Physics and Astronomy News Archive: January 2013

Image: New Material Harvests Energy From Water Vapor

New Material Harvests Energy From Water Vapor

Source: MIT   Posted: 1/16/13

Polymer film could be used in artificial muscle and to power micro- and nanoelectronic devices.
Image: How To Treat Heat Like Light

How To Treat Heat Like Light

Source: MIT   Posted: 1/11/13

New approach using nanoparticle alloys allows heat to be focused or reflected just like electromagnetic waves.
Image: Magma in Earth's Mantle Forms Deeper Than Once Thought

Magma in Earth's Mantle Forms Deeper Than Once Thought

Source: NSF   Posted: 1/11/13

Magma forms far deeper than geologists previously thought, according to new research results.
Image: Chips That Can Steer Light

Chips That Can Steer Light

Source: MIT   Posted: 1/11/13

Record-setting ‘optical phased arrays’ could lead to better laser rangefinders, smaller medical-imaging devices and even holographic TVs.
Image: More Habitable Planets Than We Knew

More Habitable Planets Than We Knew

Source: Yale   Posted: 1/11/13

The number of known places in our galaxy theoretically hospitable to life may be significantly greater than previously thought, according to new research.