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Oil and gas wastewater as dust suppressant less than ideal

A multidisciplinary team of researchers found that oil and gas wastewater can be effective at suppressing dust, but it also carries high salt, organic, and radioactivity concentrations. The team recommends using alternative materials or treatment to remove contaminants before using the wastewater.

SourcePenn State·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMay 30, 2018

Yale physicists find signs of a time crystal

Researchers at Yale University have found hints of time crystals in monoammonium phosphate (MAP) crystals, which are easy to grow and commonly used in children's kits. The discovery presents new challenges for understanding how time crystals form and could lead to improvements in atomic clocks and quantum technologies.

SourceYale University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 2, 2018

Engineers get a grip on slippery surfactants

Researchers at Rice University have extended a 100-year-old modeling formula to account for complex surfactants in enhanced oil recovery. The new model, developed by Walter Chapman and Xiaoqun Mu, incorporates temperature, pressure, composition, and other conditions to provide a more accurate prediction of oil behavior in wells.

SourceRice University·JournalIndustrial & Engineering Chemistry Research·DateApr 25, 2018

Blavatnik Family Foundation provides $10 million to promote engineering innovations in health

The Blavatnik Family Foundation is providing a $10 million grant to Columbia University's Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. The gift will support the Blavatnik Fund for Engineering Innovations in Health, which aims to attract graduate student talent and promote early-stage research across disciplines.

Dino hips discovery unravels species riddle

A new discovery in Dinosaur Provincial Park reveals the existence of two previously unknown species: Latenivenatrix mcmasterae and Stenonychosaurus inequalis. These findings challenge current understanding of the Troodontid family tree in North America.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalCanadian Journal of Earth Sciences·DateAug 8, 2017

Russian scientists create new system of concrete building structures

Researchers at Peter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University developed a new construction technology using nanostructured high-strength lightweight concrete. The system increases load-carrying capacity by over 200% and offers enhanced corrosion resistance, frost resistance, and seismic activity tolerance.

SourcePeter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University·JournalMagazine of Civil Engineering·DateApr 24, 2017

Feeling grateful? No, thanks!

A new study by American University professor Anthony Ahrens reveals a surprising link between autonomy and gratitude. Individuals high in autonomy tend to experience less gratitude and value it less, suggesting that self-reliance may hinder social connections.

SourceAmerican University·JournalCognition & Emotion·DateDec 13, 2016

Making high-performance batteries from junkyard scraps

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a steel-brass battery that can store energy comparable to lead-acid batteries and charge/dischcharge at rates comparable to ultra-fast charging supercapacitors. The secret lies in anodization, a common chemical treatment used to give aluminum a durable finish.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalACS Energy Letters·DateNov 2, 2016

Advancing ingenuity

Five Harvard research projects have received sustaining funding through the Physical Sciences & Engineering Accelerator, which aims to bridge the 'chasm of death' between discovery and product development. The funded projects include a shell scripting language for improved security, a pattern-detection algorithm for enhanced drug evalu...

Some assembly required to boost robot ratings

Researchers found that participants who assembled their own robots experienced a higher sense of accomplishment and ownership. However, those who faced difficulties during assembly lowered their ratings. The study suggests that manufacturers should balance positive and negative aspects of self-assembly when designing robots.