Deciphering the Human Brain

New research indicates that the brain processes information more flexibly than previously thought, where overlapping of thoughts and deciphering information occur frequently at high speed. The underlying theory of "liquid computing" was developed by Henry Markham and Maass and published in the journal Nature Reviews in Neuroscience.

Reference:
Victor et al. Distributed Fading Memory for Stimulus Properties in the Primary Visual Cortex. PLoS Biology, 2009; 7 (12): e1000260 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1000260

New Material Boost Data Storage

Researchers have created a new material that allow 50 times more storage in computer chips. Therefore, a finger-size computer chip will have an equivalent capacity of 20 HD DVDs. The doping process of creating the material is also useful for boosting vehicle's fuel economy and reduce heat produced by semiconductors.

Information storage is not the only specialty where advancements can be made. By introducing metallic properties into ceramics, a new generation of ceramic engines will be able to withstand much higher temperatures, allowing normal vehicles to achieve fuel economy of 80 miles per gallon. The material can also be applied to solar energy.

Reference:
Narayan et al. The synthesis and magnetic properties of a nanostructured Ni-MgO system. International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2009; 61 (6): 76 DOI: 10.1007/s11837-009-0093-8

Digital Contacts Provides Wealth of Information

Scientists, eye surgeons, professors and students at the University of Washington have developed a contact lens that contains built-in LED, powered wirelessly with radio frequency waves. Eventually, it can provide a wealth of information like virtual captions scrolling, monitor vital signs. To ensure the lens is safe to wear, tests have been made on rabbits, but there is still further testing to complete in order to get approval from the Food and Drug Administration. One of the challenges is loading computational power into the small device.

Reference: Wired