Eurekalert – Researchers from the London Centre for Nanotechnology (LCN) have discovered electronic stripes, called ‘charge density waves’, on the surface of the graphene sheets that make up a graphitic superconductor. This is the first time these stripes have been seen on graphene, and the finding is likely to have profound implications for the exploitation …
Scientists can now take that “a-ha” moment to go with a method Princeton University researchers developed — and successfully tested — to speed up the chances of an unexpected yet groundbreaking chemical discovery. The new technique tries to accomplish “accelerated serendipity” by using robotics to perform more than 1,000 chemical reactions a day with molecules …
Geordie Rose, chief technology officer of Burnaby, B.C.-based D-Wave Systems, has been named “innovator of the year” by the Canadian Innovation Exchange. D-Wave, founded in 1999, sold its first quantum computing system this past May to U.S.-based Lockheed Martin Corp., which specializes in defence, security and aerospace technology. In October, D-Wave announced that another of …
Dr Baker developed a drug that when given to genetically altered mice would kill cells which had reached their Hayflick limits while leaving other cells untouched. Hayflick limited cells had reach senescence. The results were spectacular. Mice given the drug every three days from birth suffered far less age-related body-wasting than those which were not. …
Commercial space entrepreneur Robert Bigelow predicts that China could claim ownership of vast swaths of lunar territory by 2022 to 2026. Bigelow became rich with his own hotel chain and he has set up Bigelow Aerospace to develop inflatable space stations. China has the motivation and ability to win the next space race and claim …
Technology Review – Paul G. Allen, who cofounded Microsoft in 1975, is a philanthropist and chairman of Vulcan, which invests in an array of technology, aerospace, entertainment, and sports businesses. Mark Greaves is a computer scientist who serves as Vulcan’s director for knowledge systems. Rather than the ever-accelerating advancement predicted by Kurzweil, we believe that …
Arxiv – Single-qubit gate error below one in ten thousand in a trapped ion It is about one in twenty thousand and is about 40 times better than trapped ion before. In theory, quantum computers can solve certain problems much more efficiently than classical computers. This has motivated experimental efforts to construct and verify devices …
Space Review – Today, no true air-breathing spaceplanes or reusable boosters yet exist, but there is now renewed interest in air-breathing technology. At the same time, remarkable launch cost reductions in more conventional boosters are imminent due to the efforts of SpaceX and other firms. There is now steady progress in actual testing of hypersonic …
I was at the Singularity University on Friday giving a talk on the most recent developments and capabilities in nanotechnology. (I will shortly have my presentation posted with an article. I saw a talk by Daniel Hillis while I was there The talk was very similar to a TED talk Danny gave at the end …
2011 and 2012 are shaping up to be years where key technologies establish a technical takeoff. J Storrs Hall defines a technical takeoff – Embodies the essential function of the proposed technology – is proof that the concept works – focuses technical effort – is a vehicle for practical experience – attracts financial (etc) resources …
As of June 2, 2011, all PDF versions of books published by the National Academies Press (NAP) will be downloadable to anyone free of charge. There are more than 4,000 books plus future reports produced by NAP–publisher for the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council. If …