National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of Speed: Tires and Pressure
Tires on a car in a NASCAR race are filled with nitrogen. The force of friction increases tire pressure as the car goes around the track. Using dry nitrogen gas helps with predicting the temperature and pressure of a tire during a race....
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of Speed: Balance
Getting the right balance in a race car is difficult because the weight of the fuel changes as the fuel burns off, and the tires wear down during each green-flag run. [5:16]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Profiles of Scientists and Engineers: Biogeoscientist
Learn what a biogeoscientist does as he travels in the sky at 45,000 feet above sea level, studying the Earth's atmosphere in the hope of finding new ways to battle climate change. [5:19]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of Speed: Friction and Heat
Friction always creates heat. Brakes and tires depend on friction to work, while the opposite is true of an engine. Engine builders use oil and high-tech coatings to get more power from an engine. [5:25]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of Speed: Drag & Drafting
Engine power is constrained at superspeedways like Daytona and Talladega, so teams use aerodynamics to gain an advantage. Teams adjust their cars to minimize drag, but then it's up to the drivers to find 'the draft' and to trust the...
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of Speed: Car Safety
Conservation of energy explains how this NASCAR race car driver was able to walk away from a horrific crash in 2008. See how the design of the car enabled it to absorb and transform kinetic energy, and protect the driver from injury. [5:30]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Profiles of Scientists and Engineers: Biophysical Chemist
Learn about the career of Rommie Amaro, a biophysical chemist, what the work involves, the other professionals she works with, and what she had to study in order to develop this career. [5:32]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Green Revolution: City Car
Lisa Van Pay of the National Science Foundation meets with Will Larkin, an MIT graduate student working on the CityCar project. The project envisions their work helping to solve urban problems with pollution and congestion. The car can...
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Profiles of Scientists and Engineers: Virtual Reality Scientist
Meet Jurgen Schulze, a virtual reality scientist who designs virtual worlds and models for researchers looking for new treatments for diseases, for doctors performing complex surgery, and for scientists studying the brain. Jurgen talks...
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Green Revolution: Hydrogen
Lisa Van Pay of the National Science Foundation visits scientists at MIT as they take on the hydrogen energy challenge. Hydrogen bonds are an extremely efficient way to store energy, and scientists would like to capture this energy....
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Profiles of Scientists and Engineers: Chemical Engineer
Meet Anita Kalathil, a chemical engineer at Proctor & Gamble. She talks about her work in developing fabric care products for the marketplace, and machinery to manufacture them, as well as the importance of environmentally friendly...
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Green Revolution: Green Roofs
A green roof can certainly make a building look nicer, but can it measurably lower energy requirements and improve water management? At Penn State University, engineer Jelena Srebric and horticulturist Rob Berghage are working together...
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Profiles of Scientists and Engineers: Exercise Scientist
Meet Beth Mooradian, an exercise scientist at the Gatorade Sport Science Institute. She discusses her work with athletes and how rewarding she finds it. [6:30]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Green Revolution: Electric Vehicles
Lisa Van Pay of the National Science Foundation visits the scientists and engineers working to make the electric car of the future a reality today. They explain their work on the biggest problem, which is storing enough potential energy...
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Profiles of Scientists and Engineers: Materials Engineer
Meet Carlos Barrios, a materials engineer, who shows us some of the latest engineering projects taking place at 3M. His work in adhesives can have applications to such diverse areas as medicine, sports, aerospace, and electronics. He...
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Green Revolution: Biomass
Fuel can be produced from different types of biomass, such as algae and cellulose. These scientists are building an algae reactor, learning how leafcutter ants convert cellulose into sugar, and turning the waste from a sawmill into...
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Profiles of Scientists and Engineers: Biochemist
Meet Roselle Rojas, a biochemist at Gatorade's Sport Science Institute. She works with athletes studying and analyzing their biochemistry. She talks about what she finds rewarding about her career, and what she had to study in order to...
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Green Revolution: Smart Grid
Explore how a smart grid will connect renewable energy resources to our existing power grid for more efficient energy sharing. These researchers are developing control systems that regulate electricity flow, and a device that regulates...
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Profiles of Scientists and Engineers: Civil Engineer
Meet Ken Maschke, a civil engineer at Thornton Tomasetti in Chicago. He shows us some of the challenges he faces, such as the wind force on top of tall buildings and the importance of green energy, and talks about some of the projects he...
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Profiles of Scientists and Engineers: Marine Biologist
Meet Ayana Johnson, a marine biologist who studies coral reefs. She shows us what she does, why it is important work, the benefits of this type of occupation, and what she does for relaxation. [7:57]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Profiles of Scientists and Engineers: Mechanical Engineer
Meet Nate Ball, a mechanical engineer who designs and builds devices that solve problems and even save lives, for example, vaccination devices for remote or disaster areas. He discusses what it's like to be an engineer, a robot project...
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Profiles of Scientists and Engineers: Environmental Engineer
Meet Tamar Losleben, an environmental engineer who works on public health issues. She specializes in water treatment, storage, and sewage treatment. She discusses what it's like to be an environmental engineer, nonprofit projects she...
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Profiles of Scientists & Engineers: Systems & Industrial Engineers
Meet Tom Rust, a systems engineer, and Ashley Benedict, an industrial engineer, who work together on developing and improving hospital workflow efficiency. They discuss what they enjoy about their jobs, and what they do in their free...
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science Behind the News: Tomato Decoded
Scientists from fourteen countries work together to decode the genetic make-up of the tomato. They want to learn which genes control which characteristics, such as flavour, shape, colour, nutritional values, etc. The video looks at the...