Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Scientists Discover Superconducting Material That's Just Two Atoms Thick [Future Tech]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/-jvDoiuz-ag/scientists-discover-superconducting-material-thats-just-two-atoms-thick

University of Texas researchers stumbled upon a new superconducting metal that is the world's thinnest at a mere two atoms—slightly thicker than a marathon runner by comparison.

Superconducting material is valuable because it has zero electrical resistance and can maintain a current without a power source. So far, it's been used in a variety of high-tech equipment, including MRI machines, and the Large Hadron Collider.

Gizmag says this new metal opens up the possibility for new breakthroughs in these fields, as well as being able to use it to observe how superconductivity itself works. [University of Texas via Gizmag]

Researchers ditch DLP, develop OLED panel-based mini projector

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/11/researchers-ditch-dlp-develop-oled-panel-based-mini-projector/

Looking for a way to differentiate among the ever-expanding niche of pocket projectors, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF) of Germany are working on an OLED panel-based mini projector, using static optical systems and not the usual reflective system à la DLP. Currently being shown at SID Display Week 2009, the decidedly green picture (seems to be the norm with OLED prototypes these days) forms via a 6-inch VGA screen from 30 to 50 centimeters away, and the machine itself takes up just about ten cubic centimeters of space. Despite all the faith, there's still the rather nasty problem of luminance, which the scientists estimate needs to be about four or five times as bright as current levels -- but hey, you gotta start somewhere, right?

Filed under: Displays, Portable Video

Researchers ditch DLP, develop OLED panel-based mini projector originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Casio's EXILIM EX-H10 ultra-compact gets 12.1 megapixels 10x closer

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/11/casios-exilim-ex-h10-ultra-compact-gets-12-1-megapixels-10x-clo/

Casio's just pushed another 10x zoom compact camera into the market with its EXILIM EX-H10. Here we've got a 24-mm wide-angle lens stabilized by a 12.1 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD-shift sensor with up to ISO 3200 sensitivity, a 3-inch LCD, and the ability to grab Motion-JPEG video at 720/24p. EXILIM 4.0 image processing and a 10 frames per second burst mode for 1,280 x 960 pixel images too in a point-and-shoot measuring just 102.5 x 24.3 x 62-mm. Watch for it to hit Japanese retailers first starting next month for ¥40,000 (about $400). Pink rear-end after the break.

Continue reading Casio's EXILIM EX-H10 ultra-compact gets 12.1 megapixels 10x closer

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Casio's EXILIM EX-H10 ultra-compact gets 12.1 megapixels 10x closer originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Epson's WUXGA HTPS-TFT Panel hints at ultra-bright, high-contrast PowerLite projectors in September

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/11/epsons-wuxga-htps-tft-panel-hints-at-ultra-bright-high-contras/

As a leader in home cinema systems, it's always a good idea to keep tabs on Epson's core technologies as a preview of what's coming up in next generation home theater projectors. Today Seiko-Epson announced the start of volume production for its 0.94-inch HTPS-TFT LCD capable of a WUXGA (1920 x 1200 pixel) resolution for 3LCD projectors pushing 1080p. The panel supports a brightness of 5000 lumens (or more!) using Epson's D7 process technology while achieving "higher than ever contrast" through its C2 Fine inorganic alignment layer tech. What this means is simple: expect to see a new brightness and contrast champion PowerLite Home Cinema projector announced at the end of Summer, as CEDIA tradition dictates, with product shipping by end of the year.

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment

Epson's WUXGA HTPS-TFT Panel hints at ultra-bright, high-contrast PowerLite projectors in September originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Samsung's 12 megapixel WB1000 rocks analog gauges, 3-inch OLED

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/11/video-samsungs-12-megapixel-wb1000-rocks-analog-gauges-3-inch/

While it's not the first name you think of in digital cameras, Samsung makes a decent piece of kit and its SL820 took the top prize in our recent summer shootout. So we figured you'd want to know that its WB1000 compact with those smokin' analog battery and capacity gauges is now on sale for KRW548,000 or about $418 closer to home. The 12.2 megapixel WB1000 features a 24-mm wide-angle 5x zoom Schneider-KREUZNACH lens and 1/2.33-inch CCD with 720p video record mode in H.264 format, max ISO 3200 sensitivity (at 3 megapixel resolution), and Samsung's Dual IS optical and digital image stabilization to compensate for hand jitter. The viewer won't disappoint either with a full 3-inch 480x260 AMOLED display rocking the backside. Why should you care? Check the video after the break to see how AMOLED compares to the TFT-LCD found on the Canon SD990 IS under different lighting and viewing angles. The winner is clear, no?

Gallery: Video: Samsung's 12 megapixel WB1000 rocks analog gauges, 3-inch OLED