Scientists Developed ‘Smart’ Paper
- The scientists, including one of Indian-origin, have created ‘smart’ paper with sensing capabilities that can respond to gesture commands and connect to the digital world on May 12, 2016.
- The method relies on small Radio Frequency (RFID) tags which is an ID system that uses small radio frequency identification devices for identification and tracking purposes.
- An RFID tagging system includes the tag itself, a read/write device, and a host system application for data collection, processing, and transmission. An RFID tag (sometimes called an RFID transponder) consists of a chip, some memory and an antenna.
- RFID tags that contain their own power source are known as active tags. Those without a power source are known as passive tags. A passive tag is briefly activated by the radio frequency scan of the reader.
World’s Oldest Ground-Edge Stone Axe Found in Australia
- Australian scientists unearthed a fragment of the world’s oldest known ground edge axe on May 11, 2016.
- It was created nearly 49000 years ago, around the time humans first arrived on the continent. This is the earliest evidence of hafted axes in the world.
- In Japan, such axes appear about 35000 years ago. But in most countries in the world they arrive with agriculture after 10000 years ago.
World’s First Holographic Flexible Smartphone Developed
- The scientists developed the world’s first holographic flexible Smartphone on May 10, 2016 that lets users interact with 3D videos and images without any headgear or glasses.
- The device dubbed HoloFlex, is capable of rendering 3D images with motion parallax and stereoscopy to multiple simultaneous users without head tracking or glasses.
- The device features a Flexible Organic Light Emitting Diode I (FOLED) touch screen display.
Ecology & Environment Current Affairs
Pakke Tiger Reserve won Biodiversity Award
- Pakke Tiger Reserve in East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh received the ‘India Biodiversity Award 2016’ for the Hombill Nest Adoption Programme on May 27, 2016.
- Biodiversity Awards recognise the contribution of a range of stakeholders towards the conservation of biodiversity.
- It is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, National Biodiversity Authority and United Nations Development programme, Indja Biodiversity Awards recognise the contribution of a range of stakeholders towards the conservation of biodiversity.
- The Hombill Nest Adoption Programme has been a major step towards conservation of four hombill species that are found in the adjoining areas of Pakke Tiger Reserve. The Programme is a collaboration of Ghora-Aabhe Society, Nature Conservation Foundation and the Forest.
