Author: Sic

Hydrogel is a moisture-absorbing polymer capable of absorbing up to 400 times its own volume in water, then as the water evaporates, it cools down the area around it.

The hydrogels then refill themselves when humidity is high on the outside. With the help of this “passive cooling” concept, these walls can reduce room temperature in up to 5°C without the use of air conditioning and reduce energy consumption by 28 percent.

via Students create hydroceramic wall that could replace the use of air conditioners.

Great comparison of various causes of global warming.

http://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2015-whats-warming-the-world/

http://www.sciencedump.com/content/10-world-maps-facts-you-didnt-learn-school

****** The huge wasp nest in its final form: http://youtu.be/QxVq3pCel-o *****

***A new video with sound of the wasps from an external microphone***
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1dY5…

***A first attempt of a time-lapse video (1 shot per 5sec)***
http://youtu.be/b1Jk8PBKbAM

***A sneak peek of the final time-lapse video of the Window Wasp Nest***
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr_j7…

Big wasps are building a huge nest on my window. I can observe its construction in real-time cross-section!

See all the future videos in “Wasps” playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list…

Titan’s lakes are reminiscent of karstic landforms that we have on Earth, which form when dissolvable rock (like limestone) erodes as groundwater and rainfall move through it, resulting in sinkhole-like depressions.

Liquid hydrocarbons on Titan play a similar role to water on Earth: the hydrocarbons have caused erosion of dissolvable rock, resulting in a vast network of lakes and river-like formations that carry liquid across the moon’s surface. The large lakes stretch hundreds of miles across and several hundred feed deep.

via How Did Lakes Form on Titan’s Surface? | Discovery Blog | Discovery.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sScmZExKNQQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqcNc9bKlNY