Phys.org March 19, 2018 Post-translational modification of proteins is a strategy widely used in biological systems which has remained largely untapped for the synthesis of biomaterials. As a proof of concept of this technique, an international team of researchers (USA – Duke University, Germany) reports the generation of a family of three stimulus-responsive hybrid materials—fatty-acid-modified elastin-like polypeptides—using a one-pot recombinant expression and post-translational lipidation methodology. The hybrid approach allows researchers to control self-assembly more precisely, which may prove useful for a variety of biomedical applications from drug delivery to wound healing… read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
A new kind of quantum bits in two dimensions
Nanowerk March 19, 2018 An international team of researchers (Germany, Austria, Hungary, UK) succeeded in developing a new type of quantum dots by combining graphene and hexagonal boron nitride, also a single layer of material quite like graphene except that it is insulating. The two layers cannot perfectly match when put one on top of the other resulting in an extremely regular wave-like spatial oscillation of the graphene layer out of the perfect plane. The potential landscape created by the regular superstructure allows for accurately placing the quantum dot, or even moving it continuously and thus smoothly changing its properties… […]
New laser technique may help detect chemical warfare in atmosphere
Phys.org March 26, 2018 A team of researchers in the US (University of Central Florida, industry partner) present a new platform for mid-infrared dual-comb Fourier-transform spectroscopy based on a pair of ultra-broadband subharmonic optical parametric oscillators pumped by two phase-locked thulium-fibre combs. The system provides fast, moving-parts-free, simultaneous acquisition of 350,000 spectral data points and parallel detection of 22 trace molecular species in a gas mixture. It can detect at concentrations of one part per billion. The research could open the door for developing non-invasive technology, including sensors for airborne agents and traces of life in space… read more. TECHNICAL […]
Preventing hurricanes using air bubbles
Science Daily March 19, 2018 Tropical hurricanes are generated when masses of cold and warm air collide. Another essential factor is that the sea surface temperature must be greater than 26.5°C. Researchers in Norway have developed a method which consists of supplying bubbles of compressed air from a perforated pipe lowered in the water, which then rise, taking with them colder water from deeper in the ocean. Initial investigation shows that by bringing cold water to the surface using the bubble curtains, the surface temperature will fall to below 26.5°C. The bubble curtains can be deployed from oil production platforms. […]
Self-assembling, tunable interfaces found in quantum materials
Phys.org March 27, 2018 Extensive research has shown that at interfaces between two materials, the remarkable properties of quantum materials can be strongly enhanced, or entirely new functional properties may arise. An international team of researchers (USA – Los Alamos National Laboratory, University of Tennessee, NIST, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, UK, Germany) has demonstrated that in certain metals, the competition between various interactions may be resolved by the spontaneous formation of a state in which the electronic and magnetic properties alternate periodically. The spontaneously self-assembling interfaces are intrinsically clean, and relevant parameters such as the interface thickness can be tuned […]
Smaller and faster: The terahertz computer chip is now within reach
Science Daily March 25, 2018 Using a Metal-Oxide-Nitride-Oxide-Silicon (MONOS) structure, researchers in Israel have designed a new integrated circuit that uses flash memory technology in microchips. If successful, this technology will enable standard 8-16 gigahertz computers to run 100 times faster and will bring all optic devices closer to the terahertz chip… read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
The Surprising Creativity of Digital Evolution: A Collection of Anecdotes from the Evolutionary Computation and Artificial Life Research Communities
ArXiv March 9, 2018 Biological evolution provides a creative fount of complex and subtle adaptations, often surprising the scientists who discover them. Many researchers in the field of digital evolution have observed their evolving algorithms and organisms subverting their intentions, exposing unrecognized bugs in their code, producing unexpected adaptations, or exhibiting outcomes uncannily convergent with ones in nature. Such stories rarely fit into the standard scientific narrative. This paper is the crowd-sourced product of an international team of researchers (USA, France, Canada, UK, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic ) in the fields of artificial life and evolutionary computation who have […]
Top 10 Science and Technology Innovations for the Week of March 23, 2018
01. Depth-sensing imaging system can peer through fog (w/video ) 02. New quantum spin liquid predicted by Nobel Laureate prepared for the first time 03. Scientists create diodes made of light 04. Magnon spin currents can be controlled via spin valve structure 05. Inspired by insects: New anti-collision technology could help create safer driverless cars 06. Space radiation more hazardous: Implications for astronauts and satellites 07. Graphene flakes for future transistors 08. The History Began from AlexNet: A Comprehensive Survey on Deep Learning Approaches 09. China wants to shape the global future of artificial intelligence 10. Researchers create a protein […]
China wants to shape the global future of artificial intelligence
MIT Technology Review March 16, 2018 China isn’t just investing heavily in AI—its experts aim to set the global standards for the technology as well. Chinese companies would be required to adhere to these standards, and as the technology spreads globally, this could help China influence the technology’s course. China’s booming AI industry and massive government investment in the technology have raised fears in the US and elsewhere that the nation will overtake international rivals in a fundamentally important technology. In truth, it may be possible for both the US and the Chinese economies to benefit from AI. But there […]
Compact fiber optic sensor offers sensitive analysis in narrow spaces
Science Daily March 15, 2018 Researchers in China have developed a refractive index sensor based on an S-tapered fiber probe with a silver mirror on its end facet. It can sense concentration, pH and other chemical parameters. They have demonstrated that the device is nine times more sensitive than other tapered fiber refractive index sensors, requires very little sample for analysis and measurements are not affected by temperature changes. The sensor’s small size, about 1mm, means that it could potentially be used inside blood vessels. With additional development, the sensor might be used to detect specific chemicals, DNA molecules or […]