Harnessing
nanotechnology to build computer chips could
lead to ultrafast, ultracheap, low-power computers.
But today's chip designs don't translate well
to the molecular scale. One proposal calls
for throwing out the clock. Full
story
DNA
motor keeps cranking
Researchers have been making DNA perform all sorts
of shape-changing tricks in recent years, but the
need to add pieces of DNA at every step has made
it a bit of a stretch to call these molecules motors.
A method that keeps the process humming changes
things.
Software
sorts tunes
Efforts to get computers to categorize music usually
involve researchers telling the computers what to
listen for. A system that compares music files without
any help from humans plays off subtle clues we may
not notice. The method could be tapped to determine
music authorship, and could even be used in disciplines
like art history and forensics.
Silver
bits channel nano light
Lightwaves can only be focused down to a certain
length; nanotech devices are considerably smaller.
Light is so useful for measuring matter and transmitting
information, however, that researchers are looking
for ways to sidestep the limit in order to shine
light at the nanoscale. A path of minuscule silver
rods points the way.
