Holographic storage finally arrived?

According to the NewScientist InPhase Technologies (together with their partner ) will sell optical storage devices and discs at the end of 2006. The new holographic disc will hot 300 Gigabytes of data and the read/write access will be 10 times faster than DVD.

Read article: Holographic-memory discs may put DVDs to shame

Waterless Washing Machine

Students from the National University of Singapore have invented a washing machine that does not need water.

Patents - Right to Create

Right to Create is a interesting blog for anyone interested in patents. Discussions about changing software patent laws in the European union are a big worry.


Read more about Descriptive Analysis of a Pilot Survey on the Effects of Patenting on Science or download the complete report.

Combining Google maps and the famous board game Risk

Combining Google maps and the famous board game Risk

Medical Nanobots

I, Robot may have a new meaning in the 2020s if programmable dermal displays—implantable nanomedical systems for the human body—become a mainstay for medical monitoring and record-keeping. First presented by Robert A. Freitas, Jr., in his book Nanomedicine, Volume 1: Basic Capabilities, dermal displays use embedded data screens visible on the back of the hand, which are activated by three billion display nano-robots underneath the skin.

The displays would switch on by touch and connect the patient with billions of fixed and mobile nanobots monitoring vital signs and physiological parameters throughout the body, says Freitas. "Patients will be able to check their own medical condition any time of day or night, wherever they may be, in great detail, without the need to visit a doctor or a testing lab." When turned off, display nanobots emit no light and the skin has its normal pigment. When turned on, they emit photons, creating a display visible through the uppermost layer of skin.

See: Hand Me My Data