Articles tagged with Ions
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory researchers have simulated and quantified early stages of radiation damage in materials. They used a new method to predict the effect of radiation on complex materials, including those for nuclear applications, space industry, and medical purposes.
Researchers have successfully developed a genetically modified microorganism that produces high levels of arachidonic acid, a key fatty acid essential for infant nutrition. The microorganism, produced through ion beam mutation breeding, has shown promise for industrial application and potential use as a sustainable bio-diesel source.
Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have developed an efficient and tunable interface for quantum networks, enabling high-speed transfer of quantum information between matter and light. The interface, which uses entanglement to connect a single ion with a photon, achieves efficiency rates over 99 percent.
Researchers developed a new model to understand collective behavior of defects during ion bombardment, revealing three mechanisms: dual layer formation, subway-glide mode growth, and adatom island eruption. This breakthrough enables predictive design capability for controlling surface patterns and stresses in nanotechnology products.
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center is assembling the Fast Plasma Instrument (FPI), a crucial element of the MMS instrument suite, to study magnetic reconnection phenomena. The FPI will collect data at 30 times per second and is being tested with international partners.
A new research at Washington University School of Medicine has shown how an unusual protein plays a key role in temporarily blocking the movement of ions through channels after a cell fires off an electrical signal. The researchers found that this protein nestles into a receptor inside the channel in a highly specific way, closing it a...
Researchers created a new configuration for neutron generators using flat geometry inspired by computer chips. The technology enables tiny medical neutron sources for cancer treatment and has potential applications in sensors and non-proliferation.
Researchers have successfully developed a new type of environment-friendly piezoelectric material with giant piezoresponse, using small-ion-doped ZnO. The new material shows promising potential for replacing lead-based piezoelectric materials, which are highly toxic and can contaminate environments.
Researchers from the University of Florida have developed a new technique to create graphene patterns on silicon carbide using ion implantation. This method allows for selective graphene growth at lower temperatures and can be used to create graphene nanoribbons with nanoscale dimensions.
Scientists have created a blueprint for a nuclear clock that can be accurate to within a tenth of a second over 14 billion years. The clock uses the nucleus of a single thorium ion and has the potential to be one hundred times more accurate than current atomic clocks.
Researchers at PTB have successfully excited a quantum-mechanically strongly forbidden transition in a ytterbium ion, allowing for an optical clock with unprecedented accuracy. The resulting clock is exact to 17 digits after the decimal point, and the relative uncertainty of the Yb+ frequency was determined with 7 • 10-17.
Researchers are using cutting-edge DNA sequencing technology to study Fiji's living fossil trees and understand how biodiversity is generated. The project aims to predict how these rare species will adapt to climate change, enabling conservation efforts.
Scientists have discovered molecular oxygen ions in the upper atmosphere of Saturn's moon Dione, which could be a crucial ingredient for life. The detection was made possible by instruments aboard NASA's Cassini spacecraft and suggests that icy moons like Europa may produce oxygen through sputtering processes.
LAMIS, a green chemistry alternative for laser spectroscopy, can precisely date the geological age of Martian samples. By analyzing molecular isotopes, LAMIS offers a faster and less expensive method compared to traditional mass spectrometry technologies.
Tidal marshlands are critical habitats that provide a buffer against storm surges and protect coastal ecosystems. However, global climate change threatens their stability, particularly if large-scale plant die-offs occur. Researchers have found that removing vegetation can lead to increased water flow rates, sediment infilling, and red...
Researchers developed a visual tool to help doctors assess patients' pain levels by analyzing their movement patterns, providing a more precise assessment than traditional questionnaires. The new 'barcode' tool offers a dynamic view of a patient's condition, enabling doctors to monitor progress and adapt treatment accordingly.
A Northwestern University study identifies a key player in the human immune system, revealing its crucial role in activating the immune response. The protein, STIM1, was found to regulate not only one function but also another critical step in immune activation.
Computer simulations by NASA scientists predict that solar storms and Coronal Mass Ejections can significantly erase the lunar surface, removing a surprising large amount of material. This process, called sputtering, becomes dominant during CMEs due to increased density and velocity.
Researchers have created a new electrode that uses crystalline nanoparticles of copper to store excess energy generated by wind and solar power. The electrode can survive up to 40,000 cycles before losing its charge capacity, making it a viable solution for large-scale power storage.
Research on tunnel-FET technology, which exploits the quantum tunnel effect, promises to reduce power consumption of transistors and microprocessors. This breakthrough could lead to ultra-miniaturized, zero-power electronic devices.
Physicists at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf develop new theoretical model for predicting hot electron density and temperature after laser interaction. This allows precise calculation of hot electron energy, enabling optimization of future experiments and medical applications.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed a new material that emits a long-lasting near-infrared glow after a single minute of exposure to sunlight. The material has potential biomedical applications, including visualizing cancer cells, and can be used for military and law enforcement illumination.
Astronomers have discovered that galaxy halos are much larger and more massive than previously thought, with up to 90% of mass undetectable by previous instruments. The new data provides a detailed picture of the chemical structure, movement, and temperature of gases in the halo.
Scientists have compared MINI-ME's observations with those from two other instruments to reveal a host of interrelated phenomena occurring together in the dynamic region. The findings show that oxygen ions course outward along Earth's magnetic field lines, driving ion outflow events.
Researchers propose a new explanation for electrical conductivity at polar-nonpolar oxides, suggesting that atomic mixing and rearrangement occurs at the interface. They found that lanthanum and chromium crossed over to the nonpolar side in equal amounts, making conduction impossible.
A team of scientists found that increasing lithium coating in the wall of an experimental fusion reactor greatly improves plasma confinement. This leads to smaller and cheaper fusion machines. The study also enhances certain plasma properties aiding the reaction.
A team of scientists found that plutonium clusters adhere more strongly to mineral surfaces than individual ions, which could help contain its spread into the environment. This strong adherence could minimize the leakage of nuclear waste from steel barrels.
The University of New Hampshire will provide instruments for the ESA's Solar Orbiter and JAXA's SCOPE missions. The Solar Orbiter will study the Sun's influence on its environment, while the SCOPE mission will investigate magnetosphere processes and solar flares.
New study reveals that helium ion microscopy can image both surface and internal structures in whole cells at nanometer resolutions without the need for metallic coatings or significant loss of resolution.
Researchers from PTB and Hanover have created a novel laser cooling method using a single laser source to bring a magnesium ion to a standstill. This technique allows for more precise measurements of the fine-structure constant, potentially resolving contradictions in astronomical data comparisons.
Researchers at the University of Strathclyde have created the brightest gamma ray beam ever made, more than a thousand billion times brighter than the sun. This breakthrough could lead to new medical imaging and radiotherapy techniques, as well as improved monitoring of nuclear waste.
Researchers at Clemson University have identified a promising new binder material for lithium-ion battery electrodes extracted from common brown algae. The alginate has helped boost energy storage and output for both graphite-based and silicon-based electrodes, addressing challenges in existing batteries.
A University of Alberta-led team has expanded the fluorescent highlighter palette to track calcium ions in single cells, providing a full-color view of intracellular communication. This breakthrough enables better visualization of neuronal activity and may aid pharmaceutical researchers in determining drug efficacy.
Cystic fibrosis is caused by a mutated gene affecting ion transport across cell membranes. Researchers have discovered an unexpected way to send mutant proteins to the surface to restore ion transport. Higher levels of GRASP65 escort mutant CFTR channels to the cell surface, dramatically extending the lives of mice with cystic fibrosis.
Researchers at NIST and Clemson University measured the energy of highly charged ion impacts on thin film surfaces, revealing that 27% of the remaining energy goes into changing the material's shape. This study aims to improve predictive models for surface damage and erosion in various industries, including fusion reactors.
Physicists at NIST achieved a record-low probability of error in quantum information processing with a single qubit, meeting theoretical requirements for building viable quantum computers. The experiment used microwaves and a copper vacuum chamber to reduce errors, achieving an error rate of 1 per 50,000 logic operations.
A new study by Nicolas Lehner and Christopher Howk reveals that massive clouds of ionized gas in the Milky Way's halo are a reservoir of fuel for galactic star formation. The researchers measured the distances to these clouds using the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph on the Hubble Space Telescope, confirming models that predicted gas falli...
A new computational model realistically simulates ion channel function, providing insight into bacterial channels that cause deadly infections and informing potential drug design against them. The study focuses on PorB, a channel formed by Neisseria meningitidis, which is linked to antibiotic resistance.
Physicists at NIST have successfully linked the quantum properties of two separated ions by manipulating them with microwaves, enabling a new approach to simplify ion-trap quantum computers. The use of microwaves reduces errors introduced by laser beam instabilities and power fluctuations.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed a graphene coating that harvests energy from flowing water, powering tiny sensors used to detect underground oil and gas. The technology enables cost-efficient oil exploration and could lead to autonomous microscale sensors for various applications.
A new study identifies a key residue M314 involved in BK channel opening, suggesting a different structural model for the channel. The findings provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms of BK channel activation and open up new avenues for research.
Researchers at DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory developed a new method to make sodium ion-based battery cells, which could lead to better, cheaper batteries for the electrical grid. The team found that treating manganese oxide with heat improved the electrical capacity and recharging lifetime of the batteries.
Researchers have uncovered the molecular mechanism of a biological sensor known as the gating ring, which regulates bodily activities such as blood pressure and insulin secretion. The findings could lead to therapies against diseases like hypertension and genetic epilepsy.
Researchers have developed a method to compute a tiny temperature-dependent error source in atomic clocks with unprecedented accuracy. This correction could represent a significant step towards creating an atomic clock with precision equivalent to one second of error every 32 billion years.
The Fast Plasma Instrument (FPI) will collect data on plasma in small regions using electron and ion spectrometers at a rate of 30 times per second. The mission aims to understand the control of magnetic reconnection, a complex phenomenon that releases enormous bursts of energy.
Physicists at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider produce the heaviest antimatter, antihelium-4 nucleus, confirming existing theories about matter and antimatter properties. The discovery will aid in understanding the imbalance of matter and antimatter in the universe.
A study found that cosmic radiation accelerates atherosclerosis development in mice, worsening existing lesions. This discovery could inform treatment and prevention strategies for long-duration space missions.
Physicists at the University of Innsbruck have achieved a major breakthrough in quantum computation by entangling 14 calcium atoms. This represents a significant increase from their previous record of eight particles and opens up new possibilities for faster computing, atomic clocks, and quantum simulations.
Austrian physicists have realized a comprehensive toolbox for an open-system quantum simulator, which utilizes controlled dissipation to generate and intensify quantum effects. This innovation enables the study of highly complex quantum systems that were previously inaccessible.
Researchers at University of Innsbruck have developed a novel architecture for quantum computation, enabling the exchange of quantum information between two separate memory cells on a computer chip. The new technology amplifies transmission and offers possibilities to distribute entanglement, targeting individual memory 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.
A study by Kim Thomas and colleagues found that ion-exchange water softeners do not improve eczema severity scores or symptoms, such as sleep loss and itchiness, in children with moderate to severe eczema. However, parents reported small health benefits and over 50% chose to install a water softener due to perceived improvements.
A new analytical technique makes it easier to analyze rocks and soils on Mars, possibly indicating signs of life. The tool combines mass spectrometry with laser ablation and an ion funnel, allowing for in-situ analysis without sample handling.
Researchers at NIST developed a method to produce nanoparticle clusters in controlled sizes, stable over time. The study found that larger clusters may be less toxic to human cells due to slower dissolution rates.
Researchers have shown that nanosilver is not a new discovery but has been used for over 100 years to prevent bacterial growth. Nanoparticles have different properties than larger particles, making them more reactive and toxic to bacteria.
Researchers have fabricated 2-nm nanochannels that significantly enhance ion transport, improving power density and practical energy density of fuel cells and batteries. The smaller geometry and stronger hydration force are expected to further enhance ion transport in even smaller hydrophilic nanotubes.
Researchers have discovered a new class of small molecules that can break up and remove amyloid clumps in the brain, potentially providing a therapeutic application for Alzheimer's disease. These compounds also show potential to cross the blood-brain barrier, protecting the brain from harmful substances.
The ATLAS experiment at CERN has directly observed lead ions melting and dissolving into smaller particles, providing insight into the universe's early stages. This phenomenon was only expected to occur at extreme temperatures, confirming the power of the LHC in studying fundamental physics.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have discovered that the uptake protein ZIP acts like a door, facilitating zinc entry into cells. Zinc is crucial for cellular growth and health, and understanding its uptake could lead to breakthroughs in biomedical and energy research.
Researchers discovered that a genetic error causing cystic fibrosis also affects the flow of sodium ions, preventing excessive mucus buildup. This finding has implications for developing better therapies for the disease.