ScienceDaily: Matter & Energy News

How rivers creep, flow to shape landscapes over time Posted: 09 Mar 2015 02:48 PM PDT Most models predict that rivers only transport sediment during conditions of high flow and, moreover, that only particles on the surface of the river bed move due to the force of the flowing water above. But using a custom laboratory apparatus, a new study shows that, even when a river is calm, sediment on and beneath the river bed slowly creeps forward.

Understanding why a material's behavior changes as it gets smaller Posted: 09 Mar 2015 02:48 PM PDT To fully understand how nanomaterials behave, one must also understand the atomic-scale deformation mechanisms that determine their structure and, therefore, their strength and function.

Benefits of adding a second, smaller rotor to wind turbines Posted: 09 Mar 2015 02:45 PM PDT Aerospace engineers are developing dual-rotor technology to improve the energy harvest of wind turbines. The idea to look for better performance by adding a second rotor to wind turbines came from a previous study. The researchers used wind tunnel tests to see how hills, valleys and the placement of turbines affected the productivity of onshore wind farms.

Tiny nanoparticles could make big impact for patients in need of cornea transplant Posted: 09 Mar 2015 02:45 PM PDT There are about 48,000 corneal transplants done each year in the U.S., compared to approximately 16,000 kidney transplants and 2,100 heart transplants. Out of the 48,000 corneal transplants done, 10 percent of them end up in rejection, largely due to poor medication compliance. This costs the health care system and puts undue strain on clinicians, patients and their families.

More study needed to clarify impact of cellulose nanocrystals on health Posted: 09 Mar 2015 01:06 PM PDT Biocompatible and biodegradable, cellulose materials are being studied for use in high-performance composites and optical films, and to deliver medicine in pills. But before a material can be commercialized, its impact on human health must be determined, experts say.

One step closer to artificial photosynthesis and 'solar fuels' Posted: 09 Mar 2015 12:55 PM PDT A new thin-film coating solves a major problem in the development of artificial photosynthetic systems that can replicate the natural process of photosynthesis to harness sunlight to generate fuels.

New angle on x-ray measurements Posted: 09 Mar 2015 10:51 AM PDT Criminal justice, cosmology and computer manufacturing may not look to have much in common, but these and many other disparate fields all depend on sensitive measurement of X-rays. Scientists have developed a new method to reduce uncertainty in X-ray wavelength measurement that could provide improvements awaited for decades. Accurate measurement of X-ray wavelength depends critically on the ability to measure angles very accurately and with very little margin for error.

Quantum sensor's advantages survive entanglement breakdown Posted: 09 Mar 2015 10:50 AM PDT The extraordinary promise of quantum information processing -- solving problems that classical computers can't, perfectly secure communication -- depends on a phenomenon called "entanglement," in which the physical states of different quantum particles become interrelated. But entanglement is very fragile, and the difficulty of preserving it is a major obstacle to developing practical quantum information systems.

Ultrathin polymer insulators key to low-power soft electronics Posted: 09 Mar 2015 10:50 AM PDT Researchers have developed a high-performance ultrathin polymeric insulator for field-effect transistors. The researchers used vaporized monomers to form polymeric films grown conformally on various surfaces including plastics to produce a versatile insulator that meets a wide range of requirements for next-generation electronic devices.

Tsunami on demand: Nanoscale rogue waves research sheds light on power to harness catastrophic events Posted: 09 Mar 2015 09:41 AM PDT A new study features a nano-optical chip that makes possible generating and controlling nanoscale rogue waves. The innovative chip was developed by an international team of physicists and is expected to have significant applications for energy research and environmental safety.

Electrons in slow motion Posted: 09 Mar 2015 09:41 AM PDT At the origin of the properties of high-temperature superconductors lies a phenomenon that is too fast to be observed experimentally with conventional methods. Scientists have applied a sophisticated experimental technique, something like a moviola film-editing system, to slow down and analyze the structure of the process, thereby improving knowledge of these materials and bringing their technological applications a step closer.

Secrets of surfaces' wrinkling, folding, creasing and delaminating are unraveled Posted: 09 Mar 2015 08:09 AM PDT The process of wrinkle formation is familiar to anyone who has ever sat in a bathtub a little too long. But exactly why layered materials sometimes form one kind of wrinkly pattern or another -- or even other variations, such as creases, folds, or delaminated buckles -- has now been explained at a fundamental level.

PET/MR can effectively diagnose cause of unclear foot pain Posted: 09 Mar 2015 08:09 AM PDT A single scan could diagnose the cause of foot pain better and with less radiation exposure to the patient than other methods, according to a study. Imaging with 18F-fluoride positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging, compared to 18F-fluoride positron emission tomography/computed topography, provides more diagnostic information with higher diagnostic certainty.

Patented process builds better semiconductors, improves electronic devices Posted: 09 Mar 2015 08:07 AM PDT Through a surprise research discovery, a chemical engineer has developed a building better technique for semiconductors. The research may help improve electronic devices and could benefit the power electronics industry and manufacturers of semiconductor devices.

Quantum mechanic frequency filter for atomic clocks Posted: 09 Mar 2015 07:28 AM PDT In an atomic clock, electrons jumping from one orbit to another decides the clock's frequency. To get the electrons to jump, researchers shine light on the atoms using stabilized laser light. It is however challenging to get the laser light frequency ultra precise -- there will always be a little 'noise.' Now researchers have developed a method that reduces the noise so that it is up to 100 times quieter.

Secure charging station for electric cars: New sensor detects manipulation to charging current measurements Posted: 09 Mar 2015 06:32 AM PDT Future visions of electromobility include a comprehensive charging station network. However, it would be impossible to monitor them all in order to protect them from being manipulated. Scientists have now developed a new sensor for charging stations which unites three functions: in one chip, charging current is measured, manipulation to charging station is detected and all data are encoded, before being forwarded to the provider for invoicing purposes.

Toward Methuselah: Long-living lighting devices Posted: 09 Mar 2015 05:28 AM PDT Researchers have reported important advances in the development of next generation lighting technologies.

Bioelectrochemical processes have the potential to one day replace petrochemistry: Lysine production as example Posted: 09 Mar 2015 05:28 AM PDT Researchers have found that the electrification of the white biotechnology is not merely a green dream, but an alternative to petrochemistry with realistic economical potential. Compared to classical sugar based bio-processes, bioelectrochemical processes promise improved yields, which could turn out to be a real game changer. The next generation of bio-production facilities may not only become more environmentally friendly, but also more economically competitive.

Go meta: New technique expands possibilities for molecular designers Posted: 09 Mar 2015 05:28 AM PDT Chemists have developed a broadly useful technique for building new drug molecules and other chemical products.

2D nitrogenated crystals new potential rival for graphene Posted: 09 Mar 2015 05:26 AM PDT Researchers have, for the first time, developed a simple technique to produce a two-dimensional nitrogen-containing crystal that has the capacity to be a potential rival to graphene and silicon as semi-conductor materials.

New paint makes tough self-cleaning surfaces Posted: 05 Mar 2015 12:21 PM PST A new paint that makes robust self-cleaning surfaces has been developed. The coating can be applied to clothes, paper, glass and steel and when combined with adhesives, maintains its self-cleaning properties after being wiped, scratched with a knife and scuffed with sandpaper.