ScienceDaily: Top Technology News

Researchers trace dust grain's journey through newborn solar system

Posted: 21 Jun 2021 02:41 PM PDT

Combining atomic-scale sample analysis and models simulating likely conditions in the nascent solar system, the study revealed clues about the origin of crystals that formed more than 4.5 billion years ago. The findings provide insights into the fundamental processes underlying the formation of planetary systems, many of which are still shrouded in mystery.

Modeling a circular economy for electronic waste

Posted: 21 Jun 2021 02:41 PM PDT

New research develops a framework to understand the choices an electronic waste recycler has to make and the role that digital fraud prevention could have in preventing dishonest recycling practices.

Civil engineers examine urban cooling strategies using reflective surfaces

Posted: 21 Jun 2021 02:41 PM PDT

Researchers used a Computational Fluid Dynamics model to find ways to decrease cost and increase usage of cooler surfaces. The paper examined the possibility of applying cooler surfaces to just half the surfaces in a city.

'Pack ice' tectonics reveal Venus' geological secrets

Posted: 21 Jun 2021 01:05 PM PDT

A new analysis of Venus' surface shows evidence of tectonic motion in the form of crustal blocks that have jostled against each other like broken chunks of pack ice.

'Flashed' nanodiamonds are just a phase

Posted: 21 Jun 2021 01:05 PM PDT

A new 'flash' process can turn carbon black into functionalized nanodiamond and other materials. The carbon atoms evolved through several phases depending on the length of the flash.

Quantum computing: Common perovskite superfluoresces at high temperatures

Posted: 21 Jun 2021 01:05 PM PDT

A commonly studied perovskite can superfluoresce at temperatures that are practical to achieve and at timescales long enough to make it potentially useful in quantum computing applications.

New method for molecular functionalization of surfaces

Posted: 21 Jun 2021 01:05 PM PDT

An interdisciplinary team of researchers has succeeded in depositing nitrogen-containing organic molecules as a highly ordered layer on silicon. This opens up new perspectives for the development of more powerful semiconductor materials, which can be used, for example, in computers, photovoltaics or sensor technology.

Novel smart cement can be used to build more durable roads and cities

Posted: 21 Jun 2021 10:39 AM PDT

By introducing nanoparticles into ordinary cement, researchers have formed a smarter, more durable and highly functional cement.

Computers help researchers find materials to turn solar power into hydrogen

Posted: 21 Jun 2021 10:39 AM PDT

Researchers report that they have taken a step toward overcoming the challenge of inexpensive hydrogen production by using supercomputers to find materials that could help accelerate hydrogen separation when water is exposed to light, a process called photocatalysis.

Engineers create 'seeds' for growing near-perfect 2D perovskite crystals

Posted: 21 Jun 2021 10:39 AM PDT

Engineers have created microscopic seeds for growing remarkably uniform 2D perovskite crystals that are both stable and highly efficient at harvesting electricity from sunlight.

New cold atom source lays groundwork for portable quantum devices

Posted: 21 Jun 2021 10:39 AM PDT

Researchers demonstrate a new high-flux and compact cold-atom source with low power consumption that can be a key component of many quantum technologies.

New high-speed method for spectroscopic measurements

Posted: 21 Jun 2021 09:38 AM PDT

Researchers have shown how spectroscopic measurements can be made much faster. By correlating polarization to the color of a pulsed laser, the team can track changes in the spectrum of the light by simple and extremely fast polarization measurements. The method opens new possibilities to measure spectral changes on a nanosecond time scale over the entire color spectrum of light.

How the surfaces of silicone breast implants affect the immune system

Posted: 21 Jun 2021 09:37 AM PDT

A team analyzed how the surface topography on silicone breast implants influences health complications such as scarring, inflammation, and a rare type of lymphoma.

Scientists develop energy saving technique paving way for a carbon neutral society

Posted: 21 Jun 2021 09:37 AM PDT

Researchers have discovered a method which will allow for faster communication systems and better energy saving electronics.

Microscopy deep learning predicts viral infections

Posted: 21 Jun 2021 09:37 AM PDT

When viruses infect cells, changes in the cell nucleus occur, and these can be observed through fluorescence microscopy. Using fluorescence images from live cells, researchers have trained an artificial neural network to reliably recognize cells that are infected by adenoviruses or herpes viruses. The procedure also identifies severe acute infections at an early stage.

A bright future: Using visible light to decompose CO2 with high efficiency

Posted: 21 Jun 2021 07:42 AM PDT

To tackle the challenge of global warming, scientists have been looking into green and sustainable methods of breaking down carbon dioxide in emissions and in the atmosphere. Now, a group of researchers have developed a novel, easy to synthesize composite compound that enables the efficient use of solar energy to reduce carbon dioxide, taking us one step closer to achieving a green economy.

A tiny device incorporates a compound made from starch and baking soda to harvest energy from movement

Posted: 21 Jun 2021 07:42 AM PDT

Scientists have used a compound made from a starch derivative and baking soda to help convert mechanical to electrical energy. The approach is cost-effective and biocompatible, and can help charge low-energy electronics like calculators and watches.

New software for designing sustainable cities

Posted: 21 Jun 2021 05:40 AM PDT

By 2050, more than 70% of the world's population will live in cities. Researchers have developed software that shows city planners where to invest in nature to improve people's lives and save billions of dollars.

The Earth has a pulse -- a 27.5-million-year cycle of geological activity, researchers say

Posted: 18 Jun 2021 10:40 AM PDT

Geologic activity on Earth appears to follow a 27.5-million-year cycle, giving the planet a 'pulse,' according to a new study.

Compact quantum computer for server centers

Posted: 18 Jun 2021 06:17 AM PDT

Quantum computers have been one-of-a-kind devices that fill entire laboratories. Now, physicists have built a prototype of an ion trap quantum computer that can be used in industry. It fits into two 19-inch server racks like those found in data centers throughout the world. The compact, self-sustained device demonstrates how this technology will soon be more accessible.

New method could reveal what genes we might have inherited from Neanderthals

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 08:55 AM PDT

Using neural networks, researchers have developed a new method to search the human genome for beneficial mutations from Neanderthals and other archaic humans. These humans are known to have interbred with modern humans, but the overall fate of the genetic material inherited from them is still largely unknown. Among others, the researchers found previously unreported mutations involved in core pathways in metabolism, blood-related diseases and immunity.