Researchers
have come up with a way to project three-dimensional
video by combining computer-generated holograms
and a chip that contains thousands of microscopic
mirrors. The system could be used for heads
up displays within a few years, and could
eventually lead to 3D TV. Full
story
Design handles iffy nanocircuits
Nanotechnology could lead to fantastically fast
computer chips, but ultrasmall circuits built from
nanotubes or nanowires would be relatively fragile.
A chip architecture made with nanocircuits in mind
compensates for flakiness by using multiple circuits
for each logic element and letting a majority carry
the day, and handles outright failures by routing
around them.
Network
builds itself from scratch
The traditional way to build a network requires
finding all the nodes and figuring out the best
way to hook them up. Insects build networks without
worrying about either -- the colonies simply grow
as bugs go about their business. A computer simulation
shows how it happens, and opens the way for technology
to follow nature's lead.
Molecule
toggle makes nano logic
Reinventing the light switch at the molecular scale
could make for a revolution in electronics. A proposal
for a molecular toggle is the latest candidate for
building the smallest of circuits. If the switches
can be made, they could lead to virtually limitless
memory, artificial brains and nanodevices with onboard
computers.
