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Objects that know when they are touchedObjects that know when they are touched

Touché, a new sensing technique developed by a team at Disney Research, Pittsburgh, and Carnegie Mellon University, is a form of capacitive touch sensing, similar to what’s used in smartphone touchscreens. But its ability to monitor capacitive signals across a broad range of frequencies allows it to perform functions based on complex movements: doorknobs that know when to lock based on the type touch, for example.

Smart sensor could lead to flying 3D eye-bots

Smart sensor could lead to flying 3D eye-bots

Intelligent swarms of aerial drones equipped with high-resolution 3D imaging systems could be a useful tool for police, crisis managers, and urban planners. Special 3D sensors developed engineers in Germany accurately measures distances in three dimensions, prompting speculation that such drones could be developed.

Phase-change breakthrough could transform memory media

Phase-change breakthrough could transform memory media

By using diamond-tipped tools to apply pressure, a team led by Johns Hopkins engineers has discovered some previously unknown electrical properties of a common memory material, a mix of germanium, antimony, and tellurium called GST. The discovery should make GST more useful for electronics developers by allowing memory formats that retain data more quickly, last longer, and allow far more capacity.

In chemical reactions, water adds speed without heat

In chemical reactions, water adds speed without heat

An international team of researchers has discovered how adding trace amounts of water can tremendously speed up chemical reactions—such as hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis—in which hydrogen is one of the reactants, or starting materials. Previous research had indicated this phenomenon, but until now the true importance of water to its effect has eluded chemists.

Quantum computer leap

The main technical difficulty in building a quantum computer could soon be the thing that makes it possible to build one, according to new research from The Australian National University.

Reports: HP poised to eliminate up to 30,000 jobs

Published reports say Hewlett-Packard is poised to eliminate up to 30,000 jobs to help offset dwindling demand for personal computers as more people connect to the Internet on smartphones and tablets.Bloomberg News says HP is mulling 25,000 job cuts. All Things D, a technology blog, estimates...

Review: Facebook snapshot doesn't capture dynamics

In my five years on Facebook, I've shared a lot of photos, links and other tidbits about my life. I've commented on what my friends share, and I've endorsed plenty of their posts by hitting the "like" button. I've gained Facebook friends over the years, and I've lost some.With Facebook Inc....

Computing experts unveil superefficient “inexact” chip

Computing experts unveil superefficient “inexact” chip

In a recent project that has challenged the notion that the best chip is the most accurate one, a research team has unveiled this week its prototype “inexact” computer chip. By allowing the chip to make a few mistakes, developers were able to slash the power consumption of the chip dramatically. The result is a chip at least 15 times more efficient than today’s technology.

Paralyzed woman uses her mind to control robot arm

Paralyzed woman uses her mind to control robot arm

Not long after a partially paralyzed man in Switzerland used his mind to remotely control a small robot, a Massachusetts woman paralyzed for 15 years used only her thoughts to direct a robotic arm to pick up a bottle of coffee and bring it to her lips But will the experimental brain-controlled technology ever help paralyzed people in everyday life?

Technology convergence may widen the digital divide

Technology is helping communication companies merge telephone, television, and Internet services, but a push to deregulate may leave some customers on the wrong side of the digital divide during this convergence, according to a Penn State University telecommunications researcher.

Researcher achieves voltage control in plastic transistor

A year after a researcher at Linköping University in Sweden built a fully functional field-effect transistor from plastic, another scientist at the same institution has shown that it is possible to control these transistors with great precision, allowing the device to function as a logic circuit.

LG upgrades flagship smartphone to revive fortunes

LG Electronics Inc. has upgraded its flagship smartphone with a faster chip and a longer battery life to regain ground lost to more nimble rivals.The Korean company said Thursday that the Optimus LTE II smartphone will be released by all three mobile carriers in South Korea this week.The...

Activision, EA settle lawsuit over execs' leaving

Gaming giants Activision Blizzard Inc. and Electronic Arts have settled a lawsuit over whether EA interfered by recruiting two executives who oversaw the creation of the smash videogame "Modern Warfare 2."An attorney for Activision announced the settlement during a hearing Wednesday in Los...

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Wanted: 2011's Top Technologies

Wanted: 2011's Top Technologies

The editors of R&D Magazine have opened the nominations for the 2012 R&D 100 Awards competition, which will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the awards. If your organization introduced a new product this year, or is planning to, you can begin the entry process now.

Hello and welcome to the new R&D Daily

Hello and welcome to the new R&D Daily

There’s nothing wrong with your watch. This is the same R&D Daily you received every afternoon. But after nearly three-and-half years and more than 5,000 stories, the R&D Daily is undergoing a mitosis of sorts, evolving to a.m. and p.m. editions. You will get the same high-technology content as before, just more of it, in a more timely manner.

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IBM Watson: Countdown to Jeopardy!

On February 14, 2011, Watson, the IBM computing system designed to play Jeopardy!, faces its toughest challenge yet. Jeopardy! The IBM Challenge pits the two greatest champions in the show's history against a machine that rivals their ability to deliver a single, precise answer to a Jeopardy! clue.

Perspectives on Watson: Finance

Enormous amounts of data are generated every day in the financial industry. The deep analytics of Watson, the IBM computer system designed to play Jeopardy!, could have profound effects on how companies make use of this information.

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AT&T starts selling 'cell tower in a suitcase'

The Remote Mobility Zone can pack down to the size of a suitcase (plus satellite dish) and provide coverage on the go for up to 14 simultaneous calls, data rates at less-than-broadband speeds, and a range of half a mile. Designed primarily for disaster response, the towers may find a variety of uses where communication is needed.

Agilent Technologies launches industry’s fastest logic analyzer

The new analyzer offers reliable data capture rates up to 4 Gb/s on the industry’s smallest eye openings: 100 ps to 100 mV. The U4154A AXIe-based logic analyzer module is engineered for working with double data rate memory systems, application-specific ICs, A/D converters, and FPGAs.

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Thermo Fisher Scientific Releases Version 9.1 of GRAMS Suite

A solution for visualizing, processing, reporting and managing spectroscopy data, Thermo Scientific GRAMS 9.1 now offers enhanced capabilities and functionality, improved access to data, and reduced costs by eliminating the need for multiple vendor software packages and associated training

High-Resolution GigE Camera Receives Improvements

Lumenera Corp. has engineered several new advancements into its small form factor 11MP gigabit ethernet (GigE) digital camera for industrial and scientific imaging applications.  In particular, the Lg11059 now offers enhanced noise performance and higher bit depth.

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