Quantum tunneling had always been thought too complex to simulate on today’s simple quantum computers. Now a new approach to quantum computing has changed that and opens the door to more complex simulations.

The exploitation of quantum weirdness for computing is one of the great goals of modern physics. It’s promise is dramatic for a wide range of number-crunching tasks. 

… Read More → "First simulation of quantum tunneling on a quantum computer"

Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when you’re putting an old friend to rest. We’ve seen photos of the Enterprise flying into New York City for its final rest at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum and now there’s a time-lapse video of it getting detached from the giant Boeing 747 Carrier Aircraft.
via DVICE

< … Read More → "Space Shuttle Enterprise detached from 747 carrier aircraft (video)"

Slides were released during Intel’s annual Investor Meeting that revealed an ambitious roadmap for the chip maker. Intel plans to shrink its chip fabrication process down to a mere 5nm, with a 10nm process set to release in 2015 and work having already begun for the 7nm and 5nm processes. The company’s latest Ivy Bridge chips are 22nm and the next iteration for 2013 will jump … Read More → "Intel roadmap reveals plans for 5nm chips"

A friendly reminder for skywatchers in East Asia and the American West: On Sunday May 20 (May 21st across the date line in Asia) the moon will blot out 94 percent of our star’s early evening light in an annular solar eclipse that should leave a dazzling ring of fire in the sky.
via Read More → "Skywatchers take note: Sunday’s annular solar eclipse will leave a ring of fire in the sky"

Potable water is both a finite and renewable resource. While it is infinitely recyclable, the Earth’s stores of fresh water at any point are limited. So when humanity’s booming populations drain these reserves faster than they can be replenished, shit gets real. And this is how we fix it.

The best way to overcome our water deficit? Make … Read More → "How scientists suck the salt out of seawater with electricity"

The first version of Briggo went online in November 2011 and it appears to be a hit with students and professors alike. Customers can order drinks off the web, a smart phone app, or at the kiosk itself. Even before ordering, the status of the queue and estimated time for each drink is clearly listed. This gives the customer some flexibility to choose a quick coffee drink over their favorite americano if the queue is backed up. Payment is handled at the time the order is placed so all that’s left to do is pick up … Read More → "Briggo’s robotic coffee shop at the University of Texas"

The integrated circuit has made such steady strides over the past 40 years that it’s easy to believe in a sort of “manifest destiny” for electronics. How could a year go by without the introduction of cool new gadgets boasting previously unimagined capabilities at amazingly affordable prices?

But the chip industry is approaching a crisis. After decades of progress, continued improvement in power efficiency has begun to stall. If we want to continue proliferating cheaper, smaller electronics and usher in what many in the chip industry call anInternet of Things& … Read More → "MEMS switches for low-power logic"

Two British men who have been totally blind for many years have had part of their vision restored after surgery to fit pioneering eye implants.

They are able to perceive light and even some shapes from the devices which were fitted behind the retina.
via Read More → "Two blind British men have electronic retinas fitted"

On April 20, 2012, a mechatronic quarterback’s metallic arm threw a football into the waiting net of a nearby wheeled receiver, and history was made. It was the first-ever completed pass in a football game played entirely by robots, and it happened during the world’s first intercollegiate robotic football game.

Notre Dame’s robotic football team started four years ago as a final “design, build, test” project for a mechanical engineering class. Since then, students have been improving their designs, which include linemen, running backs, wide receivers, kickers and the … Read More → "In fobot football, the quarterback has a battery pack"

With so many eyes in the sky there is no shortage of beautiful views of the Earth. This new shot — showing never before seen color and detail — is one single image at 121 megapixels (0.62 miles per pixel). The image comes courtesy of Russia’s Elektro-L geostationary weather satellite located 36,000 kilometers above the equator taking a picture of the entire planet every 30 minutes.

The beautiful colors are somewhat surprising, … Read More → "Colorful new view of Earth from space is revealed"