Science Daily February 18, 2020 The core challenge in THz cameras is not about collecting an image, but preserving the objects spectral fingerprint that can be easily corrupted by the technique. Researchers in the UK used a single-pixel camera to image sample objects with patterns of THz light. The prototype they built can detect how the object alters different patterns of THz light. By combining this information with the shape of each original pattern the camera reveals the image of an object as well as its chemical composition. The camera creates THz electromagnetic waves very close to the sample, similar […]
Tag Archives: S&T UK
Reasons why megaprojects fail
Science Daily February 14, 2020 Megaprojects are the delivery model used to produce large-scale, complex, and one-off capital investments in a variety of public and private sectors. With a total capital cost of US$1 billion or more, megaprojects are extremely risky ventures, notoriously difficult to manage, and often fail to achieve their original objectives. Researchers in the UK reviewed and analyzed 6,007 titles and abstracts and 86 full papers, identifying a total of 18 causes and 54 cures to address poor megaproject performance. They suggest five avenues for future research that should consider examining megaprojects as large-scale, inter-organizational production systems: […]
Predicting Contagion Speed
American Physical Society February 12, 2020 To effectively monitor, design, or intervene in epidemic-like processes, there is a need to predict the speed of a particular contagion in a particular network, and to distinguish between nodes that are more likely to become infected sooner or later during an outbreak. Researchers in the UK studied global transport and communication networks using a message-passing approach to derive simple and effective predictions that are validated against epidemic simulations on a variety of real-world networks with good agreement. In addition to individualized predictions for different nodes, they found an overall sudden transition from low […]
Using long-wavelength terahertz radiation to produce video with a high frame rate
Phys.org February 10, 2020 Long-wavelength terahertz radiation which is considered to be much safer than X-ray radiation has not been used in security and medical devices because its energy is so low and it has been difficult to create high-resolution images using them. Instead of building a more sensitive sensor researchers in the UK made the waves more readable to conventional technology. They converted the terahertz radiation into green light by directing it into a cloud of excited cesium atoms. Once the cloud was formed, the researchers fired a secondary terahertz laser through a moving object, which allowed a “shadow […]
Using sound and light to generate ultra-fast data transfer
Science Daily February 11, 2020 To be able to send data at increased speeds, the lasers need to be modulated very rapidly: switching on and off or pulsing around 100 billion times every second. Instead of using external electronics, researchers in the UK used acoustic waves to vibrate the quantum wells inside the quantum cascade laser. The acoustic waves were generated by the impact of a pulse from another laser onto an aluminium film that caused the film to expand and contract, sending a mechanical wave through the quantum cascade laser. They were able to control the light output by […]
Scientists find new way to sustainably make chemicals by copying nature’s tricks
EurekAlert January 6, 2020 Plants and microorganisms naturally biosynthesize chemicals that often are converted into derivatives with reduced toxicity or enhanced solubility. As a proof of principle, researchers in the UK used genetic engineering to program E. coli and cyanobacteria to make 1-octanol, a chemical currently used in perfumes, which is toxic to the bacteria. They then added an extra set of instructions to E. coli so it would produce two different derivatives of 1-octanol that are both less harmful. The researchers say if this were to be scaled up for industrial systems the engineered bacteria would produce the non-toxic […]
How Brexit Will Affect Europe’s Research Infrastructure
EurekAlert November 22, 2019 Britain’s likely exit from the EU will probably damage scientific research both in the UK and the EU for decades to come, according to researchers in the UK and the Royal Society. The impact manifests most clearly in two ways, reluctance to engage UK partners for EU research projects and EU nationals are less likely to want to apply for short-term jobs in the UK. An international workforce that can migrate across international borders is the life blood of science and research that could seriously damage UK science and technology. The situation becomes further muddied by […]
Scientists Built an ‘Artificial Leaf’ That Uses Sunlight to Produce Clean Synthetic Fuel
Science Alert October 26, 2019 Researchers in the UK have developed a leaf that mimics the photosynthesis as in plants, combining incoming light, water and carbon dioxide with perovskite as a catalyst which produces hydrogen and carbon monoxide to make syngas. According to the researchers, while the efficiency of the machine is low now, it should be possible to improve that with the unique combination of materials and catalysts. This technology is not limited for use in warm countries, or only operating the process during the summer months. It can be used from dawn until dusk, anywhere in the world. […]
Researchers reveal ultra-fast bomb detection method that could upgrade airport security
EurekAlert August 29, 2019 Paper spray mass spectrometry is a rapid and sensitive tool for explosives detection but so far it has only been demonstrated using high resolution mass spectrometry, which bears too high a cost for many practical applications. Researchers in the UK developed a system which uses swabbing material, they call “swab spray” to collect explosives from surfaces. Sensitive detection using swab spray will require a mass spectrometer with a mass resolving power of 4000 or more. The new detection method is able to analyse a wider range of materials than current thermal based detection systems used in […]
Colour-changing artificial ‘chameleon skin’ powered by nanomachines
Phys.org August 21, 2019 Researchers in the UK have demonstrated that gold nanoparticles coated with a poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) shell undergo reversible dis/assembly below and above the critical temperature of 32 °C. Loading these particles into microdroplets at high density creates light‐driven artificial chromatophores. Triggering the nanoparticle assembly gives dramatic color changes from nanoparticle localization at the base of the droplets, resembling zebrafish melanophores. These reversible chromatophore states can be switched by both bulk and optical heating. The material could be used in applications such as active camouflage and large-scale dynamic displays…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE