Student's Web Corner
Extraterrestrials
“Sometimes I think we’re alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we’re not. In either case the idea is quite staggering.” — Arthur C Clarke
When he said we, it was not quite clear if he meant any lifeforms, or he was only referring to a species with intelligence...
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The Science of Fried Chicken
Who doesn’t love a piece of crunchy, crispy fried chicken? Invented in Scotland and developed in the American South, fried chicken has evolved over the centuries to become a fast food staple in our modern lives. However, a surprising amount of chemistry goes...
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Artificial Leaves: The Door to an Infinite Supply of Green Power and Clean Air
Scientists and environmentalists have been on a quest to find a practical solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One of the possibilities is the creation of the artificial leaf - a renewable power station no bigger than your hand.
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The Open-Source Movement
Many of us have heard of the phrase “open-source” in relation to software, but few of us know what it means and entails. The concept behind it is deceptively simple: generally speaking, the creator of a computer program (code) allows...
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Asbestos: The Silent Killer
Once a miracle material, now a deadly killer. Asbestos, a white fibrous crystal, used to be found in just about everything: concrete, drywall, ceiling tiles etc. In fact it still is; over 50% of UK houses contained asbestos in 2011...
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The Future of Energy
In 2006, Elon Musk published his “Master Plan” for the fledgling Tesla Motors, Inc., one now in its final stages . Create an expensive, low volume car Use profits from Step 1 to create a medium volume car Use profits...
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A Cold Case
Conventional knowledge informs us that the onset of winter and cooler weather brings forth an inundation of flu cases. Blocked noses, sore throats and incessant coughing are among the common symptoms for those unfortunate enough to fall ill to the...
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The Science of Sports Doping
When millions of dollars, a lifetime of fame and the promise of becoming immortalised in history books as one of the greatest are on the line, it is with little wonder that illegal doping to gain the slightest of edges...
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Sonic Booms
While few of us have personally heard one, many of us have witnessed a sonic boom’s shockwave surrounding a speeding fighter jet or a bullet. Known in popular culture as a loud boom that occurs when an object exceeds the...
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The Nuclear Fusion Race
Energy sustainability is a key contemporary issue. However, clean, renewable energy options are plagued by low energy density and cost inefficiency, propelling the continuous search for sustainable alternatives. A breakthrough in nuclear fusion offers a new paradigm for the development of renewable energy....
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The Science of Cooling
Low temperature food preservation has been a longstanding issue in human history and artificial refrigeration has only been around for a little more than two centuries. Food stored at room temperature rapidly becomes unfit for human consumption, and thus propelled the search for...
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Asteroid Mining
Pursuing the science fiction ambition of space colonisation is becoming increasingly feasible with the advent of asteroid mining. A key limitation to the establishment of a space colony is the supply of resources. To procure the necessary building materials and energy sources, it...
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One Week with Roche in Switzerland
This summer, I had the honor of being selected, among 15 students in the School of Science, as the Best Student Mentor for the Roche Young Scientist Award (RYSA) 2015. As the grand prize, Roche sponsored me on a 6-day trip to Switzerland...
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Food for Thought
Central to daily living is the consumption of food; dining is the pivot of the workday, social gatherings, and special occasions. Stemming from the unending pursuit of sustenance on the savannah, it is no wonder that food is heavily ingrained...