Latest science news in Physics & Chemistry
Colourful future for nanowires
Fine tuning the crystal structures of nanowires could boost the efficiency of LEDs and other electronic components
ETH Zurich researchers and industry break world record
In future it can be expected that the drill used in material processing will become even faster and the compressor used for vehicles and airplanes even more compact. In order...
Surface plasmon resonances of nanoparticles in array can have narrower spectral widths
Researchers at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) have demonstrated experimentally and theoretically that the surface plasmon resonances of metal nanoparticles in a periodic array can have...
Feature: Clearly infrared
How the high infrared transparency of chalcogenide glass promises technological innovation.
Nanoparticles in the home: More and smaller than previously detected
Extremely small nanoscale particles are released by common kitchen appliances in abundant amounts, greatly outnumbering the previously detected, larger-size nanoparticles emitted by these appliances, according to new findings by researchers...
New research expected to improve laser devices and make photovoltaics more efficient
University of Chicago scientists have induced electrons in the nanocrystals of semiconductors to cool more slowly by forcing them into a smaller volume. This has the potential to improve satellite...
Cold atoms could replace hot gallium in focused ion beams
Scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a radical new method of focusing a stream of ions into a point as small as one nanometre...
OK Space: opening new horizons
Space exploration - the big scientific missions, manned flights, technology which grows ever more complex - in short, a great adventure. But that's not all, space has given rise to...
Lab Tests Show Wind Turbine’s Air Flow
Smoke and lasers are used in wind tunnel to unravel airflow mysteries of wind turbines.
Centrica says reviewing new wind farm economics
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Centrica is reviewing the economic viability of planned wind farms due to soaring costs and the credit crunch, the owner of British Gas said.
Reactions studied by stop motion
Ultra-fast spectroscopy tracks changes during polyatomic reactions
Improved Measurements Could Mean Safer, More Reliable Electroshock Weapons
Electroshock weapons, such as stun guns and other similar devices that temporarily incapacitate a person by delivering a high-voltage, low-current electric shock, have helped law enforcement officers safely subdue dangerous...
Iron-Based Material May Unlock Supercondcutivity's Big Secret
Researchers at NIST are decoding the mysterious mechanisms behind the high-temperature superconductors that industry hopes will find wide use in next-generation systems for storing, distributing and using electricity.
Physicists steer electrons with laser pulses: Method could be used to create custom-made chemical compounds
Theoretical physicist Uwe Thumm and his colleagues Feng He and Andreas Becker not only work with some of the smallest molecules in the universe, but they now have found a...
'Femtomolar Optical Tweezers' May Enable Sensitive Blood Tests
NIST has licensed a patented 'optical tweezers' technique for detecting and measuring very small concentrations of a biological substance, such as a virus on a surface.
Compact Research Freezers to Debut in Space
A pair of Endeavour-carried cryogenic freezers will boost the biological research capacity of the shuttle and the International Space Station. Capable of minus 160 degrees Celsius, the small, portable GLACIER...
Adaptive Materials and Michigan Students Set Record Fuel-Cell-Powered, Radio-Controlled Airplane Flight
The longest fuel-cell-powered flight of a radio-controlled aerial vehicle has been achieved by students at the University of Michigan and engineers at Ann Arbor-based fuel-cell manufacturer Adaptive Materials Inc.
Study: Calif Dirty Air Kills More than Car Crashes
Study finds lowering air pollution would save more lives in CA that preventing all motor vehicle fatalities.
Nanoparticles Trigger Cell Death?
Nanoparticles that are one milliard of a meter in size are widely used, for example, in cosmetics and food packaging materials. There are also significant amounts of nanoparticles in exhaust...
Southampton to sail with Solar Splash
An academic in conjunction with the Student Branch of the IEEE at the University of Southampton plans to enter a solar-powered boat in the world championship of intercollegiate solar/electric boating...
Acrylic glass made of sugar
In future, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) - better known as acrylic glass - could be made from natural raw materials such as sugars, alcohols or fatty acids. PMMA is manufactured by...
Technology transfer is key to reaping nanotech benefits
Technology transfer is central to translating nanotechnology research into benefits for society, says Bai Chunli.
Slide show: Small world!
Winning images from the Nikon International Small World Competition reveal microscopic wonders.
Con Edison Joins As Newest Lighting Research Center Partner
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Lighting Research Center (LRC) welcomes Con Edison as the newest member of the LRC Partners Program, which is designed to coordinate the efforts of public and private...
Take the time to break quantum encryption
The feat is theoretically possible thanks to a time-travel scenario permitted by Einstein’s general theory of relatively.
Pilots worried about 'stupid hobby' of shining laser lights at planes
Transport Canada statistics regarding the number of reported incidents of lasers beam being pointed into the cockpits of airplanes have some Canadian pilots concerned the dangerous activity is becoming a...
How to get your home cleaner -- and greener
Anyone who has ever cleaned a glass shower door with a store-bought cleaner promising to remove dreaded soap scum will attest to trying to do the job as quickly as...
The Flip Goes High-Def
Pure Digital, the creator of relatively inexpensive and easy to use "point and shoot" video cameras has just released its first high definition camera.