Technology commonly used to guide lost drivers is now helping geophysicists better pintpoint where an earthquake might occur. The Global Positioning System is being called the most important new technology to emerge for the study of earthquakes in decades. An engineer has invented a micro fuel cell that has 50-times the energy of today's best batteries. It can run a cell phone in stand-by for more than a month or deliver about 100 hours of talk time before it needs refueling. The power comes from a very cheap, renewable fuel that will continue to perform for 20 years.
Geomagnetic storms pose a big threat to the routine technologies which support our everyday living.
Now a new alert system gives space physicists an unprecendented one-hour advance warning of approaching geomagnetic storms. One in 6 parents say they know a child who has injured him or herself with a handgun. Now, physicists are designing guns that won't fire unless operated by the rightful owner. Automakers are working fast to develop new safety systems that protect your head and neck during rear-end collisions. Otherwise minor fender benders are the leading cause of whiplash.