Heriot-Watt University Archives

(a) TEM image (mass thickness contrast) of a FIB-prepared cross section showing a deposited porous magnesium silicate layer on a silicon wafer. The layer has a variable thickness and a very high porosity. The thickness of the prepared TEM sample in beam direction is about 100 nm. The metal coating is protecting the surface during the FIB sample preparation. (b) and (c) Magnified view of the porous and foam-like structure of the film. Brighter areas represent less solid material in the beam direction. Areas with pore diameters over 100 nm are scarce, and most pores measure less than 20 nm. -- Heriot-Watt University

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Interstellar, Press Release

Cosmic Dust Necessary To Spark Life In Space

by Keith CowingNovember 25, 2025November 25, 2025

Tiny particles of space dust could be vital for more quickly creating the complex molecules needed for life, scientists say.

JWST MIRI MRS spectra of DQ Tau. Various colors mark the different observing epochs, whose dates and the corresponding orbital phases are indicated in the upper left corner. The bottom panel shows the continuum-subtracted spectra shifted along the y axis for clarity. -- astro-ph

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release

Space Dust Is Spongier Than We Thought

by Keith CowingOctober 1, 2025October 1, 2025

Cosmic dust – the tiny particles that help form stars, planets and the chemical building blocks of life – might be much spongier and fluffier than long assumed, according to […]

Extinction events, Impact events, Press Release

An Asteroid Impact Crater Beneath The North Atlantic Ocean – And The Demise Of Dinosaurs

by Keith CowingAugust 18, 2022August 18, 2022

Scientists have found evidence of an asteroid impact crater beneath the north Atlantic ocean. The 8.5km-wide crater is buried 300-400m below the seabed 400km off the coast of Guinea, west […]