Digging deep into diamonds

Feb 16 | News

By creating diamond-based nanowire devices, a team at Harvard has taken another step towards making applications based on quantum science and technology possible. The new device offers a bright, stable source of single photons at room temperature, an essential element in making fast and secure computing with light practical.

Gecko's lessons transfer well

Jan 25 | News

Watch a gecko walk up a wall. It defies gravity as it sticks to the surface no matter how smooth it appears to be. What's happening isn't magic. The gecko stays put because of the electrical attraction between millions of microscopic hairs on its feet and the surface. The principle applies to new research at Rice Univ., but in this case, the hairs figuratively come off the gecko and plant themselves on the wall.

Mobile microbots to face big challenge

10/23/2009 | News

We’ve all seen robots go head to head in feats or skill or straight-ahead combat. But you’ll need a microscope to watch competitors in NIST’s 2010 Mobile Microrobotics Challenge, which is being held next May in Anchorage, Alaska. Measuring just micrometers long and weigh as little a few nanograms, the metallic bots will be asked to complete the 2-mm dash, a microassembly task, and a freestyle competition.

First atomic-scale map of quantum dots created

9/30/2009 | News

Univ. of Michigan physicists have created the first atomic-scale maps of quantum dots, a major step toward the goal of producing "designer dots" that can be tailored for specific applications. Engineers are gaining the ability to manipulate the atoms in quantum dots to control their properties and behavior, through a process called directed assembly. But progress has been slowed, until now, by the lack of atomic-scale information about the structure and chemical makeup of quantum dots. The new atomic-scale maps will help fill that knowledge gap.  

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Lunar tires, space MRSA, and resonating microfluidics

Mar 5

I typically attend the annual Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy each year in pursuit of specific coverage. This year, I sought out candidates for coverage in a vacuum technology article, and pulled together some instruments for a spectroscopy guide. But as busy as that kept me, it wasn’t all mass spectrometers and vacuum pumps on the show floor.  

A clean energy America…is it coming or not?

Feb 24

Almost a year ago, the buzz during the downturn was that the economic stimulus will help boost jobs in a sort of national improvement program reminiscent of the 1930s. Our coal would be phased out. Our grids would get smart. Our cars would get hybridized.

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NuGard Coating Ashburn Hill

Jan 7

NuGard First Response Protective Clothing are lightweight coveralls, jackets, and pants that provide protection from heat and flame while keeping the wearers body temperature constant.

Multi-Touch Music Maker

Jan 7

Professor David Wessel shows his multi-touch interface that uses computer technologies that allow him to experiment with fine controls to "caress" the instrument.