Other Physics Commons^™

Question 1: Kill The K-Cup; Question 2: Water Cooling, Larry Weinstein

Physics Faculty Publications

According to KillTheKCup.org, single-use non-recyclable Keurig K-cups “are killing our planet.” How large is the environmental impact of K-Cups?

How much more cooling do you get from drinking cold rather than room-temperature water on a hot day? How much do you sweat per day when the ambient temperature is about 35 °C (95 °F)?

Question 1: Shaving Time; Question 2: Half-Filling The Gas Tank, Larry Weinstein

Physics Faculty Publications

How much total time does a typical American spend shaving during his or her life? How much total time per year do Americans spend shaving?

How much money can you save by only half-filling your car's gas tank to reduce weight?

Manipulating Topological States By Imprinting Non-Collinear Spin Textures, Robert Streubel, Luyang Han, Mi Young Im, Florian Kronast, Ulrich K. Rößler, Florin Radu, Radu Abrudan, Gungun Lin, Oliver G. Schmidt, Peter Fischer, Denys Makarov

Robert Streubel Papers

Topological magnetic states, such as chiral skyrmions, are of great scientific interest and show huge potential for novel spintronics applications, provided their topological charges can be fully controlled. So far skyrmionic textures have been observed in noncentrosymmetric crystalline materials with low symmetry and at low temperatures. We propose theoretically and demonstrate experimentally the design of spin textures with topological charge densities that can be tailored at ambient temperatures. Tuning the interlayer coupling in vertically stacked nanopatterned magnetic heterostructures, such as a model system of a Co/Pd multilayer coupled to Permalloy, the in-plane non-collinear spin texture of one layer can be …

Magnetic Soft X-Ray Tomography Of Magnetic Swiss Roll Architectures, Robert Streubel, F. Kronast, P. Fischer, O. G. Schmidt, D. Makarov

Robert Streubel Papers

A further increase in performance of state-of-the-art spin-electronics can be achieved by either miniaturizing its functional components or harnessing the third dimension. The first route, however, faces physical limitations as properties of nanostructures and their response to external stimuli can drastically change in reduced dimensions. An alternative way is to go from planar 2D structures to 3D architectures [1]. Such 3D functional elements can be obtained for example by rolling up initially planar strained thin films into Swiss roll like objects with multiple windings (Fig. 1a). A major advantage of this technology platform is the possibility to fabricate compact multifunctional …

Electrostatic Charge On Flying Hummingbirds And Its Potential Role In Pollination, Marc Badger, Victor Manuel Ortega-Jimenez, Lisa Von Ribenau, Ashley Smiley, Robert Dudley, Alexei Gruverman , Editor

Alexei Gruverman Publications

Electrostatic phenomena are known to enhance both wind- and insect-mediated pollination, but have not yet been described for nectar-feeding vertebrates. Here we demonstrate that wild Anna's Hummingbirds (Calypte anna) can carry positive charges up to 800 pC while in flight (mean ± s.d.: 66 ± 129 pC). Triboelectric charging obtained by rubbing an isolated hummingbird wing against various plant structures generated charges up to 700 pC. A metal hummingbird model charged to 400 pC induced bending of floral stamens in four plants (Nicotiana, Hemerocallis, Penstemon, and Aloe spp.), and also attracted falling Lycopodium spores at distances of < 2 mm. Electrostatic forces may therefore influence pollen transfer onto nectar-feeding birds.

Prospective Secondary Science Teachers' Argumentation Skills And The Interaction Of These Skills With Their Conceptual Knowledge, Ömer Acar, Bruce R. Patton, Arthur L. White

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

This study investigated if prospective secondary science teachers enhance their argumentation skills and the interaction of the change in their argumentation skills with their conceptual knowledge during an argumentation-based guided inquiry course. 37 prospective secondary science teachers constituted the study sample. They were grouped according to whether or not they had a misconception about understanding of balanced forces at the beginning of the course. They performed oral and written argumentation tasks during the course. Their written argumentation tasks were assessed four times during the course for balanced forces and sinking and floating behaviour of objects. Results indicated that prospective secondary …

Λcdm Cosmology + Chaotic Inflation, Peter A. Farago

Theses and Dissertations

ΛCDM cosmology is described in terms of general relativity and the Robertson-Walker metric. The evolution of the observable universe, currently dominated by dark energy (Λ) and cold dark matter (CDM), is presented in terms of its thermal history. CDM is extended to include an inflation epoch that accelerates the early expansion rate to near exponential levels. It is shown that inflation solves several problems in CDM and produces perturbations in the metric that lead to the observed anisotropies in the Cosmic Microwave Background and the formation of large scale cosmological structures. Various theories of inflation are explored. Predictions of inflation …