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| Flat-panel speakers are nothing new, but a new version of the tech could one day replace boomy public address systems with hidden speakers that produce easier-to-hear audio in large spaces. Under development at the University of Warwick, FFL ("flat flexible loudspeaker") speakers are actually a thin laminate made of layers of conducting and insulating material that resonate when electricity is passed through them -- the crisper, clearer audio is a result of the entire surface creating sound in phase at once, which allows it to produce highly directional audio. Since they're so thin and flexible, FFL speakers can be hidden nearly anywhere -- behind signage, in the ceiling, or even painted and hung directly on the wall. Of course, this'll all come to nothing if the sound quality isn't up to snuff, but we'll find out more when the first commercial FFL product goes on sale later this year.
http://www.engadget.com/
filed under:
electronics,
nanotechnology,
technologies
Property spectrum: Flexibility
Increasing flexibility is one of the most applied properties. Many products evolve from rigid to completely flexible. The main benefits that can be gained from making a similar evolution are better damage protection, more compact folding and the ability to make variations in size and shape.
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Light activated lock
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IResearchers at the University of Florida have just stumbled onto a remarkable discovery that could eventually "starve cancer tumors and prevent side effects from a wide range of drugs." The magic find? A "lock-like molecule" that clasps or unclasps based on exposure to light. Sure, we've seen our fair share of newfangled drug delivery tools, but none that have been this noninvasive or simple to activate. In tests, gurus found that they could use visible or ultraviolet light to open or close a clasp, letting blood flow or creating a clot; in theory, this could one day be used to "prevent the formation of tiny blood vessels that feed tumors."
http://www.engadget.com/
filed under:
chemistry,
pharmaceutical
Property spectrum: State
One of the most prominent property spectra is the state. It describes an evolution of products and processes starting with solid matter and then moving to liquids, gases and finally fields.
The use of a light here can active the molecule to open or
close a clasp.
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The SixthSense
prototype is comprised of a pocket projector, a mirror and a
camera. The hardware components are coupled in a pendant
like mobile wearable device. Both the projector and the
camera are connected to the mobile computing device in the
user's pocket. The projector projects visual information
enabling surfaces, walls and physical objects around us to
be used as interfaces; while the camera recognizes and
tracks user's hand gestures and physical objects using
computer-vision based techniques.
The software
program processes the video stream data captured by the
camera and tracks the locations of the colored markers
(visual tracking fiducials) at the tip of the user's fingers
using simple computer-vision techniques. The movements and
arrangements of these fiducials are interpreted into
gestures that act as interaction instructions for the
projected application interfaces. The maximum number of
tracked fingers is only constrained by the number of unique
fiducials, thus SixthSense also supports multi-touch and
multi-user interaction.
http://www.core77.com/
filed under:
computers & accessories,
electronics,
technologies
Property spectrum: Feedback
Systems and subsystems tend to evolve from requiring
external input to becoming self-controlling through the use
of feedback mechanisms. This device creates an interactive
interface on any surface.
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| Anyone who has kids that are in scouts know about the camping experience. They also know about how painful it can be when you're groping around in the dark of the night and tripping over tent ropes. Thousands end up with rope burns, turned ankles, and heaven knows what else, and seek first aid for maladies that ruin the campout experience. Now that can all be avoided with a simple TentLED on each rope. Invented by Dutch designer Van Berlo, TentLED is a simple plastic encased LED light that can be tied on to the tent ropes with a knot any Cub Scout would know. The internal LEDs are able to adjust their brightness as the sun goes down and will turn on and shut down automatically. They're also both waterproof and shock resistant. No word on how much the TENTLEDs will run, but I can already imagine executives from Big 5 and other sporting goods companies wanting order 4 packs for the camping season. I'll certainly buy a set if they come to the states.
http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/
filed under:
leisure,
lighting,
safety
Property spectrum: Different components
Increasing the number of dissimilar elements in a system can
bring additional functionality, improved operability, and
convenience. The component here is separate light that can
be attached to the tent cables.
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Researchers in Zurich have built micro-robots as small as bacteria which are made to help cure disease in humans.
The tiny spiral-shaped robots, similar in look to E. coli, are called "Artificial Bacterial Flagella" (ABFs). They were invented, manufactured and enabled to swim with their moveable tails by researchers in a group at the Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems at ETH Zurich.
At a total length of 25 to 60 µm, They can only be observed under a microscope and perform, ironically, the opposite function of real bacteria - to help cure disease.
http://www.ideaconnection.com/
filed under:
healthcare,
nanotechnology
Property spectrum: Size
Producers of all kinds of products are making their products smaller and smaller. You can notice the differences in the evolution of electronic devices over the years.
These tiny robots can swim like bacteria but do the opposite
function in helping to cure diseases.
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Mercedes has announced today that starting in the summer of 2009, S-Class models will feature a new technology they're calling SPLITVIEW. Developed in collaboration with Bosch, SPLITVIEW will allow both the driver and passenger to view two separate programs via the same COMAND display. For example, let's say the vehicle's operator is in the process of viewing navigation directions, the front passenger can simultaneously watch a film on the exact same 8-inch display.
You may be wondering what magic lies behind the SPLITVIEW system, and the answer lies in pixel placement. The COMAND screen shows two different images simultaneously by placing pixels adjacent to one another, after which a filter masking the display divides this mixed image so that depending on seating position, either one image or the other can be seen. As with current S-Class models, the driver has access to the full suite of COMAND functions, while the passenger uses a separate remote control to choose either a DVD, TV channel or music video to watch (all of which can be used in conjunction with headphones, should the passenger desire).
http://www.emercedesbenz.com/
filed under:
automotive,
technologies
Property spectrum: Surface
This property describes the evolution of surface texture. Surfaces tend to evolve from flat, smooth surfaces towards bumpy surfaces. Dimpled surfaces may bring reduced drag, improved heat dispersion,
and aid in showing two different displays from one screen.
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If you enjoy
CREAX newsletters, you will enjoy our hands-on MoreInspiration course. Our next 2-day
course is scheduled for the
27th &
28th of May and the following course for the
24th & 25th of June 2009. 
The following events have been planned for the coming months:
Mercedes Splitview display