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Researchers develop novel biomimetic fabrication technique for flexible electronics such as wearable sensors and electronic skins

A research team at the University of Turku developed a novel biomimetic fabrication technique to replicate bioinspired microstructures found in plant leaf skeletons. The resulting surfaces offer superior flexibility, breathability, and transparency, making them ideal for next-generation flexible electronics.

SourceUniversity of Turku·Journalnpj Flexible Electronics·DateMar 24, 2025

Quantum fractal patterns visualized

Researchers at Princeton University have directly observed a long-predicted quantum fractal pattern, known as Hofstadter's butterfly, in a real material. The discovery was made possible by a breakthrough in materials engineering and uses scanning tunneling microscopy to study the electron energy levels.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature·DateFeb 26, 2025

IEEE study reveals breakthroughs in high-performance photon detectors

Researchers developed a fabrication technique to overcome design challenges for scalable single-photon detectors, enabling ultra-fast detection of photons regardless of direction or polarization. The study provides a comprehensive guide to fabricating high-quality fractal SNSPDs with improved sensitivity and system detection efficiency.

SourceInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers·JournalIEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2025

Branch patterns in trees and art

Researchers found branch patterns in art to mirror those in nature, with values of α ranging from 1.5 to 2.8, corresponding to natural trees. Abstract artworks can be visually identified as trees using realistic α values, while works deviating from scaling exhibit reduced recognition.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateFeb 11, 2025

Observation of nonlinear fractal higher-order topological insulator

A team of scientists has reported the experimental observation of a nonlinear fractal higher-order topological insulator, which supports a rich variety of topological corner states. The fractal structure can exhibit hybrid corner states and co-existing outer corner states with different internal structures.

Study identifies universal blueprint for mammalian brain shape

Researchers have identified a universal blueprint for mammalian brain shape, describing the cerebral cortex as following a fractal pattern across species. The study suggests that cortices across primate species resemble this universal scaling law and self-similarity, revealing a common set of mechanisms governing cortical folding.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateJul 30, 2024

Can a computer chip have zero energy loss in 1.58 dimensions?

Theoretical physicists at Utrecht University have discovered that fractals might hold the key to making electric currents flow without energy loss. By growing fractal structures on top of semiconductors, scientists have created materials with zero-dimensional corner modes and lossless one-dimensional edge states.

SourceUtrecht University, Faculty of Science·JournalNature Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 1, 2024

Ice-ray patterns: A rediscovery of past design for the future

A study discovers that traditional Chinese ice-ray lattice designs can provide unique stiffness and strength under asymmetric loads, offering an alternative to conventional gridshells. The research also explores the potential of integrating complex geometry into facade design and micro-scale material design.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalFrontiers of Architectural Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 20, 2024

A butterfly flaps its wings and scientists make jewelry

Researchers from the University of Calabria used 3D printing to turn chaotic structures into unique jewelry, exploring the beauty of complex systems. The project combines art and science, allowing students to develop their knowledge and creativity by building and designing their own Chua circuit-inspired jewelry.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalChaos An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science·DateJan 24, 2023

Study proposes mathematical tool to help understand fractal structure of quark-gluon plasma

A new study proposes a mathematical tool to understand the fractal structure of quark-gluon plasma, which is formed in high-energy collisions. The fractal structure explains some phenomena seen in these collisions, including particle momentum distributions that follow Tsallis statistics.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalThe European Physical Journal Plus·DateJun 6, 2022

When is a basin of attraction like an octopus?

Researchers describe a simple argument showing that basins in high-dimensional systems should look like high-dimensional octopi. The volume of these basins cannot be correctly approximated by a hypercube, which fails to encompass the vast majority of points in the basin.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 3, 2021

The city formula

Urban scaling laws, observed in cities worldwide, can be explained by the spatial geometry of a city. Researchers mapped building heights and assigned dots to people living in buildings to determine fractal dimensions, revealing a constant sublinear scaling exponent that determines city growth rates.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateMar 16, 2021

Nooks, crannies and critters

Researchers developed a new way to measure habitat complexity, which is crucial for understanding biodiversity and conservation status. The method uses three metrics: rugosity, fractal dimension, and height range, and can accurately predict the distribution of biodiversity in complex ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateAug 24, 2020

Fractal patterns in growing bacterial colonies

Researchers have applied a novel method to model bacterial colony growth, replicating fractal patterns observed in nature. The study used agent-based modeling to simulate the behavior of bacteria, varying parameters such as cell division speed and mechanical forces.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateSep 20, 2019

Famous 'sandpile model' shown to move like a traveling sand dune

Moritz Lang and Mikhail Shkonikov from IST Austria have discovered a new property of the Abelian sandpile model, showing that it can exhibit dynamics similar to those of real-world sand dunes. The researchers used a specific method to add sand grains to the model, which induced self-similar fractal patterns reminiscent of the Mandelbro...

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 8, 2019

Voltage-driven liquid metal fractals

Researchers at North Carolina State University have discovered that applying low voltage to gallium indium can induce the formation of unique fractal patterns. The discovery has significant implications for controlling liquid metals, as it allows for reversible and effective manipulation of surface tension.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 30, 2017

Fractal planting patterns yield optimal harvests, without central control

Balinese rice farmers' planting patterns create fractal designs that yield optimal harvests without global planning. The pattern's emergence is driven by water availability and pest damage, making the system more resilient. Farmers adapt locally, taking individual decisions that optimize their own harvests, resulting in a stable system.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 9, 2017

Shiny fish skin inspires nanoscale light reflectors

Researchers from Penn State have developed a model that uses fractal geometry to describe the layering in silvery fish skin, which can guide the design of devices such as broadband mirrors. The technique has potential applications in advanced optical coatings, laser protection, infrared imaging systems, and photovoltaics.

Fractal patterns may uncover new line of attack on cancer

Scientists studying human cervical epithelial cells found that distinct fractal patterns emerge only at the point of progression towards cancer. These findings could inspire targeting specific weak points in pathways leading to cancer development. Fractal patterns may hold importance in understanding cancer metastasis, where cancer cel...

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateMar 10, 2015

Football displays fractal dynamics

Researchers found fractal nature in football dynamics, with ball and player positions exhibiting self-similarity. The study suggests the superiority of one team persists for only 30 seconds before changing hands.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateMar 19, 2014