Cybernetics Update

The world's first cybernetic leaf uses plant photosynthesis to generate electricity:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16132-cyborg-leaf-makes-new-solar-power-plant.html

Artificial Intelligence Update

Combat robots may be built with AI able to behave more ethically than human beings:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/25/science/25robots.html?_r=1

Genetic Engineering Update

Bacteria may be turned into microscopic bio-robot slaves to print nanoscale patterns:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16119-invention-microscopic-biorobot-slaves.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news

Alternative Energies Update

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion is designed to exploit the difference in temperature between seawater near the surface and deep down, and has the potential to become the biggest source of renewable energy in the world:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20026836.000-plumbing-the-oceans-could-bring-limitless-clean-energy.html?full=true

Cybernetics Update

Scientists develop a machine-brain interface that can detect neural activity and predict the movement of fingers, as well as which of several sounds the patient is imagining. This may lead to robotic limbs that move as easily as real ones, or a computer interface that detects imagined words:

http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/21699/

Artificial Intelligence Update

DARPA funding "cognitive computing" intended to "engineer the mind by reverse-engineering the brain":

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/hunting-for-a-brainy-computer/

Robotics Update

Six ways to build robots that do humans no harm:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16068-six-ways-to-build-robots-that-do-humans-no-harm.html

Computing Update

Within the next couple of years, high-bandwidth wireless Internet signals will soon blanket the US, as frequencies previously used for television are freed up:

http://www.technologyreview.com/communications/21671/?a=f

Alternative Energies Update

New windmill with variable pitch blades to optimize power generation from variable winds, increasing overall output by 50-100%:

http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/21666/?a=f

Computing Update

System on a chip developed with transmission speeds 100 times faster than WiFi and 350 times faster than 3.5G cell phones, at about 1/10th the size and cost of existing chips:

http://www.physorg.com/news145636894.html

Alternative Energies Update

Soon to be available for sale: shed-sized, safe, relatively cheap, no-maintenance nuclear power stations with no moving parts and no weapons-grade material, each capable of powering 20,000 homes and requiring refills every decade:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/nov/09/miniature-nuclear-reactors-los-alamos#history-byline

Cybernetics Update

Honda develops a unique leg exoskeleton that is easy to strap on and assists with walking, crouching, etc.:

http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=212001311&subSection=Management

Genetic Engineering Update

I think mastery of genetics is only a stepping stone or even a temporary side-step to converting human intelligence to non-biological information technology, but it still does have some interesting potential.

For example: MIT and Caltech students are studying how to convert bacteria into food to fight cavities, produce vitamins, and treat lactose intolerance:

http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/21654/

Computing Update

Effective 3D holographic-like display developed:

http://www.physorg.com/news145514544.html

Watch the video.

Predictions Update

Here's a list of the top ten forecasts for 2009 and beyond by The Futurist magazine:

http://www.wfs.org/Sept-Oct08/Nov-Dec%20FUTURIST/topTen.htm

An example: "Everything you say and do will be recorded by 2030. By the late 2010s, ubiquitous, unseen nanodevices will provide seamless communication and surveillance among all people everywhere."

Technology Funding Update

Bill Joy is alarmed by the potential risks of advanced nanotech and the Singularity, so I'm not sure he's the best choice for being the US's chief technology officer (or maybe he's ideal because of that worry), but it's great to see that Obama is already seeking out the best minds in the field for his administration:

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/05/john-doerrs-advice-for-barack-obama-hire-bill-joy/

Technology Funding Update

Good news: Barak Obama plans to greatly increase federal funding for scientific research, technological development and science education, as well as lift the ban on federally funded embryonic stem cell research:

http://www.newscientist.com/channel/opinion/dn15130-obama-promises-new-era-of-scientific-innovation.html (see the attached PDF file for more specific details)

And more from Obama on scientific development, in his own words:

http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/dn15134-obama-on-science-in-his-own-words.html

Finally!

Virtual Reality Update

The US Army plans to use virtual worlds to make virtual humans indistinguishable from real humans:

http://gizmodo.com/5077240/us-army-to-push-x+files-tech-development-invade-world-of-warcraft

This article also lists several other projects of interest.

Alternative Energies Update

New technique for splitting water to get hydrogen using solar power:

http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/2241/83/

The inventor claims it will change the world.

Alternative Energies Update

New solar panel material absorbs almost 100% of the sunlight from the entire spectrum and from any direction:

http://www.physorg.com/news144940463.html

Singularity Update

The 2008 Singularity Summit's key announcements/revelations/events:

http://singularityhub.com/2008/11/02/singularity-summit-2008-reviewed/

My favorite note:

"According to Ray Kurzweil, solar energy is an information technology that is experiencing exponential growth. Solar energy production has doubled every year for the last 20 years and is now only 8 doublings away (that is about 10 years!) from providing nearly all of the world’s energy needs."