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Shining potential of missing atoms

A team at the University of Vienna has developed a method to controllably create single atomic vacancies in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) using ultra-high vacuum and aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy. This breakthrough enables the creation of defects that can emit single photons, opening up new opportunitie...

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 14, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Quantum materials: Electron spin measured for the first time

An international team of scientists has successfully measured the electron spin in matter for the first time using kagome materials. The results could revolutionize the study of quantum materials, with potential applications in renewable energy, biomedicine, electronics, and quantum computing.

SourceUniversità di Bologna·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 9, 2023
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.

A liquid laser that is robust under air and tunable by wind

Researchers at the University of Tsukuba created a liquid droplet-based laser that remains stable under ambient conditions and can be tuned using gas convection. The development enables the creation of flexible optical communication devices with potential applications in airflow detectors and fiber-optics communications.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalLaser & Photonics Review·DateJun 1, 2023

Symmetry breaking by ultrashort light pulses opens new quantum pathways for coherent phonons

Researchers at Max Born Institute find that ultrafast mid-infrared excitation of electrons in bismuth reduces crystal symmetry, opening new quantum pathways for coherent phonon excitation. This leads to bidirectional atomic motions and oscillations with a frequency different from low-excitation levels.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalPhysical Review B·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 30, 2023

Making the structure of 'fire ice' with nanoparticles

Scientists at the University of Michigan have created a structure called 'fire ice' using nanoparticles, which harnesses a strange physical phenomenon to manipulate light. The finding showcases an unusual effect called entropy compartmentalization, where entropic forces stabilize even more complex crystals.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMay 25, 2023

Quantum scientists accurately measure power levels one trillion times lower than usual

Researchers at Aalto University create a new bolometer that can accurately measure microwave power down to the femtowatt level at ultra-low temperatures. This breakthrough device has the potential to significantly advance quantum computing and technology, enabling more precise control over qubits and improving overall performance.

SourceAalto University·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateMay 25, 2023

Electronic noses sniff out volatile organic compounds

The new design improves detection sensitivity and reduces response time by controlling fluid flow, promoting uniform VOC concentration. The authors plan to further optimize the chamber structure for ultrasensitive volatile sensing.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Reviews·DateMay 23, 2023
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

A passage of light leading to a path for a solution

A team of researchers successfully controlled 'trions,' a breakthrough toward developing revolutionary optical communication technology. They used a nanoscale plasmonic waveguide to create high-purity trions, which offer advantages over excitons in practical device applications.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 15, 2023

Researchers develop manual for engineering spin dynamics in nanomagnets

A comprehensive manual has been developed to engineer spin dynamics in nanomagnets, revealing mechanisms behind magnon interactions. The rules formulated by the researchers can help debug and design nanomagnet devices for next-generation computation technologies.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPhysical Review Applied·TypeContent analysis·DateMay 4, 2023

Backpropagation training achieved in photonic neural network

Researchers have successfully developed a hybrid photonic neural network chip that can perform fast and efficient on-chip backpropagation training. This breakthrough paves the way for scalable, energy-efficient machine learning technologies with potential to reduce carbon footprint and costs of AI computation.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateApr 27, 2023
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Renewing COVID masks

Researchers from The University of Tokyo have created a machine that can recharge N95 respirators and surgical masks to 97% efficiency. By applying a uniform voltage distribution, the device restores the mask's electrostatic charge, increasing its effectiveness.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalHeliyon·DateApr 26, 2023

Paradoxical quantum phenomenon measured for the first time

An international research team has confirmed for the first time that mutual information in a many-body quantum system scales with surface area rather than volume. The experiment used ultracold atoms and a special tomography technique to measure the shared information.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 26, 2023
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.

Heat highway

Researchers at the Institute of Industrial Science at The University of Tokyo have found that phonons in isotopically pure carbon can behave like a fluid, allowing for faster heat conduction. This phenomenon, known as phonon Poiseuille flow, has implications for cooling sensitive computer processors and improving efficiency in electron...

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalNature·DateApr 19, 2023

Image generation AI for predicting the deformation of splashing drops

A research team from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology has developed an image-based AI model to predict the deformation of a splashing drop. The trained encoder-decoder successfully generated image sequences that show the deformation of a drop during impact, demonstrating accurate predictions.

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·JournalMachine Learning Science and Technology·DateApr 19, 2023

Data can now be processed at the speed of light!

Researchers developed a nano-excitonic transistor that controls excitons to process massive amounts of data at the speed of light with minimal heat energy loss. This technology has potential applications in optical computing and realizing an era of data explosion driven by AI.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalACS Nano·DateApr 13, 2023
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.

Hot probe tip contributes to making “transformer” semiconductor particles

The POSTECH team developed a multifunctional tip-enhanced spectroscopy that dynamically controls the physical properties of quasiparticles in 2D materials. This technology increases interlayer excitons' luminous efficiency by 9,000 times and modulates their energy.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateApr 4, 2023

Do we understand the flickering flames?

A research team at Toyohashi University of Technology discovered that the flickering of flames can be controlled by moving two flames closer together or further apart. By periodically adjusting the distance between flames, they were able to stably express the state of “stopping the flickering of flames”, a phenomenon previously unknown...

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalPhysical Review Applied·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2023

Highly charged ions melt nano gold nuggets

Scientists at TU Wien have developed a technique to control the shape and size of nano gold structures using highly charged ions. The experiment shows that the impact force is not the decisive factor, but rather the electrical charge of the ions, which deposits energy at the point of impact and disrupts the crystal structure of the gold.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2023

A new view of microscopic processes

Researchers at the University of Missouri are acquiring a new transmission electron microscope (TEM) with a $800,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. The TEM will allow them to conduct experiments in real-time and gain a greater understanding of material structure at an atomic level.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·DateMar 21, 2023
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

A crystal – but not as we know it

The study reveals hydrated salts can lose their facets and become soft when slowly dissolved in humid air, exhibiting liquid-like molecular mobility at their surfaces. This finding challenges the conventional understanding of crystal formation and behavior.

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 15, 2023

For the first time, controlling the degree of twist in nanostructured particles

A team of researchers from the University of Michigan has developed a way to control the degree of twist in nanostructured particles, opening up new avenues for machine vision and medicine production. The development enables robots to accurately navigate complex environments by encoding information in twisted light, which is preferenti...

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature·DateMar 15, 2023

3D internal structure of rechargeable batteries revealed for the first time

Researchers pioneered a technique to observe the 3D internal structure of rechargeable batteries, enabling direct observation of the solid electric interface (SEI) and its progression. The study reveals key predictors of SEI layer formation in a complex interplay of molecular dimensions, surface properties, and solvent interactions.

SourceLancaster University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 13, 2023
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.

Rensselaer researcher breaks through the clouds to advance satellite communication

A new method devised by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Moussa N'Gom enables effective free-space optical communication between satellites and the ground, unaffected by rain and clouds. The ultrafast lasers create a long filament of light that clears space for visible light transmission.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·TypeObservational study·DateMar 7, 2023

Graphene quantum dots show promise as novel magnetic field sensors

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz have discovered that graphene quantum dots can detect magnetic fields at the nano scale with high spatial resolution. The unique properties of graphene electrons, which behave like massless particles, create highly sensitive current loops that respond to external magnetic fields.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMar 6, 2023

Super-fast insect urination powered by the physics of superpropulsion

Researchers discovered that glassy-winged sharpshooters use a 'superpropulsion' mechanism to launch droplets of pee at high speeds, conserving energy in the process. This innovative strategy helps the insect efficiently excrete its 99% water fluid waste.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 28, 2023
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.

WVU physicists give the first law of thermodynamics a makeover

Researchers at West Virginia University have developed a new theory that extends the first law of thermodynamics to systems not in equilibrium. This breakthrough has numerous potential applications across physics and other sciences, including studying plasmas in space and low-temperature plasmas.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 22, 2023

Enhanced arsenic detection in water, food, soil

Scientists developed a sensitive nanostructured silver surface to detect arsenic in water, food and soil using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The new technique is more sensitive and easier to produce than existing methods, making it ideal for on-site field assays.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateFeb 21, 2023

CityU scientists engineer a breath-to-charge electrostatic face mask for prolonged air filtration, reducing the environmental burden

Researchers at City University of Hong Kong develop a self-charging electrostatic face mask that can continuously replenish its electrostatic charge through the user's breathing. The mask provides high-efficiency airborne particle removal with 95.8% effectiveness after 60 hours of testing.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2023

Scientific AI’s ‘black box’ is no match for 200-year-old method

A new study uses Fourier analysis to understand how deep neural networks learn complex physics. By analyzing the equation of a fully trained model, researchers were able to identify crucial information about how the network learns and generalizes. This breakthrough could accelerate the use of scientific deep learning in climate science.

SourceRice University·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 13, 2023

Researchers create first supermode optical resonator

The new optical resonator developed by Capasso's team provides precise control over the mode of light and enables multi-mode coupled light to exist within the resonator. This breakthrough could influence how resonators are understood and open doors for new capabilities, including fundamental physics experiments and manipulation of mate...

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 30, 2023
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Nanopore-based sensing device explores neurodegenerative diseases

A new nanopore-based sensing device explores the aggregation of tau and tubulin proteins in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The device provides volume information about protein molecules and their states at the single-molecule level, offering insights into protein binding and aggregation.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateJan 10, 2023

Researchers use quantum mechanics to see objects without looking at them

A new method bridges the quantum and classical worlds, enabling interaction-free detection of microwave pulses with a superconducting circuit. This breakthrough demonstrates genuine quantum advantage using a simpler setup, with potential applications in quantum computing, optical imaging, and cryptographic key distribution.

SourceAalto University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 21, 2022
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Physics World cites UH research among top 10 breakthroughs of 2022

University of Houston researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in cubic boron arsenide, demonstrating exceptional high carrier mobility. This finding has significant implications for the development of efficient semiconductors, with potential applications in various electronic and optical fields.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalPhysics World·DateDec 20, 2022

Fermi kinetics transport program models high-speed semiconductor devices better, Journal of Applied Physics editor’s pick study says

Researchers compared two semiconductor simulation tools and found that the Fermi kinetics transport solver outperforms a commercial hydrodynamics software package in modeling electronic heat flow and electron temperature, particularly in high-speed applications. The custom-developed code converges faster and provides more consistent re...

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateDec 19, 2022

A message that resonates

Researchers at the University of Tsukuba have developed an optoelectronic resonator that enhances the sensitivity of an electron pulse detector, allowing for ultrafast electronic characterization of proteins or materials. This breakthrough may aid in the study of biomolecules and industrial materials.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalACS Photonics·DateDec 14, 2022

New X-ray technology can improve Covid-19 diagnosis

Researchers have developed a new X-ray technology that visualizes lung tissue microstructure, providing additional information for accurate diagnosis. Dark-field X-ray images can differentiate between diseased and healthy lung tissue, potentially replacing computed tomography (CT) for repeated examinations.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalCommunications Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 6, 2022
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.

3-in-1 microscope shows researchers the way to proteins

Researchers developed a 3-in-1 microscope that combines light, electron and ion beams to precisely cut out specific slices from biological samples. This allows for more accurate biomolecular research into new medicines.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 1, 2022

Ultra-sensitive optical sensor can reduce hydrogen’s risks

Researchers at Chalmers University have developed an optical hydrogen sensor that can detect extremely low levels of hydrogen, allowing for early detection and alarm. The sensor uses AI technology to optimize particle arrangement and geometry, achieving sensitivity in the parts per billion range.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 30, 2022
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.

Physicist strikes gold, solving 50-year lightning mystery

A University of South Australia physicist has solved the long-standing mystery of lightning's zig-zag pattern and dark electric column. The breakthrough explains how singlet-delta metastable oxygen molecules create these steps.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 23, 2022

High-power electrostatic actuators to realize artificial muscles

Scientists at Tokyo Tech developed an electrostatic actuator capable of generating forces comparable to human muscles, but with lower voltage requirements. The device uses ferroelectric liquid crystals and a 3D-printed electrode to produce contraction and expansion at low voltages.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Physics Research·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 17, 2022
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

PPPL awarded more than $12 million to speed development of a fusion pilot plant

The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) has received over $12 million in funding from the US Department of Energy to speed up the development of a pilot plant powered by fusion energy. This initiative aims to accelerate the production of clean and abundant electricity, a crucial step towards mitigating climate change.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·DateNov 15, 2022

Mini-Engine Exploits Noise to Convert Information into Fuel

Researchers created an information engine using a glass bead suspended in water, exploiting thermal noise to convert it into work. The system uses Bayesian estimates to filter out measurement errors and performs significantly better than typical engines when noise is high.

SourceFoundational Questions Institute, FQXi·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 14, 2022

Deep learning with light

Researchers at MIT have developed a new method that uses optics to accelerate machine-learning computations on low-power devices. By encoding model components onto light waves, data can be transmitted rapidly and computations performed quickly, leading to over a hundredfold improvement in energy efficiency.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateOct 20, 2022
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.

Deep learning tool identifies bacteria in micrographs

Omnipose, a deep learning software, can identify various types of tiny objects in micrographs with high precision, including bacteria of all shapes and sizes. It overcomes limitations of previous approaches by handling object overlap and detecting cell intoxication, making it a game-changer for biological image analysis.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalNature Methods·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 17, 2022

Ethylene fabricated by cations

A research team from POSTECH and KAIST found that cations play a crucial role in converting CO2 into valuable chemical products like ethylene. The study reveals a new mechanism for high-performance catalytic conditions, paving the way for carbon-neutral technologies.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 12, 2022
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.

Nuclear fusion: A new solution for the instability problem

A research team has found a novel operating regime that prevents destructive plasma instabilities in fusion reactors, allowing for the controlled injection of particles at the plasma edge. This approach could lead to a more stable and efficient fusion reactor design.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2022

Physicists use ‘electron correlations’ to control topological materials

Researchers from Rice University and European institutions developed a method to switch on and off topological states in a strongly correlated metal using magnetic fields. The strong electron interactions enable the material to be controlled, which could lead to new applications in sensor technology and electronics.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2022