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    Category Physics

    We’ve Directly Observed Electrons Causing Pulsating Auroras For The First Time

    February 16, 2018, Categories  Physics, Astronomy/Space

    The ERG spacecraft observed chorus waves and scattered electrons in the magnetosphere, the origin of pulsation auroras. The scattered electrons precipitated into the atmosphere resulting in auroral illumination. Intermittent occurrence of chorus waves and associated electron scattering lead to auroral pulsation. Credit: 2018 ERG science team.

    The ERG spacecraft observed chorus waves and scattered electrons in the magnetosphere, the origin of pulsation auroras. The scattered electrons precipitated into the atmosphere resulting in auroral illumination. Intermittent occurrence of chorus waves and associated electron scattering lead to auroral pulsation. Credit: 2018 ERG science team.

    For the first time, a satellite has directly observed the shower of electrons bouncing across Earth’s magnetosphere, allowing scientists to figure out what causes a rare form of Northern Lights known as pulsating auroras. Typically, the Aurora Borealis is caused by charged particles released from the upper atmosphere of the Sun...

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    Engineers develop Smart Material that Changes Stiffness when Twisted or Bent

    February 15, 2018, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics, Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    Examples of the new smart material, left to right: A flexible strip; a flexible strip that stiffened when twisted; a flexible strip transformed into a hard composite that can hold up a weight. Credit: Christopher Gannon/Iowa State University

    Examples of the new smart material, left to right: A flexible strip; a flexible strip that stiffened when twisted; a flexible strip transformed into a hard composite that can hold up a weight. Credit: Christopher Gannon/Iowa State University

    Scientists have developed a rubbery material that transforms itself into a hard composite when bent, twisted or squeezed. The new material could be used in medicine to support delicate tissues or in industry to protect valuable sensors. Stress a muscle and it gets stronger. Mechanically stress the rubbery material – say with a twist or a bend – and the material automatically stiffens by up to 300%, the engineers said...

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    Recreating Outer Space in the Lab

    February 14, 2018, Categories  Physics, Astronomy/Space

    Physical picture of the electron gas expanding in the magnetic wall, where Q = 0 for the adiabatic expansion, resulting in a change of the internal energy of the electron gas is equal to the work done on their surroundings. The magnetic field can behave as a flexible wall with no heat transfer, i.e., the perfectly adiabatic wall. Credit: Kazunori Takahashi

    Physical picture of the electron gas expanding in the magnetic wall, where Q = 0 for the adiabatic expansion, resulting in a change of the internal energy of the electron gas is equal to the work done on their surroundings. The magnetic field can behave as a flexible wall with no heat transfer, i.e., the perfectly adiabatic wall. Credit: Kazunori Takahashi

    Extending thermodynamics to out of equilibrium electron gas in a magnetic nozzle. Thermodynamics provides insight into the internal energy of a system and the energy interaction with its surroundings. This relies on the local thermal equilibrium of a system. A challenging topic of research has been the application of classical thermodynamics to out of equilibrium systems, e.g...

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    New Fuel Cell demonstrates exceptional Power Density and Stability

    February 13, 2018, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics, Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    3. Scanning electron microsopy images before and after stability measurement for 700 h. Interface between PBSCF cathode and BZCYYb4411 electolyte (a) before stability measurement. (b) after stability measurement. High-magnification of microstructure of cathode. (c) before stability measurement. (d) after stability measurement. (e) EDS line scan at the cathode and electrolyte interface after stability measurement

    Scanning electron microsopy images before and after stability
    measurement for 700 h. Interface between PBSCF cathode and BZCYYb4411 electolyte (a)
    before stability measurement. (b) after stability measurement. High-magnification of
    microstructure of cathode. (c) before stability measurement. (d) after stability measurement. (e)
    EDS line scan at the cathode and electrolyte interface after stability measurement

    By combining a high-activity cathode with a new composition of matter, fuel cell operates at 500C – a commercialization sweet spot...

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