Thursday, January 24, 2008

New Technique for High Resolution X-ray Imaging

X-Ray ImagingSwiss Researchers of the Department of Physics at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, in Switzerland, have demonstrated the practicality of a new high-resolution x-ray imaging technique called 'Dark-field x-ray imaging' that can be used to generate highly detailed images of bones and to distinguish between substances that look identical in conventional x-ray images, such as explosives and cheese. The images generated by this technique reveals fine structures that are invisible using conventional techniques.

Conventional x-ray imaging relies on information about how an object absorbs radiation, but more complex interactions than simple absorption are happening, like scattering of the beam. The more information that can be gleaned about these interactions, the better the contrast of the images.

Dark-field imaging technique thus relies on information about how a sample scatters the radiation, providing a higher contrast image of, say, the bones in a chicken wing (bottom) than conventional x-ray imaging (top) does.

The researchers are now investigating whether their approach might also increase the resolution of medical imaging techniques such as mammograms and computed-tomography (CT) scans.

Image Credit: Franz Pfeiffer, Assistant Professor of physics, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne




Monday, January 07, 2008

From Intel: 16 Next-Generation Processors, Including First Notebook Chips Built on 45nm Technology

Intel 45nm quad-core processor die [image courtesy: Intel]

At the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show at Las Vegas, Intel Corporation unveiled 16 products today, including the company's first 45 nanometer (nm) processors for Intel® Centrino® Processor Technology based laptops. Among these, 12 are designed for new laptops and desktops products and 4 are for servers. All are now lead-free and, starting this year, halogen-free, making the processors more eco-friendly.

All of these new chips include the company's new transistor formula and 45nm manufacturing process that boost a PC's speed, reduces power requirements, saves on battery life, helps the environment and comes in smaller packages for more fashionable and compact computer designs.

The company also highlighted how it will take advantage of its transistor and manufacturing advances to spur a category of small form-factor, low-powered, high-performance devices that deliver broadband Internet access "in your pocket." The processors are up to 25% smaller than previous versions so computer makers can create sleek, new designs for consumers ranging from stylish all-in-one desktop PCs to smaller notebooks.

Other related news:
(i) Intel is shipping five new mobile processors, enabling breakthrough performance and improved battery life, providing consumers with the ability to be more productive or just enjoy their digital entertainment while on the go.
(ii) Pushing the power of the full Internet "in your pocket," Intel's strategy for using low-power Intel Architecture platforms that drastically reduce CPU and chipset power, and package size continues to gain momentum. Intel plans to ship in the first half of this year its first-generation low-power platform chipset that will help deliver a range of ultra mobile and mobile Internet devices from a growing ecosystem of customers.
(iii) Building on its November 2007 introduction (the Intel® Core™2 Extreme quad-core processor QX9650), Intel announced three quad core and four dual core 45nm-based processors for mainstream desktop PCs arriving later this month and throughout the first quarter of the year.