Search Results for Engineering

Northern California has a storied, 500-year history of sailing. But despite this rich heritage, scientists and boat designers continue to learn more each day about what makes a sail boat move. Contrary to what you might expect, the physics of sailing still present some mysteries to modern sailors.

Play this TV Story Air Date: Sep 30, 2008

Imagine traveling from San Francisco to Los Angeles in about two-and-a-half hours, without getting on a plane. That's the idea that could become reality this November. A $10 billion bond project is on the ballot to build high-speed rail. With higher gas prices and concern about climate change, supporters hope the time is finally right to approve this massive mass-transit project. But technical and political obstacles remain.

Play this Radio Report Air Date: Sep 22, 2008

It's that time of year again. Temperatures are hot, so we're cranking up the air conditioning. That means more electricity from the power grid, more greenhouse gas emissions, more global warming and -- with warmer temperatures -- even more air conditioning! There are a few ways to halt this vicious cycle, one of which starts with a makeover for the machine itself.

Play this Radio Report Air Date: Sep 8, 2008

Meet the Bay Area residents on the cutting-edge of home energy and take a tour of the wind, geothermal and solar thermal projects right in their backyards.

Play this Radio Report Air Date: Aug 1, 2008

Forget solar panels - how about having your own wind turbine? Your own solar thermal power generator? Your own geothermal well? San Francisco homeowners are some of the first to experiment with these DIY home-energy technologies, and they are getting some help from the city to do it.

Play this Radio Report Air Date: Aug 1, 2008

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory are pioneering a new way to recover 100-year-old recordings. Found on fragile wax cylinders and early lacquer records, the sounds reveal a rich acoustic heritage, including languages long lost.

Play this TV Story Air Date: Jul 29, 2008

Are we in danger of running out of water? California's population is growing by 600,000 people a year, but much of the state receives as much annual rainfall as Morocco. With fish populations crashing, global warming, and the demands of the country's largest agricultural industry, the pressures on our water supply are increasing.

Play this TV Story Air Date: Jul 14, 2008

What if you could imprint every bullet with the unique signature of the gun which fired it? That's the goal of California's bullet microstamping law, which takes effect in 2010. But does microstamping work?

Play this Radio Report Air Date: Jun 20, 2008

As drivers increasingly look toward hybrids and mass transit for some relief, has the time finally come for one car technology that needs no gasoline at all? Amy Standen reports.

Play this Radio Report Air Date: Jun 6, 2008

Since 1995, astronomers have identified more than 200 new planets, but these planets aren't in our solar system. Known as exoplanets, they're the planets orbiting other suns and Bay Area scientists are leading the search. QUEST reports on some of the latest efforts to find new planets-- and maybe even life-- in outer space.

Play this Radio Report Air Date: May 29, 2008