Computing Update

Carbon ring storage could improve data storage densities by three orders of magnitude:

http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv/23773/

Virtual Reality Update

Incorporating realistic physics into virtual reality:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17389-innovation-physics-brings-realism-to-virtual-reality.html

"One expert evens predicts that such techniques could be used to create Matrix-like virtual worlds indistinguishable from reality within just a few years."

Computing Update

"A team led by Yale University researchers has created the first rudimentary solid-state quantum processor, taking another step toward the ultimate dream of building a quantum computer":

http://www.physorg.com/news165418586.html

Alternative Energies Update

"At any moment, the winds in high-altitude jet streams hold roughly 100 times more energy than all the electricity being consumed on Earth."

How to capture that energy:

http://www.physorg.com/news165082424.html

Cybernetics Update

The brain may automatically adapt to incorporate extensions and additions to the body:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17346

Artificial Intelligence Update

The AI Report:

A series of interesting articles on forbes.com reflecting on the developments in AI and robotics:

http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/22/singularity-robots-computers-opinions-contributors-artificial-intelligence-09_land.html

"Superintelligence would be the last invention biological man would ever need to make, since, by definition, it would be much better at inventing than we are."

Robotics Update

The near-future evolution of small and micro robots for more precision, less collateral damage targetting on the battlefield:

http://www.esquire.com/the-side/feature/new-air-force-drones-in-pakistan-061709

Be sure to watch the military's own video on MAVs (micro air vehicles) to get a real feel for their application:

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/flight-international/2008/12/video-suicide-micro-air-vehicl.html

Robotics Update

Giving war robots a conscience and a sense of guilt to help them make ethical decisions on the battlefield:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17332-plan-to-teach-military-robots-the-rules-of-war.html

Robotics Update

Computer scientists develop a technique that lets computers see objects with nearly double the accuracy and 10 times the speed of earlier methods:

http://www.physorg.com/news164509831.html

Alternative Energies Update

High-altitude kites could generate enough power for New York City:

http://news.mongabay.com/2009/0615-wind.html

Nanotechnology Update

Researchers figure out how to line up buckyballs like a string of pearls, called buckywire:

http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv/23682/

"So what might buckywires be good for? First up is photovoltaics: these buckywires look as if they could be hugely efficient light harvesters because of their great surface area and the way that they can conduct photon-liberated electrons. Then there are various electronic applications in wiring up molecular circuit boards."

Nanotechnology Update

Researchers create a functioning, fully-controlable gear only 1.2 nanometers in size:

http://www.physorg.com/news164281362.html

Transportation Update

Inflatable modules could make a space elevator a reality using currently available materials:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20227117.000

Robotics Update

A new robot can successfully (if slowly) navigate a building full of open and closed doors, and find where to plug itself in, all without the "cheats" of previous generations:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/09/science/09robot.html?_r=1

Alternative Energies Update

Methanol may turn out to be a better option than hydrogen as a replacement for fossil fuels:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17240-methanol-challenges-hydrogen-to-be-fuel-of-the-future.html

Robotics Update

The tipping point appears to be here on the implementation of robots to replace farm hands:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17224

Computing Update

Physicists use ultra-fast lasers that could accelerate storage and retrieval of data on hard discs by up to 100,000 times:

http://www.physorg.com/news162995052.html