M=e/c²

We all know Einstein's famous equation, E = mc².  And we know that humans have unleashed energy, power, explosions, whatever you like, by the application of this formula.  Look at the amount of energy that is released when bombs explode.  

Now scientists have been able to reverse that formula in the LHC (Large Hadron Collider), and have seen evidence of mass creating energy in the form of W boson particles due to the interaction of two photons.  Of course, the amount of energy needed to create any kind of mass is mind-boggling and only possible due to the Creator's manipulation of his creation.  Still, that humans were able, on an infintesimal scale, to produce energy is applaudable.  Check out the full article from scitechdaily.com here. 

Orange Space Ribbon

Check out the picture and article about a star that exploded some 10,000 to 20,000 years ago and the resulting blast wave seen as an orange space ribbon.  Fascinating!

Nano Diamond Batteries

Imagine a battery for your phone, car or anything else that could last 10 years or longer, even 28,000 years!  Yes, 28,000 years!  

A California company, NDB, has been working on perfecting a battery that uses nuclear waste in such small amounts that the radiation emitted is less than what the human body generates.  Not only would this be a long lasting battery, it would also help eliminate nuclear waste.  Check out the full article here.  Wow!

Geometric Shaping Constellations

No, we're not talking about the cosmos. We're talking about the Internet.  New technology is emerging almost daily, and the speed of the Internet is no exception. Faster Internet means faster downloads, quicker access to vital or recreational information and more traffic without hinderance.  

Imagine being able to download the entire Netflix vault in under ONE second!  It's possible.  Researchers have developed a way to increase speeds 17,800 times faster than is currently available by using existing fiber cable and a process called Geometric Shaping.  Learn about the details in this article from newatlas.com.  Unreal!

Black. Blacker. Blackest.

There's black.  Then there's Vantablack.  A synthetically produced black that's so black it boggles the mind.  It's like looking at a black object that's real, but it doesn't look real. It looks fake. It looks like someone painted black over a portion of reality.

Vantablack stands for "vertically aligned nanotubules". Light enters nanotubes (a billion a square centimeter) and bounces around changing into heat and releasing virtually no light. Thus, the unreal perception of "nothing". Later technologies improved on Vantablack.  In fact, back in 2017, I posted about this material near its inception. So, what's the point of mentioning this material?

Man was not the first to discover a material with such high light absorption properties. It's found in the natural world, in deep-sea creatures. It's been around for who knows how many millenia.  Some of these deep-sea creatures absorb up to 99.956 percent of the light that hits them. Intrigued?  Check out the article from Wired.com that discusses this naturally created phenomenon in more detail.

P.S. Check out this article for details on some history of Vantablack.

Black Holes - A Link Between Energy and Entropy

For those who are fascinated by space and all of its oddities, here's a mind-bending article about black holes and the relationship between their energy and entropy.  Check out the scientific information relating to this here. 

The Shoebill Stork - Weird, Strange, Creepy

It moves slowly.  It looks like a creepy muppet.  It poops on its legs to stay cool.  It's big.  Want to see what it looks like?  Check out this article from brobible.com. Another fascinating, but bizarre aviary masterpiece from Jehovah. 

Useful Shadows

Creating electricity that is clean and efficient has always been the goal of humans.  And humans, the inquisitive beings they are, have devised an array of unique ways to harvest and produce electricity. Now scientists in Singapore have developed a device made of gold and silicon that can produce electricity from light and shadows.  Known as the "shadow-effect energy generator", it can produce small voltages to power small devices.  Being in its early stages, more efficient generators will eventually be designed.  Check out the details here.

Fermions, Bosons and Anyons - Oh My!

Fermions and bosons are the building blocks of life, particles so small it takes special equipment to even detect them.  However, scientists have now discovered another particle that sits alongside these two particles.  They are known as "anyons".  How do they interact with these other life building blocks?  This article provides interesting insight into this newly discovered particle.

Temperature, Heat, Hot and Cold

Is temperature the same as heat?  Is it easier to produce heat or cold?  What is the law of thermodynamics?  This fascinating article delves into these subjects with some great illustrations to make understanding it easier.