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Scientist proposes a practical upper limit to viscosity

A study by Professor Masaki Yoshida suggests that there is a physically meaningful upper limit to viscosity beyond which materials effectively become rigid. The research found that the maximum viscosity inferred from stable lithospheric regions is around 10^30 Pa s, making it roughly 10^33 times greater than water's viscosity.

SourceRitsumeikan University·JournalPhysics of Fluids·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 6, 2026
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.

Southwest Research Institute patents energy-efficient EZ Flow™ technology

Southwest Research Institute has patented EZ Flow technology, which reduces the viscosity of heavy crude oil by 40-60%, making it easier and less expensive to transport. The two-part process uses a proprietary chemical additive and controlled hydrodynamic cavitation to reduce viscosity without changing the oil's composition.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·DateJun 15, 2026

SwRI expands High-Viscosity Flow Loop to test equipment moving heavy oils

The upgraded facility enables efficient testing of equipment moving heavy oils, addressing the growing need for advanced gas separation technologies. SwRI's expanded High-Viscosity Flow Loop offers a more comprehensive solution, allowing for cost-effective and efficient testing of pumps in extremely viscous conditions.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·DateDec 2, 2025

Understanding water-soluble polymers in wastewater

Lehigh University researchers are collaborating with Dow on a three-year NSF-funded project to understand the chemistry behind full degradation of these polymers. The goal is to develop strategies for selective mixing of microbial communities to target different parts of the polymer for complete breakdown.

SourceLehigh University·DateOct 27, 2025

Supramolecular probes with enhanced phosphorescence properties for biological imaging and sensing

Researchers developed a supramolecular probe with enhanced phosphorescence properties for biological imaging and sensing. The probe demonstrated outstanding stability, biocompatibility, and specificity in viscosity response, enabling real-time visualization of critical physiological processes in cells and in vivo biosensing.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateJan 14, 2025
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.

Viscosity of materials key to cell differentiation

Researchers from IBEC have improved understanding of how MSCs sense environment viscosity, a key factor in differentiation into different tissue types. Viscosity affects cell behavior and promotes differentiation into softer tissues like cartilage.

SourceInstitute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2024

Gravitational waves unveil previously unseen properties of neutron stars

Researchers unveil previously unseen properties of neutron stars through gravitational wave analysis, providing insight into internal composition and dynamic material properties. The study places observational constraints on viscosity within neutron stars.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 5, 2024

Control of temperature dependent viscosity for manufacturing of Bi-doped active fiber

Researchers developed a novel temperature-dependent viscosity mediated strategy to control Bi dopant deactivation during fiber drawing. A borate glass system with faster viscosity changing rate was created, resulting in the first demonstration of on-off gain in a Bi-doped borate fiber system.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateApr 16, 2024
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.

Energy industry apps to improve accuracy and efficiency

University of Houston researchers have created digital applications to enhance energy efficiency, including calculators for hydrocarbon MMP, carbon dioxide MMP, and viscosity. These tools offer significantly higher accuracy than current methods, helping engineers save time and resources.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalGeoenergy Science and Engineering·TypeNews article·DateMay 25, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

U of T researchers identify how cells move faster through mucus than blood

A study published in Nature Physics reveals that specialized cell movement may explain the progression of cancer and cystic fibrosis. Cells with ruffled edges sense viscosity and adapt to increase their speed, moving faster through mucus than blood. This discovery sheds light on disease mechanisms and potential treatments.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2022

Seismic study reveals key reason why Patagonia is rising as glaciers melt

A recent seismic study reveals that Patagonia is rising as glaciers melt due to a gap in the tectonic plate under the region. The study found low seismic velocity and a thinning of the lithosphere above the gap, which is driving rapid uplift.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 28, 2022

Towards self-sensing soft robots with electrochemically driven pumps

A team of researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology has developed a transducer powered by electrochemical reactions to drive fluid pumps without cumbersome parts in soft robots. The ECDT enables self-sensing technology, enhancing the multifunctionality of soft robots and allowing for miniaturization.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2022
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

New images lead to better prediction of shear thickening

Shear thickening occurs when particles in a low-viscosity solution behave like a solid under stress. Researchers at North Carolina State University captured microscopic images of particles as they underwent shear thickening, revealing complex networks formed between particles and their shapes dependent on particle roughness.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 7, 2021

UCF researchers identify food products that could reduce COVID transmission

Researchers at the University of Central Florida have identified food products that can alter a person's saliva to reduce the transmission potential of airborne pathogens. By adding ingredients like ginger, cornstarch, and xanthan gum to food products, people may be able to make masks more effective or even reduce their need for them.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 16, 2021

Simulating microswimmers in nematic fluids

The study reveals that microswimmers propel themselves through nematic liquid crystals with non-random trajectories to minimize elastic energy. The speed of a microswimmer varies depending on whether it pushes or pulls the surrounding fluid, and becomes slower when pushing with a stronger force.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateJul 13, 2021
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 phase of modeling the viscous coupling effects of multiphase fluid flow

Researchers led by Kyushu University have developed a new method to explore key phenomena associated with multiphase fluid flow in porous materials, overcoming the limitation of viscous coupling effects. The new approach combines pore network modeling and lattice Boltzmann simulations, allowing for accurate capture of viscous coupling ...

SourceKyushu University, I2CNER·JournalAdvances in Water Resources·DateNov 16, 2020
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.

Artificial Intelligence has learned to estimate oil viscosity

A group of Skoltech scientists created machine learning algorithms that can predict oil viscosity based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data. This method has the potential to revolutionize the way oil is processed and understood.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalEnergy & Fuels·DateNov 5, 2020

SUTD developed a simple method to print planar microstructures of polysiloxane

Researchers from SUTD developed a simple method to fabricate reproducible planar microstructures of polysiloxane without changing its properties. The new approach, embedded ink writing (EIW), enables direct patterning of polysiloxane on different soft and rigid substrates.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMay 28, 2020
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.

A novel formulation to explain heat propagation

Researchers at EPFL have developed a novel formulation that describes how heat spreads within crystalline materials. This breakthrough will help engineers design next-generation electronic devices by explaining hydrodynamic phenomena, which are prevalent in materials like graphite and graphene.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalPhysical Review X·DateFeb 11, 2020

Why is ice so slippery

A thin layer of liquid water, much thinner than expected, is found to reduce friction on ice, with complex viscoelastic properties. This film's unusual behavior contradicts existing theories and offers new insights into ice gliding and winter sports.

SourceCNRS·JournalPhysical Review X·DateNov 5, 2019
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.

Hall effect becomes viscous in graphene

Researchers at the University of Manchester discovered that graphene's Hall effect becomes viscous due to electron-electron interactions. This phenomenon can lead to unique behaviors such as negative resistance and superballistic flow, even at room temperature.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalScience·DateFeb 28, 2019

Coughing and airway mucus clearing

A study analyzes airway mucus properties contributing to ineffective coughing in respiratory disease. Strategies to reduce mucus hyperconcentration and viscosity are proposed as potential solutions.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 12, 2018

'Frogs' and 'mushrooms' bubble up in quantum fluids

Researchers used a supercomputer to simulate the mixing of two magnetically polarized Bose-Einstein condensates, producing exotic shapes that resemble ink blot tests. The study offers clues to phenomena seen in actual experiments and may have implications for ultra-fast computing and classical-quantum fluid connections.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPhysical Review A·DateApr 4, 2018
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.

Researcher uses Westminster Abbey windows to shine light on glass myth

A team of researchers has found that cathedral glass transitions to a liquid much faster than previously thought, contradicting the long-held myth that it is thicker at the bottom due to viscosity. The discovery could have significant implications for our understanding of glassy materials and their properties.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of the American Ceramic Society·DateDec 18, 2017

The glass transition caught in the act

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis used a new experimental setup to measure the atomic properties of liquid materials, resolving some long-standing debates about the glass transition. The team found that fragility is related to atomic interactions and structural changes during the transition.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 17, 2017

How nanoparticles affect flow through porous stuff in surprising ways

Researchers at the University of Calgary discovered that nanoparticles can enhance or attenuate viscous fingering, a phenomenon where fluids converge in finger-shaped patterns. The study found that nanoparticle deposition rates and diffusion rates can destabilize flows, creating vortex dipoles.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateApr 4, 2017
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.

Discovery: A new form of light

A team of scientists from the University of Vermont and Dartmouth College have discovered a new way that some molecules can make a luminescent glow, breaking Kasha's Rule. The newly discovered pathway to creating light may prove useful in industrial materials, LEDs, and biomedical imaging.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature Chemistry·DateOct 5, 2016

Thinning out the carbon capture viscosity problem

Researchers used computer modeling to predict viscosity in CO2 capture materials, allowing for the design of low-viscosity liquids that can efficiently bind carbon dioxide. This could lead to cost savings and improved efficiency in carbon capture technology.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateMay 17, 2016

'Disruptive device' brings xenon-NMR to fragile materials

Scientists at Berkeley Lab have developed a device that enables NMR spectroscopy with hyperpolarized xenon gas to analyze molecular interactions in viscous solutions and fragile materials without disrupting their order. This breakthrough could help improve advanced polymers, filters, catalysts, and liquid-crystal displays.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateMar 16, 2016

Twin studies provide first explanations for boundary within Earth's mantle

Two new studies by University of Maryland geologists provide different explanations for the boundary within Earth's mantle, with one suggesting increased viscosity and the other denser rock composition. The research sheds light on the physics of the deep Earth, particularly the heat engine driving plate tectonics at the surface.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalScience·DateDec 10, 2015
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.

Experiments explain why some liquids are 'fragile' and others are 'strong'

Researchers use X-rays and a new apparatus to compare behavior of glass-forming liquids as they approach the glass transition. The results show that bulk properties are linked to microscopic structure, providing insight into the mysterious process of glass formation. This study has potential applications in pharmaceutical industry.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 27, 2014

Container's material properties affect the viscosity of water at the nanoscale

At the nanoscale, water flows more like ketchup due to container material properties. Researchers found that hydrophilic materials increase water's effective viscosity, making it harder for molecules to move. This study could redefine fluid dynamics and impact designs of tiny mechanical systems.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 19, 2013

The perfect liquid -- now even more perfect

Physicists at Vienna University of Technology have found a way to break the limits on viscosity, with implications for understanding superfluid helium and quantum theory. The results, published in Physical Review Letters, suggest quark-gluon-plasma can exhibit extremely low viscosity, even below previously established bounds.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 17, 2012

New device measures viscosity of ketchup and cosmetics

A new device developed at the University of Sheffield enables real-time monitoring of liquid flow and rheology, making it easier to control product properties. The technology ensures that companies producing liquids can incorporate the device into their development process, reducing costs and improving efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalMeasurement Science and Technology·DateOct 24, 2011
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.

Using magnets to help prevent heart attacks

Researchers at Temple University discovered that a magnetic field can reduce blood viscosity by 20-30%, posing a potential new way to prevent heart attacks. By polarizing red blood cells and streamlining their movement, the magnetic field decreases friction against blood vessel walls.

SourceTemple University·JournalPhysical Review E·DateJun 7, 2011

Atomic force microscopy reveals liquids adjust viscosity when confined, shaken

New research using atomic force microscopy reveals that liquids can respond to environmental changes by adjusting their viscosity. When confined to a nanometer-sized space and shaken, these liquids exhibit structural and mechanical properties similar to those in thicker layers.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology Research News·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 29, 2008

Revolutionary work in mathematics is awarded

Drs. Stefano Bianchini and Alberto Bressan's paper on nonlinear hyperbolic systems has solved a 50-year-old problem, proving the existence and uniqueness of solutions as viscosity tends to zero. Their work has far-reaching implications for various physical phenomena, including fluid dynamics and astrophysics.

SourceSociety for Industrial and Applied Mathematics·DateDec 6, 2007

Emory physicist opens new window on glass puzzle

Researchers led by Eric Weeks found that glasses are solid-like because they can't move when the sample chamber is thinner than typical group size. The study uses particles rather than atoms to directly observe how confinement influences glass transition, providing a simple framework for understanding other questions about glass.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 9, 2007

Data effort improves flow toward 'greener' chemistry

Scientists at NIST report that flow properties of alternative solvents called ionic liquids are extremely sensitive to tiny amounts of water. The finding could help design new industrial processes that are more efficient and environmentally friendly.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalChemical Communications·DateApr 21, 2005
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.