Data storage

Data storage: fast and loose approach improves memory

An unconventional design for a nano-scale memory device uses a shuttle service free of mechanical movements to improve performance.
Loose and ringing on your cell phone is usually a cause for concern. As most electronic devices, the telephone operates by electrons moving through fixed circuit pathways. If electrons are not sufficiently contained within these pathways, efficiency and speed of a lowering device. However, since the components in miniaturized electronic devices shrink with each generation, the electrons become more difficult to contain. Now, a research team led by Vincent Pott in the A * STAR Institute of Microelectronics, has designed a memory device using a loose and mobile actually improves performance.
The weak part is a small metal disc, or link, about 300 nano-meters thick and 2 micrometers long and is located within a metal cage more or less cylindrical. Because transportation is small, gravity has little effect on the same. Instead, the adhesion forces between the shuttle and metal cage to determine its position. When attached to the top of the cage, the shuttle completes an electrical circuit between two electrodes, causing current to flow. When in the bottom of the cage, the circuit is broken and no current flows. The shuttle is movable from above downwards by applying a voltage to a third electrode, known as a gate underneath the cage.
Pott and coworkers suggested using this positioning to encode binary digital information. It is predicted that adhesion forces would keep the shuttle in place even when the power is off, allowing the memory device to retain information for longer periods of time. In fact, the investigators found that the high temperature - a cause classical electronic memory loss - should actually increase the duration of retention of data by softening of the metal that composes the shuttle memory disc and cage , strengthening the bond. The ability to operate in hot environments is a key requirement for military and aerospace applications.
The shuttle also untethered occupies less area than other designs and is not expected to suffer from mechanical fatigue, as it avoids the use of components that need to bend or flex - such as those used in competing approaches cantilever mechanical memory. In a simulation, Pott and colleagues found that the shuttle memory should be able to change at speeds of more than 1 megahertz.

Quantum Analog

New powerful tool flow is Quantum analog phase space :

UK-based physical Steuernagel Ole from the University of Hertfordshire, with Dimitris Kakofengitis and Georg Ritter, found that the "flow Wigner 'a powerful new tool is called the quantum analogue of spatial phase flow.
Provides information flow Wigner quantum dynamics similar to that obtained from the phase space trajectories in classical physics. Wigner flow can be used for displaying quantum dynamics. Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, the flow of aid Wigner abstract analysis of quantum dynamics using topological methods.
Ole Steuernagel, University of Science and Technology Research Institute, said: "Since the paths are not present in the phase space quantum physicists did not pay much attention to partners in flow fields, although they do not exist Now, our research shows that the quantum phase. spatial flow is well worth studying. "
In classical physics, phase space trajectories lead to flow fields that represent the system dynamics along their paths, which produce additional information about the behavior of a system.
Quantum theory of phase space trajectories do not exist because of Heisenberg uncertainty principle does not allow the formation of well-defined paths. But quantum physicists have not given up entirely on the phase space. The study of the second best option, the movement of the distributions of quantum physics' of phase space-based probability has really exploded in recent years.
Sophisticated systems for the reconstruction of the most prominent of these distributions, "Wigner function 'from experimental data have established quantum phase space analysis on a firm basis. Nevertheless, since studies quantum trajectory can not be done , some of the energy of established classical methods lack.
Researchers have been studying Wigner flow, based on the dynamic function of the Wigner, and have shown that reveals new and surprising characteristics of the quantum dynamic phase space. It is, for example, the vortices that rotate the "wrong" way around and listed in the "wrong" part of the phase space, when viewed from the point of view of classical physics. Therefore, these dynamic patterns are manifestations of the quantum nature of the system.

Cisco VoIP Phones

Computer scientists find vulnerabilities in Cisco VoIP Phones:

Columbia Engineering Computer Science PhD candidate Ang Cui and Computer Science Professor Salvatore Stolfo found serious vulnerabilities in Cisco VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) phones, devices used worldwide by a wide range of network organizations of governments to banks to large corporations, and beyond. In particular, they have found safety violations concern Cisco VoIP phone technology. At a recent conference on the safety of the devices connected, Cui demonstrates how you can insert malicious code into a Cisco VoIP phone (any model 14 Cisco Unified IP Phone) and start spying private conversations - not only by telephone, but also in around the phone - from anywhere in the world.
"There are only Cisco phones at risk. All VoIP phones are particularly problematic as they are everywhere and reveal our private communications," says Stolfo. "It is relatively easy to penetrate any corporate phone system, phone system any government, any house with Cisco VoIP phones - are not safe."
Cui and Stolfo analyzed phone firmware (the software that runs on the computer on the phone) and they were able to identify many vulnerabilities. They are particularly concerned with integrated systems that are widely used in network and via the Internet, including VoIP phones, routers and printers, and have focused their research on developing new advanced security technologies to protect these systems.
"The binary firmware analysis is commonly used to identify faulty software hackers 'white hat' and scientists and security researchers like our team," says Stolfo. "We conducted this analysis to demonstrate a defense technology, software called symbionts, which protects them from exploitation."
Symbionts software is designed to protect embedded systems from attacks malicious code injection in these systems, including routers and printers.
"This is a defense mechanism that is based on host code structure inspired by a natural phenomenon known as defensive symbiotic mutualism," said Cui. "The symbiote is especially suitable for embedded systems with sophisticated reinforcement legacy host-based defenses."
The researchers see these symbionts as a sort of digital lifestyle that coexists well with arbitrary executables in a mutually defensive. "They draw computing resources (CPU cycles) from the host at the same time protecting the host against attacks and exploitation," said Cui. "And, because they are so diverse in nature, which can provide self-protection against direct attack by adversaries that directly affect host defenses."
"We envision an architecture for general purpose computing systems consisting of two mutual defense by a machine that is embedded Symbiote autonomous, distinct and unique to each instance of a host program," says Stolfo. "The symbiote can reside within any arbitrary body of software, regardless of its place in the system stack. Could be injected into a host arbitrary in many different ways, while your code can be" random "for a number of well known methods. "
The symbiote, which at runtime is required by your host to run successfully for the host to operate, then monitors the behavior of its host to make sure it is working properly, and if not, the host stops to damage. Removal or attempted removal of the Symbiote host makes inoperable.
"The beauty of the Symbiote", Cui says, "is that it can be used to protect all types of embedded systems, from phones and printers to ATMs and even cars -. Systems we all use every day"
Cisco has since released a patch to fix these vulnerabilities, but is ineffective. "It does not solve the fundamental problems we have pointed to Cisco," said Cui. "I know of no solution to solve the systemic problem with the firmware Cisco IP Phone, except Symbiote technology or rewrite the firmware. We intend to demonstrate your Cisco IP Symbiote protected at an upcoming conference."

Stimulators

Allows Robot 'Remote Presence "in Programming stimulating the brain and spine :

With the rapid expansion of the use of the brain and spinal cord stimulation therapy (neuromodulation), the new "remote presence" technologies can help meet demand for experts to program the stimulator, reports a study published in the January Neurosurgery.

The preliminary study conducted by Dr. Ivar Mendez of Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, supports the feasibility and safety of using a remote presence robot - called the "RP-7" - for increasing access to skilled specialists for programming and brain stimulators used spine neuromodulation.
Robot allows experts Nurses Program Guide Simulators Dr. Mendez and his group developed the RP-7 as a way to allow the "experts" are not experts telementor nurses simulators programming devices. Already widely used for Parkinson's disease and severe chronic pain, modulations is being studied for use in other conditions, such as epilepsy, severe depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
In this form of therapy, a small electrode is surgically placed in a precise location in the brain or spine. A gentle electric current is supplied to stimulate said area, with the aim of disrupting the abnormal activity. As more patients undergo therapy for stimulation of the brain and spinal cord, there is a growing demand for programming expert stimulators generate electrical current.
The RP-7 is a battery-operated mobile robot that can be controlled by a laptop. It is equipped with cameras and microphones, allowing the expert, the nurse and patient to communicate. The robot's "head" consists of a flat screen monitor that shows the face of expert operator.
The RP-7 also has an "arm" equipped with a touchscreen controller, the nurse can use to program the stimulator. The expert can "telestrate" to tell the nurse pushing the right buttons for the programming.
Access to specialists in the next room - or miles away in the preliminary study, patients with neuromodulation devices were randomized to conventional programming, with the expert in the room, or remote programming, with the expert using the RP -7 to guide a nurse in the programming of the stimulator. For the study, experts operators were simply in another room of the same building. However, since the RP-7 operates on a conventional wireless connection, the expert can be anywhere you have Internet access.
In the analysis of 20 patients (10 in each group), no significant difference in the accuracy or clinical outcomes of controls by the presence versus conventional programming. No adverse events occurred at any meeting.
The remote presence session took a little time: 33 versus 26 minutes, on average. Patients, nurses expert and all gave high satisfaction scores of programming experience.
"This study shows that the presence of distance can be used for programming of the focal points of neuromodulation devices," Dr. Mendez and coauthors write. The study provides "proof of principle" that the RP-7 or similar devices can help meet the need of expertise needed to serve a growing number of patients with neuromodulation therapies.
Researchers have also begun a pilot study using a new mobile device, called RP-Xpress. About the size of a small suitcase, the RP-Xpress is being used for long distances home visits for patients who live hundreds of miles away, using existing local cellular networks. Dr. Mendez and his colleagues conclude: "We envision a time in the near future, when patients with implanted devices neuromodulation have real-time access to a physician experienced in the comfort of your own home."

2-D Matrix Laser

More complex world of 2-D Matrix Laser Beamsteering demonstrated:

A new 2-D optical technology will enable advanced stages LADAR and other defense applications.

Most people are familiar with the concept of RADAR. Radio frequency (RF) waves travel through the atmosphere, reflected from a target, and return to the radar system for processing. The amount of time it takes to return to correlate the object distance. In recent decades, this technology has been revolutionized electronically scanned (phased) arrays (ESA), which transmit RF waves in a particular direction without mechanical movement. Each emitter varies in amplitude and phase to form a radar beam in a particular direction through constructive and destructive interference with other transmitters.
Similar to laser radar detection and ranging, or LADAR, explores a view to determine the distance and other information, but uses optical beams instead of RF waves. LADAR provides a more detailed level of information that can be used for applications such as rapid mapping in 3-D. However, current methods of optical beam steering necessary for LADAR, most of which are based on simple mechanical rotation, are simply too bulky, slow or incorrect to meet potential LADAR.
As reported in the current issue of the journal Nature, researchers at DARPA recently demonstrated the more complex 2-D optical assembly removed for ever. The matrix, which has dimensions of 576μm x 576μm only about the size of a pinhead, consists of 4,096 (64 x 64) nano-antennas integrated into a silicon chip. The key to this breakthrough was the development of a design that is scalable to a large number of nano-antennas  development of new micro-fabrication techniques, and the integration of photonic and electronic components on a single chip.
"The integration of all the components of an optical assembly staged a miniature set of 2-D chips can lead to new capabilities for sensing and imaging" said Sanjay Raman, program manager for DARPA Diverse Accessible Heterogeneous Integration (Dahi ) program. "By bringing this functionality to a tablet form factor scale, this arrangement can generate high-resolution, beam patterns - a capability that researchers have tried to create optical phased array chip is truly a technology that allows a wide number of systems. LADAR and one day revolutionize much the same way that revolutionized RADAR AEE. LADAR Beyond, this chip may have applications for biomedical imaging, 3D holographic displays and ultra-high speed data communications. "

Quantum Communication

Quantum Communication: Photon each account

Ultrafast, efficient and reliable single photon detectors are among the most sought after components of photonics and quantum communication, which have not yet reached maturity for practical application. Physicist Dr. Wolfram Pernice, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), in collaboration with colleagues from Yale University, Boston University, and Moscow State Pedagogical University, achieved the breakthrough in the integration of a single photon detectors with nano-photonic chips. The detector combines near-unit detection efficiency with high time resolution and has a very low error rate.
Without reliable detection of individual photons, it is impossible to make real use of the latest advances in optical data transmission and quantum computing, is like having no analog-digital converter in a conventional computer to determine if the applied voltage is 0 or 1. Although a number of different models of single photon detector have been developed in recent years, to date, none has provided satisfactory performance.
Several new ideas and advanced developments entered the prototype developed in the "Integrated Quantum Photonics" project at the Center for Functional Nano-structures DFG (CFN). The new single-photon detector, tested in the wavelength range of telecommunications achieves detection efficiency previously achieved 91%.
The detector was made by fabricating superconducting nano-wires directly on top of one nanophotonic wave-guide  This geometry can be compared with a tube that conducts electricity, around which a wire is wound a superconducting state and, as such, has no electrical resistivity. The nano-scale wire of niobium nit ride absorbs photons propagating along the wave-guide  When a photon is absorbed, the superconductivity is lost, which is detected as an electrical signal. The longer the tube, the greater the probability of detection. The lengths involved are in the micrometer range.
A special feature of the installation detector is directly over the chip, allowing it to replicate randomly. Single photon detectors ever built were independent units, which were connected to chips with optical fibers.

Ultra-Small Devices

Ultra-Small Devices for Energy-Efficient Electronics :

Ultra small devices for efficient energy

A team of scientists at the Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork and the National University of Singapore devices are designed and manufactured ultra low power small electronics. By figuring out how molecules behave in these devices, a tenfold increase in the efficiency of switching is obtained by changing only one carbon atom. These devices could provide new ways to combat overheating in mobile phones and laptops, and could also help in electrical stimulation of tissue repair for wound healing.
Creating penetration of molecular devices with highly controllable electrical properties appear in the Nature Nanotechnology. Dr. Damien Thompson at the Tyndall National Institute, UCC and a team of researchers from the National University of Singapore led by Professor Chris Nijhuis designed and created devices which are based on molecules that act as valves or electrical diode rectifiers .
Dr. Thompson explains, "These molecules are very useful because they allow current to flow through them into the ignition and block the flow of current when turned off. Results of the study show that the simple addition of an additional carbon atom is sufficient to improve device performance by more than a factor of ten. follow up a lot of new ideas based on these results, and we hope ultimately to create a number of new components for electronic devices. " Level atom-Dr. Thompson Computer simulations showed how molecules with an odd number of carbon atoms go straight molecules with an even number of carbon atoms. This allows them to pack more closely together. Closely packed assembly of these molecules were formed on surfaces of the metal electrodes in Singapore Nijhuis group and proved remarkably free of defects. These high quality devices can suppress the leakage currents and thus operate efficiently and reliably. The device can be switched on and off cleanly only on the basis of the load and the shape of the molecules, as well as in regulating the biological nanomachines photosynthesis, cell division and tissue growth.

Tyndall Electronics Theory Group leader Prof. Jim Greer explains "The modern electronic devices such as phones and tablets in manufacturing today rely on tiny switches that are close molecular sizes This provides new challenges for electronics but opens interesting opportunities to combine the molecular properties that are used to. working advantage. Dr. Thompson is an exciting new way to exploit the molecular design for new forms of performing information processing. "A key feature to promote nano-scale electronics will be the ability using molecules as rectifiers and switches. By demonstrating the rational design of molecules with a grinding day. Extensive and highly reproducible ON / OFF ratio, the study provides a key step in the creation of device components ultrasmall technologically feasible Fifty thousand rectifier molecules strung end to end would fit across the diameter of a human hair. Advances in the scientific computing, synthesis and characterization Now we can understand and control the material on the scale of atoms and molecules.