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Thursday, September 19, 2013

ScienceDaily: Top Technology News

ScienceDaily: Top Technology News


New sensor could prolong the lifespan of high-temperature engines

Posted: 18 Sep 2013 06:16 PM PDT

A new, highly-accurate temperature sensor could save manufacturers millions in maintenance costs, lower fuel consumption, and prolong the lifespan of jet engines, nuclear reactors and other types of large gas turbine engines.

Earth expected to be habitable for another 1.75 billion years

Posted: 18 Sep 2013 06:14 PM PDT

Habitable conditions on Earth will be possible for at least another 1.75 billion years – according to astrobiologists. "If we ever needed to move to another planet, Mars is probably our best bet. It's very close and will remain in the habitable zone until the end of the Sun's lifetime -- six billion years from now," one of the researchers said.

Jupiter's moon: Long-stressed Europa likely off-kilter at one time

Posted: 18 Sep 2013 03:11 PM PDT

By analyzing the distinctive cracks lining the icy face of Europa, scientists found evidence that this moon of Jupiter likely spun around a tilted axis at some point.

Crystal quantum memories for quantum communication

Posted: 18 Sep 2013 03:02 PM PDT

Research into the strange phenomenon known as quantum entanglement - once described as 'spooky' by Albert Einstein - could revolutionise ICT over the coming years, enabling everything from ultra-fast computing to completely secure long-distance communications.

Controlling wettability: 'Sticky tape' for water droplets mimics rose petal

Posted: 18 Sep 2013 11:25 AM PDT

A new nanostructured material may lead to surfaces that stay dry forever, never need cleaning and are able to repel bacteria and even prevent mold and fungi growth.

Beyond quantum simulation: Physicists create 'crystal' of spin-swapping ultracold molecules

Posted: 18 Sep 2013 10:24 AM PDT

Physicists have created a crystal-like arrangement of ultracold gas molecules that swap quantum "spin" properties with nearby and distant partners. The novel structure might be used to simulate or even invent new materials that derive exotic properties from quantum spin behavior, for electronics or other practical applications.

Drivers of financial boom and bust may be all in the mind, study finds

Posted: 18 Sep 2013 10:06 AM PDT

Market bubbles that lead to financial crashes may be self-made because of instinctive biological mechanisms in traders' brains that lead them to try and predict how others behave, according to a new study.

Photosynthesis mechanism: Tofu-like crystalline catalysts for producing clean energy

Posted: 18 Sep 2013 10:02 AM PDT

New research demystifies the reaction mechanisms of photosynthesis. The findings may lead to the development of methods for producing an unlimited source of clean energy.

Scaling up personalized query results for next generation of search engines

Posted: 18 Sep 2013 08:17 AM PDT

Researchers have developed a way for search engines to provide users with more accurate, personalized search results. The challenge in the past has been how to scale this approach up so that it doesn't consume massive computer resources. Now the researchers have devised a technique for implementing personalized searches that is more than 100 times more efficient than previous approaches.

Nanocrystal catalyst transforms impure hydrogen into electricity

Posted: 18 Sep 2013 07:14 AM PDT

Scientists have used a simple, 'green' process to create a novel core-shell catalyst that tolerates carbon monoxide in fuel cells and opens new, inexpensive pathways for zero-emission vehicles.

Green photon beams more agile than optical tweezers

Posted: 18 Sep 2013 06:08 AM PDT

Scientists have discovered a novel approach for the optical manipulation of macromolecules and biological cells. Their findings stem from challenging the idea that visible light would induce no physical effect on them since it is not absorbed. Instead they used green photon beams. With them, it is possible to perform optical manipulation of macrostructures, such as biological proteins, with greater precision than with optical tweezers made from focused laser beams.

Young stars cooking in the Prawn Nebula

Posted: 18 Sep 2013 06:05 AM PDT

The glowing jumble of gas clouds visible in a new image make up a huge stellar nursery nicknamed the Prawn Nebula. Taken using the VLT Survey Telescope at ESO's Paranal Observatory in Chile, this may well be the sharpest picture ever taken of this object. It shows clumps of hot new-born stars nestled in among the clouds that make up the nebula.

Emotional attachment to robots could affect outcome on battlefield

Posted: 17 Sep 2013 01:16 PM PDT

It's becoming more common to have robots sub in for humans to do dirty or sometimes dangerous work. But researchers are finding that in some cases, people have started to treat robots like pets, friends, or even as an extension of themselves. That raises the question: if a soldier attaches human or animal-like characteristics to a field robot, can it affect how they use the robot?

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