Debut of the first practical 'artificial leaf'

http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-03-debut-artificial-leaf.html

"The device bears no resemblance to Mother Nature's counterparts on oaks, maples and other green plants, which scientists have used as the model for their efforts to develop this new genre of solar cells. About the shape of a poker card but thinner, the device is fashioned from silicon, electronics and catalysts, substances that accelerate chemical reactions that otherwise would not occur, or would run slowly. Placed in a single gallon of water in a bright sunlight, the device could produce enough electricity to supply a house in a developing country with electricity for a day, Nocera said. It does so by splitting water into its two components, hydrogen and oxygen."

New Way to Control Magnetic Properties of Graphene Discovered

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110414091110.htm

"University of Maryland researchers have discovered a way to control magnetic properties of graphene that could lead to powerful new applications in magnetic storage and magnetic random access memory."

James Cameron’s Next Plan To Reinvent Cinema

http://gizmodo.com/#!5787970/james-camerons-next-plan-to-reinvent-cinema

"While the industry has been stuck at 24fps since the Roaring 20s, Cameron believes that by bumping that up to 48fps, or even 60fps, Hollywood can dramatically change our cinematic experience."

A beautiful but creepy vision of the "smart glass" future

http://io9.com/#!5781931/a-beautiful-but-creepy-vision-of-the-smart-glass-future

Super Batteries Made From ‘Frozen Smoke’ May be Here Soon

http://inhabitat.com/super-batteries-made-from-frozen-smoke-may-be-here-soon/

"Due to its carbon nanotube structure, the battery material would be able to detect even the slightest changes in pressure or temperature. As they also make up a large surface area, the nanotubes would be better able to store energy than conventional batteries."

Bendy batteries a step closer

http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2011/February/25021102.asp

"Scientists from Korea have found that with the use of graphene nanosheets, the fabrication of bendable power sources is possible."

Fourteen Ways NFC Will Let Your Phone Replace Your Wallet (And More)

http://gizmodo.com/#!5768471/fourteen-ways-nfc-will-let-your-phone-replace-your-wallet-and-more

"First, the basics. NFC stands for Near Field Communication. Which still doesn't tell us much. Basically, it's a way for devices to transmit and receive very small bits of information, wirelessly, at very close ranges. How close? Centimeters close."

Robots to get their own internet

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12400647

"Called RoboEarth it will be a place that robots can upload data to when they master a task, and ask for help in carrying out new ones."

Breakthrough nanotape tech promises cooler chips

http://www.thinq.co.uk/2011/1/24/new-nanotape-tech-promises-cooler-chips/

"The new material promises a lot: featuring a thermal conductivity comparable to copper but a flexibility and ability to expand and contract as a result of temperature changes without breaking that is more like a foam, its creators believe that it could be a major breakthrough in the race to create ever-smaller and ever-faster devices."

Newfangled Microsoft Surface demo at CES 2011

http://www.wired.com/beyond_the_beyond/2011/01/newfangled-microsoft-surface-demo-at-ces-2011/

"Wait a sec — “infrared sensor pixels”? Hey….