Add BrightSurf on Google Email

A new radiation detector made from graphene

Researchers have created a graphene-based radiation detector with a fast response time and the ability to work over a wide range of temperatures. The device exploits graphene's thermoelectric properties, generating an electric field that provides a direct measurement of radiation.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 6, 2018

USC Viterbi faculty design thermal 'skin' to maintain temperature of satellites

Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering have developed a new material to self-regulate the temperature of satellites, reducing on-board power reserves and increasing lifespan. The hybrid structure of silicon and vanadium dioxide performs 20 times better than current semiconductors in maintaining optimal satellite temperatures.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalOptica·DateDec 12, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Planet formation: The death of a planet nursery?

The TW Hydrae system shows a prominent gap that is unlikely to be caused by an actively accreting protoplanet. Instead, researchers attribute the feature to photoevaporation, which heats gas and allows it to fly away from the disk. This process may disperse the disk before planets can form.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 5, 2016

Nanomaterial to drive new generation of solar cells: ANU media release

Researchers have discovered a new metamaterial that radiates heat in specific directions, making it ideal for use with thermophotovoltaic cells. This breakthrough could lead to highly efficient cells that harvest heat from surroundings and convert it into electricity.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 18, 2016
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Heat radiates 10,000 times faster at the nanoscale

At the nanoscale, heat radiates from one surface to another in a vacuum 10,000 times faster than expected. This discovery has significant applications in next-generation information storage and devices that convert heat into electricity.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature·DateDec 10, 2015

Tunneling across a tiny gap

Heat flow between materials separated by less than a nanometer occurs not via radiation or conduction, but through phonon tunneling. Researchers developed a unified framework to calculate heat transport at finite gaps, explaining how phonons can

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 7, 2015

A novel solar CPV/CSP hybrid system was proposed by researchers at NCEPU

Researchers at NCEPU propose a novel solar CPV/CSP hybrid system that combines electricity generation with heat utilization. The system improves overall solar-to-electricity efficiency by increasing the useful peripheral low-concentration radiation, resulting in high-efficiency solar power generation.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateFeb 11, 2015
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.

NOAA's DSCOVR NISTAR instrument watches Earth's 'budget'

The NISTAR instrument on NOAA's DSCOVR spacecraft will measure the Earth's radiation budget by monitoring absolute irradiance over the entire sunlit face of the planet. This information can be used to understand the effects of human activities and natural phenomena on climate change.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 20, 2015

Urban heat -- not a myth, and worst where it's wet

A new study reveals that urbanization reduces convection efficiency by 58 percent in wetter climates, leading to a significant rise in daytime temperatures. This finding challenges the long-held belief that vegetation loss is the primary cause of the urban heat island effect.

SourceYale School of the Environment·JournalNature·DateJul 9, 2014

Shale could be long-term home for problematic nuclear waste

Researchers propose using shale formations as a potential solution for storing spent nuclear fuel due to their impermeable properties. This would minimize the risk of water contamination and ensure safe storage for tens or hundreds of thousands of years.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateMar 17, 2014
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Fur and feathers keep animals warm by scattering light

Researchers found that fur coats and down feathers derive their insulating power from an optical mechanism involving the scattering of infrared light. This discovery could lead to improved building insulation and the development of new types of ultrathin insulation.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateJan 23, 2014

Heat radiation of small objects: Beyond Planck's equations

Scientists at Vienna University of Technology experimentally confirmed a new theory of heat radiation for ultra-thin optical fibers, showing that smaller objects can't radiate efficiently. This discovery is crucial for nano-devices and aerosol physics.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 10, 2013

Radiation-resistant circuits from mechanical parts

Researchers develop unique technology that keeps devices working in the presence of ionizing radiation, suitable for space applications and control systems, and overcome current radiation-resistant technologies' drawbacks. The new logic gates perform logical operations and can be used to build circuits such as adders and multiplexers.

SourceUniversity of Utah·DateJun 11, 2012
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

No extraordinary effects from microwave and mobile phone heating

Scientists quantify differences between microwave-induced and conventional heating in liquid glycerol samples, finding increased mobility and reactivity at low frequencies. The type of heating used has a limited impact on molecular mobility and reactivity at high temperatures.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateNov 15, 2011

Improving the physics of grocery store display cases to save energy

Researchers at the University of Washington and Kettering University have developed a tool to optimize grocery store display case designs, reducing energy consumption by up to 15%. The team tested various air curtain speeds, angles, and factors to minimize warm air infiltration into chilled compartments.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalApplied Thermal Engineering·DateOct 13, 2011

Dartmouth researchers propose new way to reproduce a black hole

Dartmouth researchers have proposed a new method to create tiny quantum-sized black holes in the laboratory, allowing for better understanding of Hawking radiation. The SQUID-based setup enables exploration of analogue quantum gravitational effects and may be more straightforward for detecting Hawking radiation.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 21, 2009
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Technique measures heat transport in the Earth's crust

Researchers developed a new method to measure heat transport in rocks, revealing that rock conductivity varies strongly with temperature. The technique, laser-flash analysis, provides more accurate data on heat transport than conventional methods.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature·DateMar 30, 2009

Super-tough sunshield to fly on the James Webb Space Telescope

The NASA-designed Sunshield is made of a super-tough polymer-based film that can block the sun's energy while maintaining structural integrity. The telescope needs to be extremely cold to observe distant galaxies and stars in infrared light, and the Sunshield plays a crucial role in achieving this.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 12, 2008

Researchers find way to make tumor cells easier to destroy

Tumor cells can be made more sensitive to hyperthermia-enhanced radiation therapy by inhibiting telomerase, a protective enzyme. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found that moderately increasing heat activates telomerase in tumor cells.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalCancer Research·DateMay 6, 2008

Satellite shows regional variation in warming from sun during solar cycle

The NASA SORCE mission is tracking regional variations in the sun's warming impact on Earth, with possible implications for global climate patterns. The study found that while the sun's brightness affects Earth's temperature modestly, regional temperature changes can vary by a factor of eight.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalEos·DateNov 13, 2007
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Nanotube, heal thyself

Researchers discovered that carbon nanotubes can repair themselves by moving blemishes across the surface of the material, sewing up larger holes as they go. This self-repair mechanism allows the nanotube to retain its strength despite severe damage, but comes with a price: releasing energy and mass in the form of gaseous carbon atoms.

SourceRice University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 15, 2007

Heat therapy for cancer may be key to 'Lance Armstrong Effect'

Scientists at Johns Hopkins believe that heat therapy can selectively target and kill cancer cells by disrupting their nuclear protein scaffolding. Preliminary research suggests that this approach could be effective in treating solid tumors, with the goal of improving cure rates.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJAMA·DateJul 25, 2006

Minerals go 'dark' near Earth's core

Researchers found that magnesiowüstite, a common mineral in the lower mantle, absorbs infrared light when compressed to extreme pressures. This suggests that radiation may not play a significant role in heat flow near Earth's core.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalScience·DateMay 25, 2006

Record-breaking detector may aid nuclear inspections

Scientists at NIST have developed a highly accurate gamma ray detector, capable of pinpointing emissions signatures of specific atoms with 10 times the precision of conventional sensors. This technology may aid in verifying inventories of nuclear materials and detecting radioactive contamination in the environment.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·DateMar 14, 2006
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

NASA finds stronger storms change heat and rainfall worldwide

A new analysis of global satellite data reveals that a warming climate has led to fewer but stronger storms in mid-latitudes, resulting in contrasting cooling and warming effects on the atmosphere. These storm changes affect the Earth's radiation and precipitation fields, leading to increased precipitation in the northern mid-latitudes.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMar 9, 2006

Scientists confirm Earth's energy is out of balance

A new study confirms the Earth's energy is out of balance, with more energy absorbed from the sun than emitted back to space. The imbalance, measured at 0.85 watts per meter squared, will cause an additional 0.6 degrees Celsius warming by the end of this century.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalScience·DateApr 29, 2005

World's most powerful infrared camera opens its eyes on the heavens

The Wide Field Camera (WFCAM) is the world's most powerful infrared survey camera, detecting objects one hundred times fainter than existing surveys. It has captured stunning images of the Orion nebula, revealing thousands of young stars and dramatic clouds of gas and dust.

SourceScience and Technology Facilities Council·DateDec 22, 2004
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Cancers' love-hate relationship with proteins offers new treatment window

Researchers have discovered that Heat shock protein (Hsp) 70.1 and 70.3 can be used to increase cancer cells' vulnerability to radiation treatments, offering a new treatment window for cancer patients. The proteins were found to interact with telomerase, an enzyme that helps maintain the telomeres at the ends of chromosomes.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalMolecular and Cellular Biology·DateDec 17, 2003

Mirror fibers could create novel fabrics

MIT scientists develop polymer fibers with a 'perfect mirror' structure, enabling reflection of light across various wavelengths and potential applications in optical textiles. The breakthrough utilizes dielectric materials to control the fiber's optical properties.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateApr 24, 2002
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.