Posted

Aug 6, 2008

Self-powered implants for injured knees

A researcher at the University of Southampton has developed a self-powered sensor to monitor progress during knee operations. Read more »

Posted

Aug 6, 2008

Adding value to arbitrary generators

During the design and production of electronic products, complex circuitry or subsystems need to be tested and often require additional signals from a missing or difficult-to-obtain component or sensor. Read more »

Posted

Jun 27, 2008

Researchers demonstrate ‘avalanche effect’ in solar cells

Proof that the ‘avalanche effect’ by electrons occurs in specific, very small semiconducting crystals could pave the way for cheap high-output solar cells. Read more »

Posted

Jun 27, 2008

Nanotechnology improves battery life

Nanotechnology could improve the life of the lithium batteries used in portable devices, including laptop computers, MP3 players and mobile phones. Research has demonstrated that carbon nanotubes can prevent batteries from losing charge capacity over time. Read more »

Posted

Jun 27, 2008

Another step towards GaN power devices

IMEC and AIXTRON have demonstrated the growth of AlGaN/GaN heterostructures on 200 mm silicon wafers. This demonstration is another step towards fabricating low-cost GaN power devices for high-efficiency/high-power systems beyond the silicon limits. Read more »

Posted

Jun 4, 2008

Models make transistors more efficient

New models of how two types of power transistors perform that will result in more efficient smart electrical circuits, making technologies such as cars and home appliances more reliable and environmentally friendly, have been developed by European researchers. Read more »

Posted

Jun 4, 2008

Alternative to silicon chip

A transistor that uses gallium nitride (GaN) instead of silicon has been invented. It can reduce power consumption and improve the efficiency of power electronics systems in everything from motor drives and hybrid vehicles to house appliances and defence equipment. Read more »

Posted

May 6, 2008

Graphene used to create tiny transistor

Graphene has been used to create the world’s smallest transistor, one atom thick and 10 atoms wide, according to Dr Kostya Novoselov and Prof Andre Geim from The School of Physics and Astronomy at The University of Manchester. Read more »

Posted

May 6, 2008

More safety for mobile batteries

The safety of lithium-ion batteries has been improved so that in future they could replace motor vehicle lead acid batteries. At the same time, lithium-ion batteries used in computers and other small devices have been made safer following research at the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC in Würzburg. Read more »

Posted

Apr 7, 2008

Electricity from a thin film

Researchers at The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg, Germany are working towards the industrial mass production of organic solar cells.

  Read more »

Posted

Apr 7, 2008

By

Elizabeth Latham, Journalist

Solar-powered paint

Dr Dave Worsley, a Reader in the Materials Research Centre at the Swansea University’s School of Engineering, is investigating ways of painting solar cells onto the flexible steel surfaces commonly used for cladding buildings. Read more »

Posted

Apr 7, 2008

Electronic structure of DNA revealed

Hebrew University of Jerusalem scientists and others have revealed the electronic structure of single DNA molecules. Read more »

Posted

Mar 10, 2008

What's at the end of the rainbow?

British scientists have revealed a system called 'trapping rainbows' that may be able to slow down, stop and even capture light Read more »

Posted

Mar 10, 2008

By

Elizabeth Latham, Journalist

One to put your shirt on!

Nanotechnology researchers are working on a 'power shirt' which aims to replace batteries Read more »

Posted

Feb 11, 2008

Battery-powered clothes

Textiles that glow in the dark may be about to make the world a safer place for cyclists, joggers and pedestrians during bad light and at night Read more »

Posted

Feb 11, 2008

Thermoelectric breakthrough in silicon nanowires

Energy lost as heat during the production of electricity could be harnessed using synthesised silicon nanowires Read more »

Posted

Jan 22, 2008

Sandwich technique solution

Complex three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuits involving both optical and electronic elements are now easier to make, thanks to a 'wafer bonding' technique developed by a European research consortium Read more »

Posted

Jan 22, 2008

Pushing the limits of chip miniaturisation

Over the last four decades, computer chips have found their way into virtually every electronic device in the world. During that time they have become smaller, cheaper and more powerful Read more »

Posted

Jan 11, 2008

Solar power 24/7 made possible

A team of UniSA researchers in partnership with a WA company has been awarded Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project funding to develop a new membrane for a zinc bromine battery that could provide Australia with renewable energy storage Read more »