Science never rests - New idea questions whether universe is expanding

 Science is a process that never sits still. Unlike something like religion, which tends to deal in doctrine and more absolute or unbendable ideas and rules, scientific theories and models and ideas must change if contradictory observations and experimental evidence are discovered. And sometimes new ideas emerge that are just different, and look at problems with a different lens. 

This is the case with some new ideas proposed by theoretical astrophysicist Lucas Lombriser from Vienna. He has been thinking about the expansion of the universe, and the measurements that suggest the expansion rate of the universe is actually accelerating - to explain this, astronomers have been suggesting things like 'dark energy' to explain that acceleration, despite having no idea what dark energy actually is. Lombriser proposes there is not even a need for an expanding universe, which goes against the thinking in the field for the past century. Something like this is exciting, and keeps science alive and moving forward. His idea is that an expanding universe is basically an illusion, caused by the time evolution of the mass of particles (like protons and electrons), which is also a new idea. But according to Lombriser's mathematical model, if particle mass is not constant, then the consequence is gravity changes, and things like the expansion of the universe, dark energy, and perhaps dark matter, are not even necessary! 

There is no experimental test, yet, for any of these ideas, so we must all consider them but not run too fast with them. I suspect many researchers over the coming decade will be thinking about all this and trying to find any sort of observational or experimental clues that support or deny any pieces of this new model. This is how science is supposed to work. We must be patient and see what Nature is trying to hint to us! If correct, though, WOW! This would make for a paradigm shift in astronomy, and I am sure many other theories and observations would need to be questioned and viewed through this new lens. I love science and this wonderful, and sometimes frustrating, process! 

These 7 initial discoveries in 2024 that need independent confirmation

 Science News has a good article for 7 science discoveries this past year that could become BIG DEALS, should additional work confirm and strengthen them. Have fun with it, and remember that in science research, replication and independent confirmation of one's work is a necessity before the scientific community will begin to put real weight behind the discovery. 

Science is an organic, always evolving process that attempts to figure out how the world and universe work, based on physical evidence and observations, and we shouldn't want to take a single study's conclusions as 'fact' without independent studies and confirmations.

Hydraulic jump research - a personal favorite for high school students

 One of my favorite 'basement research' experiments is anything investigating hydraulic jump. There are so many ways a student can 'tweak' an old experiment to make it their own, that it makes for an effective subject from which to get numerous projects/studies. 

This is an article that mentions numerous types of studies that have been done, and that we can be clever with to build upon and get new ideas for our students to investigate! There are good references, as well, where details about experiments can be found. And don't forget, new ideas and how to pursue them can always be gained using AI platforms, such as ChatGPT. 

Astronomy photo techniques can help tell if a photo is a Deepfake

 Scientists have found a feature of photos that can be added to a list of things to determine if a photo is authentic or a deepfake. Deepfakes are electronically created photos or videos, using AI, that are nearly impossible for untrained eyes to determine if the photo/video is of something real or made-up. There are countless examples online, and perhaps the most deepfaked person is former President Obama. 

Using techniques and information learned primarily from astronomers, and how they take and analyze photos of distant galaxies, it turns our that for photos of humans the key is to check out the eyes. In real photos, generally the reflections of light in the eyes should be the same. AI has not learned this correctly - YET - so presently one can check the colors and reflections of eyes, and that can help determine if it is a fake or not. 

This is especially important right now, heading into fall elections, when different individuals and groups are trying to smear candidates and get disinformation to go viral online. Deepfakes have become so easy to create that the average person looking at ads and content would likely not be able to tell the difference, making it SO challenging to determine what's real or not. Here is another article if interested.                               Diagram from BioID.

How the Illinois Cancer Center uses AI to help in its mission

 I want to occasionally provide students and teachers examples of evolving fields in STEM, and quite literally every field of STEM has been using and will only be increasing the use of advanced AIs in their research. This article gives an example of AI being used in all aspects of cancer research at the University of Illinois. 

From drug development to trying to do molecular detection of cancers, and simulating pathways of tumor development and how it spreads in the body, AI and computational research is revolutionizing many areas of STEM.

Research Program: Lumiere Research Scholar Program

A FYI that was received: 

Create an independent research paper. Work with top researchers 

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program helps high school students work one-on-one with a scholar on an independent research project. At the end of the program, you'll develop an independent research paper that you could use for college admissions or future studies. Our mentors are PhD scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT,  Stanford, Yale, Duke and LSE. The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard.  

 

The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure! To learn more, you can reach out to our Head of Growth and Partnerships, Maya Novak-Herzog, at maya.novak-herzog@lumiere.education or go to lumiere-education.com.

The early bird deadline for application to the Fall cohort is July 30th, 2024.

 

Link to the application: Lumiere Research Scholar Application.

Next level of AI 'thinking' and processing - CyberOctopus

  Using the way an octopus thinks about and navigates spatially, and also in time, researchers have created the next level of AI 'thinking' and processing information in its environment. This is episodic memory, and allows an AI to have better remembrances of past events it was involved in, learn from it, and have better thought out solutions to future problems based on those past events. It allows AI to be more animal-like rather than machine-like. Researchers have taken the leap from a sea slug brain, which is very simple, and made it more like an octopus brain...the evolution of this will ultimately, they think, to how a human brain operates, remembers, thinks things through, react to internal 'feelings', predict, and have creative, original thoughts. 

What are your thoughts about where AI is and where it will go? What should the ethics of creating and using AI's be? Who should make those decisions about AI? What are the consequences of more and more advanced AI in our human world, such as how will it change and replace humans jobs and careers? These are all vital questions we all should be thinking about, because AI is affecting most jobs and aspects of life already! 

Hurricane Beryl - a monster for this early in the hurricane season

For those interested in climate science and all that is related to it... 

The first major hurricane of the season, Hurricane Beryl, is hitting the Caribbean, and is now a category 5 (the strongest category) monster. This is a good article with an expert who says conditions for this year's season are unprecedented. In fact, this is the strongest storm on record this early in the season, due to the record high temperatures of the oceans and Gulf of Mexico. Remember, warm, moist air is the fuel for any storm, including hurricanes/cyclones, which is why the strengths of storms and amount of rain they release has been steadily rising the last couple decades. 

Photo of Hurricane Florence (Wikipedia)

Other Search Engines you may not be aware of...more than just Google!

 Here are some other search engines, most of which are useful for STEM research: 

www.refseek.com - Academic Resource Search. More than a billion sources: encyclopedia, monographies, magazines.

www.worldcat.org - a search for the contents of 20 thousand worldwide libraries. Find out where lies the nearest rare book you need.

https://link.springer.com - access to more than 10 million scientific documents: books, articles, research protocols.

www.bioline.org.br is a library of scientific bioscience journals published in developing countries.

http://repec.org - volunteers from 102 countries have collected almost 4 million publications on economics and related science.

www.science.gov is an American state search engine on 2200+ scientific sites. More than 200 million articles are indexed.

www.base-search.net is one of the most powerful researches on academic studies texts. More than 100 million scientific documents, 70% of them are free

Don't forget if you do use Google, it is best to use Google Scholar for academic work: https://scholar.google.com/ 

Using quantum entanglement to measure rotation of the earth

 A new technique has been devised that allows physicists to use quantum entanglement to measure the rotational rate of the earth. This is yet another example of the expanding set of experiments that are using quantum mechanical phenomena to measure all sorts of other phenomena, in addition to new quantum mechanical properties. There is a hope that experiments like this will lead to new insights of how quantum mechanics and gravity are related - the Holy Grail of physics is to construct a theory encompassing general relativity (gravity) with quantum mechanics and the Standard Model.  

This is an example of how experimental scientists can devise clever experiments with different phenomena present to expand the knowledge base of a field in order to hunt for new theoretical insights, coming from the observational data. I personally enjoy the back-and-forth interplay between theory and experiment in science!

Science is COOL! There's ALWAYS new things to figure out!

 OK, so humans have been watching the sky for millennia, and we have discovered a lot of objects orbiting the Sun, we've learned a lot about our own galaxy, the Milky Way; and we have learned a lot about how we are not the only galaxy in the universe, but one of more than a trillion of galaxies flying away from each other in all directions through the vastness of space and time! Because there are a mind-numbing number of objects out there in space-time, we still do not have a solid handle on our own neighborhood, our solar system. For many years, some scientists have wondered and even expected to find "Planet 9" or "Planet X", another planet well beyond the orbits of Neptune and the former planet Pluto. There are reasons for this suspicion, of course, but no direct evidence for it. 

But now, there is a new paper that provides the BEST statistical analysis and reasoning yet that requires the existence of Planet 9, which is needed to explain small perturbations in the orbits of the outer planets. This is why science is so cool! There will always be new information, measurements, observations, and theories coming in and out of existence as scientists try to piece together countless objects moving around the universe, all of which influence each other through gravity. It is ridiculously complicated and hard, but that's where the fun is for us, trying to figure it out! The diagram is via Wikipedia.

A quick chat with ChatGPT to develop research ideas using granular materials

 Granular materials, such as sand, have interesting properties and can be used in numerous novel research projects for high school students. ChatGPT can be a powerful tool in developing research ideas and questions for this and any topic or field of study. As an example, here is a quick chat I had, which took all of 20 seconds, and helped develop fifteen study options, including taking one of the original, broad ideas and asking for more details and finely tuned ideas. I highly recommend to students, teachers and advisers the use of AI platforms for developing ideas - many of these I am fairly certain I would not have thought of!

Give 10 ideas for high school student research using granular materials

ChatGPT

ChatGPT

Effect of Particle Size on Granular Flow Dynamics: Investigate how varying particle sizes within granular materials affect the flow dynamics under different conditions, such as angle of repose or flow rate.

Granular Packing Efficiency in Different Container Geometries: Analyze how different container shapes and sizes influence the packing efficiency of granular materials, considering factors like void fraction and packing density.

Impact of Moisture Content on Granular Material Properties: Explore how varying levels of moisture content affect the cohesion, flowability, and mechanical properties of granular materials like sand, soil, or powdered substances.

Frictional Properties of Granular Materials: Investigate the frictional characteristics of granular materials on different surfaces under varying conditions (e.g., dry vs. wet, rough vs. smooth surfaces) and how it impacts flow behavior.

Granular Material Sorting Algorithms: Develop and compare algorithms for sorting granular materials based on size, shape, or density using techniques such as sieving, sifting, or vibrating platforms.

Granular Material Behavior Under External Vibrations: Study how applying external vibrations of different frequencies and amplitudes influence the compaction, segregation, or flow behavior of granular materials in containers or on surfaces.

Granular Material Response to External Pressure: Investigate how applying controlled pressure or compression to granular materials affects their mechanical properties, such as bulk modulus, shear strength, or deformation behavior.

Granular Material Heat Transfer Properties: Explore the thermal conductivity and heat transfer characteristics of granular materials, considering factors such as particle size, shape, and packing density, with potential applications in geothermal energy or thermal insulation.

Granular Material Behavior in 3D Printing Processes: Investigate the feasibility and properties of using granular materials as feedstock for 3D printing technologies, exploring parameters like particle size distribution, binder composition, and printing conditions.

Granular Material Applications in Civil Engineering: Research potential applications of granular materials in civil engineering projects, such as road construction, foundation reinforcement, or landslide mitigation, focusing on material properties, stability, and sustainability aspects.

You:   Expand and give 5 examples of research into moisture content on granular material properties

Research into moisture content on granular material properties encompasses various aspects of how water affects the behavior, mechanical properties, and stability of granular materials. Here are five expanded examples:

1. Moisture Content and Shear Strength of Soil: Investigate how varying levels of moisture content influence the shear strength characteristics of different types of soil. Conduct laboratory tests such as direct shear or triaxial compression tests on soil samples with controlled moisture content levels to quantify the effect of water on soil cohesion and internal friction angle. This research can have implications for geotechnical engineering projects, such as slope stability analysis or foundation design.

2. Moisture Content and Flowability of Powdered Materials: Explore how moisture content impacts the flow behavior and handling properties of powdered materials, such as cement, flour, or pharmaceutical powders. Conduct flowability tests, including angle of repose measurements or powder flow rheometry, on samples with varying moisture content levels to understand how water affects powder cohesion, agglomeration, and flowability. This research can contribute to optimizing manufacturing processes and product quality control in industries like food processing or pharmaceuticals.

3. Moisture Content and Compaction of Granular Aggregates: Investigate the effect of moisture content on the compaction characteristics and mechanical properties of granular aggregates used in construction materials like asphalt concrete or road base layers. Perform laboratory compaction tests, such as Proctor or modified Proctor tests, on aggregate samples with different moisture content levels to determine optimal moisture content for achieving maximum density and strength. This research can inform pavement design and construction practices to ensure long-term durability and performance.

4. Moisture Content and Segregation in Granular Mixtures: Study how moisture content influences the segregation behavior of granular mixtures composed of particles with different sizes or densities, such as in concrete or granular backfill materials. Conduct laboratory segregation tests, such as the Elongated Particle Content test or the Segregation Potential Index test, on mixtures with varying moisture content levels to assess the tendency for particle segregation during handling and placement. This research can guide the development of mix design specifications and construction practices to minimize segregation-related issues in civil engineering applications.

5. Moisture Content and Stability of Landslide-prone Slopes: Investigate the role of moisture content in triggering and influencing the stability of slopes prone to landslides, particularly in natural terrains or man-made slopes. Combine field monitoring techniques, such as soil moisture sensors and inclinometers, with geotechnical analyses to assess how changes in moisture content affect pore water pressure, slope cohesion, and slope stability conditions over time. This research can contribute to better understanding landslide mechanisms and developing early warning systems for landslide hazards in vulnerable regions, aiding in risk mitigation and disaster management efforts.

A quick chat with ChatGPT to get ideas for fluid dynamics research ideas

 I wanted to share a response I got from ChatGPT with a simple prompt, to get some ideas about research project ideas in fluid dynamics for high school students. The use of AI to get research ideas is a powerful tool, because often some ideas appear we never thought about, and some student(s) may find it fascinating! I encourage everyone to try this at some point to see if it is a tool that can be useful for you and your students. 

My Prompt: what are some open questions about fluid dynamics a high school student could investigate?

ChatGPTChatGPT Response

Certainly! Here are some open-ended questions related to fluid dynamics that high school students could explore:

Turbulence Investigation:

How does the shape of an object affect the onset of turbulence in a fluid flow?

Can you design a model or experiment to explore the transition from laminar to turbulent flow in different situations?

Surface Tension Variations:

How does temperature affect the surface tension of liquids?

Can you investigate the impact of different solutes (such as salt or soap) on the surface tension of water?

Aerodynamics of Different Shapes:

What shapes are most aerodynamic, and how does the shape of an object affect its movement through air or water?

Can you design and test different wing shapes to determine their lift and drag characteristics?

Viscous Fluid Behavior:

How does the viscosity of a fluid affect the distance traveled by a sphere rolling down an inclined plane?

Can you explore how the viscosity of liquids changes under different temperature conditions?

Capillary Action in Different Materials:

How does capillary action vary in different materials (e.g., fabrics, soil types)?

Can you design experiments to compare the capillary rise of liquids in different materials and explore the factors influencing this phenomenon?

Cavitation Effects:

What are the effects of cavitation (formation and collapse of vapor bubbles) on the performance of propellers or impellers?

Can you design an experiment to study the impact of different factors on cavitation, such as pressure and blade design?

Fluid Dynamics in Biological Systems:

How do different shapes of fish or bird wings affect their ability to move through air or water?Can you investigate the fluid dynamics involved in the movement of blood in blood vessels or the flow of air in the respiratory system?

Impact of Obstacles on Fluid Flow:

How do different shapes and sizes of obstacles affect the flow of a fluid (e.g., water in a stream)?Can you design experiments to study how various factors influence the formation of eddies and changes in flow patterns?

Encourage students to develop hypotheses, design experiments, collect data, and draw conclusions based on their investigations. These questions offer a starting point for students to delve into the fascinating world of fluid dynamics.

Friction experiment options with 3D printer

 An interesting series of experiments have been done with creating surfaces to test for friction coefficients, to the point where the surfaces can be created for specific values. The flat surfaces are designed in order to 'inflate' and control the size of bumps on the surface. This controls the coefficient of friction...one can 'tune' the friction. 

Perhaps something like this can be investigated if you have access to 3D printers, and can print patterns of small bumps on a flat surface. You can then use them in a variety of friction experiments. This could develop into a series of experiments, to the point where are