ScienceDaily: Top Technology News

A tool to speed development of new solar cells

Posted: 09 Dec 2021 09:42 AM PST

Researchers have developed a computational simulator that can help predict whether changes to materials or design will improve performance in new photovoltaic cells.

A young, sun-like star may hold warnings for life on Earth

Posted: 09 Dec 2021 09:42 AM PST

Last year, scientists looked on as a star called EK Draconis ejected a massive burst of energy and charged particles many times more powerful than anything recorded on Earth's sun. Such explosive events may have been common in the early years of our solar system, the researchers say.

Atomic structure of antifungal drug confirms unusual mechanism, opens door to less-toxic derivatives

Posted: 09 Dec 2021 09:42 AM PST

Advanced molecular imaging technology has now mapped the structure of a drug widely used to treat fungal infections but whose workings have mystified researchers and physicians for nearly 70 years. Researchers now described in atomistic detail the structure of the drug amphotericin B, a powerful but toxic antifungal agent. Seeing the structure provides illumination in the researchers' quest to formulate less-toxic AmB derivatives.

Stretchy, washable battery brings wearable devices closer to reality

Posted: 09 Dec 2021 06:56 AM PST

Researchers have created what could be the first battery that is both flexible and washable. In addition to watches and patches for measuring vital signs, the battery might also be integrated with clothing that can actively change color or temperature.

MRI, hybrid imaging outperform conventional tests for small cell lung cancer staging

Posted: 09 Dec 2021 06:56 AM PST

MRI -- with or without FDG PET coregistration --c an improve the staging of patients with small cell lung cancer.

Researchers capture the fastest optical flash emitted from a newborn supernova

Posted: 09 Dec 2021 06:56 AM PST

A team of astronomers has discovered the fastest optical flash of a Type Ia supernova.

Towards the achievement of megatesla magnetic fields in the laboratory

Posted: 09 Dec 2021 06:56 AM PST

Researchers have conducted high-precision 3D supercomputer simulations to reveal the 3D structure of theoretically predicted micron-scale megatesla magnetic fields, which optimizes engineering design of laser conditions and micron-size target structures for future laser experiments.

Circular economy: Researchers show how synthetic rubber raw material can be degraded

Posted: 09 Dec 2021 06:56 AM PST

Enzymes are capable of degrading synthetic polyisoprene. The specific conditions for that have now been created and exploited. Polyisoprene is the principal component of natural rubber and of many types of rubber also used in car tires, for example. Up until now, it has only been possible to degrade polyisoprene, with a composition similar to naturally occurring rubber. The present research could provide important insights toward a circular economy.

Rapid rise of decarbonization potentials of rooftop PV plus EVs in residential houses

Posted: 09 Dec 2021 05:26 AM PST

Cities are responsible for 60-70% of energy-related CO2 emissions. As the world is increasingly urbanized, it is crucial to identify cost-effective pathways to decarbonize. Here, we propose a 'SolarEV City' concept, in which integrated systems of cities' roof-top PVs with EVs as batteries can supply affordable and dispatchable CO2-free electricity for citie's dwellers, which can reduce CO2 emission by 54-95% with 26-41% of potential cost savings by 2030.

Analog computers now just one step from digital

Posted: 09 Dec 2021 05:25 AM PST

Engineers have reached a theoretical limit for efficiently converting analog data into digital bits in an emerging computer technology.

Engineers teach AI to navigate ocean with minimal energy

Posted: 08 Dec 2021 01:51 PM PST

New AI uses reinforcement learning to efficiently navigate oceans

Optical cavities could be key to next generation interferometers

Posted: 08 Dec 2021 09:34 AM PST

A new concept has been developed that has the potential to assist new instruments in the investigation of fundamental science topics such as gravitational waves and dark matter.

UK university can reduce CO2 emissions by 4% with shorter winter semesters

Posted: 08 Dec 2021 08:02 AM PST

Researchers found that shifting learning weeks to the summer term and extending the winter vacation period can reduce the university's yearly CO2 emissions by more than 4%.

Yeast cells cause embedded objects to rise via the microbial Brazil nut effect

Posted: 08 Dec 2021 08:02 AM PST

Researchers have dubbed a newly discovered phenomenon, where microbe-generated gas bubbles create granular fluctuations on the wet sandy floors of waterbodies, the microbial Brazil nut effect.

MRI’s may be initial window into CTE diagnosis in living; approach may shave years off diagnosis

Posted: 08 Dec 2021 06:01 AM PST

While chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) cannot yet be diagnosed during life, a new study provides the best evidence to date that a commonly used brain imaging technique, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may expedite the ability to diagnose CTE with confidence in the living.

Physicists discovered special transverse sound wave

Posted: 07 Dec 2021 12:25 PM PST

A research team has discovered a new type of sound wave: the airborne sound wave vibrates transversely and carries both spin and orbital angular momentum like light does. The findings shattered scientists' previous beliefs about the sound wave, opening an avenue to the development of novel applications in acoustic communications, acoustic sensing and imaging.

Novel chemical design makes hard crystals stretchy

Posted: 07 Dec 2021 12:25 PM PST

Researchers have discovered a new way to make crystals stretchy, a modification that could enable them to act as very effective nanofilters.