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Key component for quantum computing invented

A Sydney team has invented a microcircuit based on Nobel Prize research, miniaturizing a crucial component for quantum computing. This innovation could pave the way for large-scale integration of quantum circuits and manufacturing in massive quantities.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 28, 2017
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.

Gold nanoantennas help in creation of more powerful nanoelectronics

Scientists used gold nanoparticles with molybdenum disulfide to study strain occurring when a semiconductor contacts a conductor at the nanoscale. They demonstrated localized strain of 1.4% using Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy, a unique technology that combines optical and atomic force microscopy.

SourceTomsk Polytechnic University·JournalNano Letters·DateNov 1, 2017

Using optical chaos to control the momentum of light

A new method to control the momentum of broadband light has been demonstrated in a widely-used optical component known as a whispering gallery microcavity. This breakthrough enables coupling of all color lights with a single optical coupler, paving the way for applications in optical quantum processing and photonics.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience·DateOct 19, 2017

Self-folding electronics could enable advanced robotics (video)

Researchers have developed a way to print electronics that can fold themselves into desired shapes, addressing limitations of traditional 3D printing. The new ink-based method uses residual stress to create self-folding devices without additional processing steps or stimulus.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateSep 13, 2017
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.

'Electronic skin' takes wearable health monitors to the next level

The electronic skin microsystem developed by Kyung-In Jang and John A. Rogers tracks heart rate, respiration, muscle movement, and other health data, transmitting it wirelessly to a smartphone. The device offers improved flexibility, smaller size, and self-adhesive properties.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 21, 2017

Degradable electronic components created from corn starch

Researchers developed a degradable material using corn starch and metal-organic framework nanoparticles, offering promising properties for electronic substrates and insulators. The material has mechanical, electrical, and flame retardant properties, making it suitable for eco-friendly electronics.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalIndustrial & Engineering Chemistry Research·DateApr 19, 2017

Reliable molecular toggle switch developed

Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology have created a molecular toggle switch that can be operated as often as desired without physical degradation. The switch is made from individual molecules and measures just a nanometer in size, enabling future circuits to be integrated into spaces smaller by up to 100 times.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 29, 2017
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.

How to 3-D print your own sonic tractor beam

Researchers have developed a 3D printable sonic tractor beam that can trap small beads, insects, and even biological samples using sound waves. The device is created by designing a metamaterial with tubes of different lengths, which shape the sound waves to create a trapping environment.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJan 3, 2017

Computers made of genetic material?

Researchers at HZDR have successfully conducted an electrical current through gold-plated nanowires made from single DNA strands. The wires, assembled independently using DNA-origami, can function well even at normal room temperature, paving the way for future electronic devices based on DNA.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalLangmuir·DateNov 9, 2016

The first autonomous, entirely soft robot

Researchers at Harvard University have created the first autonomous, entirely soft robot called the octobot. The small, 3D-printed robot is powered by a chemical reaction controlled by microfluidics, eliminating the need for electronics.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature·DateAug 24, 2016
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.

Towards the T-1000: Liquid metals propel future electronics

Researchers at RMIT University have developed self-propelling liquid metals, a critical step towards flexible and dynamically reconfigurable soft circuit systems. The breakthrough enables liquid metal to move autonomously in three dimensions, opening the door to new applications in smart engineering solutions and biomedicine.

SourceRMIT University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 4, 2016

Ultracompact photodetector

Researchers at KIT have created a novel type of photodetector that can transmit information at speeds of up to 40 gigabits per second, using surface plasmon polaritons to combine optics and electronics on a tiny space. The smallest photodetectors worldwide for optical data transmission can be used for integrated optical circuits.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalOptica·DateAug 2, 2016

UNIST professor, chosen for 2015 IEEE CPMT Best Paper Award

Prof. Ki Jin Han of Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology has received the 2015 IEEE CPMT Best Paper Award for his work on improved electromagnetic modeling of TSVs, a technology crucial for 3D integration. The award recognizes his research on modeling depletion capacitance and substrate layer thickness effects.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·DateJun 6, 2016

Toward dissolvable electronics for implants and sensors

Scientists created a dissolvable device component using egg proteins, magnesium, and tungsten, outperforming non-degradable memristors. The components worked reliably for over three months under dry conditions but dissolved in hours in water.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateApr 27, 2016

Penn engineers develop first transistors made entirely of nanocrystal 'inks'

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have created the first transistors made entirely of nanocrystal 'inks', opening up new possibilities for flexible and wearable electronics. The new process, which uses lower-temperature equipment, can be applied to larger areas and is compatible with a wide range of materials.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalScience·DateApr 7, 2016
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

DNA 'origami' could help build faster, cheaper computer chips

Researchers are exploring DNA origami to create nanoscale structures for electronics, potentially leading to smaller, faster, and cheaper computer chips. The technique involves forming specific shapes in DNA to create three-dimensional structures that can be used as a scaffold for other materials.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateMar 13, 2016

Physicists solve quantum tunneling mystery: ANU media release

An international team of scientists has solved a quantum mechanics mystery, finding that quantum tunneling is an instantaneous process. The new theory could lead to breakthroughs in areas like electron microscopy, nuclear fusion, and DNA mutations.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalNature Physics·DateMay 26, 2015
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Advances in molecular electronics: Lights on -- molecule on

Researchers at HZDR and University of Konstanz successfully switch on a single molecule using light, enabling the creation of smallest possible components. The diarylethene compound exhibits unique physical behavior, rotating minimally when open and becoming conductive when closed.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalAdvanced Science·DateApr 20, 2015

Researchers synthesize new thin-film material for use in fuel cells

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a new thin-film catalyst, Bi2Pt2O7 pyrochlore, which could be a more effective cathode for fuel cells. The material was synthesized using pulsed laser deposition and has shown promising properties for fuel cell applications.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Materials·DateMar 10, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Fever alarm armband: A wearable, printable, temperature sensor

Researchers at University of Tokyo develop wearable fever alarm armband with built-in temperature sensor and power supply circuit using organic components. The device can detect high body temperatures and provide audible alerts, enhancing healthcare monitoring in infant, elderly, and patient care settings.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·DateFeb 22, 2015

Safe production in Industry 4.0

The Fraunhofer Institute's IT Security Laboratory provides a secured test environment to assess the security of industrial automation systems and develop new defense strategies. Real-time requirements in production facilities necessitate unique IT security measures.

SourceFraunhofer-Gesellschaft·DateFeb 2, 2015

New superconducting hybrid crystals developed at University of Copenhagen

Researchers have developed a new type of nanowire crystal that combines semiconducting and metallic materials, exhibiting superconducting properties at low temperatures. The breakthrough could play a central role in the development of future electronics, including chips with billions of identical semiconductor-metal nanowire hybrids.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Niels Bohr Institute·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 12, 2015

New device could make large biological circuits practical

Researchers at MIT have developed a load driver device that can reduce unpredictability in biological circuits, allowing for robust and predictable behavior. This breakthrough could lead to applications such as biosensing and glucose monitoring for diabetic patients.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateNov 24, 2014
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Precise and programmable biological circuits

Bio-engineers at ETH Zurich have created a biological circuit that controls sensor components using internal timers, enabling precise signal transmission. This breakthrough could lead to reprogramming cancer cells and creating complex bio-computers to detect and kill cancer cells.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateOct 23, 2014

Lego-like modular components make building 3-D 'labs-on-a-chip' a snap

Researchers developed modular components that can be snapped together to build 3-D microfluidic systems, simplifying the construction process and reducing costs. The components are inspired by electronics industry technology and use 3D printing to create standardized modules with various functions.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 22, 2014

Nanomaterial outsmarts ions

Scientists at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf and Vienna University of Technology created ultra-thin membranes that allow highly charged ions to pass through with little energy loss. This discovery has significant implications for developing novel electronic components made of graphene.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 22, 2014

UC San Diego researchers develop bacterial 'FM radio'

Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a novel method of encoding multiple environmental inputs into a single time series using frequency multiplexing, inspired by FM radio. This breakthrough enables the creation of genetic circuits that can react with the execution of a sequence of instructions in real-time.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature·DateApr 9, 2014

Eye-catching electronics

Scientists at ETH Zurich have created a new form of thin-film technology, enabling the fabrication of extremely flexible and functional electronics. These components can be applied to textiles or worn on the skin to create 'smart' objects, monitoring various bodily functions.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 9, 2014
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Innovative wideband ring voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) by UNIST undergraduate

A new wideband ring voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) was proposed by UNIST undergraduate student Seyeon Yoo, enabling stable operation of IR-UWB-based Doppler radar systems. The VCO's digital tuning allows for scalable frequency control within a 2-8 GHz band.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalIEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters·DateOct 7, 2013

Microscopy technique could help computer industry develop 3-D components

A new microscopy technique called Through-Focus Scanning Optical Microscopy (TSOM) can detect tiny differences in the three-dimensional shapes of circuit components. This enables the semiconductor industry to improve chips for the next decade or more by measuring features as small as 10 nanometers across.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJun 28, 2013

World's most complex 2-D laser beamsteering array demonstrated

Researchers developed a 2-D optical phased array with 4,096 nanoantennas on a silicon chip, revolutionizing LADAR technology. The breakthrough enables high-resolution beam patterns and has potential applications in biomedical imaging, holographic displays, and ultra-high-data-rate communications.

SourceDefense Advanced Research Projects Agency·JournalNature·DateJan 17, 2013
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

MIT team builds most complex synthetic biology circuit yet

The MIT team has developed a synthetic biology circuit that integrates four sensors for different molecules, allowing cells to precisely monitor their environments and respond accordingly. The breakthrough was achieved by creating genetic components that don't interfere with each other, enabling the production of complex circuits.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateOct 9, 2012

Boston University researchers expand synthetic biology's toolkit

A new synthetic biology method enables reprogramming of mammalian cells, leading to potential therapeutic applications such as stem cell therapeutics and in-cell devices. The approach could also equip cells with higher-order computational tasks for sensing applications.

SourceBoston University College of Engineering·JournalCell·DateAug 2, 2012

Megapixel camera? Try gigapixel

Researchers at Duke University and the University of Arizona developed a gigapixel camera that captures unprecedented detail by synchronizing 98 tiny cameras. The camera's resolution is five times better than 20/20 human vision over a 120-degree horizontal field, with potential applications in surveillance, inspection, and photography.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature·DateJun 20, 2012

New technology platform for molecule-based electronics

Graphene flakes are used to protect molecules from short circuits, paving the way for new electronics in memory technology, displays, and solar cells. The development solves a decade-old problem and allows for alternative conductive and non-conductive molecules to be used.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateFeb 9, 2012
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Nanoscale spin waves can replace microwaves

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have successfully demonstrated nanoscale spin waves, which could replace microwave technology in mobile phones and wireless networks. The study opens up new possibilities for magnonics, a field that uses nanoscale magnetic waves.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 6, 2011

An advance toward ultra-portable electronic devices

Researchers create ultra-portable electronic devices by connecting molecular components using conductive nanowires. The breakthrough enables cheaper, higher-performance alternatives to conventional silicon-based devices.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJul 20, 2011

Pixel perfect: Cornell develops a lens-free, pinhead-size camera

The Cornell-developed Planar Fourier Capture Array (PFCA) is a pinhead-size, lens-free camera that can resolve images about 20 pixels across. It uses the principles of the Fourier transform to capture multiple angles of light and has numerous applications in science, including surgery and robotics.

SourceCornell University·JournalOptics Letters·DateJul 6, 2011
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.

NASA is making hot, way cool

Researchers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center have developed an electrohydrodynamic (EHD)-based thermal control technology that promises to make it easier and more efficient to remove heat from small spaces. The technology, which uses electric fields to pump coolant through tiny ducts, could benefit a wide range of applications, in...

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 26, 2011

Major advance in understanding how nanowires form

Researchers have gained a deeper understanding of how nanowires form, thanks to a new theoretical model. The discovery reveals that the shape of catalyst particles controls the growth of nanowires and their crystal structure.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 28, 2011

Smallest magnetic field sensor in the world

Researchers from KIT and IPCMS have developed the world's smallest magnetic field sensor using organic molecules. This breakthrough has significant potential for increasing reading speed and data density in hard disks and non-volatile memories.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateFeb 21, 2011
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Hankering for molecular electronics? Grab the new NIST sandwich

Researchers at NIST have developed a simple method to assemble organic molecules between silicon and metal, overcoming a key obstacle in creating individual molecule switches. This breakthrough could lead to faster, cheaper components and new applications in biosensors.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 26, 2009

Caltech and IBM scientists use self-assembled DNA scaffolding to build tiny circuit boards

Scientists at Caltech and IBM's Almaden Research Center have developed a technique to orient and position self-assembled DNA shapes on surfaces compatible with semiconductor manufacturing equipment. This allows for the precise assembly of computer-chip components, enabling smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient chips.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateAug 17, 2009

Spin-polarized electrons on demand

Researchers at PTB have developed a single electron pump that injects precisely spun electrons into a semiconductor structure. This breakthrough enables the manipulation of individual spins for information processing, with potential advantages in speed and energy efficiency.

SourcePhysikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJan 21, 2009
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Study suggests human visual system could make powerful computer

A new technique developed by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute professor Mark Changizi harnesses the computing power of our visual system to generate perceptions of digital circuits. By using simple drawings and shading, the visual system can naturally carry out computations and generate outputs.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalPerception·DateJul 23, 2008

Experiencing virtual products

Fraunhofer researchers develop a Functional DMU framework to simulate mechatronic products, enabling the evaluation of safety issues such as power windows. The virtual product can be tested with various software packages, including SimPack, Matlab/Simulink, and Dymola.

SourceFraunhofer-Gesellschaft·DateApr 16, 2008

Cycling more intelligently

Researchers at Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft have developed intelligent bicycle pedals that track pedaling force and provide real-time feedback to cyclists. The integrated sensors and electronic components enable the system to optimize cycling performance and detect potential issues, such as material fatigue in aircraft parts.

SourceFraunhofer-Gesellschaft·DateApr 11, 2008