The processor in is the third generation of the researchers’ Phoenix chip, which uses a unique power gating architecture and an extreme sleep mode to keep the power consumption at a minimum. The system wakes to take measurements every 15 minutes, and consumes an average of 5.3 nanowatts. The battery charges using the solar cell, and requires 10 hours of indoor light or 1.5 hours of sunlight each day. It is able to store up to a week’s worth of information. The device is expected to be available several years from now.

The next step is to allow the device to communicate with others like it. Professor Wentzloff is working with doctoral student Kuo-Ken Huang to develop a consolidated radio with an on-chip antenna. This eliminates the need for external crystals that are relied on today for two isolated devices to talk to each other.

So maybe there could be several of these tiny computers in one persons body, all communicating with each other…are we getting closer to this? Hopefully not so visible, though.

[via ElectroIQ]

On the Nokia blog, the company presented some pretty exciting developments, which are taking place currently at the Nokia Research Centre in Cambridge, UK. The first of which is the new “stretchable” electronic skin. Nokia would utilize it as an electronic touchpad, which could be pulled, stretched, and crumpled all while still being able to be used. It utilizes evaporated gold as a conductor, to make it pliable and yet still functional.

The whole thing is still in development, and probably will be for another few years, but it’s good to see Nokia still working on the possibility of giving consumers a truly shape-shifting phone. Check out the video below to see it for your own eyes, and start looking forward to the future even more.

[via Nokia Conversations]

Right now, the scientists are currently testing their new invention in rats. They’re calling it a Muscle-Driven In Vivo Nanogenerator, and it works by utilizing a nanowire to convert the motion of flexing muscles (like in your heart) into an electric current. They can achieve this by utilizing piezoelectric energy.

Right now they’re testing a single unit, with a single nanowire, and the scientists are reporting that it’s not generating nearly enough energy to power anything quite yet. So, they’re next step is to put together a wider array of wires, which will hopefully produce enough electricity to power something like a pacemaker. This will hopefully result in the removal of outside power sources for such things. The efficiency of these devices should improve as well, considering their power would be constant, and always present.

[via Technology Review]

Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM in Freiburg, Germany, have come together to create a new nanocoating that would go right atop our glass items, like the screen of our phones or the dashboard of our cars, and made it so that reflection and glare is nonexistent. Additionally, the nanocating makes it a lot harder for the glass to get scratched, which should make a lot of people out there happy with those touchscreen devices.

While oleophobic coating is being used right now, for devices like the iPhone, we’re always looking for the latest and greatest. Especially when you look at the inspiration. According to the brains behind the new coating, moths were the reason they did what they did. Apparently the little insect’s eyes are naturally non-reflective, which is the inspiration behind their new nanocoating. No word on when it could be released, but we’ll hope it’s soon for all of us.

[via Gizmag]

The Best of R3 Media

Archos 7 Home Tablet Up for Pre-Order: As the tablet wars continue, we’ve got all sorts of combatants entering the ring at any one time. With this one, at least it looks pretty. The Archos 7 comes in two variations: a 2GB and 8GB model, and both of them are currently up for pre-order thanks to Amazon. The 2GB version will cost you a sweet $179, while the 8GB is only $199. So, obviously, there really shouldn’t be a 2GB model. There’s no official release date, but hey, pre-ordering is at least guaranteeing you’ll get one when it does launch. [via Android Community]

iPad Camera Kit Accessories Shipped, but Only Kind of: For one lucky person out there, and a few more, we’re sure, they managed to get their iPad’s Camera Kit accessory. It comes with a USB-to-30-pin-connector, as well as another version that allows you use a MicroSD card as well. But, there’s a big confusing part: Apple’s still got the accessory listed as shipping in 2-3 weeks, even if you buy now. So, was stock really that small, that they already ran out again? Only Apple knows. Either way, that shouldn’t stop you from ordering one – you never know what could happen. [via Everything iPad]

Samsung Galaxy S Heading to South Korea, Maybe: The Samsung Galaxy S is one of those devices that’s going to be big hit wherever it goes. And, while we know it’s coming to the States in one fashion or another, there’s also a few questions regarding where it’s heading overseas. If this most recent Bluetooth spec sheet is any indication, it’s heading to South Korea sooner than later. No official word from Samsung, of course, and the spec sheet only shows off a 4-inch AMOLED touchscreen display, Android, and TouchWiz 3.0, but our bet is on a future announcement that the Galaxy S is indeed a world phone. [via SlashPhone]

The Dredge Net

Computer Crime Task Force Spearheading iPhone HD/4G Investigating: Well, we can’t say that we didn’t see this coming. According to Cnet, Silicon Valley police are currently undergoing a probe regarding the recent iPhone HD/4G situation that involves Apple, two individuals, and a certain tech blog. The probe is apparently being tasked by a computer task force, which is led by the Santa Clara County district attorney’s office. The probe is meant to determine whether or not there are sufficient grounds for Apple to press criminal charges. [via Cnet]

The Living Kitchen Freaks Us Out: We love technology as much as you, and we are even looking forward to the future of technology probably a little bit more than what’s healthy. But, when we see things like this, we can’t help but feel a bit nervous. After all, there’s seriously enough science-fiction out there to make us terrified of things like this, that there’s no way we can’t be terrified. The Living Kitchen is made of nanoscale self-organizing robots, which create a shape-shifting mass of matter that is specifically designed to turn into whatever you want. Yes, whatever you want. A faucet, showcase a previously hidden refrigerator, or turn into a stove. Ridiculous. And Ridiculously awesome. [via Yanko Design]

Jon Rubinstein Heading Out of Palm: One of the more heart breaking rumors to hit the Interwebs today, consists of the current CEO of Palm, Jon Rubinstein, apparently leaving the company. TechCrunch brought it to the attention of the ‘net first, and they do make some solid arguments for the proposition. After all, current executives at the company are being offered money to stay, and despite the fact that everyone has their fingers crossed for the company, it doesn’t seem to be any good. Rubinstein is a great engineer, and he managed to manifest two amazing pieces of tech, together with a mobile Operating System that’s just as good, but unfortunately the marketing, along with the opposition, were just too much to succeed. So, is Rubinstein out? We’ll have to wait to find out, but we’d be willing to bet that he’s sticking around until the bitter end. [via TechCrunch]

The device is the fastest of its kind, and can receive optical information signals at 40Gbps, while just consuming 1.5V, which IBM states is 20 times less than what they’ve required in the past.  How does it work?  The “avalance photodetectors” snags a photon, which then initiates an electron chain reaction, or an “avalanche”.

Telecommunication companies already are gradually swapping traditional telephone lines with fiber optic cabling. The goal now is to shrink that capability so that the photonics can be used at the microprocessor level.

The current research shows that a frequency multiplier could be created, which works to double a signal and likewise doubles a processor’s clocking speed. Color me impressed! This idea is not new, but it is certainly new when applied to Graphene, which possesses only an atom’s thickness.

So, what’s so exciting about this? Well, Graphene chips could make for processors that run between 500GHz and 1,000GHz. That’s quite a leap from the current 5GHz chips, wouldn’t you say? We should see a commercial version of this technology within two years, according to MIT.

[via PC Pro]

The thinner circuitry chip is a 1GB memory component and is configurable in a 1GB 800 Mbps DDR small outline DRAM inline memory module for laptops. Samsung said it has been certified to use with the Intel GM45 series Express mobile chipsets.

Lower nanometer memory chips allows the device to operate at cooler temperature. In the case of the 40 nm class memory, the voltage is further reduced to consume 30 percent less power in comparing to the 50 nm class.

Samsung is currently working on a 40nm 2Gb DDR3 version with expected mass production by the end of 2009. Similar class but cheaper DDR2 memory chips will ship next year.

Alternately, the 4GB DDR3 can be produced in a single stick 8GB small outline DIMM for laptops, unbuffered DIMM for workstations or desktops, and twice as much for server-grade dual registered memory. The same device could reach as much as 32GB module configuration with an additional dual-die package technology applied.

Additionally, the new process is also eco-friendly. In fact, similar process with smaller 2GB stick was developed back in September last year, but the new 4GB stick is estimated to have reduced 20 percent power consumption, and as much as 40 percent a 16GB modules stick. No words when Samsung will mass produce the new memory.

[Nikkie via electronista ]

[image via thestandard]

This material is made from polyester which were covered with 40nm-wide silicone nanofilaments. Since these filaments are so tiny and so spiky, they make it so water actually sits above the material in a sort of pocket. This is a permanent state. The material won’t ever be made wet.

So what are the potential applications of this technology? Well, it reduces drag in water by up to 20%, for one. It can also serve as a self-cleaning cloth. Regardless of how it ends up being used, this is still pretty cool and presents numerous opportunities.

Nano silver is an antibacterial particle that’s used in a lot of clothing like socks. And while it is not thought that an individual wearing anything with this substance in it, would be harmed by it, it is the idea that the silver could potentially leave the clothing during washings.

This could make it so the silver leaks into the water supply, which would kill good bacteria and cause unprecedented problems. This commission wants to see more information about nanomaterials and full disclosure on new products. Even with these invigorated efforts, however, we still probably won’t know the real effect of nano materials for twenty years.

The device is rather small and can be worn on the skin with an adhesive patch, or clipped to a bra strap or shirt. It works by means of nanosensor technology. the microchip within the iPosture can actually monitor the angle of your upper chest and will vibrate when it detects a three degree change from your “ideal stance.”

The iPosture will cost about $99.95, but it could be well worth it. The researchers say you may only need to wear the device four hours a day for two to four weeks, initially at least, to train your body into its new upright position.

[via Crave at CNET]

In order to create the rat robot brain, scientists perform the following according to a New Scientist article:

the neural cortex from a rat fetus is surgically removed and disassociating enzymes applied to it to disconnect the neurons from each other. The researchers then deposit a slim layer of these isolated neurons into a nutrient-rich medium on a bank of electrodes, where they start reconnecting. They do this by growing projections that reach out to touch the neighbouring neurons.

Then, the neurons are controlled with electrical stimuli. How the neurons respond then tells the researchers which areas to stimulate to create a certain reaction, like avoiding an obstacle.

[via Gizmodo]

The purported “invisibility cloak” has been in the news before. However, University of California at Berkley researchers are on the cusp of something big. They’ve developed a material “that can bend light around 3D objects” in effect, causing them to disappear.

Now, of course this material currently only exists on a nano scale. But these recent developments could potentially one day be scaled up to create great expanses of the material that could conceal objects and even people.

The material derives its cloaking ability from reversing refraction and bending light, which is “the effect that makes a straw placed in water appear bent.” By bending light around an object, the idea is that such an effect would make the object invisible to the human eye. But beyond science fiction-esque applications, this nano-tech could be used to make better microscopes in the near future.

[via BBC NEWS]

These flexible cells contain nanoantennas that can absorb energy from light–but not just from the sun. Rather, the idea is you could place a cell phone, let’s say, coated in the material on your desk for a few minutes to soak up light and you’d have a recharged device on your hands.

This new material could also work to cool computers in the future by means of pulling heat away from the device without expending additional energy.

[via DailyTech]

Once the material is stretched, it will bounce back to its normal size without affecting its conductivity. And in case you were wondering, this material is made from single wall carbon nanotubes, elastic resin and an ionic liquid. Yeah, try saying all of that ten times fast.

So just how could something like this be used? Why in robotics, of course. The scientist’s say it could be especially useful in curved areas like robotic arm joints.

[via Gearlog]

A team of experts in Haifa’s Technion Institute etched the Hebrew text of the Jewish Bible onto a silicon surface that was smaller than a grain of sugar. That’s 300,00 words. They blasted the surfaces with tiny particles called ‘gallium ions’ which rebounded and caused the etching.

They say this was ‘to show copious quantities of data could eventually be stored on bio-molecules and DNA’. This makes me think “Spy Tech”! It only took about an hour to complete the job, which makes it all that much more amazing. Just exactly what will they come up with next?

Scientists inscribe entire bible onto pinhead [via engadget]

You could actually see the technology as early as 2009, but probably not quite in those capacities. Basically what they did was shrunk the head (I KNEW IT WAS ALL VOODOO!) to a point where it’s about 2,000 times smaller than a human hair.

No big feat there, since I can barely see a single human hair, I think I’d have real troubles trying to focus on something that’s 2,000 times smaller. They are expecting data densities of 500Gb-1Tb of storage space per square inch with these new heads, we will see.

HITACHI ACHIEVES NANOTECHNOLOGY MILESTONE FOR QUADRUPLING TERABYTE HARD DRIVE [via Hitachi]

It’s uncertain as yet whether the robots would be remotely controlled or have some sort of AI, though a combination of both is perhaps most likely; general targeting by remote, while short-range sensors automatically manage obstacle avoidance, tracking and flight. 

Israel developing anti-militant “bionic hornet” [Reuters]

Via: pinktentacle