Internet and Technology

‘Instant on’ computing

Materials researchers say rebooting soon may be a thing of the past

The ferroelectric materials found in today’s “smart cards” used in subway, ATM and fuel cards soon may eliminate the time-consuming booting and rebooting of computer operating systems by providing an “instant-on” capability as well as preventing losses from power outages.

Researchers supported by a National Science Foundation (NSF) nanoscale interdisciplinary research team award and three Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers at Cornell University, Penn State University and Northwestern University recently added ferroelectric capability to material used in common computer transistors, a feat scientists tried to achieve for more than half a century. They reported their findings in the April 17 journal Science.

Ferroelectric materials provide low-power, high-efficiency electronic memory. Smart cards use the technology to instantly reveal and update stored information when waved before a reader. A computer with this capability could instantly provide information and other data to the user.

Researchers led by Cornell University materials scientist Darrell Schlom took strontium titanate, a normally non-ferroelectric variant of the ferroelectric material used in smart cards, and deposited it on silicon–the principal component of most semiconductors and integrated circuits–in such a way that the silicon squeezed it into a ferroelectric state.

“It’s great to see fundamental research on ordered layering of materials, or epitaxial growth, under strained conditions pay off in such a practical manner, particularly as it relates to ultra-thin ferroelectrics” said Lynnette Madsen, the NSF program director responsible for the Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Team award.

The result could pave the way for a next-generation of memory devices that are lower power, higher speed and more convenient to use. For everyday computer users, it could mean no more waiting for the operating system to come online or to access memory slowly from the hard drive.

“Several hybrid transistors have been proposed specifically with ferroelectrics in mind,” said Schlom. “By creating a ferroelectric directly on silicon, we are bringing this possibility closer to realization.”

More research is needed to achieve a ferroelectric transistor that would make “instant on” computing a reality, but having the materials in direct contact, free of intervening reaction layers, is an important step.

###

The paper’s first author, Maitri P. Warusawithana, is a postdoctoral associate in Schlom’s lab. The research team also includes scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Motorola Corp., Ames Laboratory and Intel Corp.

Along with NSF, the Office of Naval Research and the Department of Energy funded the research.

It’s often hard to trust computer technicians to do the right job for the right price. Paying a technician for computer support is a lot like paying a mechanic to work on your car. And like Car Maintenance, Computer support is unavoidable for anyone in todays tech savvy world. One of the biggest fears among new computer users is being infected by a computer virus or programs designed to destroy their personal data. Viruses are malicious software programs that have been designed by other computer users to cause destruction and havoc on a computer and spread themselves to other computers where they can repeat the process. Once the virus is made, it is often distributed through shareware, pirated software, e-mail, P2P programs, or other programs where users share data. One thing that makes people skeptical is never truly knowing if the computer support technician’s intentions are ethical and legitimate. Many rely solely on themselves to keep up with the latest technological protocols through how-to websites in order to not have to pay for computer support. Microsoft and Apple as well as many big computer related companies provide lots of useful information online, like the windows support tools, for free. Today, it is possible to contact companies in numerous different ways. However, when planning to call or e-mail a computer company just remember to be fully prepared for the information needed by the company in order for them to help you. If you are calling for computer support, ensure you are next to the product in question in case troubleshooting or additional information is required off of the product. Have a piece of paper and pencil prepared in case instructions are given or additional contact information is given For those do-it-yourself users there are always online tools like Windows Support Tools. Windows Support Tools assist support personnel and network administrators in managing their networks and troubleshooting problems. They are not installed with the Windows operating system; you must install them separately from the \Support\Tools folder of the Windows operating system CD. This help file provides information on the tools and shortcuts for opening or running these tools. However we all know that even with todays ever growing technological advances, there are many who just don’t have the time or patience to be well informed on such issues and therefore prefer to pay for computer support. PleaseHelpMe.com Remote Computer Help is a great way to access the help you need whenever you encounter problems with your computer.PleaseHelpMe.com technology helps many different computer users encountering many different problems(from home-based computer users to Fortune 500 firms).By taking control of your computer desktop through PleaseHelpMe.com technology, they can perform the necessary tasks remotely like removal spyware, hard drive data recovery etc; in saving your time resulting increased productivity. There is really no easier way to forget your computer problems and devote your time to the true important aspects of your life. PleaseHelpMe – Computer Help Services, provide you with all kinds of online computer support services for both Home and Business. Some of our Computer network repair include: Spyware Removal, Virus Removal, Broadband Installation, Network Configuration, Wireless LAN Setup, Router Installation, Software Upgrades, Hard Drive Recovery, Kiosk Installation, Desktop Repair, PC Repair, System Restoration, Hardware Upgrades, Firewall Installation, DSL Configuration, Data Protection, and much much more pc computer repair services available 24/7.