Fraunhofer Research News June
Hey, where are you guys?(opens in new window),A favorite way to make arrangements with friends and acquaintances is via SMS. But how does one anonymously find out the details such as who, when and where? Users signed on to the BuddySpots system give away the secret with a mobile phone or PC via the Internet. , ,http://www.fraunhofer.de/english/press/pi/pi2003/06/index_rn_t2.html (Music with heart beat),Joggers must look long and hard to find the right piece of music to match the pace of their workout. An add-on application for portable audio devices can adjust the tempo of the music to the jogger's rhythm, and even his pulse, without distorting the music pitch. , ,http://www.fraunhofer.de/english/press/pi/pi2003/06/index_rn_t3.html (Wide tires for big rigs),Wheel and tire producers will soon be offering super single tires. Thanks to their reduced weight - compared to dual tires - maximum freight capacity is increased. To ensure safety is not compromised, researchers are testing the operational stability of such special tires. , ,http://www.fraunhofer.de/english/press/pi/pi2003/06/index_rn_t4.html (Car tires monitor their own pressure),The automobile is quickly becoming a sensor-loaded computer on wheels. Tire pressure and temperature are also important safety factors. Passive transponders with signal processing based on CMOS technology wirelessly transmit both measurements. , ,http://www.fraunhofer.de/english/press/pi/pi2003/06/index_rn_t5.html (With double frequency to deeper blue),Lasers are nothing new. But short-wavelength ones that produce blue or ultraviolet light are still rare. Yet this part of the spectrum is of most interest for new imaging, analysis and diagnosis devices. To achieve this, a new blue laser uses the frequency-doubling technique. , ,http://www.fraunhofer.de/english/press/pi/pi2003/06/index_rn_t6.html (Computers operated by brain waves),Researchers hope that brain power will one day enable disabled persons to operate computers, control artificial limbs, or overcome para-lysis by bypassing damaged nerves. They are developing a brain-computer interface based on EEG recordings of neural signaling patterns. , ,http://www.fraunhofer.de/english/press/pi/pi2003/06/index_rn_t7.html (The feeling of fiber-reinforced composites),Components made of fiber-reinforced plastics will one day be able to issue warnings when they are on the point of failure. Ceramic sensors in materials will also help operators of wind parks to shut down turbines at the right time to avoid storm damage.
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