Project Aura: Toward Distraction-Free Pervasive Computing [.pdf]
http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~aura/docdir/Aura-Perv02.pdf
In the April-June 2002 special issue of the IEEE Pervasive Computing journal, a team from Carnegie Mellon University contributed with a discussion of their Project Aura. The project's goal is to increase computing efficiency, particularly in wireless environments, so that "distractions such as poor performance and failures" are minimized. With greater system reliability and fewer distractions, users can make better use of their time and focus on the task at hand. This article describes the specifics of Project Aura, bringing together many areas that are being studied to accomplish the team's goals. The Aura home page gives further insights into research and additional papers. [CL]
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Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science [.pdf]
http://web.mit.edu/cmse/www/AR02.smithh.pdf
Published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Materials Processing Center and Center for Materials Science, this document gives an in-depth overview of nanostructure technology research and applications. Work in this area at MIT is extensive, and many Nanostructures Laboratory's efforts are described. There are several lithography and fabrication techniques being investigated, which constitute most of the text. Some other investigations include semiconductor light-emitting diodes, photonic crystals, nanoscale transistor technology, nanomagnets, and magnetic random access memories. [CL]
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IBM: Scaling CMOS to the Limit [.pdf]
http://www.research.ibm.com/journal/rd46-23.html
This is the latest issue of the IBM Journal of Research and Development. "This double issue contains fifteen papers which address the challenges of scaling CMOS devices as physical limits are approached." Specifically, research teams report on topics such as silicon-on-insulator technology, new CMOS materials and device structures, dynamic random-access memory, and many others. The papers provide views of how far scaling could progress in the future and what constrains further advancement. Several back issues of the journal are also available, and each focuses on a different area of research. [CL]
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PRIMES is in P [.pdf, .ps]
http://www.cse.iitk.ac.in/news/primality.html
A professor and two graduate students at the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur "have discovered a polynomial time deterministic algorithm to test if an input number is prime or not." News of their work was released on August 6, 2002. Because it allows a computer to quickly assess a number's primality, this breakthrough has generated considerable interest in the mathematics and computer science communities. A preprint of the research paper that proves the algorithm is provided on this Web site, and the algorithm itself is presented in pseudo code. Links to two major news reports are also given, which describe in simple terms the significance of the achievement. [CL]
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NDTnet
http://www.ndt.net/v07n08.htm
Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a branch of engineering that detects and evaluates flaws in materials. NDTnet is a monthly online journal that offers news and information about NDT technology and ultrasonics. Research papers and conference proceedings are often included as well, complete with abstracts. This is the Web site of the August, 2002 issue, which has "selected papers of the 3rd International Conference on NDE in Relation to Structural Integrity for Nuclear and Pressurized Components." NDTnet is a free publication, and several years of back issues are also available. [CL]
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Cooling, Heating, and Power for Buildings [RealPlayer, QuickTime, Flash, .pdf]
http://www.bchp.org/index.html
This site discusses a novel way of maximizing a building's energy efficiency by integrating cooling, heating, and power (CHP). Operated by the US Department of Energy and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the site's material is divided into different user groups, such as technical professionals, building owners, and the general public. Interactive databases offer information about CHP system installations, case studies, fact sheets, and site reports. People interested in learning about CHP technology will find a detailed introduction, overview of benefits, and multimedia videos that describe the operation of various types of CHP systems. [CL]
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Federal Communications Commission: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking [.pdf]
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-02-231A1.pdf
In this report regarding the transition to digital television released August 9, 2002, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) addresses the need for copy protection of digital broadcasts. In particular, the main topic is the development of a broadcast flag that will "mark digital broadcast programming so as to limit its improper use." The implications of the broadcast flag are discussed in detail, including its affect on cable and satellite operators, and electronics equipment manufacturers. A statement by the commissioner of the FCC is attached at the end of the document, and it considers the need for the proposed rulemaking and the direction of further legislation. [CL]
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Distributed Search for Fermat Number Divisors
http://www.fermatsearch.org/
This distributed computing project hopes to add to the list of known Fermat number divisors. After downloading the required software, anyone willing to contribute their computer's idle time can take part in the project. Users that succeed in finding a divisor will be recognized on the site. There are further resources on this Web site than just the program. For instance, the main page offers an interesting historical account of Fermat numbers and their divisors, and the math section has graphs of results that are suitable for people with a decent understanding of the subject. [CL]
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