“Ultra-shock-absorbing” foam packs a plethora of carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes have found use in everything from heart-rate-monitoring shirts to smart bandages to more efficient solar cells. Now, scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have used them in a helmet lining foam that offers better impact pro… Continue reading “Ultra-shock-absorbing” foam packs a plethora of carbon nanotubes

How rain and rocks keep Earth habitable through wild climate changes

Our current climate catastrophe is far from Earth’s first, but for billions of years life has continued to plod along through these ups and downs. MIT scientists have now analyzed 66 million years of climate data and uncovered a stabilizing mechanism t… Continue reading How rain and rocks keep Earth habitable through wild climate changes

Egg whites used to produce a cheap, effective, water-purifying filter

As microplastics pollution and potable water scarcity both worsen, it’s becoming increasingly important to find efficient ways of filtering and desalinating seawater. A new aerogel definitely holds some promise, and it’s made from egg whites.Continue R… Continue reading Egg whites used to produce a cheap, effective, water-purifying filter

Trees tell tale of extreme, unexplained astronomical radiation storms

Tree rings are not just a great record of a tree’s life, but they can preserve a snapshot of the Earth and beyond at different times. Now Australian scientists analyzing these records have found evidence of huge radiation storms that periodically bathe… Continue reading Trees tell tale of extreme, unexplained astronomical radiation storms

Carbon nanotubes boost efficiency in “nanobionic” bacterial solar cells

Engineers at EPFL have found a way to insert carbon nanotubes into photosynthetic bacteria, which greatly improves their electrical output. They even pass these nanotubes down to their offspring when they divide, through what the team calls “inherited … Continue reading Carbon nanotubes boost efficiency in “nanobionic” bacterial solar cells

CO2Rail aims to turn train cars into rolling carbon capture plants

We’re seeing a growing emphasis on direct air capture technology in our efforts to combat climate change, and an interesting new take on this technology could see it put to use on railways around the world. US outfit CO2Rail is developing specialized r… Continue reading CO2Rail aims to turn train cars into rolling carbon capture plants

Atomic-scale quantum circuit marks major quantum computer breakthrough

Engineers in Sydney have demonstrated a quantum integrated circuit made up of just a few atoms. By precisely controlling the quantum states of the atoms, the new processor can simulate the structure and properties of molecules in a way that could unloc… Continue reading Atomic-scale quantum circuit marks major quantum computer breakthrough

World’s fastest carbon capture system claims 99% efficiency in ambient air

As carbon dioxide builds up in the atmosphere, it won’t be enough to simply curb our emissions – we’ll need to actively remove some of what we’ve already released. In a new advance, researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have developed a new co… Continue reading World’s fastest carbon capture system claims 99% efficiency in ambient air

Recycled soot coating captures solar heat better than graphene

Tackling climate change doesn’t just require efforts like renewable energy – we need to clean up existing processes too. Now, engineers have developed a way to use soot from emissions to improve solar thermal devices, making them not only cheaper to pr… Continue reading Recycled soot coating captures solar heat better than graphene

Curiosity detects carbon signature on Mars that, on Earth, indicates life

NASA’s Curiosity rover has detected high amounts of an unexpected form of carbon on Mars. That might not sound too exciting, but the kicker is that here on Earth, this chemical signature is usually associated with life.Continue ReadingCategory: Space, … Continue reading Curiosity detects carbon signature on Mars that, on Earth, indicates life