April 9, 2009 
Volcanoes are noisy—we just can’t hear them
Working from the theory that volcanic ash jets produce low-frequency sound much like jet engines, researchers captured the very large-amplitude infrasonic sounds from recent Mount St. Helens and Tungurahua volcano activity. |
Administration looks for ways to cool climate
President Obama’s new science advisor, John Holdren, has floated geoengineering options for mitigating the global warming trend. One option involves sending sulfur particles skyward, mimicking the insulating effects of a major volcanic eruption. |
Ancient diatoms guide new solar tech
The physics of how it works are not yet well understood, but the mechanism depends on the ability of diatom skeletons—which have been used as part of a dye-sensitized solar cell substrate—to increase the scattering and subsequent harvesting of incoming photons. |
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Book Describes Laser Displacement Sensor Technology
KEYENCE LK-G CCD Laser Displacement Sensors measure height, position, thickness, warpage, profile, runout, and vibration on any material/surface. They also measure fast moving, vibrating or rotating objects. How do they work? How can you use them? What are the technical factors contributing to their accuracy, linearity and repeatability? This 14-page illustrated document contains the details.
For more information, click here. |
 Explosive aerogel reacts with striking speed
Working from the theory that low-order explosives performance (e.g., gunpowder) can be improved by mixing the oxidizer and fuel as closely as possible, researchers built a nano-engineered gel that burns extremely fast, leaving little behind. |
High-tech analysis reveals a dielectric advantage
With the help of some sophisticated imaging tools, researchers have recently seen for the first time the slight atomic offsets that give silver niobate-based ceramics their uniquely high, temperature-stable dielectric constant. |
Report says spies compromised U.S. electric grid
Although the U.S. government remains mum on the subject, the hacking of electric grids in America has possibly been occurring for years. The revelations may impact the way the North American Electric Reliability Corp. enforces private sector security rules. |
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Automated Measurement of Micro & Nano Fibers with Fibermetric™
Introducing the FEI® Fibermetric System. Improve quality by measuring sub-micron fibers and pores—without waiting for specialists to schedule lab time on a complex electron microscope. Get fiber and pore size distribution data for quality control and for predicting application properties such as filtration efficiency.
For more information, click here. |
 DNA origami seeds fuel bottom-up manufacturing
Most human-made objects are top-down: order is imposed from the outside. An instruction-carrying DNA seed has been made that begins molecular construction in a generalized way. |
Biomedical research goes into orbit
The National Institutes of Health intends to fund scientists at universities, medical centers and companies who design medical experiments that leverage the unique weightless environment of the International Space System. |
Business Watch:
Microfluidics exert change on business models
A new report from industry tracker Yole Developpement shows that the in vitro diagnostics industry is changing dramatically thanks to both new technology and a wave of M&A activity. |
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New Vacuum Gauging system from InstruTech
The B-RAX Ion gauge Controller employs an Ion gauge sensor with a built-in electrometer. This leads to a compact, low heat generating and low cost multi-gauge vacuum gauge Controller. Offered as a half rack design, the B-RAX operates one Ion gauge and two Convection gauges.
For more information, click here. |
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Mold casting process saves time, money
Graphicast’s new graphite mold casting method produces castings of ZA-12, a durable zinc-aluminum alloy, at a lower total cost per part than machining or other casting processes for annual production quantities of 200 to 20,000 parts. |
Microfluidic device for droplet generation
Dolomite introduced the Mitos Droplet Junction Chip, a glass microfluidic device designed for droplet generation. With two separate droplet junctions, the chip is able to produce a high droplet yield while maintaining consistency in size. |
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