science newsletter: Science News SciGuru.com

Τρίτη 19 Φεβρουαρίου 2013

Science News SciGuru.com

Researchers Create Semiconductor ‘Nano-Shish-Kebabs’ With Potential for 3-D Technologies
Production process doubles speed and efficiency of flexible electronics
Rapid changes in the Arctic ecosystem
Yeast research takes a step toward production of alternatives to gasoline
Social norms, behavior influence environmental policy

Researchers Create Semiconductor ‘Nano-Shish-Kebabs’ With Potential for 3-D Technologies

Posted: 19 Feb 2013 06:34 AM PST

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new type of nanoscale structure that resembles a “nano-shish-kebab,” consisting of multiple two-dimensional nanosheets that appear to be impaled upon a one-dimensional nanowire. However, the nanowire and nanosheets are actually a single, three-dimensional structure consisting of a seamless series of germanium sulfide (GeS) crystals. The structure holds promise for use in the creation of new, three-dimensional (3-D) technologies.

Production process doubles speed and efficiency of flexible electronics

Posted: 18 Feb 2013 01:02 PM PST

Stretched-out clothing might not be a great practice for laundry day, but in the case of microprocessor manufacture, stretching out the atomic structure of the silicon in the critical components of a device can be a good way to increase a processor's performance.

Rapid changes in the Arctic ecosystem

Posted: 18 Feb 2013 12:53 PM PST

Huge quantities of algae are growing on the underside of sea ice in the Central Arctic: in 2012 the ice algae Melosira arctica was responsible for almost half the primary production in this area. When the ice melts, as was the case during the ice minimum in 2012, these algae sink rapidly to the bottom of the sea at a depth of several thousands of metres. Deep sea animals such as sea cucumbers and brittle stars feed on the algae, and bacteria metabolise what’s left, consuming the oxygen in the sea bed.

Yeast research takes a step toward production of alternatives to gasoline

Posted: 18 Feb 2013 12:44 PM PST

In the search for renewable alternatives to gasoline, heavy alcohols such as isobutanol are promising candidates. Not only do they contain more energy than ethanol, but they are also more compatible with existing gasoline-based infrastructure. For isobutanol to become practical, however, scientists need a way to reliably produce huge quantities of it from renewable sources.

Social norms, behavior influence environmental policy

Posted: 18 Feb 2013 08:32 AM PST

A research team led by ASU senior sustainability scientist Ann Kinzig argues for a novel approach to climate change alleviation: target public values and behavior.

Kinzig, chief research strategist for ASU’s Global Institute of Sustainability and a professor at ASU’s School of Life Sciences, urges policymakers to alter laws and regulations, such as recycling mandates and energy restrictions, based on social values and the associated behaviors.