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American Physical Society


Slipper-shaped blood cells

Red blood cells can deform into an asymmetrical slipper shape when flowing through arteries, a phenomenon that affects blood flow. Simulations suggest this deformation helps the cells catch up with fluid, leading to more efficient blood flow.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 26, 2009

Growing geodesic carbon nanodomes

Graphene nanodomes, formed by concentric rings of carbon atoms, offer new insight into graphene growth and potential methods for assembling components of graphene-based computer circuits. The discovery enables varying the size of the carbon domes from a few nanometers to hundreds of nanometers across.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 12, 2009

Tsunami invisibility cloak, dark energy v. the void, sorting nanotubes with light, and more

Physicists have made groundbreaking discoveries in various fields of research. Researchers created an 'invisibility cloak' for ocean-based structures to withstand tsunamis. Meanwhile, a team at Oxford University proposed that dark energy may be an illusion and instead, we live in a unique void in the universe. Additionally, scientists ...

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 26, 2008

Atoms looser than expected

Scientists at Harvard University have recalculated the fine structure constant, a fundamental force that governs the electromagnetic interaction between charged particles. The new value suggests that atoms are slightly looser than previously thought, with an improved measurement accuracy of six times better.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 15, 2006

APS physics tip sheet #62

Researchers have designed a new quantum processor core that keeps qubits active all the time, enabling faster calculations and making quantum computers more efficient. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in fields like molecular biology, biophysics, and materials science.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 23, 2006

APS physics tip sheet #61

Researchers at Rutgers University duplicated Martian razorback shapes using statically charged sand grains on acrylic. Meanwhile, DNA molecules and carbon nanotubes can convert rotational motion to linear translation, potentially solving a crucial problem in micromachine parts.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 5, 2006

APS Physics Tip Sheet #60

Scientists at Tel Aviv University build a system to create plasma fireballs similar to natural ball lightning, providing insight into the phenomenon. Meanwhile, researchers at Purdue University simulate how to make liquids drip from an opening even without gravity's tug, potentially leading to new applications for printing and microsca...

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 31, 2006

APS Physics Tip Sheet #59

Researchers have successfully detected neutrons with energies typical of fusion reactions in a sonofusion experiment, eliminating earlier concerns about data accuracy. Meanwhile, water molecules have been found to form long, squirming filaments through electronic bonds, providing a clearer picture of their interactions.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 11, 2006

APS physics tip sheet #57

A new nanoparticle sensor developed at the University of Rochester can detect individual flu viruses and particles, setting a high bar for detection techniques. Meanwhile, researchers from the University of Twente have found that thin grooves with sharp edges can speed up drying even in humid conditions.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 18, 2005

APS physics tip sheet #53

New research from Rice University suggests the immune system's mild inefficiency may lead to autoimmune diseases, as its mechanisms for developing antibodies could also attack healthy cells. Ancient neutrinos created in the early universe may provide evidence for or against string theory and quantum loop gravity.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 14, 2005

APS physics tip sheet #51

Researchers have achieved a record-breaking stop of light for over one second using electromagnetically induced transparency. A new model clarifying the mathematical basis for diversity in Darwinian evolution has been developed, suggesting that related species emerging from a common ancestor can quickly evolve in different directions.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 8, 2005

APS physics tip sheet #49

Physicists propose new class of time machines that avoid difficulties inherent in other models. Researchers also analyze lateral vibrations to control friction and crack propagation in thin films. The horizontal Brazil nut effect is studied, showing grain migration to center or edge based on size and density.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 8, 2005

Major missile defense study published

A new study published by the American Physical Society finds that boosting-phase defense systems have significant limitations, making them impractical against many potential threats. The report highlights issues with timing and range, limiting the effectiveness of boost-phase defenses.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalReviews of Modern Physics·DateOct 15, 2004

Physics tip sheet #42

Researchers have developed a technique to improve electromagnetic signal transmission in complex environments using time reversal, which may enhance cell phone communications. Additionally, studying competition dynamics in noisy systems reveals that flexible competitors can increase their prosperity by adjusting their adaptation rate. ...

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 24, 2004

Physics tip sheet #41 - April 5, 2004

Researchers have made groundbreaking discoveries in carbon nanotubes, with the smallest diameter yet found. Additionally, negative refraction has been observed in liquid surface waves, while a new form of high-density water has been discovered at the interface between ice and silicon dioxide.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 5, 2004

Physics tip sheet #40 - March 1, 2004

Researchers have made significant discoveries in controlling friction at the nanometer scale, developing more resilient network architectures, and precisely manipulating millions of atoms. These advancements hold promise for improving nanoengineering applications and enhancing our understanding of fundamental mechanisms.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 1, 2004

Physics tip sheet #39 - Nov. 17, 2003

Researchers have developed ultra-smooth diamond-like carbon that meets the requirements for ultra-high density magnetic storage devices. Additionally, scientists have used live pond snail nerve cells to implement neural memory on a semiconductor chip, while also studying how air bubbles slow sound waves in water.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 17, 2003

Physics tip sheet #38 - November 3, 2003

A new semiconductor material can lead to solar cells with higher efficiency, while a study on magnetic memory devices suggests they could speed up by a factor of 1000. Researchers also found that certain interactions between molecules can create negative friction, which could have applications in fields like photosynthesis and nanoscal...

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 3, 2003

Physics tip sheet #37

Researchers used computer simulations to study explosions in high-energy materials, predicting primary chemical reactions and mechanical stresses. Meanwhile, new models accurately predict lung crackle sounds, potentially aiding diagnosis of pulmonary dysfunctions.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 8, 2003

Physics tip sheet #36 - July 30, 2003

Researchers at UCLA created a 30-cm diameter plasma laser by applying a nonuniform magnetic field. Meanwhile, scientists have made rapid advances in detecting dark matter using weak gravitational lensing experiments. A paper also examines the emerging behavior of complex systems in electronic bidding on online auction sites like eBay.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 30, 2003

Physics tip sheet #35

New study enhances earlier paper on congestive heart failure analysis by adding clinical data, enabling mortality risk determination. Researchers also discover new type of superconductor that carries more current and remains stable in higher magnetic fields. Additionally, carbon nanotube transistors exhibit performance improvements reg...

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 11, 2003

Physics tip sheet #34 - April 1, 2003

Researchers are investigating new methods to combat cancer growth through computer models and cytotoxic treatments. They also discovered that a process called Auger emission can cause electrons to be emitted in well-defined directions by single molecules, leading to potential breakthroughs in physics research.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 1, 2003

Turbulence restrains itself

Turbulence has been observed to generate its own self-regulating flows that destroy turbulent eddies, according to recent experiments at DIII-D. These flows, predicted theoretically and seen in computer simulations, create a 'shearing' or tearing action that destroys turbulent eddies.

Astrophysical jets in the lab

Caltech researchers use magnetic forces to create jet-like structures in a hydrogen plasma experiment, shedding light on the formation of astrophysical jets. The study involves running high electrical currents through a cylindrical metal chamber, producing spiral-shaped plumes similar to those observed in space.

Whip cracking mystery explained

Professor Alain Goriely explains that whip cracking is caused by a sonic boom generated by the loop in the whip, which travels at one speed but parts of it travel twice as fast. The tip's motion is also analyzed to reveal why it wasn't heard when hitting the speed of sound

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 23, 2002