Sandia National Laboratories scientists have developed tiny glitter-sized photovoltaic cells that could revolutionize the way solar energy is collected and used. [via io9.com] Glitter-sized solar photovoltaics produce competitive results
From PhysOrg.com: A team of researchers at the FOM institute AMOLF (The Netherlands) has succeeded for the first time in powering an energy transfer between nano-electromagnets with the magnetic field of light. This breakthrough is of major importance in the quest for magnetic ‘meta-materials’ with which light rays can be deflected in every possible direction. […]
Professor Richard Wiseman, from the University of Hertfordshire in the UK shows you ten cool, quirky tricks of science you can show off at your next party. [via Boing Boing] Top 10 quirky science tricks for Christmas parties
Researchers from Delft University of Technology have assembled inexpensive alternatives to costly scientific sensors using the Nintendo Wiimote.
From the Chromoscope intro: Ever wanted X-ray specs or super-human vision? Chromoscope lets you explore our Galaxy (the Milky Way) and the distant Universe in a range of wavelengths from X-rays to the longest radio waves. Seen above is an image in visible light and in radio waves (408 MHz) [via Tim O’Reilly’s Twitter feed]
Playing card constructions By George Hart for the Museum of Mathematics At The Math Museum, we think it’s important to challenge oneself with mind-expanding tasks. Here are two rather challenging constructions which look simple, but may stymie you for hours. When you’re done, you’ll have something unique to show your friends. The ball at left […]
In response to guest author George Hart’s “Mathematically-correct breakfast” piece in last week’s inaugural “Math Monday” column, the folks at Serious Eats New York wanted to know “Why should the bagel get all the geometric jollies?” So they made themselves a “Möbius doughnut.” Sweet. (The finished product is actually NOT a Möbius strip, but two […]
