a, The plasmonic laser consists of a CdS semiconductor nanowire on top of a silver substrate, separated by a nanometre-scale MgF2 layer of thickness h. This structure supports a new type of plasmonic mode16 the mode size of which can be a hundred times smaller than a diffraction-limited spot. The inset shows a scanning electron …
More than 2,000 dams near population centers are in need of repair, according to statistics released this month by the Association of State Dam Safety Officials. [High hazard potential repairs are needed.] The National Inventory of Dams (NID), which is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), shows that the number of dams …
MIT Technology Review reports that friendly gut microbes that have been engineered to make a specific protein can help regulate blood sugar in diabetic mice, according to preliminary research presented this week at the American Chemical Society conference in Washington, D.C. While the research is still in the very early stages, the microbes, which could …
If DNA-tagged molecular shapes (whether made of DNA with Rothemund staples, or Schafmeister polymers, or whatever) were allowed to self-assemble to a DNA framework, and then zinc or light (or whatever reagent) were added, then the shapes could bond quite strongly into a single large strong precise molecule. The molecule could be highly crosslinked, and …
Gregory Benford will be presenting an update of Genescient’s work at the Singularity Summit in New York on October 3rd and 4th, 2009. Our laboratory animals live for 5 times the normal lifespan. They have health and vigor. We use their genetic properties to find what works similarly in humans. Genescient applies 21st century genomic …
Here is the Henry Markram interview by Sander Olson. [Note: there 14 questions and answers and a copyright by Dr. Markram at the end] Dr. Markram is the Project Director of the Blue Brain project, and Dr. Markram recently predicted that the Blue Brain project could have a human level brain simulation within a decade. …
A new study from the University of Missouri may shed light on how to increase the level and quality of activity in the elderly. In the study, published in this week’s edition of Public Library of Science – One, MU researchers found that gene therapy with a proven “longevity” gene energized mice during exercise, and …
Growth is Good There is an essay “Who’s afraid of economic growth?” which makes an excellent case in favor of economic growth and why those who are trying to stop or constrain it are wrong. Behind today’s trendy arguments about environmentalism, ethical living and happiness, there lurks a deep disdain for material progress. From an …
Shifting China’s economy towards services would do much more than strengthening the social safety net as a way to boost the miserly share of consumption in GDP, McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) said on Friday. The 74 page report is here in pdf form and requires a free registration to view it. “If You’ve Got It, …
1. Platform for Controlled Supramolecular Nanoassembly We here present a two-dimensional (2D) micro/nano-fluidic technique where reactant-doped liquid−crystal films spread and mix on micro- and nanopatterned substrates. Surface-supported phospholipid monolayers are individually doped with complementary DNA molecules which hybridize when these lipid films mix. Using lipid films to convey reactants reduces the dimensionality of traditional 3D …
On August 4, 2009, Petrobank and TriStar agreed to a strategic combination of TriStar and Petrobank’s CBU. The combination will create a new publicly listed company, PetroBakken, that will be a premier, Bakken-focused, light oil exploration and production company. Petrobank pioneered the horizontal fracture stimulation techniques that opened up the true potential of this substantial …