Every week, we bring you the top ten stories in science and technology. Here are the top stories this week: 1. Innovative transistors based on magnetically induced movement of ions 2. Atomically thin perovskites boost for future electronics 3. Exploring electrolysis for energy storage 4. Thermoelectric power generation at room temperature: Coming soon? 5. Special Report: Top Tech 2018 6. Deep Learning: A Critical Appraisal 7. Six Cyber Threats to Really Worry About in 2018 8. Carbon nanotube as ultrafast emitter with narrow energy spread at optical frequency 9. Sensor the size of a nitrogen atom investigates hard drives 10. […]
Author Archives: Hema Viswanath
Six Cyber Threats to Really Worry About in 2018
MIT Technology Review January 2, 2018 Hackers are constantly finding new targets and refining the tools they use to break through cyberdefenses. From AI-powered hacking to tampering with voting systems, here are some of the big risks on our radar screen – More huge data breaches, Ransomware in the cloud, The weaponization of AI, Cyber-physical attacks, Mining cryptocurrencies, Hacking elections (again!). Read more at MIT Technology Review
Sensor the size of a nitrogen atom investigates hard drives
Nanowerk January 2, 2018 Researchers in Germany are developing a quantum sensor that will be able to precisely measure the tiny magnetic fields we can expect to see in the next generation of hard discs. The sensor itself is just slightly larger than a nitrogen atom, with a specially grown ultra-pure diamond crystal as a substrate. The combined nitrogen-vacancy center acts as the actual sensor. Using electron spin resonance spectroscopy, they can detect magnetic fields with nanometer accuracy, and determine their force opening an extraordinary range of applications. Potentially the sensor can be used to measure brain activity. Read […]
Exploring electrolysis for energy storage
Science Daily January 2, 2018 Researchers in Japan have developed a flow-type polymer electrolyte cell for power storage. The cell reduces oxalic acid (OX) to glycolic acid, which has a higher volumetric energy-storage capacity than hydrogen gas. Newly fabricated TiO2 cathode enhanced the speed and efficiency of OX reduction. By using a solid polymer electrolyte in direct contact with the electrodes, the reaction can be as a continuous flow without addition of impurities. The maximum volumetric energy capacity of the GC solution is around 50 times that of hydrogen gas. The energy efficiency, as opposed to capacity, lags behind other […]
Flexible bonding: hard and soft at the same time
Fraunhofer Research News January 2, 2018 Researchers in Germany have developed a new material called MetAK which is comparable to commercially available resins. Its stiffness can be determined by two hardening mechanisms: irradiation with UV light, and heat. The areas that should remain flexible are not irradiated; they are instead treated with heat, which cures them. As the rigidity is very easily adjustable, it is possible to flexibly adjust the material to the frequency range of the vibrations and compensate for them. MetAk can be cast in a specified shape making it attractive for orthopedic applications. Read more.
Carbon nanotube as ultrafast emitter with narrow energy spread at optical frequency
Nanowerk January 2, 2018 An international team of researchers (China, Finland) used carbon nanotubes to achieve energy spreads as low as 0.25 eV to demonstrate field-driven ultrafast photo electron emission, in a system capable of much higher phase synchronization than its photon-driven counterpart. According to the researchers, their work will help reshape our understanding of strong field physics, and may very well light the way for entirely new types of electron emission systems. Read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Thermoelectric power generation at room temperature: Coming soon?
Physorg.com December 27, 2017 Researchers in Japan combined silicon with ytterbium to create ytterbium silicide which is a good electrical conductor, non-toxic and has valence fluctuation that makes it a good TE material at low temperatures. The Yb atoms in YbSi2 occupy crystal planes and the Si atoms form hexagonal sheets between those planes blocking the conduction of heat through the material keeping the thermal conductivity down. They have achieved high power factor of 2.2 mWm-1K-2 at room temperature. The research could help unlock the benefits of TE in everyday technology. Read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Innovative transistors based on magnetically induced movement of ions
Nanowerk December 27, 2017 The transport of paramagnetic FeCl4 ions in a liquid electrolyte (including [Bmim]FeCl4) demonstrated by researchers in Japan, was magnetically controlled to operate a typical electrochemical device; an Electric Double Layer Transistor (EDLT), a type of transistor that uses an EDL at a semiconductor/electrolyte interface to tune the electronic carrier density of the semiconductor. The device was successfully switched by a magnetic field, although the switching ratio was smaller than in conventional EDLTs that are controlled by an electric field. The research has the potential to realize innovative applications that have not been possible using conventional approaches. […]
Atomically thin perovskites boost for future electronics
Physorg.com December 27, 2017 High-κ dielectric materials may be the key for developing electronic devices of the future. Researchers in Japan created high-performance dielectric nanofilms using 2-D perovskite nanosheets (Ca2Nam−3NbmO3m+1; m = 3–6) as building blocks. It exhibited an unprecedented capacitance density of approximately 203 μF cm-2, which is about three orders of magnitude greater than that of currently available ceramic condensers, opening a route to ultra-scaled high-density capacitors. The research provides a strategy for achieving 2-D high-κ dielectrics/ferroelectrics for use in ultra-scaled electronics and post-graphene technology. Read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE Credit: National Institute for Materials Science
Special Report: Top Tech 2018
IEEE Spectrum January 3, 2018 Here are some of the technologies you’ll be reading about this year. Read more