Applied Physics

Quasimodo: Master Of Permutative Group Theory

To ring traditional church bells, a team of human operators pulls ropes that spin the giant bells (some in the multiple tons) and the mechanics of the system impose strict rules on what can be played. Gone entirely is melody, replaced by the idiomatically ...

Article - Garth Sundem - Apr 30 2009 - 6:58pm

The Origami Frog High Jump Challenge

Many geeks adhere to Stiff Paper Theory (SPT), holding that frogs made of expensive company letterhead will jump higher than those made of flimsy copy paper. However, while SPT adds giddy-up to any origami amphibian, it also adds weight. The trick is to fi ...

Article - Garth Sundem - Jul 30 2009 - 1:27pm

Glass Blowing- A Controversial Solid State Mystery

Scientists can easily explain the structural order that makes steel and aluminium out of molten metal and they have discovered the molecular changes that take place as water turns to ice, but glass blowers have been plying their trade since the first centu ...

Article - News Staff - Feb 6 2009 - 4:06pm

New Magnetocaloric Material Will Allow Magnetic Refrigeration

When people think of a refrigerator, magnetism isn't necessarily the first thought that comes to their minds. We've all become accustomed to the loud humming noise of the compressor and blowing fan that keeps our food nicely chilled, and anybody ...

Article - Chris Rollins - Feb 16 2009 - 5:48pm

GPS and the 4th Satellite

One subject I love to explore is how everyday technology depends upon some very deep theories either in pure or applied sciences that in their abstract form might be viewed at best as academic or at worst as science fiction.  GPS is a prime example.  GPS i ...

Blog Post - Jon Lederman - Feb 12 2009 - 8:45pm

Road Markings Work Better In The Direction The Paint Was Applied

A new study from North Carolina State University shows that painted road markings, such as the lines separating traffic lanes, are significantly better at reflecting headlights in the direction that the paint was applied. This finding will help determine h ...

Article - News Staff - Mar 10 2009 - 9:32am

Prosthetic Ear Held In Place By Magnets

To look at Matthew Houdek, you could never tell he was born with virtually no left ear. A surgery at Loyola University Health System made it possible for Houdek to be fitted with a prosthetic ear that looks just like the real thing. Ear-nose-throat surgeon ...

Article - News Staff - Mar 18 2009 - 11:28am

Being Blue- OLED Lights 25 Percent Closer To Prime Time

Lighting consumes one-fifth of the electricity generated in the United States. Solid-state lighting offers tremendous potential to improve the situation – once major research challenges are overcome.  The most promising technology is the organic light-emit ...

Article - News Staff - Mar 22 2009 - 1:09pm

Nanostructures, Not Pigments- Bird Feather Colors And Beer Foam Get Some Answers

Some of the brightest colors in nature are created by tiny nanostructures with a structure similar to beer foam or a sponge, according to Yale University researchers.    Most colors in nature—from the color of our skin to the green of trees—are produced by ...

Article - News Staff - Apr 2 2009 - 11:29am

The forces of hockey- the slapshot

Combine an elementary physics formula, f=m*a, with a hunk of wood or composite material and you get hockey's most powerful shot- the slapshot. Every year before the NHL All-Star game, players compete for the title of fastest slapshot in the league. Th ...

Blog Post - Becky Jungbauer - Apr 5 2009 - 8:40pm