Japanese researchers are working on a device that will let you control all sorts of gadgets by simply blinking your eyes.

The system, called the Kome Kami Switch (or “Temple Switch”), monitors movements of the temple using a single-chip computer and two infrared sensors. It is so tiny that it could be built into the side of a pair of eyeglasses.

Controlling an iPod is the most prominent use right now. Deliberately closing both eyes for a second turns the iPod on, and doing it again turns it off. Winking the right eye skips to the next song, while winking with the left eye skips back a song. Read more »

Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory have developed a flexible solar panel able to collect infrared energy instead of the usual photonic energy.

The panel uses an array of nano-sized antennas that are able to harvest 80% of the available energy (most modern solar panels can only harvest close to 20%). The possibilities are endless with energy-collecting materials like this, and may at one point be used to coat roofs, charge batteries, and even be integrated into polyester fabric.

There is a catch though. The panels cannot currently convert this infrared energy into power that’s useful for electronics. It’s excellent technology for capturing energy, but converting it to 50-60Hz power is the part that isn’t quite working just yet. Hopefully they can iron out the kinks soon so we can take advantage of these panels.