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It is all about the distribution

Researchers developed a three-dimensional model to estimate usable wind energy and found that repowering old plants with larger ones increases yields by several hundred percent. The study suggests that this approach can significantly reduce the cost of generating electricity comparable to brown coal.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalEnergy Conversion and Management·DateSep 5, 2018

S, N co-doped carbon nanotube-encapsulated CoS2@Co

Researchers developed a new type of hydrogen production catalyst with low cost, high catalytic activity, and high stability. The S, N co-doped carbon nanotube-encapsulated CoS2@Co composite exhibits excellent electrocatalytic properties, including rapid water dissociation under various operating currents.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateSep 4, 2018

Breaking down the Wiedemann-Franz law

Researchers at ETH Zurich explore the coupling between heat and particle currents in a gas of strongly interacting fermionic atoms. They found an order of magnitude below predictions of the Wiedemann-Franz law, indicating separation of mechanisms responsible for particle and heat currents.

SourceETH Zurich Department of Physics·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 10, 2018

Mission: Possible -- mapping dangerous terrain

Researchers are creating self-guided packages made of biodegradable materials to map coastlines and sea bottoms. These devices aim to dissolve upon reaching shore, providing up-to-date information on potentially hostile regions. Additionally, a swarm of drones will be developed using cameras, sonar, and sensors to evade tracking, with ...

'Strange metals' just got stranger

Researchers at Florida State University's National High Magnetic Field Laboratory have discovered that cuprates, known for their unique behavior, carry current in a non-conventional way. The study reveals that the electrons seem to cooperate as they move through the material, contradicting the widely accepted understanding of conventio...

SourceFlorida State University·JournalScience·DateAug 2, 2018

Current noises of Majorana fermions

Majorana fermions, which are self-antiparticles, can be detected using current noise in a topological Josephson junction. The study found that the non-equilibrium current noises exhibit peaks at specific frequencies, indicating the presence of these particles. This method provides a direct detection method for Majorana fermions.

Scoping magnetic fields out for prevention

Physicists develop mathematical formula to approximate magnetic field circulation around a closed path or loop, based on Biot-Savart's law. The study provides a new approach to evaluate the effects of magnetic fields on human health and prevent exposure.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal Plus·DateJul 11, 2018

Your brain with a migraine

An international team of researchers has identified the electrical activity specific to the start of migraines and demonstrated a way to stop it in animal experiments. They found that spreading depolarization, seen in migraines, can be stopped with an opposite direction of electrical current used to turn off seizures.

SourcePenn State·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 27, 2018

Having more allies may decrease a country's power

Researchers developed a computer game to examine relationships between countries and strategic environments. They found that having more allies can increase a country's responsibility, leading to decreased overall welfare. The study has potential implications for current events, including the China-US-North Korea conflict.

SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·DateJun 25, 2018

A lightweight carbon nanofiber-based collector

Researchers have developed a lightweight carbon nanofiber-based collector that can restrain dendrite growth and achieve uniform lithium deposition. The collector, made with high nitrogen-doping levels, improves energy density by up to 2489.7 mAh/g, enabling the practical use of lithium metal anodes.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Materials·DateJun 20, 2018

Single molecular insulator pushes boundaries of current state of the art

Researchers at Columbia University have developed a single molecular insulator that can effectively block leakage current in transistors, paving the way for smaller and more efficient devices. The breakthrough uses quantum interference-based approach to create a novel technique for blocking tunnelling conduction at the nanoscale.

New study shows evidence that health information exchanges improve care, reduce costs

A recent systematic review found that health information exchanges can significantly reduce healthcare costs and usage. Community-based exchanges showed more promising results than proprietary ones. The study's lead investigator attributed the difference to more mature systems being examined in the current review.

SourceIndiana University·JournalJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association·DateMay 30, 2018

Changes in e-cigarette use among US adults

A national survey found an increase in US adults who have ever used e-cigarettes, with a decrease in reported current use between 2014 and 2016. Electronic cigarettes were marketed for smoking cessation and as an alternative to conventional cigarettes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateMay 15, 2018

Towards sustainable blockchains

Researchers at IST Austria propose using disk space instead of computational power to secure blockchains, reducing energy consumption and promoting sustainability. The 'proofs of sequential work' approach has the potential to revolutionize blockchain design, offering a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional proof-of-work systems.

Automated electric taxis could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and costs

Researchers developed a model to test the cost and capabilities of a fleet of shared, automated electric vehicles in New York City. The study found that about 6,500 vehicles could be sustained on 1,500 medium-power electric vehicle chargers across Manhattan, resulting in a 33,000-ton reduction in carbon dioxide emissions per year.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMar 28, 2018

New optical modules could improve thyroid cancer screening

Researchers developed a point-of-care device that simultaneously probes patient hemodynamics, chemical constitution, and anatomy to diagnose thyroid nodules. The device uses near-infrared time-resolve spectroscopy and diffuse correlation spectroscopy to collect tissue data, promising improved accuracy and reduced costs.

SourceOptica·DateMar 19, 2018