Demonstrated at Microsoft Techfest 2110 by Chunhui Zhang from Microsoft Research Asia
Mobile Surface is a novel interaction system for mobile computing. Our goal is to bring the Microsoft Surface experience to mobile scenarios and, more importantly, to enable 3-D interaction with mobile devices. We will demonstrate how to transform any surface, such as a coffee table or a piece of paper, into a Mobile Surface by using a mobile device and a camera-projector system. Besides the Surface, we will show 3-D object imaging, augmented reality, and multiple-layer 3-D information visualization. In particular, we have developed a system with the camera-projector component to scan 3-D objects in real time while doing normal projection. To visualize, 3-D data can be projected onto a surface formed by a piece of paper while maintaining the original scale as if it were printed on that paper, and a user can interact with the projected content with a hand. Mobile Surface enables you to interact with digital contents and information around you from anywhere.
A 3D bio-printing machine has been developed by Organovo, and is intended for use in the manufacture of human tissues and organs.
“Scientists and engineers can use the 3D bio printers to enable placing cells of almost any type into a desired pattern in 3D,” said Murphy. “Researchers can place liver cells on a preformed scaffold, support kidney cells with a co-printed scaffold, or form adjacent layers of epithelial and stromal soft tissue that grow into a mature tooth. Ultimately the idea would be for surgeons to have tissue on demand for various uses, and the best way to do that is get a number of bio-printers into the hands of researchers and give them the ability to make three dimensional tissues on demand.”
A talk by Blaise Aguera y Arcas at the recent TED 2010 showed some new augmented reality mapping technology from Microsoft.
Blaise Aguera y Arcas is an architect at Microsoft Live Labs, architect of Seadragon, and the co-creator of Photosynth, a monumental piece of software capable of assembling static photos into a synergy of zoomable, navigatable spaces.
“Ink” made of carbon nanotubes, silver nanowires and paper are the ingredients necessary to create a battery according to research led by Yi Cui, assistant professor of materials science and engineering, and his team at Stanford University .
Yi Cui had previously created nanomaterial energy storage devices using plastics. His new research shows that a paper battery is more durable because the ink adheres more strongly to paper (answering the question, “Paper or plastic?”). What’s more, you can crumple or fold the paper battery, or even soak it in acidic or basic solutions, and the performance does not degrade. “We just haven’t tested what happens when you burn it,” he said.
They have also experimented with using other materials such as textiles.
I thought paper batteries had been around for some time, here’s an article on the BBC new site from Aug 2007.
Perhaps, in the future, batteries could be created with 2D or 3D printers, and if you could also also print electrical circuitry the possibilites become endless.
Recently I noted an interesting video at Channel 9: Inside MultiTouch: Team Demo, Lab Tour which shows an interview with members of the MultiTouch Research team at Microsoft Research in Cambridge UK.
Microsoft is exploring the use of IR technology over the traditional approach of using capacitive touch panels. The iPhone, for example, uses a capacitive touch panel built into the display.
Find out more about the technology used in the iPhone at
The Microsoft Surface Computing technology uses a rear projection / sensing system that enables a high sensing resolution but is bulky and expensive. The Microsoft MultiTouch approach, however, uses a number of small infrared transceivers mounted on the rear of LCD panels to enable a more compact solution but at a lower resolution (but still sufficient for detecting multi finger touch).
A prototype, developed at MSR Cambridge consists of an array of IR emitters and IR detectors arranged on a tile which is pressed against the back of the LCD display. IR light passes thru the LCD panel and is reflected back to the IR receivers after bouncing off objects such as fingers. The tile consists of an array of 5×7 emitters and receivers to provide effectively a 35 pixel camera element over an area covered by the size of the tile.
Multiple tiles can be combined to cover the whole screen.
The video shows how off-the-shelf LCD displays can be modified to provide the necessary proof of concept of this approach.
The Philips Simplicity Event, from the electronics giant Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands, held recently at Earls Court in London is a showcase for new and innovative design concepts aimed at delivering solutions for the anticipated needs of their cutomers today and in the future and is based on their “sense and simplicity” brand.
The theme at the 2007 Simplicity Event of “caring for people’s well-being” builds on ongoing societal trends that Philips has been tracking closely: populations are getting older, healthcare is increasingly consumer-driven and business travel is now more extensive and hectic. In light of these trends, Philips employed the creativity and expertise of anthropologists, sociologists, designers, engineers and business leaders to come up with design concepts that address these converging trends. The result: Philips will present concepts that take a holistic approach to healthcare, in which health and wellbeing touch on all aspects of a person’s daily life. Focusing on relaxing, healing and providing enjoyment, design concepts at the show explore the role of simplicity in Philips three core businesses – healthcare, lighting and consumer lifestyle.
Daylight explores natural, rewarding ways for hotel guests to experience light and ambience in the comfort of their rooms. One item shown is the window where you can control the view and the amount of light that enters the room simply by moving your hand. A pattern superimposed over the window will become denser by moving your hand to the left (blocking the light), moving to the right makes the pattern less dense allowing more light to enter the room.
A collaboration with the Citizen M hotel group provides a prefabricated hotel room packed with gadgets
Also on show was the new Aurea Ambilight LCD TV.
I noticed a video recorded at the event; Episode 23 from megawhat.tv can be viewed at
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