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Golmaal 3 preview

Rajat — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:15:19 +0000

MOVIE INFORMATION

Release Date: November 01, 2010

Language: Hindi

Genre(s): Drama

Director (s): Rohit Shetty

Producer (s): Dhilin Mehta

Starring: Ajay Devagan, Kareena Kapoor

Others: Arshad Warsi, Mithurn Chakraborthy, Ratna Pathak, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor

Story: Yunus Sajawala

Music: Pritam

Certification: U/A

STORY

Looks like Rohit Shetty never wants to come back from the comedy genre or Golmaal success. After the super success of Golmaal and an average in the form of Golmaal 2, the director is back with the third and the latest version in this series.

Like the earlier films Golmaal 3 is also a comic caper which has a loose storyline. This version stars Mithun Chakraborthy, Ratna Pathak Shah apart from regulars like Ajay Devagan, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Arshad Warsi and others. Kareena Kapoor who starred in the part two of the series has been continued here also.

The film has been launched recently and is expected to hit the screens by the end of the year. Buzz is that Ajay has changed his looks for the film and Arshad has charged a whopping Rs three crore for the film.

The film has music by Dhilin Mehta and has music by Pritam.

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Mahakumbh at Haridwar

Rajat — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:01:40 +0000

This year the Maha Kumbh Mela (fair) at Haridwar, a once-in-12-year event, started on January 14, 2010 and ended on April 28. It was an occasion for Hindus to come to Haridwar and take a dip / bath in the River Ganges, considered holy by them. And freezing temperatures rarely dissuaded them from doing so.

The entire Kumbh Mela region – Haridwar, Rishikesh, parts of Dehradun had been marked as a separate district for the period. Approximately 40-50 million people had travelled to Haridwar during that period.

Following is the list of important days on which most of the gathering showed up.

14 January 2010 (Thursday) – Makar Sankranti Snan (dip)

15 January 2010 (Friday) – Mauni Amavasya and Surya Grahan Snan (Solar Eclipse)

20 January 2010 (Wed) – Basant Panchmi Snan

30 January 2010 (Saturday) – Magh Purnima Snan

*12 February 2010 (Friday) – Maha Shivratri – Pratham Shahi Snan *

*15 March 2010 (Monday) – Somvati Amavasya – Dvitya Shahi Snan *

16 March 2010 (Tuesday) – Nav Sanvstar Snan

24 March 2010 (Wednesday) – Ram Navmi Snan

30 March 2010 (Tuesday) – Chaitra Purnima Snan

*14 April 2010 (Wednesday) – Baisakhi – Tritya Shahi Snan*

28 April 2010 (Wednesday) – Shakh Purnima Snan

(Days marked with a * are considered most auspicious and therefore had the maximum number of people taking a dip in the Holy Ganges)

Arrangements made by the administration:

1. Deployment of 100 companies of forces including police, paramilitary force etc.

2. Vehicle routes had been diverted to avoid traffic jams.

3. Help line had been set up for any kind of emergency – dial 100

4. Several health camps had been arranged to provide medical facility.

5. Help line for medical emergency has been set up- dial 108.

6. Central control room had been set up.

Traval diary: Puri

Rajat — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:55:58 +0000

Puri, situated on the shores of the Bay of Bengal is a city of outdoors, of lovely beaches, golden sands and gentle sunshine, tempting enough to invite visitors, both Indian and foreign, throughout the year. It is possibly one of the few religious places which provide the outdoor pleasures of sea and beaches alongwith ’darshan’. This sanctified experience of divine communion draws crowds throughout the year.

The place is the hallowed seat of the Hindu religious deities Lord Jagannath (the Lord of Universe), Subhadra and Balabhadra. It is also one of the 4 dhams (holiest Hindu pilgrimage places in India) venerated by most Hindus, and one of their most sacred places of pilgrimage. It has withstood the vagaries of nature and changing times and is a friendly place with a relaxed atmosphere.

The Sabaras, an adivasi tribal group who predated the Dravidians and Aryans, were believed to have inhabited the thickly wooded area around Puri. The ancient site of Dantapura (Town of the tooth) may have existed here, although no proof exists. A tooth of The Buddha was said to have been temporarily enshrined here before being taken to Sri Lanka. Mahatab believes that the Puri Jagannath temple was originally a Buddhist stupa. According to Murray, in Japan and Sri Lanka, the Tooth Festival of Buddha was celebrated with three chariots and the similarily with the Rath Yatra at Puri further strengthens the theory that the deities here evolved from Buddhist symbols. The Temple of Jagannath (Lord of the Universe), attracts thousands on feast days and particularly during Rath Yatra.

Situated at a distance of 557 kms, Puri is a favourite holiday destination especially for Kolkatans. The shallow and flat beach, the famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath, regarded as an incarnation of Lord Krishna.

Puri

Attractions
Jagannath temple, Puri
The 11 century CE Jagannath temple is one of the holiest Hindu shrines. Forming a part of the Chatur Dhams, instituted by Adi Shankaracharya, it attracts hoards of devotees from all around the world. Devotees come to pay their obeisance to the presiding deities of Jagannath, Ballabhadra and sister Subhadra.

Puri beach
The flat and shallow beach is a beach bum’s natural choice. Swimming in the sea and watching the spectacular sunset are the chief attractions here. The way it works for most tourists is first you visit the temple and then head straight for the sea.

Sun Temple, Konark
This temple built in 1278 CE by the Ganga King Narasimha Deva is one of the grandest temples of India and was referred to as the Black Pagoda. It is dedicated to the Sun God.

Located at a distance of 35 kms from Puri, the drive from Puri to Konark is itself very beautiful with the Casuarina plantations on one side and the Bay of Bengal on the other side.

Bhubaneswar
The capital of Orissa is also another added attraction in the Puri circuit. Known as a land of a thousand temples, the state capital is studded with temples constructed in the Orissan temple style. Chief temples to visit would be Rajarani temple, Mukhteswar temple (known for its spectacular gateway) and Lingaraj temple. The city also has many Jain caves going by the names of Udaigiri and Khandagiri. There is a very beautiful Buddhist pagoda built by the Japanese called the Shanti Stupa at Dhaulagiri. There are also Ashokan rock edicts close to Dhaulagiri.

How to reach
By Rail: There are many trains from Kolkata to Puri. Some that you could consider are: Puri Howrah Express, Jagannath Express and Purushottam Express.

By Road: There are any number of buses from Kolkata (Volvo options available too) to the temple town of Puri. Volvo buses are nice if you visit to see the countryside as well.

By Air: The nearest domestic airport is Bhubaneswar while the closest international airport is Kolkata.

Destination Details:-

How to reach:
Rail: Puri is well lined by superfast trains to metro-cities like Kolkatta.
Road: All weather, motorable roads connects Puri to different parts of the state & those of neighboring states. Ranchi, Vishakhapatnam & Durgapur.

Shopping:

Utkalika and Crafts Complex, Mochi Shahi Square. Sun crafts in Tinikonia Bagicha; stone carving at Sudarshan, Station Road, shops along the Marine Parade sell crafts, fabric, beads, shells and bamboo work and in the eastern end of town, nearer the village, sell Kashmiri and Tibetan souvenirs.

Excursions:

Balighai: 8 kms from Puri, away from the crowds and the bustle, fringed by beautiful casurina trees, Balighai beach, lies at the mouth of the River Nuanai and is an ideal picnic spot. A lovely place to sit and relax. Raghurajpur: Only 14 kms from Puri, Raghurajpur is a craftsman’s village and is famous for patta chitra or patta paintings, which are done on cotton cloth coated with a mixture of gum and chalk and then polished before natural colours are applied. A living tradition followed by skilled craftsmen, it draws its inspiration from mythological themes, from the stories of the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, Radha Krishna and Lord Jagannath. Those interested in collecting souvenirs will come across exquisite pieces and easy bargains.

Satyabadi (Sakshigopal): Implicit in a visit to Puri, for most Hindus, is a visit to the shrine of Lord Sakshigopal only 20 kms away. However the sacred feet of Shri Radha can only be seen on ’Anala nawami’ day.

Pipli: This place is notable for its brilliant applique craft, in which colourful materials are used to make bedspreads, temple umbrellas and wall hangings. Pipli’s houses and shops are covered in samples of the brightly coloured work.

Eating Out:

Chungwah, near Puri Hotel, good Chinese. On CT Road: Chandu’s , famous for its pancakes. Subhadra serves pure veg. Mickey Mouse offers such delights as spaghetti, pizza and porridge and 46 types of pancakes.

Wildgrass Restaurant is unquestionably the nicest place in town. It offers a wide range of appealing meals.

Entertainment:

Classical Odissi dance, folk dances and drama, which are always performed for festivals, are also staged from time to time and are worth seeking out.

Sightseeing:

Jagannath Temple
Life in the seaside city of Puri revolves around the temple of Lord Jagannath. The Ganga King Chodagangadeva built the temple in the 12th century. Even before one enters the city, the spire 214 feet (65 mt.) in height, becomes distinctly discernible. The temple complex is 650 feet (20sq.mt.) comprising of 4 chambers, the Deul, the Jagamohan, Natamandir and Bhogamandir. It is surrounded by a wall 20 feet (6 mts.) high. Centred on the principle deity Lord Jagannath, Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi are also located within the temple precincts in smaller temples.

Because of this distinctive temple, Puri is one of the four dhams in Indiaothers are in Dwarka in Gujarat (in the west), Badrinath in Uttaranchal (north) and Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu (south). The temple is dedicated to Jagannath, Lord of the Universe, who is an incarnation of Vishnu. The wooden figures of the three deities, Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra stand in the sanctuary garlanded and decorated by the priests. 6000 temple servers serve mahaprasad to thousands of people daily. The temple was built in its present form in 1198, and is protected by two surrounding walls. The conical tower of the temple topped by the flag and wheel of Vishnu is visible from far out to sea.

Gundicha Mandir: Gundicha Mandir (Garden House) is where the images of the gods reside for seven days during Rath Yatra. The walls enclose a garden where the temple is built. It faces the bus station. It shows the unique and ingenious way in which wrought iron framework supports the laterite lintels of the massive temples. Great blocks of laterite were finely balanced by means of counterpoise, so stone lintels had to be reinforced with metal bars.

Festivities
Rath Yatra and Nava Kalebra are the famous festivals of Puri. Rath Yatra is one of India’s greatest annual events, this festival takes place in Puri each June or July, when a fantastic processing sets forth from Jagannath Mandir. Both are connected with the reigning deity of Puri, Lord Jagannath. Lord Jagannath alongwith his sister Subhadra and brother Balabhadra take an annual vacation to a smaller sanctum 2 kms from the main temple. This classic journey of the Lord and his companions is the Rath Yatra Festival. This journey to ”Gundicha Ghar” is the main attraction of the Jagannath temple during early July every year.
In the festival the three deities in their separate Rathas, (wooden chariots) are pulled by devotees to the Gundicha Temple 2 kms away. These magnificent Rathas are decked in different colours suggesting the significance of each deity.
Nava Kalebra festival is a deeply significant religious ritual whereby the idols of the three deities-Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra change their external forms. New idols are carved out of specially sanctified chandan-neem trees with strictly prescribed norms. The ’daru’ (wood) is then transported to the temple with full pomp and splendor. The Vishwakarmas (wood sculptors) then take over and in stict secrecy work for 21 days and nights giving shape to the idols. The new idols are then enshrined after transferring the ’Brahma’ concealed within each idol into their new form.

Puri Beach Festival: The beach festival is celebrated every year in early November at Puri. Orissa crafts, cuisine and cultural evenings are the main attraction for tourists.

Srikshetra Mahotsava: Puri is the home of the Srikshetra Mahotsava held in early June, which features art, dance and music.

Chandan Yatra: 21-day Chandan Yatra coincides with the Hindu new year when images of Jagannath, accompanied by his brother and sister, are taken out in boats on the Narendra tank. For 15 days the gods are kept out of sight, when worshippers may only pray before pattachitras (paintings).

Travel Picks: 10 top romantic hotels

Rajat — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:29:12 +0000

In need of a romantic break, but don’t know where to go? Boutique hotel connoisseurs Mr & Mrs Smith (www.mrandmrssmith.com) play Cupid with a hand-picked selection of 10 stays worldwide to tempt you. This list is not endorsed by Reuters:

1. La Reserve Ramatuelle, St Tropez, France

On a hill above the Mediterranean and St Tropez, perches La Reserve Ramatuelle, a recently opened hotel with 23 bedrooms that are all about chic simplicity. The floor-to-ceiling windows let the ocean views take centre stage. Order champagne cocktails for two and sink into a beanbag by the heated outdoor pool.

2. Eagles Nest, Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Five secluded villas, hidden away on a peninsula in northern New Zealand’s Bay of Islands, blend ocean vistas with minimal contemporary furniture, abstract art and glam gadgets, including flatscreen TVs and home cinema systems. Prepare your own meals in the kitchen or arrange for a private chef. Flop in the Jacuzzi, cocktail in hand, and enjoy swimming, sailing and whale-watching.

3. Capella Singapore, Singapore

The 112-room Capella Singapore on Sentosa Island has lush lawns, peacocks and sculptures surrounding a heritage hotel. Constellation rooms come with an alfresco terrace tub. Visit the award-winning Auriga spa before feasting on fine Chinese fusion dishes at Cassia.

4. Palazzo Barbarigo, Venice, Italy

Blending modern boudoir glamour with deco chic, all 18 rooms offer a canal view, four-poster beds, and ceiling mirrors to reflect light from the water outside. There’s a velvety lounge bar and small dining room serving light snacks, but venturing out to eat is a joy in this neighbourhood near the Rialto bridge.

5. Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island, Australia

For animal encounters without foregoing creature comforts, head to Kangaroo Island boutique hotel Southern Ocean Lodge, a designer haven just off the coast of South Australia. Stretching along the coastline at Hanson Bay, its 21 contemporary suites, serene spa, bar and restaurant blend into the environment.

6. Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Nha Trang, Vietnam

Hop aboard a speedboat from Nha Trang, on the south-central coast of Vietnam, to reach this sanctuary. Six Senses Ninh Van Bay retreat offers 58 villas with a choice of jungle seclusion, hilltop views, beachside or water-edge settings. Amble from your canopied bed to your own private pool or descend a ladder directly to the sea.

7. St James’s Hotel & Club, London

This London hotel in ritzy Mayfair combines a gent’s club feel with oodles of luxury, starting from the red entrance carpet and rose and white Victorian facade. The 60-room newly revamped hotel has decor teaming Murano glass chandeliers with artworks and sensuous materials. Velvet, silk, leather and cashmere season the rooms alongside massive tubs, L’Occitane toiletries, heated towels and a built-in LCD TV.

8. Uma Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

One of Bali’s most romantic retreats, hillside Uma Ubud boasts valley scenery and guided treks around the green paddy fields, daily yoga classes and a main pool surrounded by monkey-inhabited tropical trees. The 29 rooms offer outdoor showers, open-air lounging pavilions, and serene koi ponds.

9. The Standard NY, New York.

The Standard NY created by hip hotelier Andre Balazs is a glassy, minimal high-rise in New York’s western Meatpacking District. Of the 337 rooms, the lofty Standard Suites are the most glam, with three walls of floor-to-ceiling glass giving views from your bath.

10. Satri House, Luang Prabang, Laos

Satri House was once the childhood home of a Lao prince, and this grand yet intimate 1900s boutique hotel has 25 elegant rooms with four-poster beds and south-east Asian decor. Art and antiques, including gilded Buddhas and Chinese lacquered cabinets, add a touch of gallery chic. The hotel also has two pools, a small spa and a tempting restaurant.

Tiwary eyeing consistency in Champions League

Rajat — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:24:44 +0000

Young Mumbai Indians batsman Saurabh Tiwary on Wednesday said he would looking for consistent performances in the upcoming Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) to be held in South Africa from September 10 to 16.

“It is an important tournament for me and I am confident to put up my best there in South Africa,” Tiwary, who joined Tata Steel, said.

“I have been working hard and had practiced with my Team India members to ensure consistency in my performance,” said the left-handed batsman on the sidelines of the ongoing Jharkhand Ranji trial camp. Tiwary, who was a member of the India’s ODI squad in the recently-concluded tri-series in Sri Lanka, said for a batsmen to survive in the shorter version of the game, one has to become a hard-hitter.

Asked about failing to make the playing XI in last two tours abroad, Tiwary said it was the prerogative of the skipper. “Besides, the Indian team had experienced players and the captain will obviously settle for winnable combinations,” he quipped.

“Right now, I am focussing for the upcoming Champions League and leaving here on Thursday to take part in the tournament,” the southpaw added.

Tiwary came to limelight while representing Sachin Tendulkar-led Mumbai Indians in the last edition of the Indian Premier League. Mumbai Indians will take on South Africa’s Highveld Lions in the CLT20 opener on September 10 at New Wanders Stadium in Johannesburg.

Meanwhile, Tata Steel sources said Tiwary have joined the company as Manager Sports. While handing over the appointment letter on Tuesday, Sanjiv Paul, Vice-President (Corporate Services) of Tata Steel, welcomed Tiwary to the Tata Steel family.

Tiwary, who made his first-class debut in the 2006-07 Ranji Trophy, had scored two half centuries in India’s U-19 tri-series victory over South Africa and Bangladesh in 2008. He was also a member of the squad that won the U-19 World Cup in Malaysia in 2008.

An interview with Kajol

Rajat — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:16:57 +0000

Kajol has always turned the most ordinary scripts into something extraordinary. Happy being a wife and mother now, and awaiting a second motherhood now, she will be seen on screen playing a mother this time, in WE ARE FAMILY. The ever-bubbly actress speaks with our correspondent.

You will be once again experiencing motherhood. Seems everyone is excited in the family – Ajay (Devgn), your daughter Nysa and everyone.

Oh yes…(smiles). It’s not only me, everyone in the family is eagerly awaiting that moment. Everyone in the family is equally excited as I am.

Okay, have Ajay and you already started looking for a name for your child?

(Laughs) No…no…not yet. But certainly we will get involved in this in sometime.

You have cut down on films in the last few years. But now WE ARE FAMILY is hitting the screen….

Well it’s not that I have consciously cut down on films or stayed away from the camera. It’s about getting the right script at the right time. And with time, priorities change in life. I have always balanced that. I took a break even before I started a family. I have always believed in good scripts. And I wait for the right script to come my way. That’s what at times delays things.

While on one hand WE ARE FAMILY is releasing, on the other hand you are gearing up for motherhood once again? Seems life has once again made you busy.

Motherhood is s wonderful experience and things have certainly started moving at a rapid pace. It’s not possible for things to move slowly when you are expecting. Right now, I’m taking time off to prepare for the hectic days ahead.

WE ARE FAMILY is again under Karan Johar. Is it the strong bond of friendship that even after cutting down on films we get to see you working mostly with friends?

It is obviously great fun to work with friends than people you don’t know, and why shouldn’t I work with friends when the comfort level is already there? I can work with all kinds of people as long as I can trust them. I have and am ready to work with new directors as well.

That WE ARE FAMILY is an official remake of a Hollywood blockbuster STEPMOM and that you play Susan Sarandon’s role will also bring a lot of comparisons. Ready for that?

(Smiles) Oh yes we all know that and can avoid that. It’s obvious that comparisons will happen. But the effort was to create a script and then a film which is Indianised despite being a remake. We have done our best and WE ARE FAMILY is out and out commercial Bollywood film and despite being a remake it has the potential to stand for itself with an identity of its own.

What was so great about the script?

Umm. It all begins with the script and I loved the screenplay. I loved the character of Maya. It was so touching…and yes you need to watch it before I go explaining.

You are happily enjoying life being a wife and actress. Do you miss not doing more films?

I never did back to back projects. I am lazy (smiles). And life is just perfect for me and I love my life. I am an actress and part of the industry and will always remain so.

So you are enjoying life…

Oh yes, we are a very happy family.

What about being part of another home production after U ME AUR HUM?

Ajay would love to have me for another home production but it’s his call. Just because I am his wife doesn’t make me an obvious choice. But I hope with a good script he makes me an offer… (smiles again)

But I think motherhood will make you disappear from films for a while again.

I guess so. It’s a physical thing and you need to take time out and be there with your child. I am really fortunate to have a very supportive family. From my mum-in-law, sis-in-law, Ajay, Nysa it’s a great family to have.

Are you happy with the way your career has shaped up?

Happy! I am really happy. I have always acknowledged that because I am at peace with everything. I am happy with what I am and all those things that have happened to my career so far.

selena’s Mobile wallpapers

Amit — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:16:52 +0000

We ate IndiaImagine.com provide you all latest and free wallpapers in High Resolution. According to our goal we will provide you the Wallpapers on different topics so that you can download these free Wallpapers on your Computer. These Wallpapers are in High Definition so that you can make it your Desktop Background. So what are you waiting for Just Imagine these Wallpapers Live from IndiaImagine.

Selena NEW wallpapers

Amit — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:09:04 +0000

Take your pick: Tablet PC vs netbook

Rajat — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:56:04 +0000

Computer manufacturers are working hard on their answer to the iPad with models in various sizes and designs expected in the coming months.

Microsoft is leading the charge by working with numerous partners to develop small tablet computers running Windows 7. CEO Steve Ballmer has named Asus, Dell, Sony, Hewlett-Packard, and Lenovo by name, among others. This isn’t Microsoft‘s first try in the tablet computer ring, either. The company’s first models back in 2001 were primarily oriented toward business customers.

“It depends entirely on what you want to do with it,” says Florian Muessig from German computer magazine c’t when asked about the choice between a tablet computer and a netbook. The iPad is better for many computer games than a mini-laptop. Electronic books (eBooks) are also better suited for the tablet computer. The biggest advantage cited by the hardware expert is the fast bootup: ‘You press the button and it’s on.’

Netbooks have moved on in recent years beyond their original, limited intended purpose. At prices below $200 — and thus significantly cheaper than an iPad (starting at $500) — a netbook offers almost everything a modern PC can do, except with less processing power and lower resolution screens. The next generation will be coming with new double core Atom series processors from Intel. “But I’m not counting on seeing them this year,” Muessig says.

With a battery life of up to ten hours, the iPad is built for the long haul, or long plane ride. Netbook batteries have typically maxed out at seven hours. Some of the new models are promising up to ten hours or more, though, and “for netbooks in particular battery life is a crucial factor,” says Samsung manager Dirk Neuneier.

There are significant differences in the available storage memory. While netbooks usually have hard drives capable of holding 160 or 250 GB, the iPad holds only 16 to 64 GB. There’s only one way to store more data than that: the internet. After all, the iPad has no USB port to insert external storage media. The tablet computers from other manufacturers hope to seize that niche.

“An iPad is used to communicate information quickly,” explains Product Manager Joerg Wissing from netbook Pionier Asus. “If you want to work creatively, then a netbook is certainly a better choice.”

The Taiwanese hardware maker wants to produce devices in both categories and is preparing tablet computers of various sizes. “We’re in the development phase and are keeping our eyes and ears open about what users need,” Wissing says. “The fast on and off is certainly a topic. A USB is planned, but the decision on the operating system is still open.”

Software is getting more and more important. The iPad was a success not least because of its mobile operating system, now known as iOs, which harmonises perfectly with the hardware. Netbooks typically run on Windows.

Read more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Computer memory can go smaller!

Rajat — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:44:13 +0000

Scientists at Rice University and Hewlett-Packard are reporting this week that they can overcome a fundamental barrier to the continued rapid miniaturisation of computer memory that has been the basis for the consumer electronics revolution. In recent years the limits of physics and finance faced by chip-makers had loomed so large that experts feared a slowdown in the pace of miniaturisation that would act like a brake on the ability to pack ever more power into ever smaller devices like laptops, smart phones and digital cameras.

But the new announcements, along with competing technologies being pursued by companies like IBM and Intel, offer hope that the brake will not be applied any time soon.

In one of the two new developments, Rice researchers are reporting in Nano Letters, a journal of the American Chemical Society, that they have succeeded in building reliable small digital switches — an essential part of computer memory — that could shrink to a significantly smaller scale than is possible using conventional methods.

More important, the advance is based on silicon oxide, one of the basic building blocks of today’s chip industry, thus easing a move toward commercialisation. The scientists said that PrivaTran, a Texas startup company, has made experimental chips using the technique that can store and retrieve information.

These chips store only 1,000 bits of data, but if the new technology fulfils the promise its inventors see, single chips that store as much as today’s highest capacity disk drives could be possible in five years. The new method involves filaments as thin as five nanometers in width — thinner than what the industry hopes to achieve by the end of the decade using standard techniques. The initial discovery was made by Jun Yao, a graduate researcher at Rice. Yao said he stumbled on the switch by accident.

Separately, HP is set to announce on Tuesday that it will enter into a commercial partnership with a major semiconductor company to produce a related technology that also has the potential of pushing computer data storage to astronomical densities in the next decade. HP and the Rice scientists are making what are called memristors, or memory resistors, switches that retain information without a source of power.

“There are a lot of new technologies pawing for attention,” said Richard Doherty, president of the Envisioneering Group, a consumer electronics market research company in Seaford, New York. “When you get down to these scales, you’re talking about the ability to store hundreds of movies on a single chip.”

The announcements are significant in part because they indicate that the chip industry may find a way to preserve the validity of Moore’s Law. Formulated in 1965 by Gordon Moore, a co-founder of Intel, the law is an observation that the industry has the ability to roughly double the number of transistors that can be printed on a wafer of silicon every 18 months.

That has been the basis for vast improvements in technological and economic capacities in the past 4-1/2 decades. But industry consensus had shifted in recent years to a widespread belief that the end of physical progress in shrinking the size modern semiconductors was imminent. Chip-makers are now confronted by such severe physical and financial challenges that they are spending $4 billion or more for each new advanced chip-making factory.

IBM, Intel and other companies are already pursuing a competing technology called phase-change memory, which uses heat to transform a glassy material from an amorphous state to a crystalline one and back.

Read more http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com