Today in Science Blog Posts
Avoiding Figure Skating Joint Stress with Measuring Device
Figure skating causes a lot of stress on joints. To help with this issue, researchers are looking into the design of “smart” blades for figure skates that can measure exerted force.
Nanodiamonds Shine Brightly in Biomedical Research
A nanodiamond might not be ideal for an engagement ring, but these microscopic particles show a potential role in observing and analyzing cell processes. Learn more >>
The Mystery Behind the Earth’s Magnetic Field Flip
Earth’s magnetic field typically remains stable. However, studies have shown that throughout history, geomagnetic reversals have occurred — irregular intervals when Earth’s magnetic field flips.
An Idea that Is Taking Off: Next-Generation Spacesuits
Researchers at MIT are designing a next-generation spacesuit that relies less on gas pressure and instead moves toward the idea of applying pressure directly to the skin. Get details here.
Sea Life Offers New Insight into Underwater Adhesives
Underwater adhesives are an important biomedical innovation. To design stronger synthetic waterproof materials, researchers are gaining inspiration from undersea creatures like mussels and worms.
Happy Birthday, Michael Faraday
Did you know that Michael Faraday is credited with discovering electromagnetic induction in 1831? Learn more about this British physicist and chemist.
Shape-Memory Polymer May Help in Facial Reconstructions
Researchers at Texas A&M developed a shape memory polymer that can potentially be used to fill in critical-sized bone defects in the human face. Get the full story here >>
The Evolution of Night Vision Technology
Night vision glasses have existed since World War II, but they used to be so bulky that they were inconvenient to use. Learn about the design evolution from active to passive infrared technology.
Physics Make or Break the Comic Book Movie Illusion
The animation team behind the 2014 film The Amazing Spider-Man 2 attempted to comply with the laws of physics while making the movie. Get an overview of the different phenomena they considered.
Why Room Acoustics Matters
How come a recorded soundscape is never as satisfying as listening to the real thing? The answer lies in the phenomenon of room acoustics. Get a comprehensive overview of this concept here.
Shaping the Future with Holography
Did you know that holography was first developed by Dennis Gabor in 1948? Because of his discovery, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1971. See how the field has expanded since then.
Hygroscopy of Brown vs. White Sugar, the Banana Bread Test
Physics in the kitchen: We bake 2 loaves of vegan banana bread to compare the hygroscopic properties of white and brown sugar. Get details — and the recipe! — on the blog.