University of Minnesota engineers invent new device that could increase Internet download speeds

University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota

A team of scientists and engineers at the University of Minnesota has invented a unique microscale optical device that could greatly increase the speed of downloading information online and reduce the cost of Internet transmission. The device uses the force generated by light to flop a mechanical switch of light on and off at a very high speed. This development could lead to advances in computation and signal processing using light instead of electrical current with higher performance and lower power consumption. The research results were published in the online journal Nature Communications. Read the full story at the University of Minnesota’s site.

Author:

Shelly Palmer

Shelly Palmer is Fox 5 New York's On-air Tech Expert (WNYW-TV) and the host of Fox Television's monthly show Shelly Palmer Digital Living. He also hosts United Stations Radio Network's, Shelly Palmer Digital Living Daily, a daily syndicated radio report that features insightful commentary and a unique insiders take on the biggest stories in technology, media, and entertainment. He is Managing Director of Advanced Media Ventures Group, LLC an industry-leading advisory and business development firm and a member of the Executive Committee of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (the organization that bestows the coveted Emmy® Awards).

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Dean-Collins/674616722 Dean Collins

    Hmmm talk about spinning a news story a certain way…..this has nothing to do with internet speeds.

    In addition silicon based photonics within chips have been around for a while (lots of patents already filed including ones like this – http://www.nano.org.uk/news/871 )

    They probably have something really cool…..but lets just chalk this up to the PR people being clueless.