An atom-thick Rice Owl (scale bar equals 100 micrometers) was created to show the ability to make fine patterns in hybrid graphene/hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). In this image, the owl is hBN and the lighter material around it is graphene. The ability to pattern a conductor (graphene) and insulator (hBN) into a single layer may advance the ability to shrink electronic devices. (Credit: Zheng Liu/Rice University)
Jan. 27, 2013 Rice University scientists have taken an important step toward the creation of two-dimensional electronics with a process to make patterns in atom-thick layers that combine a conductor and an insulator.
The materials at play -- graphene and hexagonal boron nitride -- have been...
Computer Science
Toward 2-D devices: Single-atom-thick patterns combine conductor and insulator
- 27 January 2013
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A boost to your mobile signal
- 25 January 2013
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Jan. 25, 2013 When using your mobile phone, it doesn't take much to lose that precious signal -- just turning a corner or riding on a train can be enough. EU-funded research is developing new technologies to eradicate those annoying 'black holes' in wireless coverage, while freeing up some mobile network capacity at the same time.
We live in a 24/7, always-on, mobile and wireless world. Wherever we go we are connected -- to each other, to the web, to all our favourite apps, to...
We live in a 24/7, always-on, mobile and wireless world. Wherever we go we are connected -- to each other, to the web, to all our favourite apps, to...
Quantum communication: Each photon counts
- 25 January 2013
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he single-photon detector is characterized by five convincing factors: 91% detection efficiency; direct integration on chip; counting rates on a Gigahertz scale; high timing resolution and negligible dark counting rates. (Credit: Source: KIT/CFN)
Jan. 25, 2013 Ultrafast, efficient, and reliable single-photon detectors are among the most sought-after components in photonics and quantum communication, which have not yet reached maturity for practical application...
Jan. 25, 2013 Ultrafast, efficient, and reliable single-photon detectors are among the most sought-after components in photonics and quantum communication, which have not yet reached maturity for practical application...
Video game controllers affect hostility during game play
- 25 January 2013
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When selecting a video game to play, opting to turn on your Wii may provide a different experience than playing your Xbox, according to a new study. (Credit: © Marcito / Fotolia)
Jan. 25, 2013 When selecting a video game to play, opting to turn on your Wii may provide a different experience than playing your Xbox, according to a study from Mississippi State University.
The study, set to be published in the January 2013 issue of Mass Communication and...
Jan. 25, 2013 When selecting a video game to play, opting to turn on your Wii may provide a different experience than playing your Xbox, according to a study from Mississippi State University.
The study, set to be published in the January 2013 issue of Mass Communication and...
Fast, low-cost device uses the cloud to speed up diagnostic testing for HIV and more
- 24 January 2013
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Columbia engineering professor Sam Sia's handheld mobile device is a fast, low-cost device that uses the cloud to speed up diagnostic testing for HIV and more -- the mChip can easily be used in remote areas around the world. The mChip mobile device is on the left, with a satellite communication modem on the right. (Credit: Columbia Engineering)
Jan. 24, 2013 Samuel K. Sia, associate professor of biomedical engineering at Columbia Engineering, has taken his...
Jan. 24, 2013 Samuel K. Sia, associate professor of biomedical engineering at Columbia Engineering, has taken his...
Using Twitter to track the flu: Researchers find a better way to screen the tweets
- 24 January 2013
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This U.S. maps indicate the Twitter system’s rate of influenza in each state in the first week of January, 2013 (higher flu rates are marked with darker red). They show that the country is awash in a high flu rate. (Credit: Image courtesy of Johns Hopkins)
Jan. 24, 2013 Sifting through social media messages has become a popular way to track when and where flu cases occur, but a key hurdle hampers the process: how to identify flu-infection tweets. Some tweets...
Jan. 24, 2013 Sifting through social media messages has become a popular way to track when and where flu cases occur, but a key hurdle hampers the process: how to identify flu-infection tweets. Some tweets...
Computer scientists develop new way to study molecular networks
- 24 January 2013
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Jan. 24, 2013 In biology, molecules can have multi-way interactions within cells, and until recently, computational analysis of these links has been "incomplete," according to T. M. Murali, associate professor of computer science in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech.
His group authored an article on their new approach to address these shortcomings, titled "Reverse Engineering Molecular Hypergraphs," that received the Best Paper Award at the recent 2012 ACM Conference...
His group authored an article on their new approach to address these shortcomings, titled "Reverse Engineering Molecular Hypergraphs," that received the Best Paper Award at the recent 2012 ACM Conference...
Grammar undercuts security of long computer passwords
- 24 January 2013
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Jan. 24, 2013 When writing or speaking, good grammar helps people make themselves be understood. But when used to concoct a long computer password, grammar -- good or bad -- provides crucial hints that can help someone crack that password, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have demonstrated.
A team led by Ashwini Rao, a software engineering Ph.D. student in the Institute for Software Research, developed a password-cracking algorithm that took into account grammar and...
A team led by Ashwini Rao, a software engineering Ph.D. student in the Institute for Software Research, developed a password-cracking algorithm that took into account grammar and...
False beliefs persist, even after instant online corrections
- 24 January 2013
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Jan. 24, 2013 It seems like a great idea: Provide instant corrections to web-surfers when they run across obviously false information on the Internet.
But a new study suggests that this type of tool may not be a panacea for dispelling inaccurate beliefs, particularly among people who already want to believe the falsehood.
"Real-time corrections do have some positive effect, but it is mostly with people who were predisposed to reject the false claim anyway," said R. Kelly...
But a new study suggests that this type of tool may not be a panacea for dispelling inaccurate beliefs, particularly among people who already want to believe the falsehood.
"Real-time corrections do have some positive effect, but it is mostly with people who were predisposed to reject the false claim anyway," said R. Kelly...