Multitouch Interaction Interface Research

You just have to see this video which explains it all. This is like the Minority Report user-interface.

67-kilowatt Solid State Laser

Just saw this at Slashdot in this article. Scientists as Lawrence Livermore Lab have developed a solid state laser which can sustain a 67-kilowatt beam. In less than a year the laser is anticipated to be in the 100-kilowatt range which will put it in battlefield range. This research is funded by the DoD. "Record power for military laser". At this rate of progress, by 2008 there will probably be battle ready prototypes.

Five-Gear Rocket Engine

This is a pretty cool innovation. Georgia Tech researchers have produced a rocket engine that implements a transmission system similar to a car that can potentially save 40% of fuel. "A five-gear rocket engine". This is DoD funded research so details are a bit sketchy but it does open up the potential for more innovation.

iRobot Next Generation Explosive Ordinance Robot

iRobot has been hard at work and have adapted their technology to explosive ordinance disposal. Here is the iRobot press release, iRobot Introduces Next-Generation Explosive Ordinance Disposal Robot. I originally saw this at i4U, Packbot 510. Good to see our tax dollars at work and pushing forward with new technology.

Buffalo MicroSD Reader

I really like the MicroSD form factor. These flash memory cards are about 1/4 the size of a stamp. Buffalo has made a USB reader that does not require any adapters and is just tiny. Cool for mobile stuff. "Buffalo's Incredibly Shrinking MicroSD Reader". "Buffalo's Micro MicroSD Reader". Too bad is only available in Japan right now. Can't wait till these are available in US.