Questacon Smart Moves

What is it called?

9^th Life

Who invented it?

Chris Fox

How’s it work?

9^th Life is a wetsuit top that contains a hidden, inflatable, life vest. By monitoring the blood oxygen levels of the wearer and the heart rate, the vest will automatically inflate if the wearer becomes distressed. There is also a manual inflation option. Once inflated, the in-built GPS notifies life guards that someone is in trouble.

What’s it useful for?

The 9^th Life was designed with water sports in mind. Because it doesn't inflate upon contact with water, it can be worn by a wide range of water-users.

When can I use it?

Still in development.

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What is it called?

Brain Speller

Who invented it?

Team UCEEG - Le Nguyen, Paul Du, Kim-Mai Bui, Lap Duong

How’s it work?

The team have combined a headset developed for computer gaming with their own software to allow users to type and control devices with their mind. The user wears an Emotiv EPOC headset, and tunes the headset to the software. Once it is tuned, the user just has to think of making different facial expressions in order to manipulate the software.

What’s it useful for?

It will allow people to control a range of devices with only their mind! You can email, twitter and blog faster than other mind methods. But the most exciting part is that this allows you to control devices like wheelchairs without having to move a muscle!

When can I use it?

It is still in the design stage unfortunately, but stay tuned!

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What is it called?

Chameleon Bandage

Who invented it?

Louise Van der Werff, Monash University

How’s it work?

The bandage has a cholesterol based dye attached to the fibres. This dye changes shape as the temperature changes, resulting in a change in colour. Similar to colour-changing T-shirts, but far more sensitive and longer lasting! The bandage can be "tuned" to different temperatures. The dye has a range of colours, and can detect changes in temperature as small as 0.5°C.

What’s it useful for?

Infection detection! This bandage will allow for wounds to be monitored without exposing them to the environment. As a wound becomes infected, it can have a slightly higher temperature than the surrounding tissue. The bandage is sensitive enough to detect this change, giving a visual clue that the wound should be looked at.

When can I use it?

It is still in the design stage, but is estimated to be available in five years.

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What is it called?

Pelleres

Who invented it?

Mepi Faoagali

How’s it work?

Pelleres are a weight set that can be worn as a sleeve. They are designed to minimise the risk of injury to the athlete. Because they are worn on the forearm, Pelleres don't interfere with a regular training session.

What’s it useful for?

The added weight helps to build muscles faster, without restricting the natural movements required for any given sport.

When can I use it?

Now!

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Square Kilometre Array (SKA)

The Square Kilometre Array or, as it’s known in the industry, the SKA, is one of the new topics that we are covering in our shows this year.

No it’s not the resurrection of Ska music but an international project to build the word’s largest radio telescope. But we’re not talking about just one REALLY big dish. Instead, the SKA will be made up of around 3000 dishes and other types of antennae that will be linked together in an ‘array’, spreading out across thousands of kilometres. If you add up the surface area of all these dishes you will get a total collecting area of one square kilometre!

So the name isn’t very imaginative, but the telescope’s power will be pretty inspiring as it will be fifty times better than the best telescopes around today.

Why do need do we need such a powerful radio telescope? The SKA will be like a giant ear, listening to the faintest radio whispers from the depths of space and time. It will help us to better understand our universe, look back to the Big Bang, and see the first stars form. If there is other intelligent life out in the Universe, the SKA will give us the best chance of detecting it!

What’s really exciting is that the SKA could be built in our backyard! Australia (in partnership with New Zealand) has been shortlisted as one of two possible sites with the right conditions for the SKA to be located. For example, all radio telescopes need a ‘radio quiet’ zone around them, far away from towns, mobile phones and all the other ‘radio noise’ that modern civilisation creates. The Murchison Shire in WA is extremely radio quiet, as there are no towns and very few people in that area.

South Africa has also been shortlisted to host the SKA, and a site decision is expected in early 2012.

To find out more about this topic, catch a Smart Moves show in an area or school near you or visit www.ska.gov.au

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What is it called?

Votapedia

Who invented it?

Ken Taylor, CSIRO

How’s it work?

Instead of audience clickers or key pads for voting, Ken and the team have come up with software that lets the audience use their mobile phone or Internet connection for free to cast a vote.

What’s it useful for?

Voting and having your say! It collects the info in real time and instantly displays it on a web page. No matter where you are, if you have phone or Internet reception, you can cast your vote!

When can I use it?

Right now! Click on this link and create your own poll!

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What is it called?

Shadowman: A moving rugby tackling system.

Who invented it?

J.P. Hartigan, Ireland

How’s it work?

It’s an inflatable moving human-sized tackle target system, equipped with removable skins with various target zones to educate the tackler on where to tackle. You tie on the harness, run, and your mate chases it down!

What’s it useful for?

The Shadowman is light weight, highly portable, allows you to tackle and train realistically, and it looks really fun…

When can I use it?

It’s currently patent-pending, and JP’s hoping to start manufacturing in the near future.

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What is it called?

Mist bomb

Who invented it?

Marc Hartman & Derrik Yap, Sydney

How’s it work?

It’s a new water-bombing method for extinguishing bushfires in remote areas. It works by containing the water in a pod, which explodes open when dropped from a height more than 25m. The water becomes mist, which has a high surface area and can extinguish fires more effectively than traditional water bombing methods.

What’s it useful for?

Putting out fires! The pod is biodegradable so can be used anywhere, and using mist means fires will be extinguished quicker, potentially saving more lives.

When can I use it?

The mist bomb is in the proof-of-concept phase, and has had international interest, but it’ll be a few years until this is used on a large scale.

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What is it called?

Lung keyring

Who invented it?

Megan Ward, England

How’s it work?

It’s educational and disgusting. Designed and made by 10 year old Megan, this 3D anti-smoking keyring has now been picked up by GASP (anti-smoking organisation, UK) who’ve ordered 25,000 units!

What’s it useful for?

Megan worked out exactly how much paint to use to represent the amount of tar collected in the lungs from smoking four packs of cigarettes, so it’s informative, strangely cute, and will hopefully be used to discourage people smoking!

When can I use it?

Megan’s currently producing them for distribution in the UK.

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What is it called?

Eden Mist luxury steam shower

Who invented it?

Alemina Vranas, Sydney

How’s it work?

Using aeration technology, Eden Mist breaks the water into fine droplets. It also heats the water within the system. Both of these functions save a lot of water. There’s also a steam function to add to the shower experience!

What’s it useful for?

Mina observed that due to today’s busy lifestyle, the bathroom has become a sanctuary that provides a relaxing escape from the real world. With Eden Mist you can escape in a luxurious and environmentally friendly way!

When can I use it?

The Eden Mist is in the running for an Australian Design Award - James Dyson Award, so keep an eye on this one!

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What is it called?

Crabric

Who invented it?

Saniyat Islam and Dr Olga Troynikov, Melbourne

How’s it work?

By using chitosan (a natural biopolymer found in crustacean exoskeleton), this team have made an odour-repellent fabric for use in the automotive industry.

What’s it useful for?

Keeping your car looking cleaner and smelling nicer for longer!

When can I use it?

Research is still being conducted to see how these anti-odour fabrics can be made and used.

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What is it called?

DIY Adjustable Glasses

Who invented it?

Professor Josh Silver

How’s it work?

These glasses have flexible lenses that are filled with oil by syringes on the arms of the glasses. This allows the user to adjust each lens to the right prescription. Once focused, the user cuts the syringes off and the glasses are set for seeing.

What’s it useful for?

This technology will bring prescription glasses to billions of people who cannot afford them or who cannot access medical technology. The procedure is fast and relatively cheap.

When can I use it?

They are currently being made for $19 a pair, but Josh Silver is continuing development and wants to offer adjustable liquid glasses to a billion of the world’s poorest people for $1 by 2020.

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What is it called?

Cyberdyne Robot Suit HAL (Hybrid Assisted Limb)

Who invented it?

Yoshiyuki Sankai, Japan

How’s it work?

It’s a robo-suit that increases your strength by five times! HAL reads the electrical signals sent from the brain to muscles using detectors on the skin. The machine then moves in sync with the actual body’s muscle movement.

What’s it useful for?

Yoshiyuki originally designed the suit to help paralysed people walk again. The current model is used mostly by sufferers of stroke or people with weakened muscles, and in hospitals for patient rehabilitation. There is a newer model which can assist the wearer in carrying up to 150kg load, which is being developed with construction in mind, to allow workers to carry heavier loads. Yoshiyuki refuses military use of HAL.

When can I use it?

The suits are being produced by Cyberdyne. They are hoping they will be commercially available within the next few years, estimate cost is $20,000.

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What is it called?

Pizza tossing for science!

Who invented it?

Associate Professor James Friend, Senior Lecturer Leslie Yeo and PhD student Daniel (Kuang-Chen) Liu, Melbourne

How’s it work?

By studying the physics of the perfect ‘pizza toss’ this team have revolutionised the way micro motors (standing wave ultrasonic motors – SWUMS) are designed.

What’s it useful for?

Designing better SWUMS! These motors have the potential to be used for minimally invasive neuro-surgery, e.g. propulsion system of miniature machines injected into the blood stream to address blockages.

When can I use it?

You can toss pizza dough whenever you like. SWUMs based on pizza tossing may still be a few years away.

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What is it called?

Mindflex

Who invented it?

Neurosky developed the technology, Mattel have created the ‘Mindflex’.

How’s it work?

The headband detects brainwaves, and then transmits a signal to the fan inside the console. The harder you concentrate, the harder the fan works, and the higher you raise the ball! The Mindflex console has lots of attachments so you can make your own obstacle course and control the movement of the ball just by thinking!

What’s it useful for?

It’s telekenesis! As if it needs to be useful?! With practise, it’s possible this could help you focus your attention or calm your thoughts, but really the cool bit is that you’re controlling stuff with your brain…

When can I use it?

They are currently not available in Australia, but if you really want one check out American suppliers.

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What is it called?

Cane toad vs. Meat Ant

Who invented it?

Georgia Ward-Fear and Professor Rick Shine, Sydney

How’s it work?

Georgia has been working on a new natural method of controlling Cane Toad numbers, with Meat Ants! The ants eat the baby toads as they emerge from the water, so encouraging meat ants to be in the right place at the right time means fewer toads making it to breeding age.

What’s it useful for?

There have been lots of different (and unsuccessful) ideas for cane toad control, so Georgia’s looking at the problem from a new angle.

When can I use it?

Research is still being conducted to check the effect this method might have on the whole ecosystem, but if all goes well, this could be a big part of the solution to the cane toad problem in Australia.

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What is it called?

SoulArc Board

Who invented it?

Mitch Mulder and Salvatore Vilardi, USA

How’s it work?

By combining a maple deck with the ‘SoulArc performance spring’, this board creates the feeling of surfing on land!

What’s it useful for?

Riding of course! This is a hybrid between skateboarding and surfing, and gives the rider an experience like no other. The SoulArc is loads of fun, and an environmentally friendly way to travel.

When can I use it?

They’re available online right now.

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What is it called?

The HIT lab (Human Interface Technology)

Who invented it?

There’s currently three labs in the world, one being at the University of Tasmania.

How’s it work?

HIT lab researchers have found that using Virtual Reality therapy significantly reduces pain responses in patients undergoing treatment for burns and other conditions that are difficult to manage with traditional pain relief methods.

What’s it useful for?

Helping patients reduce pain levels when having burn dressings changed, or when doing the stretching and rehabilitation exercises which are important for recovery.

When can I use it?

It’s trialling in the USA, watch this space…

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What is it called?

Fiik Skateboards: Electric Skateboards

Who invented it?

Daniel and Matthew Quinn, Gold Coast Australia

How’s it work?

The skateboards use lithium batteries and an electric motor to power the board, making them lightweight and rechargeable. They use remote wireless technology, which uses your body as an antenna, to control the acceleration and braking (ABS brakes) of the board. There are a variety of boards to choose from and they can go up to speeds of 40km/h. The board rides like a regular skateboard, - for example, you need to lean to turn, although there is none of that tiring pushing to do.

The boards are environmentally friendly, do not use petrol and don't cost much to charge.

What’s it useful for?

FUN!! The skateboards are all such a thrill to ride. They are also useful as an easy, rechargeable form of transport for getting to school, work or just a trip down the shops.

When can I use it?

Right now. They are available in a variety of styles.

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What is it called?

The Bumpfree Dynamic Speed Bump

Who invented it?

Bryce Killeen, Newcastle Australia

How’s it work?

The Bumpfree Dynamic Speed bump is filled with a shear thickening non-newtonian fluid (similar to cornflour slime). The fluid in the speed bump responds to pressure, with more pressure (which is what a faster moving car will apply) the liquid goes hard, while with less pressure (from a slower moving car) it remains liquid. When the speed bump is hit at the correct speed it provides no resistance, but when hit at a faster speed the bump responds and an impact is felt.

In this way, drivers are "rewarded" for travelling at the correct speed by not feeling any uncomfortable jolt when driving.

What’s it useful for?

It can be used near hospitals, aged-homes, school-zones, storage facilities or vehicles carrying fragile items that may be dislodged with normal speed bumps.

When can I use it?

It is not currently on our roads.

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What is it called?

"LONGREACH" Buoyancy Deployment System

Who invented it?

Samuel Adeloju, Sydney Australia

How’s it work?

The 'Longreach' system is a bazooka style device that shoots a life saving bullet to struggling swimmers, offering them an immediate response while rescue is arranged.

The condensed life-saving bullet is made of a gel and covered in a plastic skin. The bullet is hollow through the centre and whistles like a 'Vortex' as it travels through the air. Contact with water causes a chemical reaction that makes the gel expand into foam. It expands 40 times its size in 15 seconds. The foam is contained and shaped by a plastic skin to make a U-shaped life-preserver.

The bullet is propelled with butane and oxygen as fuel, and can be propelled more than 150 metres.

What’s it useful for?

Saving lives!

It can be useful in situations when it may be difficult for other rescue systems to reach drowning victims quickly. The design makes it easily useable from the beach, small boats, all the way up to large cruise ships or super tankers.

When can I use it?

Sam has a provisional patent on his device. The proof of concept for Longreach is attracting interest from venture capitalists and potential investors. Surf Life Saving Australia is interested in conducting field trials with the Longreach.

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What is it called?

Halo Headphones

Who invented it?

Kirsten Black, Sydney Australia

How’s it work?

Halo headphones are a comfortable and convenient headphone option. They are high fidelity speakers that can be inserted into a headband.

What’s it useful for?

Listening to music while jogging/cycling or sleeping.

When can I use it?

Now!

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What is it called?

Bling Hang It

Who invented it?

Rachel Chippendale, Orange Australia

How’s it work?

The Bling-Hang It is a coat hanger that has been altered to be able to store jewellery. It has grooves at the bottom to hang necklaces and bracelets and a section near the top to store your earrings.

What’s it useful for?

It is very useful as an easy storage solution for jewellery. It can keep all your jewellery untangled and can be stored in the cupboard or on the back of a door./p>

When can I use it?

You can start using this innovation right now!!

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What is it called?

LED Slippers

Who invented it?

Doug Vick

How’s it work?

They are slippers that contain an LED light in the front of them (at the toe end). The slippers are light and pressure reactive, so when you are wearing them in the dark the LED turns on and you can see where you're treading.

What’s it useful for?

Avoiding bumping your feet on bedposts, tables and other nasty obstacles if you get up during the night.

When can I use it?

You can buy a pair right now if you like.

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What is it called?

CAMiLEON Heels

Who invented it?

Sean Flannery

How’s it work?

CAMiLEON Heels are shoes that have heels on them, which are adjustable in height. You can easily change from high heels to low heels without using any special tools – all without even taking the shoe off your foot.

What’s it useful for?

CAMiLEON Heels are great for any occasion, day or night, where you may want to change from high to low heels or vice versa. They're perfect for that quick transition from: high heels at work to low heels for running to the bus in.

When can I use it?

This wonderful innovation is available this very instant

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