5. Blood staunching bandages
Bandages made from about 65% glass fibre and 35% bamboo fibre not only absorb blood but also stimulate the body's ability to staunch the flow by triggering the release of blood-clotting factors such as thrombin or fibrinogen. They work even better if they are themselves impregnated with blood-clotting factors.
4. Wheels with wings
Aircraft tyres could one day be fitted with built-in aerofoils that exploit the surrounding airflow to make them rotate before a landing, thus saving tyres excessive wear and tear.
3. Fabric displays
Philips plans to make wearable displays by imprinting a cell-like structure onto an ordinary fabric using a stretchy elastomeric material. That should produce a display with the same material properties as the fabric onto which it is attached.
2. Digit-saving biometrics
Unscrupulous thieves armed with a sharp knife need only steal your hand to beat fingerprint recognition systems but Sony – again – has an idea. They would instead photograph the patterns of blood capillaries just under the skin using an infrared camera. If the finger is cut off, the cold capillaries are no longer visible.
1. Skateboard meets Segway
Sony unveils plans for a motor-powered skateboard the rider controls using his or her balance, like a Segway.
