Lifeboat Foundation

Fraud detection technology is in high demand and growing thanks to areas such as India. However, there is a huge growing demand for synthetic diamonds in their use in technology, medical, synthetic biology as well.

It takes billions of years to produce a natural diamond, but a laboratory can grow one in days and to the untrained eye they look the same. In an attempt to protect its reputation, De Beers has developed technology that can spot the difference. Ivor Bennett reports.

When dealing with diamonds, one can never be too sure. That’s why at De Beers, it’s not just humans checking the gems anymore, but machines too. SOUNDBITE (English) JONATHAN KENDALL, PRESIDENT, INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIAMOND GRADING AND RESEARCH, SAYING: “A synthetic is a man-made product. It’s not a gem, it’s not a beautiful product. It’s not about love and affection and emotion. And it’s not unique and it’s not mysterious. And that’s everything that a diamond is.” It takes about 3 billion years to make a natural diamond. but just three weeks for a synthetic one. To the naked eye though, they look the same. So how do you tell the difference? SOUNDBITE (English) IVOR BENNETT, REUTERS REPORTER, SAYING: “It’s all to do with how the stone looks under UV light. A natural diamond for example will appear dark blue in colour with a regular structure. But if i click on the synthetic one, you can see it’s much lighter with these block-like structures, which is down to its irregular growth.

Continue reading “Why De Beers is spending on diamond technology” »

I am ready to go any time.

An earth-like planet has been discovered orbiting the closest star to our solar system, according to CNN.

Continue reading “Scientists Discover New Earth-Like Planet” »

https://youtube.com/watch?v=6Wn66O-KLow

A rubbery little “octobot” is the first robot made completely from soft parts, according to a new study. The tiny, squishy guy also doesn’t need batteries or wires of any kind, and runs on a liquid fuel.

The octopus-like robot is made of silicone rubber, and measures about 2.5 inches (6.5 centimeters) wide and long. The researchers say soft robots can adapt more easily to some environments than rigid machines, and this research could lead to autonomous robots that can sense their surroundings and interact with people.

Continue reading “Soft, Rubbery ‘Octobot’ Can Move Without Batteries” »

Nice.

Engineers at the University of Washington (UW) have devised a new method of wireless communication that converts Bluetooth transmission from mobile devices into Wi-Fi signals. Using this “interscatter” communications technology allows medical devices and implants with limited power sources to gain the ability to send data using low-power Wi-Fi signals to smartphones and smartwatches.

The UW team previously described the technique of “backscattering” ambient RF signals — repurposing existing RF signals in the environment — to enable device-to-device communication without the need for onboard power sources. Now, the team builds on that prior research to introduce “interscattering,” the inter-technology, over-the-air conversion of Bluetooth signals to create Wi-Fi transmissions.

Continue reading “‘Interscatter’ Tech Converts Bluetooth For WiFi-Connected Implants” »

Wait until they see what is happening with smart AR contacts and Bluetooths.

A pair of contact lenses do not just let you see clearer without the hassle of spectacles or glasses, but what if they are now smarter with connectivity to your smartphone? Could the science fiction world now be a step closer to reality?

A nice write up on the research development and characterization of Fluorescent and Luminescent Biosensors especially in the area of field testing of waterways & sources. Key challenge for most field engineers and scientists has been having no portable and reliable systems to test water for compounds with endocrine which impacts activities such as fish feminization out in the field. This type of testing has required more in depth analysis usually in a lab. With this research and development that can all change saving on time and expense.

This work has been submitted for open review as an iGEM Research Article

Reviewers, please consider the following questions when reviewing the article:

Continue reading “IGEM RESEARCH ARTICLE: Development and Characterization of Fluorescent and Luminescent Biosensors for Estrogenic Activity” »

Luv it!

There’s quite a lot of other things we don’t know DNA are being used for, like solving math problems for one.

Anyone attending the Bioweapons Convention in December?

He signatory nations of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) will meet …to discuss the state of bioweapons globally…he world has radically changed s.

CISO & CSO at many companies are certainly going to have their work cut out for them in the long-term future as more and more new tech such as 3D Printing, Synthetic Bio, etc. are adopted into companies; really brings a new level of security concerns not only in government; but also the private sector.

He pointed out that while there were international organisations to prevent the spread of nuclear and chemical weapons, there was no such agency to deal with biological weapons.

Speaking at the Council debate on weapons of mass destruction (WMD), he sought to expand its definition beyond nuclear, chemical and biological to embrace the threats arising from 21st century science, technology and globalisation.

Continue reading “World not prepared for biological attacks, new technology threats: Ban Ki-moon” »