Gallery: Curious and curiouser emerging technologies

The human/machine interface department at GM has developed a working heads-up display that turns an ordinary windshield into an augmented reality information dashboard.

See full story: An augmented reality windshield from GM in Chris Jablonski's Emerging Tech blog.

Credit: General Motors and Carnegie Mellon University

A decade-long effort by a University of Rhode Island scientist to develop transgenic rainbow trout with enhanced muscle growth has resulted in fish with what have been described as six-pack abs and muscular shoulders.

See full story: Scientist creates trout with 'six pack abs': potential boon for aquafarming in Chris Jablonski's Emerging Tech blog.

Credit: University of Rhode Island

While tables or flat surfaces are not always available, your skin is always with you, so why not turn yourself into a touchscreen?

See full story: 'Skinput' turns the body into an input surface in Chris Jablonski's Emerging Tech blog.

Credit: Chris Harrison, Desney Tan, Dan Morris

Aptly named “White Goat”, a machine created by Oriental, Co. Ltd is one of latest offspring of the eco movement. According to sources, it uses 40 sheets of standard A4 office paper and water to make one roll of toilet paper in roughly 30 minutes.

See full story: Japanese machine transforms office paper into toilet paper in Chris Jablonski's Emerging Tech blog.

An international research team from Japan and Michigan Technological University have demonstrated a molecular circuit that can evolve continuously to solve complex problems that challenge today’s supercomputers.

See full story: Researchers develop new brain-like molecular processor in Chris Jablonski's Emerging Tech blog.

Credit: Anirban Bandyopadhyay?

What's next after the flat screen? Designer Julia Tsao combines virtual pet, augmented reality, and swarm robotics into a display comprised of autonomous swarming blocks.

See full story: Autonomous swarming blocks basis for display concept in Chris Jablonski's Emerging Tech blog.

Credit: Curious Displays from Julia Tsao on Vimeo

The U.S. Navy's Free Electron Laser, a new type of laser weapon system touted as the holy grail of military lasers, will focus a lethal 100-kilowatt beam at surface and air threats, future anti-ship cruise missiles or a swarm of small boats.

See full story: Laser warfare takes to the high seas in Chris Jablonski's Emerging Tech blog.

Credit: John Adams Institute

Unless you’re one of the lucky (unlucky?) few who experience synesthesia, visualizing sound is typically the province of imagination. But scientists have been experimenting with making sound and vibration visible by way of exciting media like liquids and particles. Here are five remarkable sound visualizations from around the world.

See full story: 'Seeing sound': 5 remarkable examples of cymatics and beyond?in Chris Jablonski's Emerging Tech blog.

Credit: CHUBU Electric Power Co., Inc.

It’s no secret that the extension of military weapons beyond the atmosphere is a priority for space-faring nations that need to protect their increasing military and commercial assets in orbit.

See full story: Report: Acts of space warfare likely by 2025 in Chris Jablonski's Emerging Tech blog.

Credit: Enjoyspace.com

Korean scientists have created a domestic robot that cleans, dumps clothes in the washing machine and even heats food in the microwave. But will it do Windows?

See full story: Korean robot maid upgraded to do laundry, use microwave in Chris Jablonski's Emerging Tech blog. ?

MIT researchers debut a high-tech bicycle wheel with a large red hub that can keep track of direction and distance traveled, provide stats on smog and traffic levels in the rider’s vicinity, the proximity of friends, and personal fitness. But that’s not all.

See full story: MIT updates bicycling with Copenhagen Wheel in Chris Jablonski's Emerging Tech blog. ?

Human life expectancy may see a hockey stick growth curve in the coming years as a result of leaps made in fields such as molecular nanotechnology, gene therapy, robotics, and regenerative medicine.

See full story: Manhattan Beach Project to reverse aging by 2029 in Chris Jablonski's Emerging Tech blog.

Credit:www.answersingenesis.org

The British team that holds the current land speed record plans to smash it with a hybrid jet-rocket propelled car they aim to take beyond 1,000 mph.

See full story: British team chooses design for 1000 mph car in Chris Jablonski's Emerging Tech blog.