MSNBC Innovation

msnbc.com: Innovation

• 3-D brain model could revolutionize neurology
  

  Researchers are showing how a complete 3-D model of the brain could spark a new era in neurological research.

  
  
  
  
  
  Neurology - Research - Health - Medicine - Medical Specialties
  
  
• Virtual cookie monster controls flavor
  

  At the SIGGRAPH computer animation and interactive technology conference, a research team unveiled a Meta Cookie system, which uses virtual reality to try to control the flavor of a cookie.

  
  
  
  
  
  Virtual reality - SIGGRAPH - Computer animation - Companies - Conferences
  
  
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• Snake robots could disable explosives
  

  Snakes can creep and they can crawl, but they're not very good at defusing bombs or going on search-and-rescue missions. Snake robots, however, might be a different story.

  
  
  
  
  
  Search and rescue - Emergency service - Public Health and Safety - Health - United States
  
  
• Cosmic Log: $1.4 million for oil cleanup ideas
  

  Science editor Alan Boyle's Weblog: Kevin Costner, here's your chance. Sparked by the disaster in the Gulf, a well-connected environmental activist is offering $1.4 million for new methods to clean up oil spills.

  
  
  
  
  
  Oil spill - Environment - Alan Boyle - Energy - Petroleum in the Environment
  
  
• Super-car showdown reaches climax
  

  Science editor Alan Boyle's Weblog: The $10 million Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize's finals come to an end — but although the field has been whittled way down, the results are not yet "final."

  
  
  
  
  
  Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize - Alan Boyle - Business - Technology - Michigan International Speedway
  
  
• 'Flying car' concept gets a design tweak
  

  Terrafugia has released new artists' renderings and updated specs for its Transition vehicle — the world's first flying car.

  
  
  
  
  
  Terrafugia - Transition - Flying car - Aircraft - Recreation
  
  
• Wi-Fi jacket delivers massage via social networks
  

  A new project adds a dimension to social networking by transforming metaphorical touching into an actual physical sensation: a massage delivered by a wired, motorized jacket.

  
  
  
  
  
  Website - Wi-Fi - Social network service - Online Communities - Software and Services
  
  
• Laser powers tiny, golden 'light mills'
  

  Windmills have provided power to humanity for centuries. Now scientists from the University of California, Berkeley have created a tiny gold "light mill."

  
  
  
  
  
  University of California Berkeley - University of California - Berkeley - United States - Education
  
  
• Paralyzed may soon steer wheelchair with just a sniff
  * Institute seeking ways to develop, distribute device
  
  
  
  Wheelchair - Disability - Business - Products and Services - Mobility and Transportation Aids
  
  
• New supersonic passenger jet set for takeoff
  

  Supersonic passenger travel was grounded in 2003 because of falling revenues and rising maintenance costs. The Aerion Supersonic Business Jet promises to help travelers break the sound barrier again.

  
  
  
  
  
  Sound barrier - Supersonic business jet - Aerion - Aircraft - Recreation
  
  
• Walking robot breaks distance record
  

  While it looks more like a toaster with legs than Usain Bolt, Cornell University’s Ranger robot has set some track records all the same, including a world record for untethered robotic walking, traveling 14.3 miles in only 11 hours.

  
  
  
  
  
  Usain Bolt - World record - Cornell University - Robot - United States
  
  
• Inventor of the aircraft 'black box' dies at 85
  An Australian scientist who invented the flight data recorder famously known as the "black box" to help investigate aircraft accidents has died at the age of 85, defense officials said on Wednesday.
  
  
  
  Flight data recorder - Aircraft - Scientist - Australia - Aviation
  
  
• Google signs 20-year deal with Iowa wind farm
  Google Inc. has signed a 20-year contract to buy power from an Iowa wind farm as part of the Internet search leader's effort to cut the pollution caused by its rising demand for energy.
  
  
  
  Google - Wind farm - Iowa - Wind power - NextEra Energy Resources
  
  
• 8,000-mile 'driver-less' test drive underway
  

  A team of Italian engineers on Tuesday launched what has been billed as the longest-ever test drive of driverless vehicles: an 8,000-mile, three-month road trip from Italy to China to test the limits of future automotive technology.

  
  
  
  
  
  Driverless car - China - Italy - Technology - United States