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Flexible lens sheets could change way cameras see
Cameras are already embedded in a lot of devices, but what you could wrap them around things like a "skin?" That's the premise of "flexible sheet cameras" developed by scientists at Columbia University. Rather than having just a single sensor, the devices use an array of lenses that change properties when the material is bent. The research could lead to credit card-sized, large-format cameras that you zoom by bending, or turn objects like cars or lamp posts into 360-degree VR cameras.
Stretchy circuits will make for better wearables and robots
Smart clothing and robots alike might soon get better thanks to a breakthrough from a team of Swiss researchers. They created relatively thin electronic circuits that can be stretched like rubber up to four times their original length in any direction. In addition, it can be cycled that way nearly a million times without cracking or losing conductivity. That makes it perfect for biological sensors, artificial skin, prosthetics or for electronics that can easily be sewn into fabrics.
Worlds first elasticated USB cables invent bungee jumpering (video)
Recall those stretchy transistors and bendy silicon circuits? Now you can plumb them together with these Roboden elasticated cables. Asahi Kasei corporation came up with the idea while trying to create cords flexible enough to power up humanoid robots. Thanks to its work with Spandex, the company knew human skin can stretch by a factor of 1.5, and a cable with similar properties would be ideal for juicing up them 'droids. USB leads are planned, among other types, meaning you could make it all the way to the fridge in your heated slippers without unplugging. Check out the video below and you'll see why we're already designing next year's Tron costume for Halloween.
Plick hitches an elastic ride on the DIY robotics train (video)
Man, we hope Gumby's collecting some royalty checks for this one. One part incredible-stretching toy, and one part DIY robotics kit, the Plick project takes the traditional hobbyist approach to brick-building your own bot and slaps a little rubber all around it. The industrial design prototype from Brazilian engineer Gabriel Paciornik combines programmable robotic parts with an elastic wired connection suitable for strapping your mad scientist creations to everyday objects. So, what can you make? The kit packs a variety of sensor-based circles that react to distance and sound, giving your mod-jobs the power of movement and light. It's safe to say this not-for-market toy veers far from LEGO Mindstorms NXT territory -- and that's exactly the point. Far out video demo and its 60s beach music soundtrack after the break.
German scientists think LEDs are the new Botox
All of us here at Engadget are young, beautiful, and vigorous, but we understand that time is not always as kind to everyone else as it has been to us -- that's why we're giving you the heads up that German scientists claim that they can restore your youth in a whole new way. Researchers Andrei P. Sommer and Dan Zhu say that they were able to reduce wrinkles by subjecting a test subject's skin to regular ol' LED lights daily over a period of several months. It seems that at a certain intensity the light dives into skin tissue and alters the molecular structure of water that would otherwise immobilize elastin, a protein that keeps skin healthy and, y'know, elastic. The researchers believe the tech can be "converted to deep body rejuvenation programs," which we assume entails more than just taping our faces to our LED-backlit screens -- but we'll try it just in case.[Via The Earth Times]
Guys, Goosebumps is coming to the DS, too
"Viewers beware! You're in for a scare!"We're not sure how closely Goosebumps HorrorLand for the DS will follow the Wii version, but after watching the opening credits for the series' late 90s television series, which Cartoon Network insists on running marathons for every other weekend, we have a few ideas for minigames we want: Terrorize an unsuspecting neighborhood with a floating, menacing "G" -- G as in the letter, not G as in gangsta, though the latter would be fantastic as well Make a golden retriever's eyes glow yellow while barking into the microphone along with the theme song More of the above So far, publisher Scholastic Interactive hasn't promised anything from our wish list, but they have revealed that players will be "vanquishing vampires, hanging on for life on the Roller Ghoster, and battling Certain Death." There must not be many corrupted canines at HorrorLand, the haunted amusement park and Goosebumps spin-off series which the game is based on. But we can dream.
