When wind or other disturbances detach winged maple seeds called samaras from their parent tree, they spin through the air – and can even spin when it’s raining. Impacts by high-speed raindrops only briefly interrupt the seed’s spinning because the seed can shed the drop rapidly and restart its spinning in less time than it takes to...
The science behind airplane deicing – a mechanical engineer explains how chemistry and physics make flying a more uplifting experience
If you are a frequent flyer, you’ve probably been at the airport waiting to jet somewhere on a winter trip when the voice of an airline employee announces over the intercom that there will be a slight delay while the plane gets deiced. But how does this process actually work, and why is it needed?
As a mechanical engineer[1] who...
AIs flunk language test that takes grammar out of the equation
Generative AI systems like large language models and text-to-image generators can pass rigorous exams that are required of anyone seeking to become a doctor[1] or a lawyer[2]. They can perform better than most people in Mathematical Olympiads[3]. They can write halfway decent poetry[4], generate aesthetically pleasing paintings[5] and compose...
Read more https://theconversation.com/ais-flunk-language-test-that-takes-grammar-out-of-the-equation-247177
What’s the shape of the universe? Mathematicians use topology to study the shape of the world and everything in it
When you look at your surrounding environment, it might seem like you’re living on a flat plane. After all, this is why you can navigate a new city using a map: a flat piece of paper that represents all the places around you. This is likely why some people in the past believed the earth to be flat. But most people now know that is...