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A Space: Science & Technology study advances numerical research for optimizing micronozzle performance

Researchers optimize micronozzle design through numerical simulation and design optimization to improve thrust force and specific impulse. The study finds that wall heat transfer, convergence duct design, throat shape, and expander structural parameters significantly affect nozzle performance.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalSpace: Science & Technology·DateJun 20, 2023

Tame heat with pressure

A Chinese research team has developed a barocaloric thermal battery concept that extracts thermal energy from low-temperature waste heat sources by controlling pressure. The system, materialized in ammonium thiocyanate, releases up to 11 times more heat than the mechanical energy input.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2023

Climate change played key role in dinosaur success story

New research shows climate change played a key role in dinosaurs' rise to success during the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic periods. The planet's warming after the Triassic-Jurassic mass extinction event allowed sauropod-like dinosaurs to thrive and expand across new territories, becoming the dominant species.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 16, 2022

How “2D” materials expand

Scientists have developed a method to accurately measure the thermal expansion coefficient of 2D materials when heated, which could help engineers design next-generation electronics. The approach uses laser light to track vibrations of atoms in the material, allowing for precise measurements and confirming theoretical calculations.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 18, 2022

Novel theory of entropy may solve materials design issues

Researchers at Penn State have developed Zentropy theory, a new approach to understanding entropy that can predict anomalies in physical properties like volume. The theory may lead to breakthroughs in designing superconducting materials and structural materials that withstand higher temperatures.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Phase Equilibria and Diffusion·DateMar 16, 2022

Super-elastic high-entropy Elinvar alloy discovered with potential for aerospace engineering

Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have discovered a super-elastic high-entropy Elinvar alloy that retains its stiffness even after being heated to 1000 K. The alloy's unique structure and chemical composition allow it to store a large amount of elastic energy, making it suitable for high-precision devices in aerospace enginee...

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 9, 2022

Study explores remarkable negative thermal expansion seen in layered ruthenates

A recent study reveals the physical properties responsible for Ca2RuO4's negative thermal expansion (NTE), a phenomenon where materials shrink when heated. The research proposes a new route to designing unconventional NTE materials, which could lead to the creation of composites showing no overall thermal expansion.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalChemistry of Materials·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 28, 2021

Using waste heat to power an environmentally sustainable future

Dr Martin White's research proposes a two-phase expansion system that can generate up to 28% more power than conventional single-phase systems. The study aims to enhance the performance of Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems for waste heat recovery, reducing environmental footprint in industries such as iron and steel, food, and drink.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalApplied Thermal Engineering·DateMay 24, 2021

Limitations on end-of-season photosynthesis

A study using satellite data and in-situ sensor observations found that the end date of plant photosynthesis is constrained by both temperature and water limits. As temperatures decrease, soil water demands increase to support continued vegetation growth, potentially leading to expansions of regions with limited photosynthesis.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 13, 2020

Record-breaking material that contracts when heated

Nagoya University researchers have developed a new class of composite materials with negative thermal expansion, offering potential solutions for industrial applications. The reduced ruthenate ceramic material shrinks by up to 6.7% when heated, making it more than double the current record-holding material.

SourceNagoya University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 8, 2017

Caution: Shrinks when warm

A team of physicists has identified a material with negative thermal expansion, shrinking in size as it warms. The discovery challenges current theoretical understanding of thermal expansion and may lead to the development of more durable electronics.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalPhysical Review B·DateOct 8, 2015

Human activities contribute to California's global warming

Recent research found California's temperatures have jumped statewide by more than 2.1 degrees Fahrenheit between 1915 and 2000, with the warming being fastest in late winter and early spring. The study suggests that natural causes alone cannot explain this trend and points to greenhouse gases and urbanization as contributing factors.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 17, 2008

Global warming: lessons taught by snails and crabs

A study by Stanford researchers reveals that global warming is causing a significant shift in marine species distribution, with many vulnerable intertidal creatures already struggling to cope. Rising temperatures are pushing species over their thermal tolerance range, leading to declines and potential extinctions.

SourceStanford University·JournalPhysiological and Biochemical Zoology·DateNov 14, 2000

Single-isotope silicon helps chips keep their cool

Scientists have discovered that single-isotope silicon can conduct heat more efficiently than natural silicon, with a 60% improvement in thermal conductivity at room temperature. This enhancement is attributed to the suppression of phonon scattering caused by fluctuations in atomic masses, resulting in improved heat transfer rates.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalSolid State Communications·DateMay 9, 2000

Twentieth century the warmest of last five centuries

A new study of borehole temperatures reveals that the 20th century was the warmest of the past five centuries, with Earth's temperature increasing about 1 degree Celsius since 1500. The analysis, which combined data from over 600 sites worldwide, found a greater warming trend in the Northern Hemisphere than previously estimated.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature·DateFeb 15, 2000

An entire library on one compact disc?

Temple University physicist Zameer Hasan is working to increase the storage capacity of compact discs by using lasers to distinguish between different colors, allowing for a billion-fold increase in data storage. His research focuses on creating materials that can withstand high temperatures and improve the speed of laser reading.

A Drug Pump On A Computer Chip

Researchers have developed a prototype drug pump that can monitor its own flow rate, ensuring steady stream of medicine and enabling diabetics to manage their condition more effectively. The device is made on a single silicon wafer and uses a titanium-nickel alloy to flex and regulate fluid flow.