A team of researchers at the FOM institute AMOLF has succeeded for the first time in powering an energy transfer between nano-electromagnets with the magnetic field of light. This breakthrough is of major importance in the quest for magnetic ‘meta-materials’ with which light rays can be deflected in every possible direction. This could make it …
Experimental ECR-GDM Thruster As a Model for Fusion Propulsion by . Jerome J. Brainerd and Al Reisz A small experimental electric thruster, in which power is supplied via Electron-Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) absorption of microwaves by the propellant gas, has been tested at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The plasma generated is confined radially …
Economist Robin Hanson and futurist Brian Wang join us as we continue our special series leading up Foresight 2010. The conference, January 16-17 in Palo Alto, California, provides a unique opportunity to explore the convergence of nanotechnology and artificial intelligence and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Foresight Institute. 10:00 Eastern/9:00 …
Wired covers the Liquid fluoride thorium reactor. The thorium energy blog (which is where Kirk Sorenson and the others write and gather for discussion) has some additions. Fluoride salt is NOT highly corrosive if it’s put in the right container material. The high-nickel-alloy Hastelloy-N was proven by Oak Ridge scientists and engineers to be compatible …
Another research paper that describes an aspect of how the Dwave System adiabatic quantum computer works. Synchronization of multiple coupled rf-SQUID flux qubits (10 page pdf) A practical strategy for synchronizing the properties of compound Josephson junction (CJJ) radio frequency monitored superconducting quantum interference device (rf-SQUID) qubits on a multi-qubit chip has been demonstrated. The …
Sandia National Laboratories scientists have developed tiny glitter-sized photovoltaic cells that could revolutionize the way solar energy is collected and used. The tiny cells could turn a person into a walking solar battery charger if they were fastened to flexible substrates molded around unusual shapes, such as clothing. 100 times less silicon generates same amount …
Advanced Materials : Engineering Strong Intergraphene Shear Resistance in Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes and Dramatic Tensile Improvements Strong intergraphene shear resistance is engineered in multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by embedding the nanotubes into a compressive-stressing ceramic environment to exploit the exceptional strength of its inner graphene walls during tensile loading. A dramatic enhancement in the tensile …
The X-51A WaveRider is expected to fly as fast as 4,000 mph (Mach 6). But in its first flight Dec. 9, it stayed firmly tucked under the wing of a B-52H Stratofortress. The WaveRider’s first hypersonic test flight, set for mid-February 2010. On that mission, a B-52 will release the WaveRider 50,000 feet over the …
1. MIT Technology Review: Seth Lloyd describes the utility of the new quantum computing algorithm for linear equations. MIT researchers, however, have developed a new algorithm that could solve systems of linear equations with exponential speed–improving video processing, weather modeling, and population analysis, among other applications. For even the easiest trillion-variable problems, “a supercomputer’s going …
1. Swedish telecommunications company TeliaSonera has launched the world’s first commercially available 4G mobile broadband network. Based on the much talked about LTE or Long Term Evolution Technology, the fourth generation of cellular wireless standards aims to give users a seamless service across several different networks and systems. It will have speeds of up to …
James Cameron will make an Avatar sequel, but it won’t be the next film he takes on. Likely next movies are an adaptation on the manga Battle Angel, which will use the technological tricks of Avatar. Forbidden Planet is also possible. the tricky scenes are where you’re blending live-action photography, stereoscopic photography and CG The …