Miniature flying robots may point to future

Berkeley, Calif. Understanding the unsteady aerodynamics that allow insects and the smallest of birds to fly is the key to an invention that researchers hope will create a little buzz and a lot of flap.

Biologists and technologists at the University of California-Berkeley have spent the past four years developing a tiny robot, called the Micromechanical Flying Insect, above, that they say will one day fly like a fly.

The Berkeley project is among a handful aiming to engineer devices that can soar, dart and hover on gossamer wings that flap with a rhythm and precision otherwise found only in nature.

Potential uses of such mini flying bots are myriad. They could surreptitiously spy on enemy troops, explore Mars or safely monitor dangerous chemical spills.

MP3s becoming popular among DJs at bars, clubs

New York Friday nights at Brooklyn’s BQE bar appear like most others. Attractive hipsters bop their heads to the beat as they order $7 gin and tonics. They come to meet friends and hear the disc jockey spin the week’s worries away.

What most of them don’t know, however, is that this DJ’s turntables are empty all the music comes from two 10-gigabyte disk drives, each smaller than a pack of cigarettes.

Ben Kirkendoll leaves the records at home in favor of his iPods, Apple Computer’s disk-based music player. He’s part of a small but growing number of DJs turning to MP3 music files for their accessibility and convenience.

Some equipment manufacturers are even getting hip, offering specialized products beyond the iPod, a general usage music player. A few digital DJ systems are already available, and one due in August promises to combine MP3 technology with old-fashioned mixing capabilities.

Columnist takes look at Web’s staying power

This week, “Spinning the Web” columnist Michael Newman, right, examines the meaning of permanence on the Web.

For this week’s column and an archive of past columns, visit www.ljworld.com/section/spinningtheweb.