Latest science news in Physics & Chemistry
Multiphase buffering by ammonia explains wide range of atmospheric aerosol acidity
Aerosols are tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the air. They influence the climate by absorbing or scattering sunlight and serving as cloud condensation nuclei. Moreover, they can impact...
New machine learning-assisted method rapidly classifies quantum sources
For quantum optical technologies to become more practical, there is a need for large-scale integration of quantum photonic circuits on chips.
Atomic-level insights help to reduce degradation in fuel cells and extend their lifetime
Vehicles powered by polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are energy-efficient and eco-friendly, but despite increasing public interest in PEMFC-powered transportation, current performance of materials that are used in fuel...
Phasing quantum annealers into experiments from nonequilibrium physics
It is established that matter can transition between different phases when certain parameters, such as temperature, are changed. Although phase transitions are common (like water turning into ice in a...
Quirky response to magnetism presents quantum physics mystery
The search is on to discover new states of matter, and possibly new ways of encoding, manipulating, and transporting information. One goal is to harness materials' quantum properties for communications...
Researcher creates an ultra-simple inexpensive method to fabricate optical fiber
A novel process to fabricate special optical fiber that is far simpler, faster and cheaper than the conventional method has been developed by Cristiano Cordeiro, a researcher and professor at...
High-precision electrochemistry: The new gold standard in fuel cell catalyst development
Scientists have made a pivotal discovery that could extend the lifetime of fuel cells that power electric vehicles by eliminating the dissolution of platinum catalysts.
Anti-bacterial graphene face masks
Researchers have successfully produced laser-induced graphene masks with an anti-bacterial efficiency of 80 percent, which can be enhanced to almost 100 percent within 10 minutes under sunlight. Initial tests also...
Inexpensive, non-toxic nanofluid could be a game-changer for oil recovery
Researchers from the University of Houston have demonstrated that an inexpensive and non-toxic nanofluid can be used to efficiently recover even heavy oil with high viscosity from reservoirs.
Nanophysics: Spectral classification of excitons
Ultrathin layers of tungsten diselenide have potential applications in opto-electronics and quantum technologies. Researchers have now explored how this material interacts with light in the presence of strong magnetic fields.
Air Force fixes battery testing failure in KC-135, C-130
Airmen from Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Ohio and Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma have updated procedures for testing the condition of aircraft batteries on the KC-135 Stratotanker...
Metallic hydrogen simulations reconcile experimental results
Calculations suggest that recent studies found a semimetallic state. The models could predict how soon scientists will make the real thing.
Giant particle accelerator in the sky
A new study shows that electrons in the radiation belts can be accelerated to very high speeds locally. The study shows that magnetosphere works as a very efficient particle accelerator...
Superconductors are super resilient to magnetic fields
A professor provides a new theoretical mechanism that explains the ability of superconductive materials to bounce back from being exposed to a magnetic field. This work may lead to energy...
Multiphase buffer theory explains contrasts in atmospheric aerosol acidity
Aerosol acidity largely regulates the chemistry of atmospheric particles, and resolving the drivers of aerosol pH is key to understanding their environmental effects. We find that an individual buffering agent...
Self-limiting directional nanoparticle bonding governed by reaction stoichiometry
Nanoparticle clusters with molecular-like configurations are an emerging class of colloidal materials. Particles decorated with attractive surface patches acting as analogs of functional groups are used to assemble colloidal molecules...
Direct laser cooling of a symmetric top molecule
Ultracold polyatomic molecules have potentially wide-ranging applications in quantum simulation and computation, particle physics, and quantum chemistry. For atoms and small molecules, direct laser cooling has proven to be a...
Structural basis of transcription-translation coupling and collision in bacteria
Prokaryotic messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are translated as they are transcribed. The lead ribosome potentially contacts RNA polymerase (RNAP) and forms a supramolecular complex known as the expressome. The basis of...
Scale-free ferroelectricity induced by flat phonon bands in HfO2
Discovery of robust yet reversibly switchable electric dipoles at reduced dimensions is critical to the advancement of nanoelectronics devices. Energy bands flat in momentum space generate robust localized states that...
How raging wildfires create a hellish red sky
The more smoke particles in the air, the fewer baby blue wavelengths make it through. (Pexels /)If you live in the Bay Area and happen to peek outside your window, it probably...
Merger of Sinochem and ChemChina, long rumored, is confirmed
Combination of two state-owned Chinese firms will create a chemical behemoth
New ultrafast yellow laser poised to benefit biomedical applications
Researchers have developed a new compact and ultrafast, high-power yellow laser. The tunable laser exhibits excellent beam quality and helps fill the need for a practical yellow light source emitting...
Watch: Phoebe Bridgers performs 'I Know the End' during Tiny Desk concert
Phoebe Bridgers performed three songs from her album "Punisher" during an at-home stream for NPR.
New method prevents quantum computers from crashing
Quantum information is fragile, which is why quantum computers must be able to correct errors. But what if whole qubits are lost? Researchers are now presenting a method that allows...
Restless nature of human spinal cord revealed by non-invasive functional imaging
Scientists have developed a non-invasive technique for unraveling the complex dynamics generated by spinal cord circuits to unprecedented detail, a first in functional magnetic resonance imaging that may one day...
Transistor-integrated cooling for a more powerful chip
Researchers have created a single chip that combines a transistor and micro-fluidic cooling system. Their research should help save energy and further shrink the size of electronic components.
Dish towels to tackle almost any mess
Keep your kitchen and cookware clean. (Caroline Attwood via Unsplash/)We’ve all been there: coffee overflows from your pour over device; a kid spills milk; oil splatters outside the saucepan. A quality dish towel...
New microfluidic device minimizes loss of high value samples
A major collaborative effort has resulted in a significant technical advance in X-ray crystallographic sample strategies.