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A printable, flexible, lightweight temperature sensor

A University of Tokyo research group has developed a flexible, lightweight temperature sensor that responds rapidly to tiny thermal changes. The sensor is composed of graphite and a semicrystalline acrylate polymer and can measure body temperature with high accuracy without additional circuitry.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 9, 2015

Taking apart termite mounds

Researchers at Harvard University discovered that termite mounds breathe once a day as temperature oscillations drive ventilation. The mounds' structure, with central chimneys and thin exterior walls, allows gases to exchange and maintain efficient airflow.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 2, 2015

Ocean warming affecting Florida reefs

Researchers found that water temperatures in the Florida Keys have increased by nearly 2 degrees Fahrenheit over the past few decades, stressing corals and causing more frequent bleaching events. The study indicates that August is the peak month for ocean temperatures, which can lead to coral mortality if prolonged.

SourceU.S. Geological Survey·JournalEstuaries and Coasts·DateSep 10, 2014

World's best thermometer made from light

University of Adelaide researchers have created the world's most precise thermometer, using light to measure temperature differences of 30 billionths of a degree in just one second. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize industrial and medical applications where trace amount detection is crucial.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 1, 2014

Crowdsourcing weather using smartphone batteries

Researchers used smartphone batteries to crowdsource weather information, estimating daily average temperatures for eight major cities with an accuracy of 1.5 degrees Celsius. This technique could lead to continuously updated weather predictions at a city block resolution, improving the accuracy and specificity of current weather forec...

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 13, 2013

Spintronics approach enables new quantum technologies

Researchers at University of Chicago develop a spintronics approach to manipulate the spin of atomic-scale defects in diamond for new quantum technologies. This approach enables new nanoscale sensors, including single-spin thermometers, with potential applications in temperature measurement and information processing.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 4, 2013

Geochemical method finds links between terrestrial climate and atmospheric carbon dioxide

A new geochemical method has found a link between the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide and Earth's surface temperature, suggesting that the planet is inextricably linked. The study uses a recently developed technique to measure the change in terrestrial temperature associated with a shift in global atmospheric CO2 concentrat...

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 22, 2013

World's hottest temperature cools a bit

A team of meteorologists has overturned the world's hottest temperature record from 90 years ago, revising it to 134 F (56.7 C) recorded in Death Valley, Calif., due to systematic errors in the original measurement. The investigation found that an inexperienced observer may have made the error with a obsolete thermometer.

SourceArizona State University·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateSep 13, 2012