Hasta La Gadget!

We see a lot of sleek-looking technology pass through our doors, but it’s rare that the inventions could be called beautiful by those who aren’t immersed in the gadget world. We’d venture that North Carolina State University might have crossed the divide by creating an energy storage technology that’s both practical and genuinely pretty. Its technology vaporizes germanium sulfide and cools it into 20-30 nanometer layers that, as they’re combined, turn into nanoflowers: elegant structures that might look like the carnation on a prom dress or tuxedo, but are really energy storage cells with much more capacity than traditional cells occupying the same area. The floral patterns could lead to longer-lived supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries, and the germanium sulfide is both cheap and clean enough that it could lead to very efficient solar cells that are more environmentally responsible. As always, there’s no definite timetable for when (and if) NC State’s technology might be commercialized — so call someone’s bluff if they promise you a nanoflower bouquet.

Filed under: Science

NC State nanoflowers can boost battery and solar cell capacity, make great prom accessories originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 20:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Over the years we’ve come across many hydrophobic coating technologies aimed at electronics, but sadly, none of those were made directly available to consumers. The closest one was Nokia’s nanocoating demonstration we saw last October, though the company recently said to us that it’s still “currently a research project,” and it never mentioned plans to offer a service to treat existing devices. On the other hand, Californian startup Liquipel recently opened its first Hong Kong retail store, making it the second Liquipel service center globally after the one located at the Santa Ana headquarters. Folks in the area can simply call up to make an appointment, and then head over with their phones or tablets to get the nanocoating treatment. So how does this funky technology work? How does it cover both the inside and the outside of gadgets? And is Liquipel’s offering any better than its rivals? Read on to find out.

Continue reading Liquipel launches retail store in Hong Kong, spreads the hydrophobia for gadgets

Filed under: Misc, Mobile

Liquipel launches retail store in Hong Kong, spreads the hydrophobia for gadgets originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 18:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Researchers in Singapore have managed to create high-resolution color images several times sharper than typical methods using a metal-laced nanometer framework. While normal inkjet and laser jet printers can reel out up to 10,000 dots per inch, this nanotech-based technique has a theoretical limit of around 100,000 dpi. The technique is closer to lithography than typical modern printing, and could pave the way for future high-resolution reflective color displays and high-density optical storage. Scientists crafted precisely patterned metal nano structures, and designed the surface to specifically reflect the intended color. According to project leader, Dr Joel Yang, “The team built a database of color that corresponded to a specific nanostructure pattern, size and spacing,” with an ultra-thin metal film spread across the image activating these “encoded” colors. Looks like yet another reason to upgrade our dull fleshy retinas.

Filed under: Displays, Science

‘Stained glass’ nanotechnology capable of printing up to 100,000 dpi originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 07:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The nanobot war is escalating. Not content to let Penn State’s nanospiders win the day, Georgia Tech has answered back with a noticeably less creepy blood-swimming robot model of its own, whose look is more that of a fish than any arachnid this time around. It still uses material changes to exert movement — here exposing hydrogels to electricity, heat, light or magnetism — but Georgia Tech’s method steers the 10-micron trooper to its destination through far more innocuous-sounding flaps. Researchers’ goals are still as benign as ever, with the goal either to deliver drugs or to build minuscule structures piece-by-piece. The catch is that rather important mention of a “model” from earlier: Georgia Tech only has a scientifically viable design to work from and needs someone to build it. Should someone step up, there’s a world of potential from schools of tiny swimmers targeting exactly what ails us.

Filed under: Science

Georgia Tech models swimming, cargo-carrying nanobots originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 02:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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