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More stable qubits in perfectly normal silicon

The stability of qubits can be maintained 100 times more effectively in silicon than in gallium arsenide, allowing for longer coherence times and improved gate fidelity. Researchers are now focused on scaling up the qubits for use in circuits of multiple interplaying qubits.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 4, 2016

For first time, carbon nanotube transistors outperform silicon

Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have created carbon nanotube transistors that outperform state-of-the-art silicon transistors, achieving a current 1.9 times higher than silicon transistors. The breakthrough could pave the way for carbon nanotubes to replace silicon in electronic devices.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 2, 2016
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.

Silicon nanoparticles trained to juggle light

Researchers have demonstrated silicon nanoparticles that can manipulate and switch light, enabling ultrafast all-optical signal processing in optical communication systems. The nanoantennas can transmit, reflect, or scatter incident light in a specified direction, showing potential for high-speed data transmission.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalACS Photonics·DateAug 23, 2016

X-ray optics on a chip

Researchers have successfully fabricated a millimeter-sized chip capable of splitting a beam of X-rays. The chip features fork-shaped channels that efficiently transport and split the beam, producing interference patterns similar to those in classical Young's double-slit experiments.

SourceInternational Union of Crystallography·JournalActa Crystallographica Section A·DateAug 18, 2016

New silicon structures could make better biointerfaces

Researchers have engineered silicon particles that can establish unique biointerfaces on cell membranes, potentially leading to innovative treatments for neurodegenerative disorders. The new material also degrades over time, eliminating the need for removal procedures.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateAug 1, 2016
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.

Beating the heat a challenge at the nanoscale

Rice University scientists detect thermal boundary that hinders ultracold experiments, requiring clever measurement techniques to overcome. The researchers found that cooling substrates reduced temperature increases, but thermal boundary resistance remained a major issue.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateJul 28, 2016

Chemical etching method helps transistors stand tall

University of Illinois researchers have developed a way to etch very tall, narrow finFETs, a type of transistor that forms a tall semiconductor 'fin' for the current to travel over. The new method addresses problems in creating 3-D devices by stacking layers or carving out structures from a thicker semiconductor wafer.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalIEEE Electron Device Letters·DateJul 25, 2016

Researchers discover key mechanism for producing solar cells

Researchers from the University of Houston have reported a critical step toward large-scale manufacture of better and less-expensive solar panels. They discovered how perovskite thin films change structure upon gentle heating, crucial for designing a manufacturing process that can consistently produce high-efficiency solar panels.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalNanoscale·DateJul 18, 2016

Engineered 'sand' may help cool electronic devices

Researchers have discovered a new class of high thermal conductivity materials that can improve cooling for power electronics and other applications. The silicon dioxide nanoparticles, coated with ethylene glycol, can conduct heat at potentially higher efficiency than existing materials.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalMaterials Horizons·DateJul 12, 2016
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.

What happens when you steam a planet?

Researchers suggest that hot, rocky planets could alter their bulk composition, density, and internal structure due to steam atmosphere loss. This process may have implications for understanding the early Earth's evolution and character.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·DateJun 27, 2016

The complex material engineering of NASA's Webb Telescope sunshield

The sunshield consists of five layers of Kapton material, each coated with aluminum and doped-silicon for optimal thermal insulation. The unique kite-like shape and precise layer separation direct heat away from the optics, allowing the telescope to reach required temperatures.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 23, 2016

How water droplets freeze: The physics of ice and snow

A team of researchers proposes a new question on the crystallization of water in droplets, finding that density waves are excited before crystallization. The study uses computer simulations to investigate the freezing of nanoscale silicon drops and films, providing new insights into the formation of ice and snow.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateJun 21, 2016
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.

Yale scientists amplify light using sound on a silicon chip

A Yale team has developed a new waveguide system that harnesses the interaction of light and sound waves to boost light intensity on a silicon microchip, solving a long-standing problem in hybrid technologies. The breakthrough enables precise control over the interaction, leading to potential commercial applications in fiber-optic comm...

SourceYale University·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 13, 2016

Novel energy inside a microcircuit chip

Researchers at VTT have created a hybrid nanomaterial-based supercapacitor that can store and generate electrical energy on a silicon chip, paving the way for zero-power autonomous devices in IoT. The new technology has impressive power generation of 2 watts on a one square centimetre silicon chip.

SourceVTT Technical Research Centre of Finland·JournalNano Energy·DateJun 8, 2016

An eco-friendly approach to reducing toxic arsenic in rice

University of Delaware researchers found that incorporating rice husk into soil can decrease toxic arsenic levels in rice grain by 25 to 50 percent. This eco-friendly approach has implications for developing countries relying on rice as a staple food and aims to improve soil quality without negatively affecting yield.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateJun 8, 2016

Diamonds closer to becoming ideal semiconductors

Scientists have developed a new technique to dope single-crystal diamonds with boron at relatively low temperatures without degrading the crystal. This breakthrough enables selective doping, allowing for more control when making devices.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateMay 24, 2016
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Gigantic ultrafast spin currents

Researchers from TU Wien have proposed a new method to create gigantic spin currents in a very small period of time using ultra short laser pulses. The spin current is injected into silicon without creating a charge current due to a spin-selective effect, leading to extremely strong spin-polarization.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 24, 2016

Team builds first quantum cascade laser on silicon

A team of researchers has successfully built the first quantum cascade laser on silicon, paving the way for applications in chemical bond spectroscopy, gas sensing, astronomy, and free-space communications. The breakthrough integrates lasers directly on silicon chips, overcoming challenges posed by silicon's indirect bandgap.

SourceOptica·DateApr 20, 2016

WiFi capacity doubled at less than half the size

Researchers at Columbia University have developed the first on-chip RF circulator that doubles WiFi speeds with a single antenna, transforming telecommunications. The technology enables full-duplex communications, where transmitter and receiver operate simultaneously, doubling network capacity.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 15, 2016

Scientists grow a material based on hafnium oxide for a new type of non-volatile memory

Researchers have successfully grown ultra-thin ferroelectric films based on hafnium oxide, which could potentially be used to develop non-volatile memory elements. The films' ferroelectric properties are compatible with silicon technology, paving the way for the creation of new non-volatile memory devices.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateApr 13, 2016
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.

How bioceramics could help fight gum disease

Scientists are exploring the potential of bioceramic silicon nitride to treat severe gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. The material's surface has been shown to degrade bacteria responsible for periodontitis, offering a promising therapeutic aid.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalLangmuir·DateApr 6, 2016

NREL, SLAC scientists pinpoint solar cell manufacturing process

Researchers at NREL and SLAC pinpoint the chemical and physical changes that occur during the firing step in silicon solar cell manufacturing. They found that between 500-650 degrees Celsius, lead oxide etches the antireflective coating on the solar cell, while above 650 degrees, silver dissolves into the molten glass frit.

SourceDOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 5, 2016

Cost-effective production of hydrogen from natural resources

Researchers at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) have developed a cost-effective method for producing high-purity silicon nanosheets, which are essential for the mass production of hydrogen. The new technique uses natural clay and salt to synthesize these nanosheets, significantly reducing production costs.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalNPG Asia Materials·DateApr 5, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Correction: Solar fuels: Protective layer for the 'artificial leaf'

Researchers have developed a stable and conductive protective layer for the 'artificial leaf' that enhances water oxidation efficiency. The innovative layer, made from ruthenium dioxide nanoparticles and an organic polymer, improves current densities and stability.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateMar 23, 2016

Solar fuels: A refined protective layer for the 'artificial leaf'

Scientists at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin developed a protective layer for the 'artificial leaf' that converts 12% of incident solar energy into hydrogen. The new layer, made from graphene, enables stable and efficient water splitting.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateMar 21, 2016

Scratching the surface: Real-time monitoring of surface changes at the atomic level

A French research team, led by Dr. Frédéric Leroy, has created a method for real-time monitoring of surface changes at the atomic level. The approach enables them to study the kinetics of silicon dioxide decomposition onto silicon during thermal treatment, revealing a non-homogeneous process involving hole nucleation and opening.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMar 15, 2016

Overlooked resistance may inflate estimates of organic-semiconductor performance

New research finds that overlooked electrical resistance in organic field-effect transistors can lead to overestimates of charge-carrier mobility. The study's findings challenge conventional wisdom and highlight the need for accurate measurement methods to benchmark organic semiconductor performance.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 10, 2016

Researchers take giant step towards 'holy grail' of silicon photonics

Researchers from Cardiff University have demonstrated the first practical laser grown directly on a silicon substrate, paving the way for ultra-fast communication between computer chips. The breakthrough has the potential to transform various sectors, including communications, healthcare and energy generation.

SourceCardiff University·JournalNature Photonics·DateMar 7, 2016
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.

First new 'Atom-Smasher' since the LHC, comes online

The SuperKEKB electron-positron collider has achieved 'First Turns,' a major milestone for the new accelerator. The machine is designed to produce high-intensity particle beams, enabling the Belle-II experiment to probe fundamental theories beyond the Standard Model.

SourceTata Institute of Fundamental Research·DateMar 3, 2016

A new spin on quantum computing: Scientists train electrons with microwaves

Researchers have developed a method to rapidly change electron spins using microwave photons, demonstrating potential for quantum information processing and enhancements in magnetic resonance techniques. The experiment showed an accelerated relaxation of electron spins and the release of a microwave photon in about 1 second.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateFeb 15, 2016
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.

Research reveals carbon films can give microchips energy storage capability

An international team led by Dr. Yury Gogotsi and Dr. Patrice Simon has confirmed that carbon films can be integrated into silicon chips for energy storage, enabling the creation of microscale batteries on a chip. This breakthrough opens up possibilities for smaller personal electronic devices and the Internet of Things.

SourceDrexel University·JournalScience·DateFeb 11, 2016

Silicon chip with integrated laser: Light from a nanowire

Physicists at TUM have developed a nanolaser that can be integrated onto a silicon chip, paving the way for fast and efficient data processing with light. The technology has the potential to break barriers of current electronics.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNano Letters·DateFeb 11, 2016

Wirelessly supplying power to brain

A research team at Toyohashi University of Technology has developed a wireless power transmission device that can supply electricity to a neural interface implanted on the brain. The device features a flexible antenna and a silicon chip, allowing for minimally invasive implantation and efficient energy transfer.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalSensors·DateFeb 7, 2016

Energy-saving minicomputers for the 'Internet of Things'

The Ions4Set project seeks to develop single electron transistors that can process information at room temperature, overcoming current power consumption limitations. By combining these transistors with field effect transistors, the EU project aims to create energy-efficient minicomputers for the 'Internet of Things'.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·DateJan 29, 2016
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.

Breakthrough enables ultra-fast transport of electrical charges in polymers

A team of chemists and materials scientists at Umeå University has discovered a method to align polymer chains vertically, enabling ultra-fast charge transport. This breakthrough has implications for the production of efficient organic opto-electronic devices, such as solar cells and light-emitting diodes.

SourceUmea University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 28, 2016

NREL theorizes defects could improve solar cells

Scientists at NREL found that certain defects can improve carrier collection and surface passivation of silicon solar cells. The study's results run counter to conventional wisdom and have implications for the development of more efficient solar cells.

SourceDOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJan 19, 2016
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.

Optimum band gap for hybrid silicon/perovskite tandem solar cell

Researchers have developed a hybrid silicon/perovskite tandem solar cell with an optimum band gap of 1.75eV, achieving a significant increase in efficiency due to improved light absorption and stability. This breakthrough could lead to the development of high-efficiency solar modules with increased theoretical maximum efficiency.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalScience·DateJan 8, 2016

Stable perovskite cell boosts solar power efficiency

Researchers added cesium to perovskite solar cells, increasing thermal and photostability while maintaining high efficiency. The modified cells showed a boost in efficiency when layered on top of silicon photovoltaics, potentially achieving over 25% efficiency.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJan 7, 2016
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.

Optoelectronic microprocessors built using existing chip manufacturing

A team of researchers at MIT has successfully built a working optoelectronic microprocessor, demonstrating the feasibility of optical communication in computing. The chip computes electronically but uses light to move information, potentially reducing power consumption and increasing performance.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateDec 23, 2015

Whisper gallery modes in Silicon nanocones intensify luminescence

Researchers have discovered that silicon nanocones can intensify luminescence by up to 200 times compared to nanocolumns. This is due to the amplification of electromagnetic waves through whisper gallery modes, which facilitate increased electron excitation and release of light.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 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.

Next-generation infrared detectors win NSF funding

The Rochester Institute of Technology and Raytheon Vision Systems collaboration has received $2 million in NSF funding to develop new infrared detectors grown on silicon wafers. The technology is expected to increase discovery space for telescopes and expand its use to homeland security, remote sensing, and biomedical imaging.

SourceRochester Institute of Technology·DateNov 23, 2015

Ultrastable materials investigated in depth

Researchers measured thermal expansion of ceramics and silicon in a precise temperature range, revealing significant deviations from reference values. The results are crucial for future space missions like JWST and SPICA.

SourcePhysikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)·JournalPhysical Review B·DateNov 23, 2015

Flexoelectricity is more than Moore

Researchers have successfully integrated flexoelectric materials into silicon technology, paving the way for more energy-efficient and sustainable electronics. The development could provide an alternative to traditional piezoelectric materials, which pose toxicity concerns.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateNov 17, 2015

'Tuning in' to a fast and optimized internet

Researchers have designed a tunable filter that can be integrated onto a photonic chip, enabling flexible optical networks. The device has a record-breaking tuning span of 670 GHz, making it suitable for handling large data volumes and adapting to dynamic changes.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateNov 16, 2015

Nanotechnology advances could pave way for implantable artificial kidney

Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in nanopore technology that could pave the way for a surgically implantable artificial kidney. The new device is designed to remove toxins and waste from the blood without a pump or electrical power, offering a promising alternative to dialysis for patients with end-stage renal disease.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·DateNov 10, 2015
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

UW-Madison engineers reveal record-setting flexible phototransistor

Researchers developed a flexible phototransistor that exceeds previous parameters, including sensitivity and response time. The innovative design enables improved performance in various products, such as digital cameras and night-vision goggles.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateOct 30, 2015

Bioengineers cut in half time needed to make high-tech flexible sensors

Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a new fabrication process that cuts the time needed to make high-tech flexible sensors in half. The new process uses a peel-and-stick medium and allows for mass-market manufacturing, making it possible to monitor vital signs and brain activity more easily.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalSensors·DateOct 28, 2015

The world's fastest nanoscale photonics switch

Researchers created a compact photonic switch on silicon nanostructures, enabling ultrafast optical pulse switching at femtosecond rates. This device could revolutionize computing by transferring data at tens and hundreds terabits per second, outperforming traditional electronic devices.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalNano Letters·DateOct 27, 2015
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.

Crucial hurdle overcome in quantum computing

Researchers at the University of New South Wales have successfully built a silicon quantum computer, overcoming a crucial hurdle. The achievement enables the creation of a logic gate using two qubits, paving the way for a full-scale processor chip.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalNature·DateOct 5, 2015

Liquid cooling moves onto the chip for denser electronics

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a liquid-cooling system that can be integrated directly onto chips, enabling the creation of denser and more powerful electronic systems. The system has been demonstrated to operate at temperatures significantly below those of air-cooled devices.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·DateOct 4, 2015