nanotechnology
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Wiperless windshields in your future? Thanks, nanotech.
It's really too bad nanotechnology is so gosh darn morally unacceptable, it could do so much good for humanity! Take this new wiperless windshield, for instance. Designed by Leonardo Fioravanti of Pininfarina, the Hidra features an aerodynamic design, and a bit of a nanotech sandwich (mmm, sandwich) to keep the front glass clear of water and debris. The first layer protects from sun and repels water, the second layer features "nano-dust" to push dirt to the edges of the windshield and is activated by the third layer which senses the dirt, while the whole kit is powered by the fourth layer which conducts electricity to keep it going. The tech could be ready for mass production within 5 years, but there's already a working prototype in the Hidra concept car.[Via Sparking Tech, thanks Nicole]
Two-thirds of Americans think nanotechnology is morally unacceptable -- wait, what?
Given the fact that most of the nanotech developments we've seen have to do with making smaller transistors or generating electricity, we're not exactly sure why a recent study conducted by the researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that two-thirds of American think nanotechnology is "morally unacceptable" -- perhaps they didn't hear about that team that used nanotech to inscribe the Bible on the head of a pin? Overall, Americans were far less accepting of pint-size technology than other countries -- 72 percent of French respondents thought nanotech was morally okay, as did 54 percent of the UK residents polled and 62 percent of the Germans. Still, we're left wondering why anyone would find a reason to object to nanotechnology -- unlike biotech, we just don't see a lot of moral dilemmas posed by the research. Well, apart from that whole gray goo thing -- but if that's the risk we have to take to finally score a pair of electric pants, you can sign us right up.
Scientists inscribe entire Bible onto pinhead
And you thought that fellow who managed to fit your entire name -- middle initial included -- onto a grain of rice was hot stuff. Apparently, a team of nanotechnology experts at the Technion institute in Haifa were able to etch some 300,000 words (Hebrew text of the Jewish Bible) onto a minuscule silicon surface "less than half the size of a grain of sugar." The feat was accomplished by "blasting tiny particles called gallium ions at an object that then rebounded, causing an etching affect," and was reportedly done in order to show that copious quantities of data could eventually be stored on bio-molecules and DNA. Oh, and it only took about sixty minutes to finish the job.[Image courtesy of ChicagoSpots]
Researchers developing advanced electronic nose
Creating minuscule devices that can mimic olfactory systems is nothing new, but an international team of researchers are reportedly working to improve an existing design by basing it on metal oxide nanowires. Granted, the actual technology is a bit above our noses, er, heads, but according to Dr. Andrei Kolmakov, the team's aim was to "demonstrate the excellent performance of a practical device made by combining bottom-up fabricated SnO2 nanowires / nanobelts as sensing elements with a multi-electrode KAMINA [e-nose] platform." More specifically, these gurus decided to implement a "completely new morphology of the sensing layer" composed of tin oxide nanowires rather than the traditional thin-film sensing element. Not surprisingly, those working on perfecting the device are hoping to one day have it installed in areas where intelligent sensor systems are used, but we wouldn't overlook the possibility of finding these things embedded in shirts of the future for those paranoid about their freshness.[Via Coolest-Gadgets]
Nanotechnology challenge in Second Life
The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is running the NanoLands Challenge in Second Life.The contest is design and build an exciting exhibit about nanotechnology in Second Life, on their NanoLands Island. There are full criteria available here, the attractive part: cash prizes of US$400 and 700 for successful entries. There is no closing date for this contest, they will simply assess each suggestion against the criteria and offer space and money to successful applicants until the money is all gone.[Information about this contest was sent to us by a variety of means, including directly from Troy McLuhan and via Nanowerk.]
Berkeley researchers develop world's smallest radio
Move over, UC Irvine: your colleagues across the state at UC Berkeley have just one-upped your nano-scale radio by not only using nanotechnology for the demodulator, but actually "stuffing" all the components into a single carbon nanotube. By utilizing mechanical -- rather than electrical -- vibrations of a nanotube protruding from an electrode, the team from Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory were able to mimic the tuner, antenna, amplifier, and demodulator which compose traditional radios. Their prototype nano-radio, 10,000 times thinner than a human hair, has already been used to broadcast and receive such classic tunes as Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys and Eric Clapton's Layla; a video of this latter transmission, whose poor quality will make you long for the relative clarity of AM radio, is available after the break...[Via San Francisco Chronicle, image and video courtesy of Zettl Research Group, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and University of California at Berkeley]
Terabyte nanotech thumb drives around the corner?
Wired has a write-up of a new storage technology developed at Arizona State University that could produce flash thumb drives capable of storing terabytes of data in the near future, that also happens to be cheaper and more energy efficient than flash memory. The new technology has been branded programmable metallization cell, and differs from present storage technologies in that it "creates nanowires from copper atoms the size of a virus to record binary ones and zeros." It all sounds very interesting -- if slightly too optimistic -- to us, and we'll get to find out relatively soon just how effective the new chips are: Arizona State's business arm has licensed the technology to three companies, which may be ready to sell a product containing the chips within 18 months. Watch this space.
UC Irvine researchers tout first nano-scale radio
A pair of researchers at UC Irvine look to be out to make a name for themselves in the increasingly-crowded field of nanotechnology, with them now announcing that they've developed the first nano-scale radio. While the entire setup obviously isn't nano-sized (as you can see above), the demodulator portion of it most definitely is, measuring thousands of time smaller than a human hair. Despite that diminutive size, the demodulator apparently has no trouble translating AM radio waves into sound using nothing more than carbon nanotubes, as you can see and hear for yourself in the video available via the Extreme Tech article linked below.
Silicon nanowire could convert light into electrical energy
Nanoelectonic devices have to have juice too, and thanks to a team at Harvard University, extraordinarily minuscule gizmos of the future could be powered via a "silicon nanowire that can convert light into electrical energy." The device itself is said to look much like a typical coaxial cable, but it's around 100,000 times smaller and shuns metal in favor of "silicon with three different types of conductivity arranged as layered shells." Reportedly, a single strand can output "up to 200-picowatts," which won't move much, but it could be just enough to run ultralow power electronics that could be worn on, or even inside, the body. Hopefully they'll have this all ironed out by the time we need a pacemaker.[Image courtesy of Harvard]
Researchers develop semiconductor for manipulating electron spin
Quantum computing isn't exactly synonymous with mainstream (yet), but a team of engineers at the University at Buffalo are looking to overcome some of the most prominent hurdles "that have prevented progress toward spintronics and spin-based quantum computing." Apparently, these gurus have conjured up a semiconductor that "provides a novel way to trap, detect and manipulate electron spin," the latter of which is the most notable. Essentially, the UB group's scheme could open up "new paradigms of nanoelectronics," and it manages to stand out from prior efforts by requiring fewer logic gates and promising to operate in much warmer (20-degrees Kelvin versus 1-degree Kelvin) conditions. Now that they've figured out how to dictate single spin, the subsequent step would be to "trap and detect two or more spins that can communicate with each other" -- you know, a vital precondition for quantum computing.[Thanks, Jordan]
Researchers using viruses to build nano-electronics
MIT researchers have begun using bio-engineered viruses to build nanomaterials with wide-ranging applications, like thin battery fibers that may one day be woven directly into clothing. The process, which is being developed by Professor Angela Belcher and her team, has gained the interest of the US military for its potential in creating new types of sensors, solar cells, and batteries, as part of future combat gear. There's still a way to go, however -- right now all the virus-built fibers really do is glow red under ultraviolet, but Belcher is confident her "directed evolution" development technique will allow her viral construction crew to build more sophisticated fibers soon. Here's hoping -- we'd kill to recharge our devices with some stylin' battery-pants.
Purdue's carbon nanotubes could trump heat sinks
For the second time in the past few months, Purdue University is hitting us up with a newfangled idea to keep future rigs cooler. This go 'round, engineers have purportedly figured out how to "grow forests of carbon nanotubes onto the surfaces of computer chips to enhance the flow of heat at a critical point where the chips connect to heat sinks." The nanotubes have outperformed "conventional thermal interface materials" in testing, and being that they don't require "elaborate clean-room environments" to produce, manufacturing them should prove much cheaper to boot. Regrettably, there's no word as to when this development could go commercial, but with users demanding more power and less noise, we're sure there's a market waiting.[Via Physorg]
Ferritin to be used in uber-thin computer memory?
Earlier this year, we heard that NASA gurus were working up a biological nanobattery that utilized ferritin, and now another report is suggesting that the substance could even be used in a "biotech-based process for creating ultrathin computer memory." Reportedly, the researchers have found that by using ferritin, metal memory cells could be arranged on substrates sans heat, which consequently allows for thinner substrate materials to be used. The method could eventually lead to "computers being built on thin films that could then be integrated into eyeglass lenses or into clothing," which could add a whole new dimension to wearable electronics.[Via PinkTentacle]
Nanowires developed to retrieve data on the double
Those fond of how quickly flash memory reads and writes their data are sure to adore the research that a few University of Pennsylvania scientists have been working on, as Ritesh Agarwal (pictured) and colleagues have crafted "nanowires capable of storing computer data for 100,000 years and retrieving that data a thousand times faster" than existing micro-drives. Moreover, the "self-assembling nanowire of germanium antimony telluride" consumes less energy and space than current memory technologies, and even Agarwal stated that the "new form of memory has the potential to revolutionize the way we share information, transfer data and even download entertainment." Unfortunately, there seems to be no word on if (or when) this creation could be headed to the commercial realm.
IBM uses nanotechnology to craft miniscule art
It's not like we haven't seen art on silicon before, nor is IBM any stranger to the more bizarre world of design, but the firm is nevertheless "touting one of the tiniest pieces of art ever made." The project, which consists of an "image of the sun made from 20,000 microscopic particles of gold," was reportedly "etched on a silicon chip wafer" with a process that managed particles some 60-nanometers in diameter. Of course, IBM isn't planning on entering the abstract art business anytime soon, but the achievement could purportedly pave the way for "high-performance transistors in molecular-scale chips" while "leading to a nanotech race inside IBM and rival companies."[Image courtesy of BBC, thanks ssuk]
Secrets of levitation cracked by Scottish researchers?
Try not to get too frenetic here, but a couple of gurus at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland have reportedly created an "incredible levitation effect by engineering the force of nature which normally causes objects to stick together." In layman's terms, the scientists have devised a way to reverse the phenomenon known as the Casimir force so that it "repels instead of attracts." Ultimately, the discovery could lead to "frictionless micro-machines with moving parts that levitate," and in theory, devices could be created to transport humans. Do realize, however, that individuals in this team have also "showed that invisibility cloaks are feasible," so we're not counting ourselves amongst the faithful just yet.[Thanks, James][Our readers have let us know that this article's headline bore some similarities to other articles on the same topic -- though purely coincidental, in the interest of further differentiating the post we've edited it to a small degree. -Ed.]
Researchers develop nanochip based on Babbage's difference engine
In a tidbit of news which will get avid Neal Stephenson readers all hot and bothered, researches have outlined a blueprint for a mechanical nanochip similar in design to Charles Babbage's difference engine. Using the massive, steam-driven Victorian computer as a model, scientists have begun work on new type of computing architecture which would be solely based on nano-mechanical elements. The researchers say that while the devices won't compete with high-speed silicon, they could be utilized for "mundane applications" where the processors can be "slow and cheap" -- and so-very-steampunk, we might add. Of course, the original steam-computer consisted of 25,000 parts and weighed 13 tons, but the developers are hoping to knock at least a few pounds off of that design.
Altair Nanotechnologies, AES collaborate on energy storage products
After sinking $3 million into a company, what better to do than utilize the synergies and compliments between the two and crank out new products to better our lives? AES is apparently digging said mantra and looking to profit on its strategic investment in Altair Nanotechnologies by announcing a "joint development and equipment purchase agreement." Essentially, the two will reportedly work together to jointly "develop a suite of energy storage solutions," some of which are expected to deliver over 1MW of power and 500KWh of energy. Unsurprisingly, Altairnano is supposedly working with AES to apply these products and systems at "strategic points within the electrical grid to more efficiently deal with congestion, peak energy consumption, and real-time fluctuations in electricity demand." Interestingly, little is being said thus far about the actual design of the unit, but a prototype is slated to be completed by the year's end.[Via CNET]
Nanogenerator powers-up inside your veins
Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology are in the process of developing a nanogenerator, a tiny device which produces energy from flowing blood, constricting blood vessels, or beating hearts. Researchers say that the devices could be used to power implantable biomedical electronics, or might be employed in biosensing, environmental monitoring, and personal electronics. The nanodevices generate power while warm-chillin' in bodily fluids or "other liquids," using ultrasonic waves as their energy source. Now if we can just combine this with the bloodstream bot, our self-powered swarm of robotic terror will be complete.[Via Physorg]
NASA researchers working on biological nanobattery
We've seen nanotechnology used to improve on traditional batteries before, but NASA now seems to be taking a slightly different tact, developing an actual "nanobattery" to provide power to other nanoscale devices. According to a recent patent application, its idea is to make use of the iron-containing protein ferritin (seen at right), which apparently has the innate ability to carry either a positive or negative charge. In practice, one layer of ferritin would simply be stacked with another layer carrying the opposite charge, effectively forming a battery just a few nanometers thick. The capacity could then be further increased by adding more layers of ferritin, with the battery still remaining "stable and robust." What's more, NASA says the whole the whole process can be done quickly and easily -- relatively speaking, of course.[Via NewScientist]
