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American Institute of Physics


How much can a mode-2 wave move?

Mode-2 waves can carry beneficial and detrimental materials between ecosystems, trapping them inside layers of different densities. Researchers found that larger bulges result in more material carried by the wave, while small regions of turbulence can cause it to break down.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateMay 24, 2016

Best of both worlds

Ferromagnetic semiconductors have overcome a longstanding physical constraint by growing iron-doped semiconductors at room temperature. This breakthrough enables new opportunities for utilizing spin degrees of freedom in semiconductor devices, such as spin transistors.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMay 9, 2016

From lighting screens to lighting homes

Researchers at Kyung Hee University propose a model to recycle lithium ion batteries into energy storage units for solar-powered LED lamps, reducing e-waste and providing job opportunities. The system can light up a room for about five hours each day, lasting approximately three years without maintenance.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateApr 19, 2016

Physicists discover flaws in superconductor theory

Researchers discovered significant deviations from the Critical State Model, revealing unexpected behavior favorable for practical applications. The study suggests using 'trapped field magnets' in various new ways and applications, including replacing expensive low-temperature superconducting magnets with more affordable alternatives.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateApr 8, 2016

Cooling chips with the flip of a switch

Researchers at Penn State University have developed a unique blend of ferroelectric polymers that can hold absorbed heat even after the external field has been switched off. This allows the material to generate cooling when the field is turned on, but no subsequent heating when the field is turned off.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateApr 5, 2016

Separating charge and discharge in measuring next-generation car batteries

Researchers at Southwest Jiaotong University developed an improved algorithm to estimate lithium ion phosphate battery state of charge by separately measuring charging and discharging states. This allows for more accurate estimation amidst initial inaccuracies and varying dynamic characteristics among batteries in series.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateMar 29, 2016

Printing nanomaterials with plasma

Researchers developed a new method that uses plasma to deposit nanomaterials onto flexible surfaces and 3-D objects. The technique can produce wearable chemical and biological sensors, flexible memory devices, batteries, and integrated circuits with improved efficiency and reduced costs.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMar 22, 2016

Scratching the surface: Real-time monitoring of surface changes at the atomic level

A French research team, led by Dr. Frédéric Leroy, has created a method for real-time monitoring of surface changes at the atomic level. The approach enables them to study the kinetics of silicon dioxide decomposition onto silicon during thermal treatment, revealing a non-homogeneous process involving hole nucleation and opening.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMar 15, 2016

Outsourcing crystal growth...to space

Japanese researchers grew protein crystals in space using interferometry to measure growth rate and dissolution properties. The results showed an increased growth rate despite expected suppression of solution convection, which may be due to suppressed transport speed of impurity molecules.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateMar 15, 2016

Warming up optoelectronic research

A team of US/UK physicists has developed a new material that can control excitons at room temperature, making it easier to manipulate these bound pairs of electrons and electron holes. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of new optoelectronic devices for commercial applications.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMar 7, 2016

Better biopsies through biofluidics

Researchers have developed a new method to acquire three-dimensional atlases of tissue that provide much more information, incorporating data on tissue structure and molecular profile. The new technique enables doctors or researchers to peer into the tissue and identify specific proteins within cells throughout the whole tissue.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiomicrofluidics·DateMar 1, 2016

Absorbing acoustics with soundless spirals

Researchers at CNRS and University of Lorraine develop a coiled-up acoustic metasurface that achieves total acoustic absorption in very low-frequency ranges. The absorber's deep-subwavelength thickness enables it to handle large wavelengths with reduced size structure, making it physically practical for most applications.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 9, 2016

Nanodevice, build thyself

Researchers used density functional theory to understand the self-assembly of porphine molecules on copper and silver surfaces. They found that weak van der Waals interactions were the largest contributor to molecule-surface interaction, and surface-mediated molecule-molecule interactions occurred at higher coverages.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateJan 14, 2016

Thermal microscopy of single cells

A team of researchers developed a new imaging approach that provides images of a single cell with micrometer resolution using a contrast based on the cell's thermal properties. This technique allows for unprecedented sensitivity in detecting diseased conditions at the sub-cell scale and may aid in optimizing cryopreservation processes.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateDec 29, 2015

Building blocks for GaN power switches

A team of engineers has created gallium nitride (GaN) power diodes with record-low defect concentrations, enabling efficient control and distribution of electricity. The discovery is significant as GaN materials are notorious for their defects and reliability issues, but the new devices show promise in addressing these challenges.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateDec 15, 2015

On-the-go ultrahigh vacuum storage systems

Researchers developed a portable ultrahigh vacuum storage system to securely transport air-sensitive platinum metal clusters for XAFS measurements. The 'suitcase' can store up to three samples and is designed for public transportation, reducing travel time and increasing accessibility.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Vacuum Science & Technology A Vacuum Surfaces and Films·DateDec 8, 2015

Forming glass shapes: Lowering the 'softening temperature' via electric field

Researchers at Lehigh University and the University of Colorado Boulder discovered that an electric field can lower the softening temperature of glass, allowing for significant energy savings in traditional forming approaches. This phenomenon has potential applications in micro- and nano-forming operations and high-precision nanostamping.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateNov 3, 2015

Physics of booming and burping sand dunes revealed

A team of researchers from Caltech and the University of Cambridge discovered that booming and burping sounds emanating from sand dunes are different acoustic phenomena governed by distinct physical principles. The study found that booming sounds originate from linear P-waves, while burping sounds correspond to surface Rayleigh waves.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateOct 27, 2015