WEIRD SCIENCE

Graphene tractor beams could one day redirect lightning strikes

A new study has demonstrated how a tractor beam containing trapped graphene microparticles could one day redirect lightning strikes.  Anettphoto/Depositphoto – By Michael Irving 2020 Nov 12 – Lightning strikes are a major trigger for wildfires, including the record-breaking blazes that devastated Australia, California …

 

Why This New Technology Inspired by Camel Fur Is Super Cool

A two-layered material that mimics the animals’ sweat glands and insulating fur chills surfaces 400 percent longer than traditional methods. Camels stay cool through a combination of sweat and insulating fur. (Balint Meggyesi / Getty Images) – By Corryn Wetzel SmithsonianMag.Com 2020 Nov …

Self-watering SMAG-soil pulls moisture from the air

Radishes grow in the SMAG-soil, on the roof of the Cockrell School’s Engineering Teaching Center building at UT Austin.  The University of Texas at Austin – By Ben Coxworth 2020 Nov 04 – Generally speaking, you don’t see a wide variety of crops being …