Uncategorized

  1. Earth

    Long-winded benefits

    Certain wind-energy systems that store excess energy for a time using compressed air can be as reliable as and far cleaner than conventional electric-generating plants.

    By Janet Raloff
  2. Astronomy

    Swift detection of a gamma-ray burst

    A telescope has for the first time detected X rays directly from an ongoing gamma-ray burst, the most powerful type of explosion in the universe.

    By Ron Cowen
  3. Materials Science

    Tiles stack for shell strength in abalone

    In abalone shells, microscopic tiles of calcium carbonate stack on top of each other in a highly ordered arrangement to create a superstrong material.

    By Alexandra Goho
  4. Physics

    Putting a new spin on silicon

    Embedding ions of manganese in silicon imparts a magnetic field to the otherwise nonmagnetic semiconductor.