Chad Clark's Open Journal : 2007-05-14

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May 14, 2007 :
1) It seems ants count their steps to keep track of where things are.

From http://www.livescience.com/animalworld//060629_ant_pedometers.html

  Scientists trained desert ants, Cataglyphis fortis, to walk along a
  straight path from their nest entrance to a feeder 30 feet away. If the
  nest or feeder was moved, the ants would break from their straight path
  after reaching the anticipated spot and search for their goal.  They
  glued stilt-like extensions to the legs of some ants to lengthen
  stride. The researchers shortened other ants' stride length by cutting
  off the critters' feet and lower legs, reducing their legs to stumps.
  
  The ants on stilts took the right number of steps, but because of their
  increased stride length, marched past their goal. Stump-legged ants,
  meanwhile, fell short of the goal.

2) Sony has an organic-LCD monitor.

I wasn't expecting to see this technology go production for a couple more
years but this article claims it will be out before the end of 2007.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/12/sony-1-000-000-1-oled-tv-on-sale-in-2007/

3) Disposable semiconductors produced by ink-jet-like printers.

Manufacturing these is cheaper than silicon chips.

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2007/03/13/tech-printelectronics.html

  Nanoident's semiconductors will focus on disposable organic
  semiconductors designed for one-time use, such as water-purity
  testers. Its first products will be delivered to its subsidiary
  companies, including U.S.-based Bioident, which markets products for
  medical, industrial and biochemical companies.




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