Nonsense discussion: dreaming up new technology

[Bill Moran]

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