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Lust for power

Researchers discovered a new, eco-friendly thermoelectric material made from calcium, cobalt, and terbium that can generate electricity through temperature differences. The material has the potential to power implantable medical devices, charge mobile devices, and even reuse waste heat in power plants.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 20, 2017

A new study provides a solid evidence for global warming

The new study reconstructs historical ocean subsurface temperature change with improved accuracy, revealing larger ocean energy accumulation and increased confidence in climate change assessments. This advances our understanding of global warming driven by the Earth's energy imbalance.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 13, 2017

New types of structures for cage-like clathrates

Researchers at UC Davis have discovered new types of cage-like compounds called clathrates that can convert waste heat into electricity. The compounds, which trap an atom inside a larger cage, show promise for improving thermoelectric devices.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 6, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Scientists create a nano-trampoline to probe quantum behavior

Researchers developed an experiment to detect quantum events in ultra-thin films, enhancing understanding of basic phenomena in nano-sized systems. The study uses a novel 'nano-trampoline' setup to measure specific heat and demonstrate the existence of quantum criticality.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 22, 2017

Staying cool without an air conditioner

A new film developed by Yao Zhai and colleagues can dissipate the sun's thermal energy, resulting in a cooling effect. The material is lightweight, easily conforms to curved surfaces, and relatively easy to mass produce, making it a promising solution for passive radiative cooling.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateFeb 9, 2017

For this metal, electricity flows, but not the heat

Scientists have found that electrons in vanadium dioxide move in unison, making it a poor conductor of heat. The material's unique properties make it suitable for applications like thermoelectric systems and window coatings.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateJan 26, 2017

One step closer to reality: Devices that convert heat into electricity

A team of researchers at Ohio State University has developed a device that converts waste heat into electricity, producing a voltage output 10 times higher than previous results. The innovation uses a composite material of nickel and platinum to amplify the voltage output through magnetism.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 3, 2017
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.

UNIST engineers thermoelectric material in paintable liquid form

Researchers at UNIST have created a new type of high-performance thermoelectric material that can be directly painted onto any surface. This innovation enables the efficient collection of heat energy from industrial waste, potentially powering vehicles and other applications.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 8, 2016

How plants manage excess solar energy

Scientists have found that the UVR8 receptor in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii activates a safety valve to dissipate excess energy as heat. The study reveals a second protective role of these receptors, producing an anti-UV 'sunscreen'.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 5, 2016
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.

Researchers report new thermoelectric material with high power factors

Scientists have created a new thermoelectric material that can convert waste heat into electricity at an unusually high rate, producing 22 watts per square centimeter. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient energy conservation and reduced CO2 emissions by harnessing abundant and free fuel sources.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 14, 2016

A new type of convection is proven in granular gases

Researchers from the University of Extremadura and Sapienza University of Rome have discovered a new type of convection in granular fluids. This lateral-wall thermal convection is produced by inert walls and exhibits distinct properties compared to traditional fluid dynamics.

SourceUniversity of Extremadura·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 11, 2016
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Body heat as a power source

Researchers have created a flexible, wearable thermocell that harnesses body heat to generate electricity. The device uses gel-based electrolytes and combines two different redox pairs to produce a current. This innovation overcomes previous challenges in wearable energy harvesting and storage devices.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateSep 6, 2016

NASA sees Hermine's twin towers

A joint NASA-JAXA mission observed two persistent hot towers south and east of Hermine's center, influencing its strengthening. Repeated cloud-top height measurements suggested these towers, lasting 9-12 hours, could eject energy into the atmosphere.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 2, 2016
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.

Bubble-wrapped sponge creates steam using sunlight

Researchers at MIT create a bubble-wrapped, sponge-like device that captures ambient sunlight and concentrates it to heat water to boiling temperatures. The structure achieves 20% conversion efficiency and can be used for desalination, residential heating, wastewater treatment, and medical tool sterilization.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Energy·DateAug 22, 2016

Heat release of later-age concrete and the concrete strength development

Researchers investigate relationship between hydration heat and concrete strength, establishing a preliminary hydration heat model to predict heat release in later-age concrete. The study finds that increasing concrete strength reduces hydration heat, improving pipe cooling effects and controlling temperature peaks.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Construction and Building Technology Journal·DateAug 9, 2016

Molten storage and thermophotovoltaics offer new solar power pathway

New computer modeling suggests that solid-state thermophotovoltaics (TPV) could rival combined-cycle turbine systems when combined with thermal storage using liquid metal. TPV operates on the same principle as solar cells but converts infrared radiation to electricity.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateJul 26, 2016

Putting software on a diet

Researchers aim to improve energy efficiency in software applications by increasing understanding of their impact on power usage. The three-year project will develop novel automatic analyses and tools to support decision-making, with the goal of enabling software engineers to create more energy-efficient code.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·DateJul 20, 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.

Engineered 'sand' may help cool electronic devices

Researchers have discovered a new class of high thermal conductivity materials that can improve cooling for power electronics and other applications. The silicon dioxide nanoparticles, coated with ethylene glycol, can conduct heat at potentially higher efficiency than existing materials.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalMaterials Horizons·DateJul 12, 2016

Just what sustains Earth's magnetic field anyway?

Researchers discovered that iron's ability to transmit heat matches previous estimates, suggesting energy necessary for geodynamo has been available since early Earth's history. The study used a laser-heated diamond anvil cell to mimic planetary core conditions and study iron's thermal conductivity.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature·DateJun 1, 2016

Looking to beat the heat and save money?

A new study published by Concordia University researchers confirms that cool roofs provide net energy and monetary savings in colder climates. Using modelling software, they found annual energy expenditure savings of $4-14 per 100 square meters in four cold-climate cities.

SourceConcordia University·JournalEnergy and Buildings·DateMay 31, 2016
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Measuring the heat capacity of condensed light

Researchers create new method to quantify the change in thermal energy storage during phase transition from photon gas to Bose-Einstein condensate, enabling precise measurement of natural constants and potential applications in high-precision thermometry.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 19, 2016

Physicists build engine consisting of one atom

Researchers create single-particle engine that can store and generate energy, operating at 0.3% efficiency with a power output of 10^-22 watts. The device has potential applications in quantum thermodynamics and nano engineering.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalScience·DateApr 15, 2016
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Back to basics with thermoelectric power

Researchers found that electron diffusivity plays a crucial role in harnessing thermoelectric power from waste heat. The study sheds light on the fundamental physical process behind this phenomenon.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal Plus·DateApr 5, 2016

Heat and light get larger at the nanoscale

Researchers have successfully demonstrated a strong non-contact heat transfer channel using light, achieving near-field radiative heat transfer between parallel objects at nanoscale distances. The team's approach has the potential to revolutionize energy conversion applications by converting wasted heat from combustion engines back to ...

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMar 31, 2016

Story tips from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, March 2016

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are developing experimental pretreatments to improve the cost-effectiveness of biofuel production. A new app, FuelEconomy.gov, helps consumers make informed buying decisions and save fuel. Meanwhile, a heat pump technology developed by ORNL can reduce energy consumption in cold climates by u...

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalGreen Chemistry·DateMar 2, 2016
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Electrons and liquid helium advance understanding of zero-resistance

Researchers at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology discover anomalies in electron behavior on liquid helium systems, shedding light on zero-resistance phenomenon in semiconductors. The study sheds new insights into quantum physics and its applications.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 1, 2016

Satellites find sustainable energy in cities

Researchers at KIT have developed a method to estimate groundwater temperature from surface temperatures and building densities measured by satellites, revealing that 95% of areas studied had higher groundwater temperatures than surface temperatures. This discovery opens up new possibilities for sustainable energy production in cities.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJan 12, 2016
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.

The scientific benefits of Rudolph's red nose

Researchers found that Rudolph's luminescent nose is effective as a fog light due to its maximum level of redness visible to mammals. However, excessive heat loss poses a risk to Rudolph's hypothermia, highlighting the importance of high-calorie foods.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalFrontiers for Young Minds·DateDec 21, 2015

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

Doping powers new thermoelectric material

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new thermoelectric material that converts waste heat to electricity more efficiently than previous materials. By doping tin selenide with sodium, they increased the material's performance, enabling it to produce significantly more electricity from the same amount of heat input.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience·DateNov 26, 2015

MIT mathematicians identify limits to heat flow at the nanoscale

MIT mathematicians have developed a formula to calculate the maximum amount of heat exchanged between two objects separated by distances shorter than the width of a single hair. The formula uses material properties and separation distance as parameters, allowing for optimization of devices such as thermophotovoltaics.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 24, 2015

New urban heat island study shows surprising variation in air temperatures across Twin Cities

A new study from the University of Minnesota used a network of 180 sensors to capture detailed temperature patterns across the Twin Cities metropolitan area, highlighting the strength and variability of the urban heat island effect. The research provides valuable insights into efforts to reduce heat-related harm in metro areas globally.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalJournal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology·DateNov 18, 2015
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Lasers could rapidly make materials hotter than the Sun

Researchers from Imperial College London have discovered a method to heat ions directly using high-intensity lasers, potentially leading to faster and more efficient fusion reactions. The technique, which uses electrostatic shockwaves to accelerate ions, could be used at many laser facilities worldwide.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 13, 2015

The long and short of plasma turbulence

Researchers have used a supercomputer to simulate plasma turbulence, finding that long and short wavelength turbulence coexist and interact strongly, increasing heat losses tenfold above standard models. This discovery may inform fusion reactor design and bring us closer to practical fusion energy.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·DateNov 10, 2015
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Liquid cooling moves onto the chip for denser electronics

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a liquid-cooling system that can be integrated directly onto chips, enabling the creation of denser and more powerful electronic systems. The system has been demonstrated to operate at temperatures significantly below those of air-cooled devices.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·DateOct 4, 2015

Heat waves hit heat islands hardest

A University of Wisconsin-Madison study found that extreme temperatures affect urban heat islands more intensely than their nonurban surroundings. This can lead to uncomfortable summers, increased health risks, and higher energy bills for city-dwellers. Climate change projections indicate that cities will be especially vulnerable to th...

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateSep 28, 2015

New Geosphere themed issue: The anatomy of rifting

A new themed issue explores the anatomy of rifting, revealing diverse extensional processes, including plate thinning, magma intrusion, and volcanism. The study documents active processes at divergent plate boundaries and transforms, synthesizing key research topics on plate extension.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeosphere·DateSep 22, 2015
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

A thermal invisibility cloak actively redirects heat

A new thermal cloak developed by researchers in Singapore can render objects thermally invisible by redirecting incident heat. The active thermal cloaking system has the potential to fine-tune temperature distribution and heat flow in electronic and semiconductor systems.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateSep 21, 2015

IRIS and Hinode: A stellar research team

Researchers confirm coronal heating mechanism using observations from NASA's IRIS and Japan's Hinode solar observatory. Resonant absorption process converts magnetic waves into heat energy, explaining why the sun's corona is hotter than its surface.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 25, 2015
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Hinode, IRIS, and ATERUI cooperate on 70-year-old solar mystery

A research team combined high-resolution observations from Hinode and IRIS with numerical simulations to detect resonant absorption in a solar prominence. This process heats the prominence through turbulent flow, providing a solution to the long-standing coronal heating problem.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·DateAug 23, 2015

On the way to breaking the terahertz barrier for graphene nanoelectronics

Graphene transistors and photodetectors will benefit from this simpler thermodynamic approach, allowing for improved performance. Researchers have discovered that the energy of ultrafast electrical currents is efficiently converted into electron heat, enabling faster operation speeds.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Polymer Research·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 16, 2015