unsaved document when their computer suddenly crashes or loses power, causing all the data stored in RAM to vanish. "Nonvolatile memory based on nanorings could in theory be developed," Wei says. "For the moment, the nanorings are simply a promising develop- ment." Preliminary studies have shown that the nanorings' magnetic states can be switched by applying a magnetic field, which could be used to switch a nanoring "bit" back and forth between 1 and 0. But according to Wei, perhaps the greatest potential for his group's findings lay in the possibility of combin- ing nanorings with other nanoscale structures. "Integrating the cobalt nanorings with electrically conductive nanowires, which can produce highly localized magnetic fields for switching flux closure states, is highly appealing." he says. "Such integration may be possible by virtue of self-assembly." Several research groups have created magnetic rings before but have relied on a "top-down" manufacturing approach, which imposes serious limitations on size reduction. "The fact that cobalt nanoparticles can spontaneously assemble into rings with stable magnetic properties at room temperature is really remarkable," Wei says. "While this discovery will not make nonvolatile computer memory available tomorrow, it could be an important step towards its eventual development. Systems like this could be what the data storage industry is looking for." Wei's group is associated with the Birck Nanotechnology Center, which will be one of the largest university facilities in the nation dedicated to nanotechnology research when construction is completed in 2005. Nearly 100 groups associated with the center are pursuing research topics such as nanometer-sized machines, advanced materials for nanoelectronics, and nanoscale biosensors. 2.15 MORE EFFICIENT BASE STATIONS As mobile devices get better, researchers are also looking to improve the tech- nology that handles users' calls. For example, Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Vanu has created the Vanu Software Radio, a softwar