Lifeboat Foundation

A new type of glass to reducing electric bills.

A revolutionary new type of smart window developed by the University College London (UCL) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) could cut window-cleaning costs in tall buildings while reducing heating bills and boosting worker productivity. Partially inspired by the reflective properties of moth eyes, this smart window is said to be self-cleaning, energy saving, and anti-glare.

When rain hits the outside of the smart window it forms spherical droplets that roll over the surface and pick up dirt, dust and other contaminants, then carries them away. This can either eliminate or reduce the need for manual cleaning.

Continue reading “Self-cleaning, anti-glare windows inspired by moth eyes” »

China’s improved glass for space.

Chinese scientists developed a method to create a transparent, glass-based material with the power and lifespan to absorb ultraviolet rays. The metal oxide-based special glass is expected to not break down under prolonged UV radiation exposure. (Photo : John T. Clarke (University of Michigan), ESA, NASA | Wikimedia Commons)

Chinese scientists have discovered a special glass that can absorb and block dangerous ultraviolet rays.

Continue reading “New Metal Glass Oxide Can Protect Living Cells From Ultraviolet Rays” »

Go Hubo

The so-called ‘fourth industrial revolution’ will bring ever faster cycles of innovation, posing huge challenges to companies, workers, governments and societies alike Implantable mobile phones. 3D-printed organs for transplant. Clothes and reading-glasses connected to the Internet.

Such things may be science fiction today but they will be scientific fact by 2025 as the world enters an era of advanced robotics, artificial intelligence and gene editing, according to executives surveyed by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Continue reading “Here come the robots, welcome to the next industrial revolution” »

Virginia Tech’s Professor Doug Bowman comes to Apple to make VR. This should be very interesting since he won the research grant to work on the “Hololens” — could be interesting.

According to a report in the Financial Times, Apple has hired one of the leading experts on virtual and augmented reality — Virginia Tech computer science professor Doug Bowman. He was recently listed among grant winners for HoloLens research projects and is skilled in creating 3D user interfaces, reports Endgadget. He has also co-authored a book called 3D User Interfaces Theory and Practice.

He’s been working on technologies such as wearable displays and full surround display prototypes at Virginia Tech.

Continue reading “Apple hires virtual and augmented reality tech expert: Report” »

Very well thought out, quite intelligent points.

A post-apocalyptic Earth, emptied of humans, seems like the stuff of science fiction TV and movies. But in this short, surprising talk, Lord Martin Rees asks us to think about our real existential risks — natural and human-made threats that could wipe out humanity. As a concerned member of the human race, he asks: What’s the worst thing that could possibly happen?

Continue reading “Martin Rees: Can we prevent the end of the world?” »

Isn’t medical technology a beautiful thing — your own personal doctor and on your terms.

The new trend on healthcare technology is found to let you see your robot doctor in just a few taps in your mobile phones.

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Another article highlighting the fears around Singularity. There are so many great things that will come from Singularity such as Cancer is wiped out, improved healthcare across the board and cheaper, etc. And, there are also downsides as Gates, Musk, etc. have warned folks especially around AI.

So, what are our options and obligations around Singularity? In reality, you will not be able to stop this evolution from happening. However, each person has a right to decide how much singularity is right for their own private use. As a business or a company, there are many things to consider such as Total Cost of Ownership v. ROI, tax codes or how government will view “humanoids” v. non-humanoids as it relates to CapEx and Taxes, etc. And, the company or business needs to ensure that there are appropriate safegaurds in place in order to protect their data, etc… Also, government has an obligation to the people in general in safegaurding our rights, security, and safety.

Another, question that will continue to be raised and will increase overtime is government and business obligations to the financial welfare of the people. And, this one will become more and more complex and interesting overtime. If AI was to truly displace millions of workers; how will the countries help feed, clothe, and house millions displaced people beyond what they have done in their own country’s past? Will the countries government place a special tax structure on companies and businesses to help fund the displaced workers and their families? Or, will it be a joint partnership with business and government? It does make one wonder.

Continue reading “Why you should be scared of robots” »

This article does trigger some good questions for companies & households to consider as we roll forward into robotic mania. One, is the cost to replace or the cost to update/ upgrade your new “humanoid robot/s.” How do we look at CapEx when is comes to a “humanoid robot” v. a non-humanoid machine; and what will congress & government’s/ IRS viewpoint be around a “humanoid”; will there be special new rules in how we depreciate and do tax breaks on “humanoids” v. non humanoid AI machines?

Bottom line is, with a humanoid bot we’re stepping into a realm of companionship, relationships, etc. like any one would have with a person in their household, company, etc. And, the way government, etc. will view those situations and relationships may get interesting for all of us. We still have lots and lots of questions to figure out around this area; however, we do still have some time.

Continue reading “Multimillion dollar humanoid robot doesn’t make for a good cleaner” »

Talk about a bold and unique method for mapping the human brain — using a modified version of the rabies virus to help researcher to rapidly map the brain.

Researchers have figured out a way to leverage rabies to not kill the brain, but instead map it.

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