The goal of Programmable Matter Program is to demonstrate a new functional form of matter, based on mesoscale particles, which can reversibly assemble into complex 3D objects upon external command. These 3D objects will exhibit all the functionality of their conventional counterparts. Programmable Matter represents the convergence of chemistry, information theory, and control into a …
1. Increasing population density, rather than boosts in human brain power, appears to have catalysed the emergence of modern human behaviour, according to a new study by UCL (University College London) scientists published in the journal Science. High population density leads to greater exchange of ideas and skills and prevents the loss of new innovations. …
J Storrs Hall, Foresight President, discusses general desktop nanofactories versus larger nanofactories and specialized nanofactories. This is part of a series of articles that have been posted at Accelerating Future, CRNano (Center for Responsible Nanotech), Foresight and this site (nextbigfuture) that consider how nanofactories will emerge and the impact. From the outside, the line from …
The Space Elevator Games 2009 finally have a specific scheduled date and they are July 14-16, 2009. Here is the schedule:6/05: non-US press badging deadline 6/08: Aviation Safety Review Board (must pass) 6/15: Tether System test flight (Dryden) 6/18: Team Laser safety/qual tests (Dryden) 7/09: Teams arrive for setup (Dryden) 7/14 – 7/16: Power Beaming …
ASML Holding NV (Netherlands) tipped a roadmap for the introduction of its first extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines at the IMEC Technology Forum. Martin van den Brink, executive vice president for products and technology said “EUV is the cost effective successor of 193-nm lithography below 20-nm.” and that ASML believes it can extend EUV down …
Apparatus for generating a two-color optical lattice. Co-propagating beams at both wavelengths are incident on a diffractive optical element (DOE) shown in (a), formed by a photolithographed gold-coated fused silica surface consisting of a regular array of raised equilateral triangles. The image shown was obtained with an atomic force microscope. In (b), reflected light is …
J Storrs Hall, President of the Foresight Institute, considers what will be the likely situation with early nanofactories. The first nanofactories will probably be DNA/RNA/protein gadgets requiring thousands of steps by skilled scientists to coax them to build a new gadget (which will consist only of DNA/RNA/protein), or diamondoid gadgets in high vacuum requiring thousands …
Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering Rahul Sarpeshkar, left, and Soumyajit Mandal display their RF (radio frequency) cochlea, a low-power, ultra-broadband radio chip. The chip, held by Mandal, is attached to an antenna, held by Sarpeshkar. The diagram on the computer monitor shows the wiring layout of the chip. MIT engineers have built a fast, ultra-broadband, …
There is some concern that if there are delays in launching replacement GPS satellites that there could a degradation in the availability and accuracy of GPS (global positioning). There are currently 31 operational GPS satellites. According to the GAO report, if the Air Force keeps to its current launch schedule, the chance that we’ll still …
Vistec’s Gaussian Beam systems which are characterized by a 3nm spot size at 100keV acceleration voltage are the system of choice for nanotechnology and most advanced research applications. Vistec’s Variable Shaped Beam systems are most advanced systems for electron-beam direct write in terms of throughput, accuracy and automation. Vistec has a range of systems. The …
Russian Academy of Sciences have developed a method of nanofabrication using an atom pinhole camera. The technique could produce individual nanostructures down to 30 nm, a size reduction of 10,000 times compared with the original object. Present experimental results show the resolution about 30 nm, but calculations (the theoretical prediction) say that the resolution can …