Articles
Personalised medicine and the DNA transistor
In an effort to build a nanoscale DNA sequencer, IBM scientists are drilling nano-sized holes in computer-like chips and passing DNA strands through them to read the information contained within their genetic code.
[ + ]Quantum computer nudges closer
ETH Zurich researchers have created an optical transistor from a single molecule, bringing them one step closer to an optical computer.
[ + ]Magnetic devices show unexpected effects
A tiny grid pattern has led materials scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Institute of Solid State Physics in Russia to an unexpected finding - the surprisingly strong and long-range effects of certain electromagnetic nanostructures used in data storage.
[ + ]Opportunities for nanomaterials as conductive coatings
Recently completed market analysis conducted by NanoMarkets and published in its recent study ‘Conductive Coatings Markets: 2009 and Beyond’ indicate that the fastest growing opportunity in the conductive coatings market is in the area of nanomaterials.
[ + ]Spintronics research attracts $754,000 grant
A team of researchers, from the University of Surrey in England and two other institutions, has been awarded a grant of around $754,000 to develop ultra-small-scale silicon structures for ‘spintronic’ semiconductors.
[ + ]Soldiers turn a march into a charge
Engineers at Leeds are developing a way to capture the kinetic energy produced when soldiers march and use it to power their equipment.
[ + ]'Cloned faces' look to behaviour
Computer scientists have developed a way of cloning facial expresssions during live conversations to help us better understand what influences our behaviour when we communicate with others.
[ + ]'Tin whiskers' being probed
The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in Britain has been studying the allotropic phase transformation in tin and its alloys, commonly known as tin pest, to measure the implications of adopting lead-free solder manufacturing practices.
[ + ]Computers taught to lip-read many languages
Scientists have created lip-reading computers that can distinguish between different languages. Computers that can read lips are already in development but, according to Brian Bell of London Press Service, this is the first time they have been ‘taught’ to recognise various languages.
[ + ]Doing more with less – driving connector changes
Constant innovation and product development underpin a rosy future for the connector industry, says Peter Davis, Australia New Zealand regional director for electronics distribution company Farnell.
[ + ]Big impact from tiny laser
A massive European effort to develop high-brightness semiconductor lasers could transform healthcare, telecoms and display applications and make Europe an undisputed leader in the field.
[ + ]Reading the brain without poking it
Experimental devices that read brain signals have helped paralysed people use computers and may let amputees control bionic limbs.
[ + ]Faster, smaller devices forecast
Electronic devices of the future could be smaller, faster, more powerful and consume less energy because of a discovery claimed by researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the US.
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