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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

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

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...

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 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

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

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...

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

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.

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