Computers & Electronics Articles

A switch for a living computer

By Stephen Ornes / April 19, 2013
Scientists used DNA to build biological switches called transcriptors, which act like transistors found on computer chips. Credit: iStockphoto

Scientists build a transistor from DNA

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Building a better battery

By Sid Perkins / April 8, 2013
Researchers designed a way to make better batteries using supersmall sulfur particles coated with titanium dioxide. Credit: Seh et al., Nature Communications (2013)

Researchers develop a way to make batteries that hold more charge and don’t weaken with age

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Genetic memory

By Stephen Ornes / February 8, 2013
A DNA molecule looks like a twisted ladder. Scientists have found a way to use the rungs of that ladder to store data efficiently. Credit: NHGRI

The stuff of genes can be used to store digital data, too

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Your head’s battery

By Sid Perkins / January 17, 2013
Scientists have designed a small electronic circuit (inside the two golden squares) that can monitor the strength of the natural battery in a guinea pig’s inner ear. The tiny device had to collect energy from the ear’s battery and then store it until there was enough power to transmit data to doctors. Credit: Mercier et al. (2012), Nature Biotechnology

Fluids in the inner ear can actually power an electronic device, such as an implant

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Electronic skin

By Stephen Ornes / January 18, 2012
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Tiny, nearly invisible devices stick to skin, ‘talk’ to computers

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Watson a game-changer for science

By Susan Gaidos / May 4, 2011
MACHINE VS. HUMAN

Supercomputer outsmarts humans in historic Jeopardy! competition

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Troubles with Hubble

By Susan Gaidos / October 14, 2008
Working in an underwater tank that mimics the feeling of weightlessness in space, astronaut Drew Feustel practices using a power screwdriver specially designed for Hubble repair. Credit: JCE/NASA

Just before a planned repair mission, the space telescope went quiet

Posted in Computers & Electronics, Tech & Math

The Shape of the Internet

By Emily Sohn / June 22, 2007
A new map of the Internet shows a core of tight connections (red) and an outer ring (purple) of looser connections. I. Alvarez-Hamelin et al.

The web of connections that makes up the Internet looks a lot like a medusa jellyfish.

Posted in Computers & Electronics

Games with a Purpose

By Emily Sohn / February 12, 2007

Playing some online games may help computers get smarter.

Posted in Computers & Electronics

Programming with Alice

By Emily Sohn / February 13, 2006

Creating animated movies provides a fun way to learn how to program a computer.

Posted in Computers & Electronics