New research shows that although retention ponds may look nice above the water, they aren’t working the way they are supposed to underwater.
Chemistry
Silicon or Silicone?
You might think the word play of silicon and silicone is a little like the debate over “you say tomato (toh-may-toe) and I say tomatoe” (toh-mah-toe). But while it might seem like the two words can switched easily and mean the same thing, they simply can’t be. Silicon and silicone are, in reality, two different things.
Silicon is a natural chemical found pretty much everywhere on Earth. That’s because silicon is a primary component in sand. Take a look at sand using a magnifying glass and you’ll find silicon pretty easily because it is usually found in crystal form.
Scientists are making skin for robots
A team at UNC Chapel Hill discovers that by rearranging silicone molecules, they can make a gel that performs a lot like skin and muscle, paving the way for new medical devices and possibly life-like skin for robots.
Saving ocean fisheries, one bait cake at a time
Almost half of forage fish caught are used as bait for crustaceans. But overfishing is threatening forage fish stocks, so a small start-up in Greensboro developed an alternative bait.
How Wilson Bay was saved from more sewage pollution
Pollution from an overburdened sewage plant nearly destroyed Wilson Bay. Now a restoration effort has brought it back to life.
Bioprocessing
ECU students work to produce new treatments with bioprocess engineering.
Future Fuels
We may not think of it as much when gas is cheap, but there are many economic and environmental reasons to transition away from fossil fuels. See the biofuels reactor that RTI International researchers are using to create gasoline-like hydrocarbon fuels from plant material and the challenges of creating biofuels.
Fatty Acids and Crohn's Disease
New Study Shows Fatty Acids May Help or Hurt Patients with Crohn's Disease
December 4, 2015
Up Close & Coastal
Unveiling baby sharks, swimming with sharks, sea turtle rehab… Enjoy the wonders of the coast as the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island helps us get up close and coastal in this 30-minute special.
Halting Norovirus
Common Metal May Prevent Spread of Stomach Bug
July 10, 2015