Wireless Power

PhysOrg reports that MIT physicists have created a way to wirelessly power several devices in a room, effectively. The system can power two devices 2 1/2 meters away with 25 watts each. This is an excellent first step to ridding ourselves of all wires in our entertainment room, but its a long way from great practical uses. It’s too little power for even a 60 watt bulb, and too short a distance for anything larger than a closet. At least the concept is there and we can improve upon it.

It would be a fantastic accomplishment if Nikola Tesla hadn’t powered 200 light bulbs and an electric motor from 26 miles away way back in 1899. Chew on that, Edison.

THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!

Often, incredible technological advances begin with identifying a “problem” (in quotes because the specific thing is not always an actual problem). Sometimes it’s just dumb luck, but this doesn’t look like that sort of situation.

A report on Science Daily says scientists have identified a cell structure in human chromosomes called a telomere. These telomeres get shorter as the cells continue to divide, meaning some sort of link to biological age (vs. chronological age; how far along the body is in its lifespan as opposed to how many years the body has been alive, i.e. when you play Wii Fit at 22 years old and it tells you that you have the body of a 28 year old. Fuck you Nintendo.) If they can discover its actual link (correlation vs causation) they can slow or stop the aging process (or speed it up if you’re some sort of death loving sicko).

Basically this discovery is the first step to immortality. Whether or not that’s a good thing is up for debate, but this is very exciting news nevertheless.