Weird Technologies Archive
2008
Spray
On Condom: Jan Vinzenz Krause invented the spray-on condom. Inspired
by the mechanics of a drive-through car wash, the German sexual-health educator
designed a custom-fitting male contraceptive using liquid latex and some
materials from a hardware store.
US
Army Invests in 'Thought Helmet': In the future, soldiers may be
communicating silently with sophisticated "thought helmets." The
devices would harness a person´s brain waves and transmit them as radio
waves, where they would be translated into words in the headphones of other
soldiers.
The
Smell of Cancer: People who are prone to developing skin cancer
have to undergo frequent exams and biopsies. Reseachers have now discovered
that skin-cancer tumors give off a characteristic odor profile that could
be used for early detection.
Genetics could Result in Vision Loss: A key molecule related to immunity may play a role in macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 65.
Nanomaterial Cleans up Mercury: If you break a fluorescent light bulb, you've got a mess on your hands. The bulbs contain mercury, a potent neurotoxin that turns cleanup into a toxic waste management project.
Aging: An Evolutionary Accident? Environmental stresses and cell damage play a role in the longevity of humans and simple soil-dwelling nematodes. But new research shows that in a worm, such stresses have no effect on the changes in gene expression that accompany worm aging, hinting that another process is at work.
New
Drugs Mimic Exercise: The elusive exercise pill just took a step
closer to becoming a reality. Scientists have found that two compounds can
boost endurance in mice by changing the metabolic properties of the animals'
muscle.
The
Brain Unmasked: New imaging technologies reveal the intricate architecture
of the brain, creating a blueprint of its connectivity.
Nanotech
Revives Cancer Drug: In the 90s, a cancer drug was released which
showed increased life spans and regression in lab trials; but in clinical
trials, unforeseen toxicity pulled the drug. Now nanotechnology may make
this drug possible.
Solar
Power Breakthrough: Researchers have made a major advance in inorganic
chemistry that could lead to a cheap way to store energy from the sun. In
so doing, they have solved one of the key problems in making solar energy
a dominant source of electricity.
Living
Legos: Researchers have taken an important first step toward building
complex tissues from the bottom up by creating what they call living Legos.
These building blocks can self-assemble into complex structures resembling
those found in tissues.
Zapping
Individual Cancer Cells: Engineers at the University of Texas at
Austin have patented a laser microscalpel that allows a surgeon to operate
on tissue one cell at a time, precisely targeting disease while leaving healthy
surrounding cells alive.
Nano
Bear comes Clean: Benny the Bear, a soft toy using nano-silver to
give it antimicrobial properties. But nano silver was not used due to fears
of unknown risks; raising the question, will others avoid investing in nanotech?
Super
Strong Nano Paper: Researchers in Sweden have developed a nanopaper
that is stronger than cast iron and tougher than bones. It could be used
to make tough packaging material, filters, membranes, and even car and aircraft
parts.
Sound
Shield: Engineers have designed a material that redirects sounds
and could be used in buildings to shield them from noises. The sound-shielding
material, which, if actually made, would be the first acoustic cloaking device.
Japan's
Humanoid Hottie: A company in Japan has a developed a small robot
that many can only describe as a 'hottie'.
A Patch that can Prevent Diarrhoea: Stomach bugs picked up during foreign travel may be prevented by wearing a patch impregnated by toxins produced by the E. coli bacterium.
A Self-Writing To-Do List: The problem with to-do lists and schedules is that you need to fill them out. Now, a new generation of free online schedulers promises to end that drudgery.
Tracking the Immune System: The human immune system is complex, with multiple cell types stationed all over the body. A new imaging tool is emerging that may be helpful in monitoring immune reactions to diseases such as cancer.
Monkey Feeds Itself with Robotic Arm: In a dramatic display of the potential of prosthetic arms, a monkey at the University of Pittsburgh was able to use his brain to directly control a robotic arm and feed himself a marshmallow.
Nano Sponge for Oil Spills: A thin membranes made from a web of nanowires might become a promising tool for cleaning up oil spills and removing toxic contaminants from groundwater.
Drugs to Grow your Brain: Drugs that encourage the growth of new neurons in the brain are now headed for clinical trials. The drugs have already shown success in alleviating symptoms of depression.
Photonic Crystal Found in Beetle: Researchers have discovered a species of Brazilian beetle that has the unusual trait of reflecting iridescent green from almost any angle.
Bionic Eye 'Blindness Cure Hope': A 'bionic eye' may hold the key to returning sight to people left blind by a hereditary disease, experts believe.
BigDog Quadruped Robot - Aboslutely Amazing, Stunning: Boston Dynamics keeps working on their BigDog quadruped robot, which will probably grow to be the future AT-AT of the Pentagon. Its evolution is nothing sort of mindblowing, and a bit spooky. It climbs through rubble, snow, jumping over obstacles like a wild goat, and saving a near-fall on iced ground at the last second defies belief.
Milk Cartons that Glow in the Dark when Milk goes Sour: Nanotechnology is the wave of the future, which is expected to open new doors and create multitudes of new opportunities, from healthy no-fat ice cream to smart milk cartons.
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