Here First - Science and Technology Blog

Processing power of today's smart phones and their ability to perform multiple functions are truly amazing. However, a general problem of these devices is the battery life that feeds them. They don't even come close to the performance these smartphones. This is why many of us need to carry around an additional MP3 player, or, as we go by car, a GPS, although the smartphone meets with success of these functions and more. Now, a new technology created by researchers at Northwestern University, USA , is about to change that. Engineers have made ​​an electrode for lithium-ion batteries - the rechargeable batteries used for most electronic devices - which could provide gadgets an operating range of ten times longer and duration of recharge from outlet ten times faster than normal. According to statements of Harold H. Kung, coordinator of the project, even after 150 charges, the new type of battery will still be five times more effective than lithium-ion batteries on the market...

Keeping in sync with the celebrated name Enzo, Monza not only sounds but also appears to be the future of Ferrari. This revolutionary Ferrari concept, designed by Iman Maghsoudi, is cleverly programmed to drive on its own. At slower speeds, the “pilot” sits in full control in a cockpit akin to straddling a motorcycle whenever you want to take over the driving. Yanko also states that this red speeding beast changes shape resembling an airfoil for maximum aerodynamics. Featuring an extended front wing that lifts the nose off the ground at high speeds, such a design creates lift to reduce friction and fly while driving. The two rear wings, resembling manta ray fins, adjust to channel air smoothly across the vehicle.

New Swiss car, called “sQuba,” can drive on land and underwater. It was inspired by James Bond’s Lotus Esprit from “The Spy Who Loved Me” movie. Rinspeed boss Frank M. Rinderknecht is known for his extraordinary automotive creations. The acknowledged James Bond enthusiast and Swiss automobile visionary kept revisiting this scene in his mind over and over: “For three decades I have tried to imagine how it might be possible to build a car that can fly under water. Now we have made this dream come true.” Power is supplied by rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries. Rinderknecht: “The ‘sQuba’ is a zero-emission car as documented by the rotating license plate in the rear. It produces no exhaust emissions. The Swiss are among the world’s pioneers in the area of hydropower. The ‘sQuba’s’ filling station is the water reservoir.” It is no surprise that the vehicle features powerful yet energy-saving LED lighting technology.

Though we are a few years from the future game consoles, it is always interesting to predict what is going to happen next. As you probably are going to guess, Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo will be dishing out some new consoles but probably not until 2012 at the latest. The reason has to do with getting the most out of the current systems available. Sony is probably not in a major hurry due to being at the bottom of the barrel but probably going to have to come up with a console that will work and get the market in their favor. Though going for new technology isn't necessarily a bad thing, it proved to not work in their favor, as the PlayStation 3 isn't doing well as a future gaming console. Graphics I'm not so sure can get any better than what we see today because it is getting more and more difficult to pull it off. Innovation can keep going as long as possible but even then that might run out. After these future consoles, it will hard to project what the future will hold ...

The Compenion concept notebook , designed by Felix Schmidberger, eschews the familiar clamshell design in favor of two superbright organic LED panels that slide into place next to each other, making the notebook just three-quarters of an inch thick. The Canova concept notebook from V12 Design features two touch-sensitive displays. It can be oriented as a traditional laptop for typing or writing, laid flat as a sketch pad or turned on its side as an e-reader. The Cario concept notebook from Anna Lopez can be carried around by its handle, positioned like an easel or placed on a car’s steering wheel. When the car’s not in motion, the Cario can project maps, video conferences and more onto the windshield.