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When light, not heat, causes melting

Scientists observed a material's phase change when triggered by ultrafast laser light instead of temperature change. The process generates topological defects and affects electron dynamics. Researchers can potentially use this phenomenon for data storage systems using controlled light pulses.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Physics·DateOct 15, 2018

Oxygen vs. nanochip

Scientists at NUST MISIS discover that molybdenum disulfide, a promising basis for ultra-small electronic devices, degrades in air due to spontaneous oxidation. However, they also found that the material can be transformed into a solid solution MoS2-xOx, which is an effective catalyst for electromechanical processes.

SourceNational University of Science and Technology MISIS·JournalNature Chemistry·DateSep 25, 2018
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.

Yale physicists find signs of a time crystal

Researchers at Yale University have found hints of time crystals in monoammonium phosphate (MAP) crystals, which are easy to grow and commonly used in children's kits. The discovery presents new challenges for understanding how time crystals form and could lead to improvements in atomic clocks and quantum technologies.

SourceYale University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 2, 2018

Researchers sew atomic lattices seamlessly together

A team of scientists from Cornell University and the University of Chicago has successfully created atomically thin fabrics by stitching different materials together. The resulting single-layer materials exhibit perfectly aligned crystals with minimal defects, opening up possibilities for flexible LEDs and new electronic devices.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience·DateMar 8, 2018
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.

Robotic crystals that walk n' roll

Scientists at Waseda University have developed robotic crystals that walk slowly like an inchworm and roll 20,000 times faster than its walking speed. These autonomously moving crystals have great potential as material for soft robots in the medical field, particularly for microrobots that transport substances in the microscopic region.

SourceWaseda University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 19, 2018

Study: Pulsating dissolution found in crystals

German researchers observed pulses of dissolution in dissolving crystals, marked by waves spreading from etch pits and screw dislocations. These findings challenge the long-held assumption that dissolution is a continuous process.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2018

New synthethic protocol to form 3-D porous organic network

A new synthetic protocol has been developed to form 3D porous organic networks via solid-state explosion of organic single crystals. This method offers several advantages over existing techniques, including the absence of solvents and catalysts, resulting in highly pure products.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 29, 2017

Crystals in a pink X-ray beam

A new experimental setup allows for serial crystallography using broad-spectrum X-rays at synchrotron sources, enabling the study of proteins with smaller samples and shorter exposure times. This method reduces unwanted scattered radiation, making it possible to determine protein structures with high precision.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 3, 2017

Formation of porous crystals observed for the first time

Researchers at University of Bristol observed the formation of a crystal gel and discovered new mechanisms for creating sponge-like nanoporous crystals. The process resembles ice crystal growth in clouds and can lead to materials for catalytic, optical, sensing, and filtration applications.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Methods·DateJul 31, 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.

Crystals help volcanoes cope with pressure

A network of microscopic crystals in magma can act like guard rails to channel gas out, lessening internal pressure and reducing explosiveness. The discovery challenges the prevailing assumption that silica content is the major driver of gas escape.

SourceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks·JournalGeology·DateJul 10, 2017

Raucous crystals

Scientists have discovered that organic crystals send out acoustic signals when their crystal structure changes, providing insight into the phenomenon. The crystals' rapid transformation of heat into movement is potentially useful for developing artificial muscles or microscale robotic arms.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 15, 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.

Lehigh scientists fabricate a new class of crystalline solid

Researchers at Lehigh University have created a new type of synthetic single crystal and bio-inspired materials with unique electronic and optical properties. The team used a subtle laser heating technique to induce atoms to assemble into a rotating lattice without affecting the macroscopic shape of the solid.

SourceLehigh University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 3, 2016

Scientists make structure analysis of protein molecules several times faster

Researchers at MIPT and several universities create technology to determine spatial structure of receptor proteins, crucial for human health. By using sulfur atoms and Serial Femtosecond Crystallography, scientists solve the problem of radiation damage, enabling precise analysis of protein structures with a resolution of 1.9Å.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 4, 2016

Researchers propose new treatment to prevent kidney stones

Researchers found a natural fruit extract, hydroxycitrate (HCA), dissolves calcium oxalate crystals, the most common component of human kidney stones. The study suggests HCA is an effective inhibitor and may be preferred over existing treatments.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalNature·DateAug 8, 2016
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.

Scientists capture the elusive structure of essential digestive enzyme

Researchers at Princeton University have revealed new insights into the mechanism of phenylalanine hydroxylase, a critical liver enzyme for human health. By applying unique approaches combining small-angle x-ray scattering and chromatography, they provided evidence for a model of the active structure of the enzyme.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 25, 2016

Research finds evidence of lung abnormalities in light-use waterpipe smokers

A study of young, light-use waterpipe smokers found marked changes in airway cells and increased particles shed by endothelial cells. These biological changes indicate early lung damage, highlighting the need for large epidemiologic studies to assess the harmful effects of waterpipe smoking.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateApr 5, 2016
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.

Helping turn waste heat into electricity

Researchers found a way to control energy transfer between electrons and bismuth crystal lattice, enabling efficient conversion of waste heat into electricity. This discovery could improve the overall efficiency of solar cells by harnessing excess heat.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateFeb 3, 2016

Even if imprisoned inside a crystal, molecules can still move

Researchers used X-ray crystallography, NMR and simulation to study protein movements in crystals. The results show that proteins continue to produce slight residual movements even when crystallised, which blurs the structures obtained via crystallography.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 6, 2015

High-powered X-ray laser unlocks mechanics of pain relief without addiction

Scientists have developed a new X-ray source to study how non-addictive painkillers work, revealing the target of binding to neuroreceptors. This breakthrough could lead to designing molecules to generate specific responses and address critical health issues related to opioid abuse.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateFeb 17, 2015

Love online is about being real, not perfect

Researchers found that people prefer online profiles highlighting a potential partner's success and humility, with specific details about their life. This approach balances presenting the best version of oneself while avoiding exaggerations.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·DateFeb 11, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Longstanding bottleneck in crystal structure prediction solved

Researchers at Princeton University have overcome a major challenge in predicting material properties by accurately calculating the lattice energy of benzene to sub-kilojoule/mol accuracy. This breakthrough enables polymorphism to be resolved, a crucial step towards understanding material behavior and development of new materials.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalScience·DateSep 25, 2014

Understanding active pharmaceutical ingredients

The study's findings highlight the importance of API hydration in determining physical properties, such as stability and solubility. The research provides valuable insights into the mechanistic relationships between dehydration stages and lattice structure changes.

SourceInternational Union of Crystallography·JournalActa Crystallographica Section B·DateJun 5, 2014

Crystal methamphetamine use by street youth increases risk of injecting drugs

Street-involved youth using crystal methamphetamine are at increased risk of injecting drugs, with the drug often used during initiation events. Researchers linked recent non-injection use of crystal methamphetamine to higher rates of subsequent injection among youth who did not inject initially.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateOct 15, 2013

Fish schools and krill swarms take on common shape

A new study reveals that fish shoals and krill swarms share a unique, irregular crystal-like shape across different locations. Researchers used multibeam sonar to record the three-dimensional structure of Antarctic krill swarms, finding a fixed surface area-to-volume ratio, similar to studies on fish from diverse locations.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 16, 2010
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Dartmouth researchers contribute to solving a quantum puzzle

Researchers bridge the gap between classical and quantum physics by exploring how the rules of quantum mechanics apply to macroscopic objects. They discovered that vibrations in a crystal can cause electrons to tunnel through barriers, leading to random quantum fluctuations.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalNature·DateJun 30, 2010

Antifreeze proteins can stop ice melting, Queen's professors find

A new study by Queen's University researchers found that antifreeze proteins can superheat ice crystals, stabilizing them above the melting point for hours. This discovery has implications for understanding ice recrystallization in nature and food storage.

SourceQueen's University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 3, 2010

Antifreeze proteins can stop ice melt, new study finds

A new study reveals antifreeze proteins can suppress ice melting and stabilize superheated ice crystals for extended periods. The discovery has implications for understanding this process in nature and technology applications.

SourceOhio University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 1, 2010
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Squeezed crystals deliver more volts per jolt

Researchers discovered pure lead titanate crystals under pressure exhibit the same transitions as complex materials, displaying a morphotopic phase boundary for maximal piezoelectric properties. This breakthrough may enable low-cost but high-performance piezoelectrics.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature·DateJan 30, 2008

High-quality helium crystals show supersolid behavior

Researchers have successfully replicated high-quality helium crystals exhibiting supersolid behavior, a phenomenon initially thought to be exclusive to poor-quality solid helium. The new findings suggest that supersolidity can occur in ultra-cold solid helium with crystallinity above 1%, contrary to previous theories.

SourcePenn State·DateFeb 17, 2007

Scientists make first step towards 'holy grail' of crystallography

Researchers at Imperial College London have made a significant breakthrough in protein crystal formation using a novel porous material called BioGlass. The team successfully induced the crystallization of the largest number of proteins ever achieved using a single nucleant, offering new hope for drug discovery.

SourceImperial College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 9, 2006

A possible new form of 'supersolid' matter

Researchers at Penn State have created a new form of supersolid matter by freezing helium-4, exhibiting properties of both solids and fluids. The discovery, funded by the National Science Foundation, suggests that under certain conditions, some fraction of the helium atoms can move through the lattice like a superfluid.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalNature·DateJan 14, 2004

UMR research could pave way for discovery of life on Mars

Researchers like Dr. Melanie Mormile are exploring the possibility of finding ancient bacteria on Mars, which could provide evidence for life on the planet. By dating salt-loving bacteria on Earth, scientists aim to confirm whether similar organisms can survive for hundreds of millions of years.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Rolla·DateOct 30, 2000
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.

Nature's Sugar High

Researchers from NASA and French-American teams crystallized thaumatin in space, producing larger and more defect-free crystals with improved x-ray diffraction properties. This breakthrough paves the way for better understanding of the molecule's shape and function, potentially leading to new treatments for diabetes and obesity.

SourceNASA/Marshall Space Flight Center--Space Sciences Laboratory·DateSep 14, 1998

Magic Sizes Found In Metal Alloys

Researchers find preferred shapes and sizes of lead inclusions in aluminum, which affect melting behavior and material properties. The discovery has implications for understanding and engineering the behavior of nanoparticles in various alloys.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 22, 1997
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

World Record For Purity Promises Faster, More Efficient Electronic Devices

Researchers at Weizmann Institute achieve record-purity gallium arsenide crystal, allowing electrons to travel at 14.4 million centimeters per second. This breakthrough enables the creation of faster and more efficient electronic devices, such as semiconductor transistors.

SourceAmerican Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 24, 1997