ScienceDaily: Top Technology News

Microbially produced fibers: Stronger than steel, tougher than Kevlar

Posted: 20 Jul 2021 03:58 PM PDT

A new fiber, made by genetically engineered bacteria is stronger than steel and tougher than Kevlar.

New technology shows promise in detecting, blocking grid cyberattacks

Posted: 20 Jul 2021 01:08 PM PDT

Researchers have designed and demonstrated a technology that can block cyberattacks from impacting the nation's electric power grid.

Novel method for glucagon delivery

Posted: 20 Jul 2021 01:08 PM PDT

A chemical and biomolecular engineer is rethinking the traditional use of glucagon as an emergency response by administering it as a preventive measure.

Using snakes to monitor Fukushima radiation

Posted: 20 Jul 2021 12:07 PM PDT

Ten years after one of the largest nuclear accidents in history spewed radioactive contamination over the landscape in Fukushima, Japan, a new study has shown that radioactive contamination in the Fukushima Exclusion Zone can be measured through its resident snakes.

Enzyme-based plastics recycling is more energy efficient, better for environment, researchers show

Posted: 20 Jul 2021 09:23 AM PDT

BOTTLE Consortium effort develops model that finds sizeable energy and carbon-saving benefits for recycling PET, a common plastic used in bottles, clothing, carpet.

Machine learning models to help photovoltaic systems find their place in the sun

Posted: 20 Jul 2021 09:23 AM PDT

Scientists develop algorithms that predict the output of solar cells, easing their integration into existing power grids.

Renewable energies: No wind turbine disturbing the scenery

Posted: 20 Jul 2021 08:44 AM PDT

In the Alpine foothills, in low mountain ranges, or on the seacoast, expansion of wind energy use often meets popular resistance. Researchers have now studied what this means for the energy transition.

Solar cells: Boosting photovoltaic effect in ferroelectric-paraelectric superlattices

Posted: 20 Jul 2021 08:44 AM PDT

The photovoltaic effect of ferroelectric crystals can be increased by a factor of 1,000 if three different materials are arranged periodically in a lattice. Researchers achieved this by creating crystalline layers of barium titanate, strontium titanate and calcium titanate which they alternately placed on top of one another. These findings could significantly increase the efficiency of solar cells.

No excuse to continue reliance on fossil fuels, says leading nano-technologist

Posted: 20 Jul 2021 08:44 AM PDT

One of the leading thinkers in nano-science has called on the energy materials community to help finally put an end to the world's reliance on fossil fuels.

Long-period oscillations of Sun discovered

Posted: 20 Jul 2021 08:44 AM PDT

A team of solar physicists has reported the discovery of global oscillations of the Sun with very long periods, comparable to the 27-day solar rotation period. The oscillations manifest themselves at the solar surface as swirling motions with speeds on the order of 5 kilometers per hour.

How green is your plastic?

Posted: 20 Jul 2021 08:44 AM PDT

Despite the best efforts of industry to work towards sustainability, most plastics (or polymers) are still made using non-renewable fossil fuels. However, researchers have now found an economical method for producing biobased acrylate resins. The study shows how all the synthesis steps, from initial building blocks right up to polymerization, can be carried out in a single reactor (one pot), minimizing environmental impact.

Mycoplasma mobile moves into overdrive: Twin motor modified from ATP synthase discovered

Posted: 20 Jul 2021 08:43 AM PDT

Using electron microscopy and high-speed atomic force microscopy, researchers show the internal molecular motor behind the gliding mechanism for Mycoplasma mobile to consist of two ATP synthase-like molecules. Sharing a similar structure with ATP synthase suggests a common evolutionary ancestor. This synthase-like ATPase is challenging the origin of cells and proteins themselves.

Study finds surprising source of social influence

Posted: 20 Jul 2021 08:43 AM PDT

New research found that social influencers are unlikely to change a person's behavior by example. To stimulate a shift in people's thinking, target small groups of people in the outer edge or fringe of a network.

Ultrathin magnet operates at room temperature

Posted: 20 Jul 2021 08:43 AM PDT

Scientists have created an ultrathin magnet that operates at room temperature. The ultrathin magnet could lead to new applications in computing and electronics -- such as high-density, compact spintronic memory devices -- and new tools for the study of quantum physics.

Earth's magnetosphere: The origin of bifurcated current sheets explained

Posted: 20 Jul 2021 08:43 AM PDT

A research team has identified the origin of bifurcated current sheets, considered one of the most unsolved mysteries in the Earth's magnetosphere and in magnetized plasma physics.

New algorithm may help autonomous vehicles navigate narrow, crowded streets

Posted: 20 Jul 2021 08:39 AM PDT

Autonomous vehicle researchers have tackled navigating a crowded, narrow street, with cars parked on both sides, and not enough space for vehicles traveling in both directions to pass each other.

Supermassive black holes put a brake on stellar births

Posted: 19 Jul 2021 04:16 PM PDT

Black holes with masses equivalent to millions of suns do put a brake on the birth of new stars, say astronomers. Using machine learning and three state of the art simulations to back up results from a large sky survey, the researchers resolve a 20-year long debate on the formation of stars.

Projecting bond properties with machine learning

Posted: 19 Jul 2021 07:30 AM PDT

Researchers have developed a machine learning-based model to predict the characteristics of bonded systems. Using the density of states of the individual component reactants, they have achieved accurate predictions of the binding energy, bond length, number of covalent electrons, and Fermi energy. The broadly applicable model is expected to make a significant contribution to the development of materials such as catalysts and nanowires.