Unusual 'collapsing' iron superconductor sets record for its class
Scientists have found an iron-based superconductor that operates at the highest known temperature for a material in its class. The discovery inches iron-based superconductors closer to being useful in many practical applications.
Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:27:27 EST

Scientists develop biological computer to encrypt and decipher images
Scientists have developed a "biological computer" made entirely from biomolecules that is capable of deciphering images encrypted on DNA chips.
Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:28:28 EST

Materials for first optical fibers with high-speed electronic function are developed
For the first time, researchers have developed crystalline materials that allow an optical fiber to have integrated, high-speed electronic functions. The potential applications of such optical fibers include improved telecommunications and other hybrid optical and electronic technologies, improved laser technology, and more-accurate remote-sensing devices.
Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:37:37 EST

Graphene electronics moves into a third dimension
Wonder material graphene has been touted as the next silicon, with one major problem -- it is too conductive to be used in computer chips. Now scientists have given its prospects a new lifeline. Scientists have now literally opened a third dimension in graphene research. Their research shows a transistor that may prove the missing link for graphene to become the next silicon.
Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:10:10 EST

Self-assembling nanorods: Researchers obtain 1-, 2- and 3-D nanorod arrays and networks
Researchers have developed a relatively fast, easy and inexpensive technique for inducing nanorods to self-assemble into aligned and ordered macroscopic structures. This technique should enable more effective use of nanorods in solar cells, magnetic storage devices and sensors, and boost the electrical and mechanical properties of nanorod-polymer composites.
Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:24:24 EST

Microscopy reveals 'atomic antenna' behavior in graphene
Atomic-level defects in graphene could be a path forward to smaller and faster electronic devices. With unique properties and potential applications in areas from electronics to biodevices, graphene, which consists of a single sheet of carbon atoms, has been hailed as a rising star in the materials world. Now, a new study suggests that point defects, composed of silicon atoms that replace individual carbon atoms in graphene, could aid attempts to transfer data on an atomic scale by coupling light with electrons.
Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:12:12 EST

Kitchen gadget inspires scientist to make more effective plastic electronics
A kitchen gadget that vacuum seals food in plastic inspired a physicist to improve the performance of organic transistors for potential use in video displays.
Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:09:09 EST

Making better electronic memory
A rare combination of electric and magnetic properties in a now readily producible material could improve electronic memory devices.
Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:54:54 EST

Crystallizing the future of oxide materials
Researchers have examined the challenges facing scientists building the next generation of materials and innovative electronic devices and identified opportunities for taking the rational material design in new directions.
Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:37:37 EST

Bilayer graphene works as an insulator: Research has potential applications in digital and infrared technologies
Physicists have identified a property of "bilayer graphene" that the researchers say is analogous to finding the Higgs boson in particle physics. The physicists found that when the number of electrons on the BLG sheet is close to 0, the material becomes insulating -- a finding that has implications for the use of graphene as an electronic material in the semiconductor and electronics industries.
Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:04:04 EST

New means for creating elastic conductors
Researchers have developed a new method for creating elastic conductors made of carbon nanotubes, which will contribute to large-scale production of the material for use in a new generation of elastic electronic devices.
Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:21:21 EST

Development of world?s first functional polymer nanowire fabrication technology by pulsed laser irradiation
Scientists have selectively grown polymer nanowires using only irradiation with a pulsed laser, in a region limited to the area of irradiation. They also succeeded in imparting diverse functionalities to the nanowires by doping with various species of nanomaterials.
Sun, 22 Jan 2012 10:29:29 EST

Bucky balls for next-generation spintronics devices
The beauty of an electron?s spin is that it responds very rapidly to small magnetic fields. Such external magnetic fields can be used to reverse the direction of spin. In this way, information can be carried by a flow of electrons.
Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:29:29 EST

Particle-free silver ink prints small, high-performance electronics
Materials scientists have developed a new reactive silver ink for printing high-performance electronics on ubiquitous, low-cost materials such as flexible plastic, paper or fabric substrates. The reactive ink has several advantages over particle-based inks: low processing temperature, high conductivity, and the ability to print very small features.
Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:36:36 EST

Nano research could impact flexible electronic devices
A new discovery shows that the flexibility and durability of carbon nanotube films and coatings are intimately linked to their electronic properties and could impact flexible electronic devices such as solar cells and wearable sensors.
Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:19:19 EST

Slippery when stacked: Theorists quantify the friction of graphene
Similar to the way pavement, softened by a hot sun, will slow down a car, graphene slows down an object sliding across its surface. But stack the sheets and graphene gets more slippery, say theorists who developed new software to quantify the material's friction.
Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:40:40 EST

Theory explains how new material could improve electronic shelf life
Engineers have discovered that the new material graphene conducts heat about 20 times faster than silicon, making it an option as a semiconductor material that could produce quieter and longer-lasting computers, cellphones and other devices.
Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:15:15 EST

Experiments demonstrate nanoscale metallic conductivity in ferroelectrics
The prospect of electronics at the nanoscale may be even more promising with the first observation of metallic conductance in ferroelectric nanodomains.
Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:59:59 EST

Smaller and more powerful electronics requires the understanding of 'quantum jamming' physics
Smaller and more powerful electronics requires the understanding of 'quantum jamming' physics, experts say.
Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:26:26 EST

Keeping electronics cool: Findings on modified form of graphene could have impacts in managing heat dissipation
An engineering professor has made a breakthrough discovery with graphene, a material that could play a major role in keeping laptops and other electronic devices from overheating.
Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:29:29 EST

Graphene reveals its magnetic personality
Can organic matter behave like a fridge magnet? Scientists have now shown that it can. Researchers took nonmagnetic graphene and then either 'peppered' it with other nonmagnetic atoms like fluorine or removed some carbon atoms from the chicken wire. The empty spaces, called vacancies, and added atoms all turned out to be magnetic, exactly like atoms of, for example, iron.
Sun, 08 Jan 2012 14:36:36 EST

Nanocrystals make dentures shine
Chemists have developed novel glass ceramics for dentistry. The new kind of glass ceramic with a nanocrystalline structure seems to be well suited to be used in dentistry due to its high strength and its optical characteristics.
Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:14:14 EST

'Nanowiggles:' Scientists discover graphene nanomaterials with tunable functionality in electronics
Scientists have used supercomputers to uncover the properties of a promising form of graphene, known as graphene nanowiggles. What they found was that graphitic nanoribbons can be segmented into several different surface structures called nanowiggles. Each of these structures produces highly different magnetic and conductive properties. The findings provide a blueprint that scientists can use to literally pick and choose a graphene nanostructure that is tuned and customized for a different task or device.
Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:54:54 EST

Relay race with single atoms: New ways of manipulating matter
A relay reaction of hydrogen atoms at a single-molecule level has been observed in real-space. This way of manipulating matter could open up new ways to exchange information between novel molecular devices in future electronics.
Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:17:17 EST

Subtle electronic effect in magnetite discovered: Long-standing puzzle in study of magnetism finally solved
A fundamental problem that has long puzzled scientists has been solved after more than 70 years. An international team of researchers has discovered a subtle electronic effect in magnetite, the most magnetic of all naturally occurring minerals. The effect causes a dramatic change to how this material conducts electricity at very low temperatures.
Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:03:03 EST

First certified reference material for single-wall carbon nanotubes
NIST has issued the world's first reference material for single-wall carbon nanotube soot. The new NIST material offers companies and researchers a badly needed source of uniform and well-characterized carbon nanotube soot for material comparisons, as well as chemical and toxicity analysis.
Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:58:58 EST

Self-healing electronics could work longer and reduce waste
Engineers have developed a self-healing system that restores electrical conductivity to a cracked circuit in less time than it takes to blink. As a crack propagates, microcapsules filled with liquid metal break open and the liquid fills the gap, restoring electrical flow. The technology is especially attractive for applications where repair is impossible, such as a battery, or finding the source of a failure is difficult, such as an air- or spacecraft.
Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:39:39 EST

Researchers measure nanometer scale temperature
Researchers have developed a new kind of electro-thermal nanoprobe that can independently control voltage and temperature at a nanometer-scale point contact. It can also measure the temperature-dependent voltage at a nanometer-scale point contact.
Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:39:39 EST

'Fantastic voyage' through the body, with precision control
Scientists have devised a method to guide endoscopic "capsules" on a more precise course through the small intestine to detect difficult-to-diagnose tumors or wounds, or allow for biopsies or drug delivery. The ability to manipulate the capsule, he says, will not only lead to better diagnosis capabilities, but a less invasive and quicker procedure as well.
Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:58:58 EST

New path to flex and stretch electronics: Artificial electronic skin device capable of detecting and responding to touch
Researchers have developed a promising new inexpensive technique for fabricating large-scale flexible and stretchable backplanes using semiconductor-enriched carbon nanotube solutions. To demonstrate the utility of their carbon nanotube backplanes, the researchers constructed an artificial electronic skin device capable of detecting and responding to touch.
Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST

One of the world's smallest electronic circuits created
Scientists have engineered one of the world's smallest electronic circuits. It is formed by two wires separated by only about 150 atoms or 15 nanometers.
Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:29:29 EST

New '3-D' transistors promising future chips, lighter laptops
Researchers have created a new type of transistor made from a material that could replace silicon and have a 3-D structure instead of conventional flat computer chips.
Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:15:15 EST

S-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g electrical conductance to the limit
Scientists have developed a method for mechanically controlling the geometry of a single molecule, situated in a junction between a pair of gold electrodes that form a simple circuit. The manipulations produced over tenfold increase in conductivity.
Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:27:27 EST

First molybdenite microchip
After having revealed the electronic advantages of molybdenite, researchers in Switzerland have now taken the next definitive step. The researchers have made a chip, or integrated circuit, confirming that molybdenite can surpass the physical limits of silicon in terms of miniaturization, electricity consumption, and mechanical flexibility.
Mon, 05 Dec 2011 08:22:22 EST

New switch could improve electronics
Researchers have invented a new type of electronic switch that performs electronic logic functions within a single molecule. The incorporation of such single-molecule elements could enable smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient electronics.
Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:54:54 EST

Fully printed carbon nanotube transistor circuits for displays
Researchers outline the first practical demonstration of carbon nanotube transistor based printed circuits for display backplane applications revealing CNT's viable candidacy as a competing technology alongside amorphous silicon and metal oxide semiconductor solution as a low-cost and scalable backplane option.
Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:15:15 EST

Emerging new properties at oxide interfaces
Researchers discovered a collective electronic state not seen before in the bulk of either two individual insulating oxides, thus demonstrating that electrons at their interface can now exhibit ferromagnetism.
Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:09:09 EST

New magnetic-field-sensitive alloy could find use in novel micromechanical devices
A multi-institution team of researchers has combined modern materials research and an age-old metallurgy technique to produce an alloy that could be the basis for a new class of sensors and micromechanical devices controlled by magnetism.
Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:35:35 EST

Highly efficient method for creating flexible, transparent electrodes developed
Researchers demonstrate a new method for making transparent electrodes from nanomaterials. By fusing AgNWs with metal oxide nanoparticles and organic polymers, highly transparent conductors were produced that could provide an alternative to the ITO. The research team has also built solar cells using the new electrodes and found that the performance of the cell is comparable to that of solar cells made with indium tin oxide.
Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:32:32 EST

When it comes to churning out electrons, metal glass beats plastics
By adding carbon nanotubes to a glass-like metal compound, researchers have devised a new breed of field emission electrodes. This technology, which produces a stream of electrons, may have promising applications in the consumer electronics industry.
Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:41:41 EST

New revolutionary material can be worked like glass
A common feature of sailboards, aircraft and electronic circuits is that they all contain resins used for their lightness, strength and resistance. However, once cured, these resins can no longer be reshaped. Only certain inorganic compounds, including glass, offered this possibility until now. Combining such properties in a single material seemed impossible until now. Researchers have just developed a new class of compounds capable of this remarkable feat.
Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:12:12 EST

Robot speeds up glass development
Model by model, the electronics in a car are being moved closer to the engine block. This is why the materials used for the electronics must resist increasing heat ? so the glass solder being used as glue must be continually optimized. For the first time ever, a robot takes on the task of developing new types of glass and examining their characteristics.
Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:17:17 EST

Researching graphene nanoelectronics for a post-silicon world
Copper's days are numbered, and a new study could hasten the downfall of the ubiquitous metal in smart phones, tablet computers, and nearly all electronics. This is good news for technophiles who are seeking smaller, faster devices. Researchers have discovered that they could enhance the ability of graphene to transmit electricity by stacking several thin graphene ribbons on top of one another.
Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:48:48 EST

'Noise' tunes logic circuit made from virus genes
In the world of engineering, ?noise? ? random fluctuations from environmental sources such as heat ? is generally a bad thing. In electronic circuits, it is unavoidable, and as circuits get smaller and smaller, noise has a greater and more detrimental effect on a circuit?s performance. Now some scientists are saying: if you can?t beat it, use it.
Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:15:15 EST

Physicists identify room temperature quantum bits in widely used semiconductor
Physicists may have earned silicon carbide ?? a semiconductor commonly used by the electronics industry ?? a role at the center of a new generation of information technologies designed to exploit quantum physics for tasks such as ultrafast computing and nanoscale sensing.
Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:12:12 EDT

World's most efficient flexible organic light-emitting diodes created on plastic
Researchers have developed the world's most efficient organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) on plastic. This result enables a flexible form factor, not to mention a less costly, alternative to traditional OLED manufacturing, which currently relies on rigid glass.
Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:12:12 EDT

A SHARP new microscope for the next generation of microchips
Scientists are building the world's most advanced extreme-ultraviolet microscope to study and design the photolithography masks, materials, patterns, and architectures essential to the next generation of integrated circuits.
Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:12:12 EDT

Graphene grows better on certain copper crystals
New observations could improve industrial production of high-quality graphene, hastening the era of graphene-based consumer electronics. By combining data from several imaging techniques, engineers found that the quality of graphene depends on the crystal structure of the copper substrate it grows on. Copper with higher index numbers tends to have lower-quality graphene growth. Two common crystal structures, numbered (100) and (111), have the worst and the best growth, respectively.
Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:35:35 EDT

Printed protection: Low-cost paper-based wireless sensor could help detect explosive devices
Researchers have developed a prototype wireless sensor capable of detecting trace amounts of a key ingredient found in many explosives. The device, which employs carbon nanotubes, is printed on paper or paper-like material.
Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:25:25 EDT

'Magnetic tongue' ready to help produce tastier processed foods
The "electronic nose," which detects odors, has a companion among emerging futuristic "e-sensing" devices intended to replace abilities that once were strictly human-and-animal-only. It is a "magnetic tongue" -- a method used to "taste" food and identify ingredients that people describe as sweet, bitter, sour, etc. Scientists report on use of the method to taste canned tomatoes.
Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:24:24 EDT

Nanotubes key to microscopic mechanics
Researchers from Spain and Belgium report on the innovative use of carbon nanotubes to create mechanical components for use in a new generation of micro-machines. While the electronics industry has excelled in miniaturizing components, with individual elements approaching the nanoscale (or a billionth of a meter), reducing the size of mechanical systems has proved much more challenging.
Tue, 25 Oct 2011 11:32:32 EDT

Taking the pulse of charge-separation processes: Self-organization gives rise to more efficient organic solar cells
Organic solar cells have the potential to convert sunlight into electrical energy in an economical and environmentally friendly fashion. The challenge is that they still work less efficiently than inorganic semiconductors. Ultrafast measurements on hybrid cells now reveal a route to double their efficiency.
Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:14:14 EDT

Magnetic nanoswitch for thermoelectric voltages
Thanks to a recently discovered effect in magnetic tunnel structures, thermoelectric voltages in nano-electronic junctions can be controlled.
Mon, 24 Oct 2011 08:42:42 EDT

Giant flakes make graphene oxide gel: Discovery could boost metamaterials, high-strength fibers
Slices of graphene oxide in a solution arrange themselves into a nematic liquid crystal. At a sufficient concentration, giant flakes will form a gel, a precursor to manufacturing metamaterals and fibers.
Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:14:14 EDT

'Microring' device could aid in future optical technologies
Researchers have created a device small enough to fit on a computer chip that converts continuous laser light into numerous ultrashort pulses, a technology that might have applications in more advanced sensors, communications systems and laboratory instruments.
Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:52:52 EDT

Magnetic attraction: Microchip demonstrates concept of 'MRAM for biomolecules'
Researchers have developed a low-power microchip that uses a combination of microfluidics and magnetic switches to trap and transport magnetic beads. The novel transport chip may have applications in biotechnology and medical diagnostics.
Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:28:28 EDT

Using new technique, scientists uncover a delicate magnetic balance for superconductivity
A new imaging technology is giving scientists unprecedented views of the processes that affect the flow of electrons through materials. By modifying a familiar tool in nanoscience -- the scanning tunneling microscope -- researchers have been able to visualize what happens when they change the electronic structure of a "heavy fermion" compound made of uranium, ruthenium and silicon. What they found sheds light on superconductivity -- the movement of electrons without resistance -- which typically occurs at extremely low temperatures and that researchers hope one day to achieve at something close to room temperature, which would revolutionize electronics.
Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:43:43 EDT

Key property of potential 'spintronic' material measured
An advanced material that could help bring about next-generation "spintronic" computers has revealed one of its fundamental secrets to a team of scientists.
Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:45:45 EDT

Step toward quantum computers: Using commercial photonic components
Researchers in Spain have developed a model that provides the basis for the application of commercial photonic components to the field of quantum computers and quantum communications.
Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:43:43 EDT

New record voltage for organic solar cells opens the tech to consumer electronics
Scientists have achieved a significant breakthrough in the performance of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells. They have achieved and demonstrated a record voltage for organic photovoltaic cells that means these highly flexible, low cost solar cells can now be devolved for commercial uses in a wide range of consumer electronics.
Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:15:15 EDT

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