Y is for Yield

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Y is for Yield

Last week, we featured NC A&T State University and their state of the art x-ray machine, here. Dr. Collins spent a lot of time showing us what the x-ray CT machine would yield. To simplify the process and concept for non-scientists, he has a presentation in which an apple was scanned. Below, you will see the results. Researchers can image the item at various stages, stripping away matter until precisely what you are looking for remains. In the case of the apple, increasingly, the skin and flesh are not visible, revealing seeds and fiber. You can explain to someone that apples have fiber; however, through this x-ray, you can see the fiber (see below). That is a simplistic view of the capability of the Nonotom-M (TM), x-ray CT machine. Literally, it is a window into the very essence of a product, from an apple to an implanted metal alloy.

As we close out our final ABC Wednesday entry for the year, Y (the penultimate entry in our ABC S.T.E.A.M. series) is for "yield." To yield, in the sense of productivity, is to produce something as a result of time, effort, and work. As non-scientists, our fact finding mission for the A-Z science series has yielded much knowledge and personal growth. Hopefully, it has meant something to you, too. Happy New Years Eve to Greensboro as well as to everyone who is taking the time to read our final post of 2014. See you next year!