Emerging and Sustainable Technology

Are Driving Laws Fit for Driverless Vehicles?

December 27, 2012 - As self-driving vehicles come to public roadways, legal fellow Bryant Walker Smith questions whether existing driving laws can adequately apply to this new form of driving.

IBM: Five Predictions for 2017

December 17, 2012 - IBM announced its annual list of five technology predictions for 2017, consisting of one for each of the five senses.

Road Kill Data Tracks Animal Migration Patterns via Open Source App

December 12, 2012 - Virginia opossum road kill data has indicated what habitats the animals are associated with and if temperature plays a role in their activity.

Mobile App Finds Available Parking

December 10, 2012 - A map displays the user's location and the number and location of parking spaces available in downtown San Carlos, Calif., in real time.

Industry Perspective: Is There a Data Scientist Shortage?

December 7, 2012 - Deloitte executive discusses why currently there is limited availability for data scientists in the private and public sectors.

Infographic: 5 Years Into the Microgrid Future

December 4, 2012 - Microgrid deployments, which can alleviate strain on the power supply during disasters, are poised for growth, says report.

Eco-Friendly Lighting May Improve Traffic Circle Safety

November 30, 2012 - New concept uses reflective technology and low-level lighting to better illuminate pedestrian crosswalks and traffic flow at roundabouts.

Researchers to Study Low-Frequency Wind Turbine Sounds

November 30, 2012 - The goals of this three-year project include promoting public-sector support of alternative energy technology.

Researchers Capture Energy from Trains in Motion

November 29, 2012 - Using energy from moving trains, researchers have found a way to power track lights, cross gates and switches, and this alternative energy source could save millions.

Greg Sebasky of Philips Chats About Advanced Lighting and Sustainability

November 27, 2012 - Chairman of Philips North America talks about the company’s role with local governments.

Officials Tout Smart Meters, Some Texans Balk

November 27, 2012 - Although the benefits of a scalable smart grid are becoming more apparent to government officials, some citizens don't want to trade in their old meters.

Wirelessly Charged Electric Bus Unveiled in Utah

November 21, 2012 - Magnetic field technology transfers enough electricity to power a transit bus for up to 30 minutes.

3 Renewable-Energy Nanotech Projects to Watch

November 20, 2012 - Nanotechnology being developed by researchers in Florida could be the key to increased energy efficiency across applications ranging from harnessing ocean waves to growing plants indoors.

Powering Data Centers with Biogas

November 20, 2012 - Microsoft will invest $5.5 million to attempt to harness biogas from a water reclamation facility to power a data center.

Microgrid Technology Faces Its 1st Big Test

November 14, 2012 - After two storms left nearly 1 million homes and businesses without power in 2012, Connecticut began testing whether small electric grids can provide power even when the main grid loses it.

Sandy Supports Smarter Electric Upgrades

November 8, 2012 - Electric grid upgrades in many cities are taking a flexible, adaptive approach rather than trying to build a system that is too strong to take down.

NYC Mayor’s Challenge Selects 20 Finalists

November 7, 2012 - Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Challenge tasked cities across the nation with creating inventive and innovative ideas that, once implemented, will benefit their community.

Which Presidential Candidate Is More Emotionally Expressive?

October 18, 2012 - Facial recognition technology finds that President Barack Obama showed a wider range of emotions and made a better emotional connection with the audience than his GOP opponent.

Georgia Tech’s MacGyver Robot Will Solve Problems

October 12, 2012 - The robot will have human-like cognitive decision-making capabilities, allowing it to pick up items and determine how best to use them.

New Orleans Launches Web App to Track Blighted Property

October 11, 2012 - Code for America fellows help the city develop the BlightStatus app that increases transparency for the city’s blighted properties process.