Ditch the delicate wash cycle to help save our seas
The volume of water used during a wash cycle, rather than the spinning action of the washing machine, is the key factor in the release of plastic microfibres from clothes.
Read moreNature of Water
Simulations characterize turbulence caused by common connection for dialysis
The complex interplay among the arteriovenous grafts, the vessels they connect, and the blood they transport has been difficult to simulate, but one new method provides a way. Researchers report simulations that reconstructed the fluid dynamics affected by the insertion of an AVG. They used a model that considered the ability of AVG tubes and blood vessels to deform and found much of the disrupted flow could be mitigated by this flexibility.
Read moreNew design of bioactive peptide nanofibers keeping both temperature reversibility and stiffness control
Scientists have developed a new method of molecular design to control both temperature reversibility and stiffness of nanofibers that are gel-forming peptides. The peptide nanofiber hydrogel can be used as biomedical materials. This method will allow the peptide nanofibers more biomedical applicable.
Read moreGoing with the (slow) flow: New technique could improve biotech, precision medicine
Researchers have developed an optical system that accurately measures the flow of extraordinarily tiny amounts of liquids — as small as 10 billionths of a liter (nanoliters) per minute.
Read moreChemists clarify a chiral conundrum
Researchers set out to untangle the mysterious interactions in mixtures of proteins and gold nanorods. Their experiments revealed multilevel chirality in the way proteins prompt nanoparticles to align and in how the particles' plasmons respond to light in the proteins' presence.
Read moreHow to tie microscopic knots
Physicists have discovered a new way to tie microscopic knots within a solution of liquid crystals.
Read moreSpider silk: A malleable protein provides reinforcement
Scientists have discovered that spider silk contains an exceptional protein. It generates high bonding strength by making use of an amino acid scientists have hitherto paid little attention to. The finding could have important implications in many areas.
Read moreEngineers produce water-saving crop irrigation sensor
Developed by engineers — environmental, mechanical, and chemical — new sensors expected to save nearly 35% of water consumption and cost far less than what exists.
Read moreFaster than ever — neutron tomography detects water uptake by roots
New high-speed neutron tomography generates a complete 3D image every 1.5 seconds and is thus seven times faster than before. The method facilitates a better understanding of water and nutrient uptake of crop plants. The method can also be applied to investigate transport processes in various porous material systems.
Read moreSecure printing with water-based invisible ink
Researchers have developed a rewriteable paper coating that can encrypt secret information with relatively low-tech invisible ink — water. A message printed out by a water-jet printer on a manganese-complex-coated paper is invisible to the naked eye, but the message reveals itself under 254 nm UV light. The paper can be ready for another round of printing after erasing the message by heating it with a blow dryer for 15-30 seconds. The method allows reversible secure printing for at least 30 cycles.
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