ICT

Tue 27 Jul 2010 Position-Based Quantum Cryptography: New Method for Securing Location-Sensitive Data. A research group led by computer scientists at the UCLA has proved that cryptography -- the practice and study of hiding information -- that is based solely on physical location is possible by using quantum mechanics. Such a method allows one to encrypt and decrypt data at a secure location without pre-sharing any cryptographic keys that can be used to lock or unlock sensitive information. The idea behind location-based cryptography is that only a recipient at a precise geographic location can receive an encrypted message -- the location itself acts as the credential required for generating an encryption key.more

  Physics

Sun 25 Jul 2010 New Quantum State of Matter Discovered in Heusler Compounds: Applications in Spintronics, Quantum Computing and New Physical Effects. For many years, scientists at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) in Germany have been researching Heusler compounds, which are an important material class for the use in spintronic applications. Over the past few years, new application areas have emerged in the field of renewable energy, such as solar energy and thermoelectrics. And now Heusler compounds are also being considered for future technologies such as quantum computers.

  Nuclear

Sun 27 Jun 2010 Novel radiotracer shines new light on the brains of Alzheimer disease patients. New trial tool could aid in diagnosing Alzheimer’s, tracking disease progression and developing therapeutics. A novel radioactive compound readily and safely distinguished the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients from healthy volunteers on brain scans and opens the doors to making such imaging available beyond facilities that can manufacture their own radioactive compounds. The results could lead to better ways to distinguish Alzheimer’s from other types of dementia, track disease progression and develop new therapeutics to fight the memory-ravaging disease. Previously, the only way to peer into the brains of Alzheimer’s patients was through autopsy or the use of another radiotracer, known as Pittsburgh compound or PIB. PIB is drawn to a protein known as beta-amyloid, which accumulates abnormally in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. However, PIB has a half-life of only 20 minutes, meaning that half of the substance degenerates every 20 minutes after it is made. Consequently, PIB’s use is possible only at a few hospitals or academic medical centers with facilities to manufacture it since this compound degenerates so rapidly.
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  Nano Tech

Mon 21 Jun 2010 Enhancing the power of batteries. MIT team finds that using carbon nanotubes in a lithium battery can dramatically improve its energy capacity. They found that using carbon nanotubes for one of the battery’s electrodes produced a significant increase — up to tenfold — in the amount of power it could deliver from a given weight of material, compared to a conventional lithium-ion battery. Such electrodes might find applications in small portable devices, and with further research might also lead to improved batteries for larger, more power-hungry applications. more