Russian-born scientists share Nobel prize in physics

---

JAPAN: Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Masaaki Shirakawa speaking at a news conference room at its headquarters in Tokyo Thursday. Shirakawa said Thursday that the BOJ would not automatically link its policy to that of other central banks. — Reuters Photo

STOCKHOLM, Oct 5 (AP): Two Russian-born scientists shared the Nobel Prize in physics on Tuesday for "groundbreaking experiments" with the thinnest, strongest material known to mankind - a carbon vital for the creation of faster computers and transparent touch screens. Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, two professors at the University of Manchester in Britain, demonstrated the exceptional properties of graphene, a form of carbon that is only one atom thick, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said. Experiments with graphene could lead to the development of new superstrong materials and innovative electronics, the academy said in announcing the 10 million kronor ($1.5 million) award. "Graphene transistors are predicted to be substantially faster than today's silicon transistors and result in more efficient computers," the academy said in the citation. "Since it is practically transparent and a good conductor, graphene is suitable for producing transparent touch screens, light panels and maybe even solar cells."