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 Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:05:01 EDT Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:05:01 EDT 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/2008/07/080725152314.htm A team of researchers has observed electrons moving through a crystal of bismuth metal behaving like light. The discovery may enable powerful new electronic devices that exploit the principles of quantum mechanics to compute and communicate. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080725152314.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080723134506.htm Researchers have overcome a major obstacle in producing transistors from networks of carbon nanotubes, a technology that could make it possible to print circuits on plastic sheets for applications including flexible displays and an electronic skin to cover an entire aircraft to monitor crack formation. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080723134506.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080717134601.htm Researchers have overcome a major obstacle in reducing the cost of "solid state lighting," a technology that could cut electricity consumption by 10 percent if widely adopted. The technology, called light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, is about four times more efficient than conventional incandescent lights and more environmentally friendly than compact fluorescent bulbs. The LEDs also are expected to be far longer lasting than conventional lighting, lasting perhaps as long as 15 years before burning out. Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080717134601.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080714150657.htm Researchers have found a way to make ultra-small pure carbon crystals entirely formed from the spherical carbon 'buckyball' molecule known as C60. The method used involves mixing two liquids together, one of which contains C60, at low temperature. Mon, 21 Jul 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080714150657.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080721124314.htm The first scanning tunneling spectroscopy of graphene flakes equipped with a "gate" electrode has found an unexpected gap-like feature in the energy spectrum of electrons tunneling into graphene's single layer of atoms. Scientists who performed the research believe the peculiar feature arises from the interaction of the tunneling electrons with phonons, the quantized vibrations of the 2-D graphene crystal. Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080721124314.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080714092749.htm Scientists have described the principles behind the stability and electronic properties of tiny nanoclusters of metallic gold. The study found that the clusters are stable because they behave like "superatoms" and exhibit a "divide and protect" bonding structure -- a core of gold atoms and a protective layer of gold-thiolate complexes. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080714092749.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080710103849.htm Tiny electronically active chemicals can be made to form ordered layers on a surface. These nanostructured layers may one day be used to build the components of electronics devices, such as transistors and switches, for a future generation of powerful computers based on molecules rather than silicon chips. Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080710103849.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080708110517.htm How stressed are we? A sensor vest will soon be able to tell us. From sports training to computer games, the garment registers the electrical excitation of the muscles at any given time and determines the level of physical stress. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080708110517.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080708124353.htm Researchers have achieved a significant advance in nanoscale lithographic technology, used in the manufacture of computer chips and other electronic devices, to make finer patterns of lines over larger areas than have been possible with other methods. Their new technique could pave the way for next-generation computer memory and integrated-circuit chips, as well as advanced solar cells and other devices. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080708124353.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080709144157.htm Scientists have for the first time identified a key component to unraveling the mystery of room temperature superconductivity. Materials that could potentially transport electricity with zero resistance at room temperature hold vast potential -- magnetically levitated superfast train, lossless power generators and transmission lines, powerful supercomputers, etc. Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080709144157.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080707141635.htm A new way to help technologists develop efficient and inexpensive plastic electronic devices, such as plastic solar cells and a new type of transistor has been developed. As the probe bobs up and down the force required to keep it oscillating at a steady rate changes measurably, which tells the scientists about the nature of the scanned surface. By using different vibration frequencies, it is possible obtain nanoscale measurements on materials. Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080707141635.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080708094128.htm Researchers have demonstrated functional components that exploit the magnetic properties of electrons to perform logic operations. Compatible with existing microtechnology, the new approach heralds the next era of faster, smaller and more efficient electronics. Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080708094128.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080702172041.htm Scientists are developing the world's smallest, high-performance and low-power sensor in silicon which will have applications in biosensing and environmental monitoring. Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080702172041.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080702173627.htm European researchers have taken a major step towards the goal of developing printable electronics that can be used for creating radio frequency identification tags and flexible watch displays. Researchers have long dreamed of being able to print electronic components directly onto organic materials such as paper, fabrics, or plastic. Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080702173627.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080701180141.htm Researchers have developed a technology that uses "microjets" to deposit liquid into tiny channels and remove five times more heat than other experimental high-performance chip-cooling methods for computers and electronics. Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080701180141.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080630120117.htm With market analysts predicting a ten fold increase in the value of the organic light emitting display industry it is no wonder that scientists and governments alike are keen to advance research into "plastic electronics". For a long time, plastic was thought of as an insulating material that could not conduct electricity, but ground-breaking research in the 1970s proved that some plastics could do so. Wed, 02 Jul 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080630120117.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080627163002.htm The THz plasmonic graded metallic grating structure can stop terahertz light waves at multiple points on its surface and also at different frequencies. Engineers say this greater control will help overcome the "mismatch" that poses an obstacle to the integration of nanoelectronics and nanophotonics. Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080627163002.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080625193916.htm Researchers have shown that a new class of ultraviolet photodiode could help meet the U.S. military's pressing requirement for compact, reliable and cost-effective sensors to detect anthrax and other bioterrorism agents in the air. Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080625193916.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080627163233.htm Materials scientists have developed a process to build complex, three-dimensional nanoscale structures of magnetic materials such as nickel or nickel-iron alloys using techniques compatible with standard semiconductor manufacturing. The process could enable whole new classes of sensors and microelectromechanical devices. Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080627163233.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080627163225.htm Using an ultra-fast method of measuring how a transistor switches from the "off" to the "on" state, researchers recently reported that they have uncovered an unusual phenomenon that may impact how manufacturers estimate the lifetime of future nanoscale electronics. Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080627163225.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080627163255.htm The odd behavior of a molecule in an experimental silicon computer chip has led to a discovery that opens the door to quantum computing in semiconductors. Researchers describe how they have created a new, hybrid molecule in which its quantum state can be intentionally manipulated -- a required step in the building of quantum computers. Sat, 28 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080627163255.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080623133533.htm Researchers have developed a technique that controls the number of electrons on the surface of high-temperature superconductors, a procedure considered impossible for the past two decades. Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080623133533.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080619111138.htm Particles called excitons that emit a flash of light as they decay could be used for a new form of computing better suited to fast communication, physicists at UC San Diego have demonstrated. Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080619111138.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080616204649.htm Researchers have developed a technology for a plastic ferro-electric diode which they believe will achieve a breakthrough in the development of ultra low-cost plastic memory material. Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080616204649.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080611135030.htm Computer engineers have created a way to design integrated circuits that contain many individual selves. The chips can assume different identities, depending on the user's needs. The new method enables programmers to strategically reconfigure application-specific integrated circuits while preserving their advantages, such as speed and low power. The chips could be used for enhanced device security, content provisioning, application metering, device optimization and many other design tasks. Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080611135030.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080610154752.htm Using one of the world's most powerful sources of man-made radiation, physicists have uncovered new secrets about the properties of graphene -- a form of pure carbon that may one day replace the silicon in computers, televisions, mobile phones and other common electronic devices. Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080610154752.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080608131213.htm Graphene is the two-dimensional form of carbon, a single layer of carbon atoms thought impossible as a free-standing crystal until created in 2004. Now researchers have measured the extraordinary properties of graphene with an accuracy never before achieved, confirming many strange features but also revealing significant departures from theoretical predictions. Mon, 09 Jun 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080608131213.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080602090541.htm Move over, Rumplestiltskin. Researchers in China report the first successful "electrospinning" of a type of plastic widely used in automobiles and electronics. The high-tech process, which uses an electric charge to turn polymers into thin fibers in the presence of electricity, produced plastic mats that can stretch 10 times more without breaking than the original material and could lead to new uses for the plastic, they say. Sun, 08 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080602090541.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080602155934.htm Flat screen displays currently used in computer monitors, television sets and numerous other electronic devices are all built on a glass base. Most use liquid crystal devices (LCDs), which filter light from behind to form an image. But the glass substrate makes LCD displays rigid and fragile, limiting their use. Now display manufacturers are working to develop a new generation of robust, flexible displays that can be curved to fit the shape of a product or even rolled up like a magazine. The question is, which of the technologies under development is the best? Thu, 05 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080602155934.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080603110849.htm Researchers are working on a thermoelectric generator that converts the heat from car exhaust fumes into electricity. The module feeds the energy into the car's electronic systems. This cuts fuel consumption and helps reduce the carbon dioxide emissions from motor vehicles. Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080603110849.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080528095936.htm Stanford chemists have developed a new way to make transistors out of carbon nanoribbons. The devices could someday be integrated into high-performance computer chips to increase their speed and generate less heat, which can damage today's silicon-based chips when transistors are packed together tightly. Thu, 29 May 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080528095936.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080527124419.htm Carbon nanotubes, described as the reigning celebrity of the advanced materials world, are all the rage. Recently researchers used them to make the "blackest black" -- the darkest known material, reflecting only 0.045 percent of all light shined on it. Carbon nanotubes are long thin cylinders composed entirely of carbon atoms. Thu, 29 May 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080527124419.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080527155459.htm Engineers have created a method that uses pervasive Bluetooth signals from cell phones and other wireless devices to constantly update how long it takes vehicles and pedestrians to travel from one point to another. The method envisioned by engineers represents a potentially low-cost leap in technology to provide information for everything from the speed of the morning commute to the sluggishness of airport security lines. Wed, 28 May 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080527155459.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080527094150.htm Scientists are developing techniques to coax carbon nanotubes to self-assemble into ordered structures -- essentially making the nanotubes do the hard work for them. Ironically, the universal principle of 'order through chaos,' has allowed the team’s most recent research to give rise to nanotubes that are strikingly more ordered and complex than any ever observed before. These intriguing new nanotube structures have dubbed 'serpentines' due to their self-assembly into snake-like or looped configurations. Tue, 27 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080527094150.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080523201046.htm Researchers have come one step closer to finding the 'holy grail' in the field of plastic semiconductors by demonstrating a class of material that could make electrically-driven plastic laser diodes a reality. Conventional electrically-powered laser diodes used in everyday consumer goods like DVD players are currently based on inorganic semiconductor materials such as gallium arsenide, gallium nitride and related alloys. The term 'semiconductor' describes the material's ability to pass an electric current, which lies somewhere between that of a metallic conductor and that of an insulator. Tue, 27 May 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080523201046.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080521184825.htm New models of how two types of power transistors perform will result in more efficient smart electrical circuits, making such technologies as cars and home appliances more reliable and environmentally friendly. Power transistors are used to control large electrical loads and are at the heart of the modern smart circuits used in all kinds of equipment from motor steering units to stereo amplifiers. More efficient transistors would thus contribute to the move toward greener power supplies by using energy sources in a more economical manner. Fri, 23 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080521184825.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080516164819.htm Researchers have reported a new technique to sort batches of carbon nanotubes by length using high-speed centrifuges. The technique should be easy to scale to industrial quantities for a variety of nanotube applications where length is an important factor. Tue, 20 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080516164819.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080519105049.htm Researchers have created a new kind of polymer that, because of its extraordinary thermal and mechanical properties, could be used in everything from airplanes to solar cells. The polymer, a nanocomposite that incorporates functionalized, exfoliated graphene sheets, even conducts electricity, and researchers hope to use that property to eventually create thermally stable, optically transparent conducting polymers. Mon, 19 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080519105049.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080515145345.htm Engineers have improved the power output of one type of fuel cell by more than 50 percent through technology that could help these environmentally friendly energy storage devices find a much broader market, particularly in portable electronics. Mon, 19 May 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080515145345.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080516094400.htm Scientists are investigating the characteristics of various types of materials for their use in the generation and measurement of precise movements. When the arms of a robot move to pick up an egg or an electric lamp, the greatest precision possible is essential. To this end, advances in the science and technology of materials have provided the design and control of systems equipped with sensors and actuators built with new materials. Sat, 17 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080516094400.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080514092329.htm Electrical engineers have created experimental solar cells spiked with nanowires that could lead to highly efficient thin-film solar cells of the future. The new design increases the number of electrons that make it from the light-absorbing polymer to an electrode. Fri, 16 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080514092329.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080514111746.htm Paul Morrow, who will graduate from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on May 17, has come a long way from his days as an elementary school student, pulling apart his mother's cassette player. The talented young physicist has developed two innovations that could vastly improve magnetic data storage and sense extremely low level magnetic fields in everything from ink on counterfeit currency to tissue in the human brain and heart. Fri, 16 May 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080514111746.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080514083819.htm European researchers say their study of self-sustaining solitary light wave packets could result in a new generation of computers and optical telecommunications networks. Using light rather than electronic or magnetic devices to store and move data is quicker, more energy efficient and cost-effective, and cavity solitons could be the key to unlocking this technology. Thu, 15 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080514083819.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080513112341.htm Even before Weixiao Huang received his doctorate, his new transistor captured the attention of some of the biggest American and Japanese automobile companies. The 2008 graduate's invention could replace one of the most common pieces of technology in the world -- the silicon transistor for high-power and high-temperature electronics. Tue, 13 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080513112341.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508164412.htm Scientists have developed a new technique for fabricating nanowire photonic and electronic integrated circuits that may one day be suitable for high-volume commercial production. The fabrication technique could yield low-cost, scalable nanowire photonic and electronic circuits. Sun, 11 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508164412.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508143307.htm Many important electronic devices used by people today would be impossible without the use of ceramics. A new study illustrates the use of ceramic materials in the development of technological devices, including mobile communication and ultrasonic imaging. Fri, 09 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508143307.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080506105133.htm An innovative micro-pump makes it possible for tiny quantities of liquid -- such as medicines -- to be dosed accurately and flexibly. Active composites and an electronic control mechanism ensure that the low-maintenance pump works accurately -- both forwards and backwards. Wed, 07 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080506105133.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080502114843.htm The Holy Grail for transistor designers has been the requirement to be able to get high performance at reduced costs over very large substrate areas. Transistors on cheap and flexible substrates like glass and plastics are currently unable to deliver such performance and therefore do not lend themselves to seamless monolithic integration of increased electronic functions on human interface devices (displays and sensors). Tue, 06 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080502114843.htm