Science Spin January 2009

In this issue, we have a special supplement describing the careers of a number of scientists working in Ireland. Seán Duke reports on a technology called 'power on a chip' that promises huge energy savings in the microprocessing industry. In an issue strong on marine science, Tom Kennedy describes the work of scientists exploring life below the ocean floor, while Seán Duke describes plans for a powerful new European icebreaker, which will also be a drilling and research vessel. There are also reports on how radio spectrum usage can be changed to facilitate the explosion in electronic communication devices, how schools need laboratory technicians and how laser technology is being used to estimate timber volumes.

In this issue

What's it like to be a scientist?

SCIENCE CAREERS Science, despite the savage downturn, continues to get the support of the Irish government, which remains committed to move towards a 'knowledge ...

Europe breaks the ice in polar research

MARINE ENGINEERING The study of the polar regions, both Arctic and Antarctic, is increasingly important to understand what is happening to global climate. However, ...

Saving the world, one watt at a time

ENERGY The current methods of providing power to microprocessors are highly inefficient, with almost half of all energy lost before it gets to ...

Life beneath the oceans

MARINE BIODISCOVERY There is life in the sea, and there is life under the sea. Not that long ago it was thought that the ...

Making best use of radio spectrum

TELECOMMUNICATIONS The spectrum of radio frequencies is the raw material that facilitates the communication of all kinds of devices in the modern world. ...

Global census of marine life

MARINE BIOLOGY Since 2000, scientists from around the world have been working on a census of marine life. At a recent meeting at Valencia ...

Secondary schools need lab techicians

SCIENCE EDUCATION The provision of world class science education is widely acknowledged as a key requisite for all Irish second level students. Recently, the ...