Category Technology/Electronics

Artistic impression of the sample, the pulse sequence, and the density matrix. Credit: Image by Antti Paraoanu

A superconducting qubit is an artificial atom fabricated on a silicon chip as an electrical circuit made of capacitors and tunnel junctions. This technology is one of the most promising for the realization of quantum computers.

In the experiment, the circuit was operated in a regime where it no longer absorbs or emits electromagnetic waves of certain frequency, as if it would be hiding under an invisibility cloak – hence the term “dark state.” Then, by using a sequence of microwave pulses, the team employed the dark state to realize a transfer of population from the ground energy level to the second energy level, without populating the first energy level...

From left: Mohammad Fakrul Islam, Frederick MacDonnell, Wilaiwan Chanmanee and Brian Dennis, all of UTA Credit: UTA

A team has proven concentrated light, heat and high pressures can drive the one-step conversion of carbon dioxide and water directly into useable liquid hydrocarbon fuels. This simple, inexpensive new sustainable fuels technology could potentially help limit global warming. The process also reverts oxygen back into the system as a byproduct of the reaction, with a clear positive environmental impact.

“Our process also has an important advantage over battery or gaseous-hydrogen powered vehicle technologies as many of the hydrocarbon products from our reaction are exactly what we use in cars, trucks and planes, so there would be no need to change the current fuel distribution s...

Polyhedral representation of the crystal structure of fluoride-phosphate of vanadium and potassium. The yellow denotes a three-dimensional channel system, which provides rapid transport of Li+ ions. Credit: Stanislav Fedotov

A cathode material for li-ion batteries with a very high charge rate – down to 90s – has been created, retaining more than 75% of an initial capacity. The discovery may stipulate the development of batteries where expensive lithium could be replaced with cheaper potassium.

Nowadays Li-ion batteries power a wide range of electronic devices: mobile phones, tablets, laptops. They became popular in 90s and subsequently ousted widespread nickel-metal hydride batteries. However, their capacity may drop when temperature falls below 0...

Dartmouth College Professor David Kotz demonstrates a commercial prototype of ‘Wanda’ imparting information such as the network name and password of a WiFi access point onto a blood pressure monitor. Credit: Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College researchers have developed a digital “magic wand” to improve home healthcare and to prevent hackers from stealing your personal data. The system, called “Wanda,” will be presented at the IEEE International Conference on Computer Communications in April. “Wanda” is part of a National Science Foundation-funded project led by Dartmouth called “Trustworthy Health and Wellness...