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May 2012 Issue

CareersFeature

John L. Hennessy: Risk Taker

Stanford University’s president predicts the death of the lecture hall as university education moves online

9 min read
Features
In-depth articles from top experts, Spectrum editors, and contributors
Consumer ElectronicsFeature

Light-Field Photography Revolutionizes Imaging

A new generation of cameras promises an imaging revolution

11 min read
Consumer ElectronicsFeature

The Kilogram, Reinvented

Two difficult experiments are poised to remake one of the world’s most fundamental units

13 min read
ComputingFeature

The Dawn of Haiku OS

How a volunteer crew brought a crack operating system back

13 min read
News
Insight and analysis on the latest advances in technology
SemiconductorsNews

Silicon Proves Its Mettle as Resistive Memory

Silicon oxide memristors could make resistive RAM more compatible with CMOS chip manufacturing

4 min read
ComputingNews

How to Stuff Five Universities Into One Computer Center

A multi-institutional Massachusetts computer center tests out terascale computing—and the social engineering needed to use it

3 min read
BiomedicalNews

Bioengineers Make DNA Into a Living Flash Drive

Cellular memory system could bring better control to biotechnology

3 min read
SemiconductorsNews

The Quest for a Universal Memory

Smartphones and tablets demand faster and more energy efficient memory, but a one-size-fits-all technology is proving elusive

4 min read
EnergyNews

Upstart Energy Provider Ennet Takes on Japan’s Utilities

A rebellious energy company is challenging TEPCO and the other utilities

6 min read
SemiconductorsNews

Spider Silk Weaves New Path for Electronics

Adding gold or nanotubes to spider silk creates microscopic wires

3 min read
Opinion
Spectrum editors and columnists comment on major tech trends
History of TechnologyOpinion

100 Years of the Institute of Radio Engineers

Looking back on a century of innovation, looking forward to the next

3 min read
Departments
Articles on DIY projects, engineering careers, and tech history
DIYNews

This Is Your Brain on fMRI

The science of mind reading is further along than you might think

3 min read
DIYSensorsNews

Pixels: Size Matters

A camera’s sensor area, not its pixel count, determines the quality of a photograph

7 min read
TelecommunicationsNews

E-mail Isn’t Killing the Post Office

Revenues at the U.S. Post Office are doing just fine, thank you

2 min read
DIYHands On

The Poor Man’s Solder Reflow Oven

A cheap controller and a Walmart toaster oven kept the price down

5 min read

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