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Making steps toward improved data storage

Researchers at Kyoto University successfully created intense terahertz pulses to fine-tune the switching behavior of a phase-change memory material. This breakthrough could lead to faster and more stable memory technologies with increased density.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 6, 2018

Spiders go ballooning on electric fields

Scientists from the University of Bristol have discovered that spiders can become airborne in the absence of wind when subjected to electric fields, defying current theories on aerodynamic drag. The researchers believe that electric fields trigger ballooning and provide lift, revolutionizing our understanding of spider dispersal.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 5, 2018

Detecting the shape of laser pulses

A team of researchers at the Institute for Basic Science developed a new method to measure laser pulse shapes in ambient air. The patented technique, TIPTOE, uses tunnel ionization and achieves temporal characterization of laser pulses without X-ray pulses or vacuum conditions.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalOptica·DateMay 17, 2018

Untangling DNA knots

MIT researchers have discovered the factors that determine whether a DNA knot moves along the strand or jams in place. By manipulating the electric field strength, they can induce knots to move towards one end of the molecule, potentially enabling more accurate genome sequencing and knot removal methods.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 3, 2018

Freeing electrons to better trap them

Researchers at UNIGE and MBI successfully place an electron in a dual state, neither free nor bound, and regulate its electronic structure. They also discover that high-intensity lasers can amplify light, enabling new possibilities for intense laser propagation in gases.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Physics·DateApr 16, 2018

Breakthrough made in atomically thin magnets

Researchers at Cornell University have made a breakthrough in controlling atomically thin magnets using an electric field, opening the door to more powerful and efficient data storage. This technology has the potential to replace current methods that consume electrical power and create heat.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Materials·DateApr 4, 2018

Demonstration of a single molecule piezoelectric effect

Researchers from IOCB Prague and IP CAS demonstrate a strong converse piezoelectric effect at individual molecules of heptahelicene derivative on a silver surface. The study provides new insights into the electromechanical behavior of individual molecules, opening up possibilities for nanoscale molecular devices.

Recreating outer space in the lab

Researchers at Tohoku University successfully recreated conditions similar to those in space without an electric field-trapping boundary. The study shows the electron gas expands adiabatically when electric fields are removed, demonstrating the extension of classical thermodynamics to out-of-equilibrium systems.

SourceTohoku University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 13, 2018

New, low cost alternative for ethylene production

Scientists at Waseda University have developed a novel reaction mechanism for the oxidative coupling of methane, enabling the efficient synthesis of ethylene at a lower temperature. This breakthrough could significantly reduce production costs and make the process more accessible to small-scale manufacturers.

SourceWaseda University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateJan 28, 2018

New sensor for measuring electric field strength

A new silicon-based sensor developed by TU Wien measures electric field strength without distortion, with potential applications in weather forecasting, industrial process control, and high-voltage power line safety. The sensor achieves impressive levels of precision, reliably measuring weak fields of less than 200 volts per meter.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Electronics·DateJan 24, 2018

Using electricity to switch magnetism

Scientists have successfully controlled magnetic oscillations of certain ferrous materials using electrical fields, enabling faster and more precise data storage. This breakthrough has huge implications for future electronics applications, where magnetic effects are currently difficult to write and store.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 18, 2018

JILA spinning method confirms the electron still seems round

Physicists at JILA have confirmed the leading results on electron roundness using a unique spinning molecule technique, measuring its symmetry to provide new insights into fundamental physics and potential fossils of ancient asymmetry. The method offers future potential for more sensitive searches and tests of natural constants.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 9, 2017

Colder and colder

Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have created a novel method for cooling ions using electrostatic fields, allowing them to reach temperatures near absolute zero. This breakthrough enables the study of large biological molecules and nanoparticles, with potential applications in medicine and materials science.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 18, 2017

New metrology technique measures electric fields

American scientists have developed a new method to measure electric fields using atomic resonance-based technology, allowing for accurate and traceable measurements. This technique has improved spatial resolution and can measure frequencies up to one terahertz, relevant for future wireless mobile telecommunication systems.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateJun 20, 2017

Printed sensors monitor tire wear in real time

Researchers have developed an inexpensive printed sensor that can track millimeter-scale changes in tire tread depth with high accuracy. The technology has the potential to increase safety, improve vehicle performance, and reduce fuel consumption by detecting sub-millimeter resolution of tire wear.

SourceDuke University·JournalIEEE Sensors Journal·DateJun 14, 2017