India is developing a 35-dollar computer for students

By Damir Beciri
4 Comments23 July 2010

india-developing-35-dollar-computerThe Indian government unveiled the world’s cheapest “laptop” computer meant for students – a touch-screen device that costs $35. Developed by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology and Indian Institute of Science, mass production of the computer might begin as soon as next year, claims Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal, adding the government… »

Fraunhofer FIT’s 3D gestural information interaction system

By Damir Beciri
22 July 2010

fraunhofer-fit-3d-gesture-systemScientists at Fraunhofer FIT have developed a non-contact gesture and finger recognition system that could be used as a future information interaction system. The novel system detects hand and finger positions in real-time and translates these into appropriate interaction commands. Unlike most of the systems we described before, this system does not require special gloves… »

English ivy nanoparticles could be used for future sunscreens

By Damir Beciri
One Comment20 July 2010

english-ivy-hedera-helix-1Researchers at the University of Tennessee reported that English ivy nanoparticles may protect skin from UV radiation better than other metal-based nanoparticles such as titanium dioxide (TiO2). The team was led by Mingjun Zhang, an associate professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Tennessee, who previously discovered that English ivy owes its amazing clinging… »

Carmanah EverGEN 1710 off-grid solar LED streetlamps

By Damir Beciri
2 Comments19 July 2010

led-light-los-angeles-1Many cities use LED streetlamps instead their predecessors in order to save energy and money. The next logical step, when you disregard the fact some parts of the world aren’t as sunny as others, is to make take the streetlamps completely off the grid. A bit more than a year ago, lighting manufacturer Carmanah partnered… »

Green architecture – Macallen Building

By Damir Beciri
18 July 2010

macallen-building-condominiums-1As a pivotal building in the urban revitalization of South Boston, the Macallen Building design is innovative and sustainable. When it was completed in 2007, the building earned LEED Gold certification. The building consists of 140 luxury condos with high-end finishes and all the amenities you would expect from a luxury condo building. It was… »

HiBot’s robot Expliner could aid in aging power lines inspection

By Damir Beciri
2 Comments17 July 2010

hibot-expliner-robot-used-for-power-lines-inspectionIn one of our previous articles we wrote about a robot developed to inspect the aging power lines in the USA, as well as about importance of preventive maintenance and inspection of the aging power lines. Many power lines in western Japan are 80 years old, so Tokyo-based HiBot worked with western Japan’s Kansai Electric… »

REX Bionics robotic exoskeleton Rex could aid to paraplegics

By Damir Beciri
3 Comments16 July 2010

rex-bionics-robotic-exoskeleton-rex-controlsWe already wrote several articles regarding exoskeletons as HULC, HAL-5 and power suit developed for elder Japanese farmers, however, the exoskeleton described in this article differs in its main porpoise. A robotic exoskeleton called Rex puts wheelchair users back on their feet, enabling a person to stand, walk and go up and down the stairs… »

Haptic virtual reality tools developed to train and certify surgeons

By Damir Beciri
15 July 2010

touch-sensitive-virtual-reality-tools-for-surgeonsSince most of the procedures in modern surgery are performed with remote controlled tools that can be inserted into the body using only small incisions, laparoscopic surgery skips the need for large incisions and, in turn, usually results in shorter recovery times for patients. An interdisciplinary team of researchers, led by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, is… »