Laman

Thursday, September 29, 2011

ScienceDaily: Top Technology News

ScienceDaily: Top Technology News

Matter shows abrupt escape from flatness: Lead made to undergo a rapid transition from 'pancake' to hemisphere

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 04:01 PM PDT

At first glance, it seems as if billions of lead atoms have mysteriously disappeared. When exposed to heat, a layer of lead coated onto a nickel surface becomes almost invisible from one moment to the next. In reality, the slightest disturbance causes these atoms to suddenly switch from a broad "flat pancake" shape to a compact hemisphere. Interestingly, this all takes place at a temperature below the melting point of lead. The hemispheres, too, consist of solid lead. So no mass has been lost, the material has simply taken on a different spatial configuration.

Spontaneous combustion in nanobubbles inspires compact ultrasonic loudspeaker

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 03:59 PM PDT

Nanometer-sized bubbles containing the gases hydrogen and oxygen can apparently combust spontaneously, although nothing happens in larger bubbles. For the first time, researchers have demonstrated this spontaneous combustion. They intend to use the phenomenon to construct a compact ultrasonic loudspeaker.

Light from galaxy clusters confirms general theory of relativity

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 10:17 AM PDT

All observations in astronomy are based on light (electromagnetic radiation) emitted from stars and galaxies and, according to the general theory of relativity, the light will be affected by gravity. At the same time all interpretations in astronomy are based on the correctness of the theory of relatively, but it has been difficult to accurately test Einstein's theory of gravity on scales larger than the solar system. Now astrophysicists in Denmark have managed to measure how the light is affected by gravity on its way out of galaxy clusters. The observations confirm the theoretical predictions.

Method for creating tiny diamond machines improved

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 08:00 AM PDT

Diamonds may be best known as a symbol of long-lasting love, but semiconductor makers are also hoping they'll pan out as key components of long-lasting micromachines if a new method for carving these tough, capable crystals proves its worth.

Feast your eyes on the Fried Egg Nebula

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 07:57 AM PDT

Astronomers have used ESO's Very Large Telescope to image a colossal star that belongs to one of the rarest classes of stars in the Universe, the yellow hypergiants. The new picture is the best ever taken of a star in this class and shows for the first time a huge dusty double shell surrounding the central hypergiant. The star and its shells resemble an egg white around a yolky center, leading the astronomers to nickname the object the Fried Egg Nebula.

Copper film could lower touch screen, LED and solar cell costs

Posted: 26 Sep 2011 10:20 AM PDT

Copper nanowires may be coming to a little screen near you. These new nanostructures have the potential to drive down the costs of displaying information on cell phones, e-readers and iPads, and they could also help engineers build foldable electronics and improved solar cells, according to new research.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)