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Viewing 196 to 210 of 313 articles

• Top scoring technology taps healing power of play
  www.irl.cri.nz, 19 August
  A computer game-based arm rehabilitation device developed by IRL has won first prize in the prototype category of the 2010 Engineers Australia, College of Biomedical Engineering Better Technology Awards.
  The device, called Able-X (pictured right), was developed by IRL's Assistive Devices Team in Christchurch, led by Research Engineer Marcus King, and is being commercialised through Wellington-based partner company Im-Able.
• Facebook checks into location services
  NZ Herald, 19 August
  SAN FRANCISCO - Facebook has thrown the switch on a new feature that lets US members of the social networking service share their whereabouts with friends while on the move.
  Facebook Places marks the firm's hotly anticipated first step into "location-based" services that have been catching on with people who own smartphones equipped with satellite position tracking capabilities.
• Stanford's X-ray laser a world first
  Stuff.co.nz, 19 August
  Stanford University researchers said they've built the world's most powerful X-ray laser, which they hope will lead to new discoveries in drug development, energy production and computer science.
  The Linac Coherent Light Source has been up and running for several months at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. But it got its official dedication Monday with a visit from U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu.
• New Pedmow a cut above
  Stuff.co.nz, 21 August
  John Wilson has upped the ante in the Waikato "Pedmow" scene, unveiling an impressive new model.
  Mr Wilson, part-time panelbeater of Tokoroa, created a stir earlier this year when his original Pedmow was auctioned on Trade Me. The first model featured an old push mower attached to the front of a woman's 10-speed bicycle, but coverage of the creation brought to light numerous other Pedmows around the region, some of them pre-dating Mr Wilson's model.
• Brolly brand to weather all markets
  NZ Herald article, 23 August
  A New Zealand umbrella-maker has just broken into the lucrative Japanese market with a distribution agreement that takes its innovative product into big-name malls.
  Discussion starters:
  • Product development: fitness for purpose; material sustainability
  • Technological modeling: functional modelling and prototyping
  • Contract manufacturing
• From Documentaries to gaming
  TV3 News, 23 August
  Natural History New Zealand has long produced award-winning documentaries from its Dunedin base. Now it has bred a gaming division, aimed at the Facebook generation.
  Discussion starters:
  • Product development: diversification and innovation
• Mars technology creates self-dusting solar panels
  www.bbc.co.uk, 23 August
  Self-cleaning technology developed for lunar and Mars missions could be used to keep terrestrial solar panels dust free.
  Dust deposits can reduce the efficiency of electricity generating solar panels by as much as 80%.
  The self cleaning technology can repel dust when sensors detect concentrations on the panel's surface have reached a critical level.
• Hi-tech link to prisons
  Stuff.co.nz, 24 August
  Christchurch courts are next in line for a hi-tech audio-visual link that allows defendants to appear in court without leaving prison.
  The AV Link system was used in the Auckland District Court yesterday, with several prisoners at the Auckland Central Remand Prison having their court appearances on the video connection.
• Paper boys
  New Zealand Herald, 25 August
  If your job seems a bit humdrum, what should you do? If you're anything like these two Auckland creatives, you self-publish something that combines your passions for art and science. Rebecca Barry talks to the creators of Auckland's coolest art journal, Pie Paper.
• Japan develops 'touchable' 3D TV technology
  www.physorg.com, 26 August
  A Japanese research team said Thursday it had developed the world's first 3D television system that allows users to touch, pinch or poke images floating in front of them.
  "It is the first time that you can feel images in the air," said Norio Nakamura, senior scientist with the research team at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology.
• Kiwi inventor turns household waste into blocks of rubbish
  TV3 News video, 26 August
  Ten years ago a Kiwi man found a brilliant solution - he invented a basic machine which can reprocess the entire domestic waste stream, turning it into building blocks of rubbish. Back then the world wasn't ready for his idea - but is it now?
  Discussion starters:
  • Techonological Products: material manipulation/transformation/formulation
  • Process design
  • Socio-cultural influences
• Fabric finds runway favour
  Otago Daily Times article, 26 August
  Originally designed for durability and breathability in martial arts, Dunedin-designed Gimono fabric has been used to create objects of beauty for Air New Zealand Fashion Week.
  Discussion starters:
  • Characteristics of Technological Outcomes: proper function/alternative function; evaluation in terms of fitness for purpose
• 'Darth Vader' look a winner
  Stuff.co.nz, 28 August
  A young New Zealand university graduate is quickly becoming the next big thing in international product design circles, beating industry heavyweights to scoop an international design award, for the second year running.
  Discussion starters:
  • Product design: innovation in sports equipment
• National Standards – not one test, not one day, not one classroom
  The new school year for 2010 brought with it the introduction of national standards for reading, writing and mathematics. All schools with students in Years 1-8 are now required to report on students' progress and achievement against these standards. This article focuses on the use of evidence from student work in Technology to inform overall teacher judgments for National Standards. An article by Brenda Weal and Selena Hinchco was accepted for publication in an abridged form in the NZ Education Gazette.
  PDF download, 469kb
• Dental debate
  TV3 News, 1 September
  Dental amalgam has long been considered as safe, effective and affordable way of repairing teeth. But now there is increased demand for the use of new materials.
  Discussion starters:
  • Material formulation: performance properties; fitness for purpose.