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American Institute of Physics


Magnetic memories manipulated by voltage, not heat

Scientists from Tsinghua University tested three structures commonly used in magnetic memory experiments and found that voltage directly controls changes in the magnetic properties of all three materials. This is a significant advantage for real-world device performance, as it eliminates the need for heat-controlled systems.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateAug 29, 2011

Bending light with better precision

Researchers have created a technique to control the speed and direction of light using memory metamaterials, which can repeatedly change their properties. This innovation enables the manufacture of Gradient Index of Refraction (GRIN) devices for imaging and communication technologies with unprecedented precision.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateAug 15, 2011

Motorcycle helmets hard on hearing

Researchers found that the area underneath the helmet and near the chin bar generates significant noise that reaches riders' sensitive eardrums. Future tests aim to design quieter helmets using the findings, which may be used to save riders' ears.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateJul 29, 2011

Solar cells get a boost from bouncing light

A new solar cell design boosts electricity generation by 26% through bouncing light, increasing the potential of dye-sensitized solar cells. The layered structure, consisting of micrometer-scale spheres and nanoscale particles, enhances light absorption and conversion efficiency.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateJul 29, 2011

Ordered fear plays a strong role in market chaos

A study analyzing stock market volatility over 50 years reveals the existence of hidden temporal order and high correlations between fear-driven market fluctuations and price variations. This discovery implies that traditional investment strategies should incorporate consideration for the 'volatility of volatility' in portfolio design.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAIP Advances·DateJun 8, 2011

New 3-D tumor model

A team of scientists has created a new 3D tumor model that can grow in a realistic and easily accessible substrate, speeding up cancer drug discovery. The model's 3D nature provides a more accurate representation of how tumors grow in the body, reducing the likelihood of promising drugs failing during animal testing.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiomicrofluidics·DateJun 8, 2011

Sound research at Acoustical Society meeting

Researchers at the Boys Town National Research Hospital found that noisy classrooms significantly affect young students' ability to learn. Meanwhile, a new study on deaf infants with cochlear implants shows they don't automatically know how to listen when people speak. Cognitive psychologists also explored the power of single words in ...

Nanoparticles increase biofuel performance

A new study reveals that alumina nanoparticles enhance biodiesel combustion, increasing fuel efficiency while decreasing nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide emissions. Researchers are now exploring other types of nanoparticles for potential engine lubrication and cooling systems.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateApr 8, 2011

Force of acoustical waves tapped for metamaterials

Researchers have created a simple bench-top technique to harness the force of acoustical waves, enabling the creation of various 3D structures. This technology has the potential to become a platform technology for the creation of new materials with extensive flexibility in terms of periodicity and material variety.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateApr 5, 2011

New instrument for analyzing viruses

Scientists have developed an instrument called PING that can analyze thousands of potential interactions between viruses and human cells. This device detects molecular interactions at a sensitivity 100- to 1,000-time greater than current methods, making it a promising tool for finding new treatments for viral infections.

Making viruses pass for 'safe'

A team of scientists at the University of Pennsylvania has engineered a lentiviral vector that expresses CD47, a protein found on all cells, on its surface. This allows the virus to avoid being detected by the immune system, potentially making it safer for gene therapy and drug delivery.

Flipping a switch on neuron activity

Researchers at the University of California and Germany have developed light-sensing modules to attach to neuronal molecules, allowing for real-time study of complex cascades. This breakthrough enables selective activation of individual classes of molecules, paving the way for new treatments for vision impairments.

New method for reporting solar data

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a new method for reporting solar data, allowing policymakers and businesses to understand solar resources. The method presents solar data in a geographic information system (GIS) format, providing daily, monthly, and yearly averages.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateJan 11, 2011

Trapped sunlight cleans water

Researchers developed a planar microfluidic reactor that harnesses sunlight to break down contaminants in water using photocatalysis. The technology has shown dramatic improvements in efficiency, with plans to scale up the process for industrial water treatment applications.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiomicrofluidics·DateJan 11, 2011

Measuring fatigue through the voice

Australian researchers found that as fatigue progresses, speech slows and variations in pitch increase, indicating a loss of control over the muscles producing speech. The study provides a novel method for analyzing the effects of fatigue on the central nervous system through acoustic analysis.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateDec 22, 2010

Making wafers faster by making features smaller

Researchers developed a new intense 13.5-nm light source using tin and lithium plasmas, which can reduce feature size by an order of magnitude, resolving the fundamental limit in semiconductor manufacturing. The technology has shown promising results, with tin plasmas producing twice as much emission as lithium plasmas.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateDec 14, 2010

Iridium memories

Researchers incorporated nanocrystals of iridium into flash memory designs, demonstrating excellent memory properties and thermal stability. Iridium's high work function and melting point make it an attractive option for improving nonvolatile memory with enhanced trapping ability.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateDec 14, 2010