Inspired by eyes found in arthropods, an interdisciplinary and international team of researchers has created a digital camera with designs that mimic the ocular systems found in dragonflies, bees, praying mantises and other insects. The device could be used in surveillance devices, tools for endoscopy, and other applications where these insect-inspired designs provide unique capabilities…. »

Researchers at Georgia Insittute of Technology (Georgia Tech) developed arrays piezotronic transistors capable to convert mechanical motion into electronic signals. Named “taxels”, these touch-sensitive transistors could provide significant improvements in resolution, sensitivity and functionality for tactile sensing. The arrays could aid in robotics as tactile sensors, provide better security in handwritten signatures and offer new… »

In one of our previous articles we described OmniTouch – a prototype of a wearable multitouch system that turns any surface into interface for information interaction. Researchers at the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) have played with that idea and created WorldKit – a system able to create these touch-based interfaces and enable information interaction in… »

When blossoms and leaves wane and turn black, it is usually too late to fight off the disease which attacks the plant. Fire blight is a plant disease which strikes fruit trees such as apple and pear trees. Clearing the affected trees was often the only chance left before it takes over the entire orchard…. »

The SSC GmbH conducts extensive research since the beginning of 2008 to the development of processes and systems through to large-scale cultivation of microalgae. The technology was tested at a pilot plant in Hamburg Reitbrook back in 2008in collaboration with various colleges and universities in North Germany as part of the interdisciplinary R&D project TERM… »

Researchers at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) have developed an inexpensive tactile sensor for robotic hands that is sensitive enough to turn a brute machine into a dexterous manipulator. Named TakkTile, the sensor is intended to put what is currently being developed in laboratories within the grasp of commercial inventors, teachers,… »

Fujitsu Laboratories developed a technology that enables gesture-based information interaction which merges digital data and real objects. As many of its competitors in user interface niche, the technology can accurately detect where the user’s finger is and what is being touched. However, what makes it different compared to other approaches is the fact it uses… »

Global Positioning System (GPS) provides location and time information in as long as there is a clear line of sight from the measured position to four or more GPS satellites. While some places such as tunnels, some bridges, garages or canyons disallow GPS to function properly, interference or malfunction of GPS satellites could prove disastrous… »