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NEWS
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Paired plastic solar
Twin plastic solar cells made using an inexpensive
liquid chemical process convert a broad spectrum of sunlight
to electricity with a combined efficiency of more than
six percent, which is high for plastic solar cells. The
method for making the plastic cells could lead to print-
and paint-on solar cells for covering large or flexible
surfaces. (Efficient
Tandem Polymer Solar Cells Fabricated by All-Solution
Processing, Science, July 13, 2007)
Flat focusers
A design for an etched plate that shapes lightwaves
shining through it promises to focus light beyond the
diffraction limit of ordinary lenses to points much smaller
than the wavelength of the light. Such subwavelength plates
could be used in high-capacity data storage, medical and
scientific imaging, and nanolithography. (Radiationless
Electromagnetic Interference: Evanescent-Field Lenses
and Perfect Focusing, Science, published online
July 12, 2007)
Musseled up geckos
Following recent developments of powerful adhesives
that mimic gecko feet, a prototype adhesive combines the
gecko's dry stickiness with a polymer coating that mimics
the wet adhesive secreted by mussels. The hybrid adhesive
improves the gecko-feet stickiness in water 15 fold, and
can be removed and reapplied more than a thousand times.
(A
Reversible Wet/Dry Adhesive Inspired by Mussels and Geckos,
Nature, July 19, 2007)
Fiber microscope
A minuscule confocal microscope made from a single
optical fiber and a microelectromechanical scanner images
details of individual cells. Confocal microscopes have
pinpoint views and make images of objects by scanning
across them. The microscope promises to improve medical
diagnostics, and a prototype is slated for testing in
detecting oral cancer. (Fiber-Optic
Confocal Microscope Using a MEMS Scanner and Miniature
Objective Lens, Optics Express, July 23, 2007)
Nano syringe
A nanoscale electrically-controlled syringe can
inject infinitesimal amounts of liquids into living cells.
This could be used for medical imaging and developing
drugs. The device could also be used to dispense materials
for nanofabrication and as a pump in biochips. (Electrochemical
Attosyringe, Proceedings of the National Academy
of Sciences, published online July 9, 2007)
Particle zoo
Embedding tiny plastic beads in a film, melting
the beads, stretching the film and solidifying the beads
yields micro- and nanoparticles in a wide range of shapes
including rods, disks, barrels, ribbons and diamonds.
Shape is an important characteristic of micro-and nanoparticles
used for delivering drugs and making smart materials.
(Making
Polymeric Micro- and Nanoparticles of Complex Shapes,
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
published online July 9, 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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