Researchers have created a new process for making complex miniature waveguides that can steer optical signals in three dimensions through solid materials. All optical computers could approach the theoretical speed of a photonic switch which is estimated to be on the order of petahertz (10**15). They should definitely achieve multi-terahertz speeds. So 1000 to 1 …
New materials are making the new generation of skyscrapers safer. The problem for the World Trade Center was that regular steel: Above 750 F, steel starts to lose its structural integrity, and at 1100 F, steel loses 50 percent of its strength. A new formula infuses steel with nanoscale copper particles, this formula could maintain …
There is a 173 report that was published in 2007 on Human enhancement techonologies in Sports. Myostatin inhibitors are four times more effective than high doses of steroids Phase 2 clinical trials for humans are underway From pages 136-137 of the report: Memorandum from Dr Henning Wackerhage and Dr Aivaras Ratkevicius, School of Medical Sciences, …
Wired has an analysis of what would happen in a war between the United States and China in space. I think the analysis is meaningless because I do not believe that the United States and China would go to war. Both countries are prospering under the current world system and world order. The Wired analysis …
Biologists have created baker’s yeast capable of living to 800 in yeast years without apparent side effects. The basic but important discovery, achieved through a combination of dietary and genetic changes, brings science closer to controlling the survival and health of the unit of all living systems: the cell. The study is scheduled to appear …
Rough silicon nanowires synthesized by Berkeley National Lab researchers demonstrated high performance thermoelectric properties even at room temperature when connected between two suspended heating pads. Nearly all of the world’s electrical power, approximately 10 trillion Watts, is generated by heat engines, giant gas or steam-powered turbines that convert heat to mechanical energy, which is then …
Duke University engineers will reveal Friday (Jan. 11) details of an acoustic cloak fabricated from metamaterials that they claim can render objects invisible to sonar. If this works then we will have unprecedented control to hide from the effects or to enhance the effects of sound and other waves in all kinds of material. Submarines …
The world’s first gene detection platform made up entirely from self-assembled DNA nanostructures has been made. The other interesting aspect is to generalize the techniques used to rapidly create 100 trillion reactive and functional DNA components with easily readable results. If the attached differentiated labels could be rapidly scanned on mass then one could get …
Space Carnival week 36 is up at Steinn Sigurdsson blog Dynamics of Cats My contribution was that new high energy density superconductors are getting us significantly closer to being able to enable all magnetic ground launch into space. Slenian boondocks talks about an air launched single stage to orbit concept. Although I think if you …
From Wired,Scientists have proof in human subjects that resveratrol, a derivative of an ingredient in red wine, combats some symptoms of aging. Sirtris Pharmaceuticals announced the results here on Monday at the JPMorgan Healthcare Conference. Resveratol, naturally found in red wine, stimulates a gene known as SIRT1, which has been linked with extended lifespans in …
EMC2 Fusion has built an upgraded model of Bussard’s last experimental plasma containment device, which was known as WB-6. “We got first plasma yesterday,” Nebel said – but he and his colleagues in Santa Fe, N.M., still have a long way to get the WB-7 experiment up to the power levels Bussard was working with. …