#ALGORITHMS: "Virtualization Vendors Consolidate"

Virtualization is consolidating with the announcement today that Citrix has acquired Virtual Computer. As of today, VC's popular NxTop client hypervisor, which allows user to run apps virtually, will be integrated with Citrix XenDesktop which adds enterprise-wide functionality for fleets of remotely managed Windows desktops. The terms of the acquisition of Virtual Computer were not revealed: R. Colin Johnson

Here is what Citrix says about its acquisition of Virtual Computer: Citrix announced the acquisition of Virtual Computer, provider of enterprise-scale management solutions for client-side virtualization. Citrix will combine the newly-acquired Virtual Computer technology with its market-leading XenClient® hypervisor to create the new Citrix XenClient Enterprise edition. The new XenClient Enterprise will combine all the power of the XenClient hypervisor with a rich set of management functionality designed to help enterprise customers manage large fleets of corporate laptops across a distributed enterprise. The combined solution will give corporate laptop users the power of virtual desktops “to go”, while making it far more secure and cost-effective for IT to manage thousands of corporate laptops across today’s increasingly mobile enterprise.

The number of highly mobile workers as a segment of total employees is growing dramatically. IDC expects that by 2015 they are expected to make up nearly 40 percent of the workforce1. As a result, the number of laptops used by professional workers is exploding. Industry analysts see the growth in mobile devices like tablets and smartphones as complementary to PCs, making it more important than ever to have a holistic, enterprise-wide desktop virtualization strategy that enables anywhere, anytime access to desktops, applications and data from any device. IT will continue to invest in laptops for mobile and office-based workers, and must address the deployment, management and security challenges that go with these devices, while faced with the added demands mobile devices introduce to the enterprise.

XenClient is a key component of the Citrix portfolio of desktop virtualization solutions, which includes market-leading products like Citrix XenDesktop® and Citrix XenApp®. Together, these solutions make it easy for people to access their business apps and desktops on any device they choose, including more than two billion PCs, Macs, laptops, tablets and smartphones. XenClient is specifically designed to target corporate laptop users, giving them all the benefits of virtual desktops on the go, even while disconnected from the network.

Virtual Computer is an ideal choice to accelerate the XenClient strategy. The company, located minutes from the Citrix Boston area offices in Bedford, MA, has long focused on scalable, centralized management solutions for Xen-based client hypervisors. Its technology includes world-class backup, disaster recovery, provisioning, security and monitoring capabilities that make it simple for administrators to create, deploy and synchronize virtual desktops running on corporate laptops.
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A new class of metamaterial called pentamodes were predicted in 1995 by Graeme Milton and Andrej Cherkaev, but were never realized until now, according to he Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) at the University of the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg and National Research Center of the Helmholtz Association. Built from a stack of pin-like structures whose tips are not allows to touch, the new class of metamaterial has tunable parameters allowing it to behave like nearly any other mechanical material, from fluid to solid: R. Colin Johnson


Pentamode metamaterials almost behave like fluids. Their manufacture opens new possibilities in transformation acoustics. (Source: CFN, KIT)

Here is what KIT says about its new class of metamaterial: A research team lead by Professor Martin Wegener at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has succeeded in realizing a new material class through the manufacturing of a stable crystalline metafluid, a pentamode metamaterial. Using new nanostructuring methods, these materials can now be realized for the first time with any conceivable mechanical properties. The researchers will present their results in the cover story of the May issue of Applied Physics Letters.


The stable four-leg structure (shown in orange) is the basic element of the pentamode metamaterial. It is arranged in the form of a three-dimensional adamantine crystal such that the resulting material as a whole can be formed. (Source: CFN, KIT)

The Rubicon was crossed, so to speak, at the DFG Center for Functional Nanostructures (CFN) and at the Institute of Applied Physics (AP) in Karlsruhe during the past few months. Eventually, numerous three-dimensional transformation acoustics ideas, for example inaudibility cloaks, acoustic prisms or new loudspeaker concepts, could become reality in the near future.

The mechanical behavior of materials such as gold or water is expressed in terms of compression and shear parameters. Whereas the phenomenon that water, for example, can hardly be compressed in a cylinder is described through the compression parameter, the fact that it can be stirred in all directions using a spoon is expressed through the shear parameters.

The word penta is derived from ancient Greek and means “five”. In the case of water, the five shear parameters equal zero, and only one parameter, compression, differs from that value. In terms of parameters, the ideal state of a pentamode metamaterial corresponds to the state of water, which is why that material is referred to as a metafluid. Theoretically, any conceivable mechanical properties whatsoever can be obtained by varying the relevant parameters.

On the one hand, we must be capable of designing small sugar loaves in the nanometer range and connect them to one another at the right angle. On the other hand, the entire structure must eventually become as large as possible. Since the material itself contributes only little more than one percent to the respective volume, the composite obtained is extremely light.

The stable four-leg structure (shown in orange) is the basic element of the pentamode metamaterial. It is arranged in the form of a three-dimensional adamantine crystal such that the resulting material as a whole can be formed. (Source: CFN, KIT)

In recent years, a Professor at the Institute of Applied Physics and CFN coordinator, Martin Wegener and his collaborators, have developed direct laser writing and, based on that method, established optical lithography of three-dimensional nanostructures. Numerous achievements of Wegener’s group in transformation optics e.g., the first three-dimensional cloak of invisibility in the range of visible light have been due to that technique.
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#MATERIALS: "Graphene + Proteins Enabling Cheap Semiconductors"

Graphene is the next-generation miracle semiconductor material, many believe, but it is hard to work with and harder to mass produce. The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) now believes it has the an answer--combine graphene with organic proteins to create a conductive paper from which future electronic devices can be fabricated: R. Colin Johnson



The final hybrid nanocomposite paper made of protein fibrils and graphene after vacuum filtration drying. The schematic route used by the researchers to combine graphene and protein fibrils into the new hybrid nanocomposite paper. (Reproduced from Li et al. Nature Nanotechnology 2012)

Here is what ETH says about their graphene paper: Researchers led by Raffaele Mezzenga, a professor in Food and Soft Materials Science, have created a new nanocomposite made of graphene and protein fibrils: a special paper, which combines the best features of both components.

The circular sheets that Raffaele Mezzenga gently lifts from a petri dish are shiny and black. Looking at this tiny piece of paper, one could hardly imagine that it consists of a novel nanocomposite material, with some unprecedented and unique properties, developed in the laboratory of the ETH professor.

This new "paper" is made of alternating layers of protein and graphene. The two components can be mixed in varying compositions, brought into solution, and dried into thin sheets through a vacuum filter.

Graphene is mechanically strong and electrically conductive, as well as, highly water repellent by nature. On the other hand, the protein fibrils are biologically active and can bind water. This allows the new material to absorb water and to change shape under varying humidity conditions. Furthermore, the "graphene paper" has shape memory features such that it can deform when adsorbing water, and recover the original shape upon drying. This could be used, for example, either in water sensors or humidity actuators.

The material can also be designed to meet other needs. For example, the higher the proportion of graphene, the better it conducts electricity. On the other hand, the more fibrils are present, the more water can be absorbed by this material, with enhanced deformations in response to humidity changes.

Interestingly, this new material can be made with relatively simple means. The protein, in this case, beta-lactoglobulin, a milk protein, is first denatured by high temperatures in an acidic solution. The end-products of this denaturation process are protein fibrils suspended in water; these fibrils then act as stabilizers for the hydrophobic graphene sheets and allow them to be finely dispersed in water and processed into nanocomposites by a simple filtration technology.

In view of the widespread tendency of proteins to form fibrils, under specific conditions, this concept can be extended, in principle to other food proteins, such as those found in eggs, blood serum and soy. The beta-lactoglobulin fibrils are digested specifically by pepsin, an enzyme present in the stomach to enable the digestion of several food components. However, varying the protein types could provide a new method of targeting a much larger class of enzymes.

Inspired by their past research on amyloid fibrils and by the rise of graphene, the ETH researchers have combined these two building blocks to generate a new class of versatile and functional materials.
Further Reading

#ALGORITHMS: "AT&T Launches Home Automation Service"

Home automation has been an up-and-comer for over a decade, with repeated failures by startups. However its time may have come, now that most homes have broadband access and wireless connectivity. Comcast is already in as is Time-Warner, and now AT&T is entering the market. Home automation appears to have finally arrived: R. Colin Johnson



Here is what AT&T says about their new home automation effort: AT&T today announced plans for a new portfolio of all-digital, IP-based home security monitoring and automation services. Called AT&T Digital Life, its services will give users unparalleled control and security of their homes using any web-enabled device, PCs, tablets and smartphones, regardless of wireless carrier.

Managed by a newly created Digital Life group, the remote monitoring and automation portfolio will feature web-based access to automation, energy and water controls, as well as professionally monitored security services.

AT&T Digital Life will feature a robust lineup of connected devices like:
Cameras
Window/door sensors
Smoke, carbon monoxide, motion and glass break sensors
Door locks
Thermostats
Moisture detection
Appliance power controls

The devices will be wirelessly enabled to connect to the IP-based AT&T Digital Life platform inside the home.

AT&T Digital Life will include numerous unique features and benefits:
Professional installation of the platform, sensors and other devices
Integrated, wirelessly enabled platform that combines home security and automation capabilities
AT&T owned and operated 24/7 security monitoring centers
A state-of-the-art user interface application, which allows customers to customize a solution based on individual needs, and the ability to manage and control their services from the U.S. or while traveling abroad
The option to experience and purchase the service in AT&T’s distribution channels, including AT&T company-owned retail stores. The service will also be made available for purchase on att.com when available commercially.
The ability to add more features and services after the initial installation, hassle free
The Digital Life platform includes built-in AT&T mobile internet service and will also be capable of

Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, and wired broadband connections. Trial subscribers can use their own wired broadband solution with the Digital Life system and can access the service and remotely control the products from smartphones, tablets and PCs, regardless of carrier.

In February, AT&T announced plans to launch an SDK for international providers to equip global service providers with capabilities to offer customizable, web-based home automation, energy and security services to their subscribers.
Further Reading

#ROBOTICS: "Robotic Probes Plumb Brain's Circuitry"

Robotic brain probes are enabling is the precise characterization of how each type of brain cell--called neurons--works while they are performing specific tasks. The most important of these is learning. There are thousands of different types of neurons and hundreds of neurotransmitter chemicals handing-off messages among neurons of the brain, yet until now it has been impossible to determine just which are dong what, when. Because the patient is still alive while the robotic probe is in place, it will now be possible to see which neurons are involved in learning, motor control and when processing all the various sensor data streams coming in from eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin. The second important enabler here is the ability to monitor multiple neurons simultaneously, once and for all answering debates about which parts of the brain do what, when, essentially elucidating the architecture and wiring topology of the brain. Today many anatomical studies have identified the different parts of the brain, and speculated on which are involved for various mental tasks, but with robotic probes it will be possible to finally unravel their complexity. Once achieved, genuine machine cognition will be possible by what I called cognizers in my 1988 book, which was 24 years ahead of its time: "Cognizers--Neural Networks and Machines that Think" (John Wiley & Sons): R. Colin Johnson



Here is what EETimes says about robotic brain probes: Robots enabled the human genome to be mapped in just over 12 years, but it took less than four years for the Paul Allen--Microsoft co-counder--Brain Atlas to be completed last month by robots. Now researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) are hoping to use robots to create a parts list and electrical wiring diagram of the brain, giving companies like IBM a leg-up on creating the cognitive computers of the future...
Further Reading

#ROBOTICS: "Flying Eyeballs Will Soon Be Watching You"

Flying eye-bots--robotic unmanned areal vehicles (UAVs) equipped with 3D cameras--will soon be encircling all people, places and things "of interest" by the military, police and even urban planners, according to the Fraunhofer Microelectronic Circuits and Systems (IMS). The flying 3D eye-bots will fly alone or in swarms to control crowds, surveil terrorists and track the usage of outside areas for all sorts of public institutions. The technology is here today, but the regulatory checks-and-balances have yet to be established: R. Colin Johnson

The 3D camera in this flying robot can identify objects measuring as small as 20-by-15 centimeters from seven meters away. © Fraunhofer IMS

Here is what Franhofer IMS says about eye-bots: They can be deployed as additional surveillance resources during major events, or as high-resolution 3D street imaging systems. Intelligent swarms of aerial drones are a universally useful tool for police, crisis managers and urban planners. Special 3D sensors developed by Fraunhofer researchers ensure fl awless aerobatics and prevent collisions.

Like a well-rehearsed formation team, a flock of flying robots rises slowly into the air with a loud buzzing noise. A good two dozen in number, they perform an intricate dance in the sky above the seething hordes of soccer fans. Rowdy hooligans have stormed the field and set off flares. Fights are breaking out all over, smoke is hindering visibility, and chaos is the order of the day. Only the swarm of flying drones can maintain an overview of the situation. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are a kind of mini-helicopter, with a wingspan of around two meters. They have a propeller on each of their two variable-geometry side wings, which lends them rapid and precise maneuverability. In operation over the playing field, their cameras and sensors capture urgently-needed images and data, and transmit them to the control center. Where are the most seriously injured people? What’s the best way to separate the rival gangs? The information provided by the drones allows the head of operations to make important decions more quickly, while the robots form up to go about their business above the arena autonomously – and without ever colliding with each other, or with any other obstacles.

A CMOS sensor developed by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems IMS in Duisburg lies at the heart of the anti-collision technology. The distance sensor developed by the IMS offers significant advantages over radar, which measures distances using reflected echoes.

Even when there is interfering light, for example when a drone is flying directly into the sun, the sensor will deliver accurate images. It operates according to the time-of-flight (TOF) process, whereby light sources emit short pulses that are reflected by objects and bounced back to the sensor. In order to prevent over-bright ambient light from masking the signal, the electronic shutter only opens for a few nanoseconds. In addition, the sensor also takes differential measurements, in which the first image is captured using ambient light only, a second is taken using the light pulse as well, and the difference between the two determines the required output signal.

The 3D distance sensors are built into cameras manufactured by TriDiCam, a spin-off company of Fraunhofer IMS. The work falls under the AVIGLE project, one of the winners of the ‘Hightech.NRW’ cutting-edge technology competition which receives funding from both the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia and the EU. The IMS engineers will be presenting their sensor technology at the Fraunhofer CMOS Imaging Workshop in Duisburg on June 12 and 13 this year.

Conducting intelligent aerial surveillance of major events is not the only intended use for flying robots. They could also be of benefit to disaster relief workers, and likewise to urban planners, who could utilize them to produce detailed 3D models of streets or to inspect roofs in order to establish their suitability for solar installations. Whether deployed to create virtual maps of difficult-to-access areas, to monitor construction sites or to measure contamination at nuclear power plants, these mini UAVs could potentially be used in a wide range of applications, obviating the need for expensive aerial photography and/or satellite imaging.
Further Reading

#ALGORITHMS: "Touch-Enabling the Whole World"

Touché is a new multi-frequency technology that touch-enables the complete surface of any object--from household objects like door knobs to the human body itself--thereby allowing touch gestures to control your world. A smart door knob, for instance, can sense a one-finger touch, a two-finger pinch, an encircle gesture, and a grab gesture to enable "do not disturb," "lock," "unlock," or "open," respectively. Each gesture creates a capacitive signature and does not necessarily require a physical touch. Even the surface of a liquid--such as a smart fish tank or smart food bowl--can sense which implement is being used in it and responds with instructions for its use. You've got to watch this video (below) to grasp the range of uses for Touché: R. Colin Johnson



Disney demonstrates Touché with five example setups from different application domains and conduct experimental studies that show gesture classification accuracies of 99 percent are achievable with its technology.

Here is what Disney Research says about Touché: Touché is a new sensing technology that proposes a novel Swept Frequency Capacitive Sensing technique that can not only detect a touch event, but simultaneously recognize complex configurations of the human hands and body during touch interaction. This allows to significantly enhances touch interaction in a broad range of applications, from enhancing conventional touchscreens to designing interaction scenarios for unique use contexts and materials. For example, in our explorations we added complex touch and gesture sensitivity not only to computing devices and everyday objects, but also to the human body and liquids. Importantly, instrumenting objects and material with touch sensitivity is easy and straightforward: a single wire is sufficient to make objects and environments touch and gesture sensitive.
Further Reading

#CLOUD: "Cloud Monitors Eliminate Need for PCs"

If you use an Ethernet cable to access the Internet then you no longer need a PC, according to LG which is hawking its Cloud Monitors as a substitute for PCs at the enterprise. Using VMware's server-side client-management solutions, LG's Zero Client monitors offer everything a PC did minus the PC. The in-plane switching (IPS) monitors use universal power over Ethernet (UPoE) so they don't even need to be plugged into line power: R. Colin Johnson

Here is what LG says about its Cloud Monitors: LG Electronics (LG) unveiled its advanced P Series of cloud monitors, allowing companies to do away with desktops and laptops altogether. The new VMware-based Zero Client monitors can be networked to create a virtual computing system and come packaged with Cisco’s Universal Power over Ethernet (UPoE) technology, enabling centralized resources, greater system security and reduced costs.

The P Series is a server-based model and offers a range of unique benefits. First and foremost, because the software is managed from a centralized network, there’s greater security from hacking, viruses and spyware by allowing the data flow to be more easily monitored and blocked if necessary.

LG’s Zero Client Cloud Computing technology also consolidates servers and thus re-quires less hardware. In fact, each station requires only a LAN cable, a keyboard and a mouse. There is no CPU, no memory and no storage. Employees don’t need to install operating systems or software, saving both time and money. Booting speeds are faster than traditional desktops, and the entire system is in line with eco-friendly green com-puting standards.

The P Series uses the VMware platform, which oversees server integration. VMware is an automated virtual infrastructure that helps companies further reduce costs by manag-ing the network and ensuring system efficiency. Because the platform is automated, the delivery of IT services to each work station is faster and compliance to system specifi-cations is guaranteed. The software also schedules secure back-ups and interruption-free system updates.

Cisco’s UPoE technology is particularly appealing for its minimal energy requirements. It delivers power over LAN cabling to networked devices and with the EnergyWise program, UPoE can track power consumption and make adjustments in real-time for greater efficiency. UPoE technology also eliminates cables and connectors, letting em-ployees make better use of their office space.

By using IPS rather than TN (twisted nematic) panels, the 23-inch monitor boasts life-like color reproduction and picture quality regardless of viewing angle. The N2311AZ also reduces eye fatigue, making it the ideal monitor for visual-based occupations like graphic design.
Further Reading