tranbonium tech thoughts

Memristor

HP announced in April 2008 that they had developed a switching memristor. This is supposedly an electronic device that falls under the fourth, previously unknown and now debated, fundamental circuit element.  In 1971 a link between charge and flux was missing from the four fundamental electromagnetic quantities (charge, voltage, current, and magnetic flux), and the element that linked them was named "memristor", but was not developed.

It is an interesting technology due to the fact that it could create non-volitile memory that is both cheap and many can fit in a tiny space. Part of the discovery is due to the new capabilities with regard to nano-technology. The uses are not fully known, but it might never see the light of day due to the domination of the transistor and other non-volatile memory that already exists.

Basically a memristor is fundamental a charge-dependent resistance element. This means that the magnetic flux over the element is a function of the amount of charge that has passed through it, simply changes resistance as it is "(dis)charged". However, don't take my word for it, as I understand the subject, but have done no research. Instead take a look at some other reports:

• http://www.physorg.com/news128786808.html
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7377063.stm
• http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080430/full/news.2008.789.html

I enjoyed the Golden Compass (or Northern Lights as it was previously called) all the way from opening page through to the end, and it had me excited to begin the second.  There is dramatic character development, as well as lots of interesting and exciting action with definite plot twists along the way. Definitely a great start.

The subtle knife started out not directly where the first leaves off, but rather begins the tale of another child named Will. Quickly the storyline comes in sync with the first, and the exciting journey is whisked off to another world (literally). The story quickly builds to an even greater level in this book, but unfortunately for me is a sort of "to be continued" ending, and thus I now have the need to find time to finish the last book of the trilogy.

Overall the reasons I love this story are many. I love the incredibly interesting scientific and theological undertones and overtones that this series revolves around the soul, dark matter, and multiple parallel universes. The writer has a great ability to write for kids on the surface, while giving adults the ability to dive deeper into the substance of the content. I also love books where multiple plot paths are taken, thus causing an inherent need to read the next page or chapter.

A video from TED showing new ways to think about, and experience music.

Tod Machover of MIT's Media Lab invented the musical technology behind Guitar Hero, and at TED2008 he talks about what's coming next. Listen for some brand-new ways to interface with music -- to play it, compose it, enjoy it. Machover then introduces Dan Ellsey, a composer with cerebral palsy who uses the lab's tools to write and perform his own music. Ellsey conducts his "My Eagle Song," in a soaring performance that underscores music's power to give you chills.

Nicholas Negroponte talks in a 1984 TED presentation about Touch Screens, The Kindle (with text syncing videos embedded), and Teleconferencing. There's other subtle topics that they talk about on the TED website summary.