Latest science news in Physics & Chemistry
What camera mode to use and when
Yeah, that looks... complicated. (Math / Unsplash/)Cameras are complicated machines designed to harness the laws of physics to create a permanent visual record of the wonders that surround us. And take selfies. To...
Physicists develop world's best quantum bits
A team of researchers at UCLA has set a new record for preparing and measuring the quantum bits, or qubits, inside of a quantum computer without error. The techniques they...
A theoretical boost to nano-scale devices
Semiconductor companies are struggling to develop devices that are mere nanometers in size, and much of the challenge lies in being able to more accurately describe the underlying physics at...
Highly efficient charge-to-spin interconversion in graphene heterostructures
KAIST physicists described a route to design the energy-efficient generation, manipulation and detection of spin currents using nonmagnetic two-dimensional materials. The research team, led by Professor Sungjae Cho, observed highly...
Formate dehydrogenase reduces carbon dioxide to formic acid
Professor Yutaka Amao of the Osaka City University Artificial Photosynthesis Research Center and Ryohei Sato, a 1st year Ph.D. student of the Graduate School of Science majoring in Physics and...
Electric vehicles have come a long way since the 1890s
Wood wheels and 24 batteries helped this whip go down in infamy. (Courtesy american-automobiles.com/)Battery-powered whips might seem like novel additions to your local thoroughfares, but they’ve actually been around for more than a...
Scientists propose new material to modify surface properties
Researchers from the Skoltech Center for Design, Manufacturing and Materials (CDMM) proposed using sulfonimide-based dendrimers to make one-molecule thick films and actually created such protective water-repellent film from the new...
Physicists offer a new 'spin' on memory
Imagine biting into a peanut butter sandwich and discovering a slice of cheese tucked between the bread and the butter. In a way, this is what happened to a team...
High hopes for new-age rubber: 'Self-repairing' material has many industrial uses
Imagine a self-repairing rubber, or super-adhesive made entirely from waste materials.
Observing the path less traveled boosts quantum gain
When probing the subtle effects of quantum mechanics, all the parameters in the system and its measurements need to be finely tuned to observe the result you are hoping for....
'Tantalizing' clues about why a mysterious material switches from conductor to insulator
Tantalum disulfide is a mysterious material. According to textbook theory, it should be a conducting metal, but in the real world, it acts like an insulator. Using a scanning tunneling...
A new library of atomically thin 2-D materials
National University of Singapore (NUS) researchers have created a whole new library of atomically thin two-dimensional (2-D) materials, christened "ic-2-D," to denote a class of materials based on self-intercalation of...
Discovery of unknown hydrogen in mid-ocean ridge points to hidden biosphere
By providing the first estimate of how much hydrogen is available to fuel microbial life in the sunless sub-seafloor crust beneath the Mid-Ocean Ridge (MOR), a new Duke University-led study...
Riddled with holes: Making flexible thin-film electronics more durable
The prospect of the widespread commercialization and application of flexible electronics has kept researchers worldwide searching for ingenious ways to enhance their performance and durability. From wearable smart devices to...
Interfaces the key in atomically-thin, 'high-temperature' superconductors
An international FLEET collaboration publishing a review of atomically-thin 'high temperature' superconductors finds that each has a common driving mechanism: interfaces.
'Tantalizing' clues about why a mysterious material switches from conductor to insulator
Tantalum disulfide is a mysterious material. According to textbook theory, it should be a conducting metal, but in the real world it acts like an insulator. Using a scanning tunneling...
Double helix of masonry: Researchers discover the secret of Italian renaissance domes
Researchers found that the masonry of Italian renaissance domes, such as the duomo in Florence, use a double-helix structure that is self-supporting during and after construction. Their study is the...
The coronavirus might have weak spots—and machine learning could help find them
Chemically speaking, proteins might be the most sophisticated molecules out there. Millions of different kinds of them live within our cells and work together as a fine-tuned orchestra catalyzing the...
A system for robust and efficient wireless power transfer
Current methods for charging electronic devices via wireless technology only work if the overall system parameters are set up to match a specific transfer distance. As a result, these methods...
After the coronavirus, the race to resume film production goes global
As the shutdown drags on, several countries have raised their flags, vying for production, touting their incentives, facilities and locations but also their low COVID-19 numbers, testing capabilities and safety...
Watch: John Krasinski thanks fans on 'SGN,' says series going on break
John Krasinski paid homage to fans on the latest episode of his YouTube series, "Some Good News."
Returning to college may be the only attractive option for undrafted MLB prospects
With MLB cutting its draft to five rounds and capping the signing bonus for undrafted players at $20,000, the message is clear: Go back to college.
This video demo shows just how impressive next-gen game console graphics will be
Video game developers often talk about immersion—a title’s ability to draw players in and create a realistic experience that helps players forget about the outside world and its litany of horrors. Battling in-game...
Modified adsorbent with conductive polymer grabs uranium from seawater quickly
New material could help extract oceans' vast but dilute supply of nuclear fuel
Observation of intervalley transitions can boost valleytronic science and technology
An international research team has observed light emission from a new type of transition between electronic valleys, known as intervalley transmissions. The research provides a new way to read out...
Using big data to design gas separation membranes, reduce CO2
Researchers have developed a method that combines big data and machine learning to selectively design gas-filtering polymer membranes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Their study is the first to apply...
Topological waves may help in understanding plasma systems
A research team has predicted the presence of 'topologically protected' electromagnetic waves that propagate on the surface of plasmas, which may help in designing new plasma systems like fusion reactors.
'Lean lab' approach enables quick research ramp down
New 'lean lab' management principles are demonstrating benefits that include cost savings, increased productivity, and a strong safety record.