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Posts tagged science
Silicon melts when it gets colder?
Sep 12th
It’s counterintuitive, but it doesn’t exactly happen in nature. Researchers at MIT earlier this month essentially created a chemical “sandwich” with silicon as the bread. In the middle was copper, nickel and and iron. These metals were heated up until they melted and dissolved into the silicon. Crucially, they remained below silicon’s melting point of 1,414 degrees Celsius. The mixture reached 900 degrees Celsius, and at that point the silicon became supersaturated with the three metals. Precipitation occurred, where the metals were forced to melt into liquid, dissolving some of the silicon as well some 500 degrees below its normal melting point.
The discovery of this phenomenon could have an impact on the production of solar cells and computer chips, both which have silicon as a main component. This process could improve their durability, as the silicon that melts off is the unpure silicon that contains the other metals, leaving behind the more pristine solid silicon. Also, this melting treatment would allow manufacturers to use less pure silicon in the production of solar cells, making them much cheaper than they are now. With computer chips, this process could aid in the creation of better silicon nanowires, which are small, extremely conductive tubes, where the purer the silicon, the better.
The discovery of this phenomenon could have an impact on the production of solar cells and computer chips, both which have silicon as a main component. This process could improve their durability, as the silicon that melts off is the unpure silicon that contains the other metals, leaving behind the more pristine solid silicon. Also, this melting treatment would allow manufacturers to use less pure silicon in the production of solar cells, making them much cheaper than they are now. With computer chips, this process could aid in the creation of better silicon nanowires, which are small, extremely conductive tubes, where the purer the silicon, the better.
A Banana a day could keep HIV away
Sep 2nd
According to The Gazette (Montreal), a new study has found that chemicals commonly found in bananas are as good a job in preventing HIV as two synthetic anti-HIV drugs. BanLec, a sugar-binding protein found in several different plants, works by binding to the sugar-rich envelope that encases the HIV virus, thus blocking its entry into the body. BanLec has been of interest to scientists for a long time because of its ability to halt the chain reaction that leads to viral infections. Creating some sort of BanLec ointment or microbicide could prevent millions of new infections in just a few short years.
Bone regrowth no longer just a Harry Potter phenomenon
Aug 27th
Scientists at the Center of Innovation for Biomaterials in Orthopaedic Research in Wichita, Kansas, have regrown one centimeter of bone in a rat femur. The cut part of the bone was wrapped in a porous scaffolding of composite materials, where the bone and blood vessels would grow through and rejoin the sections. It’s similar to how a lizard regrows its tail. This breakthrough could prevent many amputations in the future and provide a better medical solution to those who lose limbs of sections of their skulls.
Did it rain? Check the poop
Aug 14th
Researchers in Chile have found that chinchilla droppings can help in reconstructing rainfall history. Chinchillas and other rodents deposit their pellets in personal scrap piles that end up absorbing moisture and creating a seal. Changes in dropping size correlates well changes in precipitation levels presumably because more rain meant more plants, which in turn meant the animals could grow larger, making bigger pellets.
Droppings were found in the Atacama Desert, where the dry climate is perfect for preserving human and animal remains. The droppings were also used to determine what sorts of plants and insects lived when the droppings were deposited. Atacama Desert is one of the driest places on earth with only 10 percent humidity. Such findings are important in determining the future water supply for Chile, where 98 percent of the population gets its water from the Andes Mountains, adjacent to the desert.
Droppings were found in the Atacama Desert, where the dry climate is perfect for preserving human and animal remains. The droppings were also used to determine what sorts of plants and insects lived when the droppings were deposited. Atacama Desert is one of the driest places on earth with only 10 percent humidity. Such findings are important in determining the future water supply for Chile, where 98 percent of the population gets its water from the Andes Mountains, adjacent to the desert.
Video: The Art of Choosing
Aug 14th
Sheena Iyengar has been studying decision making since she was a graduate student, and has been informing businesses and consumer-goods marketing since the 90s. Her research has provided insight into the cultural and geographical influences on choice and the perception of it. Video after the break.
Discovery of subatomic particles could answer deep questions in geology
Jul 17th
An international team including scientists from Princeton University has detected subatomic particles deep within the Earth’s interior. The discovery could help geologists understand how reactions taking place in the planet’s interior affect events on the surface such as earthquakes and volcanoes. Someday, scientists may know enough about the sources and flow of heat in the Earth to predict events like the recent volcanic eruption in Iceland.
IBM Creates Device Which Uses Light for Communication between Computer Chips
Jul 8th
Yorktown Heights, NY - 03 Mar 2010: IBM (NYSE: IBM) scientists today unveiled a significant step towards replacing electrical signals that communicate via copper wires between computer chips with tiny silicon circuits that communicate using pulses of light. As reported in the recent issue of the scientific journal Nature, this is an important advancement in changing the way computer chips talk to each other.
Iran’s Got Robots!
Jul 7th
We all know Iran’s got balls, messing with the world’s minds with it’s nuclear facilities but this is for the first time that they are showing off that they have some kick ass technology too! Surena II, Iran’s second humanoid robot was shown off by none other than Mr. Ahmadinejad. The humanoid robot is 4.7 ft tall and weighs 99 lbs. While the walking may not be as fast as Asimo’s, looks are quite close. Video of the robot after the break.
Video: Craig Venter On Synthetic Life
May 28th
Remember Mr. Venter? The artificial cell guy? We have a video of the dude making the presentation on the synthetic life his team created. Watch!
Not Another Technology University
May 24th
Big news…India allows foreign universities to set up shop locally. Who’s first out of the stables? Virginia Tech! Now normally, I would be proud that India is finally getting what she deserves, but hear me groan! GROAN! Now, the curriculum of Virginia Tech is highly impressive…agricultural sciences, natural resources, liberal arts, human sciences and a
