Alternative Energies Update

Genetically engineered bacterium breaks down wood and grass (no need to use corn!) into ethanol:

http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/2134/70/

Robotics Update

Vibration, solar and wind-powered, flying surveillance bat-like robot to be built for the US Army:

http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/2137/85/

Alternative Energies Update

A new startup produces high-efficiency solar panels for much lower cost--on par with conventional electricity production:

http://www.technologyreview.com/Biztech/21405/

Transportation Update

The Japanese are pursuing the development of a space elevator...something that was once completely in the realm of extreme science fiction:

http://www.kurzweilai.net/news/frame.html?main=/news/news_single.html?id%3D9437

Virtual Reality Update

The latest and greatest VR environment helps scientists visualize the universe from molecules to the cosmos:

http://www.physorg.com/news140975289.html

Robotics Update

Installing self-assembling robots in one's stomach to perform medical procedures:

http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/21401/?a=f

Robotics Update

Installing self-assembling robots in one's stomach to perform medical procedures:

http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/21401/?a=f

Alternative Energies Update

A simple process for creating hydrocarbon biofuels chemically, rather than biologically:

http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/21395/

(I don't think hydrocarbon biofuels are the future, but they may be a stopgap measure.)

Alternative Energies Update

Breakthrough may double the storage capacity of ultracapacitors:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080916143910.htm

Computing Update

Map allows computers to understand the context of word use:

http://www.physorg.com/news140929129.html

Alternative Energies Update

Test shows that long distance wireless transmission of power works, and could make space-based solar power a reality:

http://www.nss.org/news/releases/pr20080909.html

Alternative Energies Update

A summary of the trends and scenarios for alternative energies:

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=94743

Robotics Update

Current results of the Stanford Personal Robotics Program for creating robots useful in the home:

http://personalrobotics.stanford.edu/

(Play the videos.)

Computing Update

Petascale computer gets the green light:

http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/32152

This shows you the Law of Accelerating Returns in action:

"Specifically, NASA Ames, Intel and SGI will work together on a project called Pleiades to develop a system with a capacity of one Petaflops peak performance by 2009 and a system with a peak performance of 10 Petaflops by 2012."

Robotics Update

A model helicopter robot learns to fly itself by observing a human flying a remote model helicopter:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/robothelicopterteachesitselfhowtofly

Energy Storage Update

Using viruses to create miniature batteries:

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/virus-battery-0820.html

Alternative Energies Update

Using viruses to create miniature batteries:

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/virus-battery-0820.html