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American Institute of Physics


Understanding Mercury's magnetic tail

Researchers found that plasmoid reconnection in Mercury's magnetotail could accelerate energetic electrons, solving a puzzle left by previous space missions. The study also revealed that turbulence enhances reconnection, leading to improved predictions for future missions like Bepi-Colombo.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateApr 17, 2018

The search for dark matter widens

Astronomers have discovered a new material that could directly detect dark matter particles, expanding the search scope to unexplored mass ranges. The material detects electrons recoiling from collisions with dark matter particles and operates near absolute zero.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateMar 20, 2018

The view from inside supersonic combustion

Researchers used numerical modeling to study the dynamics of supersonic flow, revealing two induced combustion modes and a local quasi detonation mode due to incident shock waves. The simulations provide valuable insights for scramjet engine design, enabling the optimization of mixing and combustion processes.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateMar 15, 2018

Engineering a new spin for disease diagnostics

A new liquid biopsy platform uses centrifugal microfluidics to isolate and enrich circulating disease biomarkers from patient blood, promising a less invasive diagnostic procedure. The technique, called μCENSE, separates vesicles containing biomarkers using centrifugal force, reducing extraction time from hours to minutes.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiomicrofluidics·DateMar 6, 2018

A simple trick for modeling calcium

Researchers have developed a straightforward modification to computer models of calcium ions that leads to highly accurate simulations. The new model can simulate calcium interactions with proteins and other molecules, providing powerful tools for studying biological processes.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateMar 6, 2018

MEMS chips get metalenses

Researchers developed a device that combines metasurface lenses with MEMS technology, enabling fast scanning and beam steering. The integrated device can control the angular rotation of a flat lens and scan the focal spot by several degrees.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Photonics·DateFeb 20, 2018

First 3-D imaging of excited quantum dots

A US research team has successfully imaged excited quantum dots at multiple orientations using a new technique called single molecule absorption scanning tunneling microscopy (SMA-STM). This allows for the visualization of defects in quantum dots, which can be characterized and precisely controlled to improve their performance.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateFeb 8, 2018

Hybrid electrolyte enhances supercapacitance in vertical graphene nanosheets

Researchers discovered a hybrid electrolyte that combines aqueous and organic characteristics to increase the performance of vertical graphene nanosheets in supercapacitors. The hybrid electrolyte and potassium hydroxide activation improved nanostructure and charge storage capacity, resulting in fivefold improvements in capacitance.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateDec 5, 2017

Protein-folding simulations sped up

A new algorithm can speed up protein-folding simulations, allowing researchers to model phenomena that were previously out of reach. This technique can help scientists better understand and treat diseases like Alzheimer's, which is associated with amyloid-beta protein fragments forming hard plaques that disrupt neurons.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateDec 5, 2017