Fresh Science

Csilla Demeter – lead researcher, University of Queensland

Geelong scientists have discovered they can use microwave chemistry to make carbon fibre composite materials stronger and safer more quickly. Carbon fibre composite materials are both light and strong, making them a great alternative to metal in a huge range of applications, from bikes and sports equipment to prosthetic limbs, planes and cars. They’re made up of…

Soil has the answer to burning climate questions Decreasing the frequency of wild fires in northern Australia would lead to an increase in the amount of carbon stored in the soil, significantly lowering greenhouse gas emissions, according to CSIRO ecologist, Dr Anna Richards.

An international team of astronomers has discovered the oldest and most distant carbon in the Universe, but there’s not enough of it to support standard theories of how the Universe lit up, a member from Swinburne University of Technology has calculated. In the early Universe a dark pervasive fog of neutral hydrogen gas lurked everywhere.…