KAUST researchers used high-speed imaging to observe collisions between air bubbles and water surfaces, finding that the air-water interface is more mobile than expected. The team also developed a method using thin films of fatty acids to immobilize free water surfaces, drastically reducing bouncing.
Researchers developed N-doped carbon encapsulated transition metal catalysts to optimize zinc-air batteries, showing remarkable ORR/OER bifunctional catalytic activity and improved performance. The catalyst was prepared by pyrolyzing solvent-free formed fechitosan chelates and small molecule nitrogen source.
Tropical cyclones use warm air as fuel to form and strengthen. Cloud top temperatures provide information about the strongest storms within a tropical cyclone, which can indicate heavy rain and potential hurricane formation.
Researchers designed an air filter that can trap and kill the coronavirus and other pathogens, with a 99.8% kill rate in a single pass. The filter uses nickel foam heated to 392 degrees Fahrenheit, eliminating the need for external heating sources and minimizing strain on HVAC systems.
A team of scientists led by prof. Juan Carlos Colmenares developed an efficient reactive adsorbent that can purify air from various toxic compounds cheaply and effectively. The material, made from titanium dioxide and graphite oxide, uses photocatalysis to break down toxins into less harmful elements.
Research reveals that seabirds produce efficient propulsive wakes when flying and swimming, allowing them to move with minimal metabolic energy in both environments. However, the birds' wing movements indicate a cost to using their wings for movement in air and water.
A new analysis of 16 years of health data reveals that long-term exposure to fine particles leads to increased mortality rates among the elderly. If current EPA standards were lowered, over 140,000 lives might have been saved within a decade.
A new study found that asymptomatic COVID-19 patients can spread the virus to their surroundings, contaminating surfaces and air, making family members and healthcare workers at risk. Environmental cleaning is crucial in these situations.
The tuberculosis pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis can survive for a longer period of time when combined with other bacteria in the air. This is because larger aerosol particles from mycobacterial clusters are produced together with components of dead cells, making them more viable in the air.
The study found that COVID-19 will likely lead to a smaller, consolidated sector in the future, with full-service network carriers facing significant losses. Regional airlines may benefit from being able to adjust feeding capacity for larger carriers.
A new study examines ventilation and medication strategies to prevent psychological trauma in COVID-19 ARDS survivors. Researchers found that opiates are the most reliable agent for relieving air hunger, while sedatives often do not alleviate shortness of breath.
Atmospheric scientists at Colorado State University discovered a region of the Southern Ocean with clean air free from aerosols produced by humans, providing a rare example of an environment minimally affected by human activity.
Researchers estimate national fossil-fuel-derived CO2 emissions by observing carbon-14 in air samples. The new method uses a model of atmospheric transport to disentangle CO2 variations from natural sources, providing an independent and objective estimate.
A team from the University of Córdoba validates a solar-powered air heating system, which can cover 75% of heating demands on 75% of days. The system uses Unglazed Transpired Collectors to absorb heat generated by sunlight and preheat ventilation air.
Researchers discovered that even a gentle breeze can propel saliva droplets up to 18 feet in just 5 seconds. This finding has significant implications for health and safety distance guidelines and the transmission of airborne diseases.
Researchers have found microplastics in air, drinking water, and table salt, highlighting the need for better understanding of their potential hazards to human health. Microplastics can be ingested through indoor air, especially from household plastic products, and may reach the lungs and digestive system.
A study by UC Davis found that cold air rises in the tropics due to water vapor's lightness, forming clouds and thunderstorms. This buoyancy effect helps regulate tropical climates and reduces climate warming.
Researchers have demonstrated a prototype device that uses microwave air plasmas for jet propulsion, offering a potentially viable alternative to conventional fossil fuel jet engines. The engine can generate thrusting pressures comparable to those of commercial airplane jet engines using only air and electricity.
A new study by Michigan Medicine researchers found that 72% of patients with private insurance could face surprise bills for out-of-network air ambulance services, with average total costs up to $20,000. Ground ambulances also pose a significant risk, with 79% of patients facing surprise bills for non-emergency rides.
A team of researchers has discovered a connection between resonance and nonlinearity in swimming performance, revealing potential new bio-inspired propulsion strategies. By understanding the passive dynamics at play when vehicles move through air or water, they aim to enhance performance while reducing energy consumption.
Researchers at Drexel University's C. & J. Nyheim Plasma Institute are modifying an air sterilization system to combat COVID-19. The technology uses cold plasma to neutralize or remove viral particles from the air, with a successful prototype already proven effective against anthrax spores.
Researchers have developed a metal-air scavenger that provides power by breaking chemical bonds in metal surfaces, outperforming batteries and harvesters. The technology has 10 times more power density than the best energy harvesters and 13 times more energy density than lithium-ion batteries.
A new nanotechnology-based air filter uses laser-induced graphene to eliminate viruses and bacteria, offering a self-sterilizing effect. This technology could be integrated into face masks and HVAC systems, providing an active layer of protection against COVID-19.
Researchers found a strong correlation between air temperature and Terra Nova Bay polynya area, with lower temperatures showing stronger effects. The study provides new insights into the complex interactions between atmospheric conditions and Antarctic ice cover.
Researchers have designed a cost-effective canopy system to protect healthcare workers from airborne coronavirus infection while delivering non-invasive ventilation. The system, which forms an air chamber covering the upper body, has been tested against international standards and found to minimize risk of infection for medical staff.
Researchers used a new geochemical tool to analyze volatile elements in Earth's interior, revealing that nitrogen has been present since the planet's formation. The method, which identifies air contamination, provides valuable insights into the evolution of our planet and may also be used to monitor volcanic activity.
Researchers developed an onboard algorithm to estimate air density, providing critical real-time data for steering during entry, descent, and landing stages. The algorithm uses data from sensors and prior knowledge to improve accuracy and certainty of landings.
Skoltech scientists developed sensitive sensors based on cobalt oxide nanoflakes to detect various alcohols, including toxic methanol. The new technology enables quick and accurate tests for safe air quality, applicable to medical diagnostics and ambient air monitoring.
Researchers found that incineration and landfilling of municipal solid waste releases bacteria and antibiotic-resistance genes into the air, posing a risk to human health. The study suggests that these systems could be a reservoir of resistant genes, which can spread to nearby residents through airborne transmission.
A new composite catalyst has been developed to enhance the performance of metal-air batteries (MABs), which are considered a strong candidate for next-generation electric vehicles. The catalyst, combining two types of materials, improves charge and discharge efficiency by synergistically enhancing the reaction rates.
Researchers found that mantis shrimp's hammer blows are significantly weaker in air compared to water, with forces averaging only 18 km/h. The crustaceans may be downgrading their attacks to avoid joint damage and injury.
Cold pools can trap pollutants, reduce wind speeds, and cause freezing rain, posing serious health risks in urban areas. The study aims to improve forecasting of these events to ensure a stable electrical grid and lower energy costs.
A team of Virginia Tech researchers has developed a new wearable analyzer to measure hazardous air pollutants in real-time for truck drivers and other workers. The device, called iWAVE, provides a time-resolved measurement of exposure and is expected to revolutionize the way workers combat harmful pollutants on a daily basis.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have created an 'Air-gen' device that harnesses natural protein to generate clean energy from atmospheric water vapor, offering a promising alternative to traditional renewable energy sources. The non-polluting technology has significant advantages over solar and wind power, and can even be used indoors.
Researchers from CSU's HOMEChem experiment found sharp spikes in hypochlorous acid and chlorine when mopping floors with bleach, revealing a new world of indoor chemistry. The team also observed interactions between nitrogen and ammonia emissions from cooking with cleaning products.
The Air Force has awarded a $1 million grant to PlaneEnglish, a simulator developed by three Purdue University alumni, to enhance communication skills for pilots. The technology addresses key needs for the Department of Defense and is being used in dozens of airports across the US.
Researchers report that the leaves of the floating fern Salvinia molesta can efficiently recover air mattress trapped in microstructures due to interconnected wedge-shaped grooves. Artificially fabricated leaf surfaces also exhibit air mattress recovery and could prove useful in various underwater applications.
A recent study by Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare found that indoor air quality is connected to respiratory and general symptoms like colds and headaches. However, the association was too weak to reliably assess indoor air quality based on reported symptoms.
A new study reveals insects experience similar physiological effects of gravity as humans, with air sacs expanding in response to orientation. Insects have an active response called functional compartmentalization, allowing them to control pressure and maintain blood flow.
Researchers genetically modified poplar trees to reduce negative impacts on air quality, finding they can grow as well as non-modified trees. The study suggests that these modifications may help improve biomass productivity and plant health without impairing growth.
A new study by the University of Notre Dame found that air travel has flattened local investment bias, reducing risk for investors and lowering firm costs. This is because investors are more likely to invest in companies in distant locations with better air connections, resulting in a diversified portfolio.
A graduate student at the University of Tennessee has developed a new nanocellulose-based material that provides outstanding air filtration performance, with potential to remove over 99% of fine particles in air. The filter is cost-effective and environmentally friendly, making it highly promising for indoor air purification applications.
A team of researchers extracted large air samples from Antarctica's Law Dome site, dating back to the 1870s, to track the history of hydroxyl and its impact on climate models. The analysis aims to produce a concentration curve for carbon-14 monoxide and hydroxyl over the decades, shedding light on past and future climate changes.
Researchers discovered that Savannah monitor lizards have lung structures with a complex airflow pattern that is part bird and part mammal. The unique system distributes air into tiny chambers and exhibits unidirectional airflow during both inhalation and exhalation.
The Air Force has awarded a $1.5 million grant to Imaginestics LLC, a company developing an artificial intelligence-powered system for managing additive manufacturing data. The system, called AMAS, will provide the Air Force with a method to store, manipulate and present AM data effectively.
Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) discover that subsiding air parcels from the Atlantic Ocean, rather than hot air from the Sahara, are responsible for extreme hot spells in central Europe. This finding has significant implications for developing early warning systems and improving forecasts.
Atmospheric chemists are cataloging compounds in indoor air, which can react with others to form new molecules. Indoor emissions come from various sources, including stoves, cleaning products, and people's breath, skin, and personal care products.
A new Boston University School of Public Health study estimates the non-cancer health effects of breathing airborne PCBs around New Bedford Harbor, affecting thyroid hormones in people living close to the harbor. The levels of PCBs in the air are high enough to raise risks of diabetes, low birth weight, and impaired neurodevelopment.
A University of Seville study found that over 17% of classrooms in Andalusia exceed WHO-recommended CO2 levels, with 42% showing concentrations above 2000 ppm. The research highlights the need for controlled mechanical ventilation systems to improve air quality and student health.
The humidity digester, developed by Singapore researchers, can absorb more than four times its weight of water from humid air. It reduces relative humidity by 12 percent and generates a low current under ambient light, making it a potential replacement for air conditioners.
A recent study found that exposure to air pollutants from power plants varies significantly by race, income, and geography in the US. The researchers estimated that in 2014, approximately 16,700 premature deaths were caused by power plant emissions, with African Americans facing the highest mortality rates.
A study from 2013-2017 found that China's strict clean air policies led to a significant decrease in particulate matter exposure. The policy changes resulted in an estimated 370,000 deaths avoided annually due to improved air quality.
Researchers from Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research found that vertical air motions increase ice formation in mixed-phase clouds. This correlation has important implications for understanding the water cycle and predicting precipitation.
A new study from MIT found that aviation emissions cause twice as much damage to air quality as to the climate. The researchers developed metrics for comparing climate and air quality impacts of aviation emissions.
Scientists develop a waterproof metal structure, repelled by water after being submerged for long periods, thanks to femtosecond laser patterns mimicking spiders' diving bell webs and fire ants' air-trapping abilities. The unique etching technique traps air within the structure, preserving its buoyancy even when damaged.
A recent study found that only 15% of California K-12 classrooms met the recommended ventilation standard, leading to high CO2 levels and thermal discomfort. The researchers recommend improvements such as commissioning, fan operation, filter replacement, and CO2 monitoring to ensure adequate air quality.
Lithium-air batteries offer a maximum specific energy of 3,460 W h/kg, but scientists need to overcome obstacles such as unstable electrolytes and interference from air pollutants. The technology uses oxygen to oxidize a lithium-metal anode and could be powered by a plane's onboard air storage and filtration systems.
Scientists found 725 different microorganisms in Singapore's air, with bacteria dominating during the day and fungi at night. The discovery reveals a complex community structure that follows environmental conditions and has significant implications for human health and ecosystem sustainability.
Finns' risk beliefs and knowledge on indoor air health effects were surveyed, finding that a significant proportion considers minor moisture damage to pose severe health risks. Actinomycetes may be a sign of moisture damage, but its occurrence does not automatically prove harmful health effects.
A new system can capture carbon dioxide from the air at any concentration level, including 400 parts per million, and release it into a carrier stream. This technology has significant implications for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and could eliminate the need for fossil fuels in applications such as soft-drink bottling plants.