Femtosecond comb lasers help formation flying in spaceOctober 4th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) have helped to establish that femtosecond comb lasers can provide accurate measurement of absolute distance in formation flying space missions. NPL, along with collaborators, produced technical reports for the European Space Agency.
Smithsonian displays Hope Diamond without settingSeptember 30th, 2009 Smithsonian displays Hope Diamond without settingWASHINGTON — For the first time, the famed and feared Hope Diamond is on display without its ornate setting at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. Perched atop a light gray display post, the 45.5-carat, walnut-size diamond will be on view by itself for several months while a new setting is prepared.
Blue lasers can tear through water to establish better contact with submarinesAugust 26th, 2009 LONDON - The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is turning to blue lasers to establish contact with submarines, as they penetrate water more effectively. The water that hides enemy submarines also makes it hard to contact the friendly ones from the air - unless they surface.
New evidence indicates comet impacts triggered extinctions in North America 12,900 yrs agoJuly 22nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers have found rare diamonds buried on an island near southern California, which strengthens the controversial idea that comet impacts wiped out huge beasts and an early human culture in North America about 12,900 years ago. Similar "nanodiamonds" found in sediments across North America were presented earlier this year as proof that space rocks colliding with Earth led to the ancient mass extinction.
Cosmic impact caused mass extinction event in North America 12,900 years agoJuly 21st, 2009 WASHINGTON - A team of scientists has found what may be the smoking gun of a much-debated proposal that a cosmic impact about 12,900 years ago ripped through North America and drove multiple species into extinction. University of Oregon archaeologist Douglas J.
Lasers can make cheaper, better solar cellsMay 30th, 2009 LONDON - Using lasers to make solar photovoltaic cells that produce electricity from sunshine makes these cells cheaper and better, researchers say. Arnold Gillner, microtechnology head at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology in Germany, said: "Lasers work quickly, precisely, and without contact.
Star Trek-like scanners may soon be healing wounds with lightMay 27th, 2009 WASHINGTON - If you thought that Star Trek scanners that fix injuries with beams of light was just a piece of fiction, just be ready for this-scientists have developed a new optical technology that could lead to better artificial tissues and wounds that heal faster with less scarring. The new technology lines up living cells and controls their movements to effectively heal the wounds faster.
New nanocrystal shows potential for cheaper and more versatile lasersMay 11th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists at the University of Rochester, along with researchers at the Eastman Kodak Company, have created a nanocrystal that constantly emits light, which has potential for the development of cheaper and more versatile lasers and brighter LED lighting. Many molecules, as well as crystals just a billionth of a meter in size, can absorb or radiate photons.
Lasers detect synthetic chemical in baby formula foodMay 1st, 2009 WASHINGTON - Infrared lasers have helped researchers detect minute traces of a synthetic chemical like melamine in baby formula, within minutes. Melamine, used in plastics and other products, has been found in baby formula and other milk-based products imported from China.
'Laser within a laser' could take out bombs and explosive-laden vehiclesApril 27th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Reports indicate that the US Army is working on developing a laser within a laser that could blow up roadside bombs and explosive-laden vehicles from a distance. A side effect of high-energy lasers is that they heat up and ionize the air molecules they pass through.
How diamonds are created in spaceApril 24th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Astronomers have learned that creating diamonds in space requires very special conditions. Loads of tiny diamonds, each measuring one micrometer are located in the material that surrounds some stars - their circumstellar disks.
Scientists demonstrate laser with controlled polarizationApril 13th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A team of scientists has demonstrated, for the first time, lasers in which the direction of oscillation of the emitted radiation, known as polarization, can be designed and controlled at will. The demonstration was made by applied scientists at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), in collaboration with researchers from Hamamatsu Photonics in Hamamatsu City, Japan.
Curving laser "light bullets" may help scientists monitor air pollutionApril 10th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has determined that laser "light bullets" that can curve through the air might someday help scientists monitor air pollution. The bullets are created by extremely short-duration, high-intensity laser pulses, lead study author Pavel Polynkin, a physicist at the University of Arizona, US, told the National Geographic News.
Macca, Wings' 'Live And Let Die' voted 'Favourite James Bond Theme Song'March 24th, 2009 WASHINGTON - 'Live And Let Die' by Sir Paul McCartney and Wings has been voted 'Favourite James Bond Theme Song' in a new poll. The song received 23 per cent in the survey conducted by HMV.com and social networking site getcloser.com to mark the DVD and Blu-ray release of the 22nd James Bond film Quantum of Solace.
Sir Sean Connery wins multi-million pound court fight over loaned gemsMarch 18th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Sir Sean Connery has won a multi-million pound legal battle over loaned gems to a late friend. The 78-year-old had lent 4 million dollars to French-Swiss friend Jean-Ren in 1972, and in exchange received shares, diamonds and property as collateral.
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