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Friday, October 30, 2009

Slim, warm superconductors promise faster electronics

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The thinnest superconductor yet is a layer of copper oxide material less than a nanometre thick. The feat suggests a new possible route to faster electronic components.

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MIT's Affective Intelligent Driving Agent

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A dashboard-mounted AI system that collects environmental data, such as local events, traffic and gas stations, and combines it with a careful analysis of your driving habits and style to make helpful suggestions and note points of interest.

How Terahertz Waves Tear Apart DNA

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Great things are expected of terahertz waves, the radiation that fills the slot in the electromagnetic spectrum between microwaves and the infrared. Terahertz waves pass through non-conducting materials such as clothes , paper, wood and brick and so cameras sensitive to them can peer inside envelopes, into living rooms and "frisk" people at distance.

'Blue energy' seems feasible and offers considerable benefits

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Generating energy on a large scale by mixing salt and fresh water is both technically possible and practical. The worldwide potential for this clean form of energy - 'blue energy' or 'blue electricity' - is enormous. However, it will be necessary to work actively on several essential technological developments and to invest heavily in large-scale trials.

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2 parachutes malfunctioned in NASA test flight

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Two of three parachutes malfunctioned in the test flight of a prototype moon rocket earlier this week, causing major damage to the booster, NASA said Friday.

A Mars Rover Named 'Curiosity'

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Dust cloaks some fascinating tales in other places, too. NASA scientists will soon brush the dust off some Martian rocks that are practically bursting their seams to give their lively account of the red planet's past. The Mars Science Lab -- aptly named "Curiosity" -- is heading up there in 2011 to read the diary of Mars.

US boots up new unified cybersecurity center

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The National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) brings together various government organizations responsible for protecting cyber networks and infrastructure and private sector partners.

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Superhydrophobic surfaces reduce drag

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Microscopic features on a wall can have an enormous influence on macroscopic flows along it.


Researchers led by Jonathan Rothstein tailored the microscale structure of a hydrophobic material—polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), akin to the rubbery polymer used to caulk bathtubs—to create air pockets that allow the flow to “slip” (shear free) at the liquid–air interface. The greater the area covered by air pockets, the greater the overall reduction in shear stress.

LM Starts Integrated Testing Of 2nd Missile Warning Satellite

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Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] announced today that the second Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) geosynchronous orbit (GEO-2) spacecraft is progressing through a series of key tests that will demonstrate the integrated satellite's readiness to enter the critical environmental test phase in preparation for launch.

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Lighter sentence for murderer with 'bad genes'

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An Italian court has cut the sentence given to a convicted murderer by a year because he has genes linked to violent behaviour — the first time that behavioural genetics has affected a sentence passed by a European court. But researchers contacted by Nature have questioned whether the decision was based on sound science.

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Windows 7 app turns laptop into Wi-Fi access point

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A developer has found an unfinished feature of Windows 7 that turns any laptop into a wireless access point, allowing other devices to share the connection without special software.

Chip Design Thwarts Sneak Attack on Data

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Cache architecture harnesses the power of randomization.


The new technology, called Newcache, developed at Princeton University by electrical engineering professor Ruby Lee and her graduate student, Zhenghong Wang, foils these so-called cache side-channel attacks by randomizing where data is stored in the cache.

Airbag RPG Countermeasure

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Textron Defense Systems' Tactical Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Airbag Protection System, (TRAPS), has recently completed the first phase of testing at the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC) in Socorro, New Mexico.

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U.S. Navy Facing Submarine Challenges

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Donald highlighted several issues of concern, including recruiting, training and retention of “highly competent operators.” The training piece is particularly tough, he added, noting aging facilities and a backlog of students, which has resulted in a diminished flow of qualified operators to the fleet.

U.S. Seeks to Counter Enemy’s ‘Weapon of Choice’

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The Defense Department expects U.S. forces in Afghanistan to continue to be targeted by improvised explosive devices -- which have claimed more lives there than any other weapon -- while it seeks ways to counter the threat, officials said.


Rocketeers take lead in $1 million race

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Masten Space Systems' Xoie rocket prototype has apparently taken the lead in a nail-biting race for a million-dollar prize from NASA.

The Masten team's "try, try again" effort at California's Mojave Air and Space Port was aimed at winning the top prize in the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge's Level 2 contest.


Russian submarine fails to launch troubled missile: report

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Russia's latest test of its next-generation Bulava missile was aborted when a submarine failed to carry out the launch, in a fresh setback for the project, the Interfax news agency reported Thursday.



Harris to Supply US Army With Falcon-III PRC-117G Radios

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Harris Corp recently received a basic purchasing agreement contract worth up to $419 million to supply the US Army with Falcon III AN/PRC-117G multiband tactical manpack radios, and vehicular power-amplifier adapter systems.