curiosity Archivi - Page 5 of 7

A bizarre scientific experiment: dead crabs chopped into a maze of tubes

Dead crabs shredded and scattered in a maze of pipes built on a beach. It is not a macabre game of a perverse mind, but the scientific experiment conducted by Dartmouth College biologists to see how the specimens of “Birgus Latro” reacted to the death of their fellow.

Here’s what happened: in a few minutes the tubes were literally assaulted by dozens of hermit crabs, recalled by the smell of the dead, with the aim was to grab the shell that he no longer needed from him, that is the ” home ”where you have more space to grow and more protection. No commemoration and no morals, of course. From the scientific point of view, the association between smell (of the dead) and action (finding a better shell) on the part of a species that is not able to produce its own shell independently is extraordinary.

Clutches and steel pipes for welding “Spelacchio”, the Christmas tree of Rome

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“Spelacchio”, Frankenstein fir. The Christmas tree in the center of Piazza Venezia, in the heart of Rome, famous twelve months ago to not be really flourishing, and not so much better this year despite the sponsorship of Netflix, seen close up is even more scary. In fact, the tree was “torn to pieces” to be transported safely from the province of Varese to Rome, about 700 km, and then rebuilt on site. Branches and trunk, strictly numbered, were welded with special L-shaped brackets of about one meter lenght and with steel tubes. And the “abies nordmanniana” conifer specimen has thus reacquired its characteristic cone shape, with a diameter that at the base measures 12 meters and a height of more than 20 meters, capable of supporting 500 spheres of silver and red color.

Robots for inspecting sewer pipes proposed by Danish scientists

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A new research by the University of Aalborg, Denmark, shows that artificial intelligence can also be used profitably for sewerage systems and
water pipelines. In a not too distant future, the sewers of our cities could be traveled back and forth by small surveillance robots equipped with
minicams and sensors, which will send data to a very complex software that, in turn, will be able to automatically find errors in the sewage
system. In this way the pipes can be replaced neither too late, with all the consequent risks, nor too soon, avoiding wasting of public money. Use of artificial intelligence applied to pipes analysis that will save a lot of money and at the same time make the maintenance of the sewers more efficient

With Pipecheck 5.0, faster and more precise analyzes of pipes of any length

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Faster and more precise analysis of pipes of all lengths: that’s what Pipecheck 5.0 allows to make. The new product by Creaform, a specialist in portable 3D measurement and engineering services, allows the assessment of integrity (corrosion, dents or cracks in metal ) of the entire volume of
pipe welds. Through ultrasonic surveys and 3D scans, Pipecheck 5.0 allows a complete evaluation of junctions on pipes with lengths up to 18 meters and a diameter of up to 142 cm, with analysis and creation of on-site reports up to six times faster. The accuracy and repeatability of the 3D mapping
compared to manual surveys (inspections that lasted days can now be performed in a few hours) is vital to safeguard the integrity of the pipelines.

A drainage pipe for rainwater passing over Montecarlo harbour collapsed

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A drainage pipe for rainwater, which passes over the port of Montecarlo, has collapsed under the weight of water at the end of November, with
a collapse of the cast iron pipes that overlook the “Albert II” Nautical Center. No actual damage, but the immediate closure of the building was necessary to inspect the 340 square meters of the ceiling and to avoid risks for the public, sports associations and schools.