Pure science by Claudia Sonea

We want to think we are getting more mature with time and not older, but these science developments make us realize that time is passing too fast and there is no turning back. It seems strange to some of you, but in fact when you think over, you might realize that the new discoveries and inventions are sometimes over our capacity to understand it or handle it. So, you're not smarter with time, but more stupid and incapable to cope to the present trend. However, we can still enjoy using some of the new discoveries like an iPhone, an iPod or a notebook. The latest news comes from a study released on Wednesday by Charles Leiber and colleagues at Harvard University. A source of energy with low cost and pollution will be available in a few months due to the solar cells 200 hundred times thinner than a human hair created by scientist in order to power the nanoscale gadgetry of tomorrow. The nanoscale gadgetry refers to consumer devices, from bioterrorism monitors to in-body diagnostics, until now it was hard to find the sources to power it. The devised silicon nanowire can transform light into electrical energy. It is invisible to the naked eye, but can provide two hundred billionths of a watt sufficient for a steady output of electricity to run ultra-low power electronics. Surprisingly, some of these electronics can be worn even inside the human body. I really am out-dated. The general issue is according to Leiber that despite the little energy required, there will be many interconnected devices that raise a lot of concerns. The resemblance with the TV cable is only in the fact that both have a core covered with two layers, says the British journal Nature. Still, the nanowire is 100,000 times smaller and is made out of silicon with three different types of conductivity arranged as layered shells. Furthermore, the electrically connected core and cladding perform the same function like + and & termini of a battery. Great news, isn't it. Sounds a lot interesting and for someone like me it took some time to understand what it was all about. Are we indeed older and not smarter? Stay connected, you might find the answer.

related story: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/afp/20071017/ttc-science-nanotechnology-energy-solar-0de2eff_1.html

by Claudia Sonea for PocketNews (http://pocketnews.tv)

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