Earthquake prediction using electric fields

Wouldn't it be great if we could predict earthquakes (not quite as good as preventing though)? Some researchers have found evidence that electric fields in the vicinity can be used to predict major earthquakes. I think it has managed to predict most major earthquakes in Greece but it has missed some as well. Phys. Rev. Lett. 2003, 91, 148501.

Magnetic Refrigeration

Chemicals used in conventional refrigeration systems are polluting the environment. Magnetic refrigeration is a new way to cool things. They did not usually work at room temperature but the following is promising. Nature, 2001, 415, 150. Chubu Electric Power appears to be getting close to a product. http://www.chuden.co.jp/english/corporate/press2006/1107_1.html

Quantum mechanics imrpoves car efficiency

Abstract from Phys. Rev. Lett., 88, 050602, 2002. By using a laser and maser in tandem, it is possible to obtain laser action in the hot exhaust gases of a heat engine. Such a “quantum afterburner” involves the internal quantum states of the working molecules as well as the techniques of cavity quantum electrodynamics and is therefore in the domain of quantum thermodynamics. It is shown that Otto cycle engine performance can be improved beyond that of the “ideal” Otto heat engine. Furthermore, the present work demonstrates a new kind of lasing without initial inversion.

Protein folding shapes

In Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 198103, 2001, they discovered an upper limit on the number of shapes that a protein can fold into. This sort of result should be useful for the pharmaceutical industry since a lot of their products are proteins.

Solar cell efficiency

Efficiency of solar cells could rise after the discovery of indium nitride having only 0.7eV band gap instead of 2.0eV. See Phys. Rev. B, 66, 201403, 2002. As of 2002, the efficiency of solar cells were 35% compared to the theoretical limit of 70%. By having a smaller band gap, it can absorb the light which is less energetic. By stacking various different band gap materials, the solar cell can absorb a greater range of energetic light.

Pure carbon magnets

Magnets are usually metallic. T. Makarova et al. 2001, Nature, 413, 716 report that pure carbon can be magnetic at room temperature. This may mean cheaper and lighter magnets.

Tuning lasers with rubber

Rubber can be used to tune a laser so you can obtain many different wavelengths. This can be used to simplify optical networks.