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Single Nanotube Becomes World's Smallest Radio

Posted by kdawson on from the play-misty-for-me dept.

Invisible Pink Unicorn writes "Researchers at the National Science Foundation have utilized a single carbon nanotube to perform all the functions of a standard radio, acting as an antenna, tunable filter, amplifier, and demodulator. They were then able to tune in a radio signal generated in the room and play it back through an attached speaker. The device is functional across a bandwidth widely used for commercial radio. From the NSF: 'The source content for the first laboratory test of the radio was "Layla," by Derek and the Dominos, followed soon after by "Good Vibrations" by the Beach Boys.'"

8 of 152 comments (clear)

  1. Awesome! by butterwise · · Score: 4, Funny

    At that scale, you can actually see the radio waves...

    --
    If a baby duck is a "duckling," why would anyone want to eat "dumplings?"
    1. Re:Awesome! by pwnies · · Score: 3, Funny

      It is somewhat saddening that they have to put that disclaimer there that "The waves shown in this image were added for visual effect, and are not part of the original microscope image".

  2. We're gonna need by ackthpt · · Score: 3, Funny

    We're gonna need a bigger tin-foil hat.

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    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  3. They're going to make a fortune... by pwnies · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...on people losing these things. "Damnit, where's my radio? Did I lose it again!? Oh wait here it is... no... that's pocket lint."

  4. Science press releases: God's gift to surrealism by Sockatume · · Score: 4, Funny

    Returning to Zettl's runner analogy, the vibrating nanotube is akin to a ditch with a constantly changing width.


    I really do love the analogies we use to describe quantum-mechanical or relativistic behavior. Even the best ones start off comprehensible but rapidly morph into the deranged land of our most cheese-fuelled nightmares.
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    No kidding!!! What do you say at this point?
  5. In other news... by EvilSpudBoy · · Score: 4, Funny

    Perfoming rights organizations, BMI and ASCAP, want a fee for every carbon nanotube sold.

  6. Worker of the Week award goes to.... by PHAEDRU5 · · Score: 4, Funny

    ....Inanimate Carbon Rod!

    I can't believe we've overlooked this week's winner for so very, very long.

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    668: Neighbour of the Beast
  7. this reminds me... by freg · · Score: 3, Funny

    This is actually smaller than the iPod Zepto: http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2005/11/28fitch.html