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Science News for July 1, 1999


Blue light special

Gallium Nitride (GaN) systems enable smaller, brighter, longer-lasting light-emitting diodes with increased data storage-density. The Navy is interested in these blue-light emitters for microwave amplifiers and highly efficient white-light emitters.

A picture worth a thousand megabytes

The Modular-MPC 1/16 system by Aspex Microsystems Ltd. offers high-speed 3D data visualization with 10 frames-per-second performance for 16 million data elements. It achieves over 25 billion operations per second and is suitable for complex applications like computational fluid dynamics.

Bomb fallout helps pinpoint soil carbon dioxide

A four-decade study of a Southeastern forest found that while trees take up substantial amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide, the accumulation in soils is relatively slow. The researchers used radioactive Carbon-14 as a tracer to estimate carbon sequestration and found that only a small percentage of carbon was retained in topsoil, wi...

SourceDuke University·JournalNature·DateJul 1, 1999

Smart masts for intelligent yachts

Engineers at Smart Fibres Ltd developed a smart mast that uses 'Bragg grating' strain sensor technology to monitor stresses and strains in composite materials. The technology has the potential for use in various industries, including aerospace and civil engineering.

Spy flies

Researchers have identified principles for insect flight that will help design and construct tiny robotic flies. The Micromechanical Flying Insect project aims to develop a robotic fly that can fly short distances and maintain stable hover

Noise reduction

The Active Tuned Mass Absorber (ATMA) system reduces propeller-induced sound in turbo-prop aircraft, improving passenger comfort and enhancing military surveillance. With over 200 units installed on DC-9 and MD-80 aircraft, ATMA has proven effective in reducing interior noise levels by up to 90%.