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A ferroelectric transistor that stores and computes at scale

A new FE-FET design demonstrates record-breaking performances in computing and memory, achieving large memory window with impressively small device dimensions. The combination of molybdenum disulfide and aluminum scandium nitride materials enables energy-efficient devices for both computing and non-volatile memory applications.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJul 13, 2023

Cutting edge transistors for semiconductors of the future

Researchers at Lund University have created ferroelectric 'grains' that control tunnel junctions in transistors, allowing for individual-level control and optimization of material properties. This breakthrough enables the development of new circuit architectures for neuromorphic computing and energy-efficient semiconductors.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 3, 2023

Texas A&M researchers discover new circuit element

Researchers at Texas A&M University have identified a new circuit element called the meminductor, which exhibits memory-like properties. The discovery was made using a two-terminal passive system and proved the existence of meminductance in an inductor circuit element.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 10, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Like flipping the switch

Researchers at The University of Tokyo have developed a programmable gate driver for solid-state electronic transistor switches, reducing switching loss under changing input current and temperature fluctuations. The device includes automatic timing control, allowing for single-chip integration and real-time control.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·DateMar 22, 2023

Atom-thin walls could smash size, memory barriers in next-gen devices

Researchers have discovered a way to construct and control oxygen-deprived walls in nanoscopically thin materials, which can store data in multiple electronic dialects. These walls can retain their data states even when devices turn off, paving the way for next-gen electronics with enhanced memory capabilities.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalNature·DateFeb 13, 2023

Toward practical quantum optics: multiphoton qubits from LNOI

Researchers from Nanjing University have proposed the first scheme to practically generate N-photon states deterministically using a lithium-niobate-on-insulator platform. The scheme involves deterministic parametric down-conversion and demonstrates feasibility for generating multiphoton qubit states.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateFeb 8, 2023

The last mysteries of mica

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have explained the distribution of potassium ions on mica surfaces using an atomic force microscope in ultra-high vacuum. The study reveals tiny patterns of ion arrangement, which could improve electronic circuit performance and make mica a suitable insulator for 2D materials.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 25, 2023
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Vertical electrochemical transistor pushes wearable electronics forward

A transdisciplinary team at Northwestern University developed a vertical electrochemical transistor that amplifies important signals, making it suitable for wearable devices in bioelectronics. The transistor's high performance and stability enable efficient on-site signal processing.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2023

Palm e-tattoo can tell when you’re stressed out

Researchers at UT Austin developed a graphene-based e-tattoo that tracks electrodermal activity on the palm, enabling unobstructive ambulatory sensing. This technology reduces social stigma and provides accurate readings, addressing limitations of current bulky devices.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 2, 2022

Printable circuits that can work on fabric, plastic and even fruit (video)

Researchers create liquid metal circuitry using a desktop laser printer, enabling rapid printing of functional circuits onto various surfaces. The method produces devices that display images, tag RFID, sense temperature and sound, expanding the applications of liquid metal circuits.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateOct 26, 2022
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Disposable electronics on a simple sheet of paper

Scientists have developed a prototype circuit board made of a sheet of paper with fully integrated electrical components, making it easy to dispose of responsibly. The new design uses wax and ink to print channels, conductive inks, and metal components onto the paper, creating a flexible and thin device that can be burned or degraded.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateOct 6, 2022

Researchers demonstrate new, more energy-efficient devices using gallium nitride

Researchers have developed a new technique to dope gallium nitride (GaN), creating high-power electronic devices with reduced energy loss and increased efficiency. This breakthrough enables the use of GaN in compact power electronics for sustainable infrastructure, such as smart grids.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalApplied Physics Express·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2022

A golden ticket to smaller electronics

A team of researchers at Osaka University developed a new method for direct three-dimensional bonding of copper electrodes using silver, enabling reliable connections at low temperatures without external pressure. The process can be performed under gentle conditions, resulting in permanent connections as small as 20 micrometers.

SourceOsaka University·DateJun 22, 2022
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Laser bursts drive fastest-ever logic gates

Scientists at Rochester and Erlangen develop logic gates that operate at femtosecond timescales, paving the way for ultrafast electronics and information processing. The breakthrough involves harnessing and independently controlling real and virtual charge carriers in gold-graphene-gold junctions with laser pulses.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature·DateMay 11, 2022

Researchers at the GIST uncover the key to safer energy storage devices

The study reveals significant information on the thermal properties of electric double-layer capacitors, which can help create safer and more reliable energy storage devices. The research team found that charging and discharging alter the heat capacity of EDLCs, leading to a decrease in capacitance.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalInternational Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 9, 2022

Ultrafast all-optical random bit generator

Researchers proposed and experimentally demonstrated an all-optical random bit generation method using chaotic pulses quantized in the optical domain. This method generated a 10 Gb/s random bit stream, potentially operable at higher rates by exploiting ultrafast fiber response.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateMay 2, 2022
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Development of an oxidation-resistant copper core–nickel shell ink

The National Institute for Materials Science has developed an oxidation-resistant copper core–nickel shell ink, significantly improving resistance to degradation. This cheaper and more stable ink may popularize printed electronics, offering comparable conductivity to conventional metallic inks.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 12, 2022

Development of an organic transistor enabling higher density circuit integration

Researchers developed an organic anti-ambipolar transistor capable of performing five different types of two-input logic gates at room temperature. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of high-performance mobile devices and electrically reconfigurable logic circuits.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 12, 2022

Simply printing high-performance perovskite-based transistors

A research team from POSTECH has developed a method to print high-performance p-type semiconductor transistors using inorganic metal halide perovskite, exhibiting high hole mobility and current ratio. This technology enables solution-processed perovskite transistors to be simply printed as semiconductor-like circuits, paving the way fo...

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNature Electronics·DateMar 24, 2022

Physicists show how frequencies can easily be multiplied without special circuitry

Researchers at Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg discovered a way to convert frequencies to higher ranges using magnetic materials without additional components. This breakthrough could make certain electronic components obsolete and improve the energy efficiency of digital technologies.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 10, 2022
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Taking time with sound

Nagoya University researchers have discovered how bird brains compute time differences between sounds reaching each ear to determine their location. This process relies on the clustering of nerve junctions in specialized dendrites dedicated to low-frequency sounds.

SourceNagoya University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 1, 2022

Physical systems perform machine-learning computations

Cornell researchers have successfully trained various physical systems, including mechanical, optical, and electrical systems, to perform machine learning tasks. The developed training algorithm enables diverse systems to be chained together for efficient processing.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateJan 26, 2022

Shellac for printed circuits

Scientists have created a versatile carbon-loaded shellac ink suitable for disposable printed electronics. The ink achieves high electrical conductivity while maintaining stability and biodegradability. Its practical applications include conductive tracks and sensor elements in sustainable devices.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2021

NTU Singapore scientists develop biodegradable printed paper batteries

Researchers at NTU Singapore have developed biodegradable zinc batteries made of cellulose paper that can power flexible electronics and biomedical sensors. The batteries are non-toxic, do not require aluminum or plastic casings, and can be buried in soil to break down within weeks.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalAdvanced Science·DateDec 14, 2021
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

How organic neuromorphic electronics can think and act

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research have developed an organic neuromorphic circuit that allows a robot to learn and navigate a maze. The robot uses sensory signals to make decisions, receiving corrective stimuli when it makes wrong turns, and gradually learns to avoid them.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Polymer Research·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 13, 2021

Storing energy in plants with electronic roots

Scientists have successfully stored energy in bean plant roots using conjugated oligomers, creating a new biohybrid system for sustainable energy storage. The research demonstrates that the roots of intact plants can function as networks of conductors, storing up to 100 times more energy than previous experiments.

SourceLinköping University·JournalMaterials Horizons·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2021
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Will twisted superconducting flakes make better components for quantum computers?

Researchers have developed ultra-thin, defect-free superconducting flakes for use in quantum computing. The twist angle of the flakes is used to modulate the maximum supercurrent, creating an extremely sensitive magnetic field sensor. This breakthrough has potential applications in healthcare and mineral exploration.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2021

New wireless photoelectric implant controls the activity of spinal neurons

Researchers have developed a revolutionary wireless photoelectric implant that can control the activity of spinal neurons, enabling the study of neural function and the development of new treatments for neurological disorders. The breakthrough technology uses pulses of light to stimulate or inhibit specific spinal-cord neurons, potenti...

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 27, 2021

Stretching the capacity of flexible energy storage (video)

Scientists create a flexible supercapacitor using wrinkled titanium carbide nanosheets that maintains its ability to store and release electronic charges after repetitive stretching. The device has a high energy capacity comparable to existing MXene-based supercapacitors, but with extreme stretchability up to 800% without cracking.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalNano Letters·DateSep 8, 2021

Copper and PTFE stick together to support better 5G

Osaka University researchers have created an adhesive-free method to strongly combine copper foil with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), reducing transmission losses in electronic circuits. The heat-assisted plasma treatment technique improves adhesion strength without adding intermediate layers.

SourceOsaka University·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Unbroken: New soft electronics don't break, even when punctured

Researchers at Virginia Tech created soft electronics that can sustain damage without losing electrical conductivity. The materials are stretchy, recyclable, and reusable, making them ideal for emerging technologies like wearables and soft robotics.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalCommunications Materials·DateJun 25, 2021

DNA circuits

Scientists have created a molecular switching circuit made of DNA that can change the shape of soft matter based on pH levels. The DNA switches react differently with their surroundings, allowing for potential applications in soft robotics and logical function networks.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 2, 2021

Printing a better microgrid

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new particle-free silver microgrid conductor that surpasses traditional indium tin oxide (ITO) in flexible high-performance transparent electrodes. The microgrids demonstrate better transparency, lower roughness, and mechanical durability.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalACS Applied Electronic Materials·DateJun 2, 2021
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Observation of antichiral edge states in a circuit lattice

Scientists have directly observed and measured the novel phenomenon of antichiral edge states in a circuit lattice. The results demonstrate that these edge states exhibit counter-propagating bulk states, opening new avenues for exploring the properties of antichiral edge states.

SourceScience China Press·DateMay 4, 2021

This robot doesn't need any electronics

Researchers at UC San Diego created a four-legged robot that doesn't need electronics, using pressurized air for controls and locomotion. The robot mimics mammalian reflexes and can navigate uneven surfaces with the help of pneumatic circuits.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience Robotics·DateFeb 17, 2021

Liquid metal ink liberates form

Researchers at POSTECH developed a new liquid metal ink that can withstand harsh deformation and maintain electrical conductivity, enabling the creation of flexible electronics. The ink was successfully printed on various substrates, displaying negligible resistance changes even when stretched up to 500%.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 10, 2021
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

New curriculum improves students' understanding of electric circuits in schools

Researchers developed a new teaching concept for secondary physics that focuses on intuitive understanding of voltage and its application to electric circuits. The curriculum, which uses analogies such as air pressure differences, significantly improved students' understanding compared to traditional tuition.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalPhysical Review Physics Education Research·DateDec 18, 2020

How does the brain process fear?

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory are studying the brain circuits that underlie fear, using sophisticated neuroscience tools to map their connections. They found that the amygdala is not only involved in fear processing but also plays a crucial role in reward-based learning and regulating fearful memory.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·DateNov 5, 2020

Coming soon to a circuit near you

Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem have made a breakthrough in harnessing DNA molecules for disease detection and electronics. They developed a highly-reliable method to measure electric currents passing through individual DNA molecules, finding that the current flows along the backbone rather than base-pairs.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 29, 2020

Faulty brain circuits arise from abnormal fusion

Researchers at the University of Queensland discovered that neurons can fuse together, disrupting electrical circuits and leading to behavioral impairments in nematode worms. The study provides a novel cause for malfunction of brain's electrical circuits and a possible underlying cause of neurological diseases.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2020
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Artificial intelligence is becoming sustainable!

Researchers at Politecnico di Milano developed a novel circuit that can execute advanced AI operations in one operation, reducing energy consumption and paving the way for more sustainable AI computing accelerators. This breakthrough enables faster and more efficient training of neural networks, crucial for applications like facial rec...

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 13, 2020

Toward safer disposal of printed circuit boards

A new method has been developed to remove harmful compounds from waste printed circuit boards. The technique, known as ball-milling, uses a rotating machine to grind up materials and reduce the presence of brominated flame retardants. By breaking down these potentially toxic substances, scientists aim to minimize environmental pollution.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateJan 15, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Drug combination reverses hypersensitivity to noise

Researchers have identified two brain circuits that help tune out distracting sensory information and found a way to reverse noise hypersensitivity in mice by boosting the activity of those circuits. Targeting both circuits is more effective than treating either one alone, suggesting a new approach to treating neurological disorders.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNeuron·DateOct 23, 2019

Barn owls may hold key to navigation and location

Researchers recreated barn owl brain circuitry in electronics, mimicking the ability to locate prey using sound to within one to two degrees. The electronic circuit can supersede the owl's precision by orders of magnitude and may lead to more accurate and energy-efficient navigation devices.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 1, 2019
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.