It’s one of those breakthroughs that sounds exciting but is a little hard to understand if you’re not working in that field … still … Scientists at the National Institute of Nanotechnology in Canada have solved a problem that was preventing more widespread application of nano-electro-mechanical systems (NEMS). They’ve developed a technique to control vibration/oscillation that could be compared to ‘unringing a bell’. The ability to stop the vibration of a nano cantilever in less than a nanosecond opens up new possibilities in information and communications technology (ICT) and other fields.  There’s a more detailed article about the work here at Nanotech Wire or here at Nanowerk. The research is described in the Nov. 2, 2008 online Nature Nanotechnology article, “Time-domain control of ultrahigh-frequency nanomechanical systems,” the abstract is here. The article itself is behind a paywall.

Chinese researchers are investigating ways to exploit the acoustic properties of carbon nanotubes which are usually lauded for their strength and their electrical properties. Shoushan Fan and colleagues from Tsinghua University in Beijing and Beijing Normal University created sheets of carbon nanotubes and sent audio frequency currents through them as if they were music speakers. However, unlike a standard speaker which creates sound by emitting a vibration, the scientists did not detect any vibrations from the ‘carbon nanotube’ speakers. The researchers believe that the carbon nanotube speakers work as thermoacoustic devices using temperature and pressure oscillation in the surrounding air to emit sound. For more including a video clip of the carbon nanotube speakers in action and a brief mention of 19th century thermoacoustic devices, go here.

One more reminder about Visible Verse, the video poetry event on November 6, 2008 at Pacific Cinematheque (1131 Howe St., Vancouver) at 7:30 pm. Tickets and more info. here.