Australian researchers have developed a molecular-sized, more efficient version of a widely used electronic sensor, in a breakthrough that could bring widespread benefits.
Nanotechnology
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Missing-link Fold Reveals The Evolutionary Pathway Between RNA Polymerase And Ribosomal Proteins
Numerous molecular machines are required to drive the central dogma of molecular biology. However, the means by which such numerous proteins emerged in the early evolutionary stage of life remains […]
![Nanophotonic lithium niobate waveguides. a, Geometry of a nanophotonic lithium niobate (LiNbO3) waveguide, showing the optical mode profile for the fundamental transverse electric field (TE) mode and a possible poling pattern with spatially variable poling period Λ. The extraordinary crystal axis is oriented along the x-direction to access the highest electro-optic tensor element of LiNbO3. b, Poling periods Λ required for quasi-phase matching of various nonlinear optical processes for waveguides of different (top) width as a function of the fundamental comb’s wavelength. SHG: second harmonic generation; SHG + F: sum-frequency generation of second harmonic and fundamental comb; THG + F: sum-frequency generation of third harmonic and fundamental comb; SHG + SHG: sum-frequency generation of the second harmonic. Higher-order phase matching with three-fold period Λ is indicated (the current fabrication limit only allows for Λ > 2 µm). c, Photograph of a waveguide in operation and scanning electron microscope image of the LiNbO3 on silica (SiO2). d,e,f,g, Examples of waveguide designs showing poling pattern (top), experimentally generated spectra for different input pulse energies provided by a 100 MHz, 80 fs mode-locked laser with central wavelength of 1560 nm (waveguide cross-section and on chip-pulse energy as indicated) and pyChi [57] simulation results (bottom) for a pulse energy of 50 pJ. -- astro-ph.IM](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Ultraviolet.png?resize=1200%2C709&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Status Report
Ultraviolet Astronomical Spectrograph Calibration With Laser Frequency Combs From Nanophotonic Waveguides
Astronomical precision spectroscopy underpins searches for life beyond Earth, direct observation of the expanding Universe and constraining the potential variability of physical constants across cosmological scales.
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release, Space Life Science, Tricorders & Sensors
Tricorder Tech: Researchers Slow Down And Scan Individual DNA Molecules
Editor’s note: If you are going to investigate genomic information in the field or in a laboratory – the more you know – the more you know. Nanopore technology is […]
Posted inInterstellar, Missions & Hardware, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Panspermia, Press Release
Nanotech Away Missions: Picogram-scale Probes To Explore Nearby Stars
In a forward-looking article, George Church, PhD, from Harvard University and the Wyss Institute, proposes the use of picogram to nanogram-scale probes that can land, replicate, and produce a communications […]
Posted inAI - Data - Apps - Cybernetics, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Intelligence & Language, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release, SETI & Technosignatures
Model Shows How Intelligent-like Behavior Can Emerge From Non-living Agents
From a distance, they looked like clouds of dust. Yet, the swarm of microrobots in author Michael Crichton’s bestseller “Prey” was self-organized.
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release, Tricorders & Sensors
Tricorder Tech: Microchip Can Electronically Detect Covid Antibodies In Just A Drop Of Blood
A single drop of blood from a finger prick. A simple electronic chip. And a smartphone readout of test results that could diagnose a Covid-19 infections or others like HIV […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Life Imitates Mica
In mythologies and origin stories around the world, various cultures and religions point to clay as the vessel of life, the primordial material that creator gods imbued with a self-sustaining […]
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Physicists Discover How Particles Self-assemble
A team of physicists has discovered how DNA molecules self-organize into adhesive patches between particles in response to assembly instructions. Its findings offer a “proof of concept” for an innovative […]
Posted inExtremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Microbiology & Virology, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release
Hidden Bacterial Hairs Power Nature's 'Electric Grid'
A hair-like protein hidden inside bacteria serves as a sort of on-off switch for nature’s “electric grid,” a global web of bacteria-generated nanowires that permeates all oxygen-less soil and deep […]