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HP announced it had begun licensing its titanium-oxide based memristor to memory-chip makers, Hynix being the first, but now Rice University is offering a competing license using a simpler silicon-oxide formulation. Look for HP to compete with researchers worldwide on competing memristor materials, including Samsung, Elpida and Micron Technology working on ReRAM at IMEC over the next three years. RColinJohnson @NextGenLog

Silicon oxide memory chip fabricated by Rice and a commercial partner as a proof-of-concept. Silicon nanowire forms when charge is pumped through the silicon oxide, creating a two-terminal resistive switch. (Images courtesy Jun Yao/Rice University)

Here is what EETimes says about memristors: Memristors made from pure silicon could enable resistive random access memory (ReRAM) that are simpler and cheaper to manufacture than Hewlett-Packard Co.’s titanium-based formulation, according to researchers at Rice University. In collaboration with fabless chip design house PrivaTran Inc. the team demonstrated a proof-of-concept ReRAM that packs only 1-kbit, but which they claim can be scaled beyond the densities of flash…
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Most robots designed for climbing concentrate on adhering to sheer faces, rather than on energy efficiency, but by mimicking biological climbing strategies the rocking-climbing-oscillating robot (ROCR) from the University of Utah is changing priorities. Look for autonomous robots that walk, crawl and climb for every thing from emergency rescues to surveillance over the next five years. RColinJohnson @NextGenLog

Rocking-climbing-oscillating robot (ROCR) uses a pendulum-like tail (using its battery as balast) to gain height which it uses to ratchet upward claw-over-claw style.

Here is what Smarter Technology says about climbing robots: Apelike swinging motions achieve unprecedented energy efficiency for a climbing robot that combines mechanical ratcheting with precise electronic control algorithms to navigate vertical ascents…Scientists designed the bot from the ground up for energy efficiency by mimicking biologically adept climbers, such as swinging apes…
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I went to a local shopping mall today and did a little window shopping, looking for some new clothes to wear while at the office. After walking a bit, I realized I need a wardrobe make-over. Pants, shirts, business suits are just the start.

I took the afternoon off to clean up my closet and took everything out that won’t fit or haven’t used for a long time. My first conclusion? I definitely need some decent clothes to wear regularly. I picked some new business suits at a local mall but I definitely need more but don’t have the time to shop.

I decided to look online because it’s more convenient and the selection is better. I was surfing for clothing for Men and came across on shopwiki.com,one of the leading search engines that offer thousands of offers from online stores. What a time saver! They take shopping to the edge, so we can shop faster and get all the deals and discounts that we deserve. All without having to walk a single step.

After shopping for a while, I must admit I love the way shopwiki works because I don’t have to jump from one site to another. Everything is kept inside the same site. I also like how I can compare prices and check reviews from other buyers, so I can get a grip of the products.

I’m now checking some Spring clothes, so I have them ready before the heat starts to build up. Wish me luck!

China is the world’s largest automobile maker, but its models are unique to its market, prompting the #1 commercial vehicle maker in China, Foton Motor, to team with Freescale to soup up its mills with silicon. Look for Chinese automobiles to pioneer green automotive innovations, with the help of Freescale, over the rest of the decade and beyond. RColinJohnson @NextGenLog

Foton manufactured over 600,000 commercial vehicles like this tractor-trailor rig for the Chinese market last year.

Here is what EETimes says about Foton + Freescale: Engineers from Beiqi Foton Motor Co. Ltd. and Freescale Semiconductor Inc. will work together at the newly anointed Foton/Freescale Automotive Joint Lab in Beijing to integrate Freescale microcontrollers and sensors into automotive control systems for the powertrain, chassis, safety and “green” aspirations of the Chinese automakers. Foton Motor claims to be the biggest commercial vehicle maker in China, manufacturing 600,000 commercial vehicles in 2009—making it the fourth largest automotive maker worldwide. Following the model already established by Freescale in its work with other automotive power-houses in the U.S. and Europe—from Delphi to Robert Bosch—Foton and Freescale will jointly develop microcontroller and sensor technologies that meet the unique needs of Foton’s target market—namely Chinese vehicles….
Full Text: http://bit.ly/NextGenLog-9vE6

Memristors promise to replace DRAM, flash and even hard disks eventually, as a result of HPs licensing of its super-dense resistive random access memory (ReRAM) technology. Look for ReRAMs to compete with phase-change, FeRAM and MRAM as next-generation memory technologies over the next five years. RColinJohnson @NextGenLog

Memristors locate a material between the gaps in a cross bar switch, storing bits as resistance values.

Here is what EETimes says about memristors: Seeking to commercialize its memristor technology, Hewlett-Parkard Co. has entered into a joint development agreement with South Korea’s Hynix Semiconductor Inc. HP and Hynix will jointly develop new materials and process integration technology to transfer HP’s memristor technology from R&D to commercial development in the form of resistive random access memory (ReRAM). The deal is non-exclusive, according to HP, who said HP may work with others in the ReRAM arena. HP itself does not want to be in the ReRAM business…eventually HP hopes to use ReRAMs in its own, undisclosed products…
Full Text: http://bit.ly/NextGenLog-bI3a