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Feb 4, 2016
Astronauts and Arugula: Using Space-Station Technology to Grow Food — By Davina van Buren | Modern Farmer / smithsonian.com
Posted by Odette Bohr Dienel in categories: human trajectories, science, space, space travel
“Unlike other vertical farms that use market-ready technology, Romano developed Infinite Harvest’s proprietary building management system from the ground up, using his knowledge of space habitat design.
Feb 4, 2016
Wait not in vain | The Economist
Posted by Odette Bohr Dienel in categories: business, cryonics, human trajectories, science
“After decades of piecemeal progress, the science of cryogenically storing human organs is warming up”
Feb 4, 2016
India has to build its own capability in R&D
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: internet, mobile phones
I cannot wait to see India’s version of DARPA — it is probably going to be amazing.
India is unable to spend its defence modernisation budget, says a report in this newspaper. Out of a current year allocation of Rs 63,675 crore, 40% remained unspent by end-December. This is bad not just for upgrading defence capability but also for Indian research and development and for Indian manufacturing.
It is time defence reimagined its entire strategy for procurement, using a portion of its typically large outlays to stimulate R&D in universities and specialised labs and private companies, and to give Indian companies, big and small, a chance to become suppliers of parts and equipment on a scale much larger than what obtains today. The key is to create an Indian equivalent of the Americans’ Darpa.
Continue reading “India has to build its own capability in R&D” »
Feb 4, 2016
Biodegradable bodies for more eco-friendly robots
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: materials, robotics/AI
Biodegradable robot that looks like Sarah Palin.
Watch the video Biodegradable bodies for more eco-friendly robots on Yahoo News. Scientists are developing ‘smart materials’ that could lead to robots that will decompose like a human body once they’ve reached the end of their life-span. Matthew Stock reports.
Feb 4, 2016
Luxembourg launches plan to mine asteroids for minerals — By Clive Cookson | Financial Times
Posted by Odette Bohr Dienel in categories: business, geopolitics, governance, policy, space
“Mining in space will take a leap from the realms of science fiction towards commercial reality on Wednesday when Luxembourg launches an official initiative to promote the mining of asteroids for minerals.”
A few years ago, my friend and I were brainstorming on some NextGen Technologies to look at for investment purposes. And, he suggested Polymer Coating. And, was he ever right. Google and others are using it for screen imaging on Lens, etc. Love this stuff.
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have combined advanced nanometer-scale gratings and a Space Age-era thin-film polymer, to invent a novel technology. This technology can be used to fabricate routers and switches for optical signals, energy-efficient full-color video displays, and smart windows and coatings.
Feb 4, 2016
How to efficiently convert carbon dioxide from air to methanol fuel
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: chemistry, energy
Convert carbon dioxide from air (at low temp) to methanol fuel — why not!
Researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute have created fuel out of thin air — directly converting carbon dioxide from air into methanol at relatively low temperatures for the first time. While methanol can’t currently compete with oil, it will be there when we run out of oil, the researchers note.
Continue reading “How to efficiently convert carbon dioxide from air to methanol fuel” »
Feb 4, 2016
Contact lenses may soon become computer screens
Posted by Karen Hurst in category: computing
AR Contacts — Google and Huawei are both doing some really interesting things in this space; and I cannot wait until I get my hands on this technology.
Research looking into polymer technology points us in a direction several steps beyond the doomed Google Glass experiment | contact lens.
Feb 4, 2016
Graphene Brain Implants May Help Patients Regain Sensory Functions And Control Motor Disorders
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: biotech/medical, computing, materials, neuroscience
Graphene; the material for brain chip implants; however, Q-Dots ferrofluid is where it will make us totally rethink brain implants in the future.
A new technology developed by researchers in Italy and the United Kingdom allows for the creation of graphene-based materials that can be interfaced with neurons without losing its electrical conductivity. This can lead to the creation of neural electrodes that are not only biocompatible, but stable within the body as well. (Photo : University of Cambridge)
Scientists from the United Kingdom and Italy have developed a new process in which a carbon form known as graphene is combined with neurons without sacrificing the integrity of these cells.
