Tech

Computing

Finding networks within networks

A new mathematical procedure, or algorithm, picks out those members within a larger network—for instance, related sites on the World Wide Web—that have especially close ties.

Tech

Littlest catalysts get a lot of support

Tiny metal clusters used as catalysts are getting so small that presumably inert carrier materials that host them are also getting involved in the reactions.

Tech

Beam Team: Unusual laser emits a band of light

A novel laser on a microchip emits a band of light rather than the single, pure color usually expected from a laser.

Tech

Itsy chain turns bitsy gears

A tiny chain with links the size of biological cells offers a new way to deliver power to micromachines.

Tech

Circuitry in a nanowire: Novel growth method may transform chips

Made from alternating bands of different semiconductors, a new type of superthin wire incorporates working electronic and optical devices within the wire itself, raising the prospect of making extremely tiny and versatile circuits from the striped filaments.

Computing

Calculating Cartoons

Thanks to sophisticated computer simulations of the laws of physics, spectacular special effects—plus a zoo of strange but real-looking creatures—increasingly enliven movie screens and computer-game consoles.

Tech

Little levers for satellites: Cilia may precisely dock tiny spacecraft

Tiny artificial hairs that imitate biological cilia flex with enough muscle and finesse to maneuver tiny satellites into place for docking with a mother ship.

Tech

Magnetic refrigerator gets down and homey

Because it uses a permanent magnet, a new, prototype magnetic cooler takes up so little space that it could give rise to ordinary household refrigerators and air conditioners that run on magnetism instead of volatile liquids.

Tech

Engineered crystal obeys inner bananas

Flexing new skills at custom-designing crystals, researchers built a specific optical trait into a new organic crystal by tinkering with the shape of one of the crystal's constituent molecules.

Tech

Many-armed magnets reveal stem cells

Novel particles that combine magnetic crystals and many-branched polymers may permit doctors to track stem cells in people by using standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners.

Tech

Little lamp may set quantum tech aglow

By reliably emitting just one photon when excited by just one voltage pulse, a sophisticated takeoff on a common class of tiny lamps called light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, may help usher in exotic technologies that rely on quantum mechanics, including quantum cryptography and quantum computers.

Tech

Fly lends an ear to microphone design

The unique way some flies localize sound has inspired engineers to design tiny directional microphones for hearing aids and surveillance devices.