Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

ScienceDaily: Matter & Energy News

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• New thermoelectric material could be an energy saver
• How to buy an ethical diamond
• Installed price of solar photovoltaic systems in US continues to decline at rapid pace
• Safer spinach? Scientist's technique dramatically reduces E. coli numbers
• Illuminating the no-man's land of waters' surface: Strong electric charge observed at the interface between oil and water is not due to impurities
• Sonar vision system for congenitally blind
• Graphene/nanotube hybrid makes single-surface material for energy storage, electronics
• Milestone along the way to CO2-free power plants
• Tracking down smallest biomarkers
• Researchers use shock tube for insight into physics early in blasts

New thermoelectric material could be an energy saver Posted: 27 Nov 2012 04:12 PM PST By using common materials found pretty much anywhere there is dirt, a team of researchers has developed a new thermoelectric material. This is important, they said, because the vast majority of heat that is generated from, for example, a car engine, is lost through the tail pipe. It's the thermoelectric material's job to take that heat and turn it into something useful, like electricity.

How to buy an ethical diamond Posted: 27 Nov 2012 12:30 PM PST The holidays are a busy time for engagements, and an expert in corporate responsibility, says socially minded consumers have a lot to think about when it comes to finding the right rock.

Installed price of solar photovoltaic systems in US continues to decline at rapid pace Posted: 27 Nov 2012 10:02 AM PST The installed price of solar photovoltaic power systems in the United States fell substantially in 2011 and through the first half of 2012, according to new research.

Safer spinach? Scientist's technique dramatically reduces E. coli numbers Posted: 27 Nov 2012 10:02 AM PST Scientists have found a way to boost current industry capabilities when it comes to reducing the number of E. coli 0157:H7 cells that may live undetected on spinach leaves. By combining continuous ultrasound treatment with chlorine washing, they can reduce the total number of foodborne pathogenic bacteria by over 99.99 percent.

Illuminating the no-man's land of waters' surface: Strong electric charge observed at the interface between oil and water is not due to impurities Posted: 27 Nov 2012 10:02 AM PST Scientist are refuting previously held theories and offering a new explanation of electrochemical phenomena occurring at the interface between water and a hydrophobic matter. A new paradigm may be on the horizon.

Sonar vision system for congenitally blind Posted: 27 Nov 2012 10:01 AM PST A "sonar vision" system that enables people who are blind from birth to perceive the shape of a face, a house or even words and letters, is now being developed. Using this device, the researchers have shown that, in people that are blind from birth, the areas of the cerebral cortex normally devoted to reading become activated in response to stimulation.

Graphene/nanotube hybrid makes single-surface material for energy storage, electronics Posted: 27 Nov 2012 08:13 AM PST A seamless graphene/nanotube hybrid may be the best electrode interface material possible for many energy storage and electronics applications.

Milestone along the way to CO2-free power plants Posted: 27 Nov 2012 06:40 AM PST An innovative method inexpensively and energetically efficiently reduces power-plant carbon dioxide emissions by more than 90 percent. The initial system for utilization on an existing power plant is currently in the planning stage.

Tracking down smallest biomarkers Posted: 27 Nov 2012 06:39 AM PST Scientists have developed a vacuum-compatible X-ray detector that allows the size of low-contrast nano-objects to be determined.

Researchers use shock tube for insight into physics early in blasts Posted: 27 Nov 2012 06:39 AM PST Researchers are using a unique multiphase shock tube to study how densely clustered particles disperse during an explosion.