Flinders University

Image via Wikipedia Self-healing “smart building materials” have the potential to reduce structure repair costs, lower cement-production carbon emissions and even save lives. One barrier that has kept these materials from being commercialized, however, is their potentially labor-intensive and thus expensive production process. Recently, an engineering student from the University of Rhode Island (URI) announced

Single molecule technology could finally break Moore’s law and allow gadgets to store huge amounts of data on tiny flash storage cards. Chemists behind the new molecules say the new technology could help solve the looming flash storage dilemma. Flash memory, used in nearly all of our favourite gadgets, is hampered by the physical limits

Novel method transfers superior nanoscale mechanics to macroscopic fibres At DESY’s X-ray light source PETRA III, a team led by Swedish researchers has produced the strongest bio-material that has ever been made. The artifical, but bio-degradable cellulose fibres are stronger than steel and even than dragline spider silk, which is usually considered the strongest bio-based

Researchers at the University of British Columbia have identified a small molecule that prevents bacteria from forming into biofilms, a frequent cause of infections. The anti-biofilm peptide works on a range of bacteria including many that cannot be treated by antibiotics. Read more . . .    

Discovery could have major impact on the multi-billion dollar tire industry A team of researchers, led by the University of Minnesota, has invented a new technology to produce automobile tires from trees and grasses in a process that could shift the tire production industry toward using renewable resources found right in our backyards. Conventional car

This April, researchers from Montreal’s McGill University announced the development of their prototype Biomedical Sensor Glove. Stroke victims who have lost the use of their hand are intended the wear the glove, then use it at home to play custom video games on an attached computer. Not only do those games help them regain the

Mike Hearn, a British computer programmer, holed up in his two-bedroom apartment in Zurich over several days and nights last week, writing a cri de coeur. Two years ago, Mr. Hearn quit a cushy programming job at Google’s Swiss headquarters to devote himself full time to what was his great passion: the virtual currency Bitcoin.

We ran across a really interesting WordPress plugin that we thought could be very interesting. The Gossmo Voice Comment module makes it possible to leave a voice comment on whichever article you wish. Try it out and let us know what you think by commenting here 🙂 [ratings]

Image via Wikipedia Researchers are working on bringing the sense of touch to prosthetics Although modern prosthetic devices are more lifelike and easier for amputees to control than ever before, they still lack a sense of touch. Patients depend on visual feedback to operate their prostheses – they know that they’ve touched an object when

Image via Wikipedia Electromobility makes sense only if car batteries are charged using electricity from renewable energy sources. But the supply of green electricity is not always adequate. An intelligent charging station can help, by adapting the recharging times to suit energy supply and network capacity. Germany aims to have one million electric vehicles —