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Force field analysis provides clues to protein-ion interaction

The AMOEBA force field provides a detailed understanding of protein-ion interactions by incorporating quantum methods. The model distinguishes selective ion binding in calcium and magnesium ions, shedding light on their role in various biological processes.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateOct 17, 2017
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Cell signals that trigger wound healing are surprisingly complex

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have discovered that wound healing is triggered by a complex series of calcium signals in cells. The team found that cells use both gap junctions and protein signaling to respond to injury, allowing them to differentiate between different types of wounds.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateOct 3, 2017

New med-tech zinc sensor developed

A new zinc sensor has been developed by researchers at the University of Adelaide, enabling real-time detection and measurement of zinc levels in cells. The sensor's innovative design allows for continuous or repeated measurements within a single biological sample, opening up new possibilities for diagnostic tools.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalACS Omega·DateSep 29, 2017

Better rechargeable batteries coming soon?

Researchers have developed a novel coating that prevents side-reactions and promotes uniform lithium deposition, leading to improved battery performance. The new indium-lithium hybrid electrodes showed stability over 250 cycles with high capacity retention.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateSep 21, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

In search of a greener cleaner

The Pitt research team is developing a new approach using machine learning and quantum chemistry calculations to predict effective and degradable chelating agent candidates. This project aims to improve the sustainability of industries such as detergent manufacturing, heavy metal treatment, and waste remediation.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·DateSep 20, 2017

Step towards better 'beyond lithium' batteries

The team demonstrates that titanium dioxide can be modified to be used as an electrode in multivalent batteries, providing a valuable proof of concept. This breakthrough could lead to higher charge densities and better performance for new battery technologies, essential for transitioning to low-emission energy sources.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalNature Materials·DateSep 18, 2017
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

New insights into nanocrystal growth in liquid

The study reveals how arrangement of atoms creates forces that pull crystals together and align them. Researchers found that manipulating attraction through ion type, concentration, and temperature can control crystallization.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 14, 2017

Researchers develop 3-D-printed biomaterials that degrade on demand

Researchers create biocompatible degradable structures using stereolithography with sodium alginate precursor solutions, allowing for transient structures to dissolve away on demand. This technique is useful for making lab-on-a-chip devices and dynamic environments for live cells experiments.

SourceBrown University·JournalLab on a Chip·DateSep 7, 2017

Chemical hot spots

Researchers at Technical University of Munich used a scanning tunneling microscope to analyze the surface activity of catalysts. They found that defects on the surface create ideal conditions for catalysis by attracting but not holding onto hydrogen ions.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature·DateSep 7, 2017

Aussie quantum tech has its sights set on human biochemistry

Researchers create non-invasive ESR imaging technique using quantum probes to detect and image electronic spins with sub-cellular resolution. This breakthrough provides new insights into the role of transition metal ions in biology and disease, offering a promising tool for probing human biochemistry.

SourceCentre for Quantum Computation & Communication Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 6, 2017
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Newly-discovered semiconductor dynamics may help improve energy efficiency

Researchers have uncovered a reason why semiconductors lose their ability to carry electricity as they become more densely doped. They found that transient bonding of dopant ions with the semiconductor base material impeds conduction, but now know how to design smarter systems to minimize this effect.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalACS Nano·DateSep 5, 2017

A revolution in lithium-ion batteries is becoming more realistic

Scientists have discovered a new class of materials that can replace liquid electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries, potentially leading to smaller, lighter, and safer devices. The breakthrough material showed exceptional ionic conductivity, even at low temperatures, and its properties are comparable to those of liquid electrolytes.

SourceThe Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateSep 5, 2017
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Biosensor could help diagnose illnesses directly in serum

Developed by a team of researchers, the biosensor uses antibody fragments and polyethylene glycol molecules to detect target compounds in serum. The device can diagnose many conditions and illnesses at sub-picomolar concentrations, making it inexpensive and easy to use.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Sensors·DateAug 30, 2017

New mini tool has massive implications

Researchers at Brigham Young University have developed a miniaturized mass spectrometer capable of analyzing chemicals with high sensitivity. This portable device has significant implications for applications such as detecting chemical weapons, explosives in airports, and forensic investigations.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalJournal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry·DateAug 29, 2017
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Discovered: A quick and easy way to shut down instabilities in fusion devices

Researchers have discovered a method to quickly shut down instabilities in fusion devices by injecting highly energetic particles, which can cause fusion reactions to fizzle out. This technique could prove useful for the international fusion facility ITER and demonstrate the ability to confine a burning plasma.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 18, 2017

Candy cane supercapacitor could enable fast charging of mobile phones

A new type of supercapacitor with improved flexibility, resilience to charge/discharge cycling, and energy storage capacity has been developed. The technique can be applied to various materials, enabling fast charging of mobile phones, smart clothes, and implantable devices.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalACS Energy Letters·DateAug 16, 2017
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Successful filming of fastest aurora flickering

Researchers at Poker Flat Research Range in Alaska used high-speed cameras to capture the rare phenomenon of an aurora flickering. The team discovered that faster flickerings occur at speeds of 1/60-1/50 and 1/80 seconds, revealing a complex exchange of energy between plasma waves and particles.

SourceResearch Organization of Information and Systems·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 9, 2017

Updated computer code improves prediction of particle motion in plasma experiments

Physicist Mario Podestà develops a new subprogram to simulate particle motion in fusion plasmas, enabling faster and more accurate predictions. The improved code can now approximate the behavior of highly energetic atomic nuclei, crucial for achieving high-performance tokamaks like ITER.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPlasma Physics and Controlled Fusion·DateAug 9, 2017

Mainz-based researchers stabilized gold in very rare oxidation state +II

Scientists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz isolate and analyze gold in the rare +II oxidation state for the first time. The stabilization of this labile ion is achieved by a porphyrin macrocycle, allowing researchers to investigate its unique properties and behavior.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Chemistry·DateAug 8, 2017

From greenhouse gas to 3-D surface-microporous graphene

Researchers at Michigan Technological University developed a novel method to convert carbon dioxide into three-dimensional graphene with micropores, greatly enhancing its potential as a supercapacitor material. The new material exhibited ultrahigh areal capacitance and superb cycling stability.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateAug 7, 2017
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

NASA team miniaturizes century-old technology for use on CubeSats

A team of NASA scientists and engineers has developed a miniaturized version of a century-old technology to probe the ionosphere. The Concentration vs. Height for an Orbiting Electromagnetic Sounder (ECHOES) device uses digital signal processing to analyze radio wave signals and determine electron density in the ionosphere.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 3, 2017

Most precise measurement of the proton's mass

Physicists from Germany and Japan made a precise measurement of the proton's mass, improving it by a factor of three and correcting the existing value. The resulting mass is significantly smaller than current standards, providing insight into fundamental physical theories.

SourceRIKEN·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 20, 2017

Laser-cooled ions contribute to better understanding of friction

Scientists from PTB create a model system using laser-cooled ytterbium ions to study friction phenomena at the atomic scale. They observe transitions between phases caused by structural defects, revealing dynamics comparable to DNA molecule chains.

SourcePhysikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 13, 2017

Giant charge reversal observed for the first time

Researchers have observed giant charge reversal for the first time, where excess counter ions adsorb to oppositely charged surfaces. The study suggests that dielectric response of the solvent enhances correlation of multivalent ions with surface groups, leading to the formation of Bjerrum pairs.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateJul 12, 2017
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Building a safer lithium-ion battery

Scientists have developed a new method to track lithium ions as they travel in a battery, which could help address the safety hazard of battery failure. The researchers used fluorescence microscopy and found a fluorescent label sensitive to lithium ions, enabling them to image and track lithium ions in a battery-like environment.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Sensors·DateJul 12, 2017

Multi-antioxidant nanoparticles to treat sepsis

Researchers developed ceria-zirconia nanoparticles to treat sepsis by removing harmful oxygen radicals and reducing inflammatory responses. The nanoparticles improved survival rates by 2.5 fold in mice with sepsis, offering a new therapeutic strategy for this deadly disease.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 12, 2017

Recreating interstellar ions with lasers

Using lasers, MSU scientists have replicated a mechanism forming H3+, the universe's most abundant ion, revealing 'phantom mechanisms' in astrochemistry. The team discovered roaming chemistry plays a crucial role in this process.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 5, 2017
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Biofuel from waste

Researchers at TUM have created a new process to convert organic waste into fuel, utilizing zeolite catalysts that reduce temperatures and energy requirements. The process takes place in confined spaces inside zeolite crystals, increasing reaction rates by up to 100 times.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 28, 2017

Batteries from scrap metal

Researchers have developed a novel method to create stable and low-cost electrodes from discarded stainless steel mesh, ideal for potassium-ion batteries. The new electrode design uses a waste material to store potassium ions, overcoming the limitations of sodium ion batteries.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 9, 2017

Interaction between the atomic nucleus and the electron on trial

Researchers measured transition between energy levels of lithium-like bismuth ions with unprecedented precision, contradicting existing theories. The discrepancy raises questions about the understanding of electron interaction with complex inner nuclear structures.

SourcePhysikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 16, 2017
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Materials bend as they 'breathe' under high temperatures

A new system of oxide materials can be used to create actuators that function at temperatures above 500 degrees Celsius, enabling devices to open and close valves in hot environments. This technology could revolutionize maintenance tasks in nuclear plants and other high-temperature settings.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateMay 9, 2017

Super P carbon black for reversible lithium and sodium ion storage

Researchers have discovered a new conducting additive, Super P carbon black (SPCB), that exhibits high capacity and cycling stability for reversible lithium and sodium ion storage. SPCB shows a higher capacity for lithium ion storage than sodium ion storage due to its reaction mechanism.

SourceScience China Press·DateMay 3, 2017
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Why space dust emits radio waves upon crashing into a spacecraft

Researchers used simulations to show that plasma from hypervelocity impacts creates damaging electromagnetic radiation by separating ions and electrons at different speeds. The study aims to verify the theory of senior author Sigrid Close, who previously suggested that hypervelocity impact plasmas are responsible for satellite failures.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateMay 2, 2017

A material inspired by a sea worm changes according to the environment

Researchers at MIT developed a new material inspired by the gelatinous jaw of a sea worm, which can adapt to changing environments. The material exhibits great mechanical resistance and consistency, making it suitable for soft robotics and sensor applications.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalACS Nano·DateApr 28, 2017

Clarifying the mechanism for suppressing turbulence through ion mass

Scientists clarify relationship between ion mass and plasma performance improvement. Turbulence suppression through electron-ion collisions leads to increased confinement and particle heat management. Zonal flows play a crucial role in suppressing turbulence, grinding eddies and waves that improve plasma performance.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 24, 2017

Engineering technique is damaging materials research reveals

Researchers at the University of Oxford have discovered that FIB can fundamentally alter a material's structure, affecting its entire sample. The team developed new X-ray techniques to assess this damage and will focus on developing strategies to mitigate FIB damage.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 20, 2017
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Electronics to control plant growth

Scientists from Linköping University successfully applied an ion pump device to a small flowering plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, allowing them to control root growth and auxin response. This breakthrough enables localized application of hormones to study their impact on plant growth and development at tissue and cellular resolution.

SourceLinköping University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 17, 2017

Wearable sweat sensor can diagnose cystic fibrosis, Stanford-led study finds

A Stanford-led study has developed a wearable sweat sensor that can diagnose cystic fibrosis and monitor diabetes, offering a non-invasive and real-time solution. The device collects sweat, measures its molecular constituents, and transmits the results electronically for analysis and diagnostics.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 17, 2017

NASA's MAVEN reveals Mars has metal in its atmosphere

The study detects iron, magnesium, and sodium ions in the Martian upper atmosphere, indicating a permanent presence of metal ions. The team believes that all solar system planets with substantial atmospheres likely have metal ions.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 10, 2017

Making spines from sea water

Scientists have discovered that sea urchins extract calcium ions from seawater through a process where they drink in water and manipulate the ions within their cells. This method is more energy efficient than previously thought, but presents new challenges for understanding how these cells concentrate and expel ions.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 6, 2017

Materials may lead to self-healing smartphones

Researchers have created a self-healing material that can stretch up to 50 times its original size and automatically stitch itself back together within a day. The material, which uses ion-dipole interactions, could potentially be used to repair smartphones and other electronic devices.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateApr 4, 2017
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Researchers reveal atomic-level activity of green catalyst used in PVC production

A team of scientists has unlocked the secret of a gold-based catalyst that converts coal-derived acetylene to vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), a precursor to polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The catalyst, which employs atomically dispersed gold on a solid support, reduces toxic mercury pollution and enables environmentally friendly PVC production.

SourceLehigh University·JournalScience·DateMar 30, 2017

NIST physicists show ion pairs perform enhanced 'spooky action'

Physicists at NIST have confirmed that particles of matter can exhibit 'spooky action' through quantum entanglement. The experiment closed two loopholes in conventional Bell tests, demonstrating the high quality of entangled states.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 28, 2017