Software allows interactive tabletop displays on Web | R&D Mag

Researchers have developed a new type of software that enables people to use large visual displays and touch screens interactively over the Internet for business and homeland security applications.
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Participants have their own "territorial workspaces," where they may keep certain items hidden for privacy and practical purposes.

"Everyone only sees the things you send to a public domain on the display," Elmqvist said. "This is partly for privacy but also because you don't want to overload everybody with everything you are working on."

The researchers are providing Hugin free to the public and expect to make the software available online in December.

High-performance wireless mesh network technology for battery-powered OEM-embedded apps

High-performance wireless mesh network technology for battery-powered OEM-embedded apps

MeshScape 5 boasts bi-directional data reliability of 99.9% and several years of battery life, which takes advantage of new energy harvesting technologies to extend battery life indefinitely, with packet delivery latency still measured in milliseconds.

Personal flying drones are here: should we be concerned? - SmartPlanet

Personal flying drones are here: should we be concerned? - SmartPlanet: "They’re here. And it was inevitable. Smaller, commercialized versions of the pilotless drones that US forces and agencies deploy over world hot spots can now be purchased and used by used by consumers for $300 and up.
Is this a good thing?
Sure, there are a lot of positives. Deliveries is one potential use of private drones. Equipped with cameras, they may help engineers scope sites, police fight crime, or firefighters save lives. Maybe they could be instrumental in keeping an eye on children or locating those that are lost, or finding lost hikers in the wilderness."

Study: Potential for significant energy savings through user-controlled efficient lighting systems

Media Lab Associate Professor Joseph Paradiso says that “Lighting systems keep getting more complex,” and increasingly use automated controls. But the new system being tested by members of his Responsive Environments Group could put the controls directly on users’ desktops.

Powercast Intros New RF Energy Harvesting Transmitter | Sensors Magazine

Powercast Intros New RF Energy Harvesting Transmitter Sensors Magazine: "PITTSBURGH, PA -- Powercast Corporation, a leader in RF-based wireless power and energy harvesting technology, announced availability of its TX91501 Powercaster Transmitter which uses the 915-MHz ISM band to transmit common radio waves for power and data in commercial, industrial and defense applications. As the power source for Powercast's RF energy-harvesting wireless power solution, the TX91501 broadcasts power and data over 40 ft. to its companion Powerharvester receivers. Embedded into micro-power devices such as wireless sensors, instrumentation and controls, the Powerharvester receivers convert the received RF energy into DC power for battery-free operation or to wirelessly trickle charge batteries. The receivers also output the data broadcast from the TX91501 as well as the received signal strength indication (RSSI)."

Invisible helmet provides instant protection thanks to accelerometers - PowerSource | Blog on EDN

Invisible helmet provides instant protection thanks to accelerometers - PowerSource Blog on EDN: "Helmets have been in the news lately, what with the attention being given to the danger in NFL players getting violently hit. Conversely, some people simply don’t want to wear helmets at all either because of the added discomfort, or the lack of cool factor, or because they perceive the risk as minimal in something as mundane as, say, riding a bike.Thanks to the availability of low-cost, accurate MEMs accelerometers, Hovding, a startup company in the Netherlands is developing an “invisible” helmet that’s essentially a wearable airbag."

Drexel University | News | International Research Team Develops Ultrahigh-power Energy Storage Devices

Drexel University News International Research Team Develops Ultrahigh-power Energy Storage Devices: "A team of researchers from the U.S. and France report the development of a mirco-supercapacitor with remarkable properties. The paper was published in the premier scientific journal Nature Nanotechnology online on August 15.
These micro-supercapacitors have the potential to power nomad electronics, wireless sensor networks, biomedical implants, active radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags and embedded microsensors, among other devices."

Google TV Event Shows Off Android-Loaded Logitech Revue Components - Cloud Computing from eWeek

Google TV Event Shows Off Android-Loaded Logitech Revue Components - Cloud Computing from eWeek: "NEW YORK—Logitech executives convened here Oct. 6 to show off more than a year of hard work developing a companion box, full and mini keyboard controllers and a TV Cam for making high-definition video calling, all for Google TV. Though packed into a tiny show space in Chinatown, Logitech officials offered an impressive demonstration of their products to support the service, which allows users to channel surf and navigate the Web from one keyboard controller, mini controller or iPhone or Android smartphone. Officials for the company easily flitted from one application to search and then to the next application. Then they shifted between TV and Web content all without snags and only minimal latency. The Revue box, which connects easily to TVs at home with an HDMI cable, is preloaded with several applications, including Netflix, Amazon On Demand, Napster, CNBC Realtime, Logitech Media Player and more. The Revue box and Keyboard Controller are available for preorder now from Logitech.com, Amazon.com and BestBuy.com. Delivery is expected by the end of the month. There is also a mini controller and Logitech TV Cam for making video calls through Google TV. See the prices, along with the devices in action, in this eWEEK slide show."

Juicing up laptops and cell phones with soda pop or vegetable oil

Juicing up laptops and cell phones with soda pop or vegetable oil: "Other potential applications of mitochondria fuel cells include their use as power sources in wireless sensors for temperature monitoring, motion detection, and monitoring the location of vehicles in a fleet. The new biofuel cells also could serve as a power-source for stamp-sized sensors designed to detect hidden explosives, the scientists said."

EcoTag pushes the Range Boundaries in UHF Passive Tags

EcoTag pushes the Range Boundaries in UHF Passive Tags