On a hillside above Stanford University, the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory operates a scientific instrument nearly 2 miles long. In this giant accelerator, a stream of electrons flows through a vacuum pipe, as bursts of microwave radiation nudge the particles... Continue Reading →
Trying to figure out just how green electric cars are, can be problematic, as it partly relies on the fuel mix that generates the electricity. Germany for example still relies heavily on coal-fired power plants. Financial Times reporters Claire Jones... Continue Reading →
A new way of removing carbon dioxide from a stream of air could provide a significant tool in the battle against climate change. The new system can work on the gas at virtually any concentration level, even down to the... Continue Reading →
Laser Cleaning is a process that removes scale, oxides, dust and oil from materials. Using a short-pulse laser, the surface is cleaned to the bare metal quickly and with minimal heat affect. It can be an in-line or batch process... Continue Reading →
Take a dive into what may be the world's smallest coral reef. Scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder are using a type of material called liquid crystals to create incredibly small, swirling schools of "fish," according to a study... Continue Reading →
A common greenhouse gas could be repurposed in an efficient and environmentally friendly way with an electrolyzer that uses renewable electricity to produce pure liquid fuels. The catalytic reactor developed by the Rice University lab of chemical and biomolecular engineer... Continue Reading →
Excess heat given off by smartphones, laptops and other electronic devices can be annoying, but beyond that it contributes to malfunctions and, in extreme cases, can even cause lithium batteries to explode. To guard against such ills, engineers often insert... Continue Reading →
Despite decades of innovation in fabrics with high-tech thermal properties that keep marathon runners cool or alpine hikers warm, there has never been a material that changes its insulating properties in response to the environment. Until now. University of Maryland... Continue Reading →
Scents of Science 