Date: Sun, 27 Jul 2003 14:46:54 -0400 From: Bill Moran <wmoran@potentialtech.com> To: Brad Knowles <brad.knowles@skynet.be> Cc: chat@freebsd.org Subject: Re: Nonsense discussion: dreaming up new technology Message-ID: <3F241E1E.2060904@potentialtech.com> In-Reply-To: <a0600120bbb49ca2441a0@[10.0.1.2]> References: <3F2412C6.8030907@potentialtech.com> <a0600120bbb49ca2441a0@[10.0.1.2]>
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Brad Knowles wrote: > At 1:58 PM -0400 2003/07/27, Bill Moran wrote: > >> So. Am I the first to imagine such a thing? How close is the >> technology to actually doing it? What does everyone think about it? > > This sort of thing is already under development. They already have > electronic displays on paper (they're already in use at stores like > Wal-Mart as re-usable large sale display posters). They're working on > printing more complex electronic circuits on the paper, so that it can > be used as a re-usable newspaper (just get it recharged/reloaded at your > local newsstand). Damn. I hadn't seen anything yet. Sometimes I just so behind the times! > The primary problem with them right now is slow response times of > the displays (on the order of a few seconds for the display to update, > much too slow for a computer display but fine for "static" signs or > virtual newspapers). Hmmm ... bummer ... But I assume this will improve with time and research ... > There are already other technologies in use that function as ink-jet > printers for other types of "ink". > > Certainly, there are already 3-D manufacturing technologies using > laser sintering or liquid polymer solidification that all you to "print" > three dimensional objects. IIRC, the new Ford GT (re-make of the old > Ford GT-40 from the 1960's) used this sort of technology extensively for > their prototypes -- making new transmissions, u-joints, etc.... I don't even consider these related technologies. These are simply newer forms of CNC. Only difference is that they add the material to the product instead of taking a block of material and machining the extra away. I don't see them being any more useful than traditional CNC machining practice either. I know a prototype shop that has been CNCing scale models out of foam for years. And I'm sure they weren't the first to do it. > In short, this sort of stuff is already well under development. > Check old issues of _Popular Science_, _Popular Mechanics_, _New > Scientist_, _Scientific American_, _American Scientist_, etc.... I guess I need to get some subscriptions ... So what's your guess on how long before we see these "rechargable newspapers"? 10 years? 20? C'mon ... let's place some bets! -- Bill Moran Potential Technologies http://www.potentialtech.com
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