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Saturday, January 19, 2013

ScienceDaily: Top Technology News

ScienceDaily: Top Technology News


Physicists help show math behind growth of 'coffee rings'

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 02:23 PM PST

Last year, physicists showed how to undo the "coffee-ring effect," a commonplace occurrence when drops of liquid with suspended particles dry, leaving a ring-shaped stain at the drop's edges. Now the team is exploring how those particles stack up as they reach the drop's edge, and they discovered that different particles make smoother or rougher deposition profiles at the drop edge depending on their shape.

Severe climate jeopardizing Amazon forest, study finds

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 08:17 AM PST

An area of the Amazon rainforest twice the size of California continues to suffer from the effects of a megadrought that began in 2005, finds a new NASA-led study. These results, together with observed recurrences of droughts every few years and associated damage to the forests in southern and western Amazonia in the past decade, suggest these rainforests may be showing the first signs of potential large-scale degradation due to climate change.

Light switch inside brain: Laser controls individual nerve cells in mouse

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 08:15 AM PST

Activating and deactivating individual nerve cells in the brain is something many neuroscientists wish they could do, as it would help them to better understand how the brain works. Scientists have now developed an implant that is able to genetically modify specific nerve cells, control them with light stimuli, and measure their electrical activity all at the same time.

New material for warm-white LED lights

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 04:22 AM PST

Light emitting diodes, more commonly called LEDs, are known for their energy efficiency and durability, but the bluish, cold light of current white LEDs has precluded their widespread use for indoor lighting. Now, scientists have fabricated what is thought to be the world's first LED that emits a warm white light using a single light emitting material, or phosphor, with a single emitting center for illumination.

Nanowires fuel breakthrough for solar energy

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 03:47 AM PST

Nanowires could pave the way for more efficient and cheaper solar cells. Research on solar cell nanowires is on the rise globally. Until now the unattained dream figure was ten per cent efficiency -- but now researchers are able to report an efficiency of 13.8 per cent.

Thin film solar cells: New world record for solar cell efficiency

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 03:47 AM PST

In a remarkable feat, scientists have developed thin film solar cells on flexible polymer foils with a new record efficiency of 20.4% for converting sunlight into electricity. The cells are based on CIGS semiconducting material (copper indium gallium (di)selenide) known for its potential to provide cost-effective solar electricity. The technology is currently awaiting scale-up for industrial applications.

Black silicon can take efficiency of solar cells to new levels

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 03:47 AM PST

Scientists have demonstrated results that show a huge improvement in the light absorption and the surface passivation on silicon nanostructures. This has been achieved by applying atomic layer coating. The results advance the development of devices that require high sensitivity light response such as high efficiency solar cells.

Soft nanoscale 'Lego' built in the computer

Posted: 17 Jan 2013 07:58 AM PST

Scientists have developed a new method for the construction of building blocks at the nanoscale.

ChemCam follows the 'Yellowknife Road' to Martian wet area

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 07:36 AM PST

Researchers have tracked a trail of minerals that point to the prior presence of water at the Curiosity rover site on Mars.

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