Since you're a condensed matter physicist, you should know that most of the research presented in journals like Science (most of the physics research, anyway) works along the lines of "proof of principle", so that there remains a great distance between initial experiment and final functional application. For example, I published a paper in Science last August based on work I've been doing at Cornell on creating magnetic memory elements without the need for magnetic write fields. I think the physics alone makes it interesting, but it also has practical ramifications, in that it suggests a way of making magnetic memory smaller. The irony is, however, that the physical test devices we make are about 3 mm square per magnetic bit, which would, ahem, make a rather bulky RAM chip. There are similar limitations going on in Cowburn's work. I actually saw Mr. Cowburn speak on this topic last November; the experiment and theory he's done is pretty interesting, but this is clearly just a first step. I believe nanomagnetic devices will tread further into modern electronics, but his is just one of many possible ways to proceed. I agree that press-release-type hyperbole is nauseating, but I was a little struck by your cynicism towards the whole thing. There IS some interesting science behind all this.
I don't think the chain of ellipses would work as such, as it would mess up the geometrical symmetry which lets the mirage appear in the first place. Frankly, speaking as a physicist (hopefully the first and last time I ever utter that self-serving phrase), I don't have a CLUE how this could make smaller circuits, except in the extremely general sense that it demonstrates that quantum coherence of electrons can be seen. It's far more likely that the tiny circuits of the future will involve specially-designed molecules like carbon nanotubes or organic thingies. Don't get me wrong--it's a gorgeous experiment, and the type of thing that makes physicists salivate. I just think everyone except those in charge of funding agencies should shut their ears when applications are discussed, as the hyberbole can get a bit thick.
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Since you're a condensed matter physicist, you should know that most of the research presented in journals like Science (most of the physics research, anyway) works along the lines of "proof of principle", so that there remains a great distance between initial experiment and final functional application. For example, I published a paper in Science last August based on work I've been doing at Cornell on creating magnetic memory elements without the need for magnetic write fields. I think the physics alone makes it interesting, but it also has practical ramifications, in that it suggests a way of making magnetic memory smaller. The irony is, however, that the physical test devices we make are about 3 mm square per magnetic bit, which would, ahem, make a rather bulky RAM chip. There are similar limitations going on in Cowburn's work. I actually saw Mr. Cowburn speak on this topic last November; the experiment and theory he's done is pretty interesting, but this is clearly just a first step. I believe nanomagnetic devices will tread further into modern electronics, but his is just one of many possible ways to proceed. I agree that press-release-type hyperbole is nauseating, but I was a little struck by your cynicism towards the whole thing. There IS some interesting science behind all this.
I don't think the chain of ellipses would work as such, as it would mess up the geometrical symmetry which lets the mirage appear in the first place. Frankly, speaking as a physicist (hopefully the first and last time I ever utter that self-serving phrase), I don't have a CLUE how this could make smaller circuits, except in the extremely general sense that it demonstrates that quantum coherence of electrons can be seen. It's far more likely that the tiny circuits of the future will involve specially-designed molecules like carbon nanotubes or organic thingies. Don't get me wrong--it's a gorgeous experiment, and the type of thing that makes physicists salivate. I just think everyone except those in charge of funding agencies should shut their ears when applications are discussed, as the hyberbole can get a bit thick.