Quantum Dots Made in a 2D Semiconductor
There are many possibilities for the future of computing, but while the systems involved can be very different, many of them rely on optics in one way or another. Naturally this makes it important to find ways to precisely create the light being used, and researchers at the University of Rochester have made a significant discovery to achieving that. They have found how to make quantum dots in a two-dimensional semiconductor, which has never been accomplished before.
Quantum dots are occasionally referred to as artificial atoms because we are able to engineer their properties, such as the color of light they absorb and emit. Naturally there is great interest in them for photonic devices, such as those that may be used in some future computer systems. Before that can happen though we will need to find ways to integrate them into chips, which is where this discovery comes in. The Rochester researchers discovered that by layering atomically-thin sheets of tungsten disulfide on top of each other, the points where they overlap create quantum dots. By controlling the applied voltage the researchers can already tune the brightness of the quantum dot, and the next step is to adjust the frequency by manipulating the voltage.
It is an important advantage that tungsten disulfide is a 2D semiconductor, as these tend to be easier to integrate into electronics. The researchers also found that the quantum dots do not interfere with the semiconductor's electrical or optical properties, which will also prove invaluable for integration with electronics.
Source: University of Rochester
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Hardware Roundup: Friday, May 8, 2015, Edition
The end of the week is upon us, as the first full week of May is soon in the books. There are a couple items to help you get through the day, including a look at the ASUS ROG GR8. This mini PC is something ASUS calls a gaming console PC, as it packs an Intel Core i7 processor, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti, and 8GB of DDR3 into a tiny case. It even comes with a Gladius gaming mouse and mechanical keyboard in the box. Our other item for the day is a new case mod using the EK Vulture case and a theme inspired from ancient Egypt.
Prebuilts
ASUS ROG GR8 @ LanOC Reviews
Miscellany
Case Mod Friday: Gold Wings @ ThinkComputers
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Yelp Likely Exploring Sale Options
Yelp, the amazingly popular review site that provides reviews for virtually all types of consumer businesses, is apparently looking for a potential buyer. While Shannon Eis, a Yelp spokeswoman, noted that the company does not comment on any type of rumors or speculation surrounding the popular social media site, people familiar with the matter have noted that the company has been in touch with potential buyers recently and is also working with investment bankers. The company’s stock has fallen nearly 15 percent over the last year, but Yelp has made some intriguing business moves that have propelled it forward, such as the purchase of Eat24 just three months ago. In a sale, Yelp is likely to be worth $3.5 billion, which is quite impressive since it launched just 11 years ago as an email service for sharing recommendations.
Source: CNET
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Water Block Kit for GIGABYTE X99 SOC Champion Released by EK
EK Water Blocks, a premium liquid cooling gear manufacturer, has revealed and launched its latest water block kit that specifically fits the GIGABYTE X99 SOC Champion motherboard. The water block kit, which is known as the EK-FB KIT GA X99-SOC Champion, directly cools the Intel X99 Southbridge chip and power regulation module. The water block kit features two separate water blocks and is comprised of nickel-plated electrolytic copper as well as quality POM Acetal or acrylic glass material. EK has preinstalled the screw-in standoffs, and the EK-FB KIT GA X99-SOC Champion is capable of utilizing the original motherboard backplates, allowing for an easy install.
The EK water block kit for the GIGABYTE X99 SOC Champion motherboard is available for immediate purchase through EK Webshop and the company’s Partner Reseller Network.
Source: TechPowerUp
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Chocolate X-Rayed to Improve Quality and Stop Blooms
In my experience, people love chocolate unless they have an allergy or are actually sticking to a diet. We love it, until it has the white layer on it that looks like nothing you would want to eat. Even though these blooms are well known about, there is little understanding about them, which is why a team of researchers from DESY, the Hamburg University of Technology, and Nestle decided to study chocolate more closely.
That white layer is actually a fat bloom and, believe it or not, is completely harmless, but it still causes people to dispose of the chocolate and even file complaints. The bloom occurs when the liquid fat in the chocolate finds its way to the surface and crystallizes there. To understand the exact processes involved, the researchers pulverized samples of chocolate and shined X-rays through it to examine fat crystals and pores. Dropping sunflower oil on the samples allowed them to also watch the fat migrate, and they found the oil quickly penetrated even the smallest pores. As it dissolved into the chocolate, it affected the chocolate's structure, making it softer and easier for more fat to migrate, which could then lead to fat blooms.
Based on this study, which is the first to study the dynamics of fat blooms developing, the researchers suggest three ways to reduce the occurrence of fat blooms. One is to reduce the porosity of the chocolate, so fat migrates more slowly. The second is to keep the chocolate at a cool temperature, to limit the liquid fat. Finally the researchers suggest controlling the crystal structures of the fat in the chocolate, as this directly influences the amount of liquid fat in the chocolate. Cocoa butter has six crystal structures it can form, and some may be better than others.
Source: Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY
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