MIT's Technology Review - April 2004

Here are some articles of interest from this month's issue of MIT's Technology Review:

Hybrid's Rising Sun [PDF] - a Japanese automaker has again taken a step ahead of the US auto giants. While the US automakers are now playing catch-up with quality cars, designed well, Toyota has already on the leading edge of the curve with its gas-electric hybrid cars. They're expected to sell 150,000 hybrids this year, and what seemed like a risky investment a few years back might just as well serve to not only transform the auto industry, but push Toyota into the lead.

My Avatar, My Self [PDF] - there are two virtual worlds out there that point to where digital socializing is heading. 1) There, and, 2) Linden Lab. Both are quite unlike online games such as Everquest or Sims. And both are supporting rich worlds with slick 3D interfaces, where individuals are represented by 3D avatars, rather than a static icon or flat character. I can see the day when virtual personas become every bit as important as real-life personas -- maybe even more -- it doesn't take much imagination to see the real and digital world blending.

Sweet Hope [PDF] - Malaria kills 3,000 children, most under five years of age, daily. In sub-Saharan Africa, it claims 90% of its victims -- worldwide, 1,000,000 people die each year from it -- and before they die, they suffer -- and it's not only the deaths, it's the second-hand victims -- the baby that will die without the mother's support; the children that will starve because their parents can't work. For decades scientists have failed to develop an effective vaccine, but now there's hope that a new vaccine may help -- while it may not be the sole weapon to wipe out malaria, it may just be good enough to make the difference.

Sensor World [PDF] - the world is madly rushing to measure, look at, keep tabs on, just about everything. Advances in tiny, wireless sensors promise to always keep an eye on everything and report back to somewhere. Just one thought though -- how the hell are we going to handle all that data?

Prototype [PDF] - check out some technologies that are making it out of the lab and coming to a product near you soon -- such as a new compression method that promises to deliver larger images across the internet, faster; and, a credit card that requires you to input your secret code before it can be used.

Innovation News [PDF] - with text messaging taking off on mobile devices in North America, and already big in Japan, China and Europe, you had to wonder how long it would take before spammers took notice. Think about it -- you're driving along the road, and as you approach different businesses, your mobile device alerts you to a message -- only it's a spam for the businesses you're about to drive by. Not possible you say? Well, think about this -- telcos have been mandated in the US to be able to pinpoint your cell phone via GPS in case of emergencies. They know where you are. And there are no laws stopping them!

Nano Writing [PDF] - dip-pen nanolithography is a new promising method of building things on the nano scale -- metals, DNA, proteins, etc., on a wide range of surfaces. What may make this method succeed? It's cheap.

Spam Filters [PDF] - here's a cool graphic on how spam filters work.

Born Chemist [PDF] - here's a short bio on Percy Lavon Julian, a black chemist, who in the face of racism, didn't give up and went on to make great contributions to the synthesizing of steroids -- used today in a variety of topical medications.

Designed and Made in China [PDF] - forget China's manufacturing prowess -- look out for its ability to tweak and innovate the designs being sent to them to mass produce. The day is rapidly approaching when China will be able to innovate just as fast and be as creative as the west.