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NanoSensors Go Underground to Boost Oil Production
A multimillion-dollar research consortium, created by some of the world's largest energy companies, will develop micro and nanotechnology devices to increase oil and gas production. The consortium's primary goal is to develop intelligent subsurface micro and nanosensors that can be injected into oil and gas reservoirs to help improve the recovery of existing and new hydrocarbon resources. These tiny sensors would migrate out of the well bores and into the pores of the surrounding geological structures to collect data about the physical characteristics of hydrocarbon reservoirs. The data collected could enable the more efficient exploitation of hydrocarbon resources. Members of the privately funded consortium include BP America Inc., Baker Hughes Incorporated, ConocoPhillips, Halliburton Energy Services Inc., Marathon Oil Corp., Occidental Oil and Gas and Schlumberger. Read more
Read more about nanosensors in IEEE Xplore
Heterogeneous CMOS Gaining Momentum
As performance gains in silicon become more difficult to come by, research groups are stepping up efforts in heterogeneous semiconductors as a way of extending CMOS, using epitaxial techniques to deposit materials with higher mobilities than silicon. According to Raj Jammy, front end program manager for Sematech, heterostructures could replace silicon transistors on nearly 10% of the devices in a chip, especially the critical circuits where performance would be limited by silicon transistors. Significant challenges remain in figuring out how to form the heterogeneous semiconductors and a major issue is the lattice mismatches that exist between silicon, germanium and the various non-silicon materials. Read more
Read more about CMOS in IEEE Xplore
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Super-Fast Chips May Come From "Pencil Lead”
A new generation of super-fast microelectronics may be possible through the use of ultra-thin sheets of graphene – a hexagonal arrangement of carbon atoms that allows electrons to flow more easily than gold, silicon, gallium arsenide or carbon nanotubes, according to researchers at the University of Manchester, UK. Mobility of charge in a semiconductor is measured in square centimeters per volt second (cm2/Vs): the material, stacks of which comprise the pencil-core ingredient graphite without impurities, allows electron flow at 200,000 cm2/Vs. Researchers say gallium arsenide, used in cell phones for its superior conductivity, allows only 8,500 cm2Vs. The main obstacle to using graphene in the electronics industry is the difficulty of isolating pure layers of the material in sheets large enough for industrial manufacture. The experimental devices used in the research were made by carefully peeling off layers of graphene from chunks of graphite using sticky tape. Read more
Read more about graphene in IEEE Xplore
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Conference Focuses on Nanoscale Era
Sponsored by the IEEE, the 2008 International Conference on Design & Technology of Integrated Systems in Nanoscale Era (DTIS) will be held in Tozeur, Tunisia, 25-27 March 2008. The aim of the DTIS conference is to cope with the rapidly progressing electronic technology. The main area of interest for the conference deals with the design, technology and test of electronic products, ranging from integrated circuits, multi-chip modules and printed circuit boards to full systems and microsystems. The conference will also examine the methodologies and tools used in the design and fabrication of such rapidly growing products. Learn more
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Chip May Aid the Hunt for the Very Far, Very Fast
A new chip design with the lowest noise possible and the ability to operate at millikelvin temperatures may be a key component of the world’s largest telescope and the first generation of quantum computers. The design is a collaboration between Australia's La Trobe University's Centre for Technology Infusion, Peregrine Semiconductor Australia and the CSIRO's Australia Telescope National Facility, where it is undergoing testing as a component of the Square Kilometre Array. The telescope will be the most sensitive radio telescope ever built with a total receiver area of one square kilometer. The chip, designed to be fit to super-sensitive radio receiver circuits that amplify cosmic signals, may also aid in quantum computer research due to its functionality at relatively high temperatures. Read more
Read more about radio telescopes in IEEE Xplore
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New Product for 300mm Wafer Probing Debuts
A new standard for extremely accurate and reliable 300 millimeter wafer probing for devices with process nodes at 45 nanometers and below has been announced by Cascade Microtech, Beaverton, Oregon, USA. The firm says its Elite 300 solves the critical measurement challenges at each advancing technology node with state-of-the-art electrical and mechanical technology, advanced materials and new measurement techniques. The Elite 300 platform is designed to lessen process development costs and shorten time to market through superior electrical measurement capability, solving problems for wafer-level measurements at 45 nanometers and below, and allowing semiconductor manufacturers to avoid retooling at each process node. The firm says its proprietary technology reduces spectral noise by a factor of 10 and offers the industry's widest standard temperature range. Read more
Read more about wafer probing in IEEE Xplore
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IEEE Foundation Announces 2008 Grant Deadlines
The IEEE Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the IEEE, is now accepting 2008 grant applications for new and innovative projects. Committed to improving the technological literacy of society from childhood through adulthood, the IEEE Foundation awarded more than US$250,000 in grants during 2007 to projects supporting the advancement of the engineering field. During 2008, unsolicited applications will be accepted from IEEE units and other organizations working in areas of relevance and importance to the IEEE and its membership. Projects should achieve one or more of the following objectives:
- Improve primary and secondary science, technology and math learning
- Encourage pre-university students to consider engineering as a career path
- Increase the public’s understanding of the role of engineers and technology in society
- Preserve the history of IEEE-associated technologies
- Tap the technological expertise of IEEE members
- Demonstrate ability to be replicated
Application deadlines:
18 April 2008 for June Consideration
5 September 2008 for November Consideration
All applications will be considered for funding by both the IEEE Foundation Board of Directors and the IEEE Life Members Committee. Questions should be directed to the IEEE Foundation Administrator at +1 732 981 3435 or foundation-office@ieee.org.
Learn more
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Nano-Magnets Mimic Pharmaceutical Effects
Magnetic nanoparticles that can bind to the same cell receptors as pharmaceuticals, triggering the same responses as drugs without their side effects, have been created by researchers at Harvard University and the University of California at Berkeley. Researchers say the noninvasive therapy marks the first time that magnetism has been used to control the biological processes normally managed by hormones. The nanobiotechnology technique uses particles 30 nanometers in diameter, with a five nanometer core, coated with antigens that bind only to cell receptors with specific antibodies. The nanoparticles remain dormant until activated by an external magnetic field. The field causes them to cluster together, mimicking the effect of drugs and triggering a cascade of biochemical signals inside the cell. Researchers hope to use the technique to control physiological processes such as heart rhythms and other muscle contractions. Read more
Read more about nano-magnets in IEEE Xplore
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New Microfluidic Technology Debuts
New lab-on-a-chip microfluidic devices that have the potential to transform areas such as DNA testing, environmental testing, fuel cell development and a broad range of biotech applications, will be debuted by the British firm Dolomite. The firm says its new Edge Connector and Micro Mixer enables the mixing of samples, diluents and reagents in only a few milliseconds, greatly reducing volume and reagent usage. Microfluidics enable very small-scale fluid control and analysis, allowing instrument manufacturers to develop smaller, more cost-effective and more powerful systems. Researchers say this will lead to creating entire complex chemical management and analysis systems on a chip that can interface with electronic and optical detection systems. Read more
Read more about microfluidic devices in IEEE Xplore
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Nanotechnology Roadmap Unveiled
The Ministry of Science and Technology of South Korea will try to become one of the three leading nations in the field of nanotechnology by 2020, according to the nanotechnology roadmap recently outlined by the country. Drawn up by 83 scientists and experts over the past two years, the roadmap expects Korean companies and institutions using various nanotechnology to earn about US$260 billion a year by 2015 and US$500 billion in 2020, about 20 percent of the global market. The ministry's roadmap categorizes nanotechnology into four sectors: nano-element, nano-manufacturing, nano-bio and nano-energy technology. Read more
Read more about nanotechnology in IEEE Xplore
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