Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Improving urban planning with virtual reality      (via sciencedaily.com) 

What should the city we live in look like? How do structural changes affect the people who move around it? Cartographers use virtual reality tools to explore these questions before a great deal of money is spent on building measures. Using the Unity3 game engine, they recreate scenarios in 3D where people can experience potential changes through immersion. They were able to prove that the physical reaction to this experience is measurable.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Ecology: General Ecology: Invasive Species Environmental: Ecosystems
Published

Small-winged and lighter colored butterflies likely to be at greatest threat from climate change      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Small-winged and lighter colored butterflies likely to be at greatest threat from climate change. The family, wing length and wing colour of tropical butterflies all influence their ability to withstand rising temperatures, say ecologists. The researchers believe this could help identify species whose survival is under threat from climate change.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Researchers develop approach that can enable inexpensive mass manufacturing of micro-LED displays      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New research describes a continuous roller printing approach that can precisely transfer thousands of microscopic semiconductor devices in a single shot. This method paves the way to creating large-scale arrays of optical components and could be used to rapidly manufacture micro-LED displays.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics
Published

Thermal cloak passively keeps electric vehicles cool in the summer and warm in the winter      (via sciencedaily.com) 

When an electric vehicle is parked outside, its temperature can swing wildly from day to night and season to season, which can lead to deterioration of the battery. To dampen these fluctuations and extend the battery's lifespan, researchers have designed an all-season thermal cloak that can cool an electric vehicle by 8°C on a hot day and warm it by 6.8°C at night. The cloak, made predominantly of silica and aluminum, can do so passively without outside energy input and operates without any modification between hot or cold weather.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics
Published

The ground is deforming, and buildings aren't ready      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new study has linked underground climate change to the shifting ground beneath urban areas. The phenomenon is affecting all major urban areas around the globe, causing civil structures and infrastructures to crack.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics
Published

Sweat it out: Novel wearable biosensor for monitoring sweat electrolytes for use in healthcare and sports      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Wearable sensors are becoming a promising tool in personalized healthcare and exercise monitoring. In a recent study, researchers develop a novel wearable chemical sensor capable of measuring the concentration of chloride ions in sweat. By using a heat-transfer printing technique, the proposed sensor can be applied to the outer surface of common textiles to prevent skin irritation and allergies, and could also be useful in the early detection of heat stroke and dehydration.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics
Published

Climate-friendly air conditioning inspired by termites      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The climate control used by termites in their mounds could inspire tomorrow's climate-smart buildings. New research shows that future buildings inspired by the termites could achieve the same effect as traditional climate control, but with greater energy efficiency and without its carbon dioxide footprint.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Testing real driverless cars in a virtual environment      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have developed new software to aid in the development, evaluation and demonstration of safer autonomous, or driverless, vehicles. Called the Vehicle-in-Virtual-Environment (VVE) method, it allows the testing of driverless cars in a perfectly safe environment.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Researchers create highly conductive metallic gel for 3D printing      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed a metallic gel that is highly electrically conductive and can be used to print three-dimensional (3D) solid objects at room temperature.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics
Published

Scientists designed new enzyme using Antarctic bacteria and computer calculations      (via sciencedaily.com) 

For the first time, researchers have succeeded in predicting how to change the optimum temperature of an enzyme using large computer calculations. A cold-adapted enzyme from an Antarctic bacterium was used as a basis.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics
Published

Soft, ultrathin photonic material cools down wearable electronic devices      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Overheating of wearable skin-like electronic devices increases the risk of skin burning and results in performance degradation. A research team has now invented a photonic material-based 'soft, ultrathin, radiative-cooling interface' that greatly enhances heat dissipation in devices, with temperature drops more than 56°C, offering an alternative for effective thermal management in advanced wearable electronics.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR) Mathematics: Modeling Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General
Published

Turning old maps into 3D digital models of lost neighborhoods      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Imagine strapping on a virtual reality headset and 'walking' through a long-gone neighborhood in your city -- seeing the streets and buildings as they appeared decades ago. That's a very real possibility now that researchers have developed a method to create 3D digital models of historic neighborhoods using machine learning and historic Sanborn Fire Insurance maps.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Squid-inspired soft material is a switchable shield for light, heat, microwaves      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

With a flick of a switch, current technologies allow you to quickly change materials from being dark to light, or cold to hot, just by blocking or transmitting specific wavelengths. But now, inspired by squid skin, researchers report a soft film that can regulate its transparency across a large range of wavelengths -- visible, infrared and microwave -- simultaneously. They demonstrated the material in smart windows and in health monitoring and temperature management applications.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Thermodynamics Energy: Technology Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Inside-out heating and ambient wind could make direct air capture cheaper and more efficient      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Chemical engineers use coated carbon fibers and eliminate steam-based heating in their simpler design, which also can be powered by wind energy.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Thermodynamics Energy: Technology Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Energy harvesting via vibrations: Researchers develop highly durable and efficient device      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An international research group has engineered a new energy-generating device by combining piezoelectric composites with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP), a commonly used material that is both light and strong. The new device transforms vibrations from the surrounding environment into electricity, providing an efficient and reliable means for self-powered sensors.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR) Energy: Technology Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General
Published

Metaverse could put a dent in global warming      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

For many technology enthusiasts, the metaverse has the potential to transform almost every facet of human life, from work to education to entertainment. Now, new research shows it could have environmental benefits, too.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Chemistry: Thermodynamics
Published

Sustainable technique to manufacture chemicals      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A newly published study details a novel mechanochemistry method that can produce chemicals using less energy and without the use of solvents that produce toxic waste.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Scientists use seaweed to create new material that can store heat for reuse      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have created a new material derived from seaweed that can store heat for re-use. It could be used to capture summer sun for use in winter, or to store heat from industry that currently goes up the chimney, potentially slashing carbon emissions. The material is in the form of small beads made from alginate, which is cheap, abundant and non-toxic. It stores heat four times more efficiently than a previous material the team had developed.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

'Heat highways' could keep electronics cool      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

As smart electronic devices become smaller and more powerful, they can generate a lot of heat, leading to slower processing times and sudden shutdowns. Now researchers use an electrospinning approach to produce a new nanocomposite film. In tests, the film dissipated heat four times more efficiently than similar materials, showing that it could one day be used to keep electronics cool.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR) Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
Published

Wireless olfactory feedback system to let users smell in the VR world      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A research team recently invented a novel, wireless, skin-interfaced olfactory feedback system that can release various odours with miniaturized odor generators (OGs). The new technology integrates odors into virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR) to provide a more immersive experience, with broad applications ranging from 4D movie watching and medical treatment to online teaching.