US boffins tune into carbon nanotube radio

A team of scientists from the University of Illinois and Northrop Grumman Corp Electronics Systems has succeeded in creating a microscopic functioning radio constructed from carbon nanotubes, Reuters reports. The nanoradio consists of two radio frequency amplifiers, a radio frequency mixer and an audio amplifier, crafted from …

[Gavin Grayson]

Black Sabbath...

...are a Heavy Metal/Rock outfit - definately not Goth!

[Ben Mathews]

Pah...

Whats the point without bluetooth?

[Bernard Mergendeiler]

Low tech the hard way

When I was a kid, back in the 50s, I did the same thing with technology which was then at least thirty years old -- a bit of lead ore called "galena" and a fine wire. A tuning coil and capacitor were helpful, but not absolutely necessary.

I'll be impressed when they turn out nanotube tubes (valves, auf Britisch) complete with filament, cathode, control grid, and anode. Screen grid and suppressor grid optional.

[Peter Fielden-Weston]

creating a microscopic functioning radio constructed from carbon nanotubes,

Which is powered by three car batteries.

[oxo]

Not electronics at all

I think you'll find that the "nanotube output transistor" is still waiting to be invented.

[Sarev]

That black stuff would also be cool because...

we could finally do the black paint job described of the ship stolen at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe.

[Anonymous Coward]

Fantastic. Now ants can enjoy DAB radio

While the rest of us can get our orders from the Alien Greys without anyone else overhearing. Nice to think the Alien Greys could respect our privacy when the government doesn't.

[Highlander]

Wasn't this reported somewhat earlier?

http://www.geek.com/radio-smaller-than-a-human-hair/

[Jeff]

Re: Low tech the hard way

I think you missed the point that it's demonstration- they themselves said this application wasn't interesting. Obviously they still have a way to go, but demonstrating these properties are an important first step.

@oxo- It's not meant for radios or audio application. Think faster and smaller microprocessors that hopefully use less power and breathe more life into Moore's Law.

[Simon Neill]

A microscopic radio?

we just made the worlds smallest radio! but we had to attach this keychain to it so you don't lose it..

[Steve Foster]

Presumably the only tunes it'll pick up are...

"Diamonds are Forever", Shirley Bassey

"Diamond Dogs", David Bowie

"Coal Miners Daughter", Loretta Lynn

anything by Neil Diamond, "Carbon 9" or "Carbon Leaf"

etc.

etc.

:p

[Waldo]

Re That black stuff would also be cool because... by Sarev

I think you will find that Arthur C Clarke got there first with the Black Monolith ;-)

[Red Bren]

Yeah, but...

Can it pick up DAB? Sorry, wrong debate. I'm going.

The Navy Black(tm) leather one please...

[Anonymous Coward]

What happens when you combine stem cells and nano tubes?

Since stem cells seem to be able to do anything these days and carbon nanotubes seem to be able to do anything these days I can't wait until someone releases a drink made of stem cells and carbon nanotubes; it should give me super powers. I just wonder how it will taste? Probably like Red Bull.

[Anonymous John]

"I've invented a miniature carbon nanotube radio"

"Great!. We can move into smaller premises."

[Anonymous Coward]

Hypothetical...

Blacker'n'Black evil super stealth aircraft chugging over friendly home base, flies through cloud of partial nanoradios suspended in atmosphere through "natural" forces. Nanoradio + Nanoblackpaint + atmospheric static electricity becomes highly visible complete nano radio transmitter. Bad black bogey brung low by blighty's bitsy boom box bits..

Yes? Maybe? No? Oh, I see....

OK, I think will stay anonymous on this one...

[Anonymous Coward]

make it wind mill powered

such low consumption just normal air con moving air about would power it

[Anonymous Coward]

we used to call these …

a fucking crystal set.

[Alistair]

Playing catch-up

I love these "to challenge silicon" stories.

We have been making integrated circuits on silicon chips since the early '70s and technological development had been driven rapidly by massive commercial investment. Those nanotubes are going to have to be very very good indeed to catch up as silicon has a three decade head start.