Thinking Tech

Archive: 06-2011

• Lovotics, the new field of robot-human love

  One researcher is developing robots that interact with humans in order to nurture intense attachment. Meet the field of “lovotics.”

  June 30, 2011, 3:41 PM PDT | By Christie Nicholson

• Infographic: Where HIV cases are most prevalent

  Researchers have launched AIDSVu, an interactive online map that shows the distribution of people living with HIV in the United States.

  June 30, 2011, 3:49 AM PDT | By Tuan C. Nguyen

• Infographic: revealing which forests store the most carbon

  NASA has created a map that depicts the amount and distribution of carbon stored in Earth’s tropical forests.

  June 30, 2011, 2:13 AM PDT | By Tuan C. Nguyen

• Space boat to cruise for extraterrestrial life

  Earlier this year NASA announced the concept of a spacecraft powered by electric-field sails riding the solar wind, cruising at unthinkable speeds of up to 180,000 Kph. Now, in addition to a...

  June 29, 2011, 10:18 AM PDT | By Christie Nicholson

• ‘Supertruck’ big rig design doubles fuel efficiency

  A radical rethinking of tractor trailer design may drastically cut emissions and save fuel.

  June 29, 2011, 3:32 AM PDT | By Tuan C. Nguyen

• Video: solar-powered 3-D printer turns sand into glass objects

  The Sun-Sinter harnesses desert sand and sun to create objects like bowls and sculptures.

  June 29, 2011, 2:15 AM PDT | By Tuan C. Nguyen

• How just a few talking cars can end traffic jams

  Road congestion can be greatly alleviated if as few as 5 out of every 1000 cars were linked up.

  June 29, 2011, 1:54 AM PDT | By Tuan C. Nguyen

• Vibrating belt guides soldiers when they cannot see

  A haptic belt promises to help soldiers “see” beyond their normal range when navigating an unfamiliar environment.

  June 28, 2011, 8:56 AM PDT | By Christie Nicholson

• Navy’s futuristic weapons a target for budget cuts

  Congress cut funding for the development of a hypersonic railgun and the free electron laser (FEL), the navy’s two prized weapons of the future.

  June 28, 2011, 2:56 AM PDT | By Tuan C. Nguyen

• Bye bye imported oil? New tech converts junk plastics into fuel

  Pyrolysis technology can produce as much as 200 gallons of diesel for every ton of discarded plastic.

  June 28, 2011, 2:01 AM PDT | By Tuan C. Nguyen