Scientists are getting to grips with ice
Climate change is making water freeze in unexpected ways
Jack Frost is a tricky adversary. As the mercury falls, water’s behaviour becomes erratic, leading to ice and snow with physical properties that can vary enormously depending on environmental factors such as temperature and moisture. That can complicate tasks as varied as developing new ice-repellent materials and predicting the likelihood of an avalanche. New research is suggesting ways to put this slippery field on firmer foundations.
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This article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline “Deep freeze”
AI models could help negotiators secure peace deals
Some are being developed to help end the war in Ukraine
Microplastics have not yet earned their bad reputation
There are worrying signs. But more thorough studies of their health effects are coming
Electric vehicles also cause air pollution
Though fume-free, their brake pads and tyres disintegrate over time
AI models are helping dirty industries go green
Mining companies and steelmakers are feeling the benefits
Could data centres ever be built in orbit?
A startup called Starcloud has plans to do just that
The tricky task of calculating AI’s energy use
Making models less thirsty may not lessen their environmental impact