Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/302229271?client_source=feed&format=rss
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Monday, April 29, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
High performance semiconductor spray paint could be a game changer for organic electronics
Apr. 25, 2013 ? Researchers at Wake Forest University's Organic Electronics group have come up with a novel solution to one of the biggest technological barriers facing the organic semiconductor industry today. Oana Jurchescu, an assistant professor of physics, and a team of researchers developed a high performance organic semiconductor 'spray paint' that can be applied to large surface areas without losing electric conductivity. This is a potentially game changing technology for a number of reasons.
Organic thin film transistors are currently deposited by one of three methods. Drop casting and spin coating conduct electricity well but are limited to small area applications. They could not be used to make a wall-sized, flexible video screen for instance. On the other hand, organic spray-on techniques can be applied to large areas but have poor performance when compared to their small-area counterparts.
Jurchescu's work provides the best of both worlds. The spray-deposition technology developed in her lab produced the highest performance organic thin film transistors for this method to date -- (April 2, 2013) -- comparable to those of drop casting and spin coating. Unlike drop casting and spin coating, her spray-deposition technology can be applied over large surfaces to any medium-from plastic and metal to human skin.
Her team's research, High Mobility Field-Effect Transistors with Versatile Processing from a Small-Molecule Organic Semiconductor was published April 2, 2013 in the journal Advanced Materials.
Because of its superb performance and the fact it can be applied over large areas quickly (it is also inexpensive to process compared to inorganic semiconducting materials like silicon), it has the potential to be produced in commercial quantities. The technology is a big step towards realizing futuristic devices such as transparent solar cells on building windows, car roof and bus stations, electronic displays in previously inaccessible spaces and wearable electronics due to the organic plastics' thin, lightweight and conformal nature.
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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Wake Forest University, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.
Journal Reference:
- Yaochuan Mei, Marsha A. Loth, Marcia Payne, Weimin Zhang, Jeremy Smith, Cynthia S. Day, Sean R. Parkin, Martin Heeney, Iain McCulloch, Thomas D. Anthopoulos, John E. Anthony, Oana D. Jurchescu. High Mobility Field-Effect Transistors with Versatile Processing from a Small-Molecule Organic Semiconductor. Advanced Materials, 2013; DOI: 10.1002/adma.201205371
Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.
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Thursday, April 25, 2013
PFT: Moon still sees bias against black QBs
Getty ImagesThe Rams currently hold the Redskins? first-round pick in the 2013 draft, thanks to the RGIII trade.? The Rams may not actually be using that pick.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the selection ?clearly is for sale.?
That Rams, who also have the 16th overall pick, would surely like to trade down and get more picks.? Last year, the combination of coach Jeff Fisher and G.M. Les Snead put together a great draft, thanks to having extra picks.? The more picks, the better the chances of emerging with good players.
Pick No. 22 comes one spot before the Vikings? first of two first-round selections.?? A team that wants a cornerback, receiver, or inside linebacker the Vikings may be targeting could be tempted to jump the line.? Which is precisely why every team creates smokescreens about who they do and don?t want.
Like most round-one trades, don?t expect anything to happen before the Rams are on the clock.? Teams that trade up want a specific player; trading up too early creates the risk that the player won?t be there.
Of course, doing the trade when the team is on the clock entails risk, since there?s a chance one of the two teams won?t be able to call the trade in to the league office.? Unless each team calls the trade in separately, the trade doesn?t happen.? And with only 10 total minutes to get it all done, there?s a chance that cutting it too close could keep the trade from happening at all.
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Logitech G19s Gaming Keyboard
Makers PC gaming peripherals are in the unenviable position of having to meet gamer's simultaneous demands for top-of-the-line products and innovative products that offer new and better ways to interact with technology. Finding the balancing point between these two concerns is a tricky business. For example, Logitech G19s gaming keyboard showcases the latest trend, the inclusion of an integrated display, providing a way to track and monitor in-game information or chat with teammates without monopolizing precious screen real-estate. It's an interesting idea we've seen once or twice before, but it's not quite clear whether this will be an improvement that sticks, or a gimmick that fizzles out.
Design
The Logitech G19s made for gamers, and it's evident just from looking at the keyboard. Instead of a plain looking key-covered slab, the keyboard has extra buttons and features sprouting from every spare bit of surface area. In addition to the usual keyboard and numeric pad, you'll find integrated media controls, including a roller knob for volume adjustment. On the left end of the keyboard, you'll find 12 programmable macro buttons to the left of the standard keyboard, similar to those seen on the Editors' Choice Corsair Vengeance K90 or Logitech's own G710+ Mechanical Gaming Keyboard. Each key can be programmed with up to three different macro commands, swappable at the touch of a button.
The keys themselves can be customized, with adjustable backlighting that lets you pick any of 16 million RGB color options. You can also set the backlight color to change when you switch the keyboard into gaming mode. An integrated gaming mode switch disables the Windows key to prevent any accidental keystrokes from pulling you out of your game, and shifts from one mode to another with a sliding switch, so there's no fear of switching modes with mistaken press of a button. Plus, by assigning a different backlight color to the game mode, you'll immediately know which mode you're in.
The keys themselves are molded plastic, coated in a UV coating to protect the keys against fading, with laser etched keycaps and two-colors?while most keys are black, the WASD and arrow keys have a silvery-grey colored keycaps for easier recognition. The keyboard also offers 110-key anti-ghosting, and six-key rollover, which will handle the multiple keystrokes of combos and rapid-fire attacks without stuttering.
The G19s has a plastic chassis, similar to that seen on the recent G710+, but instead of accenting the black plastic with orange, the G19s uses deep blue. On the underside of the keyboard, molded into the plastic chassis, are channels for managing cords for mice or headphones. A detachable wrist rest provides extra support for those who want it, and has a hydrophobic coating to resist smudging. The light plastic construction of the keyboard and wrist rest may not be to everyone's liking, but it wasn't a noticeable issue during my testing.
What was noticeable, however, was the style of key switch. Instead of using mechanical key switches?like those seen on the Corsair Vengeance K90 or the Logitech G710+?the G19s utilizes silicone membrane switches, which provide a markedly different feel. Unlike mechanical switches, which offer crisp tactile feedback, light actuating force, and register a keystroke with only a partial key press, membrane switches have a mushy feel, and require pressing each key all the way down, bottoming out the key well. While this may not be problematic in the short term, it makes for a slower, less comfortable experience, and requiring more effort for each keystroke will have an effect when you're playing League of Legends for three or four hours straight.
Features
The G19s has plenty of gamer-friendly features, but the most notable is the built-in LCD display, what Logitech calls the GamePanel. Through the small display you'll be fed a steady stream of information, from game stats to system data, VOIP information or video playback. The display is built into the keyboard with an adjustable angle hinge, so you can set the angle of the small screen to your liking. It's not the first gaming keyboard we've seen with an integrated display?we've seen similar in the Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 and the Razer DeathStalker Ultimate?but it is by far the most affordable.
The keyboard uses a lot of juice running that display, so the USB cable used to connect it to your PC also includes a connection for an AC power adapter?yes, you'll need to plug your keyboard into a wall outlet. Making up for this fact are two USB pass-thru connections on the keyboard, letting you plug in two additional USB devices without having to snake the cables around to plug into your desktop tower.
Logitech gives you plenty of ways to tweak and customize the G19s, and it does all of this customization through Logitech's Gaming Software 8.45. The downloadable software lets you tweak the lighting, record and edit macros, and select from pre-programmed profiles for a wide range of current games. The software is Windows-only (Windows 8/7/Vista) though, so Mac and Linux gamers are out of luck.
Performance
I tested the G19s keyboard both at work and play, and it was competent in both. As mentioned earlier, the use of membrane switches instead of mechanical does result in a slower, less efficient typing experience, but nothing too egregious?it simply puts the G19s on the same level as any other non-mechanical keyboard.
As a gaming keyboard, the G19s does especially well when the programmable macros are brought into play. MMOs, like World of Warcraft or DOTA 2 are ideal, while first person shooters, with their point and click actions, hardly use them. Recording macros is very simple; simply press the MR (Macro Record) button on the keyboard to begin recording a macro, and press it again to end recording. When tested in game, the performance was decent, but those who rely on rapid-fire attacks and flurries of activity may find themselves slowed by the membrane switches.
The integrated display suffers from the same problem as those on the Razer DeathStalker Ultimate and the Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 7, namely that the display is out of your immediate field of vision, requiring you to look away from your monitor in order to focus on a smaller image. It seems like several of the major game peripheral companies are experimenting with built-in keyboard displays of late, but it's a niche concept that has yet to really gain traction. Unless you earnestly want that extra display, your money might be better spent on a high-performance keyboard sans screen.
Conclusion
While the Logitech G19s does check off several items on any gamer's checklist, like programmable macros, customizable lighting, and an integrated display. What it's missing, however, keeps it from getting a strong recommendation. The decision to use membrane switches instead of mechanical will turn away many discerning buyers, while the plastic construction and the required AC adapter will put off even those who aren't picky about key-feel. As a result, the Corsair Vengeance K90 remains the Editors' Choice for gaming keyboards, while the slightly more expensive Razer DeathStalker Ultimate is our recommendation for those demanding an integrated display.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/s7zRrkuigT0/0,2817,2418129,00.asp
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This Is the Badass Dark Enterprise Kirk Battles In the Next Star Trek Film
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AT&T Q1 2013 earnings: $3.7 billion income on revenue of $31.4 billion
AT&T just posted its earnings for the first quarter of 2013, and the market couldn't help but ding the company, which is now trading down in after hours markets. The business as a whole posted a net income of $3.7 billion, which is slightly up from $3.6 billion one year ago. Meanwhile, company revenues took a slight hit, which sit at $31.4 billion -- down 1.4 percent from the previous year. In terms of the company's wireless business, though, there's plenty of reason for optimism. The company was able to snag an additional 296,000 postpaid subscribers and put a solid 1.2 million people on smartphone plans during the quarter. For those keeping track, smartphone sales now account for 88 percent of AT&T's postpaid handsets. Unsurprisingly, the company is making more money than ever off of its data plans, which account for $5.1 billion of the company's business. As for the wireless segment as a whole, income is up 21 percent and AT&T is pulling in revenues of $16.6 billion with a 28 percent profit margin.
Encouraging signs were also revealed for U-verse, as the company's broadband service netted an additional 731,000 internet subscribers and 232,000 television subscribers during the quarter -- its best performance in two years -- for a grand total of 8.7 million subscribers. Naturally, one segment of Ma Bell's business isn't looking too hot, and that's the traditional wireline business, as revenues have fallen 10 percent from the previous year. Given the size of this segment, and the weakening demand for the service, it's easy to understand why investors might be slightly uneasy, even in light of all the encouraging news.
Filed under: Wireless, HD, Mobile, AT&T
Source: AT&T
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Chiefs could make rare choice of OT at No. 1
NFL draft prospects Luke Joeckel of Texas A&M, left, and Menelik Watson of Florida State participate in a youth football clinic in New York,Wednesday, April 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
NFL draft prospects Luke Joeckel of Texas A&M, left, and Menelik Watson of Florida State participate in a youth football clinic in New York,Wednesday, April 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
NFL draft prospects Eric Fisher of Central Michigan, center, Lane Johnson of Oklahoma, left, and Sharrif Floyd of Florida participate in a youth football clinic in New York, Wednesday, April 24, 2013.The draft begins Thursday in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
NFL draft prospects Luke Joeckel of Texas A&M, rear left, and Menelik Watson of Florida State, right, participate in a youth football clinic in New York, Wednesday, April 24, 2013. The draft begins Thursday in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) ? Playing on the offensive line is about as unglamorous as it gets in professional football.
Nobody pays much attention to the guys in the trenches until flags are flying. They spend Sunday afternoons getting punched, kicked and thrown to the turf, their fingers smashed and their face masks twisted ? not to mention whatever goes on at the bottom of those piles.
The best offensive tackle will never be as valuable as, say, the best quarterback, and rarely does one of the guys up front stoke the passions of a fan base weary of losing.
So perhaps it's no surprise that since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, only twice has an offensive lineman been selected first overall in the draft ? Orlando Pace in 1997 and Jake Long in 2008.
The Kansas City Chiefs could make it three on Thursday night.
In a draft without a top-end talent at quarterback and no clear-cut No. 1 prospect regardless of position, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is expected to call out the name of one of two offensive tackles ? Luke Joeckel of Texas A&M or Eric Fisher of Central Michigan ? after Kansas City hands in its selection at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
"Last year, people picking at the top of the draft were looking for quarterbacks. And fortunately, they were there," said former NFL coach Jon Gruden, now an analyst with ESPN. "If you're looking for a left tackle this year, you're a lucky guy."
The Chiefs insist that they're not necessarily looking for a left tackle; they're looking for the best available player, and Joeckel and Fisher happen to fit the bill.
But it helps the cause of both Joeckel and Fisher ? or maybe even Lane Johnson, an offensive tackle from Oklahoma ? that Kansas City could be unsettled at the position by draft night.
The Chiefs placed the franchise tag on left tackle Branden Albert, and he's signed the tender worth about $9.3 million for next season. But they've also granted the Dolphins permission to speak with Albert's representatives, and it's becoming increasingly likely that a trade will happen.
That would make the selection of left tackle an obvious choice.
"What I have to do is what's best for the Kansas City Chiefs," said general manager John Dorsey, who helped put together some of the Green Bay Packers' best drafts but is calling the shots from the GM chair for the first time after being hired in January.
"I'll explore every option and available thing," he said, "and then you'll being to weigh those decisions, and you have all the way up until that last minute."
It didn't come down to the last minute a year ago.
The Colts revealed on Tuesday of draft week that they were selecting quarterback Andrew Luck first overall, and that allowed some of the dominos to start falling. The Redskins traded up to nab quarterback Robert Griffin III, and the draft was off and running.
That won't be the case this year, partly because there's no QB worth the No. 1 pick.
Players at the game's most vital position have been chosen first overall four straight years, and 10 of the last 12. And the Chiefs probably would have made it five straight if there was someone worth the pick. Instead, they traded with San Francisco to acquire Alex Smith this offseason.
So, everything appears to be circling back to a blindside protector.
The St. Louis Rams decided in 1997 that Pace was a better option than anybody in a forgettable quarterback class that included the likes of Jim Druckenmiller, Danny Wuerffel and Pat Barnes. Pace became a three-time All-Pro and made seven straight Pro Bowls in his 13-year career.
Long, who the Dolphins picked first in 2008, also became an All-Pro and has made four Pro Bowls in his five-year career. But betting against the quarterbacks that year didn't pay off nearly as well for Miami ? Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco were selected later in the first round.
One of the advantages to choosing an offensive tackle is the relative risk. The position is typically easier to evaluate, and project, than some of the skill positions, and rarely do linemen taken high in the draft completely wash out.
Joeckel won the Outland Trophy as the nation's top interior lineman after protecting Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel so successfully last season. Fisher was a third-team All-American who shot up draft boards with an eye-opening performance at the NFL's scouting combine.
"With Joeckel, the floor is extremely high. I can't imagine him coming in and being a bust," said ESPN college football analyst Todd McShay. "Fisher is not as technically sound. You also don't see consistently the tape against top competition. That's nothing that Fisher has done. He can only play who he can play. But I just think Joeckel to me has the highest floor of the three.
"Who knows what Kansas City thinks," McShay said, "but to me that seems to be the right pick, because there is very little bust potential when it comes to Joeckel."
Dorsey and new Chiefs coach Andy Reid have refused to give any indication of who they might pick Thursday night, assuming they still have the No. 1 selection. The only thing they've made clear is that they intend to choose whoever they believe is the best player.
"It's the first pick in the draft," Dorsey said. "I look at it as a positive because what it is, is you get a shot at the best player in the draft."
___
Online: http://pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL
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