Smart windows are next-generation windows that control light passage and increase energy efficiency of the room in which they are a fixture without having to block the view that the windows offer. Conventional "Light Control" There is a need to control the light that gets in through windows. For example, clear 'unblocked' windows in the summer means that the sun's rays can penetrate and heat the room. This will cause the air-conditioning system to work harder and thus increase consumption of electricity. On the other hand, 'blocking' these windows in Read More

The cause of a firework's explosion is a process known as oxidation. To have a successful fireworks show, there needs to be oxygen, different kinds of metals and a creative spark. However, the first two are what really are necessary for a firework to explode. Metal is ground up into tiny little fragments and then packed into the firework casing. They grind up the metal because, when large chunks of metal are oxidized, it creates a shield around the inner parts of the metal. This prevents complete oxidation. By grinding Read More

Biofuels have been one of the most talked about renewable fuel sources over the past decade. The world is now attempting to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, which create a significant amount of pollution and otherwise harm the environment. As a result, bio fuels such as algae biodiesel, which generate less Carbon Dioxide while being burned, may be able to garner widespread support. A biofuel can have several forms: gas, solid, or liquid. The form that the fuel is stored in is based on how its base material was harvested. Read More

Casting is a mass production process which involves molten materials (such as metals, plastics or resins) being poured into a mold, allowed to solidify and then extracted for use. Casting can be thought of as a method for reproducing something – whether a mere part or a single unit by itself. Casting is a process that can be used to manufacture complex parts which would prove too expensive or time-consuming to produce using other methods such as cutting or shaping these from solid materials. Non-expendable Casting Techniques This involves the Read More

A ferrofluid is a metallic liquid that becomes magnetized when placed in a magnetic field. Ferrofluids are made up of clumps of iron nanoparticles that are evenly placed throughout a carrier fluid such as water or organic solvent. These clumps all work together to create a response to a magnetic field, consequently creating a very strong magnetic bond. Ferrofluids should not be confused with magnetorheological fluids, which solidify when exposed to a magnetic field. How a Ferrofluid Works Ferrofluids are made up of clumps of nanoscale particles of a metal Read More

Wireless power induction is already being used today in the form of electric toothbrushes. An electric toothbrush contains coils or loops in the toothbrush handle as well as in the base recharging unit. Because of their constant exposure to water, electric toothbrushes have to use inductive coupling as a means of recharging their batteries. Inductive Coupling Inductive coupling involves the use of magnetic fields to stimulate the movement of current through a wire. A current moving through a wire generates a magnetic field around it and vice versa. Thus, to Read More

A space elevator will facilitate faster and cheaper travel of humans, materials and equipment from Earth to space. This structure is slated to replace conventional 'spaceships'. Scientists and engineers are divided when it comes to the space elevator design. There are those who are convinced that tethering is necessary and there are those who believe otherwise. Tethered designs are more widely accepted than non-tethered designs. Components of a Tethered Space Elevator Tethered space elevators require a base station. The base station can be found on a huge floating barge out Read More

In a regular oven, a thin layer of air insulates food from the heat beneath it. This layer of air causes food to be cooked unevenly and slows cooking time down considerably. A convection oven is a type of oven that solves this problem by circulating the air within the chamber by using either one or two fans that are located below the heating element. Convection ovens cause food to be cooked quickly and thouroughly without being burnt and use less electricity than conventional ovens. This article will explain how Read More

Just as you would add two numbers such as 2+3, you add two square roots in a similar fashion. The only difference between adding two square roots and adding two rational numbers (1,2,3…) is that you might not be able to simplify the answer down to a single number. Instead, you might be left with the most basic form, but still have a square root in there. When dealing with the addition of square roots, this is an entirely plausible and possible situation. How to Add Square Roots When you Read More

The index of refraction (refractive index) is a measurement of the speed of light in a medium compared to the speed of light in a vacuum. Since light travels at different speeds in different materials, it may change its direction. For example, the index of refraction for water is 1.33, meaning that light travels 1.33 times as fast in a vacuum as it does in water. This is why light bends when it comes in contact with the surface of water. Likewise, light travels at different speeds through materials at Read More