Tech Tuesdays: "Lung cancer breathalyzer to be trialed at UK pharmacies"

Article: http://www.gizmag.com/lung-cancer-breathalyzer-pharmacy-trial/30148/

The University of Huddersfield developed a breathalyzer device that they plan to trial at pharmacies in the UK. The device detects any type of disease that is present in the lungs. The patient just needs to breathe and into the breathalyzer and the device will be able to detect if any disease is present in the patient's lungs. 

The breathalyzer is built with carbon sensors which sense chemicals in a person's breath. These chemicals are what detects if there is a problem in a person's lungs. What is unique about this device however is that it is capable of detecting the disease in its early stages. 

Although the person may not be demonstrating any symptoms, by simply breathing into the device they will be notified if they have an illness developing in their body. This is the goal that the developers had for this device. And after 3 years of working towards that goal, they were able to build the breathalyzer  that can detect lung cancer before it is too late. 

Tech Tuesdays: "Biofeedback-based horror game challenges players to deal with fear"

Article: http://www.gizmag.com/nevermind-video-game-biofeedback-stress-levels/29728/

Nevermind is a biofeedback-based horror game created by Erin Reynolds. The player is required to wear a Garmin cardio chest strap during the game so that their heart rate can be sent to the game via ANT+USB stick. Their heart rate variability is what helps the game determine how stressed the player is so that the game can be adjusted accordingly.

The game sets out to trigger fear in the players. Therefore, the player must learn how to control their fear or anxiety in order to easily advance in the game. The more stressed the player feels, the harder the game becomes.

Nevermind takes place in the mind of a troubled and traumatized patient. The player takes the role of a Neuroprober at a Neurostalgia Institute and must dive into the subconscious of their patient in order to retrieve 10 Polaroid photographs.  Each photograph depicts a memory and after all of them are collected, the player must differentiate the false memories from the five true ones. Afterwards, the player has to reconstruct the traumatizing memory of the event as whole.

This game took about a year to build and presently exists as a "proof of concept game". However, the creators of the game plan to launch Nevermind in late 2014.

Tech Tuesdays: "Crowdfunding launch for the Panono throwable panorama camera"

Article: http://www.gizmag.com/panono-throwable-panorama-camera/29761/

The Panono is a throwable ball camera with 36 tiny lenses that can capture a 72 megapixel spherical scene from an elevated position. An accelerometer in the camera is programmed to fire all 36 fixed focus cameras at the apex of the throw. All the shots taken from the 36 lenses creates the 360 degree view of the scene.

The spherical images can be viewed in app on a tablet or smartphone by moving the device around. However, the ball camera must remain relatively flat in its throwing arc in order for the camera to capture the picture. If there is too much rotation, the cameras will not fire and the user must throw the camera skyward again.

The Panono can be used as a hand-held device as well. The camera just needs to be mounted on a pole and then the user can press the button to make it work. Even low light shots can be taken in a stabilized position.

Tech Tuesdays: "Narrative - automatic lifelogging camera"

Article #1: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/tiny-lifelogging-camera-memoto-finally-launching-new-name-8C11329867

Article #2: http://getnarrative.com/

Narrative is a tiny camera with a GPS. It automatically takes photos and then organizes them for you. The camera has no controls just a clip attached to it so that it can be worn by the user.

As long as it is worn, the camera will constantly take pictures.  It takes two geotagged photos a minute with recorded orientation. Narrative has these features so that the app can show the photos upright no matter how you are wearing the camera.

The camera's batteries are rechargeable and do not need to be recharged until after about two days. To recharge the batteries, you connect the camera to your computer. Additionally, the narrative has a software that you can subscribe to for $9 per month starting year 2. The software offers the storage necessary for the Narrative clip.  It also automatically organizes your photos and allows you to easily view and share pictures.

Tech Tuesdays: "Starpath spray-on coating lights up the road"

Article: http://www.gizmag.com/pathway-sprayon-coating/29468/ 

A company in the UK called Pro-Teq developed Starpath which is a spray-on coating that lights up the road. It works by absorbing UV light during the day and releasing it at night as an intense glow. The coating has been proven to work best over tarmac or concrete.

The spray coating is water-resistant and non-reflective. It is also available in 11 different colors. In addition, Starpath has very low installation and maintenance costs. Not only is the coating cost saving but also labor efficient.

Additionally,  the surface can be used almost immediately after being sprayed. All in all, the product has many good aspects and advantages. However, it does have a setback. During the winter months, the path would not be able to absorb much light, and it can also get covered in snow.

Tech Tuesdays: "5 Surreal Gadgets for Surviving a Horrifying Apocalypse"

Article: http://www.wired.com/design/2013/09/these-post-apocalyptic-sci-fi-organs-are-meant-for-humans/

An engineering design firm called Takram has designed a kit known as Shenu which consists of artificial organs that conserve the water usage of the human body. The kit contains five organs that are meant to be implanted into key locations. These locations are where fluid is most frequently lost.

The nasal-cavity inserts prevent water loss due to exhalation by condensing the air from our lungs and returning it upon inhalation. A neck collar with arterial jugular heat exchangers inhibits water loss through perspiration and produces electricity from body temperature. The urine concentrator acts as a water filtration and concentration plant by increasing the fecal duration in the long intestine and squeezing out any remaining water. A hard-candy like nutrient is also included in the kit, and it serves to replace loss hydration.

 The organs are all made of human-safe material such as aluminum, titanium, and ceramic. Additionally, the organs are capable of retaining 2 liters of water that humans tend to lose on a daily basis. Although these organs are only prototypes, it is possible that they will soon become reality.

Tech Tuesdays: "Researchers build an audio speaker out of stretchy transparent gel"

Article: http://www.gizmag.com/transparent-audio-speaker-ionic-gel/28875/pictures#2

A research group at Harvard University built a flexible speaker out of transparent gel. The ionic gel can produce high-quality sound which ranges across the full audible spectrum. This gel speaker demonstrates how an electric charge passing through ions instead of electrons could be used in electronic devices.

In order to create the speaker, the scientists took a transparent rubber sheet and placed a layer of  conductive saltwater gel to each side. As soon as voltage is applied to opposite edges of the gel layers, the entire piece of rubber begins to flex rapidly. This produces sounds ranging from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

Due to its ionic properties, the gel speaker is very flexible and can be stretched to several times its normal area and still function properly. Additionally, its voltage can be easily controlled by the scientists. Therefore, this project has proven that ionic conductors can potentially offer more advantages than conductors used today. 

Tech Tuesdays: "Enfojer lets you develop photographic prints straight from your smartphone"

Article:http://www.gizmag.com/enfojer-smartphone-photo-prints/29051/

The Enfojer is a stand that allows you to print black and white photographic prints straight from your smartphone. It is compatible with any smartphone under 141 x 71mm (5.55 x 2.80in) in size. In addition, there is an app that was created for the Enfojer that lets you edit the photo before you print it and guides you through the process.

After the photo is edited, all you need to do is insert the smartphone into the enclosure screen side down. Next, focus the image with adjustable lenses onto the photographic paper placed underneath the stand, and then push a button to begin the printing process. Its takes about 6 minutes to expose a photograph onto a silver halide photographic paper. And due to the imperfections in the paper and the chemistry involved in the development of the photograph, each print achieve a unique look. 

The Enfojer kit includes most of the equipment needed such as the stand, trays, and battery-powered red light. However, the kit does not include the chemicals required to develop the photographs due to the difficulties of shipping chemicals overseas. An Indiegogo campaign has already been launched in order to raise funds for this project.  The Enfojer stand can be secured with a payment of $200 and the first shipment of Enfojers is set for February.

Tech Tuesdays: "Intelligent Headset aims to immerse users in augmented reality of sound and space"

Article:http://www.gizmag.com/intelligent-headset-augmented-reality-gps-3d-audio/29028/

The Intelligent headset is GPS-enabled with 3D audio and a numerous amount of apps. The hardware of this device allows it create an augmented reality of both sound and space. The compass, gyroscope and accelerometer in the headset track the users movement and in which direction they are seeing.

The headset can especially aid the blind by augmenting their senses. The Intelligent headset made a debut at the DHL Relay Race in Copenhagen. Blind runners often need the presence of a guide runner to help them throughout the race. However, in the DHL Relay race many of the runners with visual impairments were wearing the Intelligent Headset which fed them 3D audio cues about the proximity of other runners.

Games can also be played using the headset. The user can navigate through the game based on the sound cues provided. This will indicate in which direction the player must move. Furthermore, the player can shoot or perform any action by pressing the button on the headset.

Tech Tuesdays: "Nova flash aims to help iPhone photographers with more natural lighting"

Article: http://www.gizmag.com/nova-flash/29000/

Joe Walnes and Alex Lukashevich are raising funds for a new product called Nova. It's a portable flash that wirelessly syncs to an iPhone. Unlike the built-in flash on the iPhone, Nova provides the look of natural lighting. It does not wash out the subject of the photo or create hard shadows.

Nova is synced to the iPhone through Bluetooth. As a result, it has an approximate range of 20 feet. As far as size is concerned, the portable flash is small enough to fit in a wallet. The dimensions of the flash are similar to that of a credit card. The only difference is that the flash is thicker. 

Nova provides three light settings. Soft is the dimmest setting, and it is followed by the warm and brilliant settings. In addition, Nova features a custom mode which allows the user to blend all three of the settings. Furthermore, the portable flash is designed with 40 points of lights diffused behind a white panel. This prevents the blinding effect that flash often has. 

Anyone interested in purchasing a flash for themselves can do so by pledging a minimum of $54 on Kickstarter. The money pledged will be used to further improve the product before its shipping date in February.