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Using AI to improve building energy use and comfort

Researchers at University of Waterloo developed an autonomous AI platform to inspect buildings, detecting major heat loss regions with high accuracy. The system aims to lead to millions in energy savings through faster analysis and reduced human error.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalEnergy Conversion and Management·DateMay 15, 2024
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.

Using solar energy to generate heat at high temperatures

Researchers at ETH Zurich have engineered a thermal trap to deliver heat at high temperatures needed for industrial processes, overcoming the challenge of fossil fuels. The device, which uses solar radiation, absorbs sunlight and converts it into heat, minimizing radiative heat losses and increasing efficiency.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalDevice·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 15, 2024

Study led by ORNL informs climate resilience strategies in urban, rural areas

A new study led by ORNL provides valuable insights into vegetation resilience in response to extreme heat events, informing pathways for climate mitigation. The analysis found that impervious surfaces, moisture conditions, and type of land cover affect vegetation resilience, with preservation and enhancement of vegetation contributing ...

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 8, 2024

Study uses thermodynamics to describe expansion of the Universe

Researchers used thermodynamics to describe the expansion of the Universe, finding that adiabatic and anisotropic effects are accompanied by cooling due to the barocaloric effect. The study proposes a novel way to investigate anisotropic effects associated with the expansion of the Universe.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalResults in Physics·DateApr 15, 2024

Enhancing radiative cooling with aperture mirror structures

Researchers demonstrate how a simple mirror design can amplify radiative cooling processes for buildings. The mirror structure effectively guides thermal radiation towards the most transmissive portion of the atmosphere, increasing cooling power.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy·DateApr 10, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A high-boost and high-efficiency DC power converter

The new circuit design uses resonant tank circuits to store energy during switching periods, reducing losses and increasing efficiency. It also employs a planar transformer for compactness and good thermal performance. The prototype achieved an unprecedented 91.3% energy efficiency and reduced electromagnetic noise.

SourceKobe University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Power Electronics·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 1, 2024

Heat, cold extremes hold untapped potential for solar and wind energy

A Washington State University-led study found that widespread, extreme temperature events can capture greater solar radiation and higher wind speeds to help power grids. This analysis suggests using more renewable energy at these times could reduce strain on grids during increased energy demand.

SourceWashington State University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMar 27, 2024

Cool paint coatings help pedestrians feel up to 1.5 degrees Celsius cooler in urban setting, NTU Singapore field study finds

A study by NTU Singapore researchers found that cool paint coatings can reduce city heat by up to 2 degrees Celsius, improving pedestrian thermal comfort levels. The coatings reflected sunlight and absorbed less heat, resulting in cooler temperatures and reduced indoor air-conditioning energy consumption.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalSustainable Cities and Society·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2024
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.

Excess temperatures cause low flocking concerns

A study found that days above 32°C during the mating week caused a 2.1 million fewer lambs produced in Australia each year. If global warming increases by 1°C or 3°C, annual losses could increase to 2.5 million and 3.3 million, respectively. The research also found that heat stress can reduce lamb birthweight by 0.6-1.4kg.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalNature Food·TypeObservational study·DateMar 20, 2024

Bendable energy storage materials by cool science

Researchers developed mesoporous metal oxides on flexible materials using synergetic effect of heat and plasma at lower temperatures. The devices can withstand bending thousands of times without losing energy storage performance.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMar 18, 2024

What heat can tell us about battery chemistry: using the Peltier effect to study lithium-ion cells

A team of researchers at the University of Illinois has demonstrated a technique to study chemical properties of lithium-ion battery cells by exploiting the Peltier effect. This allows them to experimentally measure the entropy of the lithium-ion electrolyte, which could inform lithium-ion battery design.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·DateMar 8, 2024

Microbes impact coral bleaching susceptibility, new study shows

A new study has identified the role of microbes in regulating coral thermal bleaching susceptibility, revealing that heat-tolerant Symbiodiniaceae dominate microbial communities on Huangyan Island. Increased fungal diversity and pathogen abundance are associated with higher coral thermal bleaching susceptibility.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateMar 6, 2024
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Hourly heat exposure and acute ischemic stroke

A study of 82,000 patients found a strong association between hourly heat exposure and the onset of acute ischemic stroke. The findings suggest that high ambient temperatures may contribute to an increased risk of cerebrovascular events under global warming.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 28, 2024

Thermally engineering templates for highly ordered self-assembled materials

Scientists at the University of Illinois and Michigan created a template that minimizes heat transfer, resulting in highly organized microstructures. The result is eutectic materials with predictable and consistent properties, crucial for applications requiring uniformity.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateFeb 14, 2024

Decoding thermophotovoltaic efficiency

A new universal figure-of-merit for thermophotovoltaic (TPV) devices has been introduced to assess performance and balance power density and efficiency. This metric enables the classification of previously reported experimental results, providing a clear picture of TPV device overall performance.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy·DateFeb 7, 2024

Higher measurement accuracy opens new window to the quantum world

A team at HZB has developed a new measurement method that accurately detects tiny temperature differences in the range of 100 microkelvin in the thermal Hall effect. This allows for the study of quantum materials and their exotic properties.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalMaterials & Design·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2024
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Glass packaging with a mix of thermoelectric in the vias

Researchers have developed a thermal management technique for photonic packages using glass substrates and thermoelectric vias, enabling precise temperature control. The technology, termed SimTEC, combines through glass vias partially filled with copper and thermoelectric materials to reduce thermal resistance between chips.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Optical Microsystems·DateJan 10, 2024

Some mosquitoes like it hot

New research found significant differences in heat tolerance among mosquito populations, with some more resilient to heat waves than others. Climate factors such as precipitation and humidity play a crucial role in determining their thermal limits, which may impact disease transmission.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 8, 2024
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.

Climate change could be impacting babies’ birthweight for gestational age

A large-scale study found exposure to low and high biothermal stress during pregnancy linked to a higher risk of babies being born too small or large for their gestational ages. The study also identified specific subpopulations at higher risk, including non-Caucasian people and those aged 35 and above.

SourceCurtin University·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·TypeObservational study·DateJan 7, 2024

Thermal impact of 3D stacking photonic and electronic chips

The study found that 3D integration can lead to significant heat spreading and crosstalk, reducing heater efficiency by up to -43.3% and increasing thermal crosstalk by up to +44.4%. However, optimizing design variables, such as spacing between µbumps and interconnect linewidth, can minimize the thermal penalty of 3D integration.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Optical Microsystems·DateDec 7, 2023
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.

New study shows how heat can be used in computing

Researchers have discovered a way to use heat signals to process data in energy-efficient computers. The team's approach uses non-conductive magnetic strips and metal spacers to conduct and amplify heat signals, enabling logical computing operations and heat diodes.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalAdvanced Electronic Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 27, 2023

Honeybee cluster—not insulation but stressful heat sink

Researchers found that honeybees' cluster behavior is a survival strategy against cold temperatures, not insulation. The study suggests that beekeepers should reconsider their hives' design and materials to reduce heat loss.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateNov 27, 2023

Heat tolerant coral may trade fast growth for resilience

Researchers found a tradeoff between fast growth and heat tolerance in corals, with thermally sensitive algae dominating faster growth but only in cooler water. This study helps predict reef futures and inform conservation strategies, highlighting the complexity of coral growth on a reef.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalCoral Reefs·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 16, 2023
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.

Risk of dying in hospital from respiratory causes is higher in the summer than in the winter

A study published in The Lancet Regional Health - Europe found that ambient temperature is strongly associated with inpatient mortality from respiratory diseases, particularly during the warm season. The research suggests that high temperatures contribute to an increase in fatal hospital admissions, especially in Barcelona.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 7, 2023

Green spaces can save lives, according to urban big data

Researchers found that green spaces alleviate extreme heat's negative impacts on human health, while densely packed buildings increase mortality risk. Urban design strategies incorporating different types of greenery are recommended to mitigate heatwave-associated mortality.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 5, 2023
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.

In a surprising finding, light can make water evaporate without heat

A team of researchers at MIT has discovered a process where light can directly cause evaporation without heat, exceeding the thermal limit. This phenomenon could explain natural phenomena like fog and clouds, and enable new approaches to desalination.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 1, 2023

Cracking an age-old thermodynamic puzzle

A team of researchers has devised a novel micro heat engine that can produce both high efficiency and high power at maximum efficiency, overcoming the Carnot limit. The study used a tiny gel-like colloidal bead and a laser beam to direct its motion, achieving an efficiency close to 95%.

SourceIndian Institute of Science (IISc)·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 1, 2023

How to build greener data centers? Scientists say crank up the heat

Scientists propose new temperature guidelines for data centers that may help reduce energy consumption and save money. Researchers found that raising the temperature to around 41°C could lead to significant savings, with some areas able to rely entirely on free-cooling, reducing energy costs by up to 56%.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 18, 2023
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.

Experiencing record-breaking heat days affects perception of weather trends

A new study finds that experiencing record-breaking heat days increases perceptions that the weather is getting hotter, but has little effect on beliefs in climate change. Record-heat days can drive changes in the general perception that the weather is worsening, regardless of season or media coverage.

SourceAnnenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania·JournalScientific Reports·TypeSurvey·DateOct 11, 2023

Elevated temperatures and climate change may contribute to rising drug and alcohol disorders

Researchers found a significant association between high temperatures and increased hospital visits for alcohol-related disorders. Higher temperatures also led to more hospital visits for other substance disorders, but only up to a certain limit. The study highlights the need for public health interventions during warmer weather.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalCommunications Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 26, 2023
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Systemic cooling poverty: A new facet of deprivation emerging in a warming planet

A new study defines systemic cooling poverty as a multidimensional concept that considers climate, thermal comfort infrastructures, social inequality, health, and education. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing heat exposure risks with effective coordination between sectors like housing, healthcare, and agriculture.

SourceUniversità Ca' Foscari Venezia·JournalNature Sustainability·DateSep 25, 2023

London has the fastest increase in cooling demand in the world, shows new model

A new model shows London's cooling demand grew by 5% per year between 1980 and 2022 as summers heat up, highlighting the need for preparedness and energy efficiency measures. The Demand.ninja model can also predict potential benefits of behavior change, such as reducing natural gas consumption and CO2 emissions.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNature Energy·DateSep 14, 2023
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 new design strategy for mechanoresponsive materials with high thermal tolerance

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a new design strategy for creating mechanoresponsive materials with high thermal tolerance. The study identified two key factors that determine the thermal stability of these materials: radical-stabilization energy and Hammett constants.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalChemical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 11, 2023

Clever coating turns lampshades into indoor air purifiers

Scientists have designed catalyst-coated lampshades that transform indoor air pollutants into harmless compounds using waste heat from lamps. The technology targets volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which account for most indoor airborne pollutants, and has been shown to work with halogen and incandescent light bulbs.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateAug 16, 2023

Medications for chronic diseases affect the body’s ability to regulate body temperature, keep cool

Chronic disease medications impair the body's ability to regulate core temperature, increasing the risk of heat-related illness in elderly patients. Exercise and improved fitness levels can help mitigate these effects, but bodily impairments from chemotherapy and medications may limit exercise capacity.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalPharmacological Reviews·TypeObservational study·DateAug 16, 2023
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.

Nanoscale material offers new way to control fire

Researchers developed a nanoscale material technique called inverse thermal degradation (ITD) to control high-temperature flames and tune material properties. By regulating oxygen access, ITD allows for smoldering rather than bursting into flames, producing carbon tubes with desired characteristics.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 14, 2023

Way cool: UVA professor developing ‘freeze ray’ technology for the Air Force

UVA professor Patrick Hopkins is developing a 'freeze ray' technology to cool electronics in spacecraft and high-altitude jets, which can't be cooled by nature due to the vacuum of space. The technology uses heat-generating plasma to create localized cooling, and has been granted $750,000 by the Air Force.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2023

Novel thermal sensor could help drive down the heat

Researchers created a thin, flexible sensor that can visualize heat flow in real-time using thermoelectric phenomenon ANE. The sensor can be built deep inside devices and is quick, cheap, and easy to manufacture.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2023
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.

Front cover highlights "innovative approach" of research into 2D materials

Lancaster University researchers have developed a novel scanning thermal microscopy approach to directly measure the heat conductivity of two-dimensional materials. This breakthrough enables the creation of efficient waste heat scavengers generating cheap electricity, new compact fridges, and advanced optical and microwave sensors and ...

SourceLancaster University·JournalAdvanced Materials Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2023

Unveiling synchronization preferences of quantum thermal machines

The study reveals that quantum thermal machines exhibit distinct synchronization behavior, with cooperation and competition emerging among different components. The researchers found that cooperation manifests in harmony-like synchrony, while competition thrives in chaotic conditions.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 17, 2023

The ground is deforming, and buildings aren’t ready

A Northwestern University study links underground climate change to shifting ground beneath urban areas, causing building foundations and surrounding ground to move excessively and crack. The researchers also found that past building damage may have been caused by rising temperatures, which will continue for years to come.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCommunications Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 11, 2023