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Sunday, September 15, 2013

ScienceDaily: Top Technology News

ScienceDaily: Top Technology News


Fireballs in Jupiter's atmosphere observed by amateur astronomers

Posted: 13 Sep 2013 04:50 PM PDT

The solar system is crowded with small objects like asteroids and comets. Most have stable orbits which keep them out of harm's way, but a small proportion of them are in orbits that risk them colliding with planets.

Spider silk coated with carbon nanotubes has multiple surprising uses

Posted: 13 Sep 2013 03:58 PM PDT

Physicists have discovered that simple methods can result in surprising and environmentally friendly high-tech outcomes during their experiments with spider silk and carbon nanotubes. Spider silk coated with nanotubes can act as a humidity sensor, a strain sensor, an actuator (a device that acts as an artificial muscle, for lifting weights and more) and as an electrical wire, according to researchers.

Balloon-borne astronomy experiment X-Calibur racing to hit wind window

Posted: 13 Sep 2013 03:58 PM PDT

In a few days, a balloon-borne telescope sensitive to the polarization of high-energy "hard" X-rays will ascend to the edge of the atmosphere above Fort Sumner, N.M. Once aloft, the telescope will stare at black holes, neutron stars and other exotic astronomical objects that shine brightly in the X-ray part of the spectrum in order to learn about their nature and structure. After years of preparation, the X-Calibur team is racing to get the experiment mission-ready in time for the stratospheric wind event they hope to ride.

Speedy chemical reaction captured in mid-stride

Posted: 13 Sep 2013 03:58 PM PDT

In synthetic chemistry, making the best possible use of the needed ingredients is key to optimizing high-quality production at the lowest possible cost. The element rhodium is a powerful catalyst — a driver of chemical reactions — but is also one of the rarest and most expensive. In addition to its common use in vehicle catalytic converters, rhodium is also used in combination with other metals to efficiently drive a wide range of useful chemical reactions.

Catastrophic collapse of ice lake created Aram Chaos on Mars

Posted: 13 Sep 2013 09:41 AM PDT

Aram Chaos, the lumpy, bumpy floor of an ancient impact crater on Mars, formed as a result of catastrophic melting and outflow of a buried ice lake. A new study combines observations from satellite photos of the 280 kilometer wide and four kilometer deep crater plus models of the ice melting process and resulting catastrophic outflow.

Get ready for Rosetta's wake-up call with activity schedule for target comet

Posted: 13 Sep 2013 09:41 AM PDT

After a journey of almost ten years, the Rosetta mission has just a few months left to wait before beginning its rendezvous with a time capsule. Comet 67P/Churymov-Gerasimenko is a dirty snowball of ice and dust that preserves material from the formation of the Solar System 4.5 billion years ago.

Changes in Saturn's Moon Titan’s surface brightness point to cryovolcanism

Posted: 13 Sep 2013 09:41 AM PDT

Changes in surface brightness on Titan observed over four years by NASA's Cassini spacecraft have added to evidence that cryovolcanism is active on Saturn's largest Moon. Astronomers compared many volcanic-like features, such as flows, calderas and craters, with similar geological features found on Earth to study the possibility of cryovolcanic activity within regions observed close to Titan's equator.

Super efficient combustion engine emits half the carbon dioxide

Posted: 12 Sep 2013 06:27 AM PDT

Researchers have developed an internal combustion engine that emits less than half the CO2 compared to a regular engine without compromising performance. This corresponds to fuel consumption of less than 2.4l per 100km. This natural gas-diesel hybrid engine is based on a system of sophisticated control engineering.

Putting a seal of security on the Internet of Services

Posted: 12 Sep 2013 06:25 AM PDT

Book a flight online, perform an internet banking transaction or make an appointment with your doctor and, in the not-too-distant future, the 'Internet of Services' (IoS) will come into play. A paradigm shift in the way ICT systems and applications are designed, implemented, deployed and consumed, IoS promises many opportunities but also throws up big challenges - not least ensuring security and privacy, issues currently being tackled by EU-funded researchers.

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