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.

Samsung Canada brings early reactions back into the conversation as foldables move into the mainstream When Samsung initially introduced the Galaxy Fold in 2019, it challenged long-held ideas about what a smartphone could be and the internet had opinions. Consumers and reviewers were skeptical whether foldables were too experimental, too fragile or unlikely to become everyday devices.

Image: ShutterstockNew paper suggests coordinated targeting of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) could tackle multiple drivers of aging and age-related disease simultaneously Researchers have outlined a bold plan for slowing aging by targeting one of the body's most important cellular communication systems. In a new paper published today in Frontiers in Science, scientists describe how novel therapies that modulate GPCR signaling could one day help delay multiple age-related diseases at once—potentially extending healthy years of life.