Scour is the primary cause of bridge collapse globally, responsible for between 20 and 100 bridge collapses each year in the US alone. It occurs when water flowing under a bridge washes away sediment near the base of the pillars, or piers, holding it up, making the whole structure much less stable (see page 18). Flooding exacerbates the problem, by increasing the speed and volume of the flowing water.
COP-27 is on us, and the organisers have stated their objectives: The hope is that COP27 will be the turning point where the world came together and demonstrated the requisite political will to take on the climate challenge through concerted, collaborative and impactful action. Read the leader article by Sharon Todd, SCI's CEO.
A more sustainable concrete made by replacing synthetic reinforcement materials with natural fibres performs well compared with conventional materials, claims an international group of researchers. In the new version, binder and aggregate are replaced by industrial byproducts and waste-based materials.
A colour test for whisky ageing has been devised using gold nanoparticles. The gold particles turned red in the presence of colour and flavour compounds that gradually imbue the whisky as it ages in wooden barrels (ACS Appl. Nano Mater; doi: 10.1021/acsanm.2c03406).
Scientists have measured the charge on a single platinum nanoparticle on a surface of titanium dioxide in vacuum. A breakthrough that could help the development of new catalysts. While the number of electrons per area has been achieved by averaging many particles, this is the first example of measuring a single electron difference in a single particle.
BASF will start to make cost savings immediately following the announcement its third-quarter income will be significantly down on the same time last year. The company has warned that income will be hit by losses associated with its shareholding in a company involved with the Nord Stream pipelines, but high energy prices in Europe are also taking their toll.
The supply of electricity from clean energy sources must double in the next eight years to limit global temperature increase, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Otherwise, there is a risk that climate change, more extreme weather and water stress will undermine global energy security and jeopardise renewable energy supplies.
Analysis of the oily skin substance sebum has been developed into a simple skin-swab test for Parkinson’s disease. Under laboratory conditions, the test has been found to be 95% accurate. The sebum swab test can diagnose the disease in three minutes.
Brain activity is generally measured using large, expensive technology that limits its use to specific clinical settings. Small wearable devices could improve the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases like dementia or depression.
Rapidly warming a lithium-ion EV battery allows it to be recharged in around ten minutes, researchers in the US have demonstrated. They charged a 265kWh battery to 75% charge in 12 minutes by rapidly heating an ultrathin nickel heating element.