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A new kind of micro-mobility

Researchers at MIT have developed a novel method for moving tiny objects using magnetic fields, mimicking the motion of cilia in cells. The system could provide precise control over liquids and particles, enabling virtual microfluidics and potentially advancing biomedical screening and medical diagnostics.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 14, 2009

Quantum computer chips now 1 step closer to reality

Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered a method to fabricate quantum devices using conventional chip-making techniques, enabling the creation of ultra-low-power computer chips and high-resolution cameras. The development could lead to significant advancements in fields such as medical imaging, security, and public safety.

SourceOhio State University·JournalIEEE Electron Device Letters·DateOct 15, 2009

Microchips result in higher rate of return of shelter animals to owners

A recent study by Ohio State University found that microchipped animals were reunited with their owners in almost three out of four cases. The return-to-owner rate for cats was 20 times higher and for dogs 2 1/2 times higher than for all stray cats and dogs, highlighting the effectiveness of microchip technology in pet reunification.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·DateOct 13, 2009

Graphitic memory techniques advance at Rice

Researchers simplify fabrication of nano storage, creating a potentially very dense, stable nonvolatile memory for digital devices. The graphite-based approach uses industry-standard lithographic techniques to deposit amorphous graphite onto silicon, facilitating the creation of reliable memory bits.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateSep 9, 2009

Trap and zap: Harnessing the power of light to pattern surfaces on the nanoscale

Researchers at Princeton University have invented a technique to pattern surfaces on the nanoscale using lasers and plastic beads. The method enables the creation of ultrasmall features, such as lines and dots, that are 1,000 times narrower than a human hair, with potential applications in biology, medicine, and computing.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJun 18, 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.

New computer program automates chip debugging

Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new technology to automate post-silicon debugging, using puzzle-solving search algorithms to diagnose problems early on. This reduces parts of the process from days to hours, making it possible to produce computer chips that work correctly under all scenarios.

Princeton engineers develop low-cost recipe for patterning microchips

Researchers at Princeton University have invented a new process called fracture-induced structuring that enables the self-formation of periodic lines, or gratings, separated by as few as 60 nanometers. This technique uses a thin polymer film and is simpler and faster than traditional methods, making it economically feasible for large-s...

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 2, 2007

Carnegie Mellon awarded grant

Carnegie Mellon University has been awarded a six-year, $4.2 million grant to create a new type of reconfigurable integrated circuit for chip manufacturers. Researchers will work on technology that seeks to break the bottleneck by joining mechanical probes with integrated circuits in a design that allows for their reconfiguration.

Micro-pump is cool idea for future computer chips

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new cooling system that uses a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) pump to cool electronic devices on a tiny scale. The device is integrated onto a silicon chip and can create a cooling action through electrohydrodynamics, enhancing the pumping action by up to 13 percent.

Machinery of the 'marijuana munchies'

A study published in Neuron found that the CB1 receptor is integrated with leptin signaling to control appetite, with implications for obesity treatment. Blocking CB1 receptors may offer a promising approach to treating obesity, and recent antiobesity drugs like rimonabant may also work by reducing endocannabinoid signaling.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateDec 21, 2005