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NEWS
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Quantum crypto aims for space
An optical communications link spanning 89 miles
between two Canary Islands set the free-space distance
record for quantum cryptography and sets the stage for
quantum cryptographic links between the Earth and satellites
or other spacecraft. Quantum cryptography provides theoretically
perfectly secure communications. (Entanglement-Based
Quantum Cryptography and Quantum Communication, American
Physical Society annual meeting, March 7, 2007)
Biochip Tricorder
A prototype biochip scans microscopic particles
that combine unique ID codes with various DNA strands
to identify multiple biological molecules in single samples.
The inexpensive device could be used to diagnose diseases,
discover drugs and generate genetic profiles. (Multifunctional
Encoded Particles for High-Throughput Biomolecule Analysis,
Science, March 9, 2007)
Silica to silicon
A chemical process that converts silica to silicon
preserves the nanoscale features of the original silica
objects, including diatom shells. The technique could
be used to convert silica objects into gas sensors, battery
and fuel cell electrodes and other electronic and optical
devices. (Chemical
Reduction of Three-dimensional Silica Micro-Assemblies
into Microporous Silicon Replicas, Nature,
March 8, 2007)
Protein-fortified memory
Nanocrystals patterned by protein molecules form
the data storage element of a prototype memory device
that could lead to higher capacity flash chips. The patterned
nanocrystals allow the chip's transistors to be oriented
vertically, opening the way for more transistors to be
packed in the same space. (Vertical
Flash Memory with Protein-Mediated Assembly of Nanocrystal
Floating Gate, Applied Physics Letters, March
5, 2007)
Flashier flash chips
A type of material that can be altered both electrically
and magnetically could lead to a new generation of fast,
high-capacity flash memory chips for digital cameras and
media players. Memory chips made from the material would
record data electrically and read it out magnetically.
(Tunnel
Junctions with Multiferroic Barriers, Nature Materials,
published online March 11, 2007)
Hybrid biofuel
A proposed hybrid hydrogen-carbon transportation
fuel made from biomass would require less than half the
plant matter of today's biofuels and has the potential
to supply all of the United States' transportation needs.
The fuel is theoretically emissions-neutral because the
carbon dioxide emitted by vehicles burning it would be
offset by the carbon dioxide absorbed by the next crop
of plants. (Sustainable
Fuel for the Transportation Sector, Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences, March 20, 2007) |
FEATURES
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View
from the High Ground: ICL's John Pendry
Physics as machine tool, negative refractive
index, metamaterials, shattered wine glasses, higher capacity
DVDs, scientific backwaters, risk perception and practice,
practice, practice.
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How
It Works: Quantum computing: qubits
Photons, electrons and atoms, oh my! These particles are
the raw materials for qubits, the basic building blocks
of quantum computers. |
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"Physics
is to the rest of science what machine tools are
to engineering. A corollary is that science places
power in our hands which can be used for good or
ill. Technology has been abused in this way throughout
the ages from gunpowder to atomic bombs."
- John Pendry, Imperial College London |
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Thanks
to Kevin from
GoldBamboo.com
for technical support |
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