Georgia Institute of Technology researchers have developed nanocomposites that boost the capacity of lithium ion batteries by five times by hanging nanometer-sized silicon particles on trees of carbon black, which then self-assemble into porous micron-sized spheres. The resulting electrode remains stable due to the durable carbon-superstructure that prevents cracking, but benefits from the increased surface area afforded by the smaller silicon nanoparticles. (Source: http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=223800317)

Computational analysis of existing data bases can dramatically shorten the time required to discover the specific combination of new genes involved in certain biological processes, Stanford University researchers have found. The analytic methods can provide clues about where researchers should look next, such as finding new genes that play a role in developing cancers. More info: Stanford School of Medicine (Source: )

The Federal Communications Commission announced on Monday its long-awaited plan to bring broadband Internet connections to every home and business in the United States. It is aimed at raising the portion of people with high-speed Internet connections to 90 percent, from the current 65 percent, over the next decade and significantly increasing the connection speeds of homes with such service by installing thousands of miles of new fiber-optic cable and erecting many cellphone towers. The FCC's plan envisions bringing 100-megabit-per-second access to 100 million homes by 2020, as well as 1 gigabit-per-second connections to libraries and schools. (Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/16/AR2010031600008.html)