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NEWS
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Molecular memory advances
A prototype 160-kilobit memory chip made from
nanowires and single layers of molecules has cells 1/40th
the size of today's memory chip cells. The prototype shows
that hybrid nanoelectronic-molecular electronic computer
circuits have the potential to replace today's silicon
chip technology when it reaches the end of the line in
a decade or two. (A
160-Kilobit Molecular Electronic Memory Patterned at 1011
Bits per Square Centimetre, Nature, January
25, 2007)
Carbon nano drum
A prototype nanoscale resonator made from a sheet
of carbon atoms suspended over a silicon oxide trench
tests the limits of the thinness of nanomechanical devices.
Such resonators, which vibrate millions of times a second,
could be used to make sensitive chemical sensors and tiny
communications devices. (Electromechanical
Resonators from Graphene Sheets, Science, January
26, 2007)
Biochip watches genes in action
A biochip performs hundreds of gene expression
experiments at once in living cells. Tracking gene expression,
ordinarily a time-consuming process, is important in developing
drugs, diagnosing diseases and studying biology. (A
High-Throughput Microfluidic Real-time Gene Expression
Living Cell Array, Lab on a Chip, January 2007)
Biochip cranks out DNA
A biochip capable of withstanding harsh chemicals
produces artificial DNA strands from tiny amounts of liquid.
This DNA microfactory could be used to produce strands
for RNA screening, DNA nanotechnology and DNA computing.
(Solvent
Resistant Microfluidic DNA Synthesizer, Lab on
a Chip, January 2007)
Stiffer hydrogel
A moisture-triggered hydrogel that contains silicon
nanorods is firmer than traditional hydrogels and can
be patterned at the microscopic level. Such reinforced
hydrogels could be used to make relatively sturdy adaptive
materials, for example biochips that reconfigure themselves
in response to changes in moisture, light or pH level.
(Reversible
Switching of Hydrogel-Actuated Nanostructures into Complex
Micropatterns, Science, January 26, 2007)
Sniffing info on the wind
A search algorithm tracks down information when
clues are patchy and there's no easy-to-follow trail.
The algorithm, which is similar to the way birds and insects
sample air to home in on food and mates, could be used
for odor-sniffing robots. ('Infotaxis'
As a Strategy for Searching without Gradients, Nature,
January 25, 2007) |
FEATURES
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View
from the High Ground: ICL's John Pendry
Physics as machine tool, negative refractive
index, metamaterials, shattered wine glasses, higher capacity
DVDs, scientific backwaters, risk perception and practice,
practice, practice.
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How
It Works: Quantum computing: qubits
Photons, electrons and atoms, oh my! These particles are
the raw materials for qubits, the basic building blocks
of quantum computers. |
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"Physics
is to the rest of science what machine tools are
to engineering. A corollary is that science places
power in our hands which can be used for good or
ill. Technology has been abused in this way throughout
the ages from gunpowder to atomic bombs."
- John Pendry, Imperial College London |
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Thanks
to Kevin from
GoldBamboo.com
for technical support |
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