And that’s why companies like IBM are really exploring silicone alternatives. One very promising direction is with carbon nanotubes and IBM has just reached a major milestone. They have created a new computer chip based on carbon nanotube technology that has more than 10,000 transistors. This is a far cry from the current generation of silicone-based microprocessors, but it does demonstrate a lot of potential for carbon nanotubes moving forward.

As you might remember, carbon nanotubes are constructed with sheets of cabon that are just a single atom thick, rolling them into a cylinder. These conduct electricity better than silicon and have the perfect shape to act as transistors. Unfortunately, they have to be completely free of inpurities and they have to be aligned perfectly. They’re harder to work with, but they could hold the future of computing because carbon nanotubes can also scale much smaller than silicone.

It’s unlikely that we’ll have a Nexus 2013 next year based on carbon nanotube technology, but with the continuing research and innovation at places like IBM, the future of Moore’s Law might still be viable.

[Source]

The post IBM Creates 10,000 Transistor Carbon Nanotube Computer Chip appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

A new portable fuel cell developed by Lilliputian Systems Inc (LSI) is being dubbed the “plug-less charger,” it will allow you to recharge the battery of your electronic device no matter where you are, and all you need is Butane.

The device, which is about the size of a thick smartphone, is coming with a solid oxide fuel cell membrane deposited onto a silicon wafer. Recyclable butane cartridges will be used to produce power, and, according to the company, each cartridge promises “several weeks of ‘always available’ Personal Power”. The fuel cell can be used to charge any device via the USB port.

Reportedly, the fuel cell lasts five to ten times longer than similarly-sized batteries. According to CNET, it will allow you to recharge your iPhone 4 a total of 10 to 14 times on a single cartridge. And it has been approved as a carry-on luggage item by the UN International Civil Aviation Organization and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

There have been no hints regarding the price tag, but the company says that it will be less expensive compared to conventional spare batteries. If interested, you can get one via Brookstone sometime in the near future. More details on the device will be available soon, so stay tuned. In the meantime, check out a video about it courtesy of Mashable.

The post Butane Used in Fuel Cell (Video) appeared first on Mobile Magazine.