Chemistry: Thermodynamics Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Scientists propose guidelines for solar geoengineering research      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

To guide future research into solar geoengineering, an international group of scientists is making specific recommendations for evaluating proposals in order to identify the most feasible and legitimate scenarios for stratospheric aerosol intervention.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Environmental: Water Environmental: Wildfires
Published

New gels could protect buildings during wildfires      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have developed a sprayable gel that creates a shield to protect buildings from wildfire damage. It lasts longer and is more effective than existing commercial options.

Computer Science: General Mathematics: Modeling
Published

Self-improving AI method increases 3D-printing efficiency      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An artificial intelligence algorithm can allow researchers to more efficiently use 3D printing to manufacture intricate structures. The development could allow for more seamless use of 3D printing for complex designs in everything from artificial organs to flexible electronics and wearable biosensors. As part of the study, the algorithm learned to identify, and then print, the best versions of kidney and prostate organ models, printing out 60 continually improving versions.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Thermodynamics Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General Physics: Optics
Published

Chalk-based coating creates a cooling fabric      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In the scorching heat of summer, anyone who spends time outside could benefit from a cooling fabric. While there are some textiles that reflect the sun's rays or wick heat away, current options require boutique fibers or complex manufacturing processes. But now, demonstrations of a durable chalk-based coating show it can cool the air underneath treated fabric by up to 8 degrees Fahrenheit.

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

Eco-friendly cooling device with record-breaking efficiency      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have developed an eco-friendly refrigeration device with record-breaking cooling performance in the world, setting to transform industries reliant on cooling and reduce global energy use. With a boost in efficiency of over 48%, the new elastocaloric cooling technology opens a promising avenue for accelerating the commercialization of this disruptive technology and addressing the environmental challenges associated with traditional cooling systems.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Computer Science: General Energy: Nuclear Physics: General
Published

Quenching the intense heat of a fusion plasma may require a well-placed liquid metal evaporator      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New fusion simulations of the inside of a tokamak reveal the ideal spot for a 'cave' with flowing liquid lithium is near the bottom by the center stack, as the evaporating metal particles should land in just the right spot to dissipate excess heat from the plasma.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Technology Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Sharing risk to avoid power outages in an era of extreme weather      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Heat waves, droughts, and fires place growing stress on the West's electric grid. New research suggests that more integrated management of electricity resources across the region could significantly reduce the risk of power outages and accelerate the transition to clean energy.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Computer Science: General Mathematics: Modeling
Published

Peering into the mind of artificial intelligence to make better antibiotics      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Artificial intelligence (AI) has exploded in popularity as of late. But just like a human, it's hard to read an AI model's mind. Explainable AI (XAI) could help us do just that by providing justification for a model's decisions. And now, researchers are using XAI to scrutinize predictive AI models more closely, which could help make better antibiotics.

Mathematics: Modeling
Published

AI model aids early detection of autism      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new machine learning model can predict autism in young children from relatively limited information. The model can facilitate early detection of autism, which is important to provide the right support.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Thermodynamics Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

New twist on synthesis technique promises sustainable manufacturing      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers developed a new method known as flash-within-flash Joule heating (FWF) that could transform the synthesis of high-quality solid-state materials, offering a cleaner, faster and more sustainable manufacturing process.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Energy: Technology Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Revolutionizing thermoelectric technology: Hourglass-shaped materials achieve a 360% efficiency boost      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A groundbreaking technology has been unveiled that improves the efficiency of thermoelectric materials, which are key in converting waste heat into electricity, by altering their geometry to resemble an hourglass. Unlike previous research that solely depended on the material properties of thermoelectric substances, this new approach is expected to have widespread applications in thermoelectric power generation.

Mathematics: Modeling
Published

Why do researchers often prefer safe over risky projects? Explaining risk aversion in science      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A mathematical framework that builds on the economic theory of hidden-action models provides insight into how the unobservable nature of effort and risk shapes investigators' research strategies and the incentive structures within which they work, according to a new study.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Engineering: Robotics Research Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Intelligent soft robotic clothing for automatic thermal adaptation in extreme heat      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

As global warming intensifies, people increasingly suffer from extreme heat. For those working in a high-temperature environment indoors or outdoors, keeping thermally comfortable becomes particularly crucial. A team has now developed thermally-insulated and breathable soft robotic clothing that can automatically adapt to changing ambient temperatures, thereby helping to ensure worker safety in hot environments.

Computer Science: General Mathematics: Modeling
Published

In subdivided communities cooperative norms evolve more easily      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers simulated social norms with a supercomputer. Their findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the evolution of social norms and their role in fostering cooperative behavior.

Mathematics: Modeling
Published

Leading AI models struggle to identify genetic conditions from patient-written descriptions      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers discover that while artificial intelligence (AI) tools can make accurate diagnoses from textbook-like descriptions of genetic diseases, the tools are significantly less accurate when analyzing summaries written by patients about their own health. These findings demonstrate the need to improve these AI tools before they can be applied in health care settings to help make diagnoses and answer patient questions.

Mathematics: General Mathematics: Modeling
Published

Think fast -- or not: Mathematics behind decision making      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New research explains the mathematics behind how initial predispositions and additional information affect decision making.

Mathematics: Modeling Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
Published

AI poses no existential threat to humanity, new study finds      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Large Language Models (LLMs) are entirely controllable through human prompts and lack 'emergent abilities'; that is, the means to form their own insights or conclusions. Increasing model size does not lead LLMs to gain emergent reasoning abilities, meaning they will not develop hazardous abilities and therefore do not pose an existential threat. A new study sheds light on the (until now unexplained) capabilities and shortcomings of LLMs, including the need for carefully engineered prompts to exhibit good performance.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Thermodynamics Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

New mechanism to cool buildings while saving energy      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The movement of radiant heat -- felt when a hot surface warms our bodies and homes -- between buildings and their surroundings at ground level makes buildings with less skyward-facing surfaces harder to cool. A research team has demonstrated a new passive cooling technology that coats walls and windows with materials that can better manage heat movement between buildings and their surroundings at ground level. Findings could reduce the reliance on air conditioning and provide a more environmentally friendly, low-cost and scalable option for low-income communities with limited or no access to cooling and heating systems.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Thermodynamics Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR) Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General Physics: Optics
Published

New technology uses light to engrave erasable 3D images      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers invented a technique that uses a specialized light projector and a photosensitive chemical additive to imprint two- and three-dimensional images inside any polymer. The light-based engraving remains in the polymer until heat or light are applied, which erases the image and makes it ready to use again. The technology is intended for any situation where having detailed, precise visual data in a compact and easily customizable format could be critical, such as planning surgeries and developing architectural designs.