General science advances thread

[ScienceRocks]

New understanding of electromagnetism could enable 'antennas on a chip'
2 hours ago

Enlarge
Anechoic chamber. Credit: University of Cambridge

A team of researchers from the University of Cambridge have unravelled one of the mysteries of electromagnetism, which could enable the design of antennas small enough to be integrated into an electronic chip. These ultra-small antennas - the so-called 'last frontier' of semiconductor design - would be a massive leap forward for wireless communications.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2015-04-electromagnetism-enable-antennas-chip.html#jCp

 

[ScienceRocks]

Engineers now understand how complex carbon nanostructures form
2 hours ago

On the left is a scanning electron micrograph of a carbon nanotube forest. The figure on the right is a numerically simulated CNT forest. Credit: Matt Maschmann

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are microscopic tubular structures that engineers "grow" through a process conducted in a high-temperature furnace. The forces that create the CNT structures known as "forests" often are unpredictable and are mostly left to chance. Now, a University of Missouri researcher has developed a way to predict how these complicated structures are formed. By understanding how CNT arrays are created, designers and engineers can better incorporate the highly adaptable material into devices and products such as baseball bats, aerospace wiring, combat body armor, computer logic components and micro sensors used in biomedical applications.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2015-04-complex-carbon-nanostructures.html#jCp

 

[ScienceRocks]

Physicists show 'quantum freezing phenomenon' is universal
10 hours ago by Lisa Zyga report

Figure of the “freezing surface” of quantum discord-type correlations. Credit: Marco Cianciaruso, et al.

(Phys.org)—Physicists who work on quantum technologies are always looking for ways to manage decoherence, which occurs when a quantum system unavoidably interacts with the surrounding environment. In the past few years, scientists have discovered that some quantum correlations can be "frozen" in a constant state and remain that way in the presence of noise, potentially offering a protective mechanism against decoherence. So far, however, quantum freezing has been shown to exist only on a case-by-case basis and under certain conditions, and its potential protective effect has not been fully exploited.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2015-04-physicists-quantum-phenomenon-universal.html#jCp

 

[ScienceRocks]

Panama debate fueled by zircon dating: Americas connected earlier than thought
2 hours ago

New evidence published in Science by Smithsonian geologists dates the closure of an ancient seaway at 13 to 15 million years ago and challenges accepted theories about the rise of the Isthmus of Panama and its impact on world climate and animal migrations.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2015-04-smithsonian-panama-debate-fueled-zircon.html#jCp

 

[ScienceRocks]

Nanoparticle liquid-metal ink allows standard inkjet printers to create flexible circuits
Nanoparticle liquid-metal ink allows standard inkjet printers to create flexible circuits

Researchers at Purdue University have shown how standard inkjet-printers can be employed to produce flexible electronic circuits from liquid-metal nanoparticle inks. This simple printing solution promises faster, cheaper, and easier production of stretchable, bendable electronics for clothing, soft robotics, and wearable devices.

Making circuits elastic means that many rigid platforms could be made pliable, opening up a range of potential new applications for electronic devices. To make this possible, however, new manufacturing techniques are required. Nanoparticle ink-jet printed ductile circuits may well solve this problem.

 

[ScienceRocks]

Measurement of first ionization potential of lawrencium reignites debate over periodic table
Apr 09, 2015 by Bob Yirka report

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The periodic table of elements including in the colored block at the bottom the lanthanides (Ln) and actinides (An). The height of each column indicates the relative first ionization potential of the corresponding element. The result obtained …more

(Phys.org)—A team of researchers with member affiliations from across the globe has succeeded in conducting a measurement of the first ionization potential of lawrencium. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the team describes how they achieved the feat and what they believe it means for placement on the Periodic Table of Elements. Andreas Türler of the University of Bern offers a News & Views perspective piece on the work done by the team in the same issue.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2015-04-ionization-potential-lawrencium-reignites-debate.html#jCp

 

[ScienceRocks]

New material set to change cooling industry

Refrigeration and air conditioning may become more efficient and environmentally friendly thanks to the patent-pending work of LSU physicists. The team of researchers led by LSU Physics Professor Shane Stadler has discovered a breakthrough magnetocaloric material that may change the energy industry, including air conditioning and food refrigeration.

"The world refrigeration market is expected to increase by about $7-8 billion by 2018," Stadler said. Therefore, his breakthrough has a significant economic impact as well as an impact on the energy industry and environment.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2015-04-material-cooling-industry.html#jCp

 

[ScienceRocks]

 

[ScienceRocks]

Fermilab's Holometer Extends Limit on Knowable Universe

Newswise — Imagine an instrument that can measure motions a billion times smaller than an atom that last a millionth of a second. Fermilab's Holometer is currently the only machine with the ability to take these very precise measurements of space and time, and recently collected data has improved the limits on theories about exotic objects from the early universe.
Our universe is as mysterious as it is vast. According to Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity, anything that accelerates creates gravitational waves, which are disturbances in the fabric of space and time that travel at the speed of light and continue infinitely into space. Scientists are trying to measure these possible sources all the way to the beginning of the universe.

 

[ScienceRocks]

Snowball Earth: New study shows Antarctic climate even gripped the tropics
29 minutes ago by David Rothery, The Conversation

New details of a nightmare period on Earth with surface conditions as frigid as present-day central Antarctica at the equator have been revealed thanks to the publication of a study of ancient glacier water.

The research, by an international team led by Daniel Herwartz, is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and shows that even tropical regions were once covered in snow and ice.

In the most recent ice age, the last glacial advance (ending about 12,000 years ago) ice sheets extended across Europe at the latitude of southernmost England and reached south of the Great Lakes in North America. Beyond lay tundra, woolly mammoths and so on – but the equatorial belt of tropical rainforest was still there. Much more drastic situations occurred far earlier in Earth's history however, and it is these that are supported by the new study. The periods have been dubbed "Snowball Earth".

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2015-04-snowball-earth-antarctic-climate-thetropics.html#jCp

 

[ScienceRocks]

US Navy goes tubular with autonomous swarming UAV demonstrations
By Darren Quick
April 15, 2015
2 Pictures

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has revealed that it has been conducting demonstrations of swarming unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at various locations over the past month. The demonstrations were part of the Low-Cost UAV Swarming Technology (LOCUST) program, which is developing quick launching UAV swarm technology to overwhelm adversaries.

 

[ScienceRocks]

Graphene device makes ultrafast light to energy conversion possible
By Colin Jeffrey
April 15, 2015

Converting light to electricity is one of the pillars of modern electronics, with the process essential for the operation of everything from solar cells and TV remote control receivers through to laser communications and astronomical telescopes. These devices rely on the swift and effective operation of this technology, especially in scientific equipment, to ensure the most efficient conversion rates possible. In this vein, researchers from the Institute of Photonic Sciences (Institut de Ciències Fotòniques/ICFO) in Barcelona have demonstrated a graphene-based photodetector they claim converts light into electricity in less than 50 quadrillionths of a second.

 

[ScienceRocks]

DARPA 2016 Includes 150 kilowatt laser live fire tests

DARPA has its 2016 budget.

High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System (HELLADS)

HELLADS program had funding of 26.6 million in 2014 and 14.1 million in 2015.

Description: The goal of the HELLADS program is to develop a high-energy laser weapon system that will provide an order of magnitude reduction in weight compared to existing laser systems. HELLADS will enable high-energy lasers (HELs) to be integrated onto tactical aircraft and will significantly increase engagement ranges compared to ground-based systems, in addition to enabling high precision/low collateral damage and rapid engagement of fleeting targets for both offensive and defensive missions. Advancements in beam control and other subsystems that are required for the practical integration of a laser weapon into existing tactical platforms will be explored. With the assistance of the Services, the HELLADS program will pursue the necessary analysis, coordination, and design activity for a prototype laser weapon system incorporating the HELLADS laser system and the ABC turret into air-, ground-, or sea-based tactical vehicles. While the prototype laser weapon system module is in design and development, the HELLADS 150 kilowatt (kW) laser will be made available for demonstration opportunities and transition to the Army, Navy, or Air Force.

FY 2014 Accomplishments:
- Completed laboratory checkout and government acceptance of 150 kW laser; packaged laser and shipped for integration into the high power laser demonstrator system.
- Continued risk reduction test of tracking systems for dynamic targets, demonstrated aim point accuracy to support lethal power delivery to test targets in representative battlefield environments.
- Completed high power optics insertion, safety system checkouts, range communications protocol check, and initial high power static operation of laser weapon demonstrator to verify the laser and its subsystems can safely demonstrate lethal effects on mortars and rockets.
- Commenced live fire tests against rocket and mortar fly-outs to demonstrate lethal laser power at mission-relevant ranges.
- Completed preliminary design and detailed design of laser weapon module prototype's subsystems for integration on a specific air-, ground-, or sea-based tactical vehicle.

FY 2015 Plans:
- Complete live fire tests against rocket and mortar fly-outs to demonstrate lethal laser power at mission-relevant ranges.
- Transport demonstrator laser from Army mission (rocket/mortar) relevant ground test site to mountain peak test site to mimic Air Force missions for precision air-to-ground and airborne self-defense demonstrations.

 

[ScienceRocks]

General Atomics shows off a combat laser module in the 50 kilowatt range

General Atomics has a new third generation combat laser. The technology was originally developed under the High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System (HELLADS, Gen 1) program. The Gen 3 Laser employs a number of upgrades resulting in improved beam quality, increased electrical to optical efficiency, and reduced size and weight.

General Atomics has a new third generation combat laser. The technology was originally developed under the High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System (HELLADS, Gen 1) program. The Gen 3 Laser employs a number of upgrades resulting in improved beam quality, increased electrical to optical efficiency, and reduced size and weight. The recently certified Gen 3 laser assembly is very compact at only 1.3 x 0.4 x 0.5 meters. The system is powered by a compact Lithium-ion battery supply designed to demonstrate a deployable architecture for tactical platforms.

The Gen 3 HEL tested is a unit cell for the Tactical Laser Weapon Module (TLWM) currently under development. Featuring a flexible, deployable architecture, the TLWM is designed for use on land, sea, and airborne platforms and will be available in four versions at the 50, 75, 150, and 300 kilowatt laser output levels.

The GDS was employed by an independent measurement team to evaluate the beam quality of the Gen 3 system over a range of operating power and run time. According to JTO’s Jack Slater, “The system produced the best beam quality from a high energy laser that we have yet measured with the GDS. We were impressed to see that the beam quality remained constant with increasing output power and run-time.”

With run time limited only by the magazine depth of the battery system, beam quality was constant throughout the entire run at greater than 30 seconds. These measurements confirm that the exceptional beam quality of this new generation of electrically-pumped lasers is maintained above the 50 kilowatt level.

 

[ScienceRocks]

Warrior Web exosuit gets about a 10% net improvement in walking with load

Steve Jurvetson had a video and picture of the latest DARPA Warrior Web exosuits from Harvard and SRI at a Feb, 2015 meeting. The Harvard team uses linear actuators on the side of the backpack (instead of twisting filaments with the SRI team) to get a 10% net improvement in walking with load

 

[ScienceRocks]

On April 16, 2015, NOAA's Satellite Analysis Branch have included more imagery coverage from Meteosat from the usual 6-hourly (00Z, 06Z, 12Z, 18Z) imagery.
3-hourly imagery (03Z, 09Z, 15Z, 21Z) has been included.

This change may be applied to the Meteosat Floater from the Arabian Sea to the Western portion of the Indian Ocean.

Northeast Atlantic Imagery - Satellite Products and Services Division Office of Satellite and Product Operations
East Atlantic Imagery - Satellite Products and Services Division Office of Satellite and Product Operations

Good news for us storm trackers!

 

[longknife]

Engineers purify sea and wastewater in 2.5 minutes

An interesting article but it doesn't cite anything about affordability. Read more @ Engineers purify sea and wastewater in 2.5 minutes -- ScienceDaily

 

[Abishai100]

The Sweet Screen

The consumer market is now a major realm of science/technology.

The distribution of the new age Internet-connected digital watch for our computer networking era (i.e., eTrade) parallels the distribution of the gear-transparent Swatch (Switzerland) wrist-watch which represented a market demand for 'user-friendly' products.

The masses are more imaginative now than ever.






Doctor Who (Sci-Fi TV)

 

[ScienceRocks]

New Fossil Evidence Suggests There Have Been 6 Mass Extinctions, Not 5

New Fossil Evidence Suggests There Have Been 6 Mass Extinctions Not 5 IFLScience

University of Leeds, via Science. Brachiopods from Spitsbergen's Kapp Starostin Formation. It has been argued that we are on the brink of the next great extinction, which would be the sixth mass extinction event that our planet has seen so far. Or at least, so we thought. According to new research, another hotly debated mass extinction should be added to the recognized list of mass extinction events. Newly gathered data indicates that a previously observed mass die-off was far more widespread than once thought. - [/QUOTE]

Although there have been five traditionally recognized mass extinctions, scientists have contemplated the existence of a sixth, occurring in the Middle Permian (262 million years ago), for more than 20 years. This so called “Capitanian extinction” was proposed after scientists discovered fossil evidence for mass die-offs in rock formations in China. However, this event has remained controversial since it was only known from data gathered in tropical latitudes, with scarce evidence from higher latitudes. This led scientists to argue that it may have only been a localized event, or perhaps the start of a trend towards the Permian extinction, which took place ten million years later.

With the hope of offering some clarity on this issue, scientists from the Universities of Hull and Leeds scrutinized marine fossil ranges in the Kapp Starostin Formation of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Norwegian archipelago Svalbard. This formation was created in cool, shelf seas of the Boreal Ocean from the skeletons of dead sponges. The researchers were looking at fossils left by brachiopods—invertebrate marine animals that started appearing at the beginning of the Cambrian period, around 570 million years ago.

 

[ScienceRocks]

One researcher in India was able to transmit their thoughts to another researcher in France.

The article

This is how the brain-to-brain system works. The BCI reads the sender’s thoughts — in this case, the sender thinks about moving his or her hands or feet. Thinking about feet is equivalent to binary 0, while hands is binary 1. With a little time/effort, whole words can be encoded as a stream of ones and zeroes. These encoded words are then transmitted (via the internet or some other network) to the recipient, who is wearing a TMS. The TMS is focused on on the recipient’s visual cortex. When the TMS receives a “1″ from the sender, it stimulates a region in the visual cortex that produces a phosphene — the phenomenon whereby you see flashes of light, without light actually hitting your retina (when you rub your eyes, for example). The recipient “sees” these phosphenes at the bottom of their visual field. By decoding the flashes — phosphene flash = 1, no phosphene = 0 — the recipient can “read” the word being sent.