Worldwide wrap

In this week's wrap, drones are now delivering textbooks to students in minutes; and better connectivity has been cited as a possible explanation for Albert Einstein's exceptional intelligence. Get the details on these stories and more below.

The conventional storybook could become a little extra interactive, with the addition of components like LED lighting, electronic ink technology and audio clips powered by paper.

According to Disney researchers, it is possible to make paper a source of energy to bring books to life. Placing a piece of Teflon between two different conductors and rubbing the two conductors together creates a printable paper generator. When the Teflon rubs against the paper, it makes a charge, with a voltage of up to 1 000 volts, which is enough energy to power various LEDs, e-paper displays, infrared devices, or even to communicate with a computer. When the friction stops, so does the flow of electricity.

According to Ivan Poupyrev, the principal research scientist at Disney's Interaction Technology Group, the possibilities are endless. "We can imagine any number of ways to use this to add sights, sounds and other interactivity to books and other printed materials inexpensively and without having to worry about power sources."
Via: Digital Journal

Paraplegics have to navigate the world without the ability to feel and touch things. Researcher Sliman Bensmaia, from the University of Chicago, is currently working to change this with a new breed of prosthetics that will facilitate the sense of touch. The concept should function as a blueprint for constructing prosthetics that convey touch in the same way natural limbs do, he said.

The research was conducted using trained rhesus macaques fitted with prosthetic hands. The animals could differentiate between pokes of varying strength via data transmitted to their brains using specialised microelectrodes. Bensmaia hopes prosthetics will eventually be able to transmit signals to implants in humans, which will make the wearers feel that their prosthetic limbs are actually part of their bodies.
Via: New Scientist

New research has revealed that Albert Einstein, one of history's greatest physicists, had an unusually well-connected brain. The revelations about Einstein's intelligence are based on the analysis of 14 photographs of his brain, which were taken just after his autopsy.

The research was conducted at East China Normal University, where scientists measured the thickness of Einstein's corpus callosum, a bundle of nerves that connects the brain's two hemispheres. It was clear that Einstein's corpus callosum was thicker than that of an average man of the same age. The greater thickness implies that there are more nerves, which means greater connectivity.

Another study, by Dean Falk and a team of researchers from Florida State, found that the German physicist had an "extraordinary prefrontal cortex", which relates to abstract thought, and unusual parietal lobes, which aid visualisation and mathematical abilities.
Via: Singularity Hub

A pilot programme in New York City is looking to test the possibility of turning manhole covers into wireless charging stations for electric vehicles.

Developed by Hevo Power, individuals just need to download an app, which details open charging spots. Users then drive their vehicles to the available charging facility and park above one of the specialised charging covers. The app features an integrated payment system, which allows users to track and pay for the power they are sucking up from the energy pad below.

Unlike traditional wireless inductive charging systems, this technology uses resonance charging, which is faster and less wasteful. Hevo's CEO and founder, Jeremy McCool, got the idea while walking the streets of New York, when he realised that manhole covers require no cords and present no hazards because everything can be located underneath them.
Via: Wired

Those looking to shed a few kilos, or people with food allergies, may soon find choosing their meals a little easier, thanks to a handy new mobile device.

The TellSpec breaks down the ingredients in meals, making it a miniature spectrometer. The device analyses materials (ingredients, in this case) by measuring properties of light, before a specialised algorithm creates a report with a list of ingredients and nutrition info, which is sent to a companion smartphone app. This makes it simpler for consumers to determine if the food they have in front of them is something they should be eating.

"It is a fast, simple and easy-to-use way to learn what's in your food. TellSpec will identify allergens, chemicals, nutrients, calories and ingredients in foods or beverages," the company says. The device is set to ship next August, with pre-orders at Indiegogo available for $150.
Via: Engadget

We've seen drones delivering laundry, pizzas, sushi and beer - now the unmanned aerial vehicles will be dropping off textbooks.

Australian textbook rental company Zookal has partnered with commercial drone service, Flirtey, to deliver books to students minutes after they place an order. Users can make purchases on their smartphones and then need simply select Flirtey as the delivery method of choice. At the Flirtey headquarters, a person packs up the order and attaches it to the drone, which delivers the order to the student a few minutes later.

"Drones have this negative connotation," Ahmed Haider, Zookal's founder and CEO, said. "We want to apply them to commercial uses and show that they can have a very positive impact." He notes that the total time from submitting an order to having the book in a customer's hand is between two and three minutes. According to Haider, the aerial book delivery service can drop off packages to any outdoor space, including doorsteps, backyards, street corners and even balconies. For now, the drones are only able to deliver within a kilometre of the dispatch centre, but as the tech improves, Haider is confident the delivery distance will increase to as much as 10km.
Via: Mashable