I saw these on the net somewhere..maybe Wired Tech News. 1. A backpack that generates electrical power as you walk. I first thought of the still suits in Dune. But this is different. Some dude suspended the pack in the middle of an external fram backpack by cables. As you walk one hip "vaults" over the other causing the pack to rise, then fall. the pack is attached to a rack gear which spins a pinion gear which drives a generator. It can generate enough power to run cell phones, cameras, laptops, and recharge batteries. All the while being lighter and easier to carry than a pack carrying an equal amount of batties. The market is for journalists, cameramen, soldiers, etc. 2. A "smart rope". A rope with an embedded electro fiber system that can be tapped to read the rope's status. As the rope streaches the length of the fibers increases thus increaseing resistence. Readings can be made at either end or along the length as to relative strength, projected breaking point, elasticity, etc. The picture shows a multimeter being used. The rope is conventional, made of any fiber or configuration. Market is for...ummm...I think shipping, rescue work, stuff like that.
What about the self-destructive briefcase set to be released in 2009? It's being advertised as a new invention, but you know damn well the government already has them. Maybe it's just that they will be available to the general public. They detonate when picked up by an unidentified hand(print) which is read from the handle obviously.
