Technology Review: January/February 2008

The Geography of Innovation

The global culture of valuable, fresh thinking.
By Jason Pontin

Letters

Letters from our readers.

Cellulosic Biofuels

Converting biomass to biofuels presents major challenges.
By Gregory Stephanopoulos

Second Chance for Second Life

Virtual worlds need the freedom to self-correct.
By Robert Bloomfield

Build from Scratch

Technology makes architectural innovation possible.
By William J. Mitchell

E-Paper, In Living Color

Materials advances could bring color, video, and flexibility.

Wire Power

One photovoltaic wire could power a sensor; arrays could yield cheaper electricity.

Of Hi5 and Orkut

Growth in social-networking sites explodes abroad.

An Eye on Despots

Images of camps and destroyed settlements bolster abuse reports.

Brain Circuitry, Alight

Neurons in 100 hues spotlight disease, development.

Your Future, on a Chip

Navigenics promises genomic testing and genetic counseling.

The Genetics of Language

Researchers are starting to explain the genetic code that gives humans the gift of gab.
By Jon Cohen

The Fleecing of the Avatars

Accusations of fraud in Second Life raise a questions: can virtual environments ever become a credible center of e-commerce?
By David Talbot

"You Don't Understand Our Audience"

What I learned about the business of network television at Dateline NBC.
By John Hockenberry

Moore's Law Hangs On

Do-It-Yourself Plug-ins

First OLED TV

Tabletop Multitouch Display

Silicon Optics

Automatic Photo Uploads

Hands-Free iPod

The Semantic Web Goes Mainstream

Pneumatic Gaming Vest

Concussion-Sensing Helmet

Single-Molecule Gene Sequencer