New Atlas

Energy Audio available

Largest ever continuous oil and gas resource found in the United States

David Szondy December 9, 2018

The US Department of the Interior has announced the discovery of the largest continuous oil and gas field ever found, estimated to contain 46.3 billion barrels of oil, 281 trillion ft³ of natural gas, and 20 billion barrels of natural gas liquids.

Some 46.3 billion barrels of oil, 281 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and 20 billion ...

Space

Astronomers image 40-light-year-wide space donut

Michael Irving February 15, 2018

Astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observatory in Chile have imaged a very active black hole at the center of spiral galaxy M77, which is apparently feasting on the universe’s largest donut.

An artist's rendition of the gigantic donut of gas that surrounds the supermassive black hole at ...

Science

Gut gases measured by ingestible capsule reveal entirely new immune mechanism

Rich Haridy January 8, 2018

An innovative ingestible capsule, designed to measure gases inside the gut, has just passed phase one human trials. The swallowable sensor could reframe how gastrointestinal disorders are diagnosed as well as offering a new insight into the activity of crucial bacteria in our gut microbiome.

These swallowable capsules will allow doctors the ability to measure gas levels inside a patient's stomach ...

Space

Wave twice the size of the Milky Way found sweeping through the Perseus cluster

Michael Irving May 2, 2017

Scientists believe they’ve spotted the biggest wave ever discovered. This is a tad bigger than anything you’d find on Earth: this wave is roiling through an extremely hot gas cloud in the Perseus cluster and stretches 200,000 light-years across, meaning it’s twice the size of the Milky Way galaxy.

In the bottom left of this X-ray image of the Perseus galaxy cluster, a bay-shaped structure ...

Science

There might be an ocean of hydrogen gas underneath the ocean

Danny Gallagher July 21, 2016

A Duke University study suggests that serpentinized rocks underneath the ocean floor may hold the key to finding an abundant and free hydrogen resource.

The formation of serpentinized rocks beneath the ocean may produce an abundant, free source of hydrogen

Robotics

Japan's Sakura No. 2 robot won't spark gas explosions

David Szondy July 12, 2016

To help prevent emergencies from becoming disasters, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the Chiba Institute of Technology (CIT) have unveiled Sakura 2 – a remotely-operated, mobile, anti-explosive robot for use in gas-filled environments where a spark or heat source could set off an explosion or fire.

The robot uses positive pressure and a gas-tight hull to keep explosive gases away from the ...

Materials

Boron-doped graphene to enable ultrasensitive gas sensors

Colin Jeffrey November 3, 2015

An international team of researchers has created a graphene-boron amalgam that can detect particular gases down to parts per billion, and may eventually lead to detectors capable of sensing gases at mere parts per quadrillion.

A mixture of graphene and boron could lead to gas sensors so sensitive they may one ...

Robotics

Earth-based rovers to save lives in the oil and gas sector

Anthony Wood July 13, 2015

Technologies being developed for ESA's next-generation of ExoMars rover could soon be put to work saving lives in a more terrestrial setting. GMV, an ESA partner in rover development is designing a robot to be used in the gas and oil industry.

Foxiris climbing a stair during the first round of Argos trials

Space

Herschel images present a stunning insight into the distribution of matter in our galaxy

Anthony Wood June 1, 2015

Three stunning new images from ESA's Herschel Space Observatory are providing new insights into how matter is distributed in our galaxy.

Herschel Space Observatory image of filamentary structure G47

Military

New catalyst material quickly neutralizes nerve gas

David Szondy March 17, 2015

A team from Northwestern University has developed a new material capable of neutralizing nerve gases. The zirconium-based NU-1000 is not only useful not only disposing of stockpiles of such toxins, but also for use in gas masks and protective suits for soldiers and rescue workers.

The new MOH material could be used to make better gas masks and suits for soldiers ...