Nano-lasers to light future homes

Scientists have come up with a way to print lasers that could one day be used to create wafer-thin televisions and lighting panels, reports ABC News.

Researchers from the University of Melbourne and the University of Padua in Italy have created printable lasers using nanotechnology.

“The technology could be used to create flat coloured lighting panels, or television displays, where each pixel is an individual laser,” says Dr Jacek Jasieniak, a nanotechnologist from the University of Melbourne.

HP has released a range of printers which allow- users to print documents over the Internet from anywhere in the world, reports TVNZ.

Vyomesh Joshi, executive VP of HP Imaging and Printing Group, says: "We know that our customers want an easy way to print their content, anywhere, anytime. We're making that a reality today by giving people the power to print from any Web connected device, including smartphones and netbooks, to any printer in the portfolio above $99."

The Web-connected printers will enable users to print wherever they are in the world, on any device by sending out an e-mail.

Researchers have detected oral cancer cells using fibre optic cables and an off-the-shelf Olympus E-330 camera worth $400, says Gizmag.

The work by Rice University biomedical engineers and researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre is claimed to improve access to diagnostic imaging tools in many parts of the world where these expensive resources are unavailable.

"Consumer-grade cameras can serve as powerful platforms for diagnostic imaging," says Rice's Rebecca Richards-Kortum, the study's lead author. "Based on portability, performance and cost, you could make a case for using them both to lower health care costs in developed countries and to provide services that simply aren't available in resource-poor countries."