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Tec h stories for 19-June-2008
Jun. 19th, 2008 03:00 pmSpace research has down-to-earth application - One more reasons why funding space research is a good thing. Ground-penetrating radar, designed to study soil composition on other planets, is now being used to detect cracks and defects in mines in an effort to protect the lives of miners.
Using the skin to transmit data - A device developed at Queens University Belfast uses what is known as the "creeping wave" effect to efficiently transmit data between devices using the human skin as a conduit. Rather than using a standard antenna, the device uses the fact that a signal transmitted between a device and skin through air sets up a reflection. As a result, more of the energy of the signal is transmitted as a standing wave along the skin than has been possible using contemporary antennae designs.
Super-tough paper developed - Swedish researchers have developed a new paper-making technique that leaves the cellulose fibers in wood relatively intact, resulting in a paper with a tensile strength 214 times that of conventional paper, approaching that of structural steel, and much greater than that of cast iron.
Robot Asimo follows multiple conversations - Japanese researchers used an array of eight microphones to allow Asimo to isolate an individual voice from a crowd, something standard voice recognition systems have been unable to do. As a side benefit, the system is able to follow as many as three simultaneous conversations with 70% to 80% accuracy in simple tests, and 30% to 40% accuracy in more complex situations.
Hockey Night in Canada theme off the air - or at least the CBC can't use it. First played in 1968, the song cost the CBC $500 every time in played so when it came time to renew the licensing agreement they gave it a pass. The song has since been licensed to rival broadcaster CTV.
Using the skin to transmit data - A device developed at Queens University Belfast uses what is known as the "creeping wave" effect to efficiently transmit data between devices using the human skin as a conduit. Rather than using a standard antenna, the device uses the fact that a signal transmitted between a device and skin through air sets up a reflection. As a result, more of the energy of the signal is transmitted as a standing wave along the skin than has been possible using contemporary antennae designs.
Super-tough paper developed - Swedish researchers have developed a new paper-making technique that leaves the cellulose fibers in wood relatively intact, resulting in a paper with a tensile strength 214 times that of conventional paper, approaching that of structural steel, and much greater than that of cast iron.
Robot Asimo follows multiple conversations - Japanese researchers used an array of eight microphones to allow Asimo to isolate an individual voice from a crowd, something standard voice recognition systems have been unable to do. As a side benefit, the system is able to follow as many as three simultaneous conversations with 70% to 80% accuracy in simple tests, and 30% to 40% accuracy in more complex situations.
Hockey Night in Canada theme off the air - or at least the CBC can't use it. First played in 1968, the song cost the CBC $500 every time in played so when it came time to renew the licensing agreement they gave it a pass. The song has since been licensed to rival broadcaster CTV.