Is there anyhting new on the horizon

QUOTE (poliss @ 5 Feb 2008, 18:42) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>... What were the names of these scientists who said there would be no new major discoveries?

Bill Gates?

QUOTE (poliss @ 6 Feb 2008, 11:13) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>We have the technology already. It should only be a few years before it is common in the home.

For making models at home you would need domestic stereolithography, also known as 3-D layering or 3-D printing, allows you to create solid, plastic, three-dimensional (3-D) objects from CAD drawings in a matter of hours. See http://computer.howstuffworks.com/stereolith.htm/printable

For power without wires see http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6129460.stm

For bacteria powered lights see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_light-emitting_diode and http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/06...cover-0223.html

***I'd simply settle for rail that never needs cleaning really

But if I had to wish for the stars.... a nice high "any length" programmable liquid crystal "roll it out backscene" that changes lighting and weather with the time of day & year, scale sized real bonsai trees and bonsai grass that only grew to 1/76th or its full sized cousins - the rest doesn't bother me too much.

Perhaps programmable colour LCD coach windows with passengers that stand up, walk around & turn the pages of the newspaper

Richard

There is some good technology out there just looking for an ingenious manufacturer to exploit it in model railway kit.

Ultrasonic motors have a lot of potential. My top application would be a fully integrated point motor within the space taken up by the two sleepers that surround the tie bar, with a DCC decoder installed under the crossing. Option of taking power directly from the track, or from a separate ponts bus. A genuinely DCC ready point in other words. The other application that would really interest me is a compact on board uncoupler driven from a regular decoder function, powered through a connected NEM pocket. No more 'hunt the uncoupler position'.

Very efficient integrated motor and rechargeable cell power systems also offer the potential to escape the tyranny of the continuous track power requirement. A potential suite of recharge solutions could inculde anything from a few convenient plain track sections to radio frequency coupling. Say goodbye to wiring of similar extent to the layouts route mileage, switching of all live crossing turnouts and return loops, and potentially much track and wheel cleaning; say hello to turnouts with insulated crossings, and the ability to run onto the rusty old siding with complete reliability, cheaper mild steel track.