Ocean Proof Mobile Phones Through Atomic Layer Deposition and Barrier Films

Scientists have developed a barrier film through through a molecular process called atomic layer deposition (ALD) that can protect objects such as mobile phones from harsh environments such as salt water.

Barrier films are used to protect electronics from water vapor, oxygen degradation, and other harmful elements. Current barrier films although offer protection, the way they are made still result in small impurities and imperfections that can still allow water or oxygen to penetrate.

Using atomic layer deposition, the barrier film is controlled at the molecular level. The process results in an even coating without any holes or impurities that may be penetrated by harmful elements. The finished product is about 10 nanometers thick which is hundreds of times thinner than current available high end barrier films.

By using this process, electronic devices using organic materials such as OLED displays can be developed that last longer. ALso, existing electronic devices such as mobile phones, implantable biomedical devices, and solar power cells can be produced which can operate in extreme conditions.

Hackers Want To Get in Your Mobile Device: 5 of the Best Security Apps

With the growing use of smartphones and tablets as the primary device by consumers for their internet and computing needs, mobile security should be one of the top priorities of a user when it comes to device management.

Just recently, a vulnerability was discovered that allows malicious hackers to install code on Android phones and take control of them. The bug, known as a master key vulnerability, allows code to bypass the phones security check and directly control the phone. Because of the way Android releases updates and bug fixes (Android does not release it straight to the public, it is first sent to manufacturers), fixing the problem has become a complicated issue.

Two apps have already been discovered in China that had been infected using the exploit.

The idea of having someone take over your smartphone is alarming, especially if you conduct business on your phone. Unfortunately, hackers are constantly working on ways to gain access to important information, from identity and bank account information to even more subtle things like redirecting your search queries.

Research from Juniper Networks indicates that targeting mobile devices is the new trend among hackers. The study showed that the creation of malware increased twice over from 2010 to 2011. Hackers know how much information is kept on phones and tablets, and they want access.

Mobile Devices That Can Change Shape Under Development

Morphees are self-actuated flexible mobile devices that adapt their shapes to offer better affordances.(a) E.g a mobile device can shift into a console-like shape by curling two opposite edges and be easily grasped with two hands. Among the six strategies we built to actuate Morphees, here are two high-fidelity prototypes using Shape Memory Alloys (SMA): (b) one using projection and tracking on wood tiles that are actuated with thin SMA wires; and (c) one directly bending a flexible touchscreen (E-Ink and Unmousepad) by using (d) SMA wires that we educated (forged) to remember the shape we needed.

Researchers at the University of Bristol's Department of Computer Science are developing a new technology which adds the dimension of shapes to mobile devices. The new novel technology is called shape resolution. Shape resolution allows the device to conform to a shape that is optimal to the application involved.

An example of shape resolution is when playing a video game on a device. The device can turn into a shape where it will be more comfortable when held with two hands (much like the shape of video game pads). Also, shapes can be formed to give the screen image a more 3 dimensional look.

This technology, although in its early stages and limited application, can enhance the usability factor of a device. Currently, most devices are developing its screen resolution and touch technology where most popular applications are maximizing the potential. With the advent of shape resolution, more interactive and imaginative applications will soon arise. (See embedded video for more on shape resolution).

Mobile App Tracking Diet and Calorie Consumption Can Help In Weight Loss

A recent study has shown that using mobile applications to assist in tracking and managing eating habits effectively helps in losing weight by an average of fifteen pounds.

With the advent of the advanced mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, the use of mobile applications have risen tremendously. Mobile apps are software programs that are designed to run on these mobile devices. From just a simple email client, apps now have expanded to games, GPS tracking, and even online banking.

A recent study reported that mobile app users use their devices to browse the web more than using a standard desktop computer (51.1% vs. 49.8% respectively).

Since these apps can effectively assist users in their activities, a useful activity that can benefit from this is in tracking one's diet and eating behavior. It can record the daily calorie consumption and suggest how to keep it under a healthy threshold.

There are numerous applications that does this and even extends to exercise & physical activities to also monitor how much calories have been burned.

3D Screens On Mobile Devices Using Tilt Displays Being Developed

Mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets are experiencing a tremendous growth in sales. Its use in various applications are gaining popularity.

Manufacturers vie for attention and market share by developing features and technology guaranteed to catch the consumer's eye. Apple alone sold 172 million of its mobile devices (iPad, iPhone and iPod) last year, 2011.

One notable feature users look at is the display screen. Screen size is important since bigger screens can display more data and bigger images. A standard smartphone range from 3.5 inches to 5.5 inches (Samsung Galaxy Note II). An iPad screen stands at 9.7 inches.

There are also different types of screens. They range from the often used TFT-LCD screens to the various flavors of Super AMOLED screens. Even Apple has marketed its display screen naming it "Retina Display" which is basically a high density screen that does not pixelate at all.

But aside from screen size and screen type, it seems another screen feature for mobile devices may be in the horizon; 3D screens.

3D screens are already being featured in high definition LCD screens. To capitalize on this, there are movies released in blue ray and DVD formats that support 3D viewing. Most require the use of 3D glasses to fully appreciate the experience.

3-D display screen on mobile devices could be on the horizon

Imagine a mobile device that visually displays a street map and whose screen physically mutates to show the hilly terrain and buildings. A team of scientists, led by the University of Bristol, have developed a new type of screen display that not only moves but also physically tilts.

Researchers from the University's Department of Computer Science will present the display, called Tilt Displays, at MobileHCI 2012, the world's leading conference in the field of Human Computer Interaction (HCI), held in San Francisco, USA.

Tilt Displays is a display surface about half the size of a standard tablet, such as an iPad. It consists of a collection of individual display components each of which can tilt along one or more axes and move vertically up and down. This ability to tilt along multiple axes distinguishes it from previous actuatable displays.