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Testing New Transistors In Space

Posted by samzenpus on from the the-fantastic-transistors dept.

Roland Piquepaille writes "Northwestern University researchers have developed new transistors which are currently tested on the International Space Station (ISS) to see how they react to cosmic radiation. These transistors, which are using a new kind of gate dielectric material called a self-assembled nanodielectric (SAND), are exposed to radiation outside the ISS since March 22, 2008, and will stay there for one year. According to the researchers, these new transistors could be used 'on long space missions since early experiments on Earth indicate that the transistors hold up well when exposed to radiation.'"

4 of 54 comments (clear)

  1. sand, eh? by yincrash · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm pretty sure if I stuck some sand out in space, it'll still be sand in a year.

  2. I'm on what he's on. by mrbluze · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm pretty sure if I stuck some sand out in space, it'll still be sand in a year. Tom Cruise: They're sand gates. Don't you see? This is a deliberate ploy to lure the aliens into our solar system, man. Once they go through the gates, then pow! we close the gates and snap! we got em.. bang! Wow! Pshhhhhhh! Ping! Wow... Solar, man.
    --
    Do it yourself, because no one else will do it yourself. [beta blockade 10-17 Feb]
  3. SAND? by FlyByPC · · Score: 4, Funny

    How about ROCKS: Reduced-Oxide Capacitor Kilowatt Signaling? Or DIRT: Densely-Inductive Resonant Transformers!

    --
    Paleotechnologist and connoisseur of pretty shiny things.
  4. Sand? by AdamHaun · · Score: 3, Funny

    As opposed to the old kind of dielectric, silicon dioxide, which is also known as... sand.

    --
    Visit the