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So you think you can secure your mobile phone with a fingerprint?

NYU Tandon and Michigan State University researchers discovered that partial fingerprints can be used to trick biometric security systems, making them more vulnerable. The study found an average of 92 potential MasterPrints for every batch of 800 partial prints, highlighting the need for multi-factor authentication schemes.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalIEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security·DateApr 11, 2017

Nano-level lubricant tuning improves material for electronic devices and surface coatings

Researchers at University of Illinois developed a new approach to dynamically tune the micro- and nano-scale roughness of atomically thin MoS2, improving its hydrophobicity for various applications including waterproof electronics and medical devices. The study expands toolkit for tunable wettability of 2D materials.

Making electronics out of coal

Researchers at MIT have successfully created simple electrical heating devices using coal, showcasing its potential for various high-tech uses. The team characterized the chemical, electrical, and optical properties of four different types of coal, revealing a range of conductivities that can be tailored to specific applications.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNano Letters·DateApr 19, 2016

Spinning better electronic devices

UC Riverside researchers have successfully transmitted electrical signals through insulators in a sandwich-like structure, potentially revolutionizing electronic device efficiency. The breakthrough exploits the 'spin' of electrons rather than their charge, enabling new generations of spintronic devices.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 2, 2016

New thin film transistor may lead to flexible devices

Researchers at the University of Alberta have invented a new transistor that could revolutionize thin-film electronic devices with its bipolar action architecture. The device has power-handling capabilities up to 10 times greater than commercially produced transistors, making it suitable for flexible electronics applications.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 9, 2016

Designer crystals for next-gen electronics

Researchers have developed a new process to grow designer crystals using vapour rather than liquid, enabling the creation of faster and more powerful electronic devices. The method uses metal organic frameworks (MOFs) with extremely large surface areas, allowing for the trapping of other molecules and boosting processing power.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature Materials·DateDec 14, 2015

Electronics get a power boost with the addition of a simple material

Researchers at Penn State have discovered a way to give transistors a power boost by incorporating vanadium oxide into electronic devices. The material's metal-to-insulator transition property can enhance state-of-the-art non-volatile memories and improve the stability and energy efficiency of read, write, and maintain information states.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 19, 2015

Injectable electronics

Researchers developed a method for fabricating nano-scale electronic scaffolds that can be injected via syringe, monitoring neural activity, stimulating tissues and promoting neuron regeneration. The technology has the potential to revolutionize the interface between electronics and biology.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJun 8, 2015

High-temperature superconductivity in atomically thin films

Researchers at Tohoku University have successfully fabricated an atomically thin, high-temperature superconductor film with a Tc of up to 60 K, exceeding that of bulk FeSe. This finding enables the control and tuning of Tc, opening up new avenues for investigating mechanism and developing next-gen nano-scale superconducting devices.

SourceTohoku University·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 2, 2015

New ways to see light and store information

Researchers have designed an organic electronic device with record-breaking ultra-long charge carrier lifetimes, opening up possibilities for new classes of devices such as sensitive photo detectors and flexible memory elements. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient solar cells, low-carbon electricity generation, and reduced e...

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalAdvanced Materials Interfaces·DateApr 13, 2015

Cumulative daily screen time linked to teen sleep problems

A large study published in BMJ Open found that teens who spend more than 2 hours on screens after school are strongly linked to longer sleep onset latency and shorter sleep duration. The research suggests that screen time may replace sleeping time or interfere with sleep by stimulating the nervous system.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Open·DateFeb 2, 2015

Attractiveness speeds up performance

A study by British researchers found that aesthetically appealing visuals speed up people's ability to solve multi-step problems with visuals on websites or mobile phones. Simple and familiar icons were the easiest to find, but when the task got harder, pleasing aesthetics provided a performance boost.

SourceSpringer·JournalPsychonomic Bulletin & Review·DateJan 22, 2015

Taking thin films to the extreme

Harvard University researchers demonstrate ability to paint ultra-thin coatings onto rough surfaces using thin-film interference, enabling lightweight decorative logos on spacecraft. The technology also holds promise for making flexible electronic devices and advanced solar cells.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateSep 30, 2014

Nature nurtures creativity

A study found that spending four days in nature, disconnected from electronic devices, improves creative problem-solving skills by 50%. The researchers used the Remote Associates Test to measure creativity and found significant benefits among participants.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 12, 2012

Wayne State's new flexible electronics technology may lead to new medical uses

A new flexible electronics technology developed by Wayne State University's Yong Xu has opened up possibilities for health care and medical applications of electronic devices. The technology is compatible with mainstream CMOS processes, allowing for the creation of high-performance and high-density CMOS circuits on flexible substrates.

Researchers map path to quantum electronic devices

Duke University researchers create a mathematical formulation to unlock the data stored in a database of potential TI ingredients, providing specific recipes for searching for TIs with desired properties. This breakthrough enables efficient alloys creation and discovery of new classes of systems.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Materials·DateMay 13, 2012