Stretchable silicon

"David Pescovitz: Researchers have developed a form of single-crystal silicon that can be stretched so that electronic circuits could be fabricated on rubber. To prove the concept, professor John Rogers, a materials scientist at at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Chamapign, and his colleagues made diodes and transistors that matched the performance or rigid devices, but 'could be repeatedly stretched and compressed without damage.' From a press release:

Functional, stretchable and bendable electronics could be used in applications such as sensors and drive electronics for integration into artificial muscles or biological tissues, structural monitors wrapped around aircraft wings, and conformable skins for integrated robotic sensors, said Rogers...

To create their stretchable silicon, the researchers begin by fabricating devices in the geometry of ultrathin ribbons on a silicon wafer using procedures similar to those used in conventional electronics. Then they use specialized etching techniques to undercut the devices. The resulting ribbons of silicon are about 100 nanometers thick – 1,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair.

In the next step, a flat rubber substrate is stretched and placed on top of the ribbons. Peeling the rubber away lifts the ribbons off the wafer and leaves them adhered to the rubber surface. Releasing the stress in the"

thanks boingboing:

Electronic Walls And Ceilings Make It Easy To Change Lighting And Room Design

"The Alliance for Solid-State Illumination Systems and Technologies (ASSIST), an LED industry group organized by the Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, unveiled a novel concept for lighting homes and offices. The design integrates light-emitting diode (LED) technology with building materials and systems to create electronic walls and ceilings. The design includes interchangeable, modular panels with integrated LED lighting fixtures that 'snap' in and out of an electrical grid."[link] thanks sciencedaily!:

Google Adds Music Search and Purchase Features

"Google is at it again. They have now launched a new music searching feature that combs through artist and album information: The music search feature is prominently placed above the main search results in what Google calls its 'one box' area - where information such as weather, movies or books may also be highlighted. When a user..."

[link] thanks anandtech:

Google - Home Page layout

[Like the new home page attributes of Google however, I depend on thier reader more then the home page.  If they could add reader to the layout I am sold]

Read more at www.google.com/ig?hl=en

Sex for an Xbox 360?

From digg.com.

Craigslist ad purported to be from two female gamers who would do anything to get the next-gen console.

Link to article.

King Kong gets extra-special effects as quake rattles screening - Yahoo! News

"The quake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale hit Wellington about an hour into the film and at first it was difficult to tell what was happening." [link] thanks Yahoo!:

Fuel cell motorcycle

From popgadget." I think it would be pretty cool to own the world's first fuel cell motorcycle. It doesn't drive very fast and it's slightly homely but it emits water only and runs very quietly for $6,000. Still waiting for Vespa to get it together... (Sheigh)"

Incredibly tiny RC controller helicopters...

"Scott writes 'Alexander Van de Rostyne has been designing and fabricating ever-smaller micro-helicopters out of advanced materials, batteries and remote control systems for the last six years or so. The latest has 4 channel control and weighs in at 6.9 grams ( 1/4 ounce ) with battery.' Link. The site has tons of photos, details on the miniaturization efforts and hamster comparisons."Incredibly tiny RC controller helicopters...:

HP creates Halo effect for videoconferencing | CNET News.com

"NEW YORK--Hewlett-Packard has launched a new videoconferencing product, underscoring its ambition to become a leading player in the enterprise collaboration market.

Dubbed the HP Halo Collaboration Studio, the e-conferencing package encompasses digital visual products and collaboration software tools. It can create realistic collaborative interaction through a color-calibrated visual experience, a key differentiator compared with traditional products, the company said." [link] Thanks | CNET News.com:

Key Brain Regulatory Gene Shows Evolution In Humans

"Researchers have discovered the first brain regulatory gene that shows clear evidence of evolution from lower primates to humans. They said the evolution of humans might well have depended in part on hyperactivation of the gene, called prodynorphin (PDYN), that plays critical roles in regulating perception, behavior and memory." [link] ScienceDaily: