UC Irvine researchers tout first nano-scale radio

A pair of researchers at UC Irvine look to be out to make a name for themselves in the increasingly-crowded field of nanotechnology, with them now announcing that they've developed the first nano-scale radio. While the entire setup obviously isn't nano-sized (as you can see above), the demodulator portion of it most definitely is, measuring thousands of time smaller than a human hair. Despite that diminutive size, the demodulator apparently has no trouble translating AM radio waves into sound using nothing more than carbon nanotubes, as you can see and hear for yourself in the video available via the Extreme Tech article linked below.

[mushrooshi @ Oct 18th 2007 10:37PM]

Radio music is so old, the only good thing radio is for is for the news. Everything else is full of emo and crappy rap music. (note: i fine rap OK, I just hate the new rap music that is just plain ghetto).

Well, anyways, thats an awesome breakthrough.

[paul34 @ Oct 18th 2007 10:49PM]

Agreed.

But what I think is even more amazing is that even with the advent of satellite radio, HD radio, cellular broadband, etc, etc

That we still use AM! I'm not saying its necessarily a bad things, its just interesting to see that "superior" mediums don't necessarily kill off old technology. I mean, how long has AM been around? A very long time. Just like how the TV never killed off the newspaper.

I think its just really interesting =)

[Shane @ Oct 19th 2007 12:28AM]

I dunno about emo and crappy rap...I like the programming on my local Public radio station. Free of emo, rap and commercials! As a nice side bonus they actually keep me informed about what's going on in the world!

[Shane @ Oct 19th 2007 12:38AM]

@paul34

Yes, people DO still use AM. It still serves a purpose and is one of the oldest modulation schemes out there.

The reason for using it in this case was probably simplicity. It is EXTREMELY easy to use just about anything as a detector for AM. Ever build a crystal radio? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_radio)

I could be wrong but the way I understand it this isn't much different, it just uses a higher tech version of the crystal (carbon nanotubes). Perhaps someone who was involved in the project could clarify if I'm wrong...

[N30 G30 @ Oct 18th 2007 11:17PM]

A human hair.

Dopeness. You can play really cool pranks on people, making them thing there's a voice in their head.

[RAWR @ Oct 18th 2007 11:27PM]

would have been a way cooler video if homeboy jumped up and did a jig to that jam he was playing.

[Typhoid Mary @ Oct 18th 2007 11:44PM]

Whats next a nano sized 8-Track? Reel-to-reel? Granaphone?

At least do FM! But please leave out "The Morning Zoo".



Cool science nonetheless :)

[Shane @ Oct 19th 2007 12:29AM]

I assume the reason for AM instead of FM is simplicity. It is extremely easy to demodulate AM with darn near anything as a detector. It was only a matter of time before someone used carbon nanotubes as a detector...

[John @ Oct 19th 2007 12:53AM]

I've got f***ing carbon nanotubes in my teeth!

[pcgecko85 @ Oct 19th 2007 2:15AM]

Woooo go Irvine. Good stuff.

[Steve @ Oct 21st 2007 7:11PM]

Zot Zot!