After the Minneapolis bridge collapse disaster, U of M is stepping up to try and figure out how to make this not happen anymore. Collaborating with researchers from Stanford, they've developed tiny, credit card size sensors (that only cost a dollar apiece) which would warn of a pending collapse.

One problem however, is how to power these sensors. The solution most readily being considered is a fleet of small, remote-control helicopters that would send energy pulses to the sensors and also be able to take readings. No, I did not make that up. How do you follow up a great idea like $1 sensors with remote-control energy pulse helicopers? Let's listen in:

Researcher 1: Okay, how about we train an army of squirrels to run across the bridge and change the sensors' batteries?
Researcher 2: Not bad, but they might eat the batteries, they are squirrels.
Researcher 1: Ah, that's true.
Researcher 2: I say we hire a sniper to shoot the sensors with electric darts every half an hour to recharge them.
Researcher 1: Yeah, but I think a lot of people might end up getting flat tires if he misses.
Researcher 3: Guys, can't we just string a wire across the bridge that powers all the sensors?
Researcher 1: I've got it! Remote-control helicopters!
Researcher 2: Genius!

Coming up, how U of M researchers use Bratz dolls to disable roadside bombs