Blue Light for Greener Chips
Researchers at University College London have discovered a method that could lead to cheap, environmentally friendly microchips. They are using low-temperature, ultraviolet lamps to make silicon dioxide, a vital component of almost all modern chips. For an industry which relies on energy intensive furnaces this promises a major energy saving.

Building new skin
CellTran, based in Sheffield, have developed a simple solution to treating skin injuries using microscopic scaffolding. A revolutionary dissolvable scaffold for growing new areas of skin could provide a safer, more effective way of treating burns, diabetic ulcers and similar injuries.

Life-saving t-shirts
Chris Nugent at the University of Ulster is part of a team who are trying to develop clothing whose main aim is to detect if someone has a problem with their heart. The actual clothing has a component which monitors the heart and transmits information to the doctor or hospital.

Art-U-Like
Computer scientists from Bath and Boston Universities are developing electronic artwork that changes to match the mood of the person who is looking at it. Using images collected through a web cam, special software recognises eight key facial features that characterise the emotional state of the viewer. It then adapts the colours and brushstrokes of the digital artwork to suit the changing mood of the viewer. The project forms part of on-going research looking to develop a range of advanced artwork tools for use in the computer graphics industry.

John
November 2006

Amazing how science and technology can improve your life! — April

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