Single Nanotube Becomes World's Smallest Radio

Single Nanotube Becomes World's Smallest Radio 152

Posted by kdawson on Thursday November 01, 2007 @01:13PM from the play-misty-for-me dept.

Invisible Pink Unicorn writes "Researchers at the National Science Foundation have utilized a single carbon nanotube to perform all the functions of a standard radio, acting as an antenna, tunable filter, amplifier, and demodulator. They were then able to tune in a radio signal generated in the room and play it back through an attached speaker. The device is functional across a bandwidth widely used for commercial radio. From the NSF: 'The source content for the first laboratory test of the radio was "Layla," by Derek and the Dominos, followed soon after by "Good Vibrations" by the Beach Boys.'"

Single Nanotube Becomes World's Smallest Radio

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Apple Product Announcement (Score:2, Funny)

by TheDrewbert ( 914334 ) writes: <thedrewbert@gmailBOYSEN.com minus berry> on Thursday November 01, 2007 @01:15PM (#21199039) Homepage

The Apple iTube. Don't buy just one, buy the whole series.

Awesome! (Score:4, Funny)

by butterwise ( 862336 ) writes: <butterwise AT gmail> on Thursday November 01, 2007 @01:17PM (#21199085)

At that scale, you can actually see the radio waves [nsf.gov]...

Public Perfromance (Score:2, Funny)

by josephtd ( 817237 ) writes: on Thursday November 01, 2007 @01:17PM (#21199089)

We're they paying royalties to the RIAA? RIAA vs. NSF coming soon to a Federal Court near you.

a "Mr. Watson. Come Here. I need you." moment (Score:3, Funny)

by circletimessquare ( 444983 ) writes: <(circletimessquare) (at) (gmail.com)> on Thursday November 01, 2007 @01:17PM (#21199097) Homepage Journal

the day mankind gave the gift of Howard Stern and American Top 40 and the traffic report to bacteria

We're gonna need (Score:3, Funny)

by ackthpt ( 218170 ) * writes: on Thursday November 01, 2007 @01:17PM (#21199101) Homepage Journal

We're gonna need a bigger tin-foil hat.

They're going to make a fortune... (Score:5, Funny)

by pwnies ( 1034518 ) writes: <j@jjcm.org> on Thursday November 01, 2007 @01:17PM (#21199103) Homepage Journal

...on people losing these things. "Damnit, where's my radio? Did I lose it again!? Oh wait here it is... no... that's pocket lint."

Science press releases: God's gift to surrealism (Score:5, Funny)

by Sockatume ( 732728 ) writes: on Thursday November 01, 2007 @01:18PM (#21199111)

Returning to Zettl's runner analogy, the vibrating nanotube is akin to a ditch with a constantly changing width.

I really do love the analogies we use to describe quantum-mechanical or relativistic behavior. Even the best ones start off comprehensible but rapidly morph into the deranged land of our most cheese-fuelled nightmares.

In other news... (Score:4, Funny)

by EvilSpudBoy ( 1159091 ) writes: on Thursday November 01, 2007 @01:19PM (#21199133)

Perfoming rights organizations, BMI and ASCAP, want a fee for every carbon nanotube sold.

How do I tune in to another station!! (Score:2, Funny)

by The Assistant ( 1162547 ) writes: on Thursday November 01, 2007 @01:19PM (#21199139)

The radio is a single carbon nanotube, right?
It must be real difficult reading the display (or dial) to see what station you're tuned in to!!!! ;)

Up next for the NSF researchers (Score:2, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Thursday November 01, 2007 @01:20PM (#21199151)

A nanotube version of the worlds smallest violin.

I can just wait (Score:2, Funny)

by Joseph1337 ( 1146047 ) writes: on Thursday November 01, 2007 @01:21PM (#21199181)

When the internet will be upped from normal tubes to nanotubes. Web 2.0 IS COMING!

I wonder (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Thursday November 01, 2007 @01:22PM (#21199197)

...if these can be used in dentistry, as tooth fillings.

Re:Awesome! (Score:3, Funny)

by pwnies ( 1034518 ) writes: <j@jjcm.org> on Thursday November 01, 2007 @01:22PM (#21199201) Homepage Journal

It is somewhat saddening that they have to put that disclaimer there that "The waves shown in this image were added for visual effect, and are not part of the original microscope image".

Re:a "Mr. Watson. Come Here. I need you." moment (Score:2, Funny)

by Soko ( 17987 ) writes: on Thursday November 01, 2007 @01:23PM (#21199207) Homepage

the day mankind gave the gift of Howard Stern and American Top 40 and the traffic report to bacteria

*blink*

Gift? That list sounds like we're trying to find a new way to kill them.

Soko

Who cares! (Score:3, Funny)

by Funkcikle ( 630170 ) writes: on Thursday November 01, 2007 @01:23PM (#21199211)

No wireless. Less space than a Nomad. Lame.

Worker of the Week award goes to.... (Score:5, Funny)

by PHAEDRU5 ( 213667 ) writes: <instascreed.gmail@com> on Thursday November 01, 2007 @01:26PM (#21199249) Homepage

....Inanimate Carbon Rod!

I can't believe we've overlooked this week's winner for so very, very long.

Re:Apple Product Announcement (Score:3, Funny)

by Soko ( 17987 ) writes: on Thursday November 01, 2007 @01:27PM (#21199267) Homepage

The Apple iTube. Don't buy just one, buy the whole series.

Quick - someone call Ted Series of Tubes [wikipedia.org] Stevens - we found what he's looking for.

Soko

Steve just called .... (Score:2, Funny)

by BenBoy ( 615230 ) writes: on Thursday November 01, 2007 @01:28PM (#21199285)

... I'm afraid "nano" is trademarked for audio devices ... please cease and desist in the use of this term in this connection ...

this reminds me... (Score:3, Funny)

by freg ( 859413 ) writes: on Thursday November 01, 2007 @01:34PM (#21199357)

This is actually smaller than the iPod Zepto: http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2005/11/28fitch.html [mcsweeneys.net]

Tubes vs. Transistors (Score:3, Funny)

by chiph ( 523845 ) writes: on Thursday November 01, 2007 @01:40PM (#21199443)

So, do nano-scale carbon tubes sound better than transistors?
Or, only if you use oxygen-free silver interconnects the size of a garden hose?

Chip H.

Why? (Score:1, Funny)

by pitchpipe ( 708843 ) writes: on Thursday November 01, 2007 @02:02PM (#21199767)

Why are we regressing back to 'tube radios?

Re:And how much of that (Score:2, Funny)

by saider ( 177166 ) writes: on Thursday November 01, 2007 @03:07PM (#21200591)

I prefer the litigation services of Dewey, Cheatum, & Howe.

nyuk, nyuk

Low res picture for those using lower bandwidths. (Score:3, Funny)

by east coast ( 590680 ) writes: on Thursday November 01, 2007 @03:09PM (#21200611)

. --Radio

(Shown larger than actual size)

Re:We're gonna need (Score:3, Funny)

by eonlabs ( 921625 ) writes: on Thursday November 01, 2007 @07:17PM (#21204599) Journal

We're going to need... Many smaller ones

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Single Nanotube Becomes World's Smallest Radio 152

Single Nanotube Becomes World's Smallest Radio More Login

Single Nanotube Becomes World's Smallest Radio

Apple Product Announcement (Score:2, Funny)

Awesome! (Score:4, Funny)

Public Perfromance (Score:2, Funny)

a "Mr. Watson. Come Here. I need you." moment (Score:3, Funny)

We're gonna need (Score:3, Funny)

They're going to make a fortune... (Score:5, Funny)

Science press releases: God's gift to surrealism (Score:5, Funny)

In other news... (Score:4, Funny)

How do I tune in to another station!! (Score:2, Funny)

Up next for the NSF researchers (Score:2, Funny)

I can just wait (Score:2, Funny)

I wonder (Score:1, Funny)

Re:Awesome! (Score:3, Funny)

Re:a "Mr. Watson. Come Here. I need you." moment (Score:2, Funny)

Who cares! (Score:3, Funny)

Worker of the Week award goes to.... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Apple Product Announcement (Score:3, Funny)

Steve just called .... (Score:2, Funny)

this reminds me... (Score:3, Funny)

Tubes vs. Transistors (Score:3, Funny)

Why? (Score:1, Funny)

Re:And how much of that (Score:2, Funny)

Low res picture for those using lower bandwidths. (Score:3, Funny)

Re:We're gonna need (Score:3, Funny)

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