Organic PV Inexpensive

A senior scientist at Denmark's National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy has found a cheap method to integrate LEDs, photovoltaic (PV) cells and ultrathin lithium batteries into a potentially useful lamp. It may be the solution to the lack of access to electricity in the developing countries. Most organic PVs are composed of conducting polymers and carbon nanostructures, which in the right combinations mimic the p-n junction of silicon and other inorganic photovoltaics.

Reference: IEEE Spectrum

Bacteria to Power Micro Machines

Scientists have discovered that common bacteria can turn into micro-gears hundreds of times larger than itself when suspended in a solution. This provides insight into bio-inspired dynamically adaptive materials for energy. The ability to harness and control the power of bacterial motions is an important requirement for further developing hybrid bio-mechanical systems driven by micro-organisms. A few hundred bacteria are working together in order to turn the gear. The speed at which the gears turn can also be controlled through the manipulation of oxygen in the suspended liquid.

Reference: Science Daily

Photonic Crystals = Incredible Insulator

Scientists have found that layering photonic crystals within the vacuum lining can prevent heat loss from invisible infrared radiation, creating an incredible insulator. Heat typically travels via methods such as convection and conduction, which both require a material medium. In addition, heat can transfer through infrared radiation, or passing through a vacuum lining to a thermos's outer wall. Photonic crystals consist of tiny nano-structures that affect how light passes through. They can be configured to block certain frequency ranges of light, including infrared radiation. Tests on the new insulator showed that heat transfer does not rely on layer thickness, but only on how fast light can travel through the material. The research team hopes that the photonic crystals is applicable in areas beyond communications and computing applications.

Reference: Science Daily

Firefighting ATV can Operate in Hash Environment

Yanko displayed an ATV design by Liam Ferguson that can carry remotely-operated water cannons and a two-person crew into the heart of a raging blaze, and emerge unscathed. Firefighters currently rely on utility vehicles for hot-spots. These vehicles work well in a pinch for navigating rough terrain, but it cannot survive a burn-over when flames suddenly sweep over the area. The proposed Amatoya vehicle uses aerogel laminated insulation and a temperature-controlled spray down system which draws on an auxiliary water tank. Amatoya can also hold 1,800 liters of water supply, as well as the 400-liter auxiliary water tank.

Reference:
www.popsci.com/technology

Hidden Sensory System Under the Skin

The human sensory system is more complex than previously thought, according to a new study and published in he journal, "Pain". The sensory network is located throughout the human blood vessels and sweat glands. The skin has many different nerve endings that distinguish between different temperatures, types of mechanical contact (vibrations, movement and etc). The new research indicates that these nerve endings appear on blood vessels and sweat glands as well. Yet there is another type of mental sensory feedback which remains as a mystery.

Reference:
Bowsher et al. Absence of pain with hyperhidrosis: A new syndrome where vascular afferents may mediate cutaneous sensation. Pain, 2009; 147 (1-3): 287 DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2009.09.007