Fluid Repellant Paper Invented
Scientists have developed a new kind of fluid repellant paper, based on the so-called lotus effect – the behavior of lotus plants that repel liquid through their surface patterns. The new paper was designed by researchers at the Institute of Technology of Georgia and can repel various kinds of liquids such as water and even oil.
The new water repellant paper got scientists excited for its potential as a cheap diagnostic tool in the future, but also for the possibility of creating recyclable packaging materials which are also very affordable.
Water, motor oil, ethylene glycol and n-hexadecane solvent droplets on a fluid-repellant paper sample.
Scientists say this was probably the first time that a flexible material known for its high capacity to absorb liquids was transformed in something that repels liquids. This was achieved by creating a superamphiphobic (fluid repellant) coating for the paper.
The repellant effect obtained by scientists mimics the behavior of lotus leaves and was achieved by applying chemical coating to the paper and creating nanometer and micron scale surface patterns.
The new paper can be made of softwood or hardwood fibers first ground into smaller structures and then pressed together in the presence of water. But unlike with traditional paper processing methods, the water is removed and the fibers are further treated with chemical butanol. This inhibits the hydrogen bonding that takes place between cellulose fibers, therefore allowing better control of the fibers’ spacing.
In the second stage of the process, scientists used oxygen plasma etching methods, like with microelectronics, to remove the surface cellulose layer, which uncovered smaller cellulose structures. In the final stage, a thin fluoropolymer coating was applied over these cellulose structures, making the paper fluid repellant.
During tests, the paper was able to repel a wide range of liquids, including water, ethylene glycol, motor oil, solvent and others. For the time being, only samples of about 4 inches have been produced, but the Georgia Tech researchers are confident that the process can be easily scaled up.
Researchers have also printed patterns on the modified paper with a desktop printer and hydrophobic ink. Droplets applied to the surface remained on the pattern formed by ink, as they were repelled by the adjacent surface.
This led scientists to believe that the new paper could be the base for a new generation of affordable biomedical diagnostic test tools, in which droplets that contain antigens could be placed on a printed surface and made to encounter various diagnostic chemicals. The use of proper reagents could help determine the presence or absence of disease.
[Image via Georgia Tech]
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The Swapper Review: A Metaphysical Experience
Stranded in space, exploring an abandoned space station, and equipped with a mysterious device that allows you to literally create copies of yourself. This is, in a nutshell, what The Swapper is about.
But this puzzle platformer game designed by two Finnish students is so much more than that: it is an atmospheric game that pushes the player to make tough decisions that ultimately leave you struggling with some troubling philosophical questions.
Maybe it sounds fancy, but Facepalm Games’ creation manages to balance the philosophical weight of its storyline with incredibly intelligent puzzles, unique visuals and a haunting soundtrack.
The Swapper offers players a very personal method of exploration in a world entirely created from clay models and other every day materials. The result is a strangely familiar setting which at the same time hides unexpected dangers and tasks.
And this is where the troubling questions come from. This unique world can only be explored with the help of clones, which the player will create with an experimental cloning device. The player can create up to 4 clones at the same time, anywhere they have line of sight.
All of the clones move exactly the same as the character controlled by the player and they exist until you touch them or until they die doing an impossible task you could not do by yourself. What’s very interesting is that you can actually swap “consciousness” from one body to another and therefore use one clone to explore areas that you cannot reach otherwise.
And when one of these clones dies and you are faced with the image of a dead body you previously inhabited, that is when the true metaphysical problem this game poses actually strikes you. This is a game in which you will have to literally kill yourself or versions of yourself over and over. And you won’t really be able to hit “Try again” and be brought back to life for another attempt to beat a level. You will only be able to risk the life of another you until you succeed.
In conclusion, The Swapper may be one of the most intense and special puzzle adventure games we’ve ever seen. It has very ingenious puzzles that perfectly balance the level of difficulty and offer users an impeccable and unforgettable gaming experience. It will make you ask questions about life and death and morality in a way few other entertainment products dared to.
This is an absolute must for all those who are interested in a game that really challenges their brain. The Swapper is out now and is available only for PC via Steam.
[Image via The controller online]
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via TechBeat http://techbeat.com/2013/06/the-swapper-review-a-metaphysical-experience/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-swapper-review-a-metaphysical-experience
LibreOffice 4.1.0 Beta 2
LibreOffice is the free power-packed Open Source personal productivity suite for Windows, Macintosh and Linux, that gives you six feature-rich applications for all your document production and data processing needs.
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Camfrog Video Chat 6.5.285
Camfrog Video Chat is a modern chat client that allows real time video, audio and text chats with up to thousands of participants. The tool enables seeing, speaking and writing to other chat room members simultaneously. Not all video chats require you to have a Webcam, so you can also participate without a camera. Camfrog chats are either private o... 
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