Paper Computers

Researchers at ASU, including Win Burleson and Byron Lahey, have developed a revolutionary new flexible paper computer.  The paper computer uses a flexible E Ink display and the prototype they made is of a smart phone.  The flexible display allows for many gestures that aren't possible on a rigid device.  For example, the corners can be bent to flip a page or the entire screen can be bent in or out to zoom a page.

If the technology is refined a little more, it could be truly revolutionary.  Flexible screens can be put in clothes, appliances, phones, and just about anywhere else.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110504111147.htm

Near Perfect Visual Search Discovered ... Millions of Years Ago

It turns out our brains perform a near optimal visual search.  Given the available information in a scene, human brains can pick out objects surrounded by distractions in the best possible way.  It's believed that this initially evolved so mammals could see predators in shadows and in camouflage.  The same skill is also being used by TSA agents when they scan the X-Ray machine for outlawed objects.

If we can duplicate the visual search algorithm used by mammals in a computer, it could mean huge advances in human computer interaction.  Self driving cars could see as much detail as human drivers.  Robot interaction with humans could also be greatly improved.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110508134929.htm

Finding Out How We Learn

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara developed a predictive model that determines how much a person is able to learn.  They found that this capacity is independent of how much a person already knows.  The brain is made up of many different "modules" that all interconnect and talk to each other.  These connections change over time and the researchers found that the flexibility of these connections and the capacity for them to change is the biggest determinant of how much a person is able to learn.

Using this knowledge, people might be able to know when studying or physical therapy is going to be effective.  This could help people better schedule their day and increase the efficiency of these processes.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110419091157.htm