Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for August 14, 2016


New map of world vegetation reveals substantial changes since 1980s

A new system to map the world's biomes has been developed, providing an objective method for monitoring how vegetation reacts as climate changes. The system uses satellite observations to classify the world's vegetation into 24 biome types, revealing substantial shifts in the Earth's surface over the past three decades.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateAug 14, 2016

Wi-fi from lasers

KAUST researchers develop a nanocrystalline material that rapidly converts blue light into white light, enabling data speeds of up to 2 GB/s. This innovation has the potential to replace traditional LEDs for energy-efficient lighting and enable new applications like VLC.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalACS Photonics·DateAug 14, 2016

See-through circuitry

Scientists have developed a new method for making transparent transistors and electronic circuits using aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO), a cheaper and more abundant material than indium tin oxide (ITO). The process uses atomic layer deposition, which improves circuit performance and simplifies fabrication.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateAug 14, 2016
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.