The 3-year project ‘Cargo Screening Ferret’ began in October 2008 and it involves researchers from the University of Glasgow, Loughborough University, City University London and defense and security specialists Qinetiq. The ferret will offer major advantages in combat against human trafficking. Currently, it is very difficult to detect people hidden in freight containers. Sensors on… »
Drug smugglers and terrorists may soon meet their match: a handheld chemical detector powered by trained wasps or bees. Nicknamed “The Wasp Hound” the prototype tool houses five parasitic wasps that react to the smell of explosives, illegal drugs, and plant diseases. In theory, the insects’ movements set off an alarm to alert authorities. Although… »
KAGUYA (SELENE: SELenological and ENgineering Explorer) is Japan’s first large lunar explorer which was launched by the H-IIA rocket on September 14, 2007. Its mission regarding lunar exploration has been keenly anticipated by many countries as it represents the largest lunar exploration project since the Apollo program. The lunar missions that have been conducted so… »
A team of physicists and engineers at Bristol University has demonstrated exquisite control of single photons on a silicon chip to make a major advance towards quantum technologies, including super-powerful quantum computers and ultra-precise measurements. Jeremy O’Brien, Director of the Centre for Quantum Photonics at the Bristol University, who led the research, has demonstrated precise… »
A new system that enables weapon detection for the police force of the future is being developed in the UK. The research is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the Metropolitan Police and the Home Office Scientific Development Branch. The Metropolitan Police Force is currently testing the scanner which is hoped… »
Humans have always wondered how water beads roll off flowers, as well off caterpillars and some other insects, and how insects like water striders are able to walk on water. It’s a property called super hydrophobia. Self-cleaning counter tops, fabrics, walls, even micro-robots that can walk on water – all those things and more could… »
Over 50% of the world light bulb market is covered by old, energetically and environmentally unfriendly incandescent light bulbs. EU energy ministers met in Luxembourg back in 2008 in order to give a final approval to an EU-wide ban on incandescent light bulbs that should begin in 2010. There are many alternative technologies as white-light… »
Space heating and cooling represent the most significant proportion of present home energy needs. There are some projects related to the new forms of architecture which should drastically change the process of temperature regulation in order make it more natural and environmentally friendly. We will write about those projects in our future articles. This article… »
