Beyond transistor limits: Hybrid magnetic-sound waves could boost computing speed and efficiency - Michigan Engineering News

PhotosKey takeaways:Conventional transistors are expected to reach their maximum energy efficiency by 2037, yet demand for computing power continues to grow. New devices made of combined ferroelectric and ferromagnetic materials (magnetoelectric multiferroics) could radically improve the speed and energy efficiency of computer processors and also add memory capability. The DARPA-funded research is led by University of Michigan Engineering and includes partners from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Newswise — An alternative to the transistor could make computers 100 to 1,000 times faster and more energy efficient, according to a team of researchers from University of Michigan Engineering and the University of Wisconsin, funded with up to $6M from the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency Fast and Curious program. The new device—which the researchers call an M3BOLT—could go beyond the theoretical energy-efficiency limits of today's computers. Modern transistors are expected to reach that limit by 2037, yet the boom in AI and edge computing will continue to raise the demand for computing power.

The recent advancement of miniaturized and portable electronics, particularly wearable and flexible devices, has increased the demand for self-powered sensing technologies. Among these, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have received increased attention for developing highly sensitive tactile sensors. TENGs convert external mechanical stimuli into electrical signals through redistribution of electric charges. They are particularly attractive for the development of advanced electronic skin and intelligent robotics. However, conventional tribotronic devices suffer from non-tuneable sensitivity and pose challenges in integration into large-area architectures, limiting practical applications. To address these limitations, a research team led by Associate Professor Jaekyun Kim from the Department of Photonics and Nanoelectronics at Hanyang University in South Korea has developed a novel vertically integrated dual-gated tribotronic transistor. "Our vertical dual-gate architecture not only offers gate-tunable amplification of the triboelectronic responses, but also minimizes pixel footprint, enabling high-density, large-area integration," explains Dr. Kim.

Apple might have a fun new iPad for us to check out in the very near future. On Oct. 28, Apple is hosting the "Pro and Tell" event in Los Angeles. We expect multiple product launches at the event, perhaps including a new high-end MacBook Pro OLED, but one other rumored item that we're hoping to see is the iPad Mini 8. It's been two years since the iPad Mini 7 came out, meaning it might be time for a refresh. But what should we expect from the rumored iPad Mini 8? Let's investigate. iPad Mini 8: PriceA recent report from Bloomberg gave us some potential bad news on the price front for the iPad Mini 8. According to Bloomberg's intrepid Apple reporter Mark Gurman, the device could cost close to $799, which would be a $200 price increase over the original starting price of the iPad Mini 7. Apple did increase the price of the Mini 7 over time for the same reasons every other electronic product has seen recent price increases, meaning the new price would be a $100 price hike over the current cost of an iPad Mini 7. Bummer.

An enclave of knobbly-bobbly architecture is growing on Governors Point

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