Redefining the Ampere

In an effort to revise the current 1948 definition of the SI unit of electrical current (ampere) that relates current to a given force through a thought experiment, researchers have succeeded in tracking single electron charges (e) as they travel across barriers driven by voltage pulses.

Mini Ion Thrusters

Researchers at MIT have developed small, penny-sized electronic engines covered in 500 microscopic tips that emit tiny beams of ions producing 50 micronewtons of force, enough to propel a shoebox-sized satellite through simple orbital maneuvers.

Fingertip Circuit Enhances Touch

Engineers have designed a flexible circuit sandwiched into a "nanomembrane" of polyimide plastic and mounted on a silicone shape to be worn over the fingertips to provide electrotactile stimulation for the wearer, enhancing the sense of touch for the wearer for a variety of applications.

Flexible Electronic Sensor

Inspired by the wing-locking structures of beetles, engineers have developed a flexible electronic sensor composed of layers of tiny polymer fibers that can detect pressure, shear and torsion that rivals human skin, sensitive to forces as light as 5 pascals.

Three-Dimensional Transistors

Intel has developed a new Tri-Gate transistor with a true three-dimensional structure that offers better performance and efficiency over conventional two-dimensional circuits and is scheduled to be introduced into microprocessor production later this year.

Cell Phone Sensor Network

Researchers have developed a chemically sensitive silicon chip small enough to be embedded in current commercial cell phones, using the ubiquity of the personal devices and their networks to provide real-time data in cases of chemical accidents or attacks.

Micro-Listening Device

Using tiny etched dishes and glass beads suspended by lasers ("optical tweezers"), scientists have developed a micro-ear, the aural equivalent of a microscope, which can be used to listen to sounds on the scale of microorganisms or Brownian motion.