used in electronics manufacture

Replacement developed for rare material widely used in electronics manufacture: "With its two chief properties of excellent electrical conductivity and optical transparency, indium tin oxide (ITO) can be found in transparent conductive coatings for displays found in all kinds of products, such as TVs, mobile phones and laptops, and is also used as a transparent electrode in thin-film solar cells."

April 12, 1961: A remarkable date in human history

April 12, 1961: A remarkable date in human history: "A remarkable milestone in human history took place exactly 50 years ago today when Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space. During the flight of Vostok 1 on April 12, 1961,"

Virgin Oceanic's ambitious plans to explore Earth's last frontier

Virgin Oceanic's ambitious plans to explore Earth's last frontier: "Seventy percent of Mother Earth's surface is covered in water, yet we know more about the moon than we do about our deepest oceans. In yet another ground-breaking initiative under Virgin's multi-faceted 'Branded Venture Capitalism', Richard Branson intends to change all that with the Virgin Oceanic Five Dives project."

Researchers tackle mouse control from a different angle

Researchers tackle mouse control from a different angle: "For many people with motor disabilities, the task of precisely moving a mouse cursor around a screen can be incredibly frustrating. While controlling a mouse cursor with the power of thought looks likely to be possible in the not too distant future,"

Zacuto Z-Finder EVF – a standalone LCD screen for DSLR filmmakers

Zacuto Z-Finder EVF – a standalone LCD screen for DSLR filmmakers: "HDSLR cameras are taking off in a big way as cheap video rigs with quality interchangeable glass – but the more you get into SLR filmmaking, the more obstacles you find yourself working around."

Spiking biofuel with nanoparticles found to increase performance

Spiking biofuel with nanoparticles found to increase performance: "Nanoparticles have added yet another string to their microscopic bows with a new study showing that the addition of alumina nanoparticles can improve the performance and combustion of biodiesel, while producing fewer emissions."

Einstein's Pedometer app provides a relatively good incentive to get you moving

Einstein's Pedometer app provides a relatively good incentive to get you moving: "Among other things, Einstein's theory of special relativity says that as an object's velocity increases, time as experienced by the object will slow down when compared to another object traveling at a lower velocity."

U.S. Navy demonstrates solid state laser weapon at sea

U.S. Navy demonstrates solid state laser weapon at sea: "Solid-state laser weapons are a step closer to operational capability with the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) reporting that it has successfully disabled a small target boat during testing off the Californian coast."

Ford turns to chocolate bar to develop lighter plastic components

Ford turns to chocolate bar to develop lighter plastic components: "We've seen the world's first Formula 3 car running on a fuel derived from waste chocolate, and now engineers at Ford have turned to the tasty treat for inspiration to produce lighter plastic parts for Ford's vehicles."

Mind over mouse: Researchers demonstrate thought-controlled cursor

Mind over mouse: Researchers demonstrate thought-controlled cursor: "It is a commonly held myth that much of the effectiveness of communication is determined by nonverbal cues, but try telling that to someone who has lost the power of speech due to brain injury or damage to their vocal cords or airway."

The homebuilt electric Z-Kart - who needs a Tesla Roadster?

The homebuilt electric Z-Kart - who needs a Tesla Roadster?: "As major automobile manufacturers around the world pour countless dollars and man hours into the research and development of electric vehicles, George Fortin has quietly gone about making one of his own."

Keyport looks to streamline the modern keychain

Keyport looks to streamline the modern keychain: "With most households yet to make the move to biometric lock systems, many of us are still carrying around jangly keychains. And with keychains also attracting non-key items such as USB flash drives, mini-torches and the all-important bottle opener, they can quickly reach pocket bulging, Kramer-esque proportions."

Latest FinePix compact gets new EXR sensor, multi-touch display

Latest FinePix compact gets new EXR sensor, multi-touch display: "The FinePix Z900EXR is a good 2mm thinner than its predecessor at 18.2mm (0.7-inches). There's a major change in the sensor department too. The 12 megapixel EXR CCD sensor has been replaced by a new EXR CMOS sensor with a resolution boost up to 16 megapixel plus backside illumination (BSI) technology."

The inspired Platypus Electric Underwater Exploration Craft

The inspired Platypus Electric Underwater Exploration Craft: "The French-designed Platypus is a new and immensely practical two-person electric underwater exploration concept designed to travel for eight hours above the water at 10-12 knots (18.5-22.2 km/h), or below the water at 3-4 knots (5.5-7.5 km/h). Most importantly, it offers a safe and stable below-water platform that requires no operating equipment to be worn by the pilot or passenger other than masks because the pontoons contain an integrated compressor which supplies air via hoses."

Research sheds new light on wall-climbing critters

Research sheds new light on wall-climbing critters: "Few things are as disconcerting, or as curious, as the sight of a gecko or spider skittering effortlessly upside down along the ceiling. This ability is known to be facilitated by microscopic hairs or 'setae' on the footpads of insects and mammals and a better understanding of their function could lead to advances in synthetic adhesives, wall climbing robots and yes, even the the holy-grail of the spiderman suit."

CO2 scrubber turns carbon emissions into building materials

CO2 scrubber turns carbon emissions into building materials: "Students at Michigan Technological University have designed and constructed their own mini-smokestack to showcase a new method for scrubbing carbon dioxide from emissions. The approach is similar to SkyMine technology, but instead of producing sodium bicarbonate as a byproduct, it turns captured carbon into a solid material that could have applications as a construction material."

Hyundai unveils its first sedan-style FCEV in Seoul

Hyundai unveils its first sedan-style FCEV in Seoul: "Hyundai unveiled its new mid-size hydrogen powered fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) concept this week at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show. Powered by a 90 kW (120 hp) electric motor that delivers fuel economy of 34.9 km/L (82.1 mpg), the Blue2 (pronounced 'Blue square') is intended as a 'blue' print for the automaker's future sedans."

SpaceX sets launch date for world's most powerful rocket

SpaceX sets launch date for world's most powerful rocket: "SpaceX, the American space transport company founded by PayPal and Tesla Motors co-founder Elon Musk, has announced a late 2013 or 2014 launch date for the world's most powerful rocket, the Falcon Heavy."

SteadyCam Pro App offers real-time image stabilization for iPhone videos

SteadyCam Pro App offers real-time image stabilization for iPhone videos: "The video capture capabilities found in today's mobile phones has made it easier than ever to record those priceless memories whenever and wherever they may occur."

New solar-thermal device harnesses heat and light

New solar-thermal device harnesses heat and light: "Researchers at Wake Forest University have developed a new type of polymer solar-thermal device that combines photovoltaics with a system that captures the Sun's infrared radiation to generate heating. By taking advantage of both heat and light, researchers say the device could deliver up to 40 percent savings on the cost of heating, as well as helping reduce power bills by producing electricity"

Tobii releases eye-controlled mouse system

Tobii releases eye-controlled mouse system: "Sweden's eye tracking and control innovator Tobii has announced the release of a stand-alone eye control device called PCEye. Like the laptop-based prototype system demonstrated at CeBIT last month, the device tracks eye movement and translates it into mouse cursor action onscreen."

Tobii releases eye-controlled mouse system

Tobii releases eye-controlled mouse system: "Sweden's eye tracking and control innovator Tobii has announced the release of a stand-alone eye control device called PCEye. Like the laptop-based prototype system demonstrated at CeBIT last month, the device tracks eye movement and translates it into mouse cursor action onscreen."

Infant Warmer would keep premies safe and warm in developing nations

Infant Warmer would keep premies safe and warm in developing nations: "According to the medical journal The Lancet, approximately 20 million low birth-weight and premature babies are born around the world every year. Of those, about 4 million die within four weeks."

New Michelin bike inner tube squeezes punctures closed

New Michelin bike inner tube squeezes punctures closed: "Bicycle inner tubes that contain a small-puncture-sealing slimy liquid may not be a new development in and of themselves, but Michelin has released a product that takes the concept a step further. The company's Protek Max tube not only contains a sealant, but is designed to compress when punctured to assist the self-sealing process."

HandStand case puts iPad in the palm of your hand

HandStand case puts iPad in the palm of your hand: "Apple's iPad tablet has become an extension of the arm for many people. Despite being designed for portability – and the iPad 2 being 15 percent lighter than the first iPad – using either version of the device for any longer than a few minutes without some kind of support can lead to arm and hand strain. Hub International's HandStand case makes things much more comfortable by letting you attach an iPad to your hand like a catcher's mitt."

Electromagnetic automobile suspension demonstrated

Electromagnetic automobile suspension demonstrated: "Last December at the Future of Electric Vehicles conference in San Jose, a representative from The Netherlands' Eindhoven University of Technology presented research that his institution had been doing into a novel type of electromagnetic vehicle suspension."

Heading for the great outdoors? Don't forget the Yurt

Heading for the great outdoors? Don't forget the Yurt: "Youngsters who trek off into the back of beyond tend not to concern themselves too much with comfort. As you get older though, and perhaps have kids in tow, you may find that your camping needs undergo some modification."

Mosquito inspires near-painless hypodermic needle

Mosquito inspires near-painless hypodermic needle: "Mosquitoes are perhaps useful for something after all, besides feeding frogs. Along with his colleagues at Osaka's Kansai University, mechanical engineer Seiji Aoyagi has created an almost pain-free hypodermic needle that is based on a mosquito's proboscis. Perhaps surprisingly, the needle's patient-friendliness comes from the fact that its outer surface is jagged, not smooth."

Nikon adds to entry-level line of D-SLRs with new D5100

Nikon adds to entry-level line of D-SLRs with new D5100: "Nikon has announced the latest addition to its entry-level D-SLR lineup in the form of the new D5100. The D5100 boasts the same 23.3 x 15.6 mm CMOS sensor, 16.2-megpixel resolution and ISO range of 100–6400 (expandable to 25,600) as Nikon's D7000, plus a new Night Vision mode that can shoot up to a staggering 102,400 ISO."

Experimental direct solar steam generation power plant opens in Spain

Experimental direct solar steam generation power plant opens in Spain: "When most of us think of sunlight being used to generate power, we likely picture photovoltaic cells. Concentrated solar power plants however, use lenses or mirrors to heat fluid – such as synthetic oil – which in turn is used to generate high-pressure steam to drive a conventional turbine."

Ready for your close-up? It's a microscope for the iPhone

Ready for your close-up? It's a microscope for the iPhone: "It's all very well and good that iPhones can give you directions, let you surf the web, and do about a thousand other things, but what if you want to get a close look at something really tiny?"