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materials science posts

Super sticking power News

by David Shaw, 12 December 2014 | 0 comments

A person wearing gloves and a harness climbing stright up a glass wall.

Written by Beth Askham Researchers have made sticky hand pads that let you climb walls like Spiderman. Inspired by gecko feet, a research lab at Stanford University in America developed the climbing device. This technology recently allowed a person weighing 70 kilograms to climb a sheer glass wall. The team have also used the structure…

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Jelly lens for your smartphone Activity

by David Shaw, 2 May 2014 | 0 comments

A jelly lens being placed over a camera lens.

Written by Sarah Kellett Have you ever wanted to own a microscope? This jelly lens can turn any phone camera into a magnifying machine!

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Mini microscope News

by David Shaw, 2 May 2014 | 0 comments

Light focuses into bright spots through two drops of polymer

Written by Sarah Kellett You can now turn your phone camera into a microscope with a rubbery lens the size of a lentil. Costing only a cent, it could help track skin diseases and farming pests.

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Moth mimic News

by Jasmine Fellows, 11 April 2014 | 0 comments

A man wearing sunglasses. There is a zoom box indicating the sunglasses are covered in tiny cones.

Written by Sarah Kellett The way a moth’s eyes have adapted to darkness may help us stop glare from the Sun. Despite their tendency to circle light bulbs, moths have eyes that are designed for darkness. Each eye has a bumpy pattern that stops light reflecting off the surface, possibly helping the moth see in…

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Bacteria spiked by black silicon News

by Pat, 13 December 2013 | 0 comments

Dragonfly.

Recently we explained how some microbes keep us healthy. Unfortunately, not all microorganisms are helpful, and some cause illness. Recent discoveries could help keep nasties at bay.

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What a corker! News

by Pat, 4 October 2013 | 0 comments

Cross-section of cork bark.

Written by Sarah Kellett Bottles of champagne may send corks sky high, but spacecraft take cork as far as Mars. Their success depends on it. Cork reached new heights as part of the protective aeroshell that insulated the Mars rovers Spirit, Opportunity and Curiosity from the intense heat of entering the Martian atmosphere.

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Golden needles in rocky haystacks News

by Pat, 6 September 2013 | 0 comments

Gold nugget.

Imagine you have a massive pile of rocks. You think there might be gold in the rocks, not much, but enough to make some money. Now it might be easier to find out how much hidden gold there is.

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Bounce back Activity

by Jasmine Fellows, 17 January 2013 | 0 comments

Challenge your friend to bounce a ball across a table. With this one simple trick, you can get it to bounce back!

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Termites’ golden moments News

by Pat, 4 January 2013 | 0 comments

Termite mound in the bush.

How would you find out where to strike gold? Turns out termites might have the answer.

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