Category Archives: Materials

Shade Parking Offers Little Protection for Kids in Cars

Photo by Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand.

‘Tis the season for 110-degree days, excessive-heat warnings and trolling the parking lot for a shady spot. But new research suggests those in the shade might not have it made after all — especially if they are young children.

Read/listen to my full story at KJZZ’s Arizona Science Desk:
For Children In Cars, Shade Offers Little Protection From Lethal Heat

NASA Funding Flows to Seven Small Businesses in Arizona

NASA has selected its 2018 crop of small businesses to receive funding supporting innovation research and technology transfer, with seven awards going to Arizona.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contracts, which total $43.5 million nationally among 348 awardees, support projects that promise to benefit both NASA’s mission and the U.S. economy.

Read/listen to my full story at KJZZ’s Arizona Science Desk:
Seven Arizona Small Businesses Receive NASA Funding

Arizona Utility Looks Into Robots to Maintain Canals

Maintaining water quality across Salt River Project’s 131 miles of canals, connected by more than 1,000 miles of lateral ditches and pipes, poses unique technical and workforce problems.

Now, SRP is working with Arizona State University robot experts to develop robotic solutions to the problem.

Read/listen to my full story at KJZZ’s Arizona Science Desk:
Lifeblood Of The Desert: Salt River Project Teams Turn To ASU Robots To Maintain Canal System

Orbital ATK Joins Heavy Rocket Race

An artist’s rendition of Orbital ATK’s Next Generation Rocket in flight. Image courtesy Orbital ATK.

Last month, SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket made headlines as the first privately built heavy lift rocket to enter space.

Now, Orbital ATK’s Chandler-based Launch Vehicle Division plans to join them.

Read/listen to my full story at KJZZ’s Arizona Science Desk:
Chandler-Based Orbital ATK Division To Build New Heavy Rocket

Worth Doing Right: How Climate Change Could Throw a Wrench Into Road repairs

Repairing with the wrong materials for shifting climates could be a road to nowhere, like this spot in the Suffolk village of Covehithe. Picture by Timothyansell123.

The American Society of Civil Engineers has given America’s roads a D rating. But a recent study shows that trying to raise that grade without accounting for climate change could put the country’s roadways at risk.

Read/listen to my full story at KJZZ’s Arizona Science Desk:
Not Planning For Climate Change Could Cost Billions In Infrastructure Repairs Down The Road