Science

Science Students Coming To Los Alamos To Interview Seniors On Manhattan Project For Podcast Series

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Matthew Jordan is a Rhodes Scholar coming to Los Alamos with fellow student Nathaniel Smith  to speak to seniors about the Manhattan Ptoject for a podcast series. Courtesy photo
 
By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Los Alamos

Matthew Jordan is a Rhodes Scholar and an MSc candidate in the History of Science at Oxford University.

Jordan previously studied mathematics and physics in McMaster University’s interdisciplinary Arts & Science program, where he was a TEDx speaker and the only undergraduate student to ever teach a mathematics course.

He has conducted research on the mathematical Read More

AGU: Scientists Take High-Speed Video Of Waves To Better Understand Sea Spray

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AGU News:
 
Waves crashing on seashores generate tiny droplets of water known as sea spray. Sea spray moves heat and water from the ocean to the atmosphere, but scientists are unsure which part of the wave-breaking process generates the most spray, whether it be wind shear, splashing, or the popping of air bubbles at the surface of the wave.
 
To address this question, scientists generated breaking waves experimentally in a lab. They used a wave tank about the size of an average bowling lane to create miniature versions of plunging breakers, where the wave crest curls over itself and
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NMHU: Graduate Student Katherine Ottmers Awarded Scholarship For Drone Wetlands Research

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Katherine Ottmers
 
NMHU News:
 
LAS VEGAS, NM ― New Mexico Highlands University environmental science management graduate student Katherine Ottmers will be using drones to conduct innovative New Mexico wetlands research, thanks to a scholarship from the New Mexico Geographic Information Council.
 
This is the first known time that drones, unmanned aerial systems, will be used to monitor wetlands in New Mexico.
 
The New Mexico Environment Department invited Ottmers to submit a proposal to develop drone-based wetlands monitoring, with Playa Lakes in Southeast
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Tibbar Plasma Technologies Hosts Open House

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Tibbar Plasma Technologies (TPT) held an open house July 14 at its lab on DP Road. TPT is a company of plasma theorists, plasma experimentalists, engineers and technicians pursuing a number of avenues related to plasma and fusion research. The company recently received a grant from the NSF to develop revolutionary plasma-based technology. TPT President Dr. Richard Nebel presents an overview of the company’s projects including a plasma confinement device with oscillating concept, which may lead to smaller devices with higher efficiency fusion machines. Learn more by visiting www.tibbartech.com Read More

Air Force Research Laboratory Launches Largest Unmanned Space Structure On SpaceX Falcon Heavy

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A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket carrying 24 satellites as part of DOD’s Space Test Program-2 mission launches June 25 from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Four NASA technology and science payloads, which will study non-toxic spacecraft fuel, deep space navigation, ‘bubbles’ in the electrically-charged layers of Earth’s upper atmosphere, and radiation protection for satellites are among the two dozen satellites put into orbit. Courtesy NASA/Joel Kowsky

AFRL News:

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE – A satellite spanning nearly the length of a football field was Read More

NIST Physicists Create Record-Setting Quantum Motion

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NIST physicist Katie McCormick adjusts a mirror to steer a laser beam used to cool a trapped beryllium ion (electrically charged atom). McCormick and her colleagues got the ion to display record-setting levels of quantum motion, an advance that can improve quantum measurements and quantum computing. Courtesy/J. Burrus/NIST
 
NIST News:
 
Showcasing precise control at the quantum level, physicists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a method for making an ion (electrically charged atom) display exact quantities of quantum-level motion
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AGU: Airborne Research Shows East Coast Cities Emitting Twice As Much Methane As Estimated

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A NOAA Twin Otter aircraft over the Hudson on a 2018 research mission. Courtesy/Eric Kort/U of M
 
Genevieve Plant of the University of Michigan and NOAA’s Colm Sweeney review measurements of methane and other gases during an airborne research project in 2018. Courtesy/Eric Kort/U of M
 
AGU News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Atmospheric methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that also contributes to ground-level ozone pollution.
 
In the past decade, there has been intense scientific focus on improving the accuracy of methane emissions estimates in the United States, with most
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New Mexico History Museum Launches Apollo Exhibit With Moon Rocks And Schmitt Flight Suit

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On display at the NMHM is the Mercury Space Capsule 12B, created as a backup for the Mercury missions and on loan from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum. Courtesy/NASA

Mercury Space Capsule 12B. Courtesy/NASA

NMHM  News:

SANTA FE – Northern New Mexico residents have a rare opportunity to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo Moon landing with a temporary exhibit at the New Mexico History Museum (NMHM) in Santa Fe through Oct. 20.

NMHM hosts “A Walk on the Moon: The 50th Anniversary of the Apollo Moon Landing” as part of the worldwide celebration Read More

UbiQD Announces Novel Quantum Dot Optical Fiber Technology That Delivers Extra Light To The Lower Canopy Of Plants

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Fiber-coupled luminescent concentrators, using UbiQD quantum dots, deployed over a row of tomatoes in a commercial hydroponic greenhouse. Inset: Close-up of the fiber tips, where light is delivered to the lower canopy. Courtesy/UbiQD, Inc.

Representation of spectral tissue sensing utilizing the quantum dot-enabled fiber-coupled broadband medical light-source. The reflected spectrum can be a disease diagnostic. Courtesy/UbiQD, Inc.

UbiQD News:

  • Wide-ranging applications include greenhouse agriculture, medical diagnostics, and telecommunications

UbiQD, Inc., a New Mexico-based Read More

UA: Alien Moons … Vacations Of The Future?

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UA News:
 
TUCSON, Ariz. — Humans first explored the Earth’s moon 50 years ago, an impressive feat for sure. But if you are interested in venturing a little off the beaten path, here are some other extraordinary moons humans may be able to visit in the future.
Pit Stop on Phobos 
 
Your guide: Alfred McEwen, UA Regents’ Professor of Planetary Sciences and principal investigator of HiRISE, the sharpest camera ever sent to another planet.
 
As you pack up your spaceship in preparation for decades of travel, you’re sure to feel like you’re forgetting something. Don’t worry!
Read More