Endangered Insects

On this week's news update…

X-AR Headset

A headset to see what is hidden…

Endangered Insects

Endangered insects as never seen before…

3-D Printed Basketball

And a 3-D printed basketball.

First up…

Ever lose something and can't find it? Scientists at MIT have the answer.

X-AR headset

They have developed the X-AR headset. The headset creates an augmented reality by placing computer graphics over the user's view of the real world.

augmented reality

This is combined with wireless technology to allow the wearer to see what is hidden.

To find objects, users first select what they are looking for. Then the headset searches for tagged objects nearby. Once the headset has located the item, it will show the wearer where to find it.

Scientists hope that this technology could be used beyond the stockroom and one day play a role in industries like car manufacturing.

Up next…

Insects may be small, but they are vital to many ecosystems.

ecosystems

The American Museum of Natural History has teamed up with photographer Levon Biss to celebrate insects’ unusual beauty, and raise awareness of their decline.

Biss was commissioned by the museum to photograph endangered and extinct insects from their collection. Each specimen was captured using high-magnification photography. This involved using a special camera that included a microscope.

To achieve just one image, thousands of individual pictures were taken of each insect. Each individual photograph focused on a very small and different part of the insect. Then all the photographs were stacked together to create one whole and in-focus image.

As a result, the collection took three years of careful work to produce. Once completed, over 40 portraits of endangered or extinct insects had been created. Bringing to light the patterns and colors of these small but important insects, that otherwise can’t be seen with the naked eye.

And finally…

Basketballs are instantly recognizable for their bounce and distinctive look. But now, engineers are rethinking how to make them.

They have created the first 3-D printed basketball, which looks and feels a little different. The prototype was created using a laser and a white powder base, and then dyed black. The new design is airless, so it will never go flat.

To help the ball bounce, it is made up of a hexagonal-holed design that allows air to flow through it instead. Engineers hope that the prototype will perhaps one day replace the traditional leather balls in the professional game.

What other sports do you think might benefit from this kind of reinvention?

That's all for this week, we'll see you next time!