Another week, another ‘killer app’ for carbon nanotubes. This time, it is suggested that those little cylinders could be used to make the desalination of sea-water more efficient, lowering the cost of clean drinking water to some of the dryest parts of the world. Who knows what will come of this idea, though – maybe we should take it with a pinch of salt?

We’re one step closer to mag-lev trains and other futuristic goodies. A group of scientists have verified the findings of Chandra Varma, a pioneer in the theory of high-temperature superconductivity, giving his theories a much better grounding and opening the way for further research.

Electronic newspapers have been ‘just round the corner’ for a couple of decades. Wired News acknowledges that fact, but says that they really are just round the corner now. Meanwhile, TechEBlog notices that Epsom Japan have just unveiled what appears to be a flexible ePaper that remembers the image displayed even when turned off.

Scientists from EADS Astrium (based in my home-town, as it happens) have unveiled their autonomous robot-rover contender for the next European Space Agency Mars mission. ‘Bridget’ takes the design concepts of the unlucky Beagle rover and expands on its capabilities – she’s faster, has more data-gathering tools, and has a bunch of sensors included to ensure she doesn’t get lost in the landing process like her predecessor did.

Carrie Vaughn’s “Real City” is now available in audio form. Listen to it now.