Researchers develop neural implant that learns with the brain

University of Florida researchers have taken the concept of brain machine interfaces a step further, devising a way for computerized devices not only to translate brain signals into movement but also to evolve with the brain as it learns. This is a huge step forward to transhuman and technological singularity goals. The computer and the …

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Saudi Arabia oil: Background on Zuluf, Safaniyah, Berri, Khurais and Shaybah the sources of increased production

The increased production fields have rectangles around the name. Information from the EIA Saudi Arabia Country report Click on the picture for a larger version. Saudi Arabia will increase production capacity to 12.5 million barrels a day of oil by the end of next year [2009] and could add a further 2.5 million barrels a …

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Acoustic shield design for sonar invisibility

Sound shield: An acoustic cloak comprising alternating layers of sound-scattering materials should make objects invisible to sonar–and insulated from sound. In this computer-generated image, a cylinder (green circle) is coated with 200 layers of such a material, which was found to be the optimal design. Sound waves moving from left to right (their peaks and …

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Carbon nanotube producing companies

Surveying the carbon nanotube market, the leaders in large scale production are Baytubes, Hyperion Catalysis International and Nanocyl. Along with Bayer and Hyperion, other leading producers include France’s Arkema, Belgium’s Nanocyl, Iljin Nanotech in South Korea, and Shenzhen Nanotech Port in China. Japan’s Mitsui has a joint venture with Hodogaya Chemical for nanotube R&D, production, …

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Defense Science Board examining Synthetic Biology

The Defense Science Board will examine how the Defense Department could benefit from scientific breakthroughs in the field of synthetic biology. John Young, the under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, wants DSB members to “survey” developments in biotechnology and “attempt to project transition paths from research into current and future defense applications,” …

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