The Carnival of Space 57 is up at Out of the Cradle This site contributed an article about some problems with lorentz propulsion tests but success with the SpaceX Falcon 9 International Space Development day 1 International Space Development day 2 International Space Development day 3 Babe in the Universe also had International space development …
Duke university makes new MEMS (microelectromechanical system) based robots. Each microrobot is shaped something like a spatula but with dimensions measuring just microns, or millionths of a meter. They are almost 100 times smaller than any previous robotic designs of their kind and weigh even less. The devices are about 60 microns wide, 250 microns …
IEEE Spectrum has a special report on the Singularity with contributions from several authors. Vernor Vinge first postulated the concept of a technological Singularity and he has an essay “Signs of the Singularity” and a video “How to Prepare for the Singularity” Richard Jones has an article “Rupturing The Nanotech Rapture”, but the essay criticizes …
New Scientist reports on 200 nanometer polymer spheres that can get placed into living cells Nextbigfuture assumes that they could change the size to bigger to place larger amounts of material into cells. Human cells are about 20 microns across. Mitocondria are 1–10 micrometers across. Aubrey de Grey has indicated :if this works in vivo. …
Researchers at Northeastern University have developed a technique to scale-up the directed assembly of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) networks, from microns to inches, creating a viable circuit template that can be transferred from one substrate to another for optimum productivity. The revolutionary assembly process has the potential to change the way electronics and other applications …
Replacing one amino acid on the surface of a virus that shepherds corrective genes into cells could be the breakthrough scientists have needed to make gene therapy 30 times more efficient. Gene therapy will be a more viable option for treating genetic diseases such as hemophilia. The discovery could be the solution to a problem …
South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius [bladerunner] has won a landmark appeal over a ban on his artificial legs. There will be a technology battle between the Biorubber Swim-SCS Fabric against the Speedo LZR Racer. Japanese swimmers have been alarmed by the LZR Racer since its debut in February, with the suit accounting for 18 of …
Many in the media have been claiming that the race for the Democratic nomination is over. It likely may be, but it could be far closer than is currently believed. It could still turn the in favor of Hillary Clinton. Realclearpolitics makes the scenario where Hillary makes the race far closer with wins in West …
Previously nextbigfuture has discussed the new family of superconducting materials based on iron and arsenic compounds The Christian Science Monitor indicates some experts say they’ve seen hints suggesting that these new materials should post impressive magnetic-field numbers soon. The iron in these new superconductors could allow some applications such as wires and electronics and more …
SUNRGI’s “concentrated photovoltaic” system relies on lenses to magnify sunlight 2,000 times, letting it produce as much electricity as standard panels with a far smaller system. They say they’ll start producing solar panels by mid-2009 that will generate electricity for about 7 cents a kilowatt hour, including installation. Update: Very cool: Dilbert blog [Scott Adams] …
Intel Corp. (Santa Clara, Calif.) has decided that extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography will not be production-worthy by 2011 when Intel plans to begin manufacturing 22 nm microprocessors, said Mark Bohr, director of process architecture and integration at Intel’s logic technology development group. Intel plans to do 22 nm in 2011. EUV will not be ready …