Scientists working on levitation

The same team of scientists that announced a theory that might one day lead to invisibility, has come up with a system that could lead to levitation. Physicists Ulf Leonhardt and Dr Thomas Philbin of the University of St Andrews in Scotland have come up with a way to reverse the casimir force on nanoscale objects. Casimir force was discovered in 1948 and is the reason why very small objects "stick" together. Scientists do not fully understand why the casimir force works, but it is what causes atoms and other subatomic particles to attract each other. It's also the reason why a gecko lizard can walk up sheer walls and across ceilings. For the moment, the system that reverses the casimir force works only on the nano scale, but the theory behind it should scale up to larger objects. Such as people.

Check it out at PhysOrg: Scientist float levitation theory

Gecko tape

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the University of Akron have created a new form of tape based on nanotubes. The entire design is inspired by the way that the gecko's feet stick to sheer surfaces. Allowing the gecko to climb up completely vertical walls. On a gecko, thousands of tiny cilia like hairs are located on the pads of its feet. Allowing it to grip with great force surfaces that would seem to be completely flat.
The researchers have mimicked this using thousands of carbon nanotubes. They claim that the tape they have developed, has four times the gripping power of a gecko's foot pad.

With technology like this, how long can it be before we can put on a pair of shoes and walk up walls. LOL

Via PhysOrg: Nanotube adhesive sticks better than a gecko's foot

Nanotech Injection helps paralyzed mice walk

Samuel Stupp at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill has come up with a way to use nanotech to partially repair the spinal cords of mice who were completely paralyzed. He and his team used a specifically tailored molecule to convince stem cells to grow into new nerves. Normally in an injury of that magnitude, the bodies naturally occurring stem cells would become scar tissue rather than new nerves. By preventing the scar tissue from forming, the stem cells instead become new nerves. The entire procedure did not require any surgery or invasive procedures. It could all be accomplished by injecting the tailored molecules directly into the damaged area.
Stupp says he does not think the technique is mature enough to completely heal a severed spinal cord. But he does think that significant improvement in the quality of life for people with severe spinal cord injuries is a possibility using his technique. he hopes to start clinical trial using humans test subjects within two years.

LiveScience.com: Simple Injection Shows Promise for Treating Paralysis
ABC News: Paralyzed Mice Walk Again

Self healing walls

The University of Leeds' NanoManufacturing Institute is currently building a proof of concept house in the Greek mountains. The Greek mountains are prone to frequent minor earthquakes. The plan is to build a house that will automatically heal cracks in the walls. The walls will contain nano particles that will liquefy under pressure, flow into cracks and gaps in the walls, and then harden again. The scientists involved say that the nano particles are easy to produce, and only a small amount are needed in the walls to be effective. So if all goes well, we may be seeing self healing walls within a few years. Of course, if the ground underneath your house disappears, then having self healing walls won't do you much good. But they are working on that as well.

Regenerative house to grace Greece mountainside
'Self-healing' house in Greece will dare to defy nature

Sugar powered batteries

Researchers at Saint Louis University in Missouri have come up with a fuel cell that can run on nearly any sugar source. It converts the sugar into electricity and potentially can create power sources that are much smaller than current lithium batteries. Converting sugar into power is not a new concept. Several years ago some scientists came up with a fuel cell idea for powering pacemakers. It was also powered by sugar. It converted the glucose in the patients blood into electric power. There have also been a few other fuel cell technologies that converted various sources of sugar into power.
The difference in this system, is that the researchers claim to be able to use any source of sugar. So you may soon be able to pour some cola into your Ipod when it runs low on power.
Check the article out here