other tech: powerful artificial eyes based on insect eyes

U.S. scientists say they’ve created super-powerful artificial eyes inspired by those of dragonflies and other insects. The artificial eyes are the first hemispherical, three-dimensional optical systems to integrate microlens arrays — thousands of tiny lenses packed side by side — with self-aligned, self-written “waveguides,” which are light-conducting channels created by beams of light, Lee explained. …

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Colonizing space : a lot of trips and a lot of stuff to move

Technologically we could colonize space using Orion rocket technology. We could have and could still land thousands of people and tens of thousands of tons of supplies and equipment. Making a viable self sustaining colony. It would take a president with 100 times the vision of Kennedy to have done this. Costs have to come …

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Other architectures for Singularity

The singularity is near is a book by Ray Kurzweil. He makes a casr which I will summarize as very fast computers become more powerful than the power of the raw human brain. Reverse engineer the brain will progress to avoid the software coding problem for artificial intelligence. Therefore,(2 [computers exceed in raw] + 2 …

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State of desalination

Some of the best currently operating desalination plants have total costs of 0.044 cents to 0.4 cents per gallon per day. Most costs are about 0.1 to 0.2 cents per gallon per day The costs are often dependent upon the cost of energy. Waste water reclamation costs usually costs about 0.15 cents per gallon and …

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Other tech: holographic solar concentrators

Holograms can concentrate by about ten times and can reduce the amount of silicon needed by 25-85%. Currently there is supply shortage of suitable silicon for solar power. the first generation system will be somewhat cost competitive with new alternatives in solar power ($2.40 per watt) and the second generation could be competitive with other …

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Molecular actuator that detects the DNA sequence it attaches to and provides electronic indicator to silicon chip

This seems like more developments in possible transition and enabling technology for Molecular nanotechnology. A protein is attached to a DNA strand with a magnetic bead, Hall sensors detect when the protein reaches the magnetic bead. ATP is added to move and power the protein. Mol-switch connects biological world with silicon technology Specific sensors, which …

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Follow up: More on remote control robot vehicles

Commercial remote control cars are being used as the basis for military Bombots BomBots are not built from scratch but are modifications of commercially available remote-controlled monster trucks that are intended for adults to race and sell for $350 to $500. [The four workers] replace the original wheels with larger, tougher versions and swap out …

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Important computational chemistry paper, showing dimer placement reliable at room temperature

Zyvex researchers with Robert Freitas and Ralph Merkle have published an important computational chemistry paper, showing dimer placement works reliable at room temperature. (Jing Ping Peng, freitas, merkle, von Ehr, Randall, Skidmore paper on diamond mechnosynthesis) Theoretical analysis of Diamond Mechanosynthesis III : Positional C2 Deposition on Diamond C(110) Surface using Si/Ge/Sn-based dimer placement tools. …

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Longevity economically good, worth investing in making more longevity

Here is a discussion of a recent journal of science article “the Longevity Dividend” One of the authors, Olshansky, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of Illinois argues that it is in society’s best interest to work at alleviating the effects of aging. To this end he suggests that US congress invest $3 …

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European program for study human enhancement

There is European program to survey, document and investigate the impact of possible new technology that could enhance humans They are examining the ethics of human enhancement within: Cognitive Enhancement, Life Extension, Mood Enhancement and Physical Performance. The main objectives are to To document current and imminent scientific advances that may enhance human capacities in …

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Health: US death rate declines by largest amount in 70 years

The preliminary number of U.S. deaths recorded for 2004 was 2,398,343. That represents a decline of 49,945 from the 2,448,288 recorded in 2003. Normally this number goes up because of the increasing population.Is this an aberration or is it because of improving medical technology? The government also said that U.S. life expectancy has inched up …

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