We identify distinct mechanisms controlling slowing of nanoparticle diffusion through complex media featuring both rigid geometrical confinement and soft mobile crowders. Towards this end, we use confocal microscopy and single particle tracking to probe the diffusion of 400 nm nanoparticles suspended in Newtonian water, in a Newtonian glycerol/water mixture, or in a non-Newtonian polymer soluti...

Understanding erosion and entrainment of material by debris flows is essential for predicting modelling debris-flow volume growth hazard potential. Recent advances in field, laboratory studies have distilled two driving forces behind erosion: impact shear forces. How these depend on composition interact remains unclear. Here, we experimentally investigate the effects processes a small-scale flu...

The microgravity experienced during space flight induces physiological changes that affect astronauts' health and performance. Simulations such as prolonged bed rest can mimic some of these changes and provide study conditions that are more accessible than during space flight itself. Previous studies, including several long and short-term bed-rest campaigns supported by ESA, have yielded signif...

In a quiescent atmosphere, the flame spread process in porous fuels is controlled to large degree by fuel bed structure, loading and bulk density, moisture content. Previous studies have shown that increases rate, fire intensity burning rate are observed with independent or decreases however neither of these parameters adequately describe physical processes control spread. A series laboratory-b...

We present a brief overview of test-bed observations on accreting neutron star binaries for the Simbol-X mission. We show that Simbol-X will provide unique observations able to disclose the physical mechanisms responsible for their high energy emission.

As one of the most notorious ectoparasites, bed bugs rely heavily on human or animal blood sources for survival, mating and reproduction. Chemoreception, mediated by the odorant receptors on the membrane of olfactory sensory neurons, plays a vital role in their host seeking and risk aversion processes. We investigated the responses of odorant receptors to a large spectrum of semiochemicals, inc...