Researchers have achieved a record yield of over 1.3 megajoules from fusion reactions at the National Ignition Facility, surpassing previous experiments by an 8-fold and 25-fold margin. This milestone puts scientists at the threshold of fusion ignition, a crucial goal for the facility.
Thermal quenches in fusion devices occur when high-energy electrons escape from the core and fly toward the wall, causing a rapid drop in electron temperature. The researchers propose an analytic model of plasma transport that provides new physical insights into the complex topology of 3-D magnetic field lines.
Researchers have discovered a way to harness hot helium ash to drive rotation in fusion reactors, reducing instabilities and turbulence. By capturing the energy of hot fusion ash via alpha channeling, plasma rotation can be stabilized, leading to improved performance and reduced operating costs.
A new coil design could mitigate disruption-driven runaway electrons in tokamaks. The SPARC team's innovative coil structure addresses the threat by introducing a non-axisymmetric perturbation that spoils confinement and protects the machine.
Researchers track migration of fast ions, revealing routes influenced by Alfvén waves. The observed patterns suggest a large-scale migration among different routes, with some ions escaping the core and others returning to it.
Two independent studies illuminate unexpected substructures in fundamental components of all matter. One study presents new evidence on the EMC effect by tagging spectator neutrons, offering direct insight into its origin. Meanwhile, a team from Fermilab found evidence that antimatter asymmetry plays a crucial role in nucleon properties.
Two independent research groups unveil new measurements to explain the birth of half the universe's elements. One group uses laboratory techniques to hunt for 'astromers,' while the other compares heavy elements in stars to better understand their origin.
Two small-scale experiments, a quantum dark matter detector and a particle accelerator, aim to detect sterile neutrinos. If successful, they could improve cancer treatment by producing radioactive isotopes.
Scientists have made the second-ever measurement of the free neutron lifetime from space, reducing uncertainty by an order of magnitude. This method could bring to an end a decades-long puzzle in fundamental physics and potentially reveal new physics beyond the standard model.
An international team of researchers has made the world's most precise measurement of the neutron's lifetime, which may help answer questions about the early universe. The results represent a more than two-fold improvement over previous measurements, with an uncertainty of less than one-tenth of a percent.
A new study by WMU Professor Michael Famiano and colleagues finds that high magnetic fields in neutron stars can alter the composition of ashes and affect electron capture rates. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of stellar environments and the formation of elements.
A new experiment measures the neutron skin in a calcium nucleus, shedding light on proton-neutron interactions. The results will be presented at the 2021 Fall Meeting of the APS Division of Nuclear Physics.
The latest results from the RHIC Spin Program provide new insights into the contribution of quarks and gluons to a proton's spin. Researchers at Brookhaven Lab have made significant progress in studying the three-dimensional internal structure of protons using collisions of spin-polarized protons at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider ...
Researchers use advanced techniques to analyze ancient coins and paper money, shedding new light on historical events. They find that Emperor Nero was more fiscally responsible than often thought, while Benjamin Franklin played a key role in creating the US dollar.
The 2021 Fall Meeting of the APS Division of Nuclear Physics presents cutting-edge research on nuclear astrophysics, quantum technology, and rare isotopes. Researchers will discuss breakthroughs such as the most precise measurement of neutron lifetime and novel experiments measuring neutron skin in calcium.
Researchers will discuss fundamental questions and applied technologies in physics, including dark matter, quantum information science, and ultrafast physics. New findings on creating unusual non-local interactions and detecting COVID-19 biomarkers with ultrasensitivity will also be presented.
A new approach using reimagined telescopes in both hemispheres could help study dark matter and gravitational waves. The BICEP/Keck array is exploring the possibility of increasing scan length to capture larger areas, yielding promising early results.
Experts warn of potential global catastrophes such as engineered pandemics and nuclear annihilation, while also identifying areas for improvement. Scientists like Martin Rees argue that promoting wise technology deployment can minimize risks and ensure a sustainable future.
A new telescope may be able to spot biosignatures on other planets in just three days, with six gas dwarf planets potentially harboring life. Researchers have calculated that the James Webb Space Telescope could detect ammonia around these planets after a few orbits.
The Electron Ion Collider will take 3D images of electrons colliding with polarized protons and ions, shedding light on fundamental questions in nuclear physics. The collider's experimental equipment may also detect the elusive chiral magnetic effect, a crucial prediction for understanding the universe's matter-antimatter imbalance.
Researchers used NASA's NICER telescope on the International Space Station to measure the size of PSR J0740+6620, the most massive known neutron star. The team's findings provide insights into the squeezability of matter in neutron star cores, shedding light on what happens when neutrons break down into smaller particles.
Researchers detect first evidence of ultrahigh-energy gamma rays spread across the Milky Way, providing proof of cosmic ray superaccelerators. The discovery confirms the existence of PeVatrons and opens new avenues for understanding cosmic ray origins.
The American Physical Society's Division of Fluid Dynamics awarded posters and videos on fluid motion phenomena, including COVID-19 spread and turbulent convection. The gallery highlights the science behind these topics through stunning visuals.
New research reveals that social distancing rules may be futile once indoors due to the dynamic behavior of droplets. The study suggests masks and air quality play a crucial role in disease transmission, with some droplets surviving longer than previously believed.
Engineers have discovered how zinc oxide surfaces and natural hydrodynamic churning can kill pathogens, with applications in water disinfection and airborne virus control. The technique uses reactive oxygen species to damage bacterial cell walls, making it effective against both surface and waterborne pathogens.
The Pneumask device uses full-face snorkel masks with 3D-printed filter-holders to create a comfortable and effective face shield. Researchers also designed filters inspired by the nasal cavities of animals like dogs and pigs, which have super-sensitive sniffers and can block micron-sized particles.
Researchers have discovered that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can swell immediately after an injury or stroke, leading to a more efficient clearance of toxic proteins from the brain. This breakthrough could lead to new insights into health and disease, as well as novel treatments for neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers at NASA's John H. Glenn Research Center use microgravity to study fire whirls, shedding light on ways fires burn without gravity and informing protective measures for astronauts. New computational fluid dynamics models improve predictions of wildfire behavior by accounting for varying fuel moisture content.
Scientists are studying the infrasound signatures of tornadoes to develop more accurate prediction and warning systems. Researchers have found that these vibrations can travel long distances quickly and through different media, potentially allowing for early detection of tornadoes from far away.
Researchers study large-scale wind turbine design to overcome efficiency and cost challenges. Advanced computational methods reveal the physics of giant rotating machines, enabling better understanding of wind turbine wakes and interactions with the atmosphere.
Researchers have created simple and inexpensive ventilators and respiratory apparatuses to treat patients more effectively and prevent disease transmission in hospitals. The devices can be built at home, reducing the risk of infection for medical staff.
A mechanical engineer uses pancake batter to teach students about viscosity, while a group at ETH Zurich studies the stability of foam in beers and breads. The research reveals diverse mechanisms behind fluid dynamics, potentially leading to new materials and applications.
A team from Oklahoma State University developed techniques to model environmental hazards for autonomous aircraft, while another group at the University of Surrey investigated building wakes to enhance air quality. Researchers also found an unbalanced exchange flow in natural ventilation systems, which can slow down cooling.
Researchers studied how icebergs melt and found that their shape affects the rate of melting, with sides facing currents melting faster than parallel sides. This discovery could provide new indicators of climate change by analyzing iceberg shapes.
Researchers studied aerodynamics of infectious disease and found strategies for lowering risk based on understanding how particles mix with air in confined spaces. They proposed a pandemic-sensitive seating model, guidelines for airflow and aerosol emission control, and an app to gauge transmission risk in various settings.
Researchers discussed various topics in plasma physics, including the young solar wind, fusion experiments, and alternative approaches to killing bacteria and viruses. The findings highlight potential pathways for controlled nuclear fusion and applications of plasmas in energy production and medicine.
Recent experiments by Alexander Volkov have shown that plasma delivery improves seed surface properties, accelerating germination and water uptake. The study suggests that plasma could increase yields in countries with harsh winters, particularly for unusual or high-value crops.
Researchers use plasma to kill pathogenic bacteria and viruses on PPE, with promising results shown for N95 masks and other supplies. A low-cost approach also uses ozone generated by a plasma ball to sterilize PPE, potentially reducing thousands of tons of waste per day.
Researchers found that speech can spread salivary and mucus droplets for at least a meter in front of a speaker, potentially transmitting viruses like coronavirus. Using lip balm, the researchers reduced the droplet size, suggesting a possible mitigation strategy.
The Belle II experiment at SuperKEKB Collider has performed the first searches for low mass Z' bosons, hypothetical new particles that could connect ordinary and dark matter. Researchers aim to identify unexpected physical phenomena and develop new principles to improve understanding of the universe.
Researchers recreated a three-dimensional image of brain connectivity using tissue scattering and biophysical models. The findings enhance scientists' ability to conceptualize the brain's architecture by allowing the creation of high-resolution images of nerve fiber arrangements.
Researchers developed a theoretical framework to estimate metal ultimate strength without fit parameters. The new model was able to accurately predict the strengths of nearly 20 different metals.
A new paper suggests an 'axiogenesis' mechanism to explain the imbalance of matter and antimatter in the Universe. The proposed theory involves a rotation of the axion field, which could provide new research avenues for model building and studies of associated phenomenology.
Researchers created a new model to account for wine tears' complex fluid structures, which form due to changes in surface tension induced by alcohol evaporation. The study reveals the interplay between gravity, surface tension, and fluid physics leading to these unusual phenomena.
Researchers have found the first direct correlation between dark matter and gamma rays in the universe. The study used gamma ray data from Fermi Large Area Telescope and mapped it with weak gravitational lensing, providing insights into the nature of dark matter and its potential connection to gamma ray emissions.
Researchers analyzed recorded bird songs and found a relationship between sound frequency and body size, suggesting a biomechanics-based method for predicting bird sizes. The study also confirmed the correlation using museum specimens.
New research on cancer cells' interaction with their environment reveals the importance of physical cues in guiding cell migration. A novel optical tweezer-based tool probes mechanical cues to study tumor behavior.
Researchers studied how infants learn language through vocal interactions with caregivers, identifying key features of effective communication structures. They also analyzed the spread of information on social media and in offline networks, highlighting the importance of accounting for neighbors' biases and geographic segregation.
Science communicators will share unique approaches to engage the public through popular culture, including NASCAR and Star Wars. They aim to bridge the divide between science and the general public by making physics more relatable and accessible.
Scientists develop a new model to predict bacterial resistance to antibiotics and explore approaches for universal flu vaccines. Researchers also create a platform to accelerate drug development and study the impact of antibiotics on gut bacteria.