Add BrightSurf on Google Email

New technique improves conversion of carbon dioxide into liquid fuels

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a new approach to modify the surface of copper catalysts, improving the conversion of carbon dioxide into useful fuels. The technique involves coating the copper with thin films of ionomers, which steer the reaction towards generating carbon-rich products.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 17, 2021

Harnessing Thor’s Hammer -- How forensic science is unlocking the mysteries of fatal lightning strikes

Researchers developed a tool to investigate cause of death when skeletonised remains are recovered, providing a breakthrough in forensic lightning pathology. The study identified unique markers of lightning damage deep within the human skeleton, allowing for recognition of lightning strikes even when only dry bone survives.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalForensic Science International Synergy·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 3, 2021

Broadband spintronic-metasurface terahertz emitters with tunable chirality

Researchers developed a novel spintronic-metasurface terahertz emitter that generates broadband, circularly polarized, and coherent terahertz waves. The design offers flexible manipulation of the polarization state and helicity with magnetic fields, enabling efficient generation and control of chiral terahertz waves.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 26, 2021

Fabricating MgB2 superconductors using spark plasma sintering and pulse magnetization

New research from Shibaura Institute of Technology reveals that spark plasma sintering produces highly dense MgB2 bulks with improved mechanical and superconducting properties. The resulting samples exhibit superior strengths and high trapped field performance, making them suitable for space applications and electric machines.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalMaterials Science and Engineering B·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2021

Russian researchers present ultra-precise brain imaging tool

A team from the Russian Quantum Center developed a novel solid-state supersensitive room-temperature magnetometer capable of registering weak electrical sources in the brain. The device successfully detected alpha rhythm, a sinusoidal electric current in the back of the brain, and showed higher sensitivity than existing systems.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalHuman Brain Mapping·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 13, 2021

‘Missing jigsaw piece’: engineers make critical advance in quantum computer design

Quantum engineers at the University of New South Wales have discovered a new technique to control millions of spin qubits, a critical step towards building a practical quantum computer. This breakthrough uses a novel component called a dielectric resonator to focus microwave power and deliver uniform magnetic fields across the chip.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 13, 2021

A more robust memory device for AI systems

Researchers developed a new magnetic memory device using antiferromagnetic materials, offering improved scalability, write speed, and security. The device's unique structure allows for simultaneous writing and reading of data, addressing key challenges in high-performance AI applications.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 22, 2021

Tiny particles power chemical reactions

Researchers at MIT have discovered a new way of generating electricity using tiny carbon particles that can create a current simply by interacting with liquid surrounding them. This technology allows for electrochemistry without wires, enabling applications such as powering micro- or nanoscale robots and driving chemical reactions.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 7, 2021

TPU scientists: Effective application of power transformers to reduce cost of electrical energy

The researchers developed a new method for assessing the loading capacity of power transformers, taking into account temperature fluctuations. The study found that using this method, operators can control power systems with higher transfer capabilities, postponing investments in replacing transformers and allowing end-users to use chea...

SourceTomsk Polytechnic University·JournalInternational Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems·DateMay 19, 2021

New neuroelectronic system can read and modify brain circuits

A Columbia University team designed a high-performance implantable system that can read and modify brain signals, suppressing pathological coupling in epileptic animal models. The multiplex-then-amplify (MTA) system enables simultaneous stimulation of arbitrary waveforms on multiple independent channels.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 10, 2021

Towards 2D memory technology by magnetic graphene

Researchers have experimentally confirmed that magnetic graphene can generate large spin signals and transfer spin information over long distances. This discovery paves the way for the development of ultra-compact 2D spin-logic devices with strong spin-polarization, promising high-speed and energy-saving electronics.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMay 6, 2021

A neuromagnetic view through the skull

A team of researchers has successfully developed a highly sensitive magnetoencephalography (MEG) technology that can detect even fast brain oscillations produced in response to single sensory stimuli. This breakthrough enables noninvasive observation of nerve cells transmitting information, shedding light on factors such as alertness a...

SourcePhysikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 2021

Algorithms inspired by social networks reveal lifecycle of substorms, a key element of space weather

Researchers at the University of Warwick used social media-inspired algorithms to analyze space weather observations and reveal the lifecycle of substorms. The study shows that these substorms manifest as global-scale electrical current systems associated with the aurora, covering most of the Earth's night-side at high latitudes.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 23, 2021

Artificial neuron device could shrink energy use and size of neural network hardware

Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a nanoscale artificial neuron device that efficiently carries out activation functions in hardware, reducing computing power and circuitry. The device, which implements the rectified linear unit activation function, can process images and perform edge detection with high accuracy.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMar 18, 2021

Solar cells: Losses made visible on the nanoscale

Researchers used conductive atomic force microscopy to detect tiny channels for dark currents in solar cell surfaces, revealing the loss mechanism at the interface of silicon heterojunction solar cells. The study showed that these channels are caused by disorder in the a-Si:H layer and lead to trap-assisted quantum mechanical tunnelling.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalACS Applied Nano Materials·DateMar 17, 2021

The mass of Cygnus X-1's black hole challenges stellar evolution models

A new study using the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) has refined the distance to Cygnus X-1 and found its black hole mass to be approximately 21 solar masses, exceeding current stellar evolution models. This massive black hole suggests that lower mass loss through stellar winds during progenitor star evolution may have occurred.

Secrets of traumatic stress hidden in the brain are exposed

A recent study using Cereset's HIRREM technology found significant effects on brain network connectivity in military personnel with traumatic stress. The results support the bihemispheric autonomic management model and suggest that regulated connections between hemispheres are associated with improved health and wellbeing.

SourceCereset·JournalJournal of Neuroimaging·DateJan 27, 2021