Archive for Miniaturization
October 17, 2008 at 11:57 am · Filed under Miniaturization, Nanotech, Printing, Osaka University
An Osaka University research team has demonstrated an “atomic pen” that can inscribe nano-sized text on metal by manipulating individual atoms on the surface.
According to the researchers, whose results appear in the October 17 edition of Science magazine, the atomic pen is built on a previous discovery that silicon atoms at the tip of an atomic force microscope probe will interchange with the tin atoms in the surface of a semiconductor sample when in close proximity. Using this atom-interchange phenomenon, the researchers were able to arrange individual silicon atoms one by one on a semiconductor surface to spell out the letters “Si.” The writing process, which took about an hour and a half to complete, was conducted at room temperature.
The completed text measures 2 x 2 nanometers, which is roughly 40,000 times smaller than the width of the average human hair.
“It’s not possible to write any smaller […]
Original post by Edo
May 29, 2008 at 9:56 am · Filed under Tokyo University, Simulacra, Miniaturization, Nanotech
It won’t fill you up, but it is a feast for the eyes. This so-called “world’s smallest bowl of ramen” — a 1-micron (1/1000-mm, or 1/100th the width of a human hair) wide bowl containing dozens of 2-micron (1/500-mm) long x 0.02-micron (1/50,000-mm) thick noodles — was created by University of Tokyo professor Masayuki Nakao as part of an effort to develop new carbon nanotube-based microcircuit fabrication technology. Nakao used a metal particle beam to carve the bowl from silicon, and he mixed up a soup of ethanol and catalyst inside the bowl to form the carbon nanotube “noodles.” According to Nakao, it was a major challenge to keep it from overflowing. No word yet on how the microscopic meal tastes.
[Source: Yomiuri]
Original post by Edo
January 7, 2008 at 6:12 pm · Filed under Miniaturization, RIKEN, Nanotech
In a development that brings superdense memory devices and molecule-sized machines a step closer to reality, scientists at Japan’s Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN) have succeeded in creating 1-nanometer-thick electric wires with a layer of insulation. According to a January 2 RIKEN press release, the researchers grew the insulated nanowire crystals through a process involving a mixture of conductive and non-conductive organic molecules that organized themselves into the desired configuration.
For perspective, 10 hydrogen atoms laid side by side measure about 1 nanometer across, and a human hair is around 70,000 to 80,000 nanometers thick.
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Original post by Edo
October 5, 2007 at 10:37 am · Filed under Imaging/Display, electronics, Miniaturization, Display, Wearable
Optical device maker Scalar has added a limited-edition model to its line of video glasses. The Teleglass T4-N wearable monitor, which weighs 30 grams and features titanium frames by eyeglass designer Kazuo Kawasaki, was developed in cooperation with long-established manufacturer Masunaga Optical.
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Original post by Edo
September 28, 2007 at 11:02 am · Filed under electronics, Miniaturization, Biotech
Researchers from the Nara Institute of Science and Technology have developed a method for creating ultrathin computer memory by using a protein commonly found in mammals.
The researchers, who happen to be fans of the popular Detective Conan (a.k.a. “Case Closed“) series of manga and anime, say their success marks a major step forward in the development of ultrathin computers that, if coupled with ultrathin displays, could one day be used in devices like the high-tech eyeglasses that appear in Detective Conan. Authored by Gosho Aoyama, the Detective Conan stories center around Shin’ichi Kudo (”Jimmy Kudo” in the US version), a young detective that has been transformed into a prepubescent boy who goes by the alias of Edogawa Conan and who is armed with an array of high-tech gadgets like computerized eyeglasses, a voice-changing bow tie, and power-boost sneakers.
Computer memory typically consists of millions of circuit elements, known […]
Original post by Edo
August 8, 2007 at 9:39 pm · Filed under Tohoku University, Tokyo University, Robot, Transportation, Miniaturization
Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a working prototype of what they are calling the world’s smallest gas turbine engine, a palm-sized motor they hope will one day be used to power autonomous robots and serve as a portable engine for personal transportation devices.
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Original post by Edo
July 13, 2007 at 1:35 pm · Filed under Household, Miniaturization, Nanotech
Wake up and smell the pencil lead, says Japanese stationery and writing instrument manufacturer Pentel, who has combined the power of nanotechnology with the knowledge of expert aromatherapists to develop a new type of fragrant pencil lead. Featuring a long-lasting aroma designed to enhance mental capacity, the pencil lead — called “Ain supplio” — recently won the coveted Stationery of the Year Award (2007).
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Original post by Edo
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