New Atlas

Environment Audio available

Scientists use liquid metals to turn carbon dioxide gas back into coal

Michael Irving February 26, 2019

Capturing carbon from the air and sequestering it is emerging as a viable strategy, and now scientists have developed a new method to turn CO2 gas back into solid coal, that can then be buried, or even used for electronic components.

Researchers have developed a new way to turn captured carbon dioxide gas into solid "coal"

Science Audio available

Bees join list of animals with ability to perform basic arithmetic

Darren Quick February 7, 2019

Researchers have found that bees can do basic arithmetic. The discovery that bees have the ability to add and subtract shows that the busy little insects are capable of a sophisticated level of cognition and proves once again that brain power isn't necessarily dependent on brain size.

Researchers have discovered that bees have the ability to add and subtract

Telecommunications

Tiny device speeds up the internet 100 times over by reading "twisted" light

Michael Irving October 24, 2018

Fiber optics allows for ultra-fast communication systems, and more data can be crammed in by "twisting" the light. Now, Australian researchers have developed a device to decode beams that’s small enough to fit over the end of a fiber optic cable.

Australian researchers have developed a device that can decode information from "twisted" light through fiber optics

Medical

Gas-sensing smart capsule expected as soon as 2022

Rich Haridy October 2, 2018

After years of development researchers at RMIT are one step closer to bringing their revolutionary gas measuring capsule to market following a new agreement with health tech company Atmo Biosciences that paves the way for technology enhancements and final human trials.

The innovative diagnostic device is rapidly moving into final trials

Medical

Capsule more accurately measures stomach gases and sends readings to your smartphone

Nick Lavars August 2, 2018

Bit by bit, scientists are shining the light on the relationship between gut bacteria overall health. A new pill could prove a useful tool in learning more about the mechanics at play, hiding sensors inside that can take important gas measurements and send its findings to a smartphone.

A capsule under development at RMIT University can measure gases in the gut with 3,000 times ...

Science

World's thinnest hologram could lead to thin-film 3D displays

Michael Irving May 18, 2017

Although most holograms are still pretty tiny, a team from Australia’s RMIT and the Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) have created the world’s thinnest holographic display, encoding a 3D image onto a material just 25 nanometers thick.

Created on a material just 25 nanometers thick, the world's thinnest hologram (not pictured) could lead ...

Drones

Study suggests we're not as terrible at flying drones as you might think

Nick Lavars August 23, 2016

New research is adding some clarity to the reasons behind the rising number of drone incidents, suggesting that more often than not, technical glitches rather than piloting errors are to blame.

The team examined 150 reported civil incidents involving drones between 2006 and 2016

Environment

Semiconductive fabric soaks up oil spills while fighting bacteria and pollutants

Nick Lavars April 19, 2016

The latest candidate to emerge in oil spill cleanup solutions is a multipurpose fabric covered in tiny semi-conducting rods, affording it a unique set of properties that could see it used to deal with everything from water decontamination to wiping down your kitchen counter.

Due to the addition of copper, the researchers say the fabric also functions well as an ...

Quantum Computing

"Quantum data bus" can relocate quantum information

Richard Moss April 18, 2016

Scientists have successfully trialled a quantum "data bus" – a system that transfers quantum information from one place to another, which had previously only been theorized. They accomplished this feat with a technique called perfect state transfer.

Quantum information encoded in single particles of light is moved to a distant location via perfect ...

Motorcycles Review

Review: EsCargo electric cargo bike is one heck of a strange ride

Loz Blain March 9, 2016

The EsCargo is a cargo-carrying electric delivery bike with a unique suspension and steering system that gives it some very odd riding dynamics and turns everything I know about handling a motorcycle on its head.

The EsCargo is an electric cargo bike for city and suburban deliveries