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Aussie, Finnish Researchers Create a Single-Atom Transistor

ACKyushu writes "Researchers from Helsinki University of Technology (Finland), University of New South Wales (Australia), and University of Melbourne (Australia) have succeeded in building a working transistor whose active region comprises only a single phosphorus atom in silicon. The results have just been published in Nano Letters. The working principles of the device are based on sequential tunneling of single electrons between the phosphorus atom and the source and drain leads of the transistor. The tunneling can be suppressed or allowed by controlling the voltage on a nearby metal electrode with a width of a few tens of nanometers."

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  1. European Accomplishments in Science by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll
    Europeans have achieved amazing results in science and technology. A German and a Brit co-invented calculus. A team of Germans invented the guided missile. Numerous Germans, French men and women, British men and women, etc. built most of humankind's knowledge of quantum physics: Europeans dominate the holders of the Nobel Prize in physics.

    Though the Japanese are slightly less accomplished in fundamental science than the Europeans, the Japanese have done quite well in applied science -- specifically, high technology. Most patents for the modern LCD screen are owned by Japanese companies. A Japanese invented blue LED. The Japanese own most patents on hybrid automotive engines and powertrains.

    Noticeably missing among scientific high achievers are Africans. Why have Africans accomplished almost nothing in science and technology?

    We know that African IQ is about 20 points less than Japanese IQ. Could this IQ difference explain why Africans fail in any human endeavor that requires an understanding of advanced mathematics? Could this IQ difference explain why all nations dominated by Africans are impoverished?