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    Category Physics

    Cells Programmed like Computers to Fight Cancer, Influenza, other Disease

    September 18, 2017, Categories  Physics, Health/Medical

    This is a figure showing RNA sequence of command. Credit: Professor Jaramillo/University of Warwick

    This is a figure showing RNA sequence of command. Credit: Professor Jaramillo/University of Warwick

    New research has discovered that RNA can be genetically engineered to allow scientists to program the actions of a cell. As well as fighting disease and injury in humans, scientists could harness this technique to control plant cells and reverse environmental and agricultural issues, making plants more resilient to disease and pests.

    RNAs carry information between protein and DNA in cells, and Professor Jaramillo has proved that these molecules can be produced and organised into tailor-made sequences of commands – similar to codes for computer software – which feed specific instructions into cells, programming them to do what we want.

    Much like a classic Turing computer system, cells have th...

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    Wireles High-Speed Data and Power Transfer Integrated

    September 18, 2017, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics

    Ultra-high Data-rate Communication and Efficient Wireless Power Transfer at 13.56 MHz. IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, 2017; 1 DOI: 10.1109/LAWP.2017.2736883

    Ultra-high Data-rate Communication and Efficient Wireless Power Transfer at 13.56 MHz. IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, 2017; 1 DOI: 10.1109/LAWP.2017.2736883

    North Carolina State University researchers have developed a system that can simultaneously deliver watts of power and transmit data at rates high enough to stream video over the same wireless connection. By integrating power and high-speed data, a true single “wireless” connection can be achieved. A/Prof David Ricketts said: “One of the most popular applications is in wireless cell phone charging pads. As many know, these unfortunately often require almost physical contact with the pad, limiting the usefulness of a truly ‘wireless’ power source...

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    World 1st: ‘Storing Lightning inside Thunder’

    September 18, 2017, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics

    Basic principle and setup of the photonic–phononic memory. a Storing process: an optical data pulse is depleted by a strong counter-propagating write pulse, storing the data pulse as an acoustic phonon. b Retrieval process: in the retrieval process a read pulse depletes the acoustic wave, converting the data pulse back into the optical domain. c A basic schematic of the experimental setup. The inset shows a chalcogenide chip next to a 50-cent coin. The chip contains more than 100 spiral waveguides with different lengths (8.6, 11.7 and 23.7 cm). Note: this is only a schematic and the actual setup is more advanced and can be found in Supplementary Fig. 1 (CW continuous wave, SSB single-sideband modulator, IM intensity modulator, PG pulse generator, BP bandpass filter, PD photo-detector, LO local oscillator, Ω Brillouin frequency shift)

    Basic principle and setup of the photonic–phononic memory. a Storing process: an optical data pulse is depleted by a strong counter-propagating write pulse, storing the data pulse as an acoustic phonon. b Retrieval process: in the retrieval process a read pulse depletes the acoustic wave, converting the data pulse back into the optical domain. c A basic schematic of the experimental setup. The inset shows a chalcogenide chip next to a 50-cent coin. The chip contains more than 100 spiral waveguides with different lengths (8.6, 11.7 and 23.7 cm). Note: this is only a schematic and the actual setup is more advanced and can be found in Supplementary Fig...

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    Graphene-wrapped Nanocrystals makes inroads toward Next-Gen Fuel Cells

    September 17, 2017, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics, Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    Image - A new study explains how an ultrathin oxide layer (oxygen atoms shown in red) coating graphene-wrapped magnesium nanoparticles (gold) still allows in hydrogen atoms (blue) for hydrogen storage applications. (Credit: Berkeley Lab)

    A new study explains how an ultrathin oxide layer (oxygen atoms shown in red) coating graphene-wrapped magnesium nanoparticles (orange) still allows in hydrogen atoms (blue) for hydrogen storage applications. (Credit: Berkeley Lab)

    Simulations and analysis provide new atomic-scale clues to material’s enhanced hydrogen storage properties. A powdery mix of metal nanocrystals wrapped in single-layer sheets of carbon atoms, developed at the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), shows promise for safely storing hydrogen for use with fuel cells for passenger vehicles and other uses...

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