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What keeps the Earth cooking?

KamLAND collaboration measures radioactive decay of uranium, thorium, and potassium in Earth's crust and mantle to estimate heat energy. The new estimate is precise enough to aid in refining accepted geophysical models, suggesting that radioactive decay supplies only about half the Earth's heat.

Research hopes to improve suits for fighting wildfires

A North Carolina State University researcher is working on a project to develop new testing technologies for evaluating gear worn by wildland firefighters. The goal is to create clothing that provides better balance between comfort and thermal protection. The team will use an instrumented manikin called RadMan to study radiant heat and...

MIT research update: New way to store sun's heat

MIT researchers have developed a novel method for storing solar energy by modifying carbon nanotubes with azobenzene, resulting in an efficient and cost-effective solution. The new material has a high volumetric energy density comparable to lithium-ion batteries, making it promising for applications such as heating and energy storage.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Turning hot air into energy savings

A team of students has developed a system that harnesses heat from the sun and attic to operate a clothes dryer, reducing electricity bills by up to 16 percent. The system is expected to save homeowners nearly $6,500 in 20 years, with additional energy savings through space heating applications.

Prototype demonstrates success of advanced new energy technology

Researchers at Oregon State University have successfully prototyped a new energy technology that captures and uses low-to-medium grade waste heat from various sources. The system achieved an impressive 80% conversion efficiency in turning wasted heat into cooling capability, outperforming current approaches.

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.

Why animals don't have infrared vision

Researchers discovered that light-capturing pigment molecules can be triggered by heat, producing false alarms. The study found that red-sensing pigment triggers false alarms most frequently.

Quantum knowledge cools computers

Researchers have discovered that quantum entanglement can create a cooling effect when deleting data, which could be used to mitigate heat generation in supercomputers. By understanding the connection between information theory and thermodynamics, they found that entropy is a lack of knowledge that can be exploited for cooling purposes.

NASA is making hot, way cool

Researchers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center have developed an electrohydrodynamic (EHD)-based thermal control technology that promises to make it easier and more efficient to remove heat from small spaces. The technology, which uses electric fields to pump coolant through tiny ducts, could benefit a wide range of applications, in...

MIT: New method found for controlling conductivity

Researchers at MIT have found a way to manipulate the electrical and thermal properties of materials by changing external conditions such as temperature. The technique can change electrical conductivity by over 100 times and heat conductivity by threefold, making it suitable for various applications including electronic circuitry and t...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Tufts engineering professor wins NSF Career Award

Assistant Professor Tom Vandervelde of Tufts University has been awarded a $400,000 NSF Career Award to continue his research on thermophotovoltaics. His goal is to make these cells more efficient at lower temperatures, enabling applications in medical devices and sustainable energy solutions such as cooling data server farms.

We will convert waste heat into electricity

A team of researchers from Denmark and Japan have developed a new technology to convert waste heat into electricity using oxide materials. The project aims to integrate the technology into existing systems and reduce CO2 emissions, potentially enabling the use of thermoelectric material in various applications such as cars and stoves.

Breakthrough in converting heat waste to electricity

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a material that can harness electricity from heat-generating items with 14% efficiency, a scientific first. The material, composed of nanocrystals of rock salt in lead telluride, reduces electron scattering and increases energy conversion efficiency.

Structural distortions emerge from nothing at the nanoscale

Scientists have discovered a class of materials that can convert heat to electricity and vice versa exhibit an 'opposite-direction' phase transition at the nanoscale in response to temperature changes. This phenomenon is linked to the emergence of fluctuating dipoles, which impede the movement of heat through the material.

First measurement of magnetic field in Earth's core

The measured magnetic field strength of 25 Gauss is significantly stronger than the 5-Gauss weak field or the 100-Gauss strong field that would imply large radioactive decay contributions. The result constrains heat sources in the core, with the outer core likely producing 60% of the planet's power.

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.

Researchers demystify glasses by studying crystals

Scientists have demystified glasses by analyzing the behavior of a metallic alloy as it cools down. The findings suggest that glassy states can be unfrozen and refrozen by changing temperature, contradicting previous theories on strong and fragile liquids.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Cassini's CIRS reveals Saturn is on a cosmic dimmer switch

Saturn's southern hemisphere emits more energy than its northern one, with variations seen in the planet's seasons and years. The Cassini CIRS instrument reveals Saturn is not losing power evenly, providing a new understanding of the planet's internal heat source.

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.

Giant star goes supernova -- and is smothered by its own dust

Researchers detected a massive star's supernova in 2007, which appeared as a hot dust cloud instead of the typical explosion. The astronomers suspect this was more common early in the universe and may be related to the brightest star system in our galaxy.

Cluster helps disentangle turbulence in the solar wind

Scientists have observed Alfvén waves in the solar wind that point perpendicular to the magnetic field, efficiently transferring energy to protons. These waves play a crucial role in heating protons and explaining the solar wind's temperature changes.

Turning waste heat into power

Physicists at the University of Arizona have developed a new way to convert waste heat into electrical power using quantum physics. The technology holds great promise for making various devices more efficient and reducing ozone-depleting chemicals.

Tiny generators turn waste heat into power

Researchers have developed tiny devices that convert waste heat into electricity using pyroelectric nanowires. The devices can generate an electrical current in response to temperature changes, offering a potential solution for powering small devices and biological applications.

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.

Semiconductor could turn heat into computing power

The new technology, thermo-spintronics, could enable integrated circuits that run on heat instead of electricity. Researchers discovered that two pieces of the material do not need to be physically connected for the effect to propagate from one to the other.

Nanowick at heart of new system to cool 'power electronics'

Researchers have developed a new ultrathin cooling technology that can efficiently cool 'power electronics' in military and automotive systems. The miniature device uses copper spheres and carbon nanotubes to passively wick a coolant, handling up to 550 watts per square centimeter of heat.

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.

New system to reduce heating costs in cold climates

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new type of heat pump that can maintain efficiency in extreme cold climates, cutting heating bills in half. The innovation uses a scroll compressor and precise refrigerant flow control to reduce energy losses.

Pumping up the heat for a climate-friendly future

A new high-temperature heat pump technology has been developed to tap into geothermal energy sources, providing a renewable and inexhaustible energy supply. The system uses waste water from geothermal wells, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and CO2 emissions in European towns.

Clemson engineers to create model underground energy-storage facility

Researchers are creating a Subsurface Thermal Energy Storage (STES) system to store waste energy underground, cutting heating and cooling costs and reducing carbon emissions. The system uses natural insulating properties of underground sediments and conventional heat pumps to achieve higher efficiency than traditional HVAC systems.

'Missing' heat may affect future climate change

Researchers at NCAR suggest that half of the heat believed to have built up on Earth is unaccounted for due to inadequate measurement tools. The scientists call for additional ocean sensors and better data analysis to track the flow of energy through the climate system.

With support, graphene still a superior thermal conductor

Researchers found that supported graphene retains exceptional thermal conductivity of up to 600 watts per meter per Kelvin near room temperature. This is significantly higher than copper and silicon thin films currently used in electronic devices.

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.

MIT researchers discover new way of producing electricity

Researchers at MIT have discovered a new phenomenon that causes powerful waves of energy to shoot through carbon nanotubes, enabling the production of electricity. The discovery has led to the creation of a system that produces energy about 100 times greater than an equivalent weight of lithium-ion battery.

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.

MIT: Better way to harness waste heat

Researchers at MIT have developed a new technology that can convert waste heat into electricity with an efficiency of up to 90% of the Carnot Limit. This could lead to significant improvements in energy efficiency, such as double the talk time on cellphones and longer laptop battery life.

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.

Hybrid bluegrasses analyzed for use in transition zone

Researchers tested 'Thermal Blue' and 'Dura Blue' hybrids for optimal seeding rates, seed timing, and mowing height requirements. Both hybrids showed promise in the transition zone, with 'Thermal Blue' performing well in seeding trials and requiring frequent mowing.

New material could boost data storage, save energy

Engineers at North Carolina State University created a new material that can store equivalent of 20 high-definition DVDs or 250 million pages of text, far exceeding current computer memory systems. This breakthrough process also shows promise for boosting fuel economy and reducing heat in semiconductors.

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.

New MIT study shows breakdown in Planck's law

MIT researchers have confirmed a long-predicted breakdown in Planck's blackbody radiation law, allowing for increased heat transfer between objects. The discovery has significant implications for applications such as hard disk storage and energy harvesting from wasted heat.

Mines could provide geothermal energy

Researchers have developed a method to estimate the amount of heat that can be produced by abandoned mine tunnels, providing an alternative source of renewable energy. The geothermal energy from mines can be used for heating, hot water, and even industrial processes, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering CO2 emissions.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Improved techniques will help control heat in large data centers

To combat increasing cooling demands, researchers are exploring advanced cooling strategies and developing new heat transfer models. By optimizing airflow patterns and using liquid cooling, they aim to improve energy efficiency and reduce waste heat conversion into other forms of energy.

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.

MIT: Targeting tumors using tiny gold particles

Gold nanorods can detect and treat tumors by absorbing near-infrared light, heating them up to kill cancer cells, while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. The technology has shown promise in studies using mice, where tumors disappeared within 15 days of treatment.

Waste not, want not

Researchers in Japan investigate three technologies for heat recovery: latent heat, reaction heat, and thermoelectric devices. They find that high-temperature waste heat with adequate exergy value exists in many industries, offering effective ways to recover waste heat.