Engineers describe how fluid suspensions exhibit different behaviors at different scales
Honey is already a thick liquid, but let it begin to crystalize and it can become downright clumpy. The sugar crystals in suspension seem to increase its viscosity. This phenomenon occurs throughout the natural and constructed world: From mudflows to.....»»
A means for tuning friction on a flat surface without the use of math
A team of microsystems engineers at Université de Lyon, École Centrale de Lyon has developed a method to create a desired amount of friction between two flat surfaces without resorting to math. Their project is reported in the journal Science. Viac.....»»
Astrophysicist proposes a new theory of gravity without a conservation law
The general theory of relativity is based on the concept of curved space–time. To describe how the energy and momentum of fields are distributed in space–time, as well as how they interact with the gravitational field, a special mathematical cons.....»»
Understanding man-made earthquakes: Study highlights role of fault roughness and stress heterogeneity
Man-made earthquakes, or induced seismicity, have become an increasing concern. These events can occur during fluid injection or extraction, such as in oil or gas reservoirs, wastewater disposal, or geothermal reservoirs......»»
"Magic trap" preserves quantum coherence in ultracold molecules longer than expected
Quantum technologies bring the promise of faster computing, enhanced drug development and new sensing applications. However, quantum behaviors are difficult to study experimentally since most systems can only sustain quantum effects for a short time......»»
Engineers develop terahertz imaging system capable of capturing real-time, 3D multi-spectral images
Terahertz waves can penetrate opaque materials and provide unique spectral signatures of various chemicals, but their adoption for real-world applications has been limited by the slow speed, large size, high cost and complexity of terahertz imaging s.....»»
Researchers observe the wave-particle duality of two photons
Understanding the nature of quantum objects' behaviors is the premise for a reasonable description of the quantum world. Depending on whether the interference can be produced or not, the quantum object is endowed with dual features of a wave and a pa.....»»
AI-enabled bio-loggers capture rare bird behavior
For centuries, naturalists have braved trackless forests, windy clifftops, and the cramped confines of blinds and submarines, hoping to capture rare behaviors that might reveal important aspects of animal biology and ecology. Takuya Maekawa and colle.....»»
New instrument to capture stardust as part of NASA mission
Scientists and engineers at the CU Boulder will soon take part in an effort to collect a bit of stardust—the tiny bits of matter that flow through the Milky Way Galaxy and were once the initial building blocks of our solar system......»»
Predicting which US city populations will grow and which will fall by 2100
A trio of environmental engineers at the University of Illinois Chicago, has used census data and an annual demographics survey to make predictions about U.S. city population growth or decline in the years leading up to 2100......»»
Researchers find a red knot"s character is formed in first year of life
In any group of red knots, respective individuals exhibit a remarkable array of distinct character types. Birds with an exploratory character are motivated to investigate their environment and readily explore unfamiliar areas. Meanwhile, birds with i.....»»
From embryo to evolution: Insights from the head of lizards and snakes
The evolution of animal heads is a remarkable example of how various anatomical features co-evolved to adapt to different ecological niches, behaviors and functions. But the intricate details of why vertebrate head shapes vary so greatly have remaine.....»»
Study show dry-cleaning fluid holds promise for sustainable organic synthesis
The widely used dry-cleaning and degreasing solvent perc can be converted to useful chemicals by a new, clean, safe, and inexpensive procedure. The Kobe University discovery using on-demand UV activation may open the path to upcycling perc and thus c.....»»
Centaurs gain comet-like characteristics through close encounters with Jupiter, Saturn
A rapid reshaping of orbits resulting from a close encounter with Jupiter or Saturn can lead Centaurs to exhibit comet-like activity, according to a Planetary Science Institute Senior Scientist Eva Lilly paper......»»
Study reveals key molecular mechanisms involved in development of tomato plant
In an article published in the journal Development, researchers at the University of São Paulo's Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ-USP) in Brazil describe mechanisms relating to the development of the tomato plant (Solanum lycopersicum).....»»
Unity lays off an additional 25 percent of its staffers
1,800 newly announced job cuts come on top of 1,300 layoffs since mid-2022. Enlarge (credit: Unity) When Unity laid off 265 Weta Digital engineers in November, the company warned that more layoffs would be necessary in t.....»»
Shape of water jet found to influence sound of impact on still water
A trio of mechanical engineers at Seoul National University has found that the shape of a water jet dropped into a glass of water is the determining factor in the noise that results. In their paper published in the journal Physical Review Fluids, Mou.....»»
How a sea animal with a "snot palace" could inspire better pumps
To build more efficient pumping systems, engineers might take inspiration from a tiny filter-feeding sea creature encased in a gelatinous structure known as a "mucus house" or "snot palace.".....»»
A computer vision and machine learning system that monitors and controls workup processes
A team of chemists and engineers at the University of British Columba working with colleagues at pharmaceutical company Pfizer has developed a chemical processing system combining computer vision with a real-time machine-learning monitoring system fo.....»»
Increase in rice farming in sub-Saharan Africa found to be producing rising amounts of methane
A team of engineers and atmospheric scientists at Harvard University, working with a colleague from the California Institute of Technology's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, has calculated the increased amount of methane being expelled into the atmosphere.....»»
Photochemistry and a new catalyst could make fertilizer more sustainable
Georgia Tech engineers are working to make fertilizer more sustainable—from production to productive reuse of the runoff after application—and a pair of new studies is offering promising avenues at both ends of the process......»»