New methane binding process could end insanely wasteful burn-offs

The global oil industry wastefully burns off about as much natural gas as is used by all of Central and South America – but a new methane binding agent offers a potential way for this greenhouse gas to be converted economically into liquid fuels.Contin… Continue reading New methane binding process could end insanely wasteful burn-offs

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

Bizarre night-time solar cell generates power in a backwards process

In a world first, a team at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) has demonstrated measurable power generation from “the inverse of a conventional solar cell.” It could eventually produce around one tenth as much power as a solar panel – but at nigh… Continue reading Bizarre night-time solar cell generates power in a backwards process

Self-charging moisture battery promises sweat-powered wearables

Half of the solar energy that bathes the Earth in warmth goes into a single process, according to some researchers: evaporating the water that covers some 71 percent of our fragile blue marble. Australian company Strategic Elements wants that energy ba… Continue reading Self-charging moisture battery promises sweat-powered wearables

Silicon quantum computing surpasses 99% accuracy in three studies

Three teams of scientists from around the world have achieved a major milestone in quantum computing. All three groups demonstrated better than 99 percent accuracy in silicon-based quantum devices, paving the way for practical, scalable quantum compute… Continue reading Silicon quantum computing surpasses 99% accuracy in three studies

“Sight”-restoring bionic eye proceeds along the path to human trials

There may be new hope for people with certain types of blindness, as an experimental sight-restoring device has been deemed safe for implantation. It still has to be tested on humans, though, and it will likely provide a fairly rudimentary form of visi… Continue reading “Sight”-restoring bionic eye proceeds along the path to human trials

Crystal prism provides better control to quantum computer chips

As revolutionary as they could be, quantum computers still have a few kinks to iron out, such as controlling more than a few dozen qubits at once. Now, researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) have found a way to control potentially mill… Continue reading Crystal prism provides better control to quantum computer chips

Ancient clay tablet bears the oldest known example of applied geometry

Researchers in Australia have made a discovery that may shake up the history of mathematics, revealing evidence of applied geometry being used for the purposes of land surveying some 3,700 years ago. Found on a Babylonian clay tablet discovered in the … Continue reading Ancient clay tablet bears the oldest known example of applied geometry

Extraordinary new material shows zero heat expansion from 4 to 1,400 K

Australian researchers have created what may be one of the most thermally stable materials ever discovered. This new zero thermal expansion (ZTE) material made of scandium, aluminum, tungsten and oxygen did not change in volume at temperatures ranging … Continue reading Extraordinary new material shows zero heat expansion from 4 to 1,400 K

Barnacle analysis may help solve “missing at sea” mysteries

When it’s determined that a boater is officially missing at sea, it helps very much to know when and where their vessel sank. According to new research, barnacles growing on flotsam could provide that information.Continue ReadingCategory: ScienceTags: … Continue reading Barnacle analysis may help solve “missing at sea” mysteries