Archive for the 'Gadgets Future' Category

Some Reproductive Spores Are Aerodynamic

Monday 5 January 2009 @ 8:01 pm

The reproductive spores of many species of fungi have evolved remarkably drag-minimizing shapes, according to new research by mycologists and applied mathematicians at Harvard University. In many cases, the scientists report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the drag experienced by these fungal spores is within one percent of the absolute minimum possible drag for their size.

More: continued here

Comments (0) | Posted in Gadgets Future

Organic Weed Control

Monday 5 January 2009 @ 8:01 pm

Sinalbin, the same compound that gives white mustard its pungent flavor, could also prove useful in fighting weeds. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) studies suggest sinalbin and other compounds released into soil by applications of white mustard seed meals can kill or suppress certain weedy grasses and annual broadleaf weeds. Agronomist Rick Boydston, with the ARS Vegetable and Forage Crops Research Unit in Prosser, Wash., is conducting the studies.

More: continued here

Comments (0) | Posted in Gadgets Future

Freescale Chip Aims at 1GHz Sub-$200 Netbook

Monday 5 January 2009 @ 8:01 pm

Freescale Semiconductor is expected to launch new silicon for Netbooks - devices that it believes will come in below $200 - at the Consumer Electronics Show this week in Las Vegas. The ARM chip architecture-based i.MX51 processor is designed to enable “low-power, gigahertz performance netbooks at sub-$200 price points,” according to Freescale, formerly Motorola’s chipmaking arm.

More: continued here

Comments (0) | Posted in Gadgets Future

Place Any Video inside Your Home Video

Monday 5 January 2009 @ 8:01 pm

Researchers from Stanford University have developed new artificial intelligence software called ZunaVision, which can place a still image or video on almost any surface inside a video clip. For example, in a video displaying a painting of the sea hanging on the wall in a living room, the picture on the wall can be edited and replaced by a video of Barak Obama giving a speech.

More: continued here

Comments (0) | Posted in Gadgets Future

Micro-Flying Robot

Monday 5 January 2009 @ 7:01 pm

Seiko Epson Corporation has developed a “microrobot” named FR-II. The robot is the successor to the original FR, which used to be the world’s smallest and lightest micro-flying robot; the newer version includes Bluetooth wireless control and independent flight capability.