The plasma physics of grapes in the microwave

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The arc between two grapes when heated in a microwave oven.

Ever wondered why sparks fly when you microwave two closely spaced grapes? While this simple way of generating a spectacular plasma has intrigued the general public, there has also been a long-running debate about exactly what physics is involved in the process. Dr Kwo Ray Chu and his team at National Taiwan University have recently unraveled the physics behind it. […]

A sustainability assessment system for bridge engineering

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Dr Liu proposes a new sustainability assessment system that can assess the sustainability of a project, allowing for more green civil infrastructures

Dr Tai-Yi Liu, Chief and Professional Engineer with the New Asia Construction and Development Corporation, together with colleagues from the National Taiwan University, has developed a tool for assessing sustainability for green civil infrastructures. This innovative Sustainability Assessment System for Green Civil Infrastructure provides a functional and reliable tool to help engineers develop more ecologically and environmentally friendly civil infrastructures. […]

The wisdom of the crowd: A new typology for crowdsourcing

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hands raise lightbulbs, collective ideas

Dr Helen K. Liu from the National Taiwan University provides a typology for crowdsourcing public services based on theories of coproduction, public sector volunteerism, and government–citizen relations. Having carried out an extensive review of existing literature on crowdsourcing, she systematically examined the fundamental concepts applied to defining the role of citizens engaged in crowdsourcing practices in the public sector. The […]