2010-05-30

Hologram TV is Coming

Times Online

Watch closely, ‘Star Wars’ hologram TV is coming

THREE-DIMENSIONAL television may be the latest in home cinema, but it will soon seem so 2010. Scientists are already planning its successor — holographic television.

On a holo-TV, images will be projected into the middle of a room as a “cloud” that can be enjoyed from every angle without 3-D glasses.




Forget 3D glasses! 'Star Wars' hologram TVs will put you IN the action

[...]

Holo-TVs will resemble a large book laid out on the floor, according to Sony engineers. Lasers will then project a 'cloud' of images that will appear to float in the middle of the room and can be enjoyed from every angle WITHOUT 3D glasses.

It may sound like an implausible technology more suited to Star Wars films than real life, but industry leaders are taking it very seriously indeed.


Japan proposes holographic 3D broadcasts for 2022 World Cup

While we're limited to merely 3DTV depictions of the 2010 World Cup, Japan is letting its freak flag fly in a proposal to host the 2022 matches with a concept envisioning matches captured by 200 HD cameras, then projected as fully 3D images onto real fields in other countries.



Holographic TV

DiscoveryNetworks June 16, 2009 — Television's gone from black and white to color to high definition. So is 3-D holographic TV next? Jorge Ribas finds out.


Collected from: YouTube - Holographic TV



Powerful Lasers, Futuristic Digital Cameras, 3-D Television and More: Highlights of Frontiers in Optics Meeting in San Jose, Oct. 11–15

[...]

SPECIAL SYMPOSIUM: THE FUTURE OF 3-D TELEVISION
With 3-D movies helping to drive record box office revenues this spring and companies like Sony and Panasonic rolling out the first 3-D-enabled televisions, a timely special symposium titled "The Future of 3-D Display: The Marketplace and the Technology" will feature presentations on current and future technologies driving the 3-D revolution. [...]

Sources
Watch closely, ‘Star Wars’ hologram TV is coming - Times Online
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/personal_tech/article7140259.ece
Hologram TVs that will put you IN the action in development | Mail Online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1282604/Hologram-TVs-IN-action-development.html
Japan proposes holographic 3D broadcasts for 2022 World Cup -- Engadget
http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/20/japan-proposes-holographic-3d-broadcasts-for-2022-world-cup/
YouTube - Holographic TV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QYsg7_EHcU&feature=player_embedded#!
Powerful Lasers, Futuristic Digital Cameras, 3-D Television and More: Highlights of Frontiers in Optics Meeting in San Jose, Oct. 11–15
http://www.frontiersinoptics.com/MediaCenter/ConferenceNews/highlights.aspx

Related
Computer generated holography - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_generated_holography
Holographic TV
http://www.squidoo.com/holographictv
Optical Scientists Add New, Practical Dimension to Holography | UANews.org
http://uanews.org/node/18022
3D Holographic TV’s Very Possible And Will Happen By 2020 | Sony Insider
http://www.sonyinsider.com/2008/10/06/3d-holographic-tvs-very-possible-and-will-happen-by-2020/
Scientist: Holographic television to become reality - CNN.com
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/10/06/holographic.television/index.html
HoloTV Images Jump off the Screen, into Tomorrow's Homes (w/Video)
http://www.physorg.com/news156072878.html
AFP: Japan offers global 3-D telecasts in 2022 WC bid
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gNVZsxBSbgXx268O16flQfqXOs_w

2010-05-29

A Next-generation One Laptop per Child (OLPC) XO Tablet





Negroponte: One Laptop Per Child is now a $75 Android Tablet

The former head of MIT's Media Lab said the next OLPC device, the XO-3, would be a 9-inch tablet made by Marvell and running Google's Android OS.

The first OLPC was an underpowered, 'designed-by-committee' laptop that cost at least double of what it was supposed to.  Most importantly, didn't adapt to the needs of the children who used it.  For instance, it didn't have a method for non-Latin characters to be input.  It was also made of plastic and had moving parts that would often break in rugged environments.

At CES in January this year, that will change, according to Nicolas Negroponte.
The new OLPC devices will take the lead from Apple's iPad but use Google's (GOOG) Android OS, at least initially.   The keyboard will be virtual and be able to adapt to different languages.


One Laptop per Child and Marvell Join Forces to Redefine Tablet Computing for Students Around the World

Marvell and OLPC Empower Education Industry to Revolutionize the Classroom Experience through Advanced, Affordably-Priced Tablets

Cambridge, Mass. and Santa Clara, Calif., May 27, 2010One Laptop per Child (OLPC), a global organization whose mission is to help provide every child in the world access to a modern education, and Marvell, a worldwide leader in integrated silicon solutions, have agreed to jointly develop a family of next-generation OLPC XO tablet computers based on the Marvell® Moby reference design. This new partnership will provide designs and technologies to enable a range of new educational tablets, delivered by OLPC and other education industry leaders, aimed at schools in both the U.S. and developing markets. Marvell is also announcing today it has launched Mobylize, a campaign aimed at improving technology adoption in America’s classrooms. 
 

Marvell backs ambitious $100 OLPC tablet



The backbone of the XO-3 will be an ARM processor (likely the Marvell Armada 610), with initial models running a version of Google's Android OS. As with the OLPC laptop, these initial models will be sold within developed nations, subsidizing the less-expensive $75 version (running the open-source, educational Sugar OS) distributed to children and institutions supported by the foundation.

In the accompanying video, OLPC founder Nicholas Negroponte also boasts that the tablet will eventually include an adaptable screen that can be optimized for both indoor viewing and direct sunlight, though the earliest models will be designed around a glass screen. An iPad-besting thickness of 10.8 millimeters is also claimed.

OLPC's Negroponte says XO-3 prototype tablet coming in 2010

One Laptop Per Child project founder Nicholas Negroponte said that the organization is accelerating its development of the XO-3 tablet computer and will have a working prototype by December 2010, two years ahead of projections. Negroponte said the final product would cost US$75.



CNET TV Loaded: Morning Edition: One tablet per kiddo




Sources
OLPC XO-3 Dream Tablet May Come True After All
http://gizmodo.com/5549053/olpc-xo+3-dream-tablet-buoyed-by-marvell
Negroponte: One Laptop Per Child is now a $75 Android Tablet - Google 24/7 - Fortune Tech
http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/05/27/negreponte-one-laptop-per-child-is-now-a-75-android-tablet/
OLPC-Marvell Partnership_FINAL.docx
http://laptop.org/en/utility/press/olpc-marvell.shtml
Marvell backs ambitious $100 OLPC tablet | Crave - CNET
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20006211-1.html
YouTube - OLPC's Negroponte says XO-3 prototype tablet coming in 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILMzuS2qZfc&feature=player_embedded#
YouTube - Morning Edition: One tablet per kiddo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcqmGs5B0BU

Related
One tablet per kiddo | Loaded - CNET
http://cnettv.cnet.com/8301-13991_53-20006249-10391624.html
Marvell backs Android-based OLPC XO-3 tablet | Mobile Devices | ZDNet UK
http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/mobile-devices/2010/05/28/marvell-backs-android-based-olpc-xo-3-tablet-40089076/
One Laptop Per Child to Produce $100 Tablet
http://mashable.com/2010/05/27/olpc-xo-3/
OLPC's Negroponte Says XO-3 Prototype Tablet Coming in 2010 - PCWorld Business Center
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/197324/olpcs_negroponte_says_xo3_prototype_tablet_coming_in_2010.html
One Laptop Per Child Revamps Tablet Plans - Forbes.com
http://www.forbes.com/2010/05/26/olpc-ipad-apple-technology-negroponte.html?boxes=Homepagechannels
XO-3 update: OLPC and Marvell partner to design a line of tablets | One Laptop per Child
http://blog.laptop.org/2010/05/27/xo3-marvell-and-olpc/
One Laptop per Child (OLPC), a low-cost, connected laptop for the world's children's education
http://laptop.org/en/index.shtml

2010-05-27

Sony's Rollable OLED Display




Sony unveils super-thin OLED screen that can be rolled around a pencil

Sony has developed was it calls 'the world's first' flexible colour video screen, that is so sheer it can be rolled around a pencil.

The Japanese electronics giant created the 4.1" across prototype using an ultra-thin flexible material covered in organic semiconductors.

The ultra-thin screen continues to show a clear picture even when it is rolled


crunchgear logo


Video: Sony’s new, super-thin OLED display wraps around a pencil



The display is just 80μm thick, offers 432 x 240 resolution (121 ppi), a contrast ratio of around 1,000:1, and produces 100 cd/m2 brightness. Sony says the OLED can be wrapped around a pencil with just a 4mm radius. And the OLED can actually continue to display images and video while being rolled up, which is (according to Sony) a world’s first.

Sony develops a rollable OLED screen



SONY make.believe


May 26, 2010
logo

Sony Develops a "Rollable" OTFT*1-driven OLED Display that can wrap around a Pencil

-New developments with high performance organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) with an original organic semiconductor enable roll-up capabilities-


Technology Features

1. High performance OTFT with originally developed high-mobility and highly-stable organic semiconductor materials, PXX derivatives
 [...]
 

 2. Integration of a flexible gate-driver circuit with OTFTs
 [...]
 

3. Enhancement of flexibility with all organic insulators in the OTFT and OLED integration circuit
[...]

4. Achieved display capable of reproducing moving images while rolled-up around cylinder with 4mm radius
[...]

Sources
Sony unveils super-thin OLED screen that can be rolled around a pencil | Mail Online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1281620/Sony-unveils-super-OLED-screen-rolled-pencil.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Video: Sony’s new, super-thin OLED display wraps around a pencil
http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/05/26/video-sonys-new-super-thin-oled-display-wraps-around-a-pencil/
YouTube - Sony develops a rollable OLED screen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OvTLg4i2_U
Sony Global - News Releases - Sony Develops a "Rollable" OTFT-driven OLED Display that can wrap around a Pencil
http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201005/10-070E/index.html

Related
SID - Society For Information Display
http://www.sid.org/
Sony Develops a “Rollable” OTFT-driven OLED Display that can wrap around a Pencil « Akihabara News
http://en.akihabaranews.com/47902/display/sony-develops-a-rollable-otft-driven-oled-display-that-can-wrap-around-a-pencil
Amazing: Sony's paper-thin 'rollable' flexible OLED display | ZDNet
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/gadgetreviews/amazing-sonys-paper-thin-rollable-flexible-oled-display/15136
Sony unveils ultrathin rollable OLED | Crave - CNET
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20006000-1.html
Sony Shows Rollable OLED Display - PCWorld
http://www.pcworld.com/article/197182/sony_shows_rollable_oled_display.html
Sony Rollable OTFT-driven OLED Display - HiTech Review
http://www.hitechreview.com/tv/sony-rollable-otft-driven-oled-display/24861/
Sony's rollable OLED display can wrap around a pencil, our hearts (video) -- Engadget
http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/26/sonys-rollable-oled-display-can-wrap-around-a-pencil-our-heart/
Sony Rollable Colour OLED Display
http://www.gadgetvenue.com/sony-rollable-colour-oled-display-05263054/

2010-05-26

Google TV

Google TV

Google TV is a software platform for set-top boxes and HDTVs based on the Android operating system and co-developed by Google, Intel, Sony and Logitech. The project was officially announced by Google and its partners on May 20, 2010.



Google plans to introduce a box accompanying the TV which tries to make the TV “smarter” by letting you search for content... and browse the web, and view photo albums and more, as Google’s video introduction shows. It’s called Google TV, and as Techcrunch writes, “It will work as a new box – you’ll just hook up your existing cable or satellite box to it. All the hardware will include a keyboard and a mouse – but it will work with Android phones too. And you can use multiple Android devices to control the same TV – no more fighting over the remote.”

Collected from: Google TV

Introducing Google TV




Google

TV meets web. Web meets TV.

Google TV is a new experience made for television that combines the TV you know and love with the freedom and power of the Internet. Watch an overview video below, sign up for updates, and learn more about how to develop for Google TV.

Watch
Google TV is coming to a living room near you.
Watch the Google TV announcement.

Learn
Learn about the partners we're working with.
Visit Sony, Logitech and Intel.

Develop
Optimize your web apps for Google TV.
Android SDK coming soon. Learn more.
 
Collected from: Google TV


Enhance your TV experience with the power of the web. The Sony Internet TV provides richer internet access so you can browse the web just like you would from a computer. Seamlessly navigate between websites and TV channels or enjoy both at the same time. On the same screen.




Intel® Atom™ processor

TV just got smarter. The Intel® Atom™ processor brings intelligence and performance to your TV experience. Everything you love about TV and the Internet is now together on one screen. Instantly find and watch your favorite shows and movies, easily surf between channels and Web sites, and interact with TV like never before.


Collected from: Intel and Smart TV

Logitech

If you can think it, you can watch it.

Chances are, you have one of the 60 million HDTVs in the US that are ready. To be smarter. To integrate the full Web and your HD cable or satellite content. To do things no TV has ever done before.

Logitech is putting the final touches on a companion box that will connect your HDTV to everything the Google TV experience can be. So watching is just the beginning.

Collected from: Logitech

Sources
Google TV
http://blogoscoped.com/archive/2010-05-21-n21.html
Google TV - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_TV
YouTube - Introducing Google TV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diTpeYoqAhc
Google TV
http://www.google.com/tv/
Intel and Smart TV
http://www.intel.com/inside/smartTV/
Sony introduces the world's first HDTV incorporating the Google TV platform.
http://discover.sonystyle.com/internettv/
Logitech
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/1005/7099?WT.mc_id=google_googletv_redirect_052010

Related
Official Google Blog: Announcing Google TV: TV meets web. Web meets TV.
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/announcing-google-tv-tv-meets-web-web.html
Watch the Google TV announcement
http://www.youtube.com/googledevelopers#p/c/B09682344C2F233B/0/ASZbArr7vdI
Google TV
http://www.google.com/tv/developer/
Google TV Unveiled. It’s All About The Ad Reach
http://techcrunch.com/2010/05/20/google-tv/
Google TV: Who is the competition and what are they saying about it? -- Engadget HD
http://hd.engadget.com/2010/05/21/google-tv-who-is-the-competition-and-what-are-they-saying-about/
Google TV vs. Apple TV (and Everyone Else) | News & Opinion | PCMag.com
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2364066,00.asp
Google and Partners Seek Foothold in the Living Room - NYTimes.com
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/18/technology/18webtv.html

2010-05-25

Boeing X-51 WaveRider Hypersonic Scramjet

Boeing X-51

The Boeing X-51 is an unmanned scramjet demonstration aircraft for hypersonic (Mach 7, around 8,050 km/h) flight testing. The X-51 WaveRider program is a consortium of the US Air Force, DARPA, NASA, Boeing and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. The program is managed by the Propulsion Directorate within the United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).[1] The X-51 has flown on a B-52 and is expected to have its first non-captive flight as early as May 25, 2010.[2]







The X-51 WaveRider team is focused on developing a free-flying vehicle that will fly longer hypersonically than all of it predecessors combined. Hypersonic speeds are those in excess of Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound).
[...]

The Boeing X-51 team purposely developed the vehicle to package a specific engine type into a soon-to-be-demonstrated platform. When this jet-fueled, air breathing hypersonic vehicle flies in late 2009 and early 2010, it will demonstrate a reliable system capable of operating continuously on jet fuel and accelerating through multiple Mach numbers
Collected from: Boeing: X-51 WaveRider

Air Force's Hypersonic X-51 WaveRider Ready For First Test Flight




X-51 WaveRider The X-51A WaveRider, a wingless scramjet, will make its first hypersonic test flight Tuesday over the Pacific Ocean. Air Force Research Laboratory

The X-51A WaveRider, which sort of resembles a shark, will fly for about five minutes, powered by a scramjet engine. It should reach about Mach 6 and transmit data to ground stations before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean, according to the Air Force Research Laboratory.
 
The longest previous hypersonic scramjet flight test, performed by a NASA X-43 in 2004, was faster, but lasted only about 10 seconds and used hydrogen fuel. The X-51 uses JP-7 jet fuel, the same juice that powered the SR-71 Blackbird.


X-51A WaveRider hypersonic scramjet testbed




Sources
Boeing X-51 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_X-51
Boeing: X-51 WaveRider
http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/waverider/index.html
Air Force's Hypersonic X-51 WaveRider Ready For First Test Flight | Popular Science
http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-05/air-forces-hypersonic-waverider-ready-test-flight
YouTube - X-51A WaveRider hypersonic scramjet testbed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aNsbb4_C9A&feature=player_embedded

Related
Air Force’s Mach 6 Cruise Missile Ready to Race | Danger Room | Wired.com
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/05/pentagons-mach-6-cruise-missile-ready-to-race/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Index+3+%28Top+Stories+2%29%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher
YouTube - Boeing X-51 WaveRider Scramjet Engine Demonstrator
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV8AfgbGh5M&feature=related
Hypersonic Plane Update on the X-51 Waverider and Falcon Scramjet
http://nextbigfuture.com/2009/05/hypersonic-plane-update-on-x-51.html
Spaceflight Now | Breaking News | X-51 scramjet flights poised to bridge air and space propulsion for space launch, Prompt Global Strike
http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1005/16waverider/

2010-05-22

Japan's Solar Sail Spacecraft, Ikaros

Japan launches Venus probe and solar sail

Akatsuki probe, Ikaros sail and other satellites all ride on one rocket


An unmanned H-2A rocket sends Japan's Akatsuki probe toward Venus from the Tanegashima Space Center on Friday. The Ikaros solar sail prototype hitched a ride as well.

A powerful new Japanese spacecraft and experimental solar sail have blasted off together to start a six-month trek to explore Venus and cosmic parts beyond.

One mission is aimed at uncovering the secrets of Venus and its cloud-covered surface, while the other could become the first interplanetary solar sail to fly successfully in space. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, is backing both spaceflights.


Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency


May 21, 2010 Updated

AKATSUKI successfully launched!!

The H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 17 (H-IIA F17) with the Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" onboard was launched at 6:58:22 a.m. on May 21 (Japan Standard Time) from the Tanegashima Space Center. The H-IIA F17 flew smoothly, and, at 27 minutes and 29 seconds after liftoff, the AKATSUKI was separated from the H-IIA.
We will update you with the latest information on the AKATSUKI on the special site.
(Photo: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries)



Launch H-IIA Akatsuki/Ikaros






小型ソーラー電力セイル実証機「IKAROS」



A Solar Sail gathers sunlight as propulsion by means of a large membrane while a Solar “Power” Sail gets electricity from thin film solar cells on the membrane in addition to acceleration by solar radiation. What’s more, if the ion-propulsion engines with high specific impulse are driven by such solar cells, it can become a “hybrid” engine that is combined with photon acceleration to realize fuel-effective and flexible missions.

IKAROS's mission

IKAROS’s membrane


Membrane deployment


Future plans





World's first interplanetary solar sail spacecraft IKAROS, sail spreading CG image







IKAROS Mission Overview




Sources
Japan launches Venus probe and solar sail - Space.com- msnbc.com
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37264753/ns/technology_and_science-space/
JAXA | AKATSUKI Special Site
http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f17/index_e.html
YouTube - Launch H-IIA Akatsuki/Ikaros
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrxm0p8pmnk
IKAROS Project|JAXA Space Exploration Center
http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/e/activity/ikaros.html
JAXA | IKAROS Mission Overview
http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f17/overview/ikaros_e.html
YouTube - World's first interplanetary solar sail spacecraft IKAROS, sail spreading CG image
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Mb47w0vB04

Related
Japanese ‘IKAROS’ flies toward solar space travel - World Blog - msnbc.com
http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2010/05/17/2320760.aspx
JAXA | Launch Result of the Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" (PLANET-C) aboard H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.17
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/05/20100521_h2a-f17_e.html
JAXA | IKAROS Mission Overview
http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f17/overview/ikaros_e.html
YouTube - IKAROS I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk7KvzUpGas
Japan to Launch Solar-Sail-Powered Craft Out Beyond Orbit for the First Time | Popular Science
http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-04/japan-launch-solar-sailing-mission-beyond-orbit-first-time
Japan to launch 'space yacht' propelled by solar particles (Update)
http://www.physorg.com/news191565225.html
Solar Sail Hybrid Launches Today From Japan
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/05/100517-science-space-solar-sail-japan-ikaros-venus/
Japan's Flimsy Ikaros Space Kite Due to Launch to Float on the Solar Wind | Fast Company
http://www.fastcompany.com/1648686/japan-ikaros-solar-sail-h-iia-rockets-jaxa-venus-climate-orbiter?partner=rss
Sail-World.com : Way to the stars: Space sailing by sunlight not solar wind
http://www.sail-world.com/Europe/Way-to-the-stars:-Space-sailing-by-sunlight-not-solar-wind/63185
FOXNews.com - Japan Testing Interplanetary Solar Sail Concept
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/05/17/japan-ikaros-solar-sail/?test=latestnews
BBC News - Japan launches Akatsuki probe to Venus
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science_and_environment/10135158.stm
First solar powered spacecraft successfully launched
http://www.gizmag.com/ikaros-solar-sail-launched/15175/
SolarSailWiki
http://wiki.solarsails.info/index.php?title=Main_Page
SPACE.com -- New Venus Probe to Launch Thursday From Japan After Delay
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/japan-venus-probe-launch-thursday-100518.html

2010-05-20

Sugar-powered Biofuel Cell

Technology Review - Published By MIT

Power from Glucose

An implanted biofuel cell may someday power medical devices.

Scientists have implanted the first functional glucose biofuel cell in a living animal. Unlike batteries that supply power to implants, a power-generating device may not have to be surgically removed and replaced, because glucose is a potentially limitless source of energy.

[..]


"It's quite an interesting paper that demonstrates for the first time that one can generate electrical power from body fluids," says Itamar Willner, a biomolecular chemist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.


Glucose biofuel cell could revolutionize medical technology


The secret behind the technology? Electrodes made out of compressed graphite containing enzymes that force the oxidation of glucose to generate energy. Notably, these electrodes are protected by a membrane that keeps the enzymes from flowing out, while allowing oxygen and glucose molecules to flow in. That’s the difference between this newest cell and prior, failed iterations.

Glucose biofuel cells may soon power implants




Implants containing both GOX and catalase, immobilized on barium alginate beads, in dialysis tubing wrapped in an exPTFE coating. (A) Before implantation. (B) After 3 months of implantation. A neo-vascular network can be seen, no sign of inflammation is present, proving the good tolerance of the rat for the implant. Image credit: PLoS ONE, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0010476



Cinquin said he was optimistic the efficiency could be improved, and achieving electrical outputs in the tens of milliwatts is not unrealistic in larger animals. He said he could see no reason why the devices could not work in people, and hoped to see them developed for use in humans within five to 10 years.

The biofuel cell could find application in devices such as insulin pumps, artificial urinary sphincters, biosensors, bone growth simulators and drug delivery devices as well as pacemakers. The research team want to continue their research by testing biofuel cells in larger animals and for longer periods.


Sources
Technology Review: Power from Glucose
http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/25341/?a=f
Glucose biofuel cell could revolutionize medical technology | VentureBeat
http://green.venturebeat.com/2010/05/18/glucose-biofuel-cell-could-revolutionize-medical-technology/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Venturebeat+%28VentureBeat%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
Glucose biofuel cells may soon power implants
http://www.physorg.com/news193470170.html

Related
Philippe Cinquin's HOME PAGE
http://membres-timc.imag.fr/Philippe.Cinquin/
Université Joseph Fourier | Accueil
http://www.ujf-grenoble.fr/36392593/0/fiche___pagelibre_accueil/
Sugar Within Human Bodies Could Power Future Artificial Organs: Scientific American
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=glucose-body-fuel-cell
Sugar-powered biofuel cell to power artificial organs and medical implants
http://www.gizmag.com/glucose-powered-biofuel-cell-implanted-in-rats/15138/
PLoS ONE: A Glucose BioFuel Cell Implanted in Rats
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0010476
Body Fluid-Powered Fuel Cell Could Turn Pacemaker Patients Into Steve Austin | Fast Company
http://www.fastcompany.com/1649666/fuel-cell-glucose-human-food-medical-technology-medicine-power