Science News

Why is looking at the solar eclipse dangerous? Eye doctors explain why you need to wear special glasses for protection — and what happens if you don't.

Researchers at ICFO have fabricated a new four-terminal organic solar cell with a tandem configuration with a 16.94% power conversion efficiency (PCE). The new device is composed by a highly transparent front cell that incorporates a transparent ultrathin silver (Ag) electrode of only 7nm, which ensures its efficient operation.

A recent analysis shows that renewable energy could be a viable alternative to diesel fuel for science at the South Pole. The analysis deeply explores the feasibility of replacing part of the energy production at the South Pole with renewable sources.

With air turbulence presenting a significant safety concern in civil aviation, especially amidst the growing impacts of climate change and the expansion of the aviation industry, the need for effective monitoring and mitigation strategies has become paramount.

The Compression-Absorption Cascade Refrigeration Cycle (CACRC) system, merging Vapor-Compression Refrigeration (VCR) with Absorption Refrigeration Cycle (ARC), presents a promising answer to the pressing energy demands and environmental concerns associated with traditional cooling methods.

If you've looked in your utility drawer lately, you may have noticed the various shapes, sizes and types of batteries that power your electronic devices. First, there are the round, non-rechargeable button cells for your watches and small items. There's also the popular AA and AAA cylindrical batteries for calculators, clocks and remotes. Then you have the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in your laptops and phones. And don't forget about the lead-acid battery in your car.

One of the pioneers of Explainable AI has developed an advanced model that explains how and why AI works. The model opens up AI's mysterious "black box" and is available for virtually all AI systems.

During the operation of the China-Russia Crude Oil Pipeline (CRCOP), underground pipelines crossing permafrost regions often face challenges including frost heave, thaw settlement, and other permafrost disasters. In addition, the oil temperature of the CRCOP has been steadily increasing over the years. Therefore, effective mitigation of thaw settlement disasters caused by high oil temperature has become paramount for ensure the stable operation of the CRCOP.

The cargo ship Dali knocked down three main truss spans, constructed with connected steel elements forming triangles, on the Francis Scott Key Bridge just seconds after crashing into one of the bridge piers early on Tuesday morning, March 26, 2024.

With rapid developments in artificial intelligence and robot technology, social robots will increasingly be used in society. Robotics researcher Chinmaya Mishra looked at the importance of gaze direction and human emotions in our communication with robots and developed two systems to make robots' faces work in our favor. Mishra will receive his Ph.D. at Radboud University on 17 April.

Our muscles are nature's perfect actuators—devices that turn energy into motion. For their size, muscle fibers are more powerful and precise than most synthetic actuators. They can even heal from damage and grow stronger with exercise.

Security experts fear Q-Day, the day when quantum computers become so powerful that they can crack today's passwords. Some experts estimate that this day will come within the next ten years. Password checks are based on cryptographic one-way functions, which calculate an output value from an input value. This makes it possible to check the validity of a password without transmitting the password itself: the one-way function converts the password into an output value that can then be used to check its validity in, say, online banking.

Lithium-ion batteries have become an integral part of everyday life. The number of used batteries is correspondingly high. They contain considerable amounts of important raw materials such as graphite. Recycling this mineral for reuse in new batteries with the same performance is an important goal.

The biological brain, especially the human brain, is a desirable computing system that consumes little energy and runs at high efficiency. To build a computing system just as good, many neuromorphic scientists focus on designing hardware components intended to mimic the elusive learning mechanism of the brain.

Nonlinear systems have applications in many diverse fields from robotics to economics. Unlike linear systems, the output is not proportional to the input is such systems. A classic example is the motion of a pendulum. Due to the inherent nature of nonlinear systems, their mathematical modeling and, consequently, control is difficult.

While gazelle sightings in Israel are already uncommon due to their endangered status, this one is reported to be the first of its kind to be spotted.

If you miss this one, you’ll have to wait another 20 years.

While 3D printing has exploded in popularity, many of the plastic materials these printers use to create objects cannot be easily recycled. While new sustainable materials are emerging for use in 3D printing, they remain difficult to adopt because 3D printer settings need to be adjusted for each material, a process generally done by hand.

Total solar eclipses, like the one expected on April 8, 2024, are rare. This list shows the history of the phenomenon in the United States.

Can't find solar eclipse glasses? Here's how to make a pinhole camera viewer using a cereal box.