Flat surfaces turn into a touchpad. With just a can of spray paint, researchers can turn flat surfaces of any shape or size —ranging from walls to furniture to even musical instruments — into touchpads, according to a new study. The technique, dubbed Electrick by its inventors from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, relies on electrodes attached to an object made of or coated with any slightly conductive material. While not as precise as smartphone touch-screen technology, the resulting touchpads are still accurate enough to allow basic control functions, such as using a slider or pushing a button.
Mind-controlled devices help stoke patients to regain functions. Stroke patients who learned to use their minds to open and close a device fitted over their paralyzed hands gained some control over their hands, according to a new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. By mentally controlling the device with the help of a brain-computer interface, participants trained the uninjured parts of their brains to take over functions previously performed by injured areas of the brain.
Higher res TVs coming. A new color changing surface tunable through electrical voltage could lead to three times the resolution for televisions, smartphones and other devices. By applying differing voltages, it’s possible to change the color of individual subpixels to red, green or blue - the RGB scale -- or gradations in between.
First printed battery to open new frontiers. Nano-engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed the first printed battery that is flexible, stretchable and rechargeable. The zinc batteries could be used to power everything from wearable sensors to solar cells and other kinds of electronics.
Star Wars celebrate 40th anniversary. It’s hard to believe that the megahit space opera Star Wars just turned 40. Its pull has been so strong four decades later, fans are still eagerly awaiting the next installment: "Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi," coming Dec. 2017. May the force be with you!
