• Knee brace acts as charger for cell phones, artificial limbs

    Canadian researcher develops new device which harnesses the energy of a person’s leg as it swings forward during a step; running the generator constantly through the stride generated 7 watts of power

  • Billions spent on airport security, but major security gaps remain

    In the post 9/11 rush to bolster airport security, billions were spent and different technologies and systems were tried, but experts — and government watchdog organizations — say major security gaps remain; Congress, TSA, and the industry are increasingly anxious; the latest hope: Millimeter wave machines, which can see through clothes by analyzing the reflection of radio frequency energy bounced off passengers

  • DOE grants $114 million to small-scale biorefinery projects

    DOE grants $114 million for four small-scale biorefinery projects; these biorefineries will use a wide variety of feedstocks and test novel conversion technologies to provide data necessary to bring online full-size, commercial-scale biorefineries

  • EU and industry launch Clean Sky technology initiative

    The initiative, a joint EU-industry scheme in which $2.3 billion will be invested between 2008 and 2014, aims to speed up technological breakthrough developments and shorten the time to market for new green aviation solutions

  • Hazard protective suits made of new, "breathing" material

    Chemical protection suits can make the wearer hot, sweaty, and extremely uncomfortable, thus limiting the time such suits can be worn; Drexel University researcher develops better material for protective suits: The new material is a new class of polymer membrane incorporating nanopores filled with an ionic polymer that allows water vapor to pass through

  • New method for anthrax decontamination developed

    Yellow Jackets, SMD researchers develop an X-rays and UV-C light-based method for anthrax decontamination; it is rapid and nondisruptive, and also less expensive than currently available decontamination methods; it kills anthrax spores — even those hidden in crevices and cracks — within two to three hours without any lingering effects

  • Harder video game to help in better pilots head-up displays

    Canadian researchers tracks the eyes of video game players for the purpose of making enemies appear where a player is least likely to see them; research could be used to design harder video games — and head-up displays for helicopter rescue pilots that would put vital information in easy-to-see places and less important information where it would not be distracting

  • CCAT looking to fund new military technologies

    CCAT is seeking funding applications for technologies which support the smart unmanned ground robotics initiative; technologies of interest to the Naval Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC); and force health protection

  • Quantum teleportation and memory demonstrated in tandem

    In quantum communication, information is transmitted using atoms, photons, or other quantum objects; researchers, for the first time, show quantum teleportation and quantum memory in a single experiment

  • Protein found in mouse urine offers powerful biosensor

    Proteins found in mouse urine could help create powerful biosensors for environmental monitoring and security applications; major mouse urinary proteins coated on a standard piezoelectric crystal enabled a one thousand-fold increase in sensor sensitivity compared with existing electronic sensing methods

  • Robots use electromagnetic force to create shape-shifting swarm

    Carnegie Mellon researchers develop herds, or swarms, of robots using electromagnetic forces to cling to each other so they assume any shape or formation on the go; The prototype robots use electromagnetic forces to maneuver themselves, communicate, and even share power

  • RFID technology ever more pervasive, pt. I

    RFID tags are everywhere — on boxed goods, in some computer printers, car keys and tires, on shampoo bottles and department store clothing tags; they are also in library books, contactless payment cards, passports, and travel documents; they introduce efficiency and security to the supply chain, but also allow companies and organizations to track the behavior and shopping patterns of individuals

  • IOTV Body Armor, Improved Outer Tactical Vest

    Soldiers have complained that the standard body armor is too heavy, too hot, and too cumbersome; the Army is now deploying new body armor: It is three pounds lighter, provides more coverage in the small of the back, sits higher around the armpit area, and sits lower on the torso

  • Funding for developing nuclear clean-up tool

    As nuclear power draws renewed interest — what with the rising price of oil and growing worries about global warming — there is more interest in tools and solutions to help deal with nuclear waste and nuclear clean-up

  • American Superconductor's New York grid work moves forward

    Massachusetts-based American Superconductor signed a contract to to develop and install new electrical power-grid technology in New York City which would enable Con Edison better to handle power surges and interruptions caused by accidents, weather or terrorist attacks; after government agencies’ squabble, and congressional examination of the contract, DHS tells company to go forward