The R&D Daily as
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March 18, 2008
 
 This gecko’s not selling car insurance
The small climbing reptile has been a magnet for research – and news coverage – because of the natural nanotechnology on its “sticky” feet. Now, attention is being paid to its tail, which acts as a rudder in flight. Stanford Univ. engineers regard the gecko as a major inspiration for robots that look (and move) much like the animals they emulate. Continue...
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Profile, Roughness and Surface Area Measurement Guide-Vol. 2
This new guide from KEYENCE contains application descriptions and illustrations involving profile, roughness and surface area measurement using the VK-9700 3D Color Laser Confocal Microscope. The VK-9700 complements SEMs with its operational simplicity, 18,000x magnification, 0.001microm measurement precision, 3D imaging and superior color performance without the need for specimen pre-processing. For more information, click here. |
 Satellite makes first observation of man-made CO2 emissions
For the first time, reports the European Space Agency, the Envisat satellite has detected regionally elevated anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in an area from Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Frankfurt, Germany. Distinguishing natural from man-made CO2 should help scientists track the carbon cycle. Continue...
 Nanophotonic switch makes cross-section of hair look big
IBM’s self-declared mission to build the world’s first on-chip optical network is steadily progressing. Now, the company’s engineers report having built a miniscule switch suitable for multi-core applications. The device features aggregate switching bandwidth of 1 Tb/s and is tolerant of temperature drift. Continue...
An unlikely new member of the superconductor club
Scientists have long theorized that hydrogen at high concentrations can function as a superconductor. Prohibitively high density requirements, however, led one research team to experiment with compressed hydride molecules. At much lower pressures, they detected superconductivity in the compound silane. Continue...
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 Novel imaging methods help solve HIV mystery
Normally intended for materials surface analysis, synchrotron x-ray scattering (SAXS) was used (along with confocal microscopy) by Univ. of Illinois scientists to discover that protein coating on the HIV virus transforms cell membranes, rendering them porous like sponge. Continue...
Closed-loop optimization can mix the best cocktails
Drug cocktails are sometimes the best choice for disease treatment (such as HIV), but finding the best one is a little like playing the slot machines. UCLA scientists dealt with the millions of variables by writing a stochastic search algorithm. Now they hunt down the best combinations with computers. Continue...
 Editor’s Take: Brad Pitt vs. rocket science
By Martha Walz. Are Americans really less interested in learning about amazing new, hi-tech, life-changing discoveries than the color gown Paris Hilton wore to the latest Hollywood gala? Continue...
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PentaLine™ - the new shape in rotary vane pumps
PentaLine™ rotary vane pumps, with a new optimized drive system, provides cost-effective, environmentally friendly vacuum, for a wide range of applications in the low and medium vacuum range down to 10-3 mbar. Available in pumping speeds up to 35 m3/h, PentaLine™ is hermetically sealed for leak-free vacuum, and provides compatible voltage for worldwide use. It's standby operating mode provides a power savings that can reduce operating costs up to 50% and assures a longer service life. PentaLine™ rotary vane pumps run noiselessly with minimum vibration assuring a cooler, quieter work environment. For more information, click here. |
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Coulometric titrator offers 2 ppm to 10% detection range 
The Aquacounter Karl Fischer AQ-2100S coulometric titrator from JM Science features an electrode cable attachment, fritless cell, and a cell design suitable most trace moisture applications. It is available in 2-channel configuration as well as a component of a semi-automated or fully automated KF system. Continue...
PCRboost enhances amplification by factor of five
Biomatrica’s new reagent greatly improves polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), enabling improved DNA and RNA study of trace samples (≤1 ng), degraded samples, low copy transcripts, multiplexing (i.e., STR analysis) and samples containing inhibitory factors. No changes to existing protocols are necessary. Continue... |
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Last Update 2008-03-19 | Copyright© Charles Mingus 2008 | |
