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The First Paper-Based Transistors

Roland Piquepaille found news of research out of Portugal that has resulted in the first paper-based transistors (the original article is less informative than Roland's blog). More precisely, they've made the first field effect transistors (FET) with a paper interstrate layer. According to the research team, such transistors offer the same level of performance as 'state-of-the-art, oxide-based thin film transistors produced on glass or crystalline silicon substrates.' Possible applications include disposable electronics devices, such as paper displays, smart labels, bio-applications or RFID tags. The research will be published in IEEE Electron Device Letters in September.

177 comments

  1. The first use... by Wandering+Wombat · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    ... smart smokes!

    --
    I like to place meaningful quotes in my sig, so people will know that I know what meaningful quotes are.
    1. Re:The first use... by AioKits · · Score: 0, Redundant

      I smoke a lot, not sure I want my clove cigarettes talking back to me...

      Clove: Aio, I'm the fifth cigarette you've had in twenty minutes, perhaps you should go back in and work?
      Aio: But there's still 15 of you delicious cancer sticks in the box!
      Clove: We know this Aio, please go back to work, we're picking up a ticket in your queue...
      Aio: One more...
      Clove: Go back now or we'll explode in 5...4...3...

      --
      "Quote me as saying I was mis-quoted." -Groucho Marx
  2. Finally by eebra82 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Coming soon, the 5 MHz toilet paper.

    1. Re:Finally by SlipperHat · · Score: 4, Funny

      Coming soon, the 5 MHz toilet paper.

      Charmin - feel the buzz!

    2. Re:Finally by negRo_slim · · Score: 5, Funny

      Coming soon, the 5 MHz toilet paper.

      Overclock it to 10Mhz for extra warmth on those cold winter mornings...

      --
      On the Oregon Cost born and raised, On the beach is where I spent most of my days
    3. Re:Finally by gEvil+(beta) · · Score: 1, Funny

      Why bother? I already have 5Hz toilet paper that works just fine. I can't overclock it much, but sometimes it's necessary to underclock it a good bit.

      --
      This guy's the limit!
    4. Re:Finally by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I, for one, welcome our new ass wiping overlords

    5. Re:Finally by Anne_Nonymous · · Score: 3, Funny

      Soon thereafter congress will have to enact another CAN-SPAM act.

    6. Re:Finally by Tumbleweed · · Score: 4, Funny

      > > Coming soon, the 5 MHz toilet paper.

      > Overclock it to 10Mhz for extra warmth on those cold winter mornings...

      Don't overclock the Charmin.

    7. Re:Finally by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 1

      Is this really so far fetched?
      We already have TP with embedded lotion and pleasant scents,
      why not a simple audio device that plays some soothing muzak.

    8. Re:Finally by Azar · · Score: 4, Funny

      The cheap toilet paper my company buys already has some type of hurtz in it. Like sandpaper hurtz.

    9. Re:Finally by DeusExCalamus · · Score: 2, Funny

      Coming soon, the 5 MHz toilet paper.

      I'll stick to the seashells, thanks :)

      --
      "...Sleep comes like a drug in God's country Sad eyes, crooked crosses in God's country..."
    10. Re:Finally by NFN_NLN · · Score: 1

      Coming soon, the 5 MHz toilet paper.

      If you're wiping 5,000,000 times a second that toilet paper better be really good at soaking up blood.

      +1 gross

    11. Re:Finally by asCii88 · · Score: 1, Funny

      I don't understand the joke.

    12. Re:Finally by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      >> why not a simple audio device that plays some soothing muzak.

      A little Sir Mix-a-lot, perhaps?

    13. Re:Finally by Wandering+Wombat · · Score: 1

      That's +5 funny, and "Smart cigarettes" is -1 Redundant?

      ...

      ?

      --
      I like to place meaningful quotes in my sig, so people will know that I know what meaningful quotes are.
    14. Re:Finally by Adriax · · Score: 0, Redundant

      The terrible puns, they hurtz us!

      --
      I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!
    15. Re:Finally by jaguth · · Score: 0, Funny

      640mhz is all the megahertz you will ever need.

    16. Re:Finally by kaizokuace · · Score: 1

      the truly greatest puns are so bad they hertz.

      --
      Balderdash!
    17. Re:Finally by kesuki · · Score: 1

      just be careful, paper doesn't overclock well, and once it starts smoldering it'll fry out the rest of the chip by bringing it up to 451F

    18. Re:Finally by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Coming soon, the 5 MHz toilet paper.

      Overclock it to 10Mhz for extra warmth on those cold winter mornings...

      It may be warmer but the bigger heat sink chaffs.

    19. Re:Finally by nawcom · · Score: 1

      What do you think happened when you pull out the toilet paper after wiping and you see blood?!?! duuhhh.

    20. Re:Finally by nawcom · · Score: 1

      The last thing you want is toilet paper that likes big butts.

    21. Re:Finally by drachenstern · · Score: 2, Informative

      Honestly? It's so hard to tell sarcasm on text only forums... If you really don't get it, and want it explained, please feel free to reply.

      Here's a tidbit though for those who agree with you and honestly don't get this joke (are there any such souls on /.?):

      Hz is cycles per second, more or less (some will argue that this is not what Hz is - go with this) so if you had TP that moved back and forth at five times per second, what would that mean for you? If you then underclocked it by a factor of ten, you would get a half a stroke per second, which is a little more suitable for the purpose of TP.

      Okay, now that I feel like an arse for explaining a joke on /., I hope I didn't really fall for one of the lesser known classic blunders... Queue Wallace Shawn (aka Vizzinni for those who don't know ... losers) jokes here: 5 4 3 2

      --
      2^3 * 31 * 647
    22. Re:Finally by asCii88 · · Score: 0

      Oh thanks, I didn't imagine the cycles as you wiping cycles, I though about it more like vibrations.

      =) (so the post doesn't look ambiguous)

    23. Re:Finally by Tumbleweed · · Score: 1

      640mhz is all the megahertz you will ever need.

      Yeah, on my ASS.

      Just don't go all asynchronous on that.

    24. Re:Finally by glittalogik · · Score: 4, Funny

      New? We've had asswipe overlords for decades centuries pretty much forever, I think.

    25. Re:Finally by drachenstern · · Score: 1

      No, I'm pretty sure there's a lot of /.'rs who want some TP that is partial to larger rears. I'm just guessing tho, not particularly for the same reason as Sir Mix-a-lot...

      I've met a lot of geeks, I think that my above statement is correct...

      --
      2^3 * 31 * 647
    26. Re:Finally by coresnake · · Score: 1

      Now with electrolytes

    27. Re:Finally by KGIII · · Score: 1

      2/3 of pun is P.U. you know?

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    28. Re:Finally by ksd1337 · · Score: 1

      Less is more.

    29. Re:Finally by danwat1234 · · Score: 1

      How the hell does one use the three sea shells anyway? There should be a Wikipedia page on the concept.

    30. Re:Finally by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The cheap toilet paper my company buys already has some type of hurtz in it. Like sandpaper hurtz.

      You think thats bad, my company purchases John Wayne toilet paper, rough and tough and don't take crap from anyone.

    31. Re:Finally by galaxia26 · · Score: 1

      Wow, there is actually someone else in this world who's seen a roll of toilet paper that says that. I though that was something you'd find in a little western novelty shop somewhere.

    32. Re:Finally by hardwarefreak · · Score: 0

      Will over clocking the Charmin finally eliminate those little fuzz balls that cling?

    33. Re:Finally by tenco · · Score: 1

      I still don't get it. Hz implies cyclical, uniform motion to me. But who wipes his/her ass in a cyclical, uniform motion? One wipe. Fold. One wipe. Dispose. Next Sheet. (All wipes in one direction). Nothing uniform there. But maybe asses get wiped differently across the pond. Or the physics education i endured so far has stripped me of the inaccuracies to get those type of jokes.

    34. Re:Finally by Krupuk · · Score: 2, Informative

      I really didn't want to know, but the urge to google it was stronger: http://www.i-mockery.com/shorts/three-seashells/

    35. Re:Finally by YourExperiment · · Score: 1

      Yeah, but not quite to the extent you've had one for the past seven years.

    36. Re:Finally by Stooshie · · Score: 2, Funny

      Less is more ...

      ... more or less

      --
      America, Home of the Brave. ... .and the Squaw.
    37. Re:Finally by Stooshie · · Score: 1

      ... The terrible puns, they hurtz us! ...

      No, No, In Soviet Russia, they hurtz us

      --
      America, Home of the Brave. ... .and the Squaw.
    38. Re:Finally by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      One wipe. Fold. One wipe. Dispose. Next Sheet.

      is that the wiping standard? Something tells me that would get very messy if you used 1 sheet at a time, and folded it as well...

    39. Re:Finally by hemplebr · · Score: 1

      I just think you are just being a little to anal to get it.

    40. Re:Finally by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      All that comes to mind right now has something to do with two girls

    41. Re:Finally by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      With your kind of sticky diarrhea you'll stick to anything!

  3. Re:Batman by snl2587 · · Score: 1, Funny

    The paper is for the transistors, not snorting cocaine...

  4. Paper batteries? by Bombula · · Score: 4, Informative

    Maybe they could go with paper batteries? Google "paper batteries" for a hundred other links to the same and related stories/technologies.

    --
    A-Bomb
  5. Amazing... by raijinsetsu · · Score: 1

    Now if only they could locate my car keys. I left them near that tree over there, but it's gone too.

  6. Printegrated Circuits by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    There was an article published many years ago in an Australian electronics magazine which described 'printegrated circuits'.

    I forget which year it was, but it was the April issue.

  7. Origami! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Finally, an origrami computer that might be useful!

  8. Finally... by skelly33 · · Score: 0

    messages that really can self destruct. A little over-current jolt and fzzzzzzzt!

  9. Not paper transistors dammit by bluefoxlucid · · Score: 5, Informative

    The INTERSTRATE layer is paper now. In a normal FET, the whole thing has a doped silicon substrate functioning as the grid and body, with a (say) metal oxide semiconductor in between as an insulator (interstrate) (MOSFET). They replaced the MOS with paper. It's still a hunk of silicon.

    1. Re:Not paper transistors dammit by TheRealMindChild · · Score: 2, Funny

      It's still a hunk of silicon.

      I didn't know you swung that way. Give me a call later.

      --

      "When life gives you lemons, don't make lemonade. Make life take the lemons back!" -- Cave Johnson
    2. Re:Not paper transistors dammit by nategoose · · Score: 2, Funny

      It tasted like paper.

    3. Re:Not paper transistors dammit by philspear · · Score: 0

      the whole thing has a doped silicon substrate functioning as the grid and body

      Sounds like these things should be in the tour de france.

    4. Re:Not paper transistors dammit by SleptThroughClass · · Score: 1

      So it's a silicon sandwich around a filling of paper, rather than the MOSFET silicon sandwich around a filling of metal oxide semiconductor?

    5. Re:Not paper transistors dammit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ???

      The insulator is not a semiconductor, and it's not a metal oxide either. It it typically SiO2 (silicone dioxide) which is grown during fabrication.

    6. Re:Not paper transistors dammit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      RTFA?
      the paper acts both as the insulator and the substrate...

    7. Re:Not paper transistors dammit by kaizokuace · · Score: 1

      so if you use tapioca balls as an interstrate would you call it BOBAFET?

      --
      Balderdash!
    8. Re:Not paper transistors dammit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      Actually, what they have substituted is not the MOS, but just the O (for Oxide, i.e. Silicon Oxide, which acts as an electric insulator). The M (metal) and S (semiconductor) remain there.

      So, yes, it's still mostly silicon.

    9. Re:Not paper transistors dammit by Goldsmith · · Score: 1

      "Interstrate" is a word Roland made up. By it he means: substrate and gate dielectric.

    10. Re:Not paper transistors dammit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Sounds like these things should be in the tour de france.

      Or the NFL.

    11. Re:Not paper transistors dammit by Poltras · · Score: 1

      Not that there's nothing wrong with that.

  10. Hmmm ... by SlashDev · · Score: 2, Insightful

    ... I wonder what static electricity will do to these paper FETs.

    --

    TOP DSLR Cameras Reviews of the top DSLRs
    1. Re:Hmmm ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      According to people at work, they said paper is the biggest static generator in the lab/manufacturing setting.

      Do we really need more non-recyclable pieces of technology in this disposable society?

  11. Hrm? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Now I can finally have a paper mache cell phone!

  12. Fantastic! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Great news! This opens a whole new world of applications.

    1. Re:Fantastic! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Especially the next time my professor asks me to "put that circuit down on paper to troubleshoot it"

    2. Re:Fantastic! by drachenstern · · Score: 1

      Unfortunately this was my first thought too

      --
      2^3 * 31 * 647
  13. The Paper! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Have you not seen Read Or Die ? The Paper Master is able to do all things.

  14. What about moisture or humidity? by FrameRotBlues · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I'd imagine there's have to be some way of sealing these to prevent moisture and humidity from affecting them. It'd be nice if the sealing compound was biodegradable, too... at least to a lesser extent than the paper. Wax, perhaps?

  15. This is great and everything.... by BitterOldGUy · · Score: 5, Funny
    but this will put even more demand on forests and the farming of trees - they grow too slow to keep up with the potential demand of these products (Just think of how many electronic devices are made and you know that disposable ones are going to sell like hotcakes!).

    What they really need to do is use something very common; like, I don't know, sand. That's assuming they can come up with the technology. I know, I know. I'm dreaming.

    1. Re:This is great and everything.... by negRo_slim · · Score: 4, Interesting

      but this will put even more demand on forests and the farming of trees - they grow too slow to keep up with the potential demand of these products...

      Yeah using a renewable and easily managed resource is obviously a terrible idea... Wait, no it's a fantastic idea, I grew up surrounded by a managed forest and while it may stunt growth in the short term the fact is it left us with countryside to be proud of and long term economic activities, especially when you read of developments such as this.

      --
      On the Oregon Cost born and raised, On the beach is where I spent most of my days
    2. Re:This is great and everything.... by compro01 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Paper can be made out of a lot more things than trees. Hemp for instance.

      --
      upon the advice of my lawyer, i have no sig at this time
    3. Re:This is great and everything.... by roman_mir · · Score: 2, Funny

      I would like my transistors in cherry wood. I know some prefer oak and some go with cedar and, o humanity, some less discriminating folks will be going for the cheaper soft woods, like pine. In any case, I'll take mine well polished, stained and with a good satin finish.

    4. Re:This is great and everything.... by verbamour · · Score: 2, Funny

      Two variants I want to see:

      1) Hemp-based transistors (it's good enough for The Constitution)

      2) Flash-paper (nitrocellulose) transistors. That will give that extra incentive not to design circuits that run too hot... Or, the ultimate in hardware-based, tamper-proof, and retributive circuitry.

    5. Re:This is great and everything.... by Shadow+of+Eternity · · Score: 1

      Bamboo makes paper, and anyone who's ever planted the stuff in their yard will tell you that the trick is NOT growing too much.

      --
      A bullet may have your name on it but splash damage is addressed "To whom it may concern."
    6. Re:This is great and everything.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah using a renewable and easily managed resource is obviously a terrible idea...

      You mean like sand ? You know, the stuff they make silicon from ...

    7. Re:This is great and everything.... by Oktober+Sunset · · Score: 1

      The US constitution is not written on hemp, it's actually written on dead sheep.

    8. Re:This is great and everything.... by Emperor+Zombie · · Score: 1

      Sand is renewable?

      --
      I'm so excited I just made water in my pantaloons!
    9. Re:This is great and everything.... by EchaniDrgn · · Score: 3, Funny

      But then we'll have a dependence on foreign sand. I mean, we can't use our beach sand, or the sand from our national parks...

    10. Re:This is great and everything.... by verbamour · · Score: 1

      Sorry, I meant the Declaration of Independence. That's entirely different.

    11. Re:This is great and everything.... by Darkk · · Score: 1

      I remember a few years ago some company dreamed up disposable cell phone using thin cardboard paper. I'm so glad they threw this idea in the recycling bin on the desktop.

      We don't need unnecessary waste in our landfills.

    12. Re:This is great and everything.... by drachenstern · · Score: 1

      yeah, just take these two big rocks here, and keep banging them together. I'll bring you some more rocks once that fire mountain over there get's through spewing new rocks onto the ground, and after they've cooled. Last time someone from the tribe tried to get a "new rock" too soon, and his arm fell off. He must have upset the fire mountain gods by trying to take the new rocks too soon.

      For those about to downmod/enlighten me for the fact that sand != silica or whatever, chill out. He said sand, I went for sand (really small particles of ground up rocks, which everyone "knows" is sand, even though it's not necessarily the same as what's on the beach)

      --
      2^3 * 31 * 647
    13. Re:This is great and everything.... by sabrex15 · · Score: 1

      The problem is (and I'm sorry for mentioning it) is capitalism, where there is a potential to make money... all else (at least until recently with green being a good moneymaker) goes out the window. I know I'm not the only one who is seeing this. Please comment :)

    14. Re:This is great and everything.... by verbamour · · Score: 1

      Oh yeah,
      3) Meat-based computing

      Isn't that what cybernetics is?

      We could use vellum as the paper is being used now, but employ jerky for the really high-voltage applications, and then when they failed, it would smell like lunch.

    15. Re:This is great and everything.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think you oughta wear a meat helmet...

    16. Re:This is great and everything.... by tenco · · Score: 1

      Please comment :)

      Captain Obvious to the rescue!

    17. Re:This is great and everything.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      like, I don't know, sand. That's assuming they can come up with the technology. I know, I know. I'm dreaming.

      Silicon IS extracted from sand !!!!!!!!

    18. Re:This is great and everything.... by digitally404 · · Score: 1

      Actually, there's already a fair amount of research going on using doped silica (the main constituent of sand) as the substrate for fabricating photonic silica-based quantum circuits.

      Quantum computing is on its way!

    19. Re:This is great and everything.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > Silicon IS extracted from sand !!!!!!!!

      Whooooosh!

  16. obvious uses.. by apodyopsis · · Score: 4, Interesting

    "no, I am a genuine 5$ bill!"

    "I will not display the next page of the book until you watch this advert in full"

    paper airplane, and UAV in one

    smart toilet paper (ugh!)

    Q's wet dream

    interactive wall paper

    disposable smart ID badges

    party hats with a difference..

    "I am your tenth cigarette this hour!"

    any more? can anybody think of sinister possible uses?

    1. Re:obvious uses.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      More effective than a cigarette telling you how many you have already smoked, might be one that screams in agonizing pain when you light it. :)

    2. Re:obvious uses.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Fucker wipe your ass before pulling me (underwear) back up!!!"

    3. Re:obvious uses.. by blair1q · · Score: 1

      "Yes, you are voting for Al Gore."

      "I'm sorry, you double-voted for Al Gore and Pat Buchanan. Please destroy this ballot and request another."

      "Excuse me, did you mean to leave this chad hanging?"

      This technology is going to be here at least a decade too late...

    4. Re:obvious uses.. by minister+of+funk · · Score: 1

      How about...

      Death by 1000 cuts that actually counts the cuts... no over-exertion, or having to pay your operators overtime!

    5. Re:obvious uses.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So then...still in diapers?

    6. Re:obvious uses.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Here's an idea... Using this disposable technology craze, build a device (i.e. a disposable cellphone) that can withstand the pressures inside the human body, couple that with some explosives and have the little puppy active. Calling this poor schmuck will send him to pieces...

      (Thank you "The Dark Knight" movie...)

      OR--
      a miniature explosive device for separating space-station sections (like the explosive bolts NASA is currently using), that are more intelligent than the schmucks that are installing them. Heaven forbid that they blow themselves up replacing them...

    7. Re:obvious uses.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You really have to ask?

      How about a porn tissue, I won't go into details :-)

  17. A heat sink is going to be crucial by ArhcAngel · · Score: 4, Funny

    to make sure the circuit never reaches 451F

    --
    "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K
    1. Re:A heat sink is going to be crucial by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      I would have modded Funny.

      that's why you got no mod points

  18. Oh Crap by CranberryKing · · Score: 2, Funny

    Great. Now a ream of paper will have RFID in every sheet. How am I going to print all my Revolution flyers?

    1. Re:Oh Crap by asCii88 · · Score: 0

      Photocopies' shop

  19. out of portugal ? by C0vardeAn0nim0 · · Score: 2, Funny

    some other inventions from portugal:

    - convertible submarine
    - windshield wipers (americans improved them by placing them on the outside)
    - helicopter with ejector seat
    - solar powered flashlight
    .
    .
    .

    ok, i confess. i'm brasilian. couldn't resist joking, mod me down at will

    --
    What ? Me, worry ?
    1. Re:out of portugal ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      some other inventions from portugal:

      - convertible submarine
      - windshield wipers (americans improved them by placing them on the outside)
      - helicopter with ejector seat
      - solar powered flashlight
      .
      . .

      ok, i confess. i'm brasilian. couldn't resist joking, mod me down at will

      You're not Brazilian, just plain dumb...

    2. Re:out of portugal ? by irondonkey · · Score: 1

      - helicopter with ejector seat

      That's really done actually, at least it was at one point. The main rotors were held on with explosive bolts, IIRC, so that they could destruct before the pilot got to them.

    3. Re:out of portugal ? by FinchWorld · · Score: 2, Informative
      If memory serves some helicopters do have ejection seats, upon them activating charges placed on the base of the blades go off to ensure your not shredded. As for solar powered flashlights, well very nearly there are solar powered garden lights that charge up in the day and turn on at night. Also the Squba is an amphibious convertible, though only one working prototype exists costing 1.5 million to build. Internal windshield wipers? Hmmmm, afraid not, though Im sure someone will find some.

      You error was underestimating the amount of insane people out there with buckets of money, well atleast were the Squba is involved.

      --
      "I may be full of crap about this game, and I may be wrong, and that's fine." -Jack Thompson
    4. Re:out of portugal ? by leoxx · · Score: 2, Interesting

      A solar powered flashlight (and its close cousin, the wind powered fan) make a lot of sense, so long as there is a battery in there to store the energy.

    5. Re:out of portugal ? by TheThiefMaster · · Score: 1

      Of course the last two actually exist...

    6. Re:out of portugal ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Made me lawl

    7. Re:out of portugal ? by kalpol · · Score: 2, Interesting

      A friend of mine has a 1959 Lancia Flaminia that has windshield wipers on the inside back window, for defrosting.

      --
      12:50 - press return.
    8. Re:out of portugal ? by Hurricane78 · · Score: 1

      you forgot
      - the tricycle with four-wheel drive
      - the waterproof sundial

      --
      Any sufficiently advanced intelligence is indistinguishable from stupidity.
    9. Re:out of portugal ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Old locomotives had manual wipers that could either be pulled towards the engineer so they would wipe rain from the outside, or pushed outwards so they'd wipe moisture rom the inside of the cab's windows.

      That'd be all, then, wouldn't it?

    10. Re:out of portugal ? by Bender_ · · Score: 1

      >the waterproof sundial

      Useful in a fountain or pool

      >the tricycle with four-wheel drive

      Tough one... The fourth wheel is above the front wheel so the trike can flip upside down without losing traction?

    11. Re:out of portugal ? by Bender_ · · Score: 1

      >convertible submarine

      http://blog.cardomain.com/blog/2008/03/geneva-motor-sh.html

      You are really not trying hard enough.

    12. Re:out of portugal ? by Trogre · · Score: 1

      I have a rather nice solar powered 6-LED flashlight that was given to me as a gift some four years ago. Works very well too, as long as I remember to leave it on the windowsill once a year or so.

      --
      "Nine times out of ten, starting a fire is not the best way to solve the problem." - my wife
    13. Re:out of portugal ? by hobo+sapiens · · Score: 1

      So Portugal is the new Poland?

      --
      blah blah blah
    14. Re:out of portugal ? by C0vardeAn0nim0 · · Score: 1

      portugal is for brasilians what poland is for you.

      unfortunately for my karma, moderators here seems to have lost any sense of humor.

      let's try it again:

      "Maria was trying to light the stove without success. so she yelled to manuel:

      - Manual, the matchsticks aren't working.

      Manuel replied:

      - That's not possible Maria. I tested each one of them earlier and they worked alright!"

      --
      What ? Me, worry ?
    15. Re:out of portugal ? by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      The best part is that ALL of these are real and good inventions. I'm on a modem right now so I won't be finding the link at the moment but there are numerous convertible-submarine pleasure craft of varying sizes (including a yacht or two) operating out there in the world right now. Solar-powered flashlights are now common (batteries are good) and the helicopters with ejection seats discard their rotors with explosive bolts before firing. The wipers are covered here (bad link etiquette, sorry.)

      This is why I can't use Orkut any more. It's not because it's all in Portuguese, it's because once you run it through the translator you realize it wasn't worth reading anyway.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    16. Re:out of portugal ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Indeed. I work for Gaiam, and we carry a number of different flashlights with solar-charged batteries. Some of them also have hand cranks and shake charging assemblies for when your stored solar charge runs out.

    17. Re:out of portugal ? by hjrnunes · · Score: 1
      That one is old...

      Perhaps you can enlighten us about some Brazilian inventions?

      Because man, my country isn't worth shit, but you guys can't talk too loud can you, Cidade de Deus?

    18. Re:out of portugal ? by C0vardeAn0nim0 · · Score: 1

      airplane, voice transmission over radio waves, hot air baloon, caller ID for analog phone systems, dirigible baloon, photography, typewriter.

      here: http://mundoestranho.abril.com.br/materia/materia_204346.shtml

      just to mention a few.

      --
      What ? Me, worry ?
    19. Re:out of portugal ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      1- The airplane was developed by the Wright Brothers. Dumont only improved the techonology.

      2- BARTOLOMEU DE GUSMÃfO is a portuguese person. Live with that.

      3- The photography was invented by Nicéphore Niépce, a french guy. The brasilian dude only improved the exposure process. So i guess you can't claim that the photography was invented by some brasilian, you only can claim that you've invented an exposure process.

      You can mention whatever you like. We, the portuguese, discovered the world.

      BTW, i think you should read this: http://gringostagarelas.blogspot.com/2008/03/o-brasil-da-fora.html

      and this: http://www.hottopos.com/piadas/brasil.htm

      p.s.: you forgot to mention "favelas"

  20. All Hail... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...our pulpy, robotic overlords...

  21. Pssh... by iveygman · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...this research isn't worth the paper it's printed on.

  22. Folding by Rui+del-Negro · · Score: 3, Funny

    The same research team also said they would be releasing a CPU (codenamed "Origami") based on these transistors. It's optimised for F@H.

    1. Re:Folding by ksd1337 · · Score: 1

      Now if you want to post comments on Slashdot, and you're using one of these paper computers, you have to use a pen or pencil to write out your comments.

    2. Re:Folding by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      It's optimised for F@H.

      You mean the distributed paper-airplane testing system?

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    3. Re:Folding by Rui+del-Negro · · Score: 1

      Just think of the money you'll save by not having to buy a fancy tablet and a copy of Fractal Painter.

  23. Incompatibilities by ciaran.mchale · · Score: 2, Funny

    Prediction: American, paper-based computers will be printed on Letter paper, but European computers will use A4 paper, thus leading to worldwide incompatibilities.

  24. At first my eyese saw "First Paper-Based Ter- by davidsyes · · Score: 1

    rorists"...

    i guess that was transistory thought...

    --
    Previously: "Linux... Toward the Sunrise..." Now: "Linux... Toward the-- No, now, part of Every Sunrise"
    1. Re:At first my eyese saw "First Paper-Based Ter- by The_mad_linguist · · Score: 0

      Did you mean the DMV or the Postal Service?

    2. Re:At first my eyese saw "First Paper-Based Ter- by davidsyes · · Score: 1

      Ah, a segue into things Postal...

      http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92751655

      http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/07/21/mailman_seeks_comfort_in_kilt/

      As some 10,000 mail carriers gather in Boston this week for the 66th biennial convention of the National Association of Letter Carriers, Peterson is on a one-man mission to persuade his colleagues to approve a change in their strictly regulated uniforms. He has proposed a resolution to allow mailmen to wear kilts, which he calls a Male Unbifurcated Garment, or MUG.

      Over the past few weeks, he says he has spent the $1,800 he received as part of the federal government's stimulus package to send about 1,000 letters and photographs of a mockup of the new uniform to postal union branches in every state, as well as Guam and Puerto Rico.

      "MUGs are worn all over the world, and have been for thousands of years because they are comfortable," he wrote to fellow mailmen. "Unbifurcated Garments are far more comfortable and suitable to male anatomy than trousers or shorts, because they don't confine the legs or cramp the male genitals the way that trousers or shorts do."

      He argued that pants can cause sweat rashes and added, "Please open your hearts - and inseams - for an option in mail carrier comfort!"

      Peterson's efforts have already attracted support. During the spring, similar resolutions calling for mailmen to be allowed to don kilts passed at letter carrier conventions in Washington and Oregon. Women can wear skirts.

      --
      Previously: "Linux... Toward the Sunrise..." Now: "Linux... Toward the-- No, now, part of Every Sunrise"
  25. Slashdot Ad Bug! by Tumbleweed · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    When viewing an individual article, I'm now seeing ads (when logged in and having a subscription that hasn't run out). I'm not seeing ads anywhere else.

    This happening to anyone else?

    1. Re:Slashdot Ad Bug! by drachenstern · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      Have you by chance mailed malda about that one? Either he or hemos will get it sent around to the right individual on their end if you'll just pass it along, perhaps with a screenshot of the article showing the advert...

      --
      2^3 * 31 * 647
  26. Interstrate is not a word! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Really, what does "interstrate" mean? The first few hits in google are to the press release.

    http://www.google.com/search?q=interstrate

  27. Not the first by Bender_ · · Score: 4, Informative

    The first transistors on paper have been published in 2005:

    http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7387872.html

    There is also a paper by the same authors, which I can not find right now.

    1. Re:Not the first by PhysicsPhil · · Score: 2, Informative

      The patent you link to uses paper as the substrate material for the transistor. In layman's terms, the paper in that article simply provides structural stability transistor on the paper surface. In some sense, the paper in that device could be replaced by a silicon wafer, a plank of wood or some concrete--it just keeps everything together.

      The new work has the paper providing not only structural stability but also acting as the insulator for the FET. Usually the insulator would be silicon dioxide, a high-k dielectric or some new-fangled polymer for organic transistors. These guys have managed to embed the remaining transistor components on both sides of a sheet of paper and have the used the insulating properties of the paper as an integral part of the transistor.

      All jokes about smart toilet paper aside, this is big-league stuff. These guys managed to engineer electronics using stuff that really does grow on trees.

    2. Re:Not the first by Bender_ · · Score: 1

      >as the insulator for the FET.

      Oh, really? I must have misunderstood the article.

      >All jokes about smart toilet paper aside, this is big-league stuff

      No, this is not big league stuff, this looks more like a Science toy. Nice idea and good for a publication, but no immediate real world application.

      Unless they manage to thin down the insulator to a thickness of 250 nm (thats 1/1000 of a typical paper sheet) or less it is pretty useless due to insufficient channel modulation - even for thin film transistors.

    3. Re:Not the first by ya+really · · Score: 1

      Back in 2000, Bell Labs came out with something similar. They produced n and p type transistors out of plastic based materials and could be printed on with techniques used for paper.

      Plastic circuits that have both n-type and p-type transistors would be useful in certain high-volume applications. Besides roll-up display screens and smart cards, other potential uses include luggage tags that help airport personnel locate lost suitcases, or tags on groceries that verify whether they were transported under the right conditions to the supermarket.

    4. Re:Not the first by recked · · Score: 1

      The underground soundsmith Peter Blasser has been making, playing and bartering his paper circuit instruments for plants a looong time now. Hear his "Luteus" samples at http://resipiscent.com and download his paper circuit designs at http://www.ciat-lonbarde.net/paper/index.html

      I believe Leonardo Music Journal published an article by him earlier this year too.

  28. Just a second! by SmoothTom · · Score: 1

    ...I gotta print an MP3 player and load a couple of songs. Be ready to go in a sec. :oD

  29. Dollar$, Dollar$ by meeya · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Print smart money,

  30. Open Hardware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    When will these technologies be home replicable so we can make our own computer hardware?

  31. Paper-shredders by EchaniDrgn · · Score: 1

    The next thing you know accountants start shredding their hard-copies and their soft-copies.

  32. ohnoitsroland by Danny+Rathjens · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Surely the real news is that Roland actually added correct content to an article rather than simply copied some pieces and made an inflammatory, catchy /. submission to get more hits on his "make money fast by blogging" blog?
    I think it will take more than one or two decent submission to redeem himself of all the crap submissions that caused all the agitation for the ability to filter posts by submitter and the creation of firefox add-ons specifically for filtering him.

    1. Re:ohnoitsroland by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Kickbacks. Roland is gaming the submission system and probably kicking back ad dough to one or more submitters. Which would be fine... if he were buying advertising clearly identifiable as advertising. Buying pagerank by paying off /. editors for plogger postings masquerading as real content is pretty low.

    2. Re:ohnoitsroland by ksd1337 · · Score: 1

      Twitter took his job, so he's actually doing something good now.

    3. Re:ohnoitsroland by rastoboy29 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      lol.  you think he's a person?  he's the slashdot editors, or publisher, or something in between.

      think...why does he keep getting front page stories?  because they like helping jerks?  no--they like helping themselves.

  33. But where is the transistor-based paper? by Curate · · Score: 1

    That's what I'm really holding out for. Maybe this will be possible now, with these new paper-based transistors.

  34. Save the trees, for the children, and theirs by pxc · · Score: 1

    Save the trees, plant hemp?

    1. Re:Save the trees, for the children, and theirs by cangrejoinmortal · · Score: 1

      I just had a wild thought, smart hemp smoking paper. so you can smoke a joint and have stoner talk with it!

    2. Re:Save the trees, for the children, and theirs by Zebedeu · · Score: 1

      The more you smoke, the more insightful Elisa gets.

  35. If you thought the media corps bitch about piracy by internewt · · Score: 1

    If you thought the media corps bitch about piracy.....

    Just wait and see what the electronics industry say when they start losing business to people pirating electronic products with their printer.

    Of course, as a printer is electronics, even the pirating machines could be pirated!

    (No, of course I haven't read the article :) )

    --
    Car analogies break down.
  36. PHB's Revenge by jd · · Score: 1

    The Dilbert cartoon foresaw the coming of supercomputers made entirely of recycled paper!

    --
    It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
  37. Right back at you environmentalists by recharged95 · · Score: 1

    A tree hugger would be worried at this point.

    Would this be classified as going green? HA!

  38. Re:Batman by FatdogHaiku · · Score: 4, Funny

    But soon the paper will analyze the cocaine as you snort it and if it really good maybe make a phone call or two. Hundred dollar bills phoning home when they are in large stacks... Faraday cage wallets will really be needed then...

    Two twenty's meet in a bar, first twenty says to the second one "I'm from a bank heist last week... waiting for a good signal so I can report myself"

    --
    You have the right to remain sentient. If you give up the right to remain sentient, you will be elected to public office
  39. Re:sp0n6e by ksd1337 · · Score: 1

    Twitter? Is that you?

  40. oblig. ISR by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    In Soviet Russia, ass wipes you!

    1. Re:oblig. ISR by cmdr_tofu · · Score: 1

      I am an ass you insensitive clod!

    2. Re:oblig. ISR by Krupuk · · Score: 1

      I am a clod you insensitive ass!

  41. This solves the memory retention problem by LM741N · · Score: 1

    with disk encryption. Just buy a lighter- burn current memory, pull another DIMM off the pad, insert, you're back in business.

  42. Thanks for the explanation by pem · · Score: 1
    I was confused.

    I assumed that underclocking is required because the TP is being used to process a substance which is as "slow as shit."

  43. Cheap Transistor Inks by Doc+Ruby · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Paper is an interesting substrate, because it's cheap, but also because it's a renewable resource. It literally grows on trees. It's an interesting development because it's carbon, not a silicon material. It's not even made from plastic, which we have to make from oil. Which means that it could be made from the extra pollution we suck out of the air - the old fashioned way: growing it in the ground.

    What will be really interesting is if we can match that innovation by printing organic inks onto the paper to make the rest of the transistors. Carbon based "wires" on the substrate. Preferably grown from plants (or algae - I'm not picky). See if we can't grow our microelectronics, rather than manufacture it, and cut out most of the waste and pollution, while perhaps making fairly durable objects that can be easily recycled into the environment by just burying them in soil. Atop which we grow the next generation.

    --

    --
    make install -not war

  44. Paper wireless mesh routing by Casandro · · Score: 1

    Just imagine beeing able to build extremely cheap wireless mesh routers and sticking them to every lamp-post in a city. You'd instantly have a completely unregulated network free of lawyers and companies and free to use.

    This is actually simmilar to the microcomputer revolution. At first people only thought about putting those into mundane applications like microwave ovens or TV-sets, later people buildt their own computers around those chips, spurring the real revolution. I believe the same will happen here.

  45. Re:Batman by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    note how the ohnoitsroland tag always disappears

  46. Re:Batman by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    The paper is for the transistors, not snorting cocaine...

    Wait a sec. You mean ... this transistors don't require heavily doped regions?

  47. Self-destructing documents? by FauxReal · · Score: 1

    Does this mean we'll have self-destructing documents for secret note passing? Will spies have to worry about getting blown up accidentally like Chief Quimby?

  48. Wafers by Stooshie · · Score: 1

    This could mean a whole new era for communion wafers.

    --
    America, Home of the Brave. ... .and the Squaw.
  49. Real material issue is trace materials by Eravnrekaree · · Score: 1

    The most serious materials scarcity issue which exists with transistors is not the silicon (of which there is plenty lying around), but rather, the trace metals which are used in the semiconductor doping. These trace metals are engangered and reserves of them will begin to be depleted in as soon as 10 years. Germanium for instance is predicted to become extinct in little as 10 years. The idea of a disposable semiconductor device is very disturbing as all trace metal material needs to be recycled and reused as we cannot afford to throw any of it away, we have finite trace metals to work with and it cannot be wasted like that. THere should be strict fines for throwing any electronic material into the trash due to the fact we will depleate not only trace metals, but iron and copper in only sixty years. We need to start recycling and reusing everything now or we will lead our selves to a dark ages because of our lack of foresight, when we run out of iron and copper and have not recycled and reused what we have already exrracted.

  50. I couldn't do my homework by SydBarrett · · Score: 1

    My dog ate my computer

  51. Paper based e-book readers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Finally! We can read our e-books on paper. The more expensive versions could even have a paper page for each page of the ebook. What an exciting future awaits!