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Inside Future For All |
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What's Coming? |
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Students! Thinking about your future?
Click here for a special
section of our site made just for you. Tons of career
and homework resources.. |
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What's Coming
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Mission
Invisible
 I can easily imagine the things I could do if I had an
invisibility cloak. However, the only solid objects I
have ever seen disappear are the Statue of Liberty*
and one quick-footed blind date. Soon, thanks to new
materials and fabrication techniques, we may all get a
glimpse at the invisible.
Invisibility
cloak
Artificial Humor
I like the
idea of comedic computers. I wish my ATM had a better
sense of humor. Find out why artificial intelligence researchers are
creating computer programs that can recognize a good joke.
Artificial Humor
Hydrogen
Fuel Cells
Hydrogen fuel cells promise
to power our vehicles, homes and offices more efficiently
and will be less harmful to the environment than
traditional energy sources. What is the state of this
technology and what stands in our way of using this clean,
renewable energy resource?
Hydrogen Fuel
Beyond the
Future
Web chats with noted experts examining the technological
advancements in the next 100 years.
Beyond the Future
Big Brother is Watching
This
article from the BBC News covers the
increasingly sophisticated devices used by governments to
keep individuals under surveillance.
BBC News
WiMAX
WiMAX, is a
technology standard that could make Internet access on
mobile devices much faster and more available than current
service.
Wikipedia
WiMAX Forum
WiMAX Wherever I May Roam?
WiMAX promises to transform wireless Internet world
Blood test for lung
cancer may be possible
A simple blood test may be able to detect lung cancer in
its earliest stages with unprecedented accuracy.
Blood test for lung cancer
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Future Fashion
Image courtesy of FrAcTuReD...fOtOs
from
Flickr
Your underwear won't be
able to help you with your taxes, but your briefs may soon
know when you need air. Smart fashions are the next wave
in textiles and they promise to dazzle consumers with
their style and innovation. Here are some of the hot
products to look for on the runways of the future.
Researchers in the UK have
developed an adaptive fabric that controls air flow
by opening invisible micro shutters when the humidity
goes up. A separate layer keeps the rain out even when air
is flowing. Adaptive fabrics like this are now being
designed in a variety of ways for undergarments, sports
wear and fashion products.
Painting the family room? No need to
change the drapes, just press a hidden button to adjust
the color and texture to match your new decor. New
inter-connection technologies using conductive
fabrics allow sensors and processing devices to be
networked together. This technology can produce fabrics that change color to suit
your mood, or your new handbag. The military is also interested
in this chameleon-like technology to improve camouflage techniques.
 Another area of development
in smart clothing is wearable computing. Head mounted
displays are already available for purchase
online. Other high tech gear include fabric keypads
embedded in the wrist sleeve of your jacket and backpacks
with MP3 players, GPS and battery charging solar panels.
These new "techstyles" are
being designed differently than your Grandmother's flannel
pajamas. Smart clothing design requires a team of artists,
designers, scientists and engineers bringing their
individual talents together to create garments that are as
appealing as they are functional.
Expect to see plenty of
innovation in the textile and fashion industries in the
next few years thanks to advancements in bioengineering, nano technology
and 3D scanning techniques.
Visit these
web sites for more info:
Electric Plaid
Color changing fabric
Wearable computing
Interconnection technology
Future Smart Clothing
The Hug Shirt™
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