Movable Micro Platform Floats on a Sea of Droplets

The popularity of small consumer electronics and ever growing rise of their shipments has brought the need of bringing ever-evolving advancement in the technologies. The production of electronic chips and other devices rely on the microelectronic mechanical systems or commonly referred as MEMs which are essentially are tiny machines which help in enhancing the abilities of those electronic devices.

A team of researchers at MIT had come up with an innovative way of ensuring that the movable part of the machine doesn’t get in touch with each other. This will ensure the major source of wear, tear and eventually failing of the electronic device. In this new invention a layer of liquid droplets were used to support a tiny yet movable platform which helps floating the droplets at top of it.

The movement of the platform can easily be controlled effectively and it can also be utilized to alter the dimensions of the droplets by raising, lowering as well as tilting the platform. Their finding has been published in Applied Physics Letters and it has been coauthored by MIT team which includes Daniel Preston along with six others.

How this new system works? 

In this system the droplets way of interacting with the below them is altered as per the need of the hour and it is governed by a scientific a characteristic which is called contact angle. The contact angle specifically helps in measuring how steep the edge of the droplet when it meets with the surface. The usage of droplets will help in tuning across a whole range of the device by applying variable voltage to the surface.

The research team behind this invention is filled with graduate students from MIT namely Ariel Anders and Yangying Zhu and an undergraduate student by the name DingRan Dai. Their work was extensively supported by the Office of Naval Research and the National Science Foundation.

How this droplet platform was created? 

Researchers came with a smart solution to maintain the position of droplets by allowing them to slide around through the treating the underside of the floating platform. Researchers have created the floating surface with small circles of hydrophilic material. But researchers have been able to get the droplets in their place by securely pinning it to the water attracting surface. This ultimately helps in keeping the platform securely.
During the initial testing of this device researchers found that they were able to keep the droplets in the vertical positioning up to the level of 10 microns.

The future application of the droplets

In practical this approach will help in offering simple and cost effective solution to the manufacturers which is great benefit over the existing techniques present in the industry. One of the assistant professors at Centre for Nano Science and Engineering present the Indian Institute of Science named Prosenjit Sen has further elaborated the best thing offered by the droplets is that it offers a degree of vibration isolation which is sorely missed in the solid stages.

Hackers Could Take Control of a Plane Using In-Flight Entertainment System

A major vulnerability has been found in the in-flight entertainment system which can be worked upon by the hackers to take control over the aircraft. The vulnerable in-flight entertainment systems were mainly found in some of the major airlines which include Virgin, Emirates and Qatar. The security hole has been effectively found in the Panasonics branded Avionics which is a in-flight system used in planes across 13 major airlines in the world. This would result in not just taking cover the flight but it will result in leaking passengers’ information. However Panasonic has simply denied any possibility of inflicting damage or causing safety alerts with its in-flight systems.

A reputed researcher sheds light on the vulnerability

A researcher named Ruben Santamarta stated that the vulnerability found in the in-flight entertainment system is a grave concern for the safety of craft and the passengers alike. He further elaborated that hijacking the in-flight system which lends the ability to the hackers to make changes in the critical information related to the altitude and location.

They can even control the cabin lightening and along with possibility of hacking into the announcement system. When all these factors are taken into the question then it will result in a paranoid and hugely unsettling experience for the passenger. In short whether the hackers indulge in driving the aircraft haywire or not but it will certainly end in a traumatic journey for the passengers.

A possible loss of financial details is also under play if a hacker gets into the flight system. They will be able to do away with the credit card details of the frequent fliers which are stored in the automatic payment system. Depending on the security level imposed on the aircraft system hackers might get access to the aircraft’s controls which are an area of huge concern.

How much damage can be inflicted on the plane? 

The real extent of damage which can be inflicted on the plane by making use of this vulnerability to dependent on the security designed for the craft. The more the internal systems are isolated from one another the lesser will be the damage. If passenger entertainment system isn’t connected with aircraft control or passenger device then the damage will be limited but it isn’t the case always.

Rube therefore offers a piece of advice as well as warning to the airlines to remain vigilant with the behavior of their in-flight systems and ensure that it remains aloof from the critical aircraft’s control. Panasonic was alerted in 2015 about the vulnerabilities in its in-flight aircraft system in Mach 2015 by IOActive.

This means Panasonics had enough time to fix all the problems associated with its in-flight but Panasonic failed to do so which allowed IOActive to public with the information about vulnerability. Panasonics has defended itself by releasing a statement where it maintained that the information offered by IOActive is inaccurate and misleading and based on ‘theoretical’ assumption.

Nintendo Switch VR headset Shows Up in Patent

Nintendo is known for guarding its secrets when it comes to building new gaming devices. However in recent past the leaks of patents, images and commercial launch documents or slides have become a common place. This trend has finally touched Nintendo when a patent illustration made its way into the website where it showcased that the console handheld screen will come with a slot to insert VR headset. This means that users will be able to use the detachable hand controller for playing at the same time. Nintendo Switch is one of the most awaited gaming console which is expected to launch in March next year. The effort by Nintendo to introduce support for VR comes right after PlayStation released VR console with support for a wide range of titles.

Details on leaked patents

Nintendo filed for the VR and other patents for Switch console in June this year but it was made public just a week ago on the NeoGAF forum. VR capability is a major reveal from the patents but it also offers insight into the handheld portion and possibility of touch screen on Switch console. Patent explicitly states that the touch panel will enable the device to sense the position, pressure and other characteristics of the user’s touch during gaming. It should be understood all the features being listed in the patent documents doesn’t always makes its way into the final product but a large number of it does come into the play literally in March.

Features of Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch can easily connect to a TV when it is mounted on its special dock. When removed from the dock Nintendo Switch acts as a portable gaming device which allows users to play on the go. Switch Controller doesn’t get much improvement from its predecessors. But when users remove the side components from it then it acts as two independent Joy-Con controllers.

Nintendo set to make Switch a major hit

Nintendo is trying to enhance the appeal and popularity for Switch consoles by planning to offer great opportunities to pubic to try their hand on it before its launch. Nintendo has already released a commercial video in October which offered the first look of the device.

This video showcased the shape-shifting ability of the console which offers players the ability to switch from indulging in hardcore gaming at home to portable gaming. The transition from being connected with the TV and becoming a portable handheld gaming device is extremely swift and easy. Thirdly the removable ‘Joy-Con’ controllers bundled with Switch are a great addition which allows users to play both single and multiplayer gaming.

Nintendo is hopeful of making big leaps in the console by launching its much awaited Switch in March. Switch system will pave way for enhanced multiplayer gaming wherein a large number of users can set up face-to-face competition by simply their Switch devices. In short Nintendo Switch is expected a heightened level of playing freedom to the users than ever before.

Mono-Live Gadget Review: Powerbeats3 Wireless Headphones

The consumer electronics manufacturers as well as tech firms are working aggressively to build such device which better capabilities and fewer cables when it comes to putting music in the ear. So we got a slew of wireless or Bluetooth headphones coming up each week from variety of labels in amazing range of colors, size and dynamics. All of them share some characteristic feature which includes better sound quality, compact design and smaller batteries which can last longer. But it is Beats which takes all the competition head on with its most authentic and enhanced Powerbeats3 Wireless earphones.

Designed to impress

Powerbeats3 comes with a unique giant adjustable hooks present at both sides which effectively wraps over the ear. This helps in giving a table and comfortable feel to the users. In short users can wear Powerbeats3 wireless headphone for a longer period of time without feeling pain or heaviness on the ears. Secondly Beats has worked efficiently non the inline remote and microphones present in both the buds which are able to pick up calls and can communicate with smartphone’s AI with ease and grace.

Most of the users find it difficult to pair their wireless headphones with Apple devices. In order to overcome this issue Beats has include the W1 chip which allows users to pair with Apple devices in an instant without much hassle. It has a huge battery backup of 12 hours which means users will have to charge just once or twice a week. Beats products are known for bigs and lows and so is true for Powerbeats3 and it doesn’t mean that the sound output is awful rather it has the Beats touch in it.

Ease of use and simple design coupled with amazing sound quality

The best thing about Powerbeats3 is that it can be paired fairly easily than any other available wireless device. Users are simply required to press the button on earphone and keep it closer to the device they wish to pair it with. Powerbeats3 was paired with a huge a number of devices where it acted like an instinct and connected within a relatively short time without any hassles. The play/ pause button works amazingly fine with this wireless earphone as it is able to pick up input without fail.

Sound quality output is the best part of the Powerbeat3 as it offers a refreshingly awesome and sublime experience. It brings the one-of a kind true sound isolation feature which drown all the sound you in a remarkable fashion. The only downside found in this Powerbeats3 wireless gadget is that it charges with MicroUSB when whole the world has moved onto USB-C and Lightning ports.

Powerbeats3 comes at a huge price tag of $199 which is the case with all the offerings from Beats. If you are willing to shell such an amount then you will be greeted with amazingly sound quality, sublime design or else you can go with other offerings available in the market.

Lucid Air a Private Jet on Wheels

Lucid Motors showcases its latest offering in a remote warehouse which takes away the breath of all at once. It brings a new force in the luxury car segment of high-tech automobiles which is bound to turn heads and give a stiff competition to the market leaders. Lucid Motors has aptly named their latest invention as the Lucid Air which an all-electric vehicle with a price tag of $160,000. Lucid Motors has stated that their new technology loaded sedan is aimed towards becoming a private jet on four wheels which it is when you look at it.

Lucid Motors has launched and began the deposits for the Lucid Air at just $2,500 for the standard edition which will be priced at something around $100,000. While $160,000 model will have a deposit of $ 25,000 and it will feature independent dual rear seats which can be fully reclined right to the back just like airline seating. Lucid Motors also has plans to introduce an edition at just $65,000 in near future.

Lucid Motors takes inspiration from other high end models

Lucid Motors has taken inspiration from three of Mercedes Benz models in order to design and model its Lucid Air. The exteriors can effectively be seen inspired by Mercedes E Class, interior space by S Class and emotion appeal of the vehicle originates from CLS. Quite recently Lucid has announced that it will build its own vehicles from a $700 million facility in Casa Grande in Ariz. Lucid Motors has just 300 employees who work from its office based in Menlo Park. It has future plans of rolling out its vehicles from its own dedicated stores which might sound like Tesla stores.

Lucid Air performance is awesome

During the test runs of the Air prototypes it has been able to achieve the 60 mile per hour speed in 2.5 seconds. This speed is same as it is seen on $1.4 million Ferrari LaFerrari hypercar. Among the features which defines Lucid Air as high-end car includes twin electric motors front and rear which results in 1,000 horsepower. It has a number of Lidar, radar and camera for autonomous driving and it has a range of 300 miles which can be boosted up to 400.

Lucid Motors aiming too big in too short time

We have seen a number of super car manufacturer shutting shops within a short time in recent past. Lucid Motors has plans of bumping up its manufacturing capabilities along with opening stores which will become function from 2017. Fisker Karma started doing the same thing but lost its steam within a year due to lower demand, costs and stiff competition from market leaders. Currently it has the initial production target of 10,000 vehicles and it will be boosted by 60,000 in upcoming years. Lucid Motors prides on its super technology and integration of it in super cars but the major issue would be to get break-even sales in order to move into expansion phase.