Search Results for: Germany

BY MONICA DOBIE

GERMAN researchers have developed a method of accurately measuring terahertz radiation rays, so that this radiation can safely be used in new airport security detection machines. Scientists have long known the potential of using these so-called T-ray scanners: while metal or X-ray detectors usually identify just a few obviously dangerous materials, T-rays are far more sensitive and can identify many more illegal or dangerous substances.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

A DEAL has been struck at the European Union (EU) Council of Ministers over unbundling major energy players. The agreement has been anointed by the European Commission: its president José Manuel Barroso enthused: "It is a crucial step towards the completion of the single market."…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

UPDATED reports on illicit trafficking of nuclear materials show that the recovery of these potentially dangerous items is becoming rarer. This rate fell to 25% of all reported incidents between 2004-2007 says the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).…

BY ANDREW CAVE and KARRYN MILLER

FACING a looming energy crisis, the battle to produce lithium ion batteries to power hybrid and battery cars is heating up. Germany’s Robert Bosch and Samsung of South Korea recently formed a joint venture SB LiMotive Co to compete with the likes of BorgWarner, Johnson Controls, TRW and Continental.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

DESPITE widespread scepticism about its viability, the ITER project to build the world’s first commercial nuclear fusion reactor is now under way. It is employing specialists (nearly 300 staff and rising at the end of 2008); releasing Euro millions in research and procurement funding; and in November moved into its headquarters, in Cadarache, southern France, which is where the first nuclear fusion reactor will be built on a 180 hectare site.…

BY ALAN OSBORN

INTRODUCTION

About 10 years ago the American distiller JB Wagoner decided to market a fiery liquor made from the cactus-like agave plants growing in the hills on his estate at Temecula in California. He called it "temequila." It soon became known as "the American tequila," proving indistinguishable in taste, texture and effect from the well-known Mexican drink.…

By Keith Nuthall

Windscreens are not such something to look through, say European university scientists: they also act as loud speakers, attracting and magnifying noise created by a car or lorry, reflecting the racket back at drivers and passengers alike. This fact has made researchers in the European Union (EU)-funded and University of Twente, Netherlands-coordinated InMAR (‘Intelligent Materials for Active Noise Reduction’) project consider how to change the materials making windshields, so that they absorb noise rather than amplify it.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

THE EUROPEAN Commission has fined fruit companies Weichert, of Germany, and Dole, of the USA, Euro 60.3 million for participating in a price-fixing banana cartel in Europe between 2000 and 2002. The USA’s Chiquita was also a member, but escaped fines by cooperating with a Commission inquiry.…

By Alan Osborn

Three young researchers, from Poland, Slovakia and Britain, were awarded the top prizes in the EU Contest for Young Scientists in Copenhagen on September 25th against competition from national scientific prize-winners from 39 European countries plus Brazil, Canada, China, Mexico, New Zealand and the USA.…

By Keith Nuthall

European academics are preparing to gather at a high level conference to discuss the problems being caused to higher education by a sharp decline in the European population. The debates at the European University Association (EUA) conference comes as the latest figures from European Union (EU) statistical agency Eurostat confirm the number of young people in European countries is already shrinking and will get smaller.…