Computing Update

New microscopic laser called a "spaser" (developed from the field of nanoplasmonics) could allow computing using light:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20527441.600-spasers-set-to-sum-a-new-dawn-for-optical-computing.html?full=true

Transportation Update

NASA has developed an electric powered personal stealth aircraft called the "Puffin." It's a dual prop plane, barely bigger than the pilot, VTOL-capable, and capable of reaching speeds up to 480 kmh:

http://www.universetoday.com/2010/01/21/nasa-unveils-personal-aircraft/

Be sure to view the video.

Alternative Energies Update

Oerlikon Solar expects to reduce costs of solar power to grid parity by the end of this year:

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2010/01/oerlikon-solar-promising-30-cost-reduction-in-2010

Robotics Update

Video of various techniques robots are using to climb walls:

http://www.physorg.com/news183100876.html

Computing Update

As we approach the 2D limits of Moore's Law, a new technique allows the continuation of smaller circuits by building in three dimensions:

http://www.physorg.com/news183024614.html

Robotics Update

South Korean researchers have developed a robot that can perform several household tasks, like cleaning, loading clothes in a washer and microwaving food:

http://www.physorg.com/news183022967.html

It's still a few years from mass production...but we're not too far off.

Computing Update

Carbon nanotube transistors now feasible at sizes smaller than silicon:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20527435.900-nanotube-transistors-shrink-smaller-than-silicon-size.html

Robotics Update

Robots can now use a simplified central pattern generator to vary its gait on different surfaces based on energy efficiency:

http://www.physorg.com/news182957235.html

Computing Update

DARPA plans to create a cyber warfare simulator to train cyber warriors against hackers:

http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-01/darpa-spends-51-million-matrix-cyber-war-firing-range

Transportation Update

DARPA is developing a flying car for troop transport, as well as a submersible aircraft:

http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/49469

Singularity Update

This is a longer interview with Ray Kurzweil about reverse engineering the human brain, and other topics:

http://hplusmagazine.com/articles/ai/ray-kurzweil-h-interview

I'm surprised at how he's made independent observations that parallel my own (such as the problem with most science fiction movies, and that happiness is not the ultimate utopian goal of humanity).

Interesting note: he says we are basically 16 years away (assuming the steady advances in solar tech we've had for the past 20 years continue) from solar power being able to provide 100% of our energy needs.

Nanotechnology Update

How close are we to "real" nanotechnology? This article describes the concepts, with several of the biggest names in the field weighing in:

http://hplusmagazine.com/articles/nano/how-close-are-we-real-nanotechnology

Bottom line? 20-30 years from now.

Artificial Intelligence Update

A new $5 million, 5-year project to develop artificial intelligence takes a different approach:

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2009/ai-overview-1207.html