If smart watches are the gadgets of the future, they need to avoid the pitfalls of the past.

From left: iPod Nano watch, Swatch Microsoft/MSN watch, Fossil Wrist PDA, Sony SmartWatch.

My watch is an iPod Nano. It’s not perfect. In fact, there are many ways I’d like it to be better. But, it works. It also looks cool.

Those are two seemingly small details that are in fact quite major when considering a smart watch these days. “Working” is a matter of opinion and design in some cases, but the point is that the iPod Nano-as-a-watch does exactly what you think it does, and it does it well. So far, that can’t be said for Sony’s SmartWatch, a confusing remote for Android phones that ends up doing less than you expect it to, yet somehow is hard to even work in that limited capacity. I had a chance to try one out here at CNET, and was surprised at how Sony’s solution was good-looking, but a complete slave requiring Bluetooth and an Android phone to get anything done — even tell the time. That’s a problem. A good watch can’t mess that part up.

Looking cool is subjective. It’s also critical for a watch, a piece of fashion and jewelry for many more than any object of function. Your phone can tell the time. A watch, well…a watch is style. Perhaps it’s ergonomically friendly, but it’s all about what you’d like to see on your wrist as a fantasy. Big watch face? Crazy glow buttons? Subtle geekery? Colors to match your outfit? These are legitimate considerations for watches.

My Nano catches eyes, and most don’t even know it’s a watch (the last time I went into a Fossil store, the employees complimented me on it). The Hex Nano watchband is minimal and attractive, and it works for me. The ability to swap bands and pick one of 18 watch faces adds up to flexibility and value.

However, this is what it needs next. In fact, to some degree, this is what I think all Smart Watches of the Future need next. Pebble, I’m Watch, I’m looking at you. Swap in “Android” for “iOS” and the idea still follows.

The Nano’s exposed 30-pin connector.

Water resistance Any smart watch needs to be worry-free. That’s the appeal of a wrist-worn device in the first place. I can get away with removing my Nano from my wrist whenever I wash my hands or take a shower, but it’s a dangerous game. The Nano, as currently stands, isn’t built for anything more than basic sweat resistance; the 30-pin port opening is exposed on one side, and the headphone jack is open as well. More-recent smart watch concepts like Sony’s and the Pebble are incorporating better water resistance. With so many connection options available wirelessly — and wireless induction charging — there’s less of an excuse not to make the whole product airtight.

Sony’s Smart Watch gets the idea of remote connectivity right, in theory.

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Building an iWristwatch: What smart watches need next

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Capital Safety Australia Introduces the DBI-SALA Nano-Lok Self Retracting Lifeline Range

SANTA CLARA,Calif., May 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –Intilop, Inc. a pioneer and a recognized leader in providing complex networking IP building blocks and systems, today announced delivery of their new Ultra Low latency 4th Gen 10G Nano TOE. This extends their leadership of more than 3 years in providing full TOEs. Their mature, network proven series of TOE’s have been deployed in hundreds of networks worldwide, including major world stock exchanges and financial institutions enabling trade executions in less than 1 us now!

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120517/SF09114)

Intilop’s Nano TOE provides enormous benefits to the whole Networking industry including: Financial, Aerospace & Defense, Cloud computing, High Performance Computing, Telecom, Digital Broadcasting, Research Institutes, Data-centers, Wireless and Network storage industries.

This Nano TOE IP Core delivers unprecedented latency measured at 76 nanoseconds at 100% 20Gbps in full duplex. This is the most deterministic and jitter free performance ever by any complex protocol controller. It is fully compliant with IEEE-802.3 specifications and RFCs of the TCP/IP protocol

The Nano TOE IP-Core series implements many key standards and protocols in pure hardware such as; IPv4, ARP, ICMP, VLAN, Jumbo frames up to 9K bytes plus many more options. TOE implements up to 256 concurrent TCP sessions that can easily be scaled up or down. It allows seamless drop-in integration with FPGA devices and ASICs.

Nano TOE is also pre-integrated with Intilop’s low latency (20 ns) MAC as an IP Core bundle which delivers unprecedented lowest total latency of 96 nanoseconds from the EMAC’s input to TOE’s output. Also available as pre-integrated full system with PCIe/DMA tested on FPGA platforms. An optimized version of which can deliver a total system latency of 1 us from wire to user-space.

Intilop was the first company to deliver full TCP/IP stack in FPGA in early 2009 and has consistently broken latency records with their subsequent products.

“These new Nano-TOE and MAC IP Cores and solutions extend our leadership in the industry and add another feather in our hat. Our existing series of complex mega IP cores and solutions have been delivering very high performance in various networks out there,” says Kelly Masood, Intilop’s CTO.

Availability: Now.

Pricing and Product info; info@intilop.com,408-496-0333

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Intilop's Nano TOE performs Full TCP/IP Stack processing in yet another record breaking 76 ns!

DUBLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

Dublin – Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/2ck96s/global_market_for) has announced the addition of the “Global Market for Nano Magnesium Hydroxide” report to their offering.

Nanomaterials are materials for the future technologies with enormous potential. They are designed at the molecular or nanometer level. Relatively increased chemical reactivity and quantum effects make nanomaterials more cost effective products in medium term.

There are several specific type of nanomaterials already developed in the marketplace and that have the potential to be used across various industries. This report focuses on Nano Magnesium Hydroxide.

Nano Magnesium hydroxide has various applications ranging from flame retardants to healthcare to functional fillers. Almost 70% of Nano Magnesium Hydroxide is presently used as a flame retardant by Cable and Wire industries. However, it also finds limited applications in other industries such as textile because of its ease of dispersion, production of chemicals especially polymers, building materials and in healthcare because of its antibacterial properties. The emerging application areas where research efforts are underway are in weaponry, aerospace, defense and specialty cables.

About 77% of the global consumption is in East Asia and North America. Despite its technical superiority, the cost and low awareness of the product has restricted its consumption. The price of the material is a factor of process of manufacturing along with the volumes ordered besides its size and purity. The hub for the manufacturers of Nano Magnesium Hydroxide is located in China and United States of America, accounting for 80% of the global capacity. There is large underutilization of existing production capacity due to less demand. The Indian market is still in the process of development due to lack of awareness.

It is expected that the market for Nano Magnesium Hydroxide market will reach 646 MT in 2015 despite its high cost, lack of awareness. The report provides input on some of the key manufacturers and end users in the Nano Magnesium Hydroxide market.

Companies Mentioned:

– US Research Nanomaterials, Inc.

– Beijing DK Nano technology Co. Ltd.

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Research and Markets: Global Market for Nano Magnesium Hydroxide

Wednesday, May 16 10:44:16

Irish scientists have conducted research to develop materials that could revolutionise the manufacture of silicon chips and lead to a new wave of next generation computers and real time 3D video processing.

Researchers at CRANN, the Science Foundation Ireland funded nanoscience institute based at Trinity College Dublin, and which partners with University College Cork have published a paper in international journal, Nanoscale.

Assisted by researchers from the University of Wisconsin and Intel’s Researchers in Residence based in CRANN, Professor Mick Morris of UCC has developed a greater understanding of the assembling properties of block copolymers. Block copolymers play a role in a number of everyday materials, for example in materials such as spandex and rubber shoe-soles. They consist of repeating structural units and can form highly regular column-like and linear structures.

Professor Morris and his team electrically characterised large areas of nano-electronic devices, which were created by the self-assembly of block copolymers. It is this discovery that could prove to be an alternative to silicon device manufacturing which is the cornerstone of the electronics world.

With the costs of silicon device manufacturing increasing dramatically, this research could be developed to allow cost-effective production of devices of the smallest possible size by cutting out the need for expensive manufacturing tools. This is critical in the drive by industry to reduce size whilst increasing capacity and functionality of electronic devices. The techniques and materials used in the research are consistent with modern microelectronic fabrication and could be used in industry, such as in the manufacturing of next generation devices by Intel.

Commenting on the research, Prof Mick Morris said, “The potential of our research is extremely exciting and reflects many years of hard work. This is the first time that anyone has demonstrated that large areas of nano-electronic devices can be developed in this fashion and highlights a pathway to commercial applications. I am looking forward to exploring commercial opportunities to further advance our work.”

Dr. Diarmuid O’Brien, Executive Director of CRANN, said, “This new research underlines the potential impact of nanoscience in terms of revolutionising a number of industries. This latest publication reflects the world class research being undertaken at CRANN, where we published over 150 research papers last year alone, contributing to Ireland’s ranking as 8th globally for materials science research. It will also help us attract more foreign direct investment to Ireland through our industry engagement programme which includes companies like Intel and Hewlett Packard.”

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CRANN aims for nano-revolution

Public release date: 17-May-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Vikas Berry vberry@k-state.edu 785-532-5519 Kansas State University

MANHATTAN, KAN. — Kansas State University researchers have come closer to solving an old challenge of producing graphene quantum dots of controlled shape and size at large densities, which could revolutionize electronics and optoelectronics.

Vikas Berry, William H. Honstead professor of chemical engineering, has developed a novel process that uses a diamond knife to cleave graphite into graphite nanoblocks, which are precursors for graphene quantum dots. These nanoblocks are then exfoliated to produce ultrasmall sheets of carbon atoms of controlled shape and size.

By controlling the size and shape, the researchers can control graphene’s properties over a wide range for varied applications, such as solar cells, electronics, optical dyes, biomarkers, composites and particulate systems. Their work has been published in Nature Communications and supports the university’s vision to become a top 50 public research university by 2025. The article is available online.

“The process produces large quantities of graphene quantum dots of controlled shape and size and we have conducted studies on their structural and electrical properties,” Berry said.

While other researchers have been able to make quantum dots, Berry’s research team can make quantum dots with a controlled structure in large quantities, which may allow these optically active quantum dots to be used in solar cell and other optoelectronic applications.

“There will be a wide range of applications of these quantum dots,” Berry said. “We expect that the field of graphene quantum dots will evolve as a result of this work since this new material has a great potential in several nanotechnologies.”

It has been know that because of the edge states and quantum confinement, the shape and size of graphene quantum dots dictate their electrical, optical, magnetic and chemical properties. This work also shows proof of the opening of a band-gap in graphene nanoribbon films with a reduction in width. Further, Berry’s team shows through high-resolution transmission electron micrographs and simulations that the edges of the produces structures are straight and relatively smooth.

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Professor uses diamond to produce graphene quantum dots and nano-ribbons of controlled structure

As far back as 2007 in the ITRS roadmap,the use of block copolymers has been targeted for reducing chip size. Since then they have been used to push the possibilities of self-assembled photoresists as well as improve insulation within chips.

During this period, researchers at CRANN, the nanoscience institute based at Trinity College Dublinwhich partners with University College Cork (UCC)along with researchers from the University of Wisconsin and Intels Researchers in Residence based in CRANNnamely, Professor Mick Morris of UCChave been characterizing the block copolymer to better understand its self-assembling properties.

The results from the research, which were published in the journal Nanoscale, has demonstrated a method for fabricating large-area arrays of silicon nanowires through directed self-assembly of block copolymer nanopatterns that can be easily integrated into current manufacturing techniques.

In a press release issued by the Science Foundation of Ireland, Morris commented, The potential of our research is extremely exciting and reflects many years of hard work. This is the first time that anyone has demonstrated that large areas of nano-electronic devices can be developed in this fashion and highlights a pathway to commercial applications. I am looking forward to exploring commercial opportunities to further advance our work.

Those associated with the project believe that the development could revolutionize the manufacturing of silicon chips and lead to a new generation of computers and real-time 3D video processing.

These types of claims are pretty regular in press releases covering this kind of research. In this case, however, given how deeply involved Intel was in the research one cant help but give it a bit more credence than usual.

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Nano Devices Based on Block Copolymers Could Lead to Next Generation of Computing

Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology Professor Justin Cooper-White has spent a week sharing ideas with US defence force researchers in Washington DC.

Prof Cooper-White represented the Australian National Fabrication Facility Queensland node (ANFF-Q) as director and was among more than 30 leading Australian researchers at the week-long review program.

The program aimed to identify areas of collaboration in micro- and nanofabrication, with researchers sharing ideas in high-temperature and lightweight materials, smart sensing, nanoelectronics and data management.

The meeting was very well organised, Prof Cooper-White said.

I was impressed by the attendance of very high-profile personnel from the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Army Research Laboratory, Air Force Research Laboratory, Naval Research Laboratory, National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health, exemplifying the commitment of the significant research powerhouses in the US to forging new ties with leading Australian researchers and institutions.

I was buoyed by the significant activity under way in these laboratories in biosensors and diagnostics, organic electronics and photonics, nanoelectronics, robotics, biofuel cells and regenerative medicine areas that are highly aligned with research at AIBN and ANFF-Q.

It was an open forum for exchange of ideas and discussions on research challenges and opportunities for co-operation and exchange of researchers between Australia and the US.

Prof Cooper-White said ANFF infrastructure put Australian researchers in a good position to underpin collaborations in micro- and nanofabrication.

Australia’s ambassador to the US, Kim Beazley, welcomed the Australian researchers ahead of the meetings, saying international collaboration was important for Australian scientists.

We have some unique capabilities and some of the smartest people in the world, Mr Beazley said. But the truth is that no country not even one the size of the US can be self-sufficient in science in the 21st century.

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AIBN builds bridges with US nanotechnology researchers

Over the coming months we hope you enjoy listening to the many voices of Materials Today.

You will hear fascinating and thought provoking sound bites from a plethora of speakers from academia and industry, explaining the motivation behind their work and their visions of the future. We guarantee that each podcast will provide you with a wealth of valuable information, and thoughts and insights that may help you in your own research endeavors.

If there are any particular scientists or research topics you would like to hear more about just drop us an email and we will do the best we can. You can contact us directly at materialstoday@elsevier.com

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We’re back! With a round up of the news featured in the May issue of Materials Today. 14 May 2012

Round up of the news featured in the January-February issue of Materials Today. 21 February 2012

Interview with: Prof Jackie Ying, Editor of Nano Today. 01 February 2012

Interview with: Prof Ian Robertson from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 11 January 2012

Round up of the news featured in the December issue of Materials Today. 04 January 2012

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ScienceDaily (May 14, 2012) There’s nothing worse than a shonky pool table with an unseen groove or bump that sends your shot off course: a new study has found that the same goes at the nano-scale, where the “billiard balls” are tiny electrons moving across a “table” made of the semiconductor gallium arsenide.

These tiny billiard tables are of interest towards the development of future computing technologies. In a research paper titled “The Impact of Small-Angle Scattering on Ballistic Transport in Quantum Dots,” an international team of physicists has shown that in this game of “semiconductor billiards,” small bumps have an unexpectedly large effect on the paths that electrons follow.

Better still, the team has come up with a major redesign that allows these bumps to be ironed out. The study, led by researchers from the UNSW School of Physics, is published in the journal Physical Review Letters.

The team included colleagues, from the University of Oregon (US), Niels Bohr Institute (Denmark) and Cambridge University (UK).

“Scaled down a million-fold from the local bar variety, these microscopic pool tables are cooled to just above absolute zero to study fundamental science, for example, how classical chaos theory works in the quantum mechanical limit, as well as questions with useful application, such as how the wave-like nature of the electron affects how transistors work,” says team member Associate Professor Adam Micolich. “In doing this, impurities and defects in the semiconductor present a serious challenge.”

Ultra-clean materials are used to eliminate impurities causing backscattering (akin to leaving a glass on the billiard table) but until now has been no way to avoid the ionized silicon atoms that supply the electrons.

“Their electrostatic effect is more subtle, essentially warping the table’s surface.” explains Micolich.

Earlier studies assumed this warping was negligible, with the electron paths determined only by the billiard table’s shape (e.g. square, circular, stadium-shaped).

“We found that we can ‘reconfigure’ the warping by warming the table up and cooling it down again, with the electron paths changing radically in response,” says Professor Richard Taylor from the University of Oregon. “This shows that the warping is much more important than expected.”

Using a new billiard design developed during PhD work at UNSW by lead author Dr Andrew See, the silicon dopants are removed, eliminating the associated warping, and enabling the electron paths to stay the same each time they cool the device down for study.

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You can't play nano-billiards on a bumpy table