Tech: Quantum-dot LEDs

Quantum-dot LEDs (QDLEDs) could potentially lead to brighter, cheaper displays with a wider range of colours.  Standard LCD monitors can generate no more than 500 cd/m² of light energy, while QDLEDs are less energy-efficient but cna generate as much as 9000 cd/m². The colour of  QDLED depends on its size, making it relatively easy to make QDLEDs of different colours (such as the Red, Yellow and Green of a typical display), and they are relatively easy to produce. Current research is focused on two limitations: they have a relatively short operating life (about 300 hours), and use cadmium which is highly toxic.

Tech: domestic use of "Pain Beam" technology

Various government agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Department of Energy, are investigating the use of the ADS (Active Denial System) "pain beam" for domestic use. Raytheon, the company that is developing the system, reports that a rifle-mounted version could be developed if there is sufficient interest. Unlike the military version, that uses a wide continuous beam, the hand-held version would probably use narrow pulses to minimize energy use.

For corradus and arrantdemon

Limited Edition Mandalorian action figures, available from ThinkGeek for $35(US).

gadgets: vacuum broom

Vacuum broom sweeps and sucks at the same time. The "bristles" are actually tubes. No word on what happens when, inevitable, something gets stuck in on the of the tubes. Probably results in your having a really expensive broom.

Art: Chair meets Bench

"Chair Stool Bench" is an art piece by Yvonne Fehling and Jennie Piez.

Found on "MAKE Magazine Blog".

Tech: The Spirit is willing, but time it running short

The Mars rover Spirit is making a mad dash toward a sunny slope before taking a break for the Martian winter. The solar cells are so dust covered that they now operate at only 42 percent capacity, and could fall as low as 30 percent by the time it reaches it's resting spot. Scientists are crossing their fingers that they can get another year of service out of the plucky robot.

Gadgets: Skull helmet

Skull-shaped helmet for Segway users, yours for only $150(US). Loss of self-esteem: priceless. 

Tech: Cheap flexible solar cells

A Japanese firm has developed a process for mass-producing cheap solar cells on a flexible material as thin as a sheet of paper. By eliminating silicon from the process, the cells can be produced using traditional printing techniques but are only 6% efficient.