Articles tagged with Vapors
Researchers at Rice University found that blending more ethanol into fuel can lead to the release of toxic or explosive gases, which can accumulate in buildings and pose health risks. The study highlights the need for new thinking on managing vapor-intrusion risks due to fuel spills.
Researchers have discovered huge active plumes containing water vapour being released from the surface of Europa, a liquid ocean lies beneath its icy crust. The plumes, comparable to earth geysers in size, will aid further investigations of the moon and potentially make life discoveries
The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has discovered water vapour erupting from the surface of Jupiter's moon Europa, in one or more localised plumes near its south pole. This finding strengthens Europa's position as a top candidate for potential habitability, but the origin and connection to subsurface liquid water are still unknown.
A young star formed in the Milky Way galaxy underwent an explosive growth, becoming 100 times brighter than its current state within the past 100-1,000 years. This sudden increase was caused by a chemical reaction that enabled the formation of complex molecules like methanol.
Researchers at MIT and Boston University discovered that sparsely packed textures on surfaces can hold droplets in place, enabling cooling. This breakthrough has the potential to increase cooling efficiency gains in industries such as nuclear power plants, semiconductors, and electronics.
Researchers at NIST and the University of Maryland have developed an optical memory device using a cloud of rubidium atoms, enabling the storage of simple images. The breakthrough demonstrates spatially addressable readout and erasure of an image in the vapor, paving the way for quantum computing applications.
Researchers found that urine mercury concentrations may overestimate exposure to dental amalgam fillings, especially in populations with low occupational exposure. The study used mercury isotopes to accurately assess human exposure and provides a novel method for determining health risks.
A new laser hygrometer has been proven suitable as a transfer standard for atmospheric water vapor measurements, improving the accuracy of weather and climate models. The SEALDH system has demonstrated excellent performance in field conditions, with a detection limit in the ppm range and an ability to work autonomously.
Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed a rapid and accurate vapor detection method that identifies minute traces of explosives on luggage, cargo or travelers. The system, which 'sniffs' for explosive vapors, has been demonstrated to detect low-volatility compounds like RDX at levels below parts-per-trillion.
A Johns Hopkins study found that using robot-like devices to disperse hydrogen peroxide vapor enhances hospital disinfection, reducing multiple-drug-resistant bacteria by 64% and patient colonization risk by 80%. The technology improved infection control practices, combining standard cleaning with technological solutions.
Researchers at Fraunhofer WKI conducted a study to analyze emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ultrafine particles, and formaldehyde from e-cigarettes. The results showed lower emissions of VOCs and ultrafine particles when smoking an e-cigarette compared to conventional cigarettes.
Researchers at University of California, Santa Barbara, have designed a detector that uses microfluidic nanotechnology to mimic the biological mechanism behind canine scent receptors. The device can detect trace amounts of certain vapor molecules and identify specific substances.
Scientists have developed a method to generate steam using sunlight and nanoparticles, which can be used for purification of drinking water, sterilization of medical instruments, and sanitizing sewage. The approach produces steam with virtually no wasteful heating of the surrounding liquid, achieving an energy efficiency of 24%.
Scientists have discovered an enormous amount of water vapour, enough to fill Earth's oceans over 2000 times, in a gas and dust cloud collapsing into a new Sun-like star. Water was previously detected outside our Solar System as ice coated onto tiny dust grains near active star formation sites.
Researchers have identified a specially engineered steel surface that suppresses bubbling, reducing the risk of liquid explosions and fostering gentle heating. The textured surface maintains vapor layer stability, preventing boiling over and frost formation.
Researchers at Northwestern University have engineered a surface that prevents bubbling during boiling, creating a stable vapor cushion and eliminating bubbles. This discovery could lead to advancements in heat transfer equipment, anti-frost technologies, and reduce damage to surfaces.
A chemical sensing system developed by UConn researchers can detect ultra-trace levels of explosive vapors and buried explosives using a fluorescent nanofiberous film. The system has excellent sensitivity against common interferences and can detect elements at levels as low as 10 parts per billion (TNT).
A new analysis of surface textures reveals that microscale roughening can improve heat transfer by more than doubling the maximum dissipation. The research found that a simple roughening of the surface improved heat transfer as much as previous techniques used to produce nanoscale patterns, and provides a theoretical framework for anal...
Scientists at Georgia Institute of Technology used acoustic fields to enhance heat transfer, removing vapor bubbles and suppressing insulating film formation. This led to improved boiling efficiency.
Researchers at NIST have developed a novel method for generating superluminal light pulses through four-wave mixing, which can be used to improve communication timing and investigate quantum correlations. The technique introduces cleaner, less noisy pulses with increased speed, potentially enabling faster-than-light information transfer.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new smart gas sensor that can detect airborne chemicals with higher sensitivity and consume less power. The sensor uses a novel approach to separate chemicals in the gas mixture, allowing for more accurate identification and analysis.
A study found that broken compact fluorescent light bulbs continuously release mercury vapor for weeks to months, posing a risk of exceeding safe human exposure levels. The authors recommend rapid removal and suitable packaging to minimize the risk of breakage and retain Hg vapor.
The Cassini mission has found evidence of large-scale saltwater reservoirs beneath Enceladus' icy crust, suggesting a possible subsurface ocean. The data reveal that most of the ejected solids are salt-rich grains, which are thought to originate from liquid saltwater rather than surface ice.
A new drag reduction method could help shipping industries reduce energy use and carbon emissions by creating an insulating vapour layer around the ship's hot body. The Leidenfrost effect is used to minimize drag on fast-moving projectiles in water, with potential applications in ocean transport and high-pressure pumping.
A recent UC Riverside study evaluated five e-cigarette brands, revealing design flaws, inadequate labeling, and quality control concerns. The researchers urge regulators to remove e-cigarettes from the market until their safety is adequately evaluated.
PlasmaButton therapy offers a new treatment option for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), with benefits including excellent tissue ablation, minimal patient morbidity, and ease of use. The technology provides a virtually bloodless procedure, reducing complications such as urinary tract infections and renal failure.
Researchers from Penn State College of Medicine found that vapor rubs containing menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus oils effectively relieve night-time cough and congestion symptoms in children, improving their sleep quality. The study also showed significant relief for parents' sleep, with no reported side effects.
By using glancing-angle deposition, researchers can create a forest of nanorods on a target surface, which offers a range of potential applications including nanosensors and fuel-cell cathodes. This technique extends shadowing effects to higher temperatures, leading to larger-diameter nanorods with unique properties.
Researchers have improved alkali-vapor magnetometer measurements by maintaining spin polarization for over 60 seconds at room temperature, a two-orders-of-magnitude improvement. The technique involves coating the glass vapor cell with an antirelaxation coating to reduce magnetic fluctuations and collisions among atoms.
Researchers create tiny sensor molecules using DNA that can detect multiple substances with different color changes, enabling a vast array of responses to various molecules. The DNA sensors could be used in portable devices, such as a fluorescence microscope, to detect everything from incipiently souring milk to high explosives.
A new technology delivers nicotine directly to the lungs, providing immediate relief of withdrawal symptoms and reducing throat irritation. This innovative approach combines vapor phase pyruvic acid and nicotine for a more effective and tolerable smoking cessation therapy.
A recent study published in HortScience found that some popular indoor plant species release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the environment. The study identified 23 VOCs emitted by four plants: Peace Lily, Snake Plant, Weeping Fig, and Areca Palm.
The Constrained Vapor Bubble (CVB) experiment aims to understand heat and mass transfer operations in microgravity. It will provide valuable data for developing new cooling systems for spacecraft and electronics devices, as well as improving terrestrial heat transfer devices.
Researchers at Yale University developed a system to detect human skin vapors, revealing fatty acids as primary attractants for mosquitoes. The technology also enables dogs to identify their owners by detecting unique skin compounds.
Researchers detect sodium salts in Enceladus plume, confirming presence of salty ocean beneath moon's surface. The concentration of sodium chloride is estimated to be similar to Earth's oceans, with a concentration of 0.1-0.3 moles per kilogram of water.
Researchers have developed a new technology to detect explosives based on their unique thermal characteristics, enabling trace detection and differentiation between individual explosives. The system uses microfabricated bridges to probe thermal signatures of chemical vapors, allowing for high sensitivity and selectivity.
Researchers are developing a sensor that analyzes breath or urine samples for volatile markers indicating disease. These markers can be used as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for conditions like breast cancer, lung cancer, diabetes and asthma.
Four NASA rockets launched from Alaska's Poker Flat Research Range, releasing glowing vapor trails to study turbulence above 50-80 miles high. The experiment, called Turbopause, aims to measure the region where winds reach their largest values.
Scientists are launching five NASA sounding rockets to study turbulence in the upper atmosphere. The rockets will release a glowing vapor trail nearly 87 miles up into the sky, allowing scientists to track its movement and analyze upper-atmospheric winds.
A new study at Queensland University of Technology identified the origin and identity of tiny, potentially hazardous particles emitted from common laser printers. The research found that these ultrafine particles form from vapours produced when toner is fused to paper, posing a risk to human health.
A team of Brown University researchers has invented mercury-absorbent materials to capture mercury vapor from broken compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). The technology can be applied to packaging and plastic bags, making it an inexpensive solution to mitigate environmental concerns and health risks.
Junipers' adaptation to avoid 'cavitation' allows them to withstand dry conditions, while their low specific leaf area enables them to conserve water. This study reveals the key structural features behind juniper trees' exceptional drought tolerance.
Scientists have shed light on Enceladus' space enigma by explaining the dynamics of its erupting plume. The new theory suggests that dust particles and water vapor form below the moon's surface, with temperature and pressure conditions allowing for rapid water vapor eruption and slower dust particle ejection.
Researchers developed DNA sensors that can detect odors in the vapor phase with high specificity. The study demonstrated a previously unreported property of single-stranded DNA molecules, showing they can respond to odor pulses in a sequence-selective manner on solid surfaces.
Chemical engineers discovered a fundamental flaw in the conventional view of how liquids form bubbles that grow and turn into vapors. The new findings apply to homogeneous nucleation and suggest multiple possible pathways for phase transition, potentially leading to practical safety benefits for industry.
Astronomers have detected water vapor in the atmosphere of HD 189733b, a gas giant 63 light-years away. The presence of water vapour suggests that the planet may have had liquid water on its surface at some point, increasing hopes for detecting life on other rocky planets.
Researchers at UCSC have achieved atomic spectroscopy on a chip, enabling compact and portable applications in laser frequency stabilization and quantum information processing. The technology has potential implications for gas detection sensors and quantum optics experiments.
Dr. Timothy M. Swager has invented amplified fluorescent polymers that can detect nitro aromatic molecules, a class of chemicals used in explosives. His molecular wire sensors have applications in healthcare, environmental monitoring and security.
Researchers aim to investigate high humidities in upper troposphere and their impact on water vapor distribution. The study suggests that current models may need significant adjustments if the findings are accurate.
Researchers have developed a breathable protective garment material that blocks toxic vapors while allowing water vapor to pass through, maintaining personal comfort and safety. The material is lightweight and selectively rejects chemical agents, making it an ideal solution for military personnel and emergency services.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that a vapor layer forms between hot particles and cold droplets, allowing them to bounce off each other without touching. This discovery can lead to more efficient heat transfer in industries such as oil refining, boosting efficiency and reducing costs.
A recent NIST paper explains that actual fuel tank capacity can vary from the rated capacity rating due to design characteristics, manufacturing process, and physics. Drivers are cautioned against using the 'half full' reading on the fuel gauge to determine exact fuel tank capacity.
Recent Cassini findings suggest that Enceladus' south pole is the source of water vapor and fine icy particles, defying previous assumptions. The discovery sheds light on the moon's internal heat and its connection to the E ring, offering a new perspective on Saturn's complex system.
A new sensor system combining flame photometer, ion mobility spectrometer and surface acoustic wave array detects chemical vapors with high accuracy. The PSU-developed CINET software reduces false alarms by correlating data from multiple detectors.
Syphilis symptoms and treatments are alluded to in Shakespeare's plays and poems, with Dr. John Ross suggesting mercury poisoning may have contributed to the Bard's death
The Life Sciences Research Office review of scientific literature concludes that dental amalgam does not cause serious adverse health consequences, except in rare cases of allergic reactions. The study's findings contradict claims that mercury release from dental amalgam leads to various health issues.
A new handheld sensing device, called the 'dog-on-a-chip,' can detect cocaine in real-time, reducing time between seizures and lab analysis. The device uses monoclonal antibodies to differentiate between similar molecules, providing an advantage over canine sniffers.
New research suggests that hot spots on Mars could be the key to finding signs of water and life on the planet. The study, led by Dr Hoffman, compares similarities between Antarctica's Mt Erebus ice towers and potential Martian structures, proposing a new focus for the search.
A PhD student developed a method to filter water vapor information from satellite data, enabling accurate predictions of the greenhouse effect. The research is important for understanding the complex influence of water vapor in the atmosphere and its impact on global temperatures.
A new study confirmed air pollution is associated with slower lung function growth in children, compared to areas with cleaner air. Lung function growth was found to be about 11% lower in the most polluted community.