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.
Sunday, 25 September 2016
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.
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