News tagged with sand grains

X-rays create a window on glass formation: First ever visualization of how powder becomes molten glass

Scientists have for the first time visualised the transformation of powder mixtures into molten glass. A better understanding of this process will make it possible to produce high quality glass at lower temperatures, ...

Physics / Condensed Matter

created Apr 16, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Transverse instability of megaripples

Aeolian ripples, which form regular patterns on sand beaches and desert floors, indicate the fundamental instability of flat sand surfaces under the wind-induced transport of sand grains.

Space & Earth / Earth Sciences

created Mar 20, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

A 'melted' moon makes for bad future landing sites

The miniature radio frequency (min-RF) radar instrument aboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) is revealing some interesting things about how impact melts form around craters on the Moon. Impacts produce ...

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Mar 05, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Oil more easily converted into petrol thanks to a smart observational technique

Catalysts are needed to convert crude oil into petrol and other fuels. However, a technique for accurately determining how well individual catalyst particles work or continue to work was not available.

Chemistry / Materials Science

created Nov 08, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Earth's oldest fossils boost hopes for life on Mars

(PhysOrg.com) -- Microfossils found in Australia show that more than 3.4 billion years ago, bacteria thrived on an Earth that had no oxygen, a finding that boosts hopes life has existed on Mars, a study published ...

Space & Earth / Earth Sciences

created Aug 21, 2011 | popularity 4.9 / 5 (17) | comments 11

Researchers discover ancient symbiosis between animals, bacteria

Marine shallow water sandy bottoms on the surface appear desert-like and empty, but in the interstitial space between the sand grains a diverse fauna flourishes. In addition to bacteria and protozoa numerous ...

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Jun 27, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Even Canadian rocks are different

Canadians have always seen themselves as separate and distinct from their American neighbours to the south, and now they have geological proof.

Space & Earth / Earth Sciences

created Mar 28, 2011 | popularity 4 / 5 (6) | comments 15 | with audio podcast

Why the sandfish lizard wriggles as it does (w/ Video)

(PhysOrg.com) -- The sandfish lizard (Scincus scincus) lives in the desert sands of North Africa and burrows through the sand by wriggling. Now scientists in the US have created a computer model that emulat ...

Physics / General Physics

created Feb 25, 2011 | popularity 4.4 / 5 (7) | comments 0 | with audio podcast report

These grains can be solid, liquid or dust

(PhysOrg.com) -- Take a walk along the beach and you might marvel at any number of things: the cresting waves, the occasional scuttling crab, the shells and odd shapes of driftwood that wash ashore.

Other Sciences / Other

created Mar 24, 2010 | popularity not rated yet | comments 1

Scientists Investigate Cause of 'Singing Dunes'

(PhysOrg.com) -- In more than 30 locations around the world, the phenomenon of singing sand dunes has intrigued explorers, tourists, and scientists. When an avalanche occurs or even when the sand is pushed ...

Physics / General Physics

created Dec 15, 2009 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (22) | comments 7 feature

Cassini Maps Global Pattern of Titan's Dunes

(PhysOrg.com) -- Titan's vast dune fields, which may act like weather vanes to determine general wind direction on Saturn's biggest moon, have been mapped by scientists who compiled four years of radar data ...

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Feb 27, 2009 | popularity 4.9 / 5 (8) | comments 0