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UA researchers observe electrons zipping around in crystals

Researchers at the University of Arizona used a novel technique to observe electrons moving through crystals, shedding light on the unique properties of transition metal dichalcogenides. The study revealed that electrons move differently within and across layers, with implications for future processing technologies.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 1, 2018

New UC Riverside research advances spintronics technology

Researchers at UC Riverside have developed methods to detect signals from spintronic components made of low-cost metals and silicon, overcoming a major barrier to wide application. This breakthrough enables the creation of spintronic computers that generate little heat and use relatively minuscule amounts of electricity.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 1, 2018

Relativity matters: Two opposing views of the magnetic force reconciled

Researchers have resolved the ambiguity between Ampere's and Gilbert's forms of magnetic force, enabling characterization of particle spin dynamics in inhomogeneous electromagnetic fields. This advance can be applied to precision experiments, including those involving muons and neutrinos.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal C·DateJan 29, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NIST's superconducting synapse may be missing piece for 'artificial brains'

Researchers at NIST have built a superconducting switch that learns like a biological system, connecting processors and storing memories in future computers operating like the human brain. The synapse can process incoming electrical spikes to customize spiking output signals, using less energy than the human brain.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 26, 2018

UNIST researchers develop highly stretchable aqueous batteries

Researchers at UNIST have developed a highly stretchable rechargeable lithium-ion battery based on aqueous electrolytes, using a simple and cost-effective solution process. The breakthrough involves a bioinspired Jabuticaba-like hybrid carbon/polymer composite that retains its electrical conductivity under high strain rates.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateJan 26, 2018

Research boosts efficiency and stability of optical rectennas

Researchers have improved optical rectenna efficiency by two-fold, using air-stable diode materials. The devices can convert electromagnetic fields at optical frequencies to electrical current, enabling low-power applications like temperature sensors.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Electronic Materials·DateJan 26, 2018
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Thanks for the memory: NIST takes a deep look at memristors

Researchers at NIST have identified a toolset to study memristors, leading to deeper understanding of their operation and potential for more efficient devices. The team found that reducing the size of a memristor can minimize unwanted current pathways, suggesting ways to engineer better performance.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 19, 2018

First look at pupil size in sleeping mice yields surprises

Researchers have discovered that pupil size rhythmically fluctuates during sleep in mice and correlates with changes in sleep states. The findings suggest that pupil size plays a crucial role in blocking sensory input and protecting the brain during deep sleep.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 18, 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.

Controlling superconductivity using spin currents

A KAIST research team used electron microscopy and scanning tunneling microscope to study the connection between magnetism and superconductivity. They found that low-energy spin fluctuations cannot mediate pairing between electrons, a critical step for superconductivity. This breakthrough enables the development of novel antiferromagne...

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 9, 2018

Understanding the impact of defects on the properties of moS2

Researchers discovered that defects in monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) exhibit electrical switching, providing new insights into the material's electrical properties. This finding could contribute to MoS2's future use in opto-electronics and address current limitations.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 21, 2017

New technique allows rapid screening for new types of solar cells

A team at MIT has developed a rapid screening method for new solar cell materials, bypassing time-consuming lab tests and improving accuracy. The approach uses simple lab tests combined with computer modeling to predict material performance, accelerating the search for more efficient materials.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJoule·DateDec 20, 2017

Researchers steer the flow of electrical current with spinning light

Scientists at the University of Minnesota demonstrated a way to control the direction of photocurrent without an electric voltage. By using circularly polarized light and topological insulators, they created a device that generates a spin-polarized current flowing in one direction.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 18, 2017

3-D nanoscale imaging made possible

A new imaging technique allows for true 3D imaging at the nanoscale with a resolution of 30nm. This breakthrough has potential applications in fields like materials science, physics, and medicine.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalNanophotonics·DateDec 15, 2017
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Quantum effects explain changes in nanometric circuit electron flows

Researchers studied a nanometric circuit exhibiting quantum effects due to its small scale, revealing how electrons can transit directly or via a cavity, leading to peaks and troughs in conductance values. The study provides a natural explanation for observed phenomena, shedding light on the behavior of electrons in such circuits.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 11, 2017

Many more bacteria have electrically conducting filaments

A UMass Amherst team discovers electrically conducting filaments in several microbe species, greatly broadening the research field. The discovery reveals that some larger pilins can also yield e-pili, and the ability to express e-pili has arisen independently multiple times.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·DateDec 8, 2017

Topological insulators are among this year's top achievements in photonics

Researchers have created three-dimensional topological insulators that can control light localization in all directions, promising major technological advances. These structures have a considerable practical potential for applications in optical computers, communication networks, antennas, and lasers.

SourceITMO University·JournalNature Photonics·DateDec 1, 2017

Monopole current offers way to control magnets

Researchers from RIKEN in Japan have discovered a new method to control magnets by manipulating the properties of virtual monopoles. By applying a magnetic field, they can control the behavior of north and south poles in frustrated magnets, leading to a dissipationless current.

SourceRIKEN·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 1, 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.

Spin current from heat: New material increases efficiency

Physicists at Bielefeld University discovered a new material that can generate magnetic signals, known as 'spin currents', from heat, increasing efficiency. The researchers tested various combinations of thin films and found that materials with special electronic structures produced stronger spin currents.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 20, 2017

Monopole current offers way to control magnets

Researchers from RIKEN discovered a way to control the properties of north and south poles in frustrated magnets using monopole currents. The system's conductivity can be controlled by applying magnetic fields, enabling efficient magnetism control with minimal energy loss.

SourceRIKEN·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 13, 2017

Improving sensor accuracy to prevent electrical grid overload

Researchers found that yokeless current sensors are prone to errors when measuring currents in iron conductors due to magnetic permeability. The study provides recommendations for designing more accurate sensors to improve the electrical grid's ability to respond to power surges and prevent catastrophic damage.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAIP Advances·DateNov 7, 2017
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.

Researchers use a pump-induced disease to define underlying molecular mechanism

A study published in Journal of General Physiology investigated the functional effects of specific mutations in Na/K pumps found in tumors that induce primary aldosteronism. The researchers found that impaired sodium and potassium transport is a common mechanism behind the pathology, contradicting previous 'gain-of-function' proposals.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center·JournalJournal of General Physiology·DateOct 26, 2017
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.

Seeing the next dimension of computer chips

Scientists at Osaka University used scanning tunneling microscopy to create images of atomically flat side-surfaces of 3D silicon crystals, a crucial step towards designing smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient computer chips. The achievement paves the way for innovation in semiconductor manufacturing.

SourceOsaka University·JournalJapanese Journal of Applied Physics·DateOct 10, 2017

New electro-organic synthesis allows sustainable and green production of fine chemicals

The innovative method developed by JGU and Evonik Performance Materials GmbH allows for flexible reaction to available electricity supply, eliminating the need for customized electrolysis apparatuses. This breakthrough in electro-organic synthesis enables sustainable production of fine chemicals with minimal environmental impact.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 6, 2017

New 'molecular trap' cleans more radioactive waste from nuclear fuel rods

A new molecular trap, MIL-101-Cr, removes nearly all radioactive iodide from used nuclear fuel rods, exceeding current regulations by up to 0.003 percent. The breakthrough could save on fuel costs worldwide, as the new method is cheaper and more effective than existing industrial adsorbents.

SourceWake Forest University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 5, 2017
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Good vibrations for the future of computing

KAUST researchers have demonstrated a scalable, efficient alternative technology to traditional electrical transistors, using mechanical vibrations excited by multifrequency electrical inputs. This novel technique enables the cascading of logic gates, resulting in lower complexity and higher integration densities.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalJournal of Microelectromechanical Systems·DateOct 3, 2017

The fastest light-driven current source

Researchers from FAU have successfully controlled electronic current in graphene using a single laser pulse within a femtosecond, generating a current that is more than a thousand times faster than the most efficient transistors today. The method uses light waves to regulate electron movement and generate electricity.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalNature·DateSep 25, 2017

Physicists predict nonmetallic half-metallicity

Researchers have theoretically proved the existence of a novel class of materials for use in spin-valley-tronics. The discovery could lead to advancements in implantable devices and systems, leveraging the properties of dielectric materials with two valleys.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 15, 2017

Electric eels leap to deliver painful, Taser-like jolt

Researchers have found that electric eels use a clever trick to deliver an intense shock: they leap from the water to target threatening animals above water. This behavior prevents their electrical discharges from weakening as they dissipate through the water, making it a more effective way to deter predators.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 14, 2017
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.

When electrons ride a wave

Researchers at HZDR develop a method to control the number of electrons fed into the process, achieving ideal conditions for improved beam quality. This leads to peak currents of up to 150 kiloamperes, exceeding modern large-scale research accelerators.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 8, 2017

Fast magnetic writing of data

Researchers at ETH Zurich have successfully developed a novel method to rapidly and efficiently write data onto magnetic carriers using a spin-orbit-torque technique. The technique involves the application of electric current pulses through an adjacent wire, which causes magnetization inversion without the need for coils.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 7, 2017

Drugs found to be more effective against depression than electric current

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) was less effective than escitalopram, an antidepressant, in treating depression. The researchers concluded that tDCS cannot be recommended as first-line therapy due to its lack of efficacy and adverse side effects.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 31, 2017
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.

European electricity consumption under climate change

Future electricity consumption in Europe is expected to decrease in Northern Europe and increase in Southern and Western Europe under rising temperatures. Daily peak usage is predicted to peak in summer instead of winter, affecting transmission infrastructure and storage requirements.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 28, 2017

PPPL physicist discovers that some plasma instabilities can extinguish themselves

Physicist Fatima Ebrahimi has used advanced models to simulate the cyclic behavior of edge-localized modes (ELMs), a type of plasma instability. She found that ELMs can form when a steep gradient of current exists at the plasma edge, and these instabilities can extinguish themselves by disrupting their own source.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateAug 24, 2017

Deep-UV probing method detects electron transfer in photovoltaics

Researchers at EPFL have developed a substrate-specific method to detect electron transfer in photovoltaic devices. The new approach uses deep-ultraviolet continuum pulses to probe the excitonic transitions of transition-metal oxide substrates, providing a route to studying solid-state-sensitized solar cells.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 15, 2017

Single molecules can work as reproducible transistors -- at room temperature

Columbia University researchers successfully demonstrate current blockade using atomically precise molecular clusters at room temperature. The team created a single cluster of geometrically ordered atoms with an inorganic core and positioned linkers to connect it to two gold electrodes, achieving reproducible transport characteristics.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateAug 14, 2017

Chaotic magnetic field lines may answer the coronal heating problem

Researchers in India used numerical computations to investigate the role of chaotic magnetic field lines in generating intense electric current sheets, which are potential sites for extreme heating of the sun's corona. The simulations found a direct proportionality between the intensity of the current sheet and chaoticity.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateAug 9, 2017
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.

Physicists design ultrafocused pulses

Physicists at the University of Innsbruck have developed a method to generate ultra-focused electromagnetic fields, enabling precise devices for microscopy and other applications. The new scheme utilizes a cylinder reflecting electromagnetic waves to create focused pulses with adjustable frequency.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 27, 2017

High-temperature superconductivity in B-doped Q-carbon

Scientists have discovered a novel way to create superconductors at higher temperatures using boron-doped Q-carbon, with a transition temperature of 57K. This breakthrough could lead to practical applications in fields like energy and transportation.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateJul 24, 2017

No battery, no wire, no problem

Researchers at Harvard University have created battery-free folding robots that can perform complex movements using wireless magnetic fields and shape-memory alloy coils. The robots, inspired by origami, use passive electronic components to deliver an electric current, eliminating the need for batteries or wired connections.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalScience Robotics·DateJul 19, 2017

Nickel is crucial for the Earth's magnetic field

Researchers found that nickel is essential for creating the geodynamo effect that generates the Earth's magnetic field. Without nickel, convection currents cannot form, leading to a magnetic field. The study used advanced computer simulations to analyze the behavior of metals in the Earth's core.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 13, 2017
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

New material resembling a metal nanosponge could reduce computer energy consumption

Researchers at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona have developed a new nanoporous material that can increase magnetic domain orientation efficiency, reducing the energy needed to process data. This innovation has the potential to significantly improve computer energy efficiency and increase mobile device autonomy.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateJul 13, 2017

Molecular electronics scientists shatter 'impossible' record

Researchers have overcome a fundamental theoretical limitation to design molecular diodes with a record-high rectification ratio of 6.3 x 10^5. This breakthrough enables the use of molecular diodes in applications that silicon diodes can't handle, potentially leading to cheaper and easier fabrication.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJul 3, 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.

New measurement will help redefine international unit of mass

Researchers at NIST have made the most precise determination yet of Planck's constant, a fundamental value that will help redefine the kilogram. The new measurement has an uncertainty of just 13 parts per billion, exceeding international requirements for redefining the unit.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalMetrologia·DateJun 30, 2017

Graphene transistor could mean computers that are 1,000 times faster

Researchers have developed a graphene-based transistor that can produce massive jumps in computing speed and efficiency. By applying a magnetic field, the resistance of current flowing through the device can be controlled, allowing for faster processing speeds and reduced power consumption.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 13, 2017

Superconducting nanowire memory cell, miniaturized technology

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new nanoscale memory cell that holds promise for successful integration with superconducting processors. The device provides stable memory at a smaller size than other proposed memory devices, eliminating magnetic-field cross-talk and enabling faster and more powerful computing.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateJun 13, 2017
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.