Stickybot is a Spy in the Sky [Technology]

Stickybot is a Spy in the Sky

Stickybot is a Spy in the Sky

by Thomas A. Parmalee, March 27, 2008

 

The StickybotThe Stickybot is actually a robotic lizard that can scale the sides of walls, and it is modeled after a gecko, any of numerous small tropical lizards that have toe pads that can cling to small surfaces. While some may view Stickybot as an oddity, the Pentagon is taking it seriously. It thinks the device could someday serve as a "spy in the sky" to watch over America's enemies, according to ABC News.

The robot was invented by Sangbae Kim, who notes that it can climb glass surfaces at about a meter per second using a feature on the bottom of its toe. The feature is covered with nano-scale hairs.

According to Kim's Web site, he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea in 2001 before joining a startup company, Solutionix, in Seoul. He went on to earn a master's degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University and is currently completing a doctorate in the Biomimetic Robotics Laboratory at the Stanford Center for Design Research. He has created several robots and has three pending patents.

Sources:ABC News and Sangbae Kim

 

Thomas A. Parmalee
Innovative Businesses Writer
InventorSpot.com

Simple Ways To Stay Productive [Life][Work][Health]

Simple Ways To Stay Productive

Simple Ways To Stay Productive

Sometimes the simplest things can make us more productive. Here are 50 simple ways to stay on top: 50. Stay focused. 49. Divide your time for each task in hand. 48. Analyze the outcome of your effort and decide accordingly how much time you need to spend. 47. Take a break. 46. Spend time with your loved ones. 45. Share ideas with others. 44. Keep your home office out of sight from your bedroom. 43. Invest in comfortable workspace furniture. 42. Meditate. 41. Are you a day person or a night person? Plan accordingly. 40. Work slowly but steadily. 39. Ask for help. 38. De-clutter your workspace. 37. Back up your data. 36. Keep a wrist massager next to the computer. 35. Check your email not more than twice a day. 34. Exercise. 33. Use the morning air or evening breeze to cool off your mind. 32. Set goals, not a goal. 31. Have everything you need ready. 30. Have pens and paper available. 29. Shut the door to block distraction. 28. Set limits for yourself. 27. Plan a to-do list for each day. 26. Read books on subjects that interests you. 25. Walk, do not run, with your project. 24. Stay informed on current news. 23. Think how you can change your life for the better. 22. Find others that share similar interest to work with you. 21. Do something else every 30 to 40 minutes. 20. Take a nice warm bath. 19. Use a table lamp instead of overhead lighting. 18. Do not take phone calls, unless they are related to that particular project. 17. Divide your time between family and projects. 16. Give more time to family. 15. Keep it cool. 14. Don't panic. 13. Find what others have done in related fields. 12. Ask yourself questions -- lots of them. 11. Let everybody at home know when you will be working. 10. Do not stress. 9. Love what you are doing. 8. Be passionate about what you are doing. 7. Give yourself credit. 6. Look in the mirror and compliment yourself. 5. Build confidence in yourself. 4. Keep a positive attitude. 3. Forget about what others are doing, and do it your way. 2. Productivity lies within you. 1. Read, learn, ask, and apply. Sources: Lifehack.org January 17, 2008

New Genetic Test Available at Drug Store|abc27 News [Interesting][Health][Life]

"You IS the baby-daddy...I'll prove it"
~P~

 

New Genetic Test Available at Drug Store|abc27 News

New Genetic Test Available at Drug Store

   posted 6:36 pm Thu March 27, 2008 - Harrisburg, PA

   reporter: Dennis Owens      posted by: Seth Chevalier

         

For years it has been a fertile topic of talk TV. But now, finding the father does not just happen over the air, it is over the counter. And it's all thanks to a DNA paternity kit being sold at Rite Aid. It's basically a few q-tips. Swab the mouth of the baby and the alleged father. Then mail them to a lab with $119 and in 3-5 days you will receive an answer.

This paternity test could also give birth to a new round of lawsuits. Kim Robison is with Dauphin County Domestic Relations. She says these tests won't hold up in court. Not because they are inaccurate. In fact, they are very accurate. But because the courts cannot verify exactly who was swabbed. Though not legally binding, these tests could prompt legal action.

Rite Aid officials refused to comment, saying this is just another product and they're just the retailer. However, right now it's the only place in Pennsylvania you can find it.

The suggested retail price for the paternity test is $29.99 and remember it will then cost $119 to send it to the lab.

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Diet Sunglasses Turn Off Your Appetite [Health]

Diet Sunglasses Turn Off Your Appetite

Diet Sunglasses Turn Off Your Appetite

by Steve Levenstein, March 28, 2008

Got the dieting blues?
You've all heard that joke about a chubby guy or gal being on a "see food" diet. Well, a Japanese company named Yumetai seems to have given some serious thought to the matter, creating dieter's sunglasses with deep blue lenses that make the food you're eating look, well, disgusting.

 

Now you know why food isn't blue
There's more to it than that - according to Yumetai, there's a scientific explanation behind these sunglasses and the lenses are blue for a very good reason: the color blue acts to calm the brain's appetite center.

At the same time, the lenses block rays of red light which tend to stimulate the appetite. Make sense? Hey, if you're a desperate dieter you'll believe just about anything but if you think about it, there aren't many obese Japanese walking around outside the sumo dojo.

 

This colorful 3D graph adds cred to Yumetai's site
If you want to put the diet sunglasses to the test, you can order them online from the Yumetai website for just 1,890 yen (about $19) plus shipping. The aviator-style sunglasses weigh just 25 grams (about an ounce) and are made in Japan.

 

Considering the many millions of dollars Americans lay out on diet remedies every year, it may be time for a new approach.

Plus, the fact that many fattening foods already look disgusting doesn't seem to stop those intent on pigging out in style. What have you got to lose? Well just maybe, your appetite!

Steve Levenstein
J A P A N O R A M A
InventorSpot.com

Specially Designed Fake Teeth Can Deliver Medicine Non-invasively

Specially Designed Fake Teeth Can Deliver Medicine Non-invasively

Specially Designed Fake Teeth Can Deliver Medicine Non-invasively

by Mariella Moon, March 28, 2008

People who always forget to take their medication would have no excuse once they use IntelliDrug . Still in its development phase, IntelliDrug is actually a couple of fake molars which has the capability to deliver medicine through non-invasive means. The device measures two molars in size, made of stainless steel and polymers. Inside the prosthetic teeth is the drug reservoir with a micro-fluidic duct. The device also comes equipped with sensors and an electrically controlled valve, along with batteries as power source.

The drug itself is placed inside the IntelliDrug as a pill. It's water from one's saliva that passes through the membrane which creates a pressurized solution. The device could then be controlled by a remote control to open the valve at timed intervals and release the liquefied drug. There's a sensor in charge of monitoring the drug administration, as well the amount of drug still left inside the device. The liquid drug passes through the cheek instead of through the digestive system, which means the medication is more efficiently absorbed by the body.

The IntelliDrug medicine delivery device could be fitted on dentures if the medication is temporary. If someone would require medication for life, however, the device could be implanted permanently. If you're prepared to lose a couple of molars to ensure medication goes smoothly, watch out for the commercial release of IntelliDrug in two years' time.

Source: Discovery

Mariella Moon
Medical Innovations
InventorSpot.com