Are there localized and transient bursts of nuclear reactions at Fukushima ? Unlikely but would not make things materially worse anyway

Ferenc Dalnoki-Veress, a physicist at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Monterey, California, notes two unusual measurements that could indicate chain reactions in the reactors since their initial shutdown. Others doubt that this is the correct interpretation – and add that such bursts would not significantly worsen the radiation problem even if they …

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High Temperature Superconductor for energy storage, transformers, cable, generators and motors

2G HTS Applications Developments (62 pages) Superpower inc is working on : 1. 2G HTS SMES (High Temperature Superconductor superconducting magnetic energy storage) 2. FCL (Fault Current Limiters) Transformer 3. FCL (Fault Current Limiters)Module Development 4. HTS (High Temperature Superconductor) Cable 5. HTS (High Temperature Superconductor) Generators and Motors Superconducting magnetic energy storage project • …

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Thin Coating of nanowires will boost thermoelectric effect

Significant Reduction of Thermal Conductivity in Si/Ge Core−Shell Nanowires We report on the effect of germanium (Ge) coatings on the thermal transport properties of silicon (Si) nanowires using nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. Our results show that a simple deposition of a Ge shell of only 1 to 2 unit cells in thickness on a single …

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First Atomtronic sensor from a bose-einstein condensate shaped as a doughnut

This doughnut of ultracold gas spins without friction, creating a current of atoms that could be used to develop the first “atomtronic” sensors. Physicists have developed a new type of circuit that is little more than a puff of gas dancing in laser beams. By choreographing the atoms of this ultracold gas to flow as …

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Researchers have found a parallel computing algorithm that could offer quantum computer-speed performance

Researchers used an algorithm to evaluate potential speed in classical computation. Called the matrix multiplicative weights update method, it was developed from research in two mathematical fields of study, combinatorial optimization and learning theory. The researchers showed that “for a certain class of semi-definite programs you can get not the exact answer but a very …

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Claim of Superconductivity Above 0 Celsius

Superconductors.ORG (Joe Eck) claims the first observation of superconductivity above zero degrees Celsius. In repeated tests a small amount of the compound (Tl4Pb)Ba2MgCu8O13+ produced diamagnetic transitions over 277 Kelvin (see examples at page top) and resistive transitions over 276K (3C, 37F). This is the first time superconductivity has been seen above the freezing point of …

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Carbon nanotubes could be ideal optical antennae

Cornell researchers have discovered that carbon nanotubes can transmit and receive light at the nanoscale. Carbon nanotubes, cylindrical rolled-up sheets of carbon atoms, might one day make ideal optical scattering wires — tiny, mostly invisible antennae with the ability to control, absorb and emit certain colors of light at the nanoscale. The researchers used the …

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China GDP numbers and Wikileaks

Many internet pundits pounced on the latest WikiLeaks allegation that China’s GDP figures were “man-made.” and Jim Trippon at Seekingalpha sets China’s GDP record straight. * The source of the wikileak quote was none other than vice premier Li Keqiang, the very man slated to become China’s next premier, after Wen Jiabao steps down * …

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Carnival of nuclear energy 29

The Carnival of Nuclear Energy 29 is up at Idaho Samizdat India has officially begun building home grown 700 MWe reactors, The second unit of the Changjiang nuclear power plant on China’s southern island province of Hainan has officially begun construction. The nuclear power reactors on Hainan (this one and others) will reduce the province’s …

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Microreactor speeds nanoparticle production by 500 times

A “multilayer micromixer” production process developed at Oregon State University allows a much higher production rate of nanotech particles than conventional approaches, with no loss of quality. (Graphic courtesy of Oregon State University) Engineers at Oregon State University have discovered a new method to speed the production rate of nanoparticles by 500 times, an advance …

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