Add BrightSurf on Google Email

New theory explains mystery behind fast magnetic reconnection

Researchers at Dartmouth College have developed a new theoretical description of how the Hall effect determines the efficiency of magnetic reconnection. The study reveals that the Hall effect suppresses energy conversion from magnetic fields to plasma particles, enabling rapid energy release and explosive magnetic explosions in space.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalCommunications Physics

Predicting the most stable boron nitride structure with quantum simulations

A team of researchers has provided evidence to settle the debate on the relative stabilities of boron nitride's structures using a state-of-the-art quantum simulation method. The study found that hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is the most stable structure, followed by rhombohedral (rBN), zinc-blende (cBN), and wurtzite (wBN).

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C
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.

Achieving higher performance with potassium ion battery

Researchers from Tsinghua University Press have developed a potassium ion battery using MXene compounds, demonstrating outstanding performance and high power density. The battery outperforms traditional lithium-ion batteries, maintaining nearly full capacity after 30,000 cycles.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalNano Research Energy

A new heat engine with no moving parts is as efficient as a steam turbine

Researchers at MIT and NREL have designed a thermophotovoltaic cell that converts heat to electricity with over 40% efficiency, surpassing traditional steam turbines. The new design could enable a fully decarbonized power grid by storing excess energy from renewable sources.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature

Converting solar energy to electricity on demand

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have successfully converted solar energy into electricity using a thermoelectric generator. The new technology can store solar energy for up to 18 years and release it when needed, making it a promising solution for renewable energy production.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·TypeExperimental study
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.

Researchers engineer electrically tunable graphene devices to study rare physics

A team of researchers has developed a tunable graphene-based platform to study exceptional points, which exhibit unique properties when light and matter interact. The breakthrough could lead to advancements in optoelectronic technologies and potentially contribute to the development of 'beyond-5G' wireless technology.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalScience·TypeNews article
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Engineering the quantum states in solids using light

A POSTECH research team has developed a platform that can control and measure the properties of solid materials with light. This breakthrough enables the manipulation of quantum states in solids, which can be effectively used in quantum systems.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNature
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Biotechnology: Enzymes in a cage

Scientists from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have successfully embedded enzymes in metal-organic frameworks to enhance their stability. This innovation enables the use of these enzymes in both aqueous and organic solvents, leading to improved productivity and stability in continuous reactors.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalAngewandte Chemie

New flexible soft-solid MOF composite membrane boosts H2/CO2 separation

Researchers at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics have developed a flexible soft-solid MOF composite membrane for efficient H2/CO2 separation. The membrane's unique structure, featuring quasi-vertically oriented solid particles, achieves better separation accuracy and robust anti-swelling capacity.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeCommentary/editorial

A new, inexpensive catalyst speeds the production of oxygen from water

Researchers at MIT have developed a new, inexpensive catalyst material that can produce oxygen from water, potentially replacing rare metals and reducing the cost of producing carbon-neutral fuels. The material, made of abundant components, allows for precise tuning and matches or exceeds the performance of conventional catalysts.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials

New LiMn2O4 electrode could pave the way for electrochemical recovery of lithium from brine

Researchers have developed a new electrode material using a truncated-octahedral LiMn2O4 design to improve lithium adsorption capacity and cycle stability in low-energy conditions. This technology has the potential to address the global challenge of extracting sufficient lithium from brine sources.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalGreen Energy & Environment·TypeExperimental study
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.

Accelerated ammonia synthesis holds promise for conversion of renewable energy

Researchers at Hiroshima University have developed a process to synthesize ammonia from its constituent molecules of nitrogen and hydrogen at ambient pressure, paving the way for efficient use in renewable energy applications. The new method utilizes lithium hydride as a molecular scaffold to prevent clumping and increase reaction speed.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C

Nuclear power may be the key to least-cost, zero-emission electricity systems

New research suggests nuclear power can provide low-cost energy and replace natural gas as a backup source, enabling faster decarbonization in countries with poor wind resources. The analysis found that nuclear is the cheapest way to eliminate all electricity-system carbon emissions nearly everywhere.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Energy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling

Rethinking how to measure methane’s climate impact

A new Stanford University study reveals that using a 100-year timeframe underestimates methane's importance in achieving Paris Agreement climate goals by up to 87%. The researchers propose using a 24-year timeframe instead, which would ensure emissions of methane are weighted correctly over the time period before temperature thresholds...

SourceStanford Woods Institute for the Environment·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters

New in situ coring and testing system for deep mining makes “living” samples a reality

A new in situ coring and testing system developed by Prof. Heping Xie's team allows for the preservation of environmental conditions, enabling accurate analysis of morphology, liquids, gases, and microorganisms in deep rock samples. The system's accuracy is improved compared to traditional methods, opening up new possibilities for deep...

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalPetroleum Science·TypeExperimental study

Risk appetite of banks for small merchant renewable energy plants remains low

A recent study published in the KeAi journal found that commercial banks continue to view small merchant renewable energy projects as risky, despite the trend towards 'greening of banks'. Government banks in the Philippines were more open to providing credit to these developers, highlighting the need for innovative financing solutions.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalGlobal Transitions·TypeCase study
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.

Instant turn-over of magnetism by gyro motion of relativistic electrons

Scientists at Osaka University demonstrated the ability to generate gigagauss magnetic fields via gyro motion of relativistic electrons, with polarity reverse occurring instantly. The study, published in Scientific Reports, reveals a new mechanism for magnetic field growth and amplification.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling

Nano-chocolates that store hydrogen

Researchers have created nanoparticles that can store hydrogen, reducing the need for pressurized tanks and cooling. The discovery could enable climate-friendly fuels and production methods for airplanes, ships, and steel.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalACS Nano

New smart-roof coating enables year-round energy savings

Scientists developed an all-season smart-roof coating that automatically switches between cooling and heating, outperforming commercial cool-roof systems in energy savings. The technology uses vanadium dioxide to regulate its rate of radiative cooling, overcoming the problem of overcooling in winter.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Molecular device turns infrared into visible light

Researchers developed a molecular device that converts infrared light to visible light, expanding detection capabilities. The device uses tiny vibrating molecules and metallic nanostructures to enhance conversion efficiency.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalScience

New 3D, self-supported electrode could pave the way for large-scale hydrogen production

Researchers develop a 3D, self-supported electrode using hierarchical and honeycomb alloy that reduces overpotential in water splitting process. The alloy's fully-exposed active sites promote rapid electrochemical reactions, leading to efficient hydrogen production.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalGreen Energy & Environment·TypeExperimental study

Efficient photon upconversion at an organic semiconductor interface

Researchers developed novel photon upconversion systems with heterojunctions of bilayer films of organic semiconductors, achieving two orders of magnitude higher external quantum efficiency than conventional systems. This breakthrough enables bright yellow emission in flexible thin films for optogenetics and biosensing applications.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study
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.

Unveiling the steady progress toward fusion energy gain

Research has shown steady progress toward achieving large energy gain in fusion reactions, a crucial milestone for commercial fusion energy. Recent advancements in laser-driven devices and lower-cost private concepts have significantly increased performance thresholds, surpassing early tokamak designs.

SourceAmerican Physical Society

Upgraded code reveals a source of damaging fusion disruptions

Thermal quenches in fusion devices occur when high-energy electrons escape from the core and fly toward the wall, causing a rapid drop in electron temperature. The researchers propose an analytic model of plasma transport that provides new physical insights into the complex topology of 3-D magnetic field lines.

SourceAmerican Physical Society

You and your 27 friends will kill someone

A new study reveals that consumption in G20 nations causes significant premature deaths worldwide, particularly among infants and elderly populations. The research estimates that the lifetime consumption of 28 people in G20 nations will result in one person's premature death.

SourceNational Institute for Environmental Studies·JournalNature Communications

Unmasking the magic of superconductivity in twisted graphene

Researchers discovered a resemblance between magic graphene's superconductivity and high-temperature superconductors, shedding light on the mysterious ceramic compounds. The study provides evidence for unconventional superconductivity in magic bilayer graphene.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

How do ice giants maintain their magnetic fields?

New research reveals that a layer of 'hot', electrically conductive ice could be responsible for generating the magnetic fields of ice giant planets. The study found two forms of superionic ice, one of which may exist in the interiors of Uranus and Neptune.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study

Storing data as mixtures of fluorescent dyes (video)

Researchers have developed a novel data storage method using mixtures of fluorescent dyes, which can store binary information at high density with fast read/write speeds. The technique encodes sequences of 0s and 1s into dye molecules, allowing for the storage of digital information for thousands of years or longer.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Central Science

New results from the RHIC Spin Program

The latest results from the RHIC Spin Program provide new insights into the contribution of quarks and gluons to a proton's spin. Researchers at Brookhaven Lab have made significant progress in studying the three-dimensional internal structure of protons using collisions of spin-polarized protons at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider ...

SourceAmerican Physical Society
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.

Searching for elusive supersymmetric particles

An international team of scientists, led by Professor Owen Long, explored supersymmetry as an extension of the Standard Model. They conducted experiments at the Large Hadron Collider and found no signs of supersymmetric particles, but their null result is still a significant scientific progress.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPhysical Review D·TypeExperimental study

New tool for energy sector models carbon capture incentives

A new model, developed by Carnegie Mellon University researchers, identifies coal- and natural gas-fired electricity generation plants suitable for carbon capture technologies. The tool takes into account various factors like plant age, efficiency, location, and technology to explore optimal CO2 reduction strategies at an affordable cost.

SourceCollege of Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University·JournalInternational Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control

30-minute synthesis of cathode materials for flexible lithium-sulfur batteries

Researchers at POSTECH developed a lithium-sulfur battery with high energy density, fast charging, and mechanical flexibility. The team synthesized sulfur-rich hierarchically ordered copolymers in under 30 minutes without surfactants or steric stabilizers.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNano Energy
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.

First observation of energy-difference conservation in optical domain

A research team at POSTECH observes synchronized oscillations of optical intensity and symmetry-breaking transitions at an exceptional point. They also discover energy-difference conservation for the first time in the optical domain using APT symmetry platforms based on nonlinear four-wave-mixing.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalPhysical Review Letters

Record-breaking lithium-metal cell

Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology have developed a record-breaking lithium-metal battery with an energy density of 560 Wh/kg, retaining 88% capacity after 1000 cycles. The battery features a nickel-rich cathode and a dual-anion ionic liquid electrolyte, which significantly improves stability.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalJoule·TypeExperimental study

Green hydrogen: Focus on the catalyst surface

Scientists from KIT have investigated the behavior of iridium oxide catalysts under dynamic conditions using X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The study reveals highly unexpected structural modifications connected to a stabilization of the catalyst at high voltages, contributing to more efficient and sustainable green hydrogen production.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalACS Catalysis
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

New solvents to break down plant cellulose for bioethanol

Researchers at Kanazawa University have developed new solvent mixtures containing positive and negative charges to break down plant cellulose for bioethanol production. These solvents are more environmentally friendly and reduce toxicity compared to current methods, enabling the conversion of unused biomass into fuel.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalCarbohydrate Polymers

A universal intercalation strategy for high-stable perovskite photovoltaics

A team of scientists from Kanazawa University has discovered that adding CsI to the MAPbI3 perovskite structure greatly increases its stability and efficiency. The addition resulted in power conversion efficiencies as high as 18.43% and improved device performance.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalNano Energy

Press registration opens for ACS Fall 2021 meeting

The American Chemical Society's ACS Fall 2021 meeting will feature over 7,000 presentations on various scientific topics. Journalists and public information officers can register for the meeting and access on-demand content.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society

A super new theory

A researcher at the University of Tsukuba introduces a new theoretical model of high-temperature superconductivity based on the calculation of the Berry connection. This model helps explain experimental results better than the current theory and may enable lossless energy transmission.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalJournal of Superconductivity and Novel Magnetism
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Igniting plasmas in liquids

Researchers develop underwater plasmas using high-voltage pulses, creating extreme conditions with pressures and temperatures similar to the Pacific Ocean's deepest point. The ignition process challenges conventional theories and demonstrates the potential for re-oxidising catalytic surfaces in electrochemical cells.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of Applied Physics

Defining the Hund physics landscape of two-orbital systems

International collaboration identifies four correlated metals in two-orbital systems, including a Hund's metal that can give rise to superconductivity. The discovery overturns conventional wisdom and opens up new avenues for understanding strongly correlated materials.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)

World's fastest information-fuelled engine designed by SFU researchers

Researchers at Simon Fraser University design an information engine that converts random particle motion into stored energy, extracting power comparable to biological systems. The engine achieves speeds of over ten times that of previous implementations, pushing the capabilities of this type of engine beyond its limits.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Scientists watch 2D puddles of electrons emerge in a 3D superconducting material

Researchers found that electrons behave like they're confined to ultrathin layers or stripes within the material, creating 2D puddles of superconductivity. This phenomenon has practical implications for crafting 2D materials and offers an alternative method for making 2D superconducting states.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
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.

Effective Field Theories and the nature of the universe

Effective Field Theories were introduced to simplify mathematics involved in unifying interactions. Steven Weinberg shares his expertise on these theories, which unify weak and electromagnetic interactions with the strong interaction. He also discusses implications for future research and applications in diverse areas.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal H

Scientists discovered new physical effects important for the ITER reactor operation

Researchers at Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University confirmed theoretical predictions about energy flow in the ITER reactor through experiments on two tokamaks. They discovered a new type of electric current that affects the scrape-off layer of the edge plasma.

SourcePeter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University·JournalPlasma Physics and Controlled Fusion

Reliable quality-control of graphene and other 2D materials is routinely possible

Researchers at Ames Laboratory discovered a correlation between broad diffraction patterns and high-quality graphene, challenging conventional wisdom. The discovery has implications for reliable quality control of 2D materials in manufacturing environments.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
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.

Exploring the source of stars and planets in a laboratory

Researchers propose new method to verify star and planet formation theory by simulating the Princeton Magnetorotational Instability (MRI) Experiment. The study finds that instabilities can be seen before the upper limit of experimental rotation rate is reached, shedding light on the growth of celestial bodies.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review E