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Sneaking up on the glassy transition of water

Physicists from the University of Pisa and the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche have put an end to the debate on the glass transition temperature of water. They found that the magic number is approximately 136 Kelvin (-137 Celsius) using a thorough study of water's dynamics, supporting traditional views and refuting recent claims.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateSep 26, 2011

A measurement first: NIST 'noise thermometry' system measures Boltzmann Constant

Researchers at NIST have developed an electronic technique called Johnson noise thermometry to measure the Boltzmann constant with an uncertainty of 12 ppm. This method has the potential to advance international efforts to revamp the world's scientific measurement system, enabling more precise definitions of units like the Kelvin.

Measuring the temperature of nanoparticles

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed a technique to probe the temperature rise in the vicinity of RF-actuated nanoparticles. The study found that the measured temperature rise was consistent regardless of whether the sensors were mixed with or covalently bonded to the nanoparticles.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateNov 30, 2010

42,226 daily temperature readings, and counting

A rare weather station has recorded daily temperatures for 114 years, confirming a warming climate. The Mohonk Preserve's consistent temperature records show a rise of 2.63 degrees Fahrenheit, matching global measurements and tracking the expected land trend closely.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalJournal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology·DateMay 7, 2010

Super cool atom thermometer

Researchers create a thermometer capable of measuring temperatures as low as tens of trillionths of a degree above absolute zero. By leveraging the magnetization of atoms in a magnetic field, scientists were able to extract temperature information from easily measurable properties.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 7, 2009

Liverpool scientist discovers new layer of the Earth

Dr Christine Thomas has discovered a previously undetected seismic layer near the Earth's core-mantle boundary, allowing researchers to measure internal temperatures and study whole mantle convection. The new layer enables scientists to examine the fate of subducted lithosphere and hot material rising from the core-mantle boundary.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalNature·DateApr 14, 2005

Physicists discover temperature key to avalanche movement

Researchers have devised a thermometer that can measure granular temperature based on the degree of agitation of its component particles. The discovery could lead to better understanding of powders and particulate materials in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food processing, and construction.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateJan 31, 2005

Frigid South Pole atmosphere reveals flaw in global circulation models

Scientists have made groundbreaking measurements of upper atmosphere temperatures over the South Pole, revealing a significant discrepancy with global circulation model predictions. The findings suggest that wintertime warming due to sinking air masses is weaker than assumed, leading to extreme cooling in the lower stratosphere.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 28, 2002

Earth's warming trend is truly global

A team of researchers has found that the continents have warmed significantly over the past half-century, similar to the warming of the oceans, atmosphere, and ice. The study used temperature readings from six continents to reconstruct a temperature history for the Earth's surface over the past 500 years.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 11, 2002