Year: 2024

In a pioneering achievement, researchers in Japan have developed the world’s first “n-channel” diamond-based transistor, propelling us closer to processors capable of functioning at ultra-high temperatures. This breakthrough not only eliminates the necessity for direct cooling but also expands the operational range of processors to extreme environments.

By integrating diamond into a transistor—a fundamental component responsible for electrical switching between 1s and 0s when voltage is applied—the research heralds the prospect of smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient electronics. Unlike conventional components, diamond-based transistors exhibit resilience in harsh conditions, withstanding temperatures exceeding 572 degrees Fahrenheit (300 degrees Celsius) and enduring higher voltages before reaching breakdown.

In the realm of capturing micro-events unfolding at lightning speed, scientists have introduced SCARF—Swept-Coded Aperture Real-time Femtophotography. This groundbreaking camera, developed by the team at Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications at the Research Centre Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) in Quebec, Canada, is designed to observe phenomena too rapid for conventional sensors to detect. From semiconductor absorption to metal alloy demagnetization, SCARF has ventured into the realm of ultrafast imaging with unprecedented accuracy.

Unlike its predecessors, SCARF operates on passive femtosecond imaging principles, enabling the T-CUP system (Trillion-frame-per-second Compressed Ultrafast Photography) to capture trillions of frames per second. Spearheaded by Professor Jinyang Liang, a trailblazer in ultrafast imaging, this breakthrough builds upon his pioneering work in 2018, laying the foundation for the current project.

In the vast spectrum of Earth’s inhabitants, humans enjoy a comfortable existence compared to some extreme organisms. While we don’t endure the vacuum of space like tardigrades or cling to scorching hydrothermal vents like extremophile bacteria, one microbe, Geobacter sulfurreducens, thrives in anaerobic environments deep within the Earth, presenting scientists with a captivating puzzle of survival.

Researchers have long been intrigued by Geobacter’s ability to flourish underground, and recent discoveries shed light on its remarkable adaptation—a microbial electric grid beneath our feet. Geobacter employs nanowires, minuscule electric “hairs,” to transfer excess electrons, connecting with minerals and other microbes to create a biological network conducive to life. Yet, the origin of these electric charges has remained a mystery—until now.

California-based inventor Peter Bevelacqua has launched a Kickstarter campaign for his latest creation, the Power Mole, designed to provide power to outdoor devices such as security cameras and decorative lights when outdoor outlets are unavailable.

The Power Mole comprises two puck-shaped components: the transmitter, affixed to the interior surface of a window pane, and the receiver, mounted on the exterior surface. The transmitter is connected to an indoor household outlet, while the receiver is USB hard-wired to the outdoor device. As an alternating electric current passes through the transmitter’s induction coil, it generates a fluctuating magnetic field that penetrates up to 30 mm of glass, inducing an alternating electric current in the receiver’s coil. A built-in rectifier then converts this AC current to DC, effectively powering the connected device.