• Direct brain control of umanoid robot demonstrated

    In a move with implications for first responders and military alike, researchers show that robots may be controlled by their “master’s” human brain waves

  • Sandia develops an imporved sensor network

    The future — well, a part of it at least — belongs to sensor networks; rsearchers at Sandia Natioal Lab have developed the unattended ground sensor (UGS), and system whcih combines off-the-shelf components with in-house developed elements to create a better andre useful network; investors and manufacturers may want to make the lab an offer for the technology

  • Textron completes acquisition of Overwatch Systems

    A subsidiary of a mutli-industry heavy-weight Textron acquires a New Jersey company specializing in gathering and presenting actionable intelligence; acqusition will strengthen Textron’s already-strong line of offerings

  • Industry questions U.S. RFID technology choice for new passport

    Smart Card Alliance urges U.S. to reconsider selection of “vicinity” over “proximity” RFID technology for proposed passport card

  • Researchers show that hydrogen can form multicenter bonds

    Hydrogen is the simplest of elements, typically forming a single bond to just one other atom; it is thus big news that hydrogen can form multicenter bonds, in which one hydrogen atom simultaneously bonds to as many as four or six other atoms

  • IAF to develop UAVs as unmanned refueling plane

    UAVs are being used for more and more missions; the Israeli Air Force has a new mission for them as unmanned refueling planes

  • DoE inspector general rips into Los Alamos

    Gregory Friedman notes severe inadequecies in cybersecurity and document management procedures; recent breaches spark review and needed changes; a look back in time shows security a longtime problem at the lab; reminiscing with Richard Feynman presents needed context

  • OASIS to promote standardized semantic search and content analytics

    Semantic searches and contents analytics have become more popular — and necessary — as communcation through the Internet, e-mail, cellular phones, but also by audio and video means, has grown exponentially; OASIS steps in to establish standards in such searches

  • Pharad and University of Maryland to develop weapon detector

    Maryland Industrial Partnerships program pairs Maryland-based companies with faculty to accelerate the commercialization process for promising products; system under development can detect knives, guns, and bombs; $750,000 DHS grant helped kick off R&D

  • Homeland Security Investor Conference to showcase technology, VC interest

    CapitalSource, Civitas Group, and USBX Advisory Services will hear 30-minute presentations from some of the leading homeland security firms; business and investment the focus of the December conference in Washington

  • Technological developments pose threat, offer hope

    U.S. defense official says advancements in science and technology offer terrorists new opportunities — “Though they aim to undo centuries’ worth of progress, they are not at all reluctant to take full advantage of that progress” — and the only way to cope is by encouraging science and technology education and innovation in countries faced with terrorist threats: “America’s future, and the future of our partners, does depend on it”

  • Powerset's search raises $12.5 million

    A developer of natural-language search engine raises $12.5 million from VCs and angels; the company said its search engine will incorporate a deeper linguistic component than existing search engines so that a user’s intent correlates more accurately with search results

  • North Carolina launches news defense and security incubator

    Located in Fayetteville, the Defense and Security Technology Accelerator will be home to as many as fifteen growing companies; North Carolina is the latest to see the value in supporting young homeland security firms

  • Getting closer to undestadning the mysteries of fusion energy

    University of Nevada researchers found the microscopic effects that cause inefficiencies limiting the conversion of electrical energy required for implosion energy; the key to their discovery: The realization that mass transport during implosion could be improved if one could understand the dynamics on a shorter time scale

  • Airborne chemical laser is here

    This is more than twenty years after Ronald Reagan’s March 1983 Star War speech, but his vision of building an effective defense against ballistic missiles is a step — more accurately, a small baby step — closer; Boeing and partners demonstrates an airborne chemical laser, an important ingredient in any such defense