View this image gallery of the latest technology trends and how they will affect our lives.
Satellites mating via robotic arm
The robotic arm on ASTRO can transfer objects called Orbital Replacement Units, or ORUs, to another satellite — NextSat in this case.
The full story: Satellites mating via robotic arm in Emerging Technology Trends blog.
Credit: Boeing
‘Flexible’ plastic for electronic circuits?\r\n
\r\n \r\nBy adding a polymer acid to a common plastic, chemists at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a plastic with changeable conductivity which could be used to build future electronic devices.\r\n
\r\n The full story: ‘Flexible’ plastic for electronic circuits? in Emerging Technology Trends blog.\r\n
\r\nCredit: Caroling Lee, University of Texas at Austin
Super-light crystals for clean energy?\r\n
\r\n \r\nCalifornia chemists have designed the world’s lowest-density crystals for use in clean energy. The image shows the crystal structure of COF-108.\r\n
\r\n The full story: Super-light crystals for clean energy? in Emerging Technology Trends blog.\r\n
\r\nCredit: Jos\u00e9 L. Mendoza-Cort\u00e9s, UCLA
Boosting solar energy plants efficiency \r\n
\r\n \r\nResearchers at Sandia National Laboratories have invented a new way to make solar collector systems more energy efficient. A Sandia researcher setts up a device to calibrate parabolic trough-type solar dish collectors to maximize the amount of sunlight they capture. \r\n
\r\n The full story: Boosting solar energy plants efficiency in Emerging Technology Trends blog.\r\n
\r\nCredit:Randy Montoya, Sandia
Architecture and robotic ecologies\r\n
\r\n \r\nThe University of Virginia (UVA) School of Architecture has started a new program about \u2018robotic ecologies’ which wants to answer the question: Will robots take over architecture? At left is “Super Galaxy, a NYC Tropospheric Refuge,” a high-rise apartment complex that’s constantly in motion and responds to the needs of its inhabitants.\r\n
\r\n The full story: Architecture and robotic ecologies in Emerging Technology Trends blog.\r\n
\r\nCredit: UVA School of Architecture
AI behind ‘Virtual Van Gogh’ \r\n
\r\n \r\nJason Green, CTO of Florida-based Medical Development International (MDI), has applied artificial intelligence to produce fine art. \r\n
\r\n The full story: AI behind ‘Virtual Van Gogh’ in Emerging Technology Trends blog.\r\n
\r\nCredit: MDI, via PCMag.com
Nano-hitchhikers to deliver drugs\r\n
\r\n \r\nAnother research team has found a way to use nanotechnology to deliver drugs. At left, some of these polymer nanoparticles attached to red blood cells.\r\n
\r\n The full story: Nano-hitchhikers to deliver drugs in Emerging Technology Trends blog.\r\n
\r\nCredit: Peter Allen, UCSB; Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine
Exclusive images of Endeavour’s damaged tiles\r\n
\r\n \r\nNeptec Design Group, a Canadian company and a NASA prime contractor for 25 space missions, provided images of Endeavour’s damaged tiles during its last take-off. S\r\n
\r\n The full story: Exclusive images of Endeavour’s damaged tiles in Emerging Technology Trends blog.\r\n
\r\nCredit: Neptec
IBM’s Art of Invention \r\n
\r\n \r\nThis exhibit, at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Museum in Alexandria, is featuring 70 works of art created through inventions, patents and trademarks.\r\n
\r\n The full story: IBM’s Art of Invention in Emerging Technology Trends blog.\r\n
\r\nCredit: IBM
Nanomagnetic sponges to clean artwork?\r\n
\r\n \r\nA team of Italian scientists has found an innovative and gentle way for cleaning and conserving priceless oil paintings, marble sculptures and other works of art.\r\n\r\n
\r\n The full story: Nanomagnetic sponges to clean artwork? in Emerging Technology Trends blog.
Drawing on air \r\n
\r\n \r\nA team of computer scientists at Brown University has developed Drawing on Air, a haptic-aided interface to help artists to create 3D illustrations while wearing a virtual reality mask. \r\n\r\n
\r\n The full story: Drawing on air in Emerging Technology Trends blog.\r\n
\r\nCredit: Brown University
David Grober has worked a variety of editorial roles in the technology media since 1982, when he joined the copy desk at IDG's Computer Business News. He served as managing editor for PC Week (now eWeek) and, later, Digital News. David made the leap from print to online publishing in 1994, when he joined Ziff-Net's Software Library. Since 9/11, David has worked in ZDNet's Business Technology Group, and now serves as ZDNet's managing editor.
