A Material to Block Mobile Radiations

Scientists have developed a new material that can effectively block electromagnetic waves emitting from mobile phones, televisions, microwave ovens and other appliances. Researchers manufactured the material made out of MXene. MXene is a class of two-dimensional inorganic compounds made of titanium and carbon and a single layer is about one nanometer. Researchers found that MXene can block the electromagnetic waves. One of its strengths is it is easy to process and the cost is relatively cheap.

This Technology Lets You Read Closed Books

Scientists, including one of Indian origin, have developed a new technology that may help archaeologists look into antique books without touching them. Researchers tested a prototype of the system on a stack of papers, each with one letter printed on it. The system was able to correctly identify the letters on the top nine sheets. The Metropolitan Museum in New York showed a lot of interest in this, because they want to, for example, look into some antique books that they don’t even want to touch. Researchers said that the system could be used to analyse any materials organized in thin layers, such as coatings on machine parts or pharmaceuticals. The researchers developed the algorithms that acquire images from individual sheets in stacks of paper, and interprets the often distorted or incomplete images as individual letters. The system uses terahertz radiation, the band of electro-magnetic radiation between microwaves and infrared light, which has several advantages over other types of waves that can penetrate surfaces, such as X-rays or sound waves.

Now, a 'Potalyser' to Detect Pot Intoxication in Drivers

Scientists have developed a new ‘potalyser’ – the first practical roadside test for marijuana intoxication that can detect the drug in a driver’s saliva in less than three minutes. No device currently on the market can quickly provide a precise measurement of a driver’s marijuana intoxications effectively as breathalyzer gauges alcohol intoxication. THC, the drug’s most potent psychoactive agent, is commonly screened for in laboratory blood or urine tests – not very helpful for an officer in the field. The device developed by scientists might function as a practical “potalyser” because it can quickly detect not just the presence of THC in a person’s saliva, but also measure its concentration. The created a mobile device that uses magnetic biosensors to detect tiny THC molecules in saliva. Officers could collect a spit sample with a cotton swab and read the results on a smartphone or laptop in as little as three minutes.

Researchers tackling the “potalyser” problem have zeroed in on saliva because testing it is less invasive and because THC in saliva may correlate with impairment better than THC in urine or blood. This device can detect concentrations of THC in the range of 0 to 50 nanogrammes per milliliter of saliva. While there is still no consensus on how much THC in a driver’s system is too much, previous studies have suggested a cutoff between 2 and 25 nanogrammes per milliliter will within the capability of the device. The researchers achieved such precision by harnessing the behavior of magnetism in nanoparticles, which measures just a few tens of billionths of a meter.

In the test, saliva is mixed with THC antibodies, which bind to any THC molecules in the sample. Then the sample is placed on disposable chip cartridge, which contains magneto-resistive (GMR) sensors pre-coated with THC, and inserted into the handheld reader. The device then uses Bluetooth to communicate results to the screen of a smartphone. The platform has potential usefulness beyond THC. The GMR biosensors in the device could detect any small molecule, meaning that the platform could also test for morphine, heroin, cocaine or other drugs. With 80 sensors built into it, the GMR biosensor chip could screen a single sample for multiple substances.

Now, You Can Update Your Car

Tired of your vehicle and its aging, limited features? Don’t trade it in just yet. Download new software instead. In some cases, that is already possible. And over the next few years, as the already extensive software on modern cars becomes even more feature-rich, manufacturers mean to step up the effort. They plan to offer many types of improvements through download that are beamed directly to the car via satellite. Wi-Fi or cellular signal, without the vehicle has to be brought into the shop. And your car will be serviceable like a giant smartphone, with new features added while your sleep.

A leading proponent of this is Tesla, which has been sending updated to its cars’ operating systems since 2012. The company is expected to announce an updated operating system next week. The chief executive has said that the updated will include improvements to the company’s Autopilot automated driving system. But Tesla is by no means alone in the download department. General Motors has been offering upgrades via the cellular-delivered OnStar entertainment and roadside assistance system since 2009. GM’s Acadia sport utility vehicle its entertainment system over the air.

Other manufacturers, including BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo, send wireless uploads to update various in-vehicle apps, including maps and entertainment offerings like Spotify. Ford, which previously provided software updates to its Sync infotainment system using a USB memory stick, will soon send software uploads to deliver Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality to its 2016 models equipped with its Sync 3 infotainment system. CarPlay and Auto replicate certain iPhone and Android smartphone features on the vehicle’s display. Ford delivers the updated software via Wi-Fi, installing it when the vehicle is restarted.

Manufacturers are also looking at software downloads as a new source of revenue, turning on featured remotely if the owner pays a fee. Tesla has already incorporated fees for features into its business model. While late model Tesla vehicles are equipped with cameras and sensors to enable semiautonomous driving, this feature – Autopilot – requires a $3,000 to $3,500 software download to make it work. Remote software updated will become crucial as vehicles become more capable of driving themselves. Software upgrades will be almost mandatory once we move up to higher forms of autonomous driving. The artificial intelligence underpinning self-driving will require constant upgrading to deal with novel situations.