A new method of instantly identifying passing insects could lead to a way of reducing pesticide use by allowing researchers to develop better targeted attacks. The device will feature a laser-thin beam of light that will shine onto an array of phototransistors able to translate light fluctuations into sounds. As an insect flies through the laser beam, the beating of its wings will cause the signal to fluctuate. The signal will then be recorded as an MP3 file and analyzed by a...

Made for shift workers and jet-setters, the glasses use a soft green light to help combat jet lag and reset the body's internal clock. The glasses work by using light to stimulate the part of the brain that regulates our internal, 24-hour clock. The glasses are the only wearable device that emits green light, which studies indicate is the most effective wavelength for adjusting the body clock. The device can be worn over reading glasses, so it can be worn while working or going...

By building wind turbine towers from concrete instead of steel, the top height of a turbine column could be increased by 20 meters. To determine if concrete would be a viable replacement for steel, hydraulic equipment was used to test the load-bearing capabilities of three column-and-panel segments connected in different ways. All three versions were able to withstand 150,000 pounds of lateral load, with is 20 percent more than the maximum load of current turbine columns of the...

The idea is to create a microturbine able to harness the rainwater runoff from roofs to generate electricity. The system will feature a microturbine measuring about 2 inches wide by 10 inches high designed to be placed in half-inch pipe. As the turbine is spun by the flowing water from rooftop gutters, it will generate enough energy to charge 12-volt batteries that can be used to power small household devices. As an added benefit, the water flowing through the turbine will...

The smartphone/adhesive tag system is the next in a growing list of devices dedicated to helping forgetful humans keep track of their stuff. The system will contain a circuit board, replaceable battery, buzzer and LED light. The tags will be stuck to items that are frequently lost, such as car keys or the TV remote, and a custom app will allow the tags to be assigned to specific objects. When the object is lost, accessing the app on the smartphone will display how far away the...

There is a way to create electricity from carbon dioxide while also preventing the gas from entering the atmosphere. The technique will involve a system of membrane and water. Tanks will be filled with water, with each one sandwiched between a pair of membranes--one that will allow the passage of positive ions and one that will allow negative ions to flow through. An electrode will be positioned beyond the membranes, and when the carbon dioxide is moved through the water it will...

Cleanliness is important in clinical environments, and the clips of hair from pre-op procedures can often be difficult to contain and remove. The new device will eliminate this danger with its system, which will feature a small vacuum that will attach to the company's surgical clippers and suctions up the hair as it is shaved off. The device will remove an average of 98.5 percent of hair and other airborne contaminants at the source, which will also reduce the need for a secondary...