ScienceDaily: Matter & Energy News

Researchers produce two bio-fuels from a single algae Posted: 28 Jan 2015 02:01 PM PST A common algae commercially grown to make fish food holds promise as a source for both biodiesel and jet fuel, according to a new study.

To reassure electric car buyers, combine battery leasing with better charging Posted: 28 Jan 2015 12:22 PM PST A proper choice of business model plays a critical role in electric vehicle industry where many consumers are subject to range and resale anxieties. In particular, a combination of owning or leasing electric batteries and improving charging technology can reassure such skeptics and help increase the electric vehicle adoption, according to a new study.

Missing link in metal physics explains Earth's magnetic field Posted: 28 Jan 2015 11:16 AM PST Earth's magnetic field shields the life on our planet's surface from cosmic rays. It is generated by turbulent motions of liquid iron in Earth's core. Iron is a metal, which means it can easily conduct a flow of electrons. New findings show that a missing piece of the traditional theory explaining why metals become less conductive when they are heated was needed to complete the puzzle of this field-generating process.

Spiky 'hedgehog particles' for safer paints, fewer VOC emissions Posted: 28 Jan 2015 10:12 AM PST A new process that can sprout microscopic spikes on nearly any type of particle may lead to more environmentally friendly paints and a variety of other innovations.

Holes in valence bands of nanodiamonds discovered: Potential catalysts for splitting water Posted: 28 Jan 2015 09:54 AM PST Nanodiamonds are tiny crystals only a few nanometers in size. While they possess the crystalline structure of diamonds, their properties diverge considerably from those of their big brothers, because their surfaces play a dominant role in comparison to their extremely small volumes. Suspended in aqueous solutions, they could function as taxis for active substances in biomedical applications, for example, or be used as catalysts for splitting water.

Demystifying nanocrystal solar cells Posted: 28 Jan 2015 09:54 AM PST Researchers have developed a comprehensive model to explain how electrons flow inside new types of solar cells made of tiny crystals. The model allows for a better understanding of such cells and may help to increase their efficiency.

Breakthrough in terahertz spectroscopy Posted: 28 Jan 2015 08:41 AM PST Although terahertz spectroscopy has great potential, especially for environmental monitoring and security screening applications, it previously could not be used effectively to study nanocrystals or molecules at extremely low concentrations. Scientists have now found a solution to this problem by increasing the technique's sensitivity using metallic nanostructures.

Detecting chemical weapons quickly with a color-changing film Posted: 28 Jan 2015 08:39 AM PST In today's world, in which the threat of terrorism looms, there is an urgent need for fast, reliable tools to detect the release of deadly chemical warfare agents (CWAs). Scientists are reporting new progress toward thin-film materials that could rapidly change colors in the presence of CWAs -- an advance that could help save lives and hold aggressors accountable.

Eyeglasses that turn into sunglasses -- at your command Posted: 28 Jan 2015 08:39 AM PST Imagine eyeglasses that can go quickly from clear to shaded and back again when you want them to, rather than passively in response to changes in light. Scientists report a major step toward that goal, which could benefit pilots, security guards and others who need such control.

Bike-to-work events offer chance to explore barriers to cycling Posted: 28 Jan 2015 08:39 AM PST Cities that host bike-to-work events as their sole effort to increase commuter travel by bicycle may be missing a larger -- perhaps more valuable -- opportunity, according to a study. Local governments should use bike-to-work days to find out from participants why they're attending and -- more importantly -- what prevents them from biking more often, according to the study.

A robot to help improve agriculture and wine production Posted: 28 Jan 2015 08:37 AM PST Agricultural researchers and computer scientists are working on the development of an unmanned robot, equipped with non-invasive advanced sensors and artificial intelligence systems, which will help manage vineyards. This robot will provide reliable, fast and objective information on the state of the vineyards to grapegrowers, such as vegetative development, water status, production and grape composition.

New instrument to study the extreme universe -- the X-Ray polarimeter X-Calibur Posted: 28 Jan 2015 07:06 AM PST X-ray polarimetry promises to give qualitatively new information about high-energy astrophysical sources, such as black hole systems, the bright and active centers of galaxies, compact neutron stars, and gamma-ray bursts. The instrument will measure the polarization of 20-80keV X-rays. The detector is completed, tested, and fully calibrated and ready to be flown on a high-altitude balloon.

Researchers use sound to slow down, speed up, and block light Posted: 28 Jan 2015 06:35 AM PST How do you make an optical fiber transmit light only one way? Researchers have experimentally demonstrated, for the first time, the phenomenon of Brillouin Scattering Induced Transparency (BSIT), which can be used to slow down, speed up, and block light in an optical waveguide. The BSIT phenomenon permits light to travel in the forward direction while light traveling in the backward direction is strongly absorbed. This non-reciprocal behavior is essential for building isolators and circulators.

Nanoscale mirrored cavities amplify, connect quantum memories Posted: 28 Jan 2015 05:18 AM PST Constructing tiny "mirrors" to trap light increases the efficiency with which photons can pick up and transmit information about electronic spin states -- which is essential for scaling up quantum memories for functional quantum computing systems and networks.

Crude oil conspiracy theories could be right: Oil is often the reason for interfering in another country's war Posted: 27 Jan 2015 06:22 PM PST Researchers have for the first time provided strong evidence for what conspiracy theorists have long thought -- oil is often the reason for interfering in another country's war.

Novel radioguided brain surgery technique could help pinpoint cancerous tissue Posted: 27 Jan 2015 08:09 AM PST A novel radioguided surgery technique could quickly and effectively identify residual cancer cells during brain tumor surgery, with low radiation exposure for both patients and surgeons. The study reports that Y-90 DOTATOC, a beta-minus-emitting tracer, can effectively delineate the margins of meningiomas and high-grade gliomas.

Do green roofs, solar panels work well together? Posted: 27 Jan 2015 06:59 AM PST A new study examines whether solar electricity panels and green roofs can work well in tandem. With ongoing urbanization, which reduces the variety of species found in cities, green roofs can increase biological diversity, and also provide insulation, bringing energy benefits to building owners who will save money on heating and cooling, authors say.

Chromium-centered cycloparaphenylene rings as new tools for making functionalized nanocarbons Posted: 27 Jan 2015 06:58 AM PST A team of chemists has synthesized novel transition metal-complexed cycloparaphenylenes (CPPs) that enable selective monofunctionalization of CPPs for the first time, opening doors to the construction of unprecedented nanocarbons.

Maximizing access to mobile networks by seamlessly 'offloading' some traffic Posted: 27 Jan 2015 06:58 AM PST Mathematical analysis reveals how to maximize access to mobile networks by seamlessly ‘offloading’ traffic to smaller Wi-Fi and cellular systems.

Programmed synthesis towards multi-substituted benzene derivatives Posted: 27 Jan 2015 06:58 AM PST Chemists have developed a new method to accomplish the programmed synthesis of benzene derivatives with five or six different functional groups that enables access to novel functional organic materials that could not have been reached before.

Cell imaging gets colorful Posted: 26 Jan 2015 09:47 AM PST The detection and imaging of protein-protein interactions in live cells just got a lot more colorful, thanks to a new technology. The new method converts biochemical processes into color changes that are easily visualized. This method is a new tool for cell biologists and neuroscientists to use to address questions ranging from fundamental mechanisms in cell biology, to the underlying causes of mental illness, to the discovery of novel therapeutics.

Device for guided surgery of deviations in long bones patented Posted: 26 Jan 2015 08:22 AM PST A device that can be applied in surgeries to correct deviations in long bones has been patented by researchers. The research team found how to use the 3D reconstruction of an affected bone to determine the mathematical formula that in a given case is suitable to design such a device. This device is adjusted to a specific deviated bone and enables a surgeon to set the cutting angle that best suits the bone, and, also, to set the location and orientation of holes that accept the future addition of a corrective prosthesis. It enables realigning the body extremity that is operated on, and also increases precision, shortens the time required for the operation, and improves the operation’s functional results. The device has already been used with success in operations on animals and could have applications in orthopedic surgery on humans.

Researchers develop a new technology that will enable the universalization of HD television Posted: 26 Jan 2015 08:22 AM PST Researchers have developed a novel technology that will facilitate the broadcasting of High Definition (HD) television services in 1080 interlaced format by using the new-generation video compression standard, HEVC.

Algorithm reveals the electricity consumption of individual appliances Posted: 26 Jan 2015 05:39 AM PST Opportunities to save energy become apparent once you can determine energy consumption of single appliances without extra measurement effort. A newly developed algorithm provides assistance on the path to greater energy awareness.