insideengineer.com

Nano measurement in the 3rd dimension

Matt — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:04:01 +0000

From the motion sensor to the computer chip – in many products of daily life components are used whose functioning is based on smallest structures of the size of thousandths – or even millionths – of millimetres. These micro and nano structures must be manufactured and assembled with the highest precision so that in the [...]

Electronic glue could accelerate advances in semiconductor-based technologies

TJ — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:54:52 +0000

An ‘electronic glue’ that could accelerate advances in semiconductor-based technologies, including solar cells and thermoelectric devices that convert sunlight and waste heat , respectively, into useful electrical energy, has been developed by researchers at the University of Chicago. The physical properties of semiconductors, means these have served as the materials of choice for many electronic and [...]

Whiskers provide robotic rat with feeling

TJ — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:16:17 +0000

A robotic rat that can seek out and identify objects using its whiskers, has been developed by a team of scientists from the Bristol Robotics Lab (BRL). Robot designs often rely on vision to identify objects, but this new technology, inspired by the use of touch in the animal kingdom, relies solely on sophisticated touch technology, [...]

Printable battery weighs less than one gram

Matt — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:27:18 +0000

In the past, it was necessary to race to the bank for every money transfer and every bank statement. Today, bank transactions can be easily carried out at home. Now where is that piece of paper again with the TAN numbers? In the future you can spare yourself the search for the number. Simply touch [...]

Integrated optical trap holds particles for on-chip analysis

Matt — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:14:46 +0000

A new type of optical particle trap can be used to manipulate bacteria, viruses and other particles on a chip as part of an integrated optofluidic platform. The optical trap is the latest innovation from researchers at the Jack Baskin School of Engineering at the University of California, Santa Cruz, who are developing new sensor [...]

Lab-on-a-chip measures mechanics of bacteria colonies

Matt — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:13:01 +0000

Researchers at the University of Michigan have devised a microscale tool to help them understand the mechanical behavior of biofilms, slimy colonies of bacteria involved in most human infectious diseases. Most bacteria in nature take the form of biofilms. Bacteria are single-celled organisms, but they rarely live alone, said John Younger, associate chair for research in [...]

Unexpectedly long-range effects in advanced magnetic devices

Matt — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:18:54 +0000

A tiny grid pattern has led materials scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Institute of Solid State Physics in Russia to an unexpected finding—the surprisingly strong and long-range effects of certain electromagnetic nanostructures used in data storage. Their recently reported findings* may add new scientific challenges to the design [...]

NIST develops novel ion trap for sensing force and light

Matt — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:15:26 +0000

Miniature devices for trapping ions (electrically charged atoms) are common components in atomic clocks and quantum computing research. Now, a novel ion trap geometry demonstrated at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) could usher in a new generation of applications because the device holds promise as a stylus for sensing very small forces [...]

Nanotechnology may increase longevity of dental fillings

Matt — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:11:31 +0000

Tooth-colored fillings may be more attractive than silver ones, but the bonds between the white filling and the tooth quickly age and degrade. A Medical College of Georgia researcher hopes a new nanotechnology technique will extend the fillings’ longevity. “Dentin adhesives bond well initially, but then the hybrid layer between the adhesive and the dentin begins [...]

Portable device detects suicide bombers

Matt — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:08:48 +0000

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the weapons of suicide bombers, are a major cause of soldier casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan. A group of University of Michigan engineering undergraduate students has developed a new way to detect them. The students invented portable, palm-sized metal detectors that could be hidden in trash cans, under tables or in flower [...]