Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Scientists invent 'quantum flute' that can make particles of light move together      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Physicists have invented a 'quantum flute' that, like the Pied Piper, can coerce particles of light to move together in a way that's never been seen before.

Energy: Fossil Fuels
Published

Why natural gas is not a bridge technology      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The expansion of natural gas infrastructure jeopardizes energy transition, as natural gas is not a bridge technology towards a 100 per cent renewable energy system as defined by the Paris Climate Agreement. The researchers have examined the natural gas issue from five perspectives and given gas a fairly poor climate balance, comparable to that of coal or oil. They recommend that politicians and scientists revise the current assumptions about natural gas.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Hearing better with skin than ears      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A research team develops a sound-sensing skin-attachable acoustic sensor. The new sensor decreased in size and increased in flexibility and is applicable as auditory electronic skin.

Energy: Fossil Fuels
Published

Bacteria for blastoff: Using microbes to make supercharged new rocket fuel      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Biofuel scientists used an oddball molecule made by bacteria to develop a new class of sustainable biofuels powerful enough to launch rockets. The candidate molecules have greater projected energy density than any petroleum product, including the leading aviation and rocket fuels, JetA and RP-1.

Energy: Fossil Fuels
Published

Reaction insights help make sustainable liquid fuels      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Methanol made from CO2 in the air can be transformed into carbon neutral fuels. A new mechanistic understanding aids development of this sustainable alternative.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Optical microphone sees sound like never before      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A camera system can see sound vibrations with such precision and detail that it can reconstruct the music of a single instrument in a band or orchestra. Even the most high-powered and directed microphones can't eliminate nearby sounds, ambient noise and the effect of acoustics when they capture audio. The novel system uses two cameras and a laser to sense high-speed, low-amplitude surface vibrations. These vibrations can be used to reconstruct sound, capturing isolated audio without inference or a microphone.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can control prostate cancer with fewer side effects      (via sciencedaily.com) 

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can help some men with prostate cancer avoid surgery or radiation.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Moth wing-inspired sound absorbing wallpaper in sight after breakthrough      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Experts at the University of Bristol have discovered that the scales on moth wings act as excellent sound absorbers even when placed on an artificial surface.

Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Fossil Fuels
Published

Earth-abundant solar pixels found to produce hydrogen for weeks      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Devices made of readily available oxide and carbon-based materials can produce clean hydrogen from water over weeks -- according to new research. The findings could help overcome one of the key issues in solar fuel production, where current earth-abundant light-absorbing materials are limited through either their performance or stability.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Sizzling sound of deep-frying reveals complex physics      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers carefully studied bubbles that form when water droplets come into contact with heated cooking oil and found that the type and number of bubbles formed depends on the amount of water absorbed by the chopsticks as well as the chopstick material. The water droplet explodes when it hit the hot oil, in three types of bubble events: an explosion cavity, an elongated cavity, and an oscillating cavity.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Direct sound printing is a potential game-changer in 3D printing      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers describe a new platform technology called direct sound printing (DSP), which uses soundwaves to produce new objects. The paper explains show how focused ultrasound waves can be used to create sonochemical reactions in minuscule cavitation regions. Extremes of temperature and pressure lasting trillionths of a second can generate pre-designed complex geometries that cannot be made with existing techniques.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Ultrasound-guided microbubbles boost immunotherapy efficacy      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed an ultrasound-guided cancer immunotherapy platform that generates systemic antitumor immunity and improves the therapeutic efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade.

Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Fossil Fuels
Published

Hydrogen production method opens up clean energy possibilities      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new energy-efficient way to produce hydrogen gas from ethanol and water has the potential to make clean hydrogen fuel a more viable alternative for gasoline to power cars.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Going gentle on mechanical quantum systems      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Systems in which mechanical motion is controlled at the level of individual quanta are emerging as a promising quantum-?technology platform. New experimental work now establishes how quantum properties of such systems can be measured without destroying the quantum state -- a key ingredient for tapping the full potential of mechanical quantum systems.

Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Fossil Fuels
Published

Scientists show how to store liquid fuels in polymeric gels to prevent explosions and fires      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Liquid fuels with high energy density, though used worldwide, are dangerous to transport and store owing to their volatility, which produces explosive gas mixtures. To address this problem, researchers recently investigated the possibility of storing liquid fuel within polymeric gel networks, preventing their fast evaporation, and demonstrating good combustion performance. Their work paves the way for safer transport and storage of liquid fuels.

Energy: Fossil Fuels Energy: Nuclear
Published

Confirmed: Atmospheric helium levels are rising      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists used an unprecedented technique to detect that levels of helium are rising in the atmosphere, resolving an issue that has lingered among atmospheric chemists for decades.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

How MRI could revolutionize heart failure diagnosis      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Until now, the best way of diagnosing heart failure has been an invasive assessment, but it carries risks for patients. Non-invasive echocardiogram, which is based on ultrasound, are usually used instead, but they are wrong in up to 50 per cent of cases. The new study shows how magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is superior to echocardiography for diagnosing heart failure, as well as being a powerful tool to predict patient outcomes, including death.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Better residents' health after switch to electric buses      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The health of residents living alongside a bus route in Gothenburg, Sweden, became considerably better when hybrid buses were replaced by buses fully powered by electricity. Along with the noise levels there was a reduction of fatigue, day time sleepiness and low mood, a new study shows.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

3D bimodal photoacoustic ultrasound imaging to diagnose peripheral vascular diseases      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A research team has developed a bimodal photoacoustic/ ultrasound imaging technology for the human foot.

Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Fossil Fuels
Published

Lignin-based jet fuel packs more power for less pollution      (via sciencedaily.com) 

An experimental plant-based jet fuel could increase engine performance and efficiency, while dispensing with aromatics, the pollution-causing compounds added to conventional fuels, according to new research.