Archive for Nanotechnology

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Microrings

Miniature electronic resonaters known as microrings may significantly alter the way we exchange information of all types. These devices are very small, are low cost, require little power, operate at high frequencies and can handle high speed operations. This technology overcomes most signal interference problems and may enable replacing wire and cable connections [...]

TF Skin

Tactile Feedback (TF) skin is more commonly known as “touchy-feely” skin. As nanotechnology based artificial skins became more sophisticated and thinner, two way tactile communications has become a basic feature. When nano responsive skins were first being developed, most of the early functions involved basic hygiene; specifically the breathing and moisture control [...]

Graphene Nanomesh

Graphene is a flat sheet of carbon atoms packed into a honeycomb like structure that is only one atom thick. Hexagonal Boron Nitride is a synthetically created ceramic that has a microstructure similar to graphite. A single layer of this substance is called a “nanomesh” which looks like an assembly of hexagonal pores. [...]

Cradle

The cradle is a modular “body support” system that is a hybrid of ideas found in the designs of an acceleration couch, exoskeleton frameworks, and nanotechnology spacesuits.

Acceleration couch - a couch designed to absorb acceleration forces and protect the human reclining in the couch. The most advanced forms use liquid gel nano-foams [...]

Liquid Glass

In 1951, the movie, “The Man In The White Suit” described the fictional invention of a fiber that never wore out and could repel dirt. The inventor was able to weave the fiber into cloth and made a magical suit from the fabric. Liquid glass is a thin layer of silicon dioxide that [...]

Exploratory Engineering

Eric Drexler created the term, “exploratory engineering” to describe a process of extrapolation in engineering. Drexler maintains that logical boundaries of scope can be defined based on performance from physically possible classes of devices. Using physical laws to draw the boundaries makes it possible to create hypothetical scenarios and accomplish modeling that have [...]

Solar Pyrite Nanocrystals

Thin film and nanocrystal solar cells are pushing the edge of photovoltaics, but are often constructed using a silicon base doped with various forms of cadmium, tellurium, indium and other elements that push costs up. A substance that is abundant, cheap and has the right optical properties could produce an inexpensive solar cell. [...]

Paper Batteries

By coating paper with an ink that contains both carbon nanotubes and silver nanowire, the paper can store an electric charge, allowing it to function as a light and flexible battery or supercapacitor.
At Stanford, nanotubes + ink + paper = instant battery - [stanford.edu]

Stanford scientists are harnessing nanotechnology to quickly produce ultra-lightweight, bendable batteries and [...]

MEMS Gyroscopes

MEMS gyroscopes are very small, cheap gyroscopes that use a vibrating element to detect any change in their orientation.
MEMS Gyroscopes - [nanogloss.com]
Enabling a device to orient itself and respond to movement, MEMS gyroscopes have produced the next big technological splash: touch-triggered screens. This is what gives devices like the iPhone their interactive edge. [...]

Glass Grows Up

From using colloids to model the behavior of glasses, to windows that can change their tint, to adding peptides that can repel dirt, our understanding of the characteristics of glass is changing. How long can it be before we actually have transparent aluminum?

Materials scientists find better model for glass creation - [nanowerk.com]

Glasses form [...]