If you’re in need of a little physics to spice up your day (aren’t we all?), we highly recommend checking out Minute Physics, a delightful series of brief – all under 2 minutes – videos that have been gaining popularity in the blogosphere. The YouTube channel, which is updated weekly with topics ranging from wave/particle duality to the reasons why fire looks the way it does, was created just four months ago by physicist-turned-filmmaker Henry Reich and has since amassed over 1 million views.
Liz Fenner with cherry-flavored microcapsules used to add a kick to vanilla ice cream
Ever felt paralyzed by the choice between two equally delicious ice cream flavors? Fear not – Elizabeth Fenner, a food science graduate student at the University of Missouri, may have solved your dilemma.
Fenner and associate professor Ingolf Gruen used a technique called “micro-encapsulation” to create ice cream that changes flavors as it melts in your mouth.
In addition to the letter and number of the day,Sesame Streetwill be featuring some exciting new topics in the show’s 42nd season: engineering, science, and math!
Researchers have long noted that students who watch the show as children tend to do better in school, so incorporating science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts can be seen as part of a larger effort to boost STEM learning in the U.S.
Emma Cardini, a structural engineer, inspects the Washington Monument
A little over a month ago, residents of the DC Metro Area (including our eGFI staff) were stunned to experience what for many of us was our first major earthquake. While fortunately the 5.8 quake caused no significant harm or loss of life, many buildings and monuments are still in need of inspection to ensure their structural soundness.
As a result, this week one lucky team of engineers completed their most most exciting assignment yet: rappelling down the Washington Monument to check for cracks and other earthquake damage.
Shwetak Patel wants to help you conserve energy in your home. A professor of computer science and engineering at the University of Washington, Patel is also a 2011 recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship (also known as the “Genius Grant“) for his work developing sophisticated, user-friendly energy sensors for homes and offices.
Patel’s unique technology uses advanced algorithms to determine how much energy each household device is consuming by picking up their individual activity patterns.
