http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/electronics/ News and Research in Electronics. Read about new discoveries in electronics including electronic circuits, polymer-based electronics, nanotubes and more. en-us Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:05:02 EST Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:05:02 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/electronics/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091120084337.htm Two-dimensional carbon layers, so-called graphenes, are regarded as a possible substitute for silicon in the semiconductor industry. The electronic properties of these layers can be varied by "building in" specific arrays of holes in their structure. Physicists and chemists have, for the first time, succeeded in synthesizing a graphene-like porous polymer with atomic accuracy. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091120084337.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118160627.htm Engineering researchers have developed a unique and robust method to prevent cloning of passive radio frequency identification tags. The technology, based on one or more unique physical attributes of individual tags rather than information stored on them, will prevent the production of counterfeit tags and thus greatly enhance both security and privacy for government agencies, businesses and consumers. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118160627.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118092626.htm Researchers have developed a new, inexpensive, reusable and highly efficient microfluidic connector. The connector employs a ring magnet with a O-ring gasket on its bottom and a tube in its center set directly atop the inlet or outlet port of a microfluidic channel embedded in a glass chip. A disc magnet on the underside of the chip holds the first magnet -- and its tubing -- securely in place. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118092626.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091112121605.htm The performance of modern electronics increases steadily on a fast pace thanks to the ongoing miniaturization of the utilized components. However, severe problems arise due to quantum-mechanical phenomena when conventional structures are simply made smaller and reach the nanometer scale. Therefore current research focuses on the so-called bottom-up approach: the engineering of functional structures with the smallest possible building blocks -- single atoms and molecules. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091112121605.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113125445.htm Single layers of carbon atoms, called graphene sheets, are lightweight, strong, electrically semi-conducting -- and notoriously difficult and expensive to make. Now, scientists have invented a simple way to make graphene electrical devices by growing the graphene directly onto a silicon wafer. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113125445.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091115134128.htm Physicists have demonstrated the first "universal" programmable quantum information processor able to run any program allowed by quantum mechanics -- the rules governing the submicroscopic world -- using two quantum bits (qubits) of information. The processor could be a module in a future quantum computer, which theoretically could solve some important problems that are intractable today. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091115134128.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111122320.htm Nanophysicists have developed a new method for manufacturing the cornerstone of nanotechnology research -- nanowires. The discovery has great potential for the development of nanoelectronics and highly efficient solar cells. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111122320.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091112103423.htm A new project has resulted in much improved design methods for high performance silicon chips. Leading semiconductor chipmakers, electronic circuit developers and design automation equipment manufacturers worked closely together to tackle a series of problems much earlier in the design phase and so enhance integrated circuit design approaches. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091112103423.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110171746.htm Researchers are making progress in developing a new type of transistor that uses a finlike structure instead of the conventional flat design, possibly enabling engineers to create faster and more compact circuits and computer chips. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110171746.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091112095046.htm Researchers have created bowtie-shaped antennae that function as the first tunable nano color sorters, able to capture, filter and steer light at the nanoscale. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091112095046.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111210626.htm Electronic devices can't work well unless all of the transistors, or switches, within them allow electrical current to flow easily when they are turned on. Engineers have now determined why some transistors made of organic crystals don't perform well, yielding ideas about how to make them work better. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111210626.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111142514.htm Silicon nanowires are attracting attention from the electronics industry due to the drive for smaller devices, from cell phones to computers. The operation of these devices, and an array of additional applications, will depend on the mechanical properties of these nanowires. New research shows that silicon nanowires are far more resilient than their larger counterparts, a finding that paves the way for smaller, sturdier nanoelectronics, nanosensors, light-emitting diodes and other applications. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111142514.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110112440.htm In work that someday may lead to the development of novel types of nanoscale electronic devices, researchers have combined DNA's talent for self-assembly with the remarkable electronic properties of carbon nanotubes, thereby suggesting a solution to the long-standing problem of organizing carbon nanotubes into nanoscale electronic circuits. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110112440.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105143712.htm University of Utah chemists demonstrated the first conclusive link between the size of catalyst particles on a solid surface, their electronic properties and their ability to speed chemical reactions. The study is a step toward the goal of designing cheaper, more efficient catalysts to increase energy production, reduce Earth-warming gases and manufacture a wide variety of goods from medicines to gasoline. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105143712.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111111301.htm A unique microchip with microscopic nail structures enable close communication between the electronics and biological cells. The new chip is a mass-producible, easy-to-use tool in electrophysiology research, for example for fundamental research on the functioning and dysfunctioning of the brain. Each micronail structure serves as a close contact-point for one cell, and contains an electrode that can very accurately record and trigger in real-time the electrical activity of an individual electrogenic cell in a network. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111111301.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029141212.htm Using precision techniques for making superconducting thin films layer-by-layer, physicists have identified a single layer responsible for one such material's ability to become superconducting, i.e., carry electrical current with no energy loss. The technique could be used to engineer ultrathin films with "tunable" superconductivity for higher-efficiency electronic devices. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029141212.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091023104708.htm A team of engineers has transformed simple nanowires into reconfigurable materials and circuits, demonstrating a novel, self-assembling method for chemically creating nanoscale structures that are not possible to grow or obtain otherwise. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091023104708.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027162001.htm Scientists have always attempted to develop spin transistors by incorporating local ferromagnets into device architectures. A far better and practical way to manipulate the orientation of an electron's spin would be by using purely electrical means. Researchers have now found an innovative and novel way to control an electron's spin orientation using purely electrical means. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027162001.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016224157.htm Researchers have demonstrated some of the first commercially viable plasmonic devices, paving the way for a new era of high-speed communications and computing in which electronic and optical signals can be handled simultaneously. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016224157.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013110042.htm Researchers have found a way to make a key electronic component on a phenomenally tiny scale -- a single-molecule diode. Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013110042.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014144722.htm Researchers have discovered novel electronic properties in two-dimensional sheets of carbon atoms called graphene that could one day be the heart of speedy and powerful electronic devices. The new findings, previously considered possible by physicists but only now being seen in the laboratory, show that electrons in graphene can interact strongly with each other. The physicists discovered that the fractional quantum Hall effect in graphene is even more robust than in standard semiconductors. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014144722.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091012084212.htm Studying the formation of nanoscopic carbon geodesic domes offers insight into the growth of graphene sheets, and may lead to compact, efficient circuitry. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091012084212.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007091750.htm A new method enables calibrating entire waveforms -- graphical shapes showing how electrical signals vary over time -- rather than just parts of waveforms as is current practice. The new method improves the accuracy of common test instruments used in communications and electronics. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007091750.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013112521.htm In an effort to make graphene more useful in electronics applications, engineers have made a golden discovery -- gold "snowflakes" on graphene. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013112521.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006095019.htm The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the Nobel Prize in Physics for 2009 with one half to Charles K. Kao, Standard Telecommunication Laboratories, Harlow, UK, and Chinese University of Hong Kong "for groundbreaking achievements concerning the transmission of light in fibers for optical communication", and the other half jointly to Willard S. Boyle and George E. Smith, Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill, NJ, USA "for the invention of an imaging semiconductor circuit -- the CCD sensor". Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006095019.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006104314.htm Researchers in Europe have unveiled a miniaturized and wireless 8-channel EEG system. The system is suited for remote monitoring of patients in their daily environment, resulting in more natural readings and greatly increasing the patient's comfort. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006104314.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091004141152.htm Researchers show for the first time why ordinary graphite is a permanent magnet at room temperature. The results are promising for new applications in nanotechnology, such as sensors and detectors. In particular graphite could be a promising candidate for a biosensor material. Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091004141152.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090927164027.htm Not all that long ago, hybrid vehicles were still really exotic. Now, you see them more and more frequently on our roads. However, hybrid cars are not mass-produced as their production costs are still relatively high. A researcher has now developed a new concept that integrates power electronic functions and an electric motor, which could reduce the costs of producing hybrid cars. Sun, 04 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090927164027.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090929181818.htm Brain implants that can more clearly record signals from surrounding neurons in rats have been created. The findings could eventually lead to more effective treatment of neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and paralysis. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090929181818.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001163559.htm Researchers have overcome a major obstacle in efforts to use tiny structures called carbon nanotubes to create a new class of electronics that would be faster and smaller than conventional silicon-based transistors. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001163559.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090927165439.htm Physicists have successfully created speedy integrated circuits with particles called "excitons" that operate at commercially cold temperatures, bringing the possibility of a new type of extremely fast computer based on excitons closer to reality. Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090927165439.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090925092702.htm Research into carbon nanostructures may some day be used in electronic, thermal, mechanical and sensing devices for the Air Force. Mon, 28 Sep 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090925092702.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090924153640.htm A team of engineers and artists has developed a way to create glass objects using a conventional 3-D printer. The technique allows a new type of material to be used in such devices. Sun, 27 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090924153640.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090924101630.htm Researchers have learned how to consistently create hollow, solid and amorphous nanoparticles of nickel phosphide, which has potential uses in the development of solar cells and as catalysts for removing sulfur from fuel. Their work can now serve as a "how-to" guide for other researchers to controllably create hollow, solid and amorphous nanoparticles -- in order to determine what special properties they may have. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090924101630.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090923133010.htm Imagine a gift wrapped in paper you really do treasure and want to carefully fold and save. That's because the wrapping paper lights up with words like "Happy Birthday" or "Happy Holidays," thanks to a built in battery -- an amazing battery made out of paper. That's one potential application of a new battery made of cellulose, the stuff of paper. Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090923133010.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090922123931.htm Understanding precisely how fluid boils in tiny "microchannels" has led to formulas and models that will help engineers design systems to cool high-power electronics in electric and hybrid cars, aircraft, computers and other devices. Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090922123931.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090922185704.htm NIST has issued a new ruler, and even for an organization that routinely deals in superlatives, it sets some records. Designed to be the most accurate commercially available 'meter stick' for the nano world, the new measuring tool boasts uncertainties below a femtometer. That's 0.000 000 000 000 001 meter, or roughly the size of a neutron. Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090922185704.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090918100021.htm Many medical conditions, such as chronic pain, cancer and diabetes, require medications that cannot be taken orally, but must be dosed intermittently, on an as-needed basis, over a long period of time. Researchers have devised a drug delivery solution that combines magnetism with nanotechnology. Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090918100021.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916103420.htm Scientists are reporting development of a new method for screening molecules and predicting how certain materials, ranging from chemicals used in carpeting to electronics, will contribute to global warming. Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916103420.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916153131.htm Researchers funded by the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research have invented a new type of magnetron that may be used to defeat enemy electronics. A magnetron is type of vacuum tube used as the frequency source in microwave ovens, radar systems and other high-power microwave circuits. Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916153131.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916092655.htm It is the marriage of two top candidates for the electronics of the future, both excentric and extremely interesting: Graphene, one of the partners, is an extremely thin fellow and besides, very young. Not until 2004 was it possible to specifically produce and investigate the single layer of carbon atoms. Its electronic properties are remarkable, because, among other things, its electrons can move so tremendously fast. It is a perfect partner for gallium arsenide, the semiconductor that allows tailoring of its electrical properties and which is the starting material of the fastest electrical and opto-electronic components. Besides, it is possible to produce gallium arsenide with an atomic-layer-smooth surface; this should suit well as a support for graphene. Scientists have now, with the aid of a special design, succeeded in making graphene visible on gallium arsenide. Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916092655.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090913134032.htm Researchers have made the first high-resolution 3-D images of the inside of a polymer solar cell. This gives them important new insights in the nanoscale structure of polymer solar cells and its effect on the performance. Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090913134032.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090909103124.htm Advances have brought graphite's potential as a mass data storage medium a step closer to reality and created the potential for reprogrammable gate arrays that could bring about a revolution in integrated circuit logic design. Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090909103124.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090908151330.htm For the first time researchers have run an electrical circuit entirely off power in trees. The findings suggest a new power source for wireless sensors -- and a way to monitor tree health. Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090908151330.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090811091834.htm If artificial devices could be combined with biological machines, laptops and other electronic devices could get a boost in operating efficiency. Researchers have now devised a versatile hybrid platform that uses lipid-coated nanowires to build prototype bionanoelectronic devices. Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090811091834.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090817143606.htm A new organic material lets both positive and negative charges flow efficiently. It permits a simpler design of organic electronics, using a single material for transporting positive and negative charges. Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090817143606.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090902122841.htm Researchers have designed a new graphite-based, magnetic nano-material that acts as a semiconductor and could help material scientists create the next generation of electronic devices like microchips. Sat, 05 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090902122841.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901082709.htm The new Southampton Nanofabrication Centre in the UK will make it possible to manufacture high-speed and non-volatile ‘universal memory’ devices for industry within 5 years, researchers say. Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901082709.htm