News
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Measuring on ice: Researchers create "smart" ice skating blade
An ice skating blade that informs figure skaters of the stresses they are imposing on their joints has been developed by a group of researchers in the US. The small, lightweight device has been built to measure the force that a figure skater exerts on the ice when performing their repertoire of jumps and spins […]
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Physicists sounds warning to "nail beauty fanatics"
The daily trimming of fingernails and toenails to make them more aesthetically pleasing could be detrimental and potentially lead to serious nail conditions. This is according to researchers at the University of Nottingham who have devised equations to identify the physical laws that govern nail growth, and used them to throw light on the causes […]
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In October's Physics World: The wake-up call that sent hearts racing
“But as the minutes ticked by, the relaxed attitude of many of us began to dissolve into apprehension. Our levels of adrenaline and worry began to rise." “The room went silent, interspersed with only an occasional murmur, all faces fixed on a noisy, fuzzy line on our computer screens.” For some of the 300 scientists […]
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"Smart material" chin strap harvests energy from chewing
A chin strap that can harvest energy from jaw movements has been created by a group of researchers in Canada. It is hoped that the device can generate electricity from eating, chewing and talking, and power a number of small-scale implantable or wearable electronic devices, such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, electronic hearing protectors and […]
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Graphene gets a 'cousin' in the shape of germanene
A team of European researchers has become one of the first groups to successfully synthesize the 2D material germanene. Dubbed a ‘cousin of graphene’, the material, which is made up of just a single layer of germanium atoms, is expected to exhibit impressive electrical and optical properties and could be widely integrated across the electronics […]
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In September's Physics World: Scientists get set for simulated nuclear inspection
Some 40 scientists and technicians from around the world will descend on Jordan in November to take part in a simulated on-site inspection of a suspected nuclear test site on the banks of the Dead Sea. Playing the part of inspectors, the experts will have access to a wide range of sensor technologies to look […]
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August's Physics World: Scientist underlines threat of "solar super-storm"
In this month’s issue of Physics World, Ashley Dale from the University of Bristol warns of the “catastrophic” and “long-lasting” impacts of “solar super-storms” and the dangers we face if the threat continues to go unnoticed. Dale, who was a member of an international task force – dubbed SolarMAX – set up to identify the […]
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"Land grabbing" could help feed at least 300 million people, study suggests
Crops grown on “land-grabbed” areas in developing countries could have the potential to feed an extra 100 million people worldwide, a new study has shown. The improved infrastructure brought about by foreign investment could increase the productivity of subsistence farmlands in countries such as Indonesia and Papua New Guinea and could mean these lands can […]
