Published Articles

New research seeks keys to better design approaches for hypersonic vehicles. From: American Institute of Physics Scilights online publication, Feb. 8, 2019 By Mark Marchand Aircraft designers and scientists are trying to understand the relation between supersonic modes and the hypersonic flows around aircraft or projectiles at hypersonic speeds, specifically regarding the transition from smooth laminar flow to irregular turbulence. The onset of turbulence generally leads to increased drag and heating, which impair engine performance and control. The rapidly rising temperature at Mach 5 and above is particularly challenging, and solutions such…

By Mark Marchand | Special to The Republican (The Republican daily newspaper, the primary daily in Springfield, Mass. Feb. 20, 2017) BOSTON -- If scientists have their way, the simple microphone and other standard smartphone components soon will deliver potentially lifesaving medical testing functions. Smartphone use in the U.S. has become commonplace, with more than 70 percent of the population owning one, according to the Pew Research Center in Washington, D.C. The nearly doubling of smartphone ownership since 2010 has sparked a tidal wave of app development in areas ranging from entertainment to…

By MARK MARCHAND | Special to The Republican (The Republican daily newspaper, the primary daily in Springfield, Mass. Feb. 17, 2017) BOSTON — Like the Revere silversmith who spread an important message in 1775, international scientists gathered near where Paul Revere lived and worked this week to sound an alarm of equal or greater magnitude: basic science matters. Speaking to thousand of scientists and researchers from across the globe Thursday night, American Association for the Advancement of Science President Barbara Schaal implored the group to accelerate efforts to explain the value of sound,…

By MARK MARCHAND | Special to The Republican (The Republican daily newspaper, the primary daily in Springfield, Mass. Feb. 19, 2017) BOSTON -- "Wearables" is the buzz word for a vast array of small, portable devices designed to simplify approaches to personal fitness or managing one's busy life. From the Fitbit on your wrist that monitors steps and heart rate to the Apple Watch that signals incoming phone messages, the new class of personal electronics has helped people simplify their exercise routines and daily schedules -- without involving bulky equipment. Assistant Professor Julie…

By MARK MARCHAND | Special to The Republican (The Republican daily newspaper, the primary daily in Springfield, Mass. Feb. 22, 2017) BOSTON -- Pluto circles slowly at the very outer edges of our solar system. The dwarf planet is so far away that sunlight, which flickers 1,000 times dimmer on Pluto than on Earth, takes 51/2 hours to get there. Radio waves from Earth need 41/2 hours to reach the remote, celestial body. And Pluto takes 248 years to circle the Sun. Anyone hoping to send a research probe to explore the…