Electronics  

A new scientific breakthrough that may potentially revolutionize high-speed electronics with nanoscale optoelectronics allows circuits to operate tens of thousands times faster than today's electronics.

Researchers have successfully designed and fabricated electrical circuits that can operate at hundreds of terahertz frequencies—tens of thousands times faster than today’s state-of-the-art microprocessors.

The work is the result of the collaboration of assistant Professor Christian A. Nijhuis of the Department of Chemistry at the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Faculty of Science, with researchers from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR): Dr Bai Ping of the Institute of High Performance Computing and Dr Michel Bosman of the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, and is published in the journal Science.

"This is also the first time that a research team has demonstrated theoretically and experimentally that very fast-switching at optical frequencies are indeed possible in molecular electronic devices."

The new invention uses a new physical process called quantum plasmonic tunnelling. By changing the molecules in the molecular electronic device, the frequency of the circuits can be altered in hundreds of terahertz regime.

The new circuits can potentially be used to construct ultra-fast computers or single molecule detectors in the future, and open up new possibilities in nano-electronic devices.

Light is used as an information carrier and transmitted in optical fibre cables. Photonic elements are large but they operate at extremely high frequencies of 100 terahertz – about 10,000 times faster than the desktop computer. But current state-of-the-art nano-electronic devices operate at length scales that are much smaller, making it very difficult to combine the ultra-fast properties of photonic elements with nano-scale electronics.

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Scientists have long known that light can interact with certain metals and can be captured in the form of plasmons, which are collective, ultra-fast oscillations of electrons that can be manipulated at the nano-scale. The so-called quantum plasmon modes have been theoretically predicted to occur at atomic length scales. However, current state-of-the-art fabrication techniques can only reach length scales that are about five nanometre larger, therefore quantum-plasmon effects have been difficult to investigate.

In this landmark study, the research team demonstrated that quantum-plasmonics is possible at length scales that are useful for real applications. Researchers successfully fabricated an element of a molecular electronic circuit using two plasmonic resonators, which are structures that can capture light in the form of plasmons, bridged by a layer of molecules that is exactly one molecule thick. The layer of molecules switches on the quantum plasmonic tunneling effects, enabling the circuits to operate at terahertz frequencies.

Bosman used an advanced electron microscopy technique to visualise and measure the opto-electronic properties of these structures with nanometer resolution. The measurements revealed the existence of the quantum plasmon mode and that its speed could be controlled by varying the molecular properties of the devices.

By performing quantum-corrected simulations, Bai confirmed that the quantum plasmonic properties could be controlled in the molecular electronic devices at frequencies 10,000 times faster than current processors.

Explaining the significance of the findings, Asst Prof Nijhuis said, “We are very excited by the new findings. Our team is the first to observe the quantum plasmonic tunneling effects directly. This is also the first time that a research team has demonstrated theoretically and experimentally that very fast-switching at optical frequencies are indeed possible in molecular electronic devices.”

The results open up possible new design routes for plasmonic-electronics that combines nanoelectronics with the fast operating speed of optics.

To further their research, Asst Prof Nijhuis and his team will look into resolving the challenges that are presented in the course of their work, such as the integration of these devices into real electronic circuits. They are also following up with new ideas that are developed from these results.



SOURCE  National University of Singapore

By 33rd Square

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 Self-Driving Car  

A team in Singapore has successfully developed their own self-driving car prototype at a much less of a cost than other versions.

The hype around driver-less cars intensifies with each passing day, with information on a new driver-less vehicle concept, new regulation initiative, or some advancements in autonomous driving technology coming up virtually every day, and it seems that it's not about to end any time soon. Google has no intention on slowing its efforts for launching a commercially available self-driving car by 2025, and Japanese car maker Nissan has similar plans, with BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Volvo, and other manufacturers expected to follow their lead.

The latest news involving autonomous vehicles is about a golf cart that is capable of driving itself, which could become available for purchase sometime in the near future.

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It was recently unveiled in Singapore, and it's a result of a collaboration between the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) and the National University of Singapore. It's basically an ordinary golf cart, that is equipped with a series of sensors and a computer, which allow it to move completely independently. There are two strategically positioned laser sensors that have a vision field of 270 degrees, which is much better than the human drivers' 100 degrees. The sensors, along with the on-board computer, make it possible for the cart to start, stop, and steer on its own, and be remotely controlled to pick up passengers at a specific location.

What this driver-less vehicldubbed SCOT (Shared Computer-Operated Transport), is lacking, when compared to other vehicles of its kind, is a navigation system based on GPS data. This is because its developers felt that GPS data is not precise enough to be used for self-driving cars, especially when driving in urban areas. “GPS data has a tolerance of 10 to 50 meters, which is not enough for urban environments,” said Dr Zuo Bingran, one of the creators of the SMART golf cart. Since it doesn't use GPS data, it has to rely on a series of pre-loaded maps, as well as live data provided by the sensors, which is supposed to help ease navigation through densely populated areas.

One of the main reasons why the people at Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology wanted to develop such a vehicle is that it could improve road safety to a considerable degree, since a car that is completely controlled by a computer reduces the risk of accidents substantial, considering that it's not susceptible to distractions, fatigue, or poor judgement, unlike human drivers. Another factor that motivated them to do this is the fact that driver-less cars could help long commutes much more bearable, allowing drivers to sit back and relax, letting a computer take care of steering and stopping. Also, traffic flow would be much faster, cutting travel times and helping reduce air pollution.

While Google's driver-less car cost more than $200,000 to build, which is obviously too much for it to be commercially viable, the SMART golf cart is incomparably cheaper, as it doesn't use the kind of equipment that Google's car does, such as a sophisticated laser radar system, so it has the potential to be widely adopted by future car buyers.



SOURCE  SMART

By Jordan Perch

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Author Bio - Jordan Perch is an automotive fanatic and “car tech” specialist. He is a regular contributor to a collaborative community for US drivers.

 Nanotechnology  

We've all done it, spent too long on a document or file and forgotten to save it, then disaster.  A new development in memory storage may make this a thing of the past.

A team of researchers from the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Faculty of Engineering has developed a new Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM) technology that will boost information storage in electronic systems. The innovative technology will drastically increase storage space and enhance memory which will ensure that fresh data stays intact, even in the case of a power failure. The team has already filed a US provisional patent for their technology.

The findings were published online in Physical Review Letters.

Led by Dr Yang Hyunsoo, the team developed a new device structure useful for the next generation MRAM chip which can potentially be applied to enhance the user experience in consumer electronics, including personal computers and mobile devices such as laptops and mobile phones. The new technology can also be applied in transportation, military and avionics systems, industrial motor control and robotics, industrial power and energy management as well as health care electronics.

Commenting on the benefits of their chip, Dr Yang said, "From the consumer's standpoint, we will no longer need to wait for our computers or laptops to boot up. Storage space will increase, and memory will be so enhanced that there is no need to regularly hit the 'save' button as fresh data will stay intact even in the case of a power failure. Devices and equipment can now have bigger memory with no loss for at least 20 years or probably more. Currently pursued schemes with a very thin magnetic layer can only retain information for about a year."

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Dr Yang added, "With the heavy reliance on our mobile phones these days, we usually need to charge them daily. Using our new technology, we may only need to charge them on a weekly basis."

The innovation is expected to change the architecture of computers, making them much easier to manufacture as it does away with many facilities such as flash memory, effectively bringing down the cost. Major semiconductor players such as Samsung, Intel, Toshiba and IBM are intensifying research efforts in MRAM and the team's innovative technology has received strong interest from the industry.

MRAM is emerging as the next big thing in data storage as it is non-volatile, which means that data can be retrieved even when the electronic equipment or device is not powered up. There is strong research interest in MRAM as it has the potential to provide high bit density and low power consumption.

The current methods of applying MRAM revolve round the technology which uses an 'in-plane', or horizontal, current-induced magnetisation. This method uses ultra-thin ferromagnetic structures which are challenging to implement due to their thickness of less than 1 nanometre. Their manufacturing reliability is low and tends to retain information for only less than a year.

The NUS team, in collaboration with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia, was able to resolve this problem by incorporating magnetic multilayer structures as thick as 20 nanometre, providing an alternative film structure for transmission of electronic data and storage. This innovation allows for storage which can last for a minimum of 20 years.

In the next phase of their research, the team plans to apply the invented structure in memory cells. They are looking for industry partners for collaborations on developing a spin-orbit torque-based MRAM.



SOURCE  National University of Singapore via EurekAlert

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 Robotics  

National University of Singapore’s (NUS) engineers have created efficient artificial muscles that could one day carry 80 times their own weight and extend to five times their original length when carrying the load.

Researchers from the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Faculty of Engineering has created efficient artificial, or “robotic” muscles, which could carry a weight 80 times its own and able to extend to five times its original length when carrying the load – a first in robotics.

The team’s invention may pave the way for the constructing of life-like robots with superhuman strength and ability.

In addition, these novel artificial muscles could potentially convert and store energy, which could help the robots power themselves after a short period of charging.

Led by Dr Adrian Koh from NUS’ Engineering Science Programme and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the four-member team has been working on the project since July 2012.

Robots, no matter how intelligent, are restricted by their muscles which are able to lift loads only half its own weight – about equivalent to an average human’s strength (though some humans could lift loads up to three times their weight). Artificial muscles have been known to extend to only three times its original length when similarly stressed. The muscle’s degree of extendability is a significant factor contributing to the muscle’s efficiency as it means that it could perform a wider range of operations while carrying heavy loads.

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Explaining how he and his multidisciplinary team managed to design and create their novel superhuman muscles, Dr Koh said, “Our materials mimic those of the human muscle, responding quickly to electrical impulses, instead of slowly for mechanisms driven by hydraulics. Robots move in a jerky manner because of this mechanism. Now, imagine artificial muscles which are pliable, extendable and react in a fraction of a second like those of a human. Robots equipped with such muscles will be able to function in a more human-like manner – and outperform humans in strength.”

In order to achieve this, Dr Koh and his team have used polymers which could be stretched over 10 times their original length. Translated scientifically, this means that these muscles have a strain displacement of 1,000 per cent.

“We put theory to good use. Last year, we calculated theoretically that polymer muscles driven by electrical impulse could potentially have a strain displacement of 1,000 per cent, lifting a load of up to 500 times its own weight. So I asked my students to strive towards this Holy Grail, no matter how impossible it sounded,” he said.

Though they could only achieve a modicum of their target, it is a first in robotics. For his contributions, Dr Koh was awarded the Promising International Researcher Award at the 3rd International Conference on Electromechanically-Active Polymer Transducers and Artificial Muscles in June 2013, held in Zürich, Switzerland. The Award recognizes young researchers from outside Europe, who have made significant contributions in the field of electromechanically-active polymers, and display promise to successful career in the field.

“Our novel muscles are not just strong and responsive. Their movements produce a by-product -- energy. As the muscles contract and expand, they are capable of converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. Due to the nature of this material, it is capable of packing a large amount of energy in a small package. We calculated that if one were to build an electrical generator from these soft materials, a 10kg system is capable of producing the same amount of energy of a 1-ton electrical turbine” Dr Koh said.

This means that the energy generated may lead to the robot being self-powered after a short period of charging – which is expected to be less than a minute.

Dr Koh said they are still beefing up their muscles. They will also be filing a patent for their success formula of materials and right degree of electric impulses. And in about three to five years, they expect to be able to come out with a robotic arm, about half the size and weight of a human arm which can wrestle with that of a human being’s -- and win.

Powerful artificial muscles need not only be used in robots, said Dr Koh.  “Think of how efficient cranes can get when armed with such muscles.”

The research team plans to work further with researchers from Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, as well as Bioengineering to create robots and robotic limbs which are more human-like in both functions and appearance.


SOURCE  National University of Singapore, Top Image - Festo

By 33rd Square

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