Finding interesting gadgets and technological innovations can be more of a challenge than you might think. Most of the time, I receive several e-mails regarding gadgets or I have spotted things online that I am dying to talk about, but when I don't have anything specific in mind I tend to hit the Internet for inspiration. There are lots of Web sites that watch sources such as news stories, manufacturer sites, conference proceedings and journal articles to collate interesting tidbits of technology-related information into eternally updated geek extravaganzas.

One general-interest site that often includes new technology items is neatorama.com. This site collects a hodgepodge of "neato" things, including such technological advances as the "Uno" electric motorcycle. At first glance, the Uno looks like a cross between a motorcycle and a unicycle, but a closer look reveals that it actually has two wheels that are side by side. It was designed by Ben Poss Gulak, a Canadian teenager, and made its first public appearance at the 2008 National Motorcycle Show in Toronto. It's incredibly futuristic looking, with a forward-thinking electric-powered design that Gulak created after a visit to China. When he saw the extreme levels of smog from combustion engines in China, he was determined to find a better way to power his vehicle. The motorcycle weighs 120 pounds and has only an on-and-off switch -- its built-in gyros detect leaning forward to go faster, and leaning backward to slow down. Thus far, there is only one prototype built, but the interest it has garnered may see it in production some day.

A more specialized site that features fascinating technological advances from the world of medicine is medgadget.com. Current stories include an announcement of a newly FDA-approved glucometer from Medtronic that can measure blood sugar levels and link wirelessly to an insulin pump and tracking software on a computer. The glucometer also can keep track of readings. Another item from medgadget is BioDevices' VitalJacket, a shirt that combines textiles and tiny electronics to monitor heart rate and ECG, saving the readings to a small hard drive or sending them wirelessly to a computer. Biodevices is a company spun off from the University of Aveiro, Portugal. Its VitalJacket would be useful in situations that call for continuous vital-sign monitoring.

Another good gadget-roundup site is gadgetspy.co.uk. The site posts several stories daily about new technologies such as Japanese company NTT's touch-based data-transmission system called Firmo, which requires two parts: a small transmitter and a receiver. If my office were outfitted with a receiver and I had one of the card-size transmitters in my pocket, I could touch the front door and have data beamed as a weak AC current through my skin into the receiver. The data could identify me and unlock the front door. This technology costs about $8,000 for five transmitters and one receiver, but I would expect it to drop in price quickly as it catches on.

Another item on gadgetspy.co.uk is the Seal Shield dishwasher-safe keyboard. As a person who is constantly working on computers, I have to say this would be a welcome addition to my gadget collection. I have contributed plenty of crumbs to my keyboards, and going from garden to my PC can make for some grimy keys. This Seal Shield keyboard is sealed, with little holes to allow water to drain. It has gold-plated USB fittings that won't corrode. You can unplug it from the PC and toss it in the dishwasher. The company also makes waterproof computer mice and flexible, washable keyboards. They were created for hospitals, as shared computer mice and keyboards are vectors for cross-contamination. Keyboards and mice can harbor bacteria and viruses for weeks, so it's not a bad idea to at least wipe them down. Next, they should make a washable office phone.

Pris Sears grew up in Florida, lives in Blacksburg and works among Virginia Tech's computers.