http://phys.org/ en-us Phys.org internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. (Phys.org) —Life as we know it may not have existed if the Earth wasn't repeatedly bombarded by massive planetary bodies more than 4 billion years ago according to new research conducted by scientists at the University of New Mexico and NASA Johnson Space Center. The results of the massive collisions indicate that much of Earth's supply of chlorine was blown away creating a habitable environment suitable for the existence of complex forms of life – including humans. http://phys.org/news288428493.html Space & Earth Wed, 22 May 2013 08:30:02 EST news288428493 A new plant for desulfurizing pig iron is reducing the costs of steel production. Developed by Siemens, this innovative process makes it possible to more precisely dose the various desulfurizing agents that are injected into the molten metal and do so more economically. The technology is based on the patented Simetal Feldhaus process, which has been adopted and further developed by Siemens. A plant of this type is currently under construction in Brazil at steel producer ArcelorMittal Monlevade S.A. http://phys.org/news277109540.html Technology Fri, 11 Jan 2013 06:53:07 EST news277109540 A Georgia Tech research team has developed a novel technology that could change how industry designs and casts complex, costly metal parts. This new casting method makes possible faster prototype development times, as well as more efficient and cost-effective manufacturing procedures after a part moves to mass production. http://phys.org/news256559996.html Technology Fri, 18 May 2012 11:40:11 EST news256559996 You have to give Donald Sadoway points for style: Not many professors come to the last class of a semester dressed in black tie, decorate the table with linen and a vase of fresh roses, and toast their students with champagne. But then, Sadoway has a tendency to do things differently. http://phys.org/news254387695.html Technology Mon, 23 Apr 2012 08:15:12 EST news254387695 Peter Schmitt, an MIT doctoral student, printed a clock in 2009. He didn't print an image of a clock on a piece of paper. He printed a three-dimensional clock -- an eight-inch diameter plastic timekeeping device with moving gears, hands and counterweights. http://phys.org/news253522209.html Technology Fri, 13 Apr 2012 07:50:27 EST news253522209 The Earth's magnetic field has reversed many times at an irregular rate throughout its history. Long periods without reversal have been interspersed with eras of frequent reversals. What is the reason for these reversals and their irregularity? Researchers from CNRS and the Institut de Physique du Globe, France, have shed new light on the issue by demonstrating that, over the last 300 million years, reversal frequency has depended on the distribution of tectonic plates on the surface of the globe. This result does not imply that terrestrial plates themselves trigger the switch over of the magnetic field. Instead, it establishes that although the reversal phenomenon takes place, in fine, within the Earth's liquid core, it is nevertheless sensitive to what happens outside the core and more specifically in the Earth's mantle. This work is published on 16 October 2011 in Geophysical Research Letters. http://phys.org/news238667532.html Space & Earth Mon, 24 Oct 2011 09:32:51 EST news238667532 A mix of sprinkling system water and melted aluminium from aircraft hulls likely triggered the explosions that felled New York's Twin Towers on September 11, 2001, a materials expert has told a technology conference. http://phys.org/news235822058.html Technology Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:08:49 EST news235822058 Contact-free measurement of the temperature of molten steel boosts the productivity of arc furnaces. That’s why Siemens has developed a system called Simetal RCB Temp, which consists of an optical sensor that can determine the temperature of the molten metal in the steel production process (over 1,500 degrees Celsius) at shorter intervals than was previously the case. As a result, the best time to tap can be determined more exactly, thus saving time and energy and increasing work safety. http://phys.org/news233230338.html Technology Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:13:30 EST news233230338 At the heart of most celestial objects is a dynamo. The Earth's dynamo, spun to life in the molten metal core of our planet, generates a magnetic field that helps us find north and, perhaps more critically, shields us from solar winds that would otherwise singe our planet. http://phys.org/news230445040.html Physics Thu, 21 Jul 2011 05:31:06 EST news230445040 (PhysOrg.com) -- Asahi Glass Co. (AGC), a Tokyo-based makers of flat glass, automotive glass, display glass, chemicals and other high-tech materials and components, has announced the creation of a the world's thinnest soda-lime glass substrate for touchscreens. The glass, which could lighten the weight on a variety of mobile devices, is measuring in at just 0.28 mm. This is 15% thinner than the current thinnest commercially available substrate, which is 0.33 mm. As you may expect, the glass is also 15% lighter, which is good news for anyone carrying around a smartphone or tablet PC. http://phys.org/news222953716.html Technology Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:35:50 EST news222953716 (AP) -- Apple Inc. is getting exclusive access to an exotic metallic material that could provide it with shiny, super-tough computer and phone casings. http://phys.org/news200753236.html Electronics Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:20:01 EST news200753236 (PhysOrg.com) -- The Earth could be up to 70 million years younger than scientists previously thought, a study has found. http://phys.org/news198143592.html Space & Earth Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:53:55 EST news198143592 Conventional die castings can be made stronger using new, more environmentally friendly technologies developed by CSIRO. http://phys.org/news190692864.html Technology Sat, 17 Apr 2010 04:10:02 EST news190692864 A new process developed by Siemens cuts the energy required to recycle steel and also lowers carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. http://phys.org/news183743354.html Technology Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:00:02 EST news183743354 (PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists can easily explain the structural order that makes steel and aluminium out of molten metal. And they have discovered the molecular changes that take place as water turns to ice. But, despite the fact that glass blowers have been plying their trade since the first century BC, we have only just begun to understand what makes molten glass solid. http://phys.org/news153138163.html Physics Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:32:20 EST news153138163