New biofuel for regular diesel engines. A team of German scientists used a combination of three catalysts to blend rapeseed oil methyl ester (RME) — a common raw material for making biofuels — and ethylene into a fuel with the same boiling profile as petrodiesel and met the standard for commercial biofuel sold in the EU.
China’s quantum satellite achieves ‘spooky action’ at record distance. A team of physicists reports that it sent intertwined quantum particles from a satellite to ground stations separated by 1200 kilometers, smashing the previous world record. The result is a stepping stone to ultra-secure communication networks and, eventually, a space-based quantum internet.
Energy stored in electric vehicles can be used to power large building. UK researchers discover that by intelligently managing vehicle-to-grid technology, energy from idle vehicle batteries can be pumped back into the grid. The ‘Smart grid' calculates how much energy can be taken from electric vehicles without negatively affecting batteries, and actually improving longevity and performance.
New ultrasound ‘drill’ targets deep-vein thrombosis. US researchers have developed a new surgical tool that uses low-frequency intravascular ultrasound to break down blood clots that cause deep vein thrombosis. The tool is the first ultrasound "drill" that can be aimed straight ahead, allowing doctors to better target clots -- which holds promise for significantly reducing treatment time.
New test to determine fake whiskey. Cheap, blended whiskeys masquerading as expensive single-malt scotches—are hard to ID without a master distiller. A new test uses dyes, which are synthetically produced, that give off different colors depending on the molecular makeup of the brew. The sensor can’t definitively identify a whiskey, but it can be used to compare a questionable sample to a known one.
