Many people do not feel they can contribute knowledgeably to energy discussions due to the complex nature of this topic. Stanford University’s new Understand Energy Learning Hub aims to help the public build their energy literacy at their own pace.
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Many animals in nature have special pigment cells that allow them to change the color of their skin in response to various stimuli. Now, Northeastern University researchers combined one of those pigments, called xanthommatin, with titanium dioxide to create a paint that can rapidly and reversibly change color in response to light.
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In recent years, several glass companies have started experimenting with replacing natural gas with hydrogen in glass production. The results from these tests are promising.
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As chocolate became a fashionable beverage throughout Europe in the 17th century, it became big business to design and sell cookware specifically designed for preparing chocolate. Learn about the European chocolatière, or chocolate pot, in today’s CTT.
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As the health effects of chemical flame retardants became more well known, the use of fiberglass as a flame-retardant material grew in popularity. However, fiberglass comes with its own share of adverse health effects, and the U.S. state of California has now enacted a ban on its use as a flame retardant in mattresses and upholstered furniture.
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The Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation’s new Crystal Clear Science video competition provided students an opportunity to practice their visual science communication skills. The winning submissions from this year’s competition focused on ceramic recycling, ceramic processing, and the phenomenon of glass flow.
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Many cultures have symbols or rituals that are widely viewed as lucky within that society. The maneki-neko, or Japanese “beckoning cat,” is one cultural symbol that has grown to be recognized almost universally as a figure of good luck. Learn about the history of maneki-neko and how to make one for yourself.
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The increasing use of nanoparticles across all sectors has led to some concerns within the food industry, as nanoparticles do not necessarily behave the same way as their larger counterparts. A new study by Stanford University researchers showed that mesoporous silica, a common food additive, can react with key biomolecules, which could lead to increased oxidative stress in the body.
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Years of slashed infrastructure spending by the U.K.’s Conservative-led government has culminated in a crumbling concrete crisis as buildings constructed out of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete begin to fail after being pushed beyond their intended lifespan.
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The mining and minerals processing industries are economically significant sectors for the Australian island state of Tasmania. But as companies apply for more and more exploratory licenses to identify new minerals deposits, landowners in the state are concerned about the environmental impacts.
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