The Future Of Your PC's Hardware:Memristor

Since the dawn of electronics, we've had only three types of circuit components--resistors,inductors & capacitors.But in 1971, UC Berkeley researcher Leon Chua theorized the possibility of a fourth type of component,one that would be able to measure the flow of electric current: the Memristor. Now, just 37 years later, Hewlett-Packard has built one.

What Is It?

As its name implies,the memristor can "remember" how much current has passed through it.And by alternating the amount of current that passes through it,a memristor can also become a one-element circuit component with unique properties.Most notably,it can save its electronic state even when the current is turned off,making it a great candidate to replace today's flash memory.

Memristor will theoretically be cheaper & far faster than flash memory & allow far greater memory densities.They could also replace RAM chips as we know them,so that,after you turn off your computer,it will remember exactly what it was doing when you turn it back on & return to work instantly.This lowering of cost & consolidating of components may lead to affordable,solid state computes that fit in your pocket & run many times faster than today's PC's. 

Someday the memristor could spawn a whole new type of computer,thanks to its ability to remember a range of electrical states rather than the simplistic "on"&"off" states that today's digital processors recognize.By working with a dynamic range of data states in an analog mode,memristor-based computers could be capable of far more complex tasks than just shuttling ones and zeroes around

When is it coming?

Researchers say that no real barrier prevents implementing the memristor in circuitry immediately. But it's up to the business side to push products through to commercial reality.Memristors made to replace flash memory (at a lower cost and lower power consumption) will likely appear first; HP's goal is to offer them by 2012.Beyond that, memristors will likely replace both DRAM  & Hard Disks in the 2014-to-2016 time frame As for memristor-based analog computers, that step may take 20-plus years.

Nanotechnology In Agriculture

Nanotechnology is science of manipulating materials at nano-scale. Among the latest technological advancements, nanotechnology occupies a central position. It has many applications in all stages of production, processing, storing, packaging and transport of agricultural products. The reduced use of herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers with increased efficiency, controlled release and targeted delivery will lead to precision farming. Dream of automated, centrally controlled agriculture can become reality now. Modern agriculture is need of hour because conventional agricultural will not be able to feed an ever increasing population with changing climate, depleting resources and shrinking landscape. But at the same time application of nano-materials in agri-food sector has to be evaluated for public acceptance.

Thanks to nanotechnology that the future food will be designed according to consumer’s choice with a better taste, texture, nutrient contents and a longer shelf life. It can offer compelling value and prove to be the "the next big thing" in future agriculture. The food will be wrapped in “smart” safety packaging that can detect contaminants and spoilage agents.Nanotechnology is a novel, innovative, interdisciplinary scientific approach that involves designing, development and application of materials & devices at molecular level in nanometre scale i.e. at least one dimension ranges in size from 1 to 100 nanometres,a billionth of meter. Graph 1 indicates an exponential increase in research publications in field of nanotechnology.The use of nanotechnology in agriculture is getting importance because it is possible advantages vary from enhanced food values, reduced agricultural inputs, improved nutrient contents and longer shelf life.For developing countries, agriculture sector is backbone of their economy including more than 60% of the population which depends upon agriculture to earn their livelihood directly or indirectly.Among the latest line of technological innovations in the field of agriculture, nanotechnology occupies a distinguished position in remodelling agriculture and food production to fulfill the demands in an efficient and cost-effective way.

Nano-pesticide

Plant pests are major factors in limiting crop yields. Conventional pest controlling methods include the use of over-the-counter pesticides in large quantity which consequently add an additional cost in crop production. Excess amount of pesticides also cause environmental and water pollution. There is a need to use as much as minimum amount of pesticides to save the environment and reduce the cost in crop production.It can be achieved by increasing the retention time of pesticides with required efficiency. Persistence of pesticides in the initial stage of crop growth helps in bringing down the pest population below the threshold level, leading to an effective control for a longer period of time.

Disinfectants

It is estimated that 30 to 40% of the food produced on earth goes to waste before it can be consumed. The situation is even worse in case of fruits and vegetables. These losses can be reduced up to great extent by increasing the shelf life of perishable commodities. Nano- particles can also be used as disinfectants in food packaging and food engineering to increase the shelf life of food product.

Nano Lamination

Other significant factors include moisture, gases and lipids accumulation that cause the food to be perished. To protect the food from these agents, another workable option is nano-lamination. Nano-lamination is applied by coating foods with nanolaminates or simply by spraying it on the food surface. Along with preservation of food they can improve the texture, preserve flavour and colour of the food. Nanolaminates are thin, harmless food grade protective films which are prepared from edible polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids.

In agriculture sector, Nanotechnology has phenomenal potential to facilitate and frame the next stage of precision farming techniques. It will increase agricultural potential to harvest higher yields in ecofriendly way even in challenging environment. Globally many countries have recognized the potential of nanotechnology in the agri-food sector and are investing a significant amount on it. The adoption of nanotechnology would play a crucial role to feed the ever increasing population with declining natural resources.Extensive studies are required to understand the mechanism for nano-materials toxicity and their impacts on natural environment. If we overcome these considerations, the bright and beneficial future is at doorstep of developing nations.

Eye Phone

Smartphone Connected Contact Lenses Give New Meaning To "EYE PHONE"

 you must visit this link:http://www.livescience.com/55816-smart-contact-lenses-talk-to-your-phone.html

Logistic Exchange Memorandum of Agreement(LEMOA)

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter signed the pact during Parrikar’s 4-day visit.In a significant decision that could have for reaching implications for India's military posture,India and the US have agreed "in principle" on logistics support agreement.That would make it easier for both militaries to share each other facilities.The Logistic Exchange Memorandum of Agreement(LEMOA) was the highlight of U.S Defence Secretary Ash Carter's three day.

What is LEMOA?

Logistic Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) facilitates the provision of logistical support, supplies, and services between the US and Indian militaries on a refundable basis, and provides a framework to govern them.It significantly enhances operational capacity of our armed forces, including in response to humanitarian crises or disaster relief.It would help both countries in governing the use of each other's land,air and naval bases for repair and resupply, a step toward building defence ties as they seek to counter the growing maritime assertiveness of China. 

What does LEMOA Cover?

LEMOA facilitates support between India and USA and this may include food, water, billeting, transportation, petroleum, oils, lubricants, clothing, medical services, spare parts and components, repair and maintenance services, training services, and other logistical items and services.

How does this Agreement work?

For example, during a bilateral exercise with the US, the participant country's unit requires fuel for its equipment.The unit cannot make the purchase unless it can pay directly and immediately. A LEMOA agreement allows for the purchase by establishing a value for the purchase and the terms for payment, which could be replacement-in-kind or an equal-value exchange.

No bases to be set-up in India

The defence pact signed by India and the US facilitating logistical support between the two militaries is not an agreement to set up bases, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and his US counterpart Ashton Carter have said."There is no provision for any base or any sort of activities to set up a base in India," Parrikar told reporters at a joint news conference with Carter after the two leaders held talks at the Pentagon.

The importance of this pact?

Both Parrikar and Carter have agreed on the importance (that) this framework will provide to facilitate innovative and advanced opportunities in defence technology and trade cooperation.Welcoming the signing of the bilateral agreement, defence minister Manohar Parrikar and US defence secretary Ashton Carter said the pact will facilitate opportunities for "practical engagement and exchange".