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Study reveals ordinary glass's extraordinary properties

Ultrastable glasses have been produced in days or hours with properties matching those of thousands-year-old materials. These advancements could lead to stronger metals and faster-acting pharmaceuticals., Computer simulations confirmed the findings, revealing a correlation between molecular structure and physical properties.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 6, 2013

Less wear, longer life for memory storage device

A research team at Intel Corp. has developed a long-lasting ultrahigh-density probe storage device by coating probe tips with a thin metal film, reducing wear and increasing the device's lifetime to over 8 kilometers. The device features an array of 5,000 ultrasharp probes that write tiny bits of memory as small as a few nanometers.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateSep 12, 2012

University of Alberta medical scientists first in the world to look at structure of vital molecule

University of Alberta medical scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding the structure of molybdenum, a critical metal in human health. The research reveals two forms of the molecule with distinct functions, providing new insights into diseases such as metabolic and respiratory disorders.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 7, 2012

Turbulences at a standstill

Theoretical physicist Dima Shepelyansky found that energy flows from large to small scales can be prevented under specific conditions, similar to the way electron currents are stopped in disordered solids. This discovery links chaos theory and turbulence, highlighting a phenomenon where energy threshold plays a crucial role.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateJul 27, 2012

Researchers create 'rubber-band electronics'

Scientists have developed a design that allows electronics to bend and stretch up to 200%, overcoming the major obstacle of rigid electronics. This breakthrough enables medical monitoring devices to track vital signs and transmit them wirelessly, opening up new possibilities for patient care.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 2, 2012

Helping superconductors turn up the heat

Researchers at the University of Miami introduced a breakthrough theory that explains high-temperature superconductivity. The team found that specific quantum effects can generate superpositions of individual states, providing an effective glue to repair the system and allow superconducting behavior to emerge.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalEPL (Europhysics Letters)·DateJun 18, 2012

A new spin on antifreeze

Harvard University researchers invent a way to keep metal surfaces free of ice and frost using ultra slippery anti-ice and anti-frost surfaces. The technology, called SLIPS, prevents ice sheets from developing on surfaces and allows for easy removal of ice with tilting or slight agitation.

SourceHarvard University·JournalACS Nano·DateJun 11, 2012

Fluoride shuttle increases storage capacity

Researchers at KIT develop a new concept for rechargeable batteries based on fluoride shuttles, increasing storage capacity by several factors. The fluoride-ion battery offers improved safety properties without lithium, with potential applications in mobile devices.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry·DateOct 21, 2011

Tunable nano-suspensions for light harvesting

Researchers at Syracuse University have developed tunable nano-suspensions capable of capturing specific wavelengths of sunlight, paving the way for improved solar energy efficiency and smart glass technologies. By manipulating the composition of the suspension, scientists can achieve optimal optical properties.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateAug 20, 2011

Shooting light a curve

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have demonstrated a technique to control the curved trajectories of Airy beams in real-time, enabling fast-as-light communication systems and optoelectronic devices. This breakthrough uses plasmonic Airy beams to manipulate surface plasmon polaritons, opening doors to new technologies in nano-photonics, biol...

Counting on bigger mining returns

A new study developed by McGill Professor Roussos Dimitrakopoulos has created more accurate mine planning models that take into account uncertainty in the supply of minerals. This results in higher return on investment for mining companies while increasing metal production from the same asset.

Sleeping Trojan horse to aid imaging of diseased cells

Researchers at Cardiff University have developed a 'sleeping Trojan horse' delivery system that enables the efficient transport of metal ions into cells, opening up new possibilities for medical imaging. This innovative approach resolves some of the difficulties associated with traditional 'Trojan Horse' techniques.

SourceCardiff University·JournalChemical Communications·DateFeb 17, 2011

Chemistry for greenhouse gases

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a new metal complex that can convert methane into ethane, a crucial step towards building longer-chain hydrocarbons as alternative energy sources. This breakthrough could pave the way for a cleaner and more sustainable method of producing fuels from greenhouse gases.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateNov 29, 2010

Vacuum arcs spark new interest

Scientists model vacuum breakdown to understand its implications for applications, including particle accelerators and fusion reactors. A new model reveals that the breakdown arc is triggered by an electric field tearing apart the metal surface, leading to extremely damaging effects.

A forest of nanorods

By using glancing-angle deposition, researchers can create a forest of nanorods on a target surface, which offers a range of potential applications including nanosensors and fuel-cell cathodes. This technique extends shadowing effects to higher temperatures, leading to larger-diameter nanorods with unique properties.

Nano antenna concentrates light

Researchers at Rice University have developed a nano antenna that can concentrate light by a factor of 1,000. By measuring the electrical current flowing between two gold tips separated by a nanoscale gap, they were able to determine the amplification of light intensity in the gap.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 20, 2010

Turning metal black more than just a novelty

Researchers at the University of Rochester have discovered a method to turn metals black using a high-intensity laser burst, allowing them to detect electromagnetic radiation in the terahertz range. This technology has the potential to enable unprecedented diagnoses of diseases by detecting molecular properties of diseased tissues.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateDec 8, 2009