Cryogenics

Researchers have found a surprisingly simple way to build cryogenic coolers that reach near-absolute zero up to 3.5 times faster, or using about 71% less energy, than current gear. That's big news for anything requiring seriously low temperatures.

Scientists have performed the first successful transplant of an organ that had been cryogenically frozen and rewarmed. Rats that were given transplants of kidneys preserved through a new technique regained regular organ function within weeks.

Getting an organ from donor to recipient is a race against time, with many going to waste. Now, researchers in Australia have identified new cryoprotectants that could preserve organs and tissues for much longer without damaging them.

Airbus is working on a number of hydrogen-powered aircraft, and it's just found a new angle on cryogenic liquid H2 fuel: using it to supercool the powertrain down to superconducting temperatures, possibly unlocking huge weight and efficiency savings.

Some advanced electronic devices only function at extremely cold temperatures. Now engineers at NIST have developed a tiny cryogenic thermometer that uses a new mechanism to keep an eye on these sensitive instruments without taking up much room.

The ISS is slated to become the coldest spot in space as NASA's Cold Atom Laboratory begins producing ultra-cold atoms that are cooled to 10 millionth of one Kelvin above absolute zero as part of microgravity experiments to study quantum mechanics and the fundamental nature of matter.

If science is going to reduce a person to a 3-D map of physical structures, at least we can take solace in the fact that it's an incredibly complex map. Let's take a quick look at the emerging science of connectomics, the dense mapping of brain neurons, and how it's leading to better cryonics.

While deep-freezing techniques exist to preserve organs for long periods of time, the tissue can get damaged when being reheated, making it an impractical solution for transplants. Researchers at the University of Minnesota believe they've solved this problem thanks to tiny microscopic particles.

Lockheed Martin’s High Power Microcryocooler is designed to keep satellite sensors cold, yet it's the lightest in its class and three times the power density of previous systems.

As part of the quest to come up with a room temperature superconductor, researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have developed new record high-temperature superconductor – and it smells like rotten eggs.

A new zero-emissions engine capable of competing with battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell systems appeared on the radar yesterday when respected engineering consultancy Ricardo validated the Dearman engine and its commercial potential.