Hearlihy: About Us: Tech Times April 2008

Humanoid robots take the “ouch” out of learning dentistry

No one wants to be approached by a dental student, drill in hand, and told to open wide. But these patients don’t mind. They are robots designed especially to teach students precision skills before they work on human beings. “Phantom heads” – an entire roomful of them – are currently in use at . . . Read More

Who invented the toothbrush?

Early forms of the toothbrush have been in existence since 3,000 B.C. Ancient civilizations used a “chew stick,” a thin twig with a frayed end, that was rubbed against the teeth. The bristle toothbrush, similar to the type used today, was not invented until 1498 in China. The bristles . . . Read More

Technology makes fashion models obsolete

Technology may have resolved the are-fashion-models-too-thin controversy in an unexpected way – by making models obsolete. Using a high-definition holographic video projection system developed by Musion Systems Limited, Target Stores last November staged a fashion show on a virtual runway . . . Read More

Zirconia is a plane’s best friend

Zirconium dioxide – the stuff of synthetic diamonds – will soon coat the turbine blades of jet engines to protect them from corrosion. Because jet engines operate at extremely high temperatures – thousands of degrees Fahrenheit – turbine blades are coated with a protective, insulating ceramic . . . Read More

Twenty-first century alchemy (of a sort)

With a brief but intense blast from a tabletop laser, scientists at the University of Rochester (NY) have permanently changed the color of aluminum and many other metals including silver and gold. The color will not peel or fade because the process changes the intrinsic qualities of the metal . . . Read More

You’re the juice

Two new devices suggest that the source of the electricity that powers your cell phone, laptop, or iPod could be you. Read More

The father of industrial design

Chances are you’ve never heard of Raymond Loewy, but you’ve seen his work. The contoured Coca-Cola bottle; Air Force One; the logos of Exxon, Shell, Nabisco, and the U.S. Post Office, to name a few. Does the car you drive have a slanted windshield, wheel covers, and built-in headlights? You have . . . Read More

Tech Times – April 2008