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A new sensor for light, heat and touch

Researchers at Linköping University developed a sensor that combines pyroelectric and thermoelectric effects with nano-optical phenomena, enabling rapid and stable detection of temperature variations from warm objects or sunlight. The sensor is also pressure-sensitive and can distinguish between different materials.

SourceLinköping University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMay 14, 2019

Eddy currents affect flux of salt more than heat

Researchers at KAUST found that eddy-induced transport is more active in the central and northern Red Sea, influencing surface heat flux and salt dispersion. This mechanism balances fluctuations in both heat and salt, highlighting its role in the Red Sea's circulation.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 6, 2019
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.

Improved risk management for geothermal systems

A team of scientists successfully controlled induced seismicity during a deep geothermal stimulation in Finland using near-real-time monitoring. The approach allowed for prompt adjustment of pumping rates and pressure, ensuring the successful completion of the project.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 1, 2019

Ocean's 'seasonal memory' affects Arctic climate change

The Arctic Ocean's seasonal memory mechanism explains how atmospheric circulation causes the Eurasian Arctic to melt faster than the American Arctic. The researchers found that different seasonal patterns are at play depending on region, with the Eurasian Arctic losing ice in winter and the American Arctic only losing ice in summer.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalAtmosphere·DateApr 29, 2019

New polymer films conduct heat instead of trapping it

MIT engineers have developed thin polymer films that conduct heat better than many metals, including steel and ceramic. The films, which are thinner than plastic wrap, exhibit high thermal conductivity due to the untangled molecular structure of polyethylene.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 29, 2019

Thermodynamic magic enables cooling without energy consumption

Physicists at the University of Zurich have created a device that can cool objects to below room temperature without external power supply. The process involves oscillating heat currents and temporarily flows from cold to warm objects, increasing entropy over time.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 19, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Transparent wood can store and release heat (video)

Researchers developed a new type of transparent wood that absorbs, stores and releases heat, potentially saving energy costs in eco-friendly homes. The material is biodegradable, strong and can bear heavy loads, opening the door for its eventual use in modern architecture.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateApr 3, 2019

Researchers tune material's color and thermal properties separately

Researchers at MIT have developed a material that can be tailored to reflect or absorb infrared radiation independently of its visible light properties. The new polymer material can be designed for various applications, including colorful, heat-reflecting building facades and light-absorbing covers for solar panels.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalOptical Materials Express·DateApr 2, 2019

Exotic 'second sound' phenomenon observed in pencil lead

Scientists have observed a new mode of heat transport in graphite, known as second sound, which behaves like sound when moving through the material. At temperatures above 80K, heat travels through graphite as a wave, cooling points instantly and carrying heat away at close to the speed of sound.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateMar 14, 2019
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Atmospheric scientists reveal the effect of sea-ice loss on Arctic warming

Research reveals that sea ice loss in the Arctic causes rapid warming, which will persist even after melting is complete. The study suggests that this phenomenon is more pronounced during certain periods, particularly during cloud season, due to seasonal sea-ice melting and its impact on atmospheric heat transfer.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 8, 2019

NYUAD researchers achieve solid state thermochemiluminescence with crystals

Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have successfully achieved solid-state thermochemiluminescence with crystals, a process that generates light through heat application. This fundamental discovery opens up unexplored directions in chemiluminescence research and has potential applications in solar energy harvesting technologies and sensing.

SourceNew York University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 1, 2019

Now you see heat, now you don't

Researchers have fabricated a film using DuPont Kevlar fibers and polyethylene glycol that absorbs heat and releases it slowly, making objects invisible to thermal cameras. The composite film performs comparably to other stealth films but is simpler and cheaper to make.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateFeb 27, 2019
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.

Indecision under pressure

Researchers found that when compressed, cubic boron arsenide's heat conductivity improves initially but then deteriorates due to competition between different processes. This behavior has never been predicted or observed before and challenges conventional understanding of heat conduction.

SourceBoston College·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 19, 2019

New clue in curious case of cassowary casque

A team of Australian scientists has discovered that the cassowary's distinctive helmet-like structure acts as a thermal window to regulate body temperature. The research provides new insights into the bird's ability to cope with high temperatures, and may have implications for our understanding of dinosaur physiology.

SourceLa Trobe University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 13, 2019

Improving geothermal HVAC systems with mathematics

Researchers develop new mathematical model to optimize geothermal heat exchanger design, ensuring energy efficiency and economic viability. The model avoids unrealistic assumptions, providing accurate predictions for long-term thermal response behavior.

SourceSociety for Industrial and Applied Mathematics·JournalSIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics·DateFeb 12, 2019
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.

An adaptive textile keeps cool by self-regulating its thermal properties

Researchers developed an adaptive textile that self-regulates its thermal properties based on the wearer's body temperature and humidity. The textile, made from infrared-sensitive yarn, can passively cool the body through radiative cooling and alter heat radiation by up to 35%.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateFeb 7, 2019

UMass Amherst materials chemists tap body heat to power 'smart garments'

Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a fabric that can harvest body heat to power small wearable microelectronics, such as activity trackers. The fabric uses thermoelectric properties of everyday materials like wool and cotton to generate electricity.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·DateJan 22, 2019

New thermoelectric material delivers record performance

Researchers have discovered a new class of half-Heusler thermoelectric compounds with a record high figure of merit, converting heat to electricity efficiently. The compound composed of tantalum, iron, and antimony demonstrated promising thermoelectric performance without using expensive elements.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 17, 2019
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.

Reconstructing ocean warming history

A new study reconstructs ocean heat storage since 1871, revealing key changes in temperature history and circulation patterns. The findings suggest that up to half of mid-latitude Atlantic Ocean warming can be attributed to changes in ocean circulation since the 1950s.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 7, 2019
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.

Supercomputers without waste heat

Researchers from the University of Konstanz have demonstrated that lossless electrical transfer of magnetically encoded information is possible, enabling enhanced storage density and reduced energy consumption in computing centres. This finding paves the way for novel functionalities in future energy-efficient information technologies.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 7, 2018

Write with heat, cool and then repeat with rewritable paper

Researchers create long-lasting rewritable paper by layering blue dye and black toner, which remain legible for more than six months. The material can be reset by cooling it down to 14 F, allowing for over 100 reuse cycles.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateDec 5, 2018
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.

See-through film rejects 70 percent of incoming solar heat

Researchers at MIT have developed a heat-rejecting film that can be applied to windows to reflect up to 70% of the sun's incoming heat. This innovative material could significantly reduce air conditioning costs and energy consumption, particularly in hot cities like Hong Kong.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJoule·DateNov 8, 2018

A bullet-proof heating pad

Researchers have created a wearable heater by modifying woven fabric with DuPont Kevlar fiber and nanowires, providing uniform heat and thermal insulation. The material is strong, flexible, breathable, and washable, making it suitable for use in cold-weather clothing.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalNano Letters·DateOct 31, 2018
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.

A new path to solving a longstanding fusion challenge

A new compact fusion reactor design using high-temperature superconducting magnets can effectively shed excess heat, a longstanding challenge in fusion power plants. This approach makes it possible to open the device's internal chamber and replace critical components.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalFusion Engineering and Design·DateOct 9, 2018

Energy-insecure New Yorkers face multiple health risks

A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that nearly one-third of Washington Heights residents experienced energy insecurity, leading to breathing problems, mental health issues, and poor sleep. Energy-insecure households were more likely to have children under 18 years of age and lower household income.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalEnergy Research & Social Science·DateOct 5, 2018

A biofuel for automated heat generation

Researchers from Tomsk Polytechnic University discovered that straw, chips, sawdust, and peat can generate more heat than they consume during pyrolysis, a process that can be optimized for efficient energy production. This technology has the potential to make energy generation from biofuel more resource-efficient and environmentally fr...

SourceTomsk Polytechnic University·DateOct 1, 2018

Polymer coating cools down buildings

Researchers create high-performance exterior PDRC polymer coating with nano-to-microscale air voids, which reflects sunlight and radiates heat to the sky. The coating can be fabricated, dyed, and applied like paint on various surfaces, achieving cooling capabilities in both desert and tropical climates.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalScience·DateSep 27, 2018
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.

$2 million award to reimagine US power grid

Michigan State University has been awarded a $2 million grant to develop new designs for long-duration storage on the US power grid. The project, called Scalable Thermochemical Option for Renewable Energy Storage (STORES), aims to create modular thermal storage systems that can store heat energy in the form of chemical energy.

SourceMichigan State University·DateSep 19, 2018

Origami inspires highly efficient solar steam generator

Researchers have developed a solar steam generator that approaches 100% efficiency for producing clean water from seawater. Inspired by origami, the device uses a 3D photothermal material to capture sunlight and evaporate water more efficiently than traditional flat devices.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateSep 19, 2018

Power of tiny vibrations could inspire novel heating devices

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh discovered that tiny vibrations can be used to heat small amounts of liquid, potentially improving systems that prevent ice build-up on aeroplanes and wind turbines. The findings could also lead to more efficient drying of clothes in appliances.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 10, 2018

Heat transfer surprise could lead to thermal transistors

New results show up to 100 times more heat can flow between nanoscale objects than predicted, with implications for solar cells and materials. The discovery could enable new ways to control heat in devices, such as heat transistors and diodes.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature·DateSep 5, 2018
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 way to remove ice buildup without power or chemicals

MIT researchers have developed a passive, solar-powered system to prevent ice buildup on surfaces, using a three-layered material that absorbs sunlight and spreads heat to melt boundary layers of ice. The system has been tested extensively and shows great promise for commercial use in various applications.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 31, 2018

Actuation gives new dimensions to an old material

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a low-cost actuation technology that can bend, fold or flatten specially prepared paper on command. The technology uses a thin layer of conducting thermoplastic applied to common paper, which can be heated to expand and cause the paper to change shape.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateAug 22, 2018

UVA multidisciplinary engineering team designs technology for smart materials

Researchers at UVA have invented a material with the ability to switch between insulating and cooling, making it suitable for applications such as smart fabrics and active wear. This technology has potential game-changing applications in various fields, including athletics and energy production.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateAug 17, 2018

Energy-efficient spin current can be controlled by magnetic field and temperature

Scientists have found a way to control spin currents using magnetic fields and temperatures, significantly improving the efficiency of fundamental spintronic components. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the design of storage devices like hard disks and create new technologies such as spin current switches.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Materials·DateAug 17, 2018
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

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

Earthquakes can be weakened by groundwater

Researchers from EPFL and ENS Paris have discovered that highly pressurized water in the vicinity of an earthquake can reduce its intensity. This finding contradicts previous theories and highlights the importance of considering fluid pressure in geothermal models to accurately predict earthquake behavior.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 6, 2018

NASA scientist reveals details of icy Greenland's heated geologic past

A NASA scientist has mapped the heat escaping from beneath Greenland's ice sheet, revealing a thermal track that records the movement of a continent through Earth's history. This heat map exposes a diagonal scar of warm, dense rock below the surface, created by a mantle plume that has fueled volcanic eruptions.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 1, 2018

Cold wave reveals potential benefits of urban heat islands

Researchers found that urban areas stayed warmer than surrounding suburbs and country during a 2014 cold wave, with temperature differences greatest at night. The study suggests that heat released from buildings can help cities reduce heating demand and make being outdoors more tolerable during extreme cold.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalJournal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology·DateJul 23, 2018
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.

Traveling to the sun: Why won't Parker Solar Probe melt?

The Parker Solar Probe will travel closer to the Sun than any mission before it, providing unprecedented observations of the corona. Despite temperatures exceeding a million degrees Fahrenheit, the spacecraft will withstand due to its custom heat shield and autonomous system.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 19, 2018

Generating electrical power from waste heat

Researchers from Sandia National Laboratories have developed a tiny silicon-based device that can harness waste heat and turn it into DC power. The device, called an infrared rectenna, has the potential to power compact devices in space missions and hybrid cars.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateJul 9, 2018

Qubits as valves: Controlling quantum heat engines

A team from Aalto University creates a miniature 'heat valve' in a quantum system, enabling the controlled exchange of energy with external surroundings. This breakthrough aims to improve the efficiency of quantum heat engines and refrigerators.

SourceAalto University·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 9, 2018
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.

Researchers upend conventional wisdom on thermal conductivity

A UH-led team has reported synthesizing a crystal grown from boron and arsenic elements with far higher thermal conductivity than any other semiconductors and metals. The discovery could address technological challenges in cooling electronic devices, which is crucial for high power density electronics.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalScience·DateJul 5, 2018

Merging antenna and electronics boosts energy and spectrum efficiency

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new co-design technique that merges the design of antenna and electronics, resulting in improved modulation and reduced waste heat. The innovation enables longer talk time and higher data rates in millimeter wave wireless communication devices for future 5G applications.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·DateJul 4, 2018
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Solar tower exposes materials to intense heat to test thermal response

The Sandia National Laboratories' solar tower facility is conducting a year-round test of the thermal response of various materials to intense heat and cooling. Researchers are using this setup to evaluate material durability for the Air Force, with the goal of establishing material response thresholds after exposure.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·DateJun 21, 2018