Science is Cool....

[Fish]

This is a repository for all cool scientific discussion and fascination. Scientific facts, theories, and overall cool scientific stuff that you'd like to share with others. Stuff that makes you smile and wonder at the amazing shit going on around us, that most people don't notice.

Post pictures, vidoes, stories, or links. Ask questions. Share science.

Why should I care?:

[jiveturkey]

Battery improvements have been bouncing around quite a bit lately. I'm hopeful that there's a lot at the end of this tunnel. Kick ass batteries would completely change everything.

[Fish]

Another really cool link about a manned mission to Mars. Explaining how we'd get there, and potentially terraform it.



There's too much to copy, so visit the link if you're interested:

http://scienceblogs.com/startswithab...uclear-fusion/

[AussieChiefsFan]

Originally Posted by Fish

Another really cool link about a manned mission to Mars. Explaining how we'd get there, and potentially terraform it.



There's too much to copy, so visit the link if you're interested:

http://scienceblogs.com/startswithab...uclear-fusion/

That graphic is awesome.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Fish

In typical hunger games fashion, the candidates

As a potential applicant, the fact that this sentence fragment exists in the article is worrisome.

[Fish]

Ever wondered why rubbing alcohol burns?

[Discuss Thrower]

Still need moar magnetic field

[Fish]

Cold welding. Weird shit happening in space...



Cold welding is a bonding process where two items are combined into one through means of intense pressure that is applied by dies and rolls. As the name implies, this technique does not rely on heat to change the state of the items being bonded—these substances remain in a solid state throughout the procedure. Not all metals make ideal candidates for cold welding due to the oxygen content within their outer layers, and even after extended brushing and cleaning, the metals will not bond if one of them is not malleable. Likewise, if the two bonded pieces are later exposed to an oxygen-rich environment or certain other reactive compounds, the cold weld will fail. Due to these limitations, the process of cold welding is most suitable for objects that will be deployed outside of the earth’s atmosphere, such as satellites or spacecrafts.

Cold welding was initially discovered by modern societies in the early 1940s and thought of as a new phenomenon, but this process has actually been in existence for thousands of years. It was learned that two pieces of similar metals will bond together inside a vacuum as long as they possess clean, flattened surfaces and a strong initial force can be applied. During the process, deformities occur across 60 to 80% of the bonding surface, and this allows pure, clean metals to come in contact. Permanent bonding then takes place on the atomic level, with welds much stronger than what could be accomplished by other means. Another advantage is that there are absolutely no intermediary materials used as a type of solder, so as long as oxides are not allowed to reform across the metal’s surface, it should last for decades.

Since the initial discovery period, researchers have shown that cold welding can also be accomplished without excessive force. By applying less pressure over a longer period of time, similar results can be achieved. Another method is to increase the surface temperature of the two materials being bonded for a short period of time to accelerate the molecules.

Modern uses for cold welding are numerous, but it is still definitely considered a situational process due to the aforementioned limitations. The technique makes it possible, however, to work in many hostile environments that were previously impossible, like welding underground pipelines that carry flammable gasses. Another setback is that since the weld takes place quickly and is considered permanent, it is very difficult to verify the integrity of the weld, especially in thicker metals.

[GloryDayz]

And, for those of you who might want to watch the awesome engineers and scientists of the future, one of the big gatherings/competitions is going on in St. Louis this week. You can watch live here, or head over to NASA TV too..

http://www.theredalliance.com/livefeeds.html

[-King-]

Originally Posted by Fish

Another really cool link about a manned mission to Mars. Explaining how we'd get there, and potentially terraform it.



There's too much to copy, so visit the link if you're interested:

http://scienceblogs.com/startswithab...uclear-fusion/

Sad that none of us will ever get to see it.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by -King-

Sad that none of us will ever get to see it.

Says who? Aren't you going to cryo store your brain?

[Fish]

Today is National DNA day. Here's how to extract your own DNA.... you know.. if you're into that kind of thing...



http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/conte...raction/howto/

[AussieChiefsFan]

[Fish]

How far away do you think the moon is? Chances are, you're wrong. I was.....

[-King-]

Heh, no way I figured you could fit even one earth between Earth and the Moon. Looks like you can fit at least 25.

[Fish]

Want a free science class?

Yale, Stanford, MIT, Cornell, and many other universities around the world have introduced free open courses in subjects like physics, biology, and chemistry. In many cases, there is a semester’s worth of recorded lectures, along with exams to test your knowledge. If you have ever wanted an Ivy League science education, here’s your chance!

Complete list here: http://bit.ly/10OPhfE