Tech Tuesday: "Forget fingerprints: New security technology tracks body odor"

Article:http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/feb/7/forget-fingerprints-new-security-technology-tracks/

Scientists in Spain say that they have been successful in creating an "electronic bloodhound" that can sniff out the identifying qualities of each human being. They say that their system is very accurate and simple. Furthermore, the scientists claim that their odor tracking system could easily replace fingerprinting and iris scanning.

Since each person's body odor has recognizable patterns that remain steady, the the rate of accuracy is higher than 85 percent. Due to the fact that it proves less intrusive than other security searches, this new security system could eventually be used in airport security lines or at border control checkpoints. All the technology does is "sniff" the travelers as they walk by.

In most airports or border checkpoints, our identity verification depends on our resemblance to our ID card or passport photo. However, with the new sensors that capture body odor, security searches can be less aggressive. In addition, the process of verifying someone's identity can be less time consuming and more efficient.

Tech Tuesday: "Powerful artificial muscles made from ... fishing line?"

Article: http://www.gizmag.com/fishing-line-thread-artificial-muscles/30960/

A research project led by the University of Texas discovered that artificial muscles can be made from fishing line.  To make the muscles, the team attached one end of a fishing line to the tip of a power drill. The other end that is hanging below it was held in place by a heavy weight.  

Once the drill was powered up, the line began twisting along its length. When it could no longer twist, the line bunched up into a series of coils. The scientists then heated those coils with a hair dryer to permanently set them. 

If heat is subsequently added to the coiled fishing line, it coils even tighter thus contracting like a muscle. According to a published paper on the research, "it can lift loads over 100 times heavier than can human muscle of the same length and weight, and generate 5.3 kilowatts of mechanical work per kilogram [2.2 lb] of muscle weight, similar to that produced by a jet engine." Furthermore, the research project proved how a number of those artificial muscles can be weaved together for extra power. 

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David Keane & Aixa Cortes
Digital Media
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Aixa: I translated the words in the ad to Spanish and chose the font (Pacifico) and added a stroke effect. This made the text stand out from the background image. Lastly, I resized and placed the logo onto the ad.

David: I found a picture of Spanish fisherman to coincide with the idea of appealing to a bilingual audience. I then added and strategically placed the stuffed animals to seem like they were really there. Drop shadow was added for realism.

David: I found a vintage looking picture of a child fishing, and added a stuffed animal friend to drive home the point of the ad. I then found a real company that makes drawings stuffed animals and used their image. I made it glow.

Aixa: I wrote the words that explain the special offer our companies was offering.  I chose the Pacifica font and added a stroke effect to it as well. Furthermore, I resized the logo and placed it onto the ad.