Latest science news in Physics & Chemistry
Intelligent use of the Earth's heat
Geothermal energy is increasingly contributing to the power supply world wide. Iceland is world-leader in expanding development of geothermal utilisation: in recent years the annual power supply here doubled to...
New Devices Aid The Deaf By Translating Sound Waves To Vibrations
Lip reading is a critical means of communication for many deaf people, but it has a drawback: Certain consonants (for example, p) can be nearly impossible to distinguish by sight...
Protecting Wine Grapes From Heat And Drought With Particle Film
Under sunny, arid conditions, wine grapes can become sunburned, which can adversely affect productivity and fruit maturity. Researchers investigated a particle film, which increases light reflection and reduces leaf temperature,...
General-purpose Method For Detecting Trace Chemicals Developed
Scientists have developed a method of sensitively detecting specific chemicals in the laboratory -- a discovery that may lead to a host of new ways to monitor a variety of...
$25 Billion to Promote Electric Cars Is Untouched
The new Energy Secretary, Steven Chu, says the first loans should go out in April.
'Silver nanoparticle' microscope may shed new light on cancer, bone diseases
In a finding that could help speed the understanding of diseases ranging from cancer to osteoporosis, researchers in Utah are reporting development of a new microscope technique that uses `silver...
Research advances nanowire technology for large-scale applications
(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers at Northeastern created a network of nanowires that can be scaled up more efficiently and cost-effectively to create displays such as the NASDAQ sign in New York...
New MoD tech 'could save lives'
The MoD has unveiled some new technology as part of its Defence Technology Plans which, it hopes, will keep soldiers safer.
Expos showcase future of renewable energy: Fuel-efficient car, high-tech batteries shine at exhibitions
One of the few bright spots in the dark days of the global economic downturn is the field of renewable energy.
Study shows maritime shipping makes hefty contribution to air pollution
Commercial ships emit almost half as much particulate pollutants into the air globally as the total amount released by the world's cars, according to a new study led by the...
UN: Geneva to host major telecom fair in 2011
(AP) -- The United Nations has chosen Geneva to host the 2011 edition of Telecom World, a major international trade show for telecommunications held every couple of years.
Information Superhighway's Trash Yields A Super Highway Asphalt
Discarded electronic hardware, including bits and pieces that built the information superhighway, can be recycled into an additive that makes super-strong asphalt paving material for real highways, researchers in China...
Crystal clear method for identifying powders
NMR and theory join forces to characterise drugs
Analysis hints at solar energy alternatives
Revisiting old research may hold the key to creating a portfolio of affordable solar energy materials
Freeze Dying
Cemeteries take up space (and only occasionally allow solar panels on graves). Cremations release emissions. But, just like yummy bits of fruit, bodies also can be freeze-dried. Then dipped in...
Self-Programming Hybrid Memristor/Transistor Circuit Could Continue Moore's Law
(PhysOrg.com) -- As researchers strive to increase the density and functionality of circuit elements onto computer chips, one newer option they have is a memory resistor (or `memristor`), the fourth...
Vanderbilt scientists invent world's smallest periscopes
A team of Vanderbilt scientists have invented the world's smallest version of the periscope and are using it to look at cells and other micro-organisms from several sides at once...
The future of sports injuries will be in 3D
A study shows that new three-dimensional technologies applied to the traditional ultrasound scan significantly improve the quality of imaging. The applications, already used in the gynaecological field, are particularly useful...
The ultimate in 'green' energy: plants inspire new generation of solar cells
The ability of plants to turn sunlight into energy through photosynthesis has been successfully mimicked by scientists at the University of Southampton to produce a new generation of solar cells...
An 'Impossible' Alloy Now Possible: Cerium And Aluminum Form Substitutional Alloy At High Pressure
What has been impossible has now been shown to be possible – an alloy between two incompatible elements.
Solar cells printed to polymer
Researchers working with a company that prints banknotes have manufactured a batch of thin, flexible solar cells.
Chemists Offer New Hydrogen Purification Method
One of the hydrogen economy's roadblocks to success is the hydrogen itself. Hydrogen needs to be purified before it can be used as fuel for fuel cells, but current methods...
Nanoparticles Double Their Chances Of Getting Into Sticky Situations, And Boost Potential Uses
Researchers have found that tiny nanoparticles could be twice as likely to stick to the interface of two non mixing liquids than previously believed. This opens up a range of...
Peanut Recall’s Ripples More Like a Tidal Wave For Some Companies
Small businesses can be hit hard in a big recall, as they rarely have a staff to handle one.
Toshiba signs agreement for 2 nuclear plants in Texas
Toshiba Corp. said Wednesday it has signed an engineering, procurement and construction agreement for two new nuclear plants to be built under the U.S. South Texas Project.
Reverse Chemical Switching of a Ferroelectric Film
(PhysOrg.com) -- Ferroelectric materials display a spontaneous electric polarization below the Curie temperature that can be reoriented, typically by applying an electric field. In this study, researchers from Argonne, Northern...
Self-aligning carbon nanotubes could be key to next generation of devices
(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists and engineers the world over have thought for years that the next generation of smaller, more-efficient electronic and photonic devices could be based on the use of...
Models Present New View of Nanoscale Friction
Friction is a force that affects any application where moving parts come into contact; the more surface contact there is, the stronger the force. At the nanoscale -- mere billionths...