Science View

Body Area Networks: Using the Human Electric Field (2x11)

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J-Innovators: A New Technique to Make Furniture out of Bamboo Tables made from bamboo folded like origami paper, and chairs with unusual and complex designs... These are some of the items of furniture made by this week's innovator. Bamboo is strong and doesn't break easily. That's why it has been used since olden times for baskets, sieves and screens. But it does also tend to warp, and that's why it hasn't been used for larger furniture. It bends out of shape when it loses its moisture. After much experimentation, our innovator has found a way to prevent that distortion. What is his surprising technique? He says that he thought it up because it pained him so much to see the neglected state of the bamboo groves in his hometown. We see how perseverance pays off, as we trace the path and motivations of a truly dedicated bamboo craftsman and innovator. Science News Watch: Soil Liquefaction after Earthquakes - Mitigating the Damage Science Watcher Koichi Kitazawa reports on news that could help combat the serious problem of soil liquefaction. This is what happens when the shaking from an earthquake causes water to rise up and liquefy the ground surface. It often causes catastrophic damage to buildings. Research by a group based around the Nagoya Institute of Technology is looking at preventing liquefaction by using a particular material mixed into sandy soil. In tests, it was shown to stop water rising up even in the equivalent of a seismic intensity 6 earthquakes. So, what is the mystery material? A hint lies on the roof of a Japanese house. The latest earthquake research has come up with an ingenious damage mitigator. The Leading Edge: Body Area Networks: Using the Human Electric Field What if you could learn all about someone just by placing your hand near them? It's not a science fiction movie, but a scenario from the frontline of scientific research. Body area networks - using the human body to communicate information - is now a hot topic. Just by