Umfrage zeigt: Reparaturfreundlichkeit und Verbraucheraufklärung sind gefragt
Die Novellierung des ElektroG rückt in die entscheidende Phase. Noch gibt es die Möglichkeit, die Wiederverwendungs- und Recyclingpotentiale im Elektroaltgerätebereich mit dem Gesetz voll auszuschöpfen. Dafür bedarf es aber des politischen Willens des Gesetzgebers. (more…)
Neue ALMA-Beobachtungen erklären warum milchstaßenähnliche Galaxien im Universum so häufig vorkommen
Jahrzehntelang glaubten Wissenschaftler, dass die Verschmelzung von Galaxien normalerweise zur Entstehung von elliptischen Galaxien führt. Nun haben Forscher zum ersten Mal mit Hilfe von ALMA und einer Reihe weiterer Radioteleskope einen direkten Beweis dafür gefunden, dass kollidierende Galaxien stattdessen Scheibengalaxien hervorbringen können, und dass dieser Ausgang in der Tat recht häufig ist. Dieses überraschenden Ergebnis könnte erklären, warum es im Universum so viele Spiralgalaxien wie die Milchstraße gibt. (more…)
Atomic force microscopy helps scientists to reveal the bond order and length of bonds within molecules
Technique can be used to study future devices made from graphene
Zurich, Switzerland – 14 Sep 2012: IBM scientists have been able to differentiate the chemical bonds in individual molecules for the first time using a technique known as noncontact atomic force microscopy (AFM).
The results push the exploration of using molecules and atoms at the smallest scale and could be important for studying graphene devices, which are currently being explored by both industry and academia for applications including high-bandwidth wireless communication and electronic displays. (more…)
Chemists at Brown University have created a triple-headed metallic nanoparticle that reportedly performs better and lasts longer than any other nanoparticle catalyst studied in fuel-cell reactions. The key is the addition of gold: It yields a more uniform crystal structure while removing carbon monoxide from the reaction. Results published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Advances in fuel-cell technology have been stymied by the inadequacy of metals studied as catalysts. The drawback to platinum, other than cost, is that it absorbs carbon monoxide in reactions involving fuel cells powered by organic materials like formic acid. A more recently tested metal, palladium, breaks down over time. (more…)
ANN ARBOR, Mich.— Brain scans showing neural reactions to pro-health messages can predict if you’ll keep that resolution to quit smoking more accurately than you yourself can. That’s according to a new study forthcoming in Health Psychology, a peer-reviewed journal.
“We targeted smokers who were already taking action to quit,” said Emily Falk, the lead author of the study and director of the Communication Neuroscience Laboratory at the U-M Institute for Social Research and Department of Communication Studies. “And we found that neural activity can predict behavior change, above and beyond people’s own assessment of how likely they are to succeed. (more…)
