Latest science news in Physics & Chemistry
Shortage of Rare Earth Elements Could Thwart Innovation
Rare earth elements hold the key to hybrid cars, wind turbines and crystal-clear TV displays.
Queen's researchers propose rethinking renewable energy strategy
Researchers at Queen's University suggest that policy makers examine greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions implications for energy infrastructure as fossil fuel sources must be rapidly replaced by windmills, solar panels and...
Silver nanoparticles may one day be key to devices that keep hearts beating strong and steady
Diamonds and gold may make some hearts flutter on Valentine's Day, but in a University at Buffalo laboratory, silver nanoparticles are being designed to do just the opposite...
Silicon Valley makes big push into solar and smart-grid technologies
Cleantech's vast ecosystem includes a dizzying array of emerging technologies, from green building materials to electric vehicles, lighting and wind power. But as Silicon Valley reinvents itself as a global...
Putin lauds cheap natural gas
HELSINKI, Finland, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Natural gas piped to European consumers is the cheaper energy option, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said at a news conference in Finland.
Nuclear physics gets a stepping stone to the 'island of stability'
First direct mass measurement of a trans-uranium element
Currents | Cleaning: Good Chemistry for Some Household Sprays
Nontoxic cleaning products are proliferating in the United States.
New supercomputer uses water-cooled technology to save energy
A new supercomputer uses a unique water-cooled technology achieves 30 percent savings in electrical consumption.
GPS receivers, sensors ease parking: study
Engineers at Rutgers University in New Jersey have combined ultrasonic sensors and GPS receivers to create a low-cost, efficient way to find the nearest available parking space.
Cloud Computing Poised to Transform Gaming
Advances in cloud computing technology could enable gamers to run complex 3D graphics on low-end PCs, TVs and even smartphones.
Self-powered sensors
This is the first of a two-part series about MIT research on harnessing micro-sources of power.It can be inconvenient to replace batteries in devices that need to work over long periods of...
High-performance microring resonator developed
A new, more efficient low-cost microring resonator for high speed telecommunications systems has been developed. This technological advance capitalizes on the benefits of optical fibers to transmit large quantities of...
Perfectly shaped solid components
When metals are shaped, the materials they are made of are often damaged in the process. One cause of this is excessive press force, which cracks and perforates the material....
Extra large carbon: Heaviest halo nucleus discovered
The nucleus of one form of carbon is much larger and more stable than expected.
Do Disturbed Snails Have Panic Attacks?
Do Disturbed Snails Have Panic Attacks? Whilst researching some applications of the laws of thermodynamics to the biochemical processes in living things, I came across some very intriguing facts about snails. ...
Scientists create strong nanostructures
PASADENA, Calif., Feb. 10 (UPI) -- California Institute of Technology scientists say they've developed strong nanostructures that may lead to creation of super-strong, yet light, materials.
Three Interesting Uses for Mass Spectrometry
(PhysOrg.com) -- When many think about mass spectrometry, they visualize uses in biomolecular work. This is because mass spectrometry used in MALDI and ESI techniques is much less harsh than...
Engineer Studies Tensional Integrity of Biological Structures
When the biology is applied to engineering principles, the resulting mathematical models and control strategies will be "critical in validating tensegrity applications such as space telescopes, antennas, and robots, thus...
Dell Upgrades Inspiron Mini 10: New Design and Longer Battery Life
Dell's redesigned Inspiron Mini 10 netbook includes a fresh new look and longer battery life to go along with technology enhancements and easy connectivity capabilities, makeing it a fashionable and...
Fuel shortages plague Nigeria
KANO, Nigeria, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- Residents in the northern Nigerian city of Kano complain fuel scarcity is creating a lucrative black market for gasoline.
Nanoparticles and light can purify water
Visible light purifies water more cheaply and efficiently than ultraviolet light — and nanotechnology provides a boost, say scientists.
Lymphoma Research Foundation announces publication of Mantle Cell report
Highlights from the Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) 2009 Mantle Cell Lymphoma Consortium (MCLC) Scientific Workshop will be published in the March 2010 issue of Leukemia & Lymphoma.
Students find 'lost' office gear with tiny sensors
(PhysOrg.com) -- Miniature sensors being developed by CSIRO promise to provide the answers to questions which seem to arise regularly in modern office workplaces like: "Where's my pen?" and; "Who...
New perspective for understanding the mechanisms of catalytic conversion
The oxidation of toxic carbon monoxide (CO) to carbon dioxide occurs every day in millions of cars. Despite being one of the most studied catalytic processes, the exact mechanism of...
High, not flat: nanowires for a new chip architecture
Silicon is the most prevalent material in electronics, whether for mobile phones, solar cells or computers. Nanometer-sized wires made of silicon have a large potential for a completely new chip...
Seagate Ships 10,000 RPM 600 GB 2.5-inch Hard Drive
Seagate today announced worldwide shipments of its Savvio 10K.4 hard disk drive (HDD), the world's highest-capacity and most reliable 2.5-inch enterprise-class drive.
Baseball teams with more international players draw more fans, profits
(PhysOrg.com) -- Ticket revenue increases by roughly half of a million dollars for each international player added to a Major League Baseball team, showing a sharp swing in fan favoritism...
SFU creates portable extreme environment
(PhysOrg.com) -- A Simon Fraser University lab's invention will make it easier for researchers to travel anywhere to study how extreme environments affect various populations, including the elderly, athletes and...