Archive for August 2008
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Graphene memory possible?
Writers at the IEEE Spectrum report that molecule-size memory may be possible using graphene. Electrons flow extremely fast in graphene, much faster than in silicon, and a graphene transistor could really zip. That’s been the good news. The bad news, until now however, is that it’s hard to stop current from flowing in graphene once it starts.
Reportedly, a group of researchers at AMO, a nanotechnology company in Germany, has come up with a novel mechanism for making a graphene switch. According to research published in the August issue of IEEE Electron Device Letters, the researchers found they could affect the conductance of graphene by using an electrical field.
(more…) Video of the Week: More about Nocera’s electrolysis catalyst
In a previous edition of Ceramic Tech Weekly, we posted information and a brief video about MIT researcher Daniel Nocera and his apparently successful efforts to cut down on the use of costly platinum. Now the good folks at Blip.TV have gone out and toured Nocera’s lab and conducted a longer interview with him. Check it out.
MS&T working on bringing hydrogen to market
A group of researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology have received funding from the DOE to develop a real-world overview of the possible uses for hydrogen in the relatively near future.
“We need to be realistic about what we can and can’t do with hydrogen right now,” says Dr. Scott Grasman,
associate professor of engineering management at Missouri University of Science and Technology. “In addition to some of the more Buck Rogers things that might happen in the future, we need to study some of the things we can do in the short term.”
(more…)
Scott Grasman Photo: MS&T
From the ashes of the old: Reclaimed uranium
A researcher at the University of Idaho has penned an agreement with a leading nuclear power company to launch a new type of recycling plant that can harvest uranium and other materials from the ashes of radioactive garbage to be recycled back into nuclear fuel using an efficient, environmentally friendly technology, according to university officials. Based on investigations by chemistry professor Chien Wai, the university and AREVA signed an agreement Aug. 20 to begin construction on the new plant. Wai was inspired by the use of supercritical CO2 to remove caffeine from coffee beans. (more…)
Fuel cell racers begin international competition
The Auto Channel reports that on Saturday, the first hydrogen-powered go-cart “Formula Zero” race was held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The Zero in the title of the race refers to zero emissions. The Aug. 23 race was the first of a planned championship series that seems as much designed to raise the profile of powerful hydrogen-powered vehicles as it is to spur student interest and innovation.
TACh reports that student teams from America, Spain, England, Belgium and the Netherlands have committed to the competition.
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