A team of engineers and food scientists is working on a five-year project to create gelled rocket fuels that can improve the safety, performance, and range of rockets. The gels are designed to have a consistency similar to orange marmalade and can be throttled up and down for more precise control.
Researchers have developed a non-invasive early detection device for cataracts, detecting subtle protein changes before the lens becomes cloudy. The device uses dynamic light scattering technology and has potential applications in reducing cataract risk through lifestyle changes and preventing age-related eye diseases.
In 2009, the Poker Flat Research Range will host eight National Aeronautics and Space Administration sounding rockets. Two separate missions, ISIS and ACES, will be launched during two launch windows, with the first window opening on January 10.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is presenting numerous awards to recognize excellence in various fields of aerospace science. These awards are given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the academic profession, literature, and innovation in propulsion and combustion.
Researchers at MIT aim to improve weather forecasting by using robotic aircraft and advanced flight plans that consider millions of variables. The goal is to gain more time for planning, saving lives and reducing the impact on customers.
Researchers at Caltech have created images of the heart's muscular layer showing a connection between muscle configuration and contraction. The findings provide evidence that the helical shape is crucial to the heart's effective beating, settling a 50-year debate.
The study analyzed the angular rotation of gecko joints during locomotion on horizontal surfaces, revealing spatio-temporal rotation trajectories. It also compared the movement patterns of geckos on vertical walls, showing differences in joint angles and limb phases.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics will present five awards for key contributions to space science and technology during the AIAA SPACE 2008 Conference & Exposition. Notable recipients include Elon Musk, Michael A'Hearn, and the TacSat-2 Spacecraft Team.
Aerospace engineer Michael Philen has received the Oak Ridge Associated Universities Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Award to develop fluidic flexible matrix composites, which can change modulus on demand. These innovative materials have potential for both government and commercial applications.
The article proposes merging NOAA and USGS to create an independent Earth Systems Science Agency (ESSA) to address climate change, freshwater availability, and biodiversity loss. The new agency would have a comprehensive perspective on both environmental and resource systems.
The University of Miami's CSTARS will host a library of high-quality images collected via spaceborne C-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to aid in understanding hurricane and typhoon dynamics. The database will provide approved scientists with free access to imagery that can help shape storm models and resource distribution.
The new guide offers techniques for characterizing the purity of SWCNT samples using thermogravimetric analysis, near-infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and optical microscopy. These methods aim to improve production processes, reduce impurities, and enhance the confidence of buyers and sellers in the market.
A study from Georgetown University Medical Center suggests that high-energy space radiation can lead to premature aging and prolonged oxidative stress in cells, potentially causing colon cancer. The researchers found that exposure to high-LET radiation induced a highly oxidative environment in cells, conducive to cancer development.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has launched a new e-book initiative, partnering with MPS Technologies to make its content easily accessible. The initial launch includes 130 titles from the AIAA Education Series and Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics series.
A new imaging technique helps demystify the cause of explosive sound waves in rockets, revealing spinning acoustic waves that gain destructive power as they rotate around the combustion chamber. The study provides a clearer understanding of this phenomenon and brings scientists closer to preventing its occurrence.
Scientists integrated remote sensing products with soil science data to quantify soil carbon changes over large regions. The study results in a spatially-explicit carbon accounting framework that can predict future land use and inform enhanced land management data sets.
Purdue researchers use a new hydrogen facility to study fundamental processes in hydrogen-oxygen engines, improving cooling efficiency and reducing costly overhauls. Accurate heat flux measurements enable more precise computational models, leading to better design performance and cost savings.
The Academy of Courageous Minority Engineers (ACME) framework includes web technology, weekly face-to-face meetings, and research seminars to support minority graduate students. ACME has helped over 45 graduate students earn their degrees, including a notable success story for architect Robbin Chapman.
Biomedical engineer Robert Langer is working on novel ways to deliver drugs and genes to targeted sites in the human body. His lab has developed polymers that can efficiently deliver DNA with reduced toxicity, potentially leading to new cancer treatments and disease therapies.
Researchers use a foot-long model in a quiet wind tunnel to study airflow over the X-51A vehicle, focusing on turbulent flow into the engine's combustor and smooth airflow over the upper surface. The findings will aid in designing vehicles that can fly at hypersonic speeds, reducing friction and heat generated during flight.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics will present eight awards to recognize outstanding achievements in aerospace science and engineering. The recipients include Helen Reed, Andrew Arena, Alan Tribble, Ryan Starkey, Wayne Sand, Vigor Yang, and six graduate students for their research endeavors.
Scientists use NASA satellites to monitor environmental changes, predicting infectious disease outbreaks like Ebola, West Nile virus, and Rift Valley Fever. Malaria surveillance also benefits from this technology, providing public health organizations with increased warning time to respond to outbreaks.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) will present awards at the 26th Digital Avionics Systems Conference. Andrew Zeitlin and Robert Acree are being recognized for their outstanding achievements in digital avionics and information systems.
A team of Iowa State engineers has developed a sensor that can detect small vibrations caused by escaping air in spacecraft, allowing for faster leak detection. This technology, in partnership with Invocon Inc., aims to improve the safety and efficiency of NASA's space missions.
A Brown University team has won the International Science and Technology Visualization Challenge with their visualization of bat flight, revealing fine details of wing and body movement during flight. The winning entry showcases the team's innovative use of motion-capture technology to capture the aerodynamics of bat flight.
The NSF-funded Model Institutions for Excellence program has successfully recruited underrepresented minorities to STEM fields, with a 44% increase in bachelor's degrees conferred. Key strategies include bridging the high school-college transition, mentoring programs, and faculty development.
A research team led by UNH will use satellite imagery and data from tick surveillance programs to identify 'hot spots' of Lyme disease transmission. The project aims to build capacity for early warning systems and predict the spread of other vector-borne diseases.
A team of engineers from Purdue University and Lockheed Martin Corp. developed a new technique to extend the service life of two communications satellites, saving $60 million for broadcasters. The technique equalizes propellant levels in all four fuel tanks, preventing premature shutdown and waste.
The National Research Council recommends the Joint Dark Energy Mission, supported by NASA and DOE, to study dark energy's role in the universe's expansion. The mission aims to map the sky with unprecedented resolution and study Type Ia supernovae to shed light on this mysterious entity.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) will present five awards for key contributions to space science and technology during the AIAA SPACE 2007 Conference & Exposition. Burt Rutan will be recognized as the AIAA Engineer of the Year for his innovations in access to space.
The BioSuit is a lightweight, skintight suit designed to allow superior mobility when humans reach Mars or return to the moon. It uses mechanical counter-pressure and stretches with the body, allowing freedom of movement.
The AIAA will present several awards at the upcoming conference, including the Wyld Propulsion Award to Frederick Boorady for his contributions to liquid propulsion technologies. The Ground Testing Award will be given to Frank Steinle for his work in experimental aerodynamics and ground testing.
Dr. Brian Sauser, Stevens Institute of Technology Assistant Professor, has been awarded a NASA Faculty Fellowship to conduct research at the Johnson Space Center. He will focus on growing systems engineering competencies and team formation indices to support NASA's return to the Moon and Mars missions.
Duke University researchers developed a three-dimensional fabric scaffold for cartilage repair using patient stem cells. The new technology could treat larger areas of cartilage damage and provide more effective results than current therapies.
Scientists have discovered material in comets that originated from the sun's inner solar system, defying a popular notion. The Stardust mission found particles with extreme properties, including one made of calcium-aluminum inclusion and another composed of magnesium olivine.
A Rutgers-based team found a connection between the 1783 Icelandic volcanic eruption and a famine in Egypt, which reduced the Nile valley population by a sixth. The study used computer models to trace atmospheric changes from the eruption to their impact on North Africa.
The MIT and Cambridge University team has designed a silent aircraft that can carry 215 passengers, predicted to achieve 124 passenger-miles per gallon, almost 25% more than current aircraft. The proposed plane features an integrated flying wing design, eliminating flaps and embedding engines in the fuselage.
A new national strategy could utilize small, lightweight jets to reduce congestion at major airports. The simulation predicts that policy changes are necessary to streamline the system, including better coordination among airlines and infrastructure providers.
Researchers at MIT have developed a platform that enables sustained, coordinated, autonomous flight with multiple UAVs, achieving complex tasks such as persistent surveillance. The test platform consists of networked mini-UAVs that can be commanded by a single operator and operate without piloting skills.
Researchers at MIT have created an engine on a chip that could run 10 times longer than traditional batteries, powering devices like laptops and cell phones. The device is made of silicon wafers and features a tiny combustion chamber, turbine blades, and mini-generator.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics has awarded NASA's Earth Observing System Program the 2006 Space Systems Award. The program, which comprises a series of Earth-observing satellites and an advanced data system, is being recognized for its outstanding achievements in global environmental monitoring.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a tiny ion pump that can cool small microelectronic components efficiently. The device uses an electrical charge to create a cooling air jet and has been shown to significantly cool an actively heated surface on just 0.6 watts of power.
Purdue engineers are developing advanced rocket technology that uses kerosene, eliminating the need for foam insulation. The research focuses on understanding combustion instability to create better computational models for designing rocket engines. This will enable more efficient and safer testing, reducing the risk of accidents and h...
University of Utah meteorologist Ed Zipser leads a NASA mission to study African weather disturbances that intensify into hurricanes. The study aims to improve hurricane prediction and understanding of extreme events like category 5 storms.
Researchers have found a nearby star system that could potentially host an Earth-like planet with the right conditions. The modelled system is expected to have a habitable zone where terrestrial planets can form, similar to our own solar system.
Researchers at Iowa State University are testing combustion for NASA using a new technology called electric particulate suspension. The goal is to understand how powders burn and ignite under various conditions, which could lead to improved fire safety and the development of a new safety standard.
A recent study has shown that human activities such as land use, aerosols, and irrigation in arid cities like Riyadh and Phoenix can alter the natural system and affect monsoon flow and mountain convection. These findings have significant implications for water resource management, agricultural efficiency, and urban planning.
A team of scientists at the University of Chicago has verified the main features of the cold dark matter model by comparing supercomputer simulations to recent astronomical observations. The simulations accurately reproduced the distribution of galaxies in the early stages of the universe's evolution.
The MIT SPHERES project aims to develop autonomous space vehicles that can maintain their positions via radio links, interacting almost constantly. The first critical test of the SPHERE is set for May 18 inside the space station, with two additional satellites scheduled to reach the station later this year.
Researchers found that small body size and parasitic lifestyles hinder fossilization, while burrowing clams have a higher chance of becoming fossils. The study provides strategies for improving the reliability of the fossil record, enabling scientists to better understand biological dynamics.
MIT researchers have made a breakthrough in creating morphing vehicles by utilizing rechargeable batteries. The team's innovative approach involves using the expansion and contraction of solid compounds to actuate large-scale structures, allowing for seamless shape changes.
A Penn bioethics researcher explores the intersection of neuroscience and ethics, highlighting potential implications for teaching ethics and forensic outcomes. The researcher's work raises important questions about the balance between individual freedom and the need for scientific understanding.
Norman R. Augustine has been honored with the 2005 AAAS Philip Hauge Abelson Prize for his exceptional contributions to advancing science, education, and innovation. His distinguished career spans over four decades, encompassing public service and industry leadership.
The team's collaborative efforts led to near real-time determination of upper atmospheric density, improving geostationary satellite orbits. The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration praised this as the 'greatest improvement in atmospheric drag modeling over the last 30 years'.
A team of NJIT solar physicists observed that the amount of light reflected by Earth has increased since 2000, despite less sunlight reaching the surface. The result is a paradoxical increase in global temperatures, which could be due to changes in cloud cover and altitude.
The Stardust spacecraft successfully recovered comet dust samples from Wild 2, which are believed to hold evidence about the formation of the sun and solar system. The samples will be studied using powerful instruments, including electron microscopes and nuclear accelerators.
Researchers use Purdue's unique wind tunnel to study airflow and turbulence, aiming to design aircraft that heat up less from atmospheric friction. The goal is to create lighter-weight, lower-cost vehicles for space planes using scramjets.
A team of international scientists are conducting a three-day simulation at Sandia National Laboratories to prepare for the Tropical Warm Pool International Cloud Experiment. The experiment aims to collect detailed data sets on tropical convection and improve computer models simulating clouds and climate.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has provided critical shielding data to NASA, enabling the resumption of space shuttle flights. The NIST system measures electromagnetic shielding characteristics in key locations, allowing NASA to set safe power levels on radar systems.
Scientists detect early signs of ozone recovery in the atmosphere, attributed to the Montreal Protocol's successful efforts to limit harmful chemicals. However, full recovery is expected to take several decades, highlighting the need for continued sun protection measures.