Tech
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Tech
Device rids homes of sounds of rap
Woodpeckers cause millions of dollars of damage to homes and buildings each year, but a battery-operated, sound-activated, spider-shaped device installed beneath a home's eaves can help prevent this avian scourge.
- Tech
Viral building blocks
Proteins taken from a spherical virus and combined with pieces of DNA can form tubular nanostructures, researchers report.
- Tech
Meddling with Metal: Novel nanocontrol yields chromium rival
A new, nontoxic alloy that might reduce use of toxic chromium springs from a novel way to manipulate crystalline metal structures via precise control of their atomic composition.
- Tech
Making the most of chip fabrication
An advance in the way microelectronic circuit patterns are created may help preserve conventional chip-making methods beyond the currently predicted date of their demise.
- Tech
A dim view of biologic and chemical agents
Microscopic gel balls that act as lenses may become the active ingredient of quick-acting sensors for bioagents and chemicals.
- Tech
Tiny ticker
Researchers have demonstrated that they can control how frequently a DNA-based nanodevice changes between two forms.
- Tech
New View: Speedy microscope takes fuller look at the nanoworld
Action movies of molecules and a better feel for microscopic surfaces could flow from a radically revised version of the atomic-force microscope.
- Tech
Artificial Animalcules
Advances that include the first swimming micromachine and novel designs for similar devices are deepening scientists' understanding of the bizarre world of microscale liquids.
- Tech
Beyond Bar Codes: Tuning up plastic radio labels
Electronic labels made from plastic semiconductors can now pick up and respond to radio signals at a frequency suitable for use on products.
- Tech
Virus has the Midas touch
Researchers have recruited a stringlike virus to carry nanoscale loads of gold that could serve as imaging agents in cancer diagnosis.
- Tech
Microbial Moxie
Microbial fuel cells, which take advantage of the fact that some microbes generate electricity when they break down organic matter, could one day power remote sensors, wastewater-treatment plants, and portable devices.
- Tech
Bizarre Stuff
Curious about airships or zoetropes? Want to build one? Created by Brian Carusella, this Web site spotlights unusual inventions and bizarre items. For each object, the site offers a history and review of how it was constructed. It features lots of ideas for interesting science projects and home experiments, along with easy-to-follow advice. Go to: […]
