Top TechTop Tech #47: Graphene Holograms, Infrared Bionic Eye, Maneuverable Bullets
Promising products and interesting innovations
By Paul Worthington
Today’s Top Tech:
• Graphene gets into holograms
• Infrared Bionic Eye
• Bullets aim themselves
Graphene gets into holograms
No goggles required: Australian researchers use graphene oxide and laser physics to create a pop-up floating display.
Graphene is the two-dimensional carbon material that’s popping up everywhere thanks to its many extraordinary electronic and optical properties.
“Our technique can be leveraged to achieve compact and versatile optical components for controlling light,” the developers at Swinburne University of Technology say. “We can create the wide angle display necessary for mobile phones and tablets. Our technology could also underpin future flexible and wearable display devices and transform them for 3D display.”
Infrared Bionic Eye
A new “visual prosthetic” from Pixium Vision delivers better eyesight to the blind than current implants.
The eye’s retina has photoreceptor cells that respond to light by triggering electric pulses. A 100-millimeter-square chip implanted behind the retina can be powered by photovoltaics — no batteries needed, thanks to its receptivity to infrared light.
It’s not seeing infrared, but rather using the high-power frequency to send both a camera-captured image and power into the chip, which signals the brain.
The prototype system also requires goggles and a separate processor. Test rats achieved 20/250 vision.
Bullets aim themselves
Developers at Darpa test-fired the first guided small-caliber bullet — which may “revolutionize rifle accuracy and range.”
The EXACTO 50- caliber round and optical sighting technology combines a maneuverable bullet and a real-time guidance system to track and deliver the projectile to the target, allowing the bullet to change path during flight to compensate for any unexpected factors that may drive it off course.
The Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance system seeks to improve sniper effectiveness and enhance troop safety by allowing greater shooter standoff range and reduction in target engagement timelines, Darpa says. “It is critical that snipers be able to engage targets faster, and with better accuracy, since any shot that doesn’t hit a target also risks the safety of troops by indicating their presence and potentially exposing their location.”
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