We investigate use of nanomechanical torsional resonators for frequency-shift-based infrared (IR) thermal sensing. Nanoscale torsion rods, ~1 μm long and 50-100 nm in diameter, provide both extraordinary thermal isolation and excellent angular displacement and torque sensitivities, of order ~10(-7) rad·Hz(-1/2) and ~10(-22) (N·m) Hz(-1/2), respectively. Furthermore, these nanorods act as linear...

Ni-Ti shape memory actuators respond to temperature changes with a shape change. Therefore, they are sensors and actuators. They combine large motion, rather high forces and small size, thus providing high work output. They usually consist of only a single piece of metal, e.g. a helical spring, and do not require sophisticated mechanical systems. They of len fit into tight spaces in given desig...

In northern Canada, lake chub (Cyprinidae: Couesius plumbeus) have colonized a variety of thermal springs that differ substantially from the ancestral environment in both mean temperature and thermal variation. To examine whether this environmental change is associated with differences in physiological traits, we compared the thermal breadth, capacity for acclimation of thermal tolerance, and m...

Shape memory alloys have been widely proposed as actuators, in fields such as robotics, biomimetics and microsystems: in particular spring actuators are the most widely used, due to their simplicity of fabrication. The aim of this paper is to provide a general model and the techniques for fabricating SMA spring actuators. All the steps of the design process are described: a mechanical model to ...

Dense microbial mats and/or streamers of various colors (white, yellow, pink, purple, orange, red, green, etc.) develop in neutral or alkaline hot springs as follows: The color is determined by interaction between microbes in hot springs and physicochemical factors such as temperature, pH, sulfur and light (Brock, 1978; Castenholz, 1988; Hanada et al., 1995; Hiraishi et al., 1999; Jørgensen and...

This paper serves to document a thermal spring, called Gaet’ale, that was reactivated in 2005, during the majorseismo-volcanic crisis in the Danakil Depression of the Afar region of northern Ethiopia. Many dead birds surrounding the spring attest to deadly gas emanations (almost certainly CO2) coming from this spring, reminiscent of those from other volcanic lakes, and the Pamukkale springs in ...