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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·DateAug 24, 2021

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·DateAug 24, 2021

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·DateAug 10, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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·DateJul 29, 2021

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·DateJul 9, 2021

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·DateJul 7, 2021

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)·DateJun 16, 2021
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.

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·DateMay 11, 2021

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·DateApr 12, 2021

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·DateMar 24, 2021
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

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·DateFeb 11, 2021

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·DateOct 23, 2020
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.

How to imitate natural spring-loaded snapping movement without losing energy

Materials scientists at UMass Amherst developed a way to efficiently convert elastic energy into kinetic energy for high-acceleration movements. By designing elastic bands with strategically placed elliptical holes, they achieved more than 90% energy conversion, compared to 70% for plain bands.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 3, 2020

Thermodynamics of computation: A quest to find the cost of running a Turing machine

Santa Fe Institute researchers Artemy Kolchinsky and David Wolpert present a new framework for understanding the relationship between energy and computation in Turing machines. They derive relationships between algorithmic information and energy, showing that computations with more compressible outputs require more energy.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateAug 26, 2020
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.

Revised code could help improve efficiency of fusion experiments

A revised code upgrade has improved the calculation of forces acting on magnetically confined plasma in fusion energy experiments. The new software, SPEC, enables researchers to determine the boundary of plasma in stellarators more easily, allowing for a better design and performance.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPlasma Physics and Controlled Fusion·DateAug 25, 2020

New superlattice material for future energy efficient devices

Researchers at Stony Brook University have developed a new superlattice material that exhibits high temperature and tunable electrical transport properties. This finding has the potential to improve energy-efficient technologies by conducting dissipationless current without energy loss.

SourceStony Brook University·JournalNature Physics·DateAug 17, 2020

The smallest motor in the world

Researchers develop 16-atom motor with high directional stability, powered by thermal and electrical energy. The motor's operation challenges classical physics and quantum principles, revealing new insights into energy transfer and time direction.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 16, 2020

Ultra-high energy events key to study of ghost particles

Physicists propose using ultra-high energy neutrinos to study interactions beyond the standard model, with a new resonance dubbed the 'Zee burst.' This detection could reveal exotic particles such as supersymmetric partners and heavy decaying dark matter.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 31, 2020
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.

Ten not-to-be-missed PPPL stories from 2019 -- plus a triple bonus!

PPPL made significant strides in fusion energy development, including the creation of a supersonic plasma jet that could study stellar bodies light years away. The Laboratory also partnered with Princeton University to study low-temperature plasma and developed an award-winning apprenticeship program for early career technicians.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·DateJan 2, 2020
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.

Light my fire: How to startup fusion devices every time

Researchers at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory create simulation framework to fine-tune plasma startup recipes for NSTX-U and MAST-U experiments. The tool enables operators to quickly achieve a balance between electric and magnetic fields, significantly reducing experimentation time.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalNuclear Fusion·DateOct 10, 2019
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Defrosting surfaces in seconds

Researchers have developed a way to remove ice and frost from surfaces efficiently using less than 1% of the energy needed for traditional methods. The technique works by melting the interfacial layer directly, allowing the ice to slide off the surface.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateAug 30, 2019

Improving the magnetic bottle that controls fusion power on Earth

Researchers discovered a small misalignment of magnetic coils in a tokamak facility that caused errors and deviations from optimal alignment, leading to increased localized heating and reduced plasma rotation. The findings have implications for future fusion devices like ITER, with improved engineering tolerance requirements proposed.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalNuclear Fusion·DateAug 5, 2019
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Harvesting energy from the human knee

Researchers developed an energy harvester attached to the wearer's knee that generates 1.6 microwatts of power while walking without increased effort. The device captures biomechanical energy through natural human motion, offering a potential solution for self-powered wearable devices.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 17, 2019

Tiny granules can help bring clean and abundant fusion power to Earth

Researchers found that injecting tiny beryllium pellets into the plasma could trigger small eruptions called ELMs, stabilizing fusion reactions. This technique could potentially reduce the risk of large ELMs and damage to the ITER facility.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalNuclear Materials and Energy·DateJul 2, 2019
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.

Tracking major sources of energy loss in compact fusion facilities

Physicists at PPPL used codes developed at General Atomics to compare theoretical predictions of electron and ion turbulent transport with findings of the first campaign of the NSTX-U. Analysis found that a major factor behind energy losses was anomalous electron transport, which spread rapidly like milk mixing with coffee.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalNuclear Fusion·DateJun 11, 2019

Great chocolate is a complex mix of science, physicists reveal

Physicists uncover secrets of conching, a 140-year-old mixing technique that creates smooth chocolate texture by breaking down ingredients into finer grains. The study may lead to lower-fat chocolate and more energy-efficient manufacturing processes.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 8, 2019

CEBAF turns on the charm

Jefferson Lab's CEBAF facility has confirmed the production of charm quarks in J/ψ particles following a recent upgrade to its operating energy. This achievement expands the realm of precision nuclear physics research with electron beams at higher energies.

SourceDOE/Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility·DateApr 18, 2019
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.

Confirming a source of the process behind auroras and the formation of stars

Researchers at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have developed the first fully kinetic model of plasma behavior, demonstrating that fast magnetic reconnection can occur in partially ionized systems. This finding has implications for understanding auroras and the formation of stars.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 18, 2019
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.

Experiments at PPPL show remarkable agreement with satellite sightings

Experiments at PPPL demonstrate striking similarities between laboratory findings and satellite observations of magnetic reconnection in space. Researchers found that electron and ion currents flow perpendicular to the magnetic field, converting energy and leading to northern lights, solar flares, and geomagnetic storms.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 7, 2018

Graphene on the way to superconductivity

Researchers have identified a flat band area in graphene that is a prerequisite for superconductivity, but requires further assistance to achieve. The discovery uses high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and could lead to controlled band structure manipulation.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 9, 2018
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

No longer whistling in the dark: Scientists uncover source of perplexing waves

Researchers identified tail electrons as the source of whistler waves, which help satellites determine their location in space. The discovery marks a new methodology for measuring wave propagation in reconnection, indicating that whistler waves are generated near active X-lines.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateSep 25, 2018

A new carbon material with Na storage capacity over 400mAh/g

A new carbon material has been discovered with a high Na storage capacity of over 400mAh/g, outperforming current hard carbon materials. The bi-honeycomb-like architecture shows an 85% plateau capacity at low voltage, potentially increasing energy density in sodium-ion batteries.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateSep 19, 2018

Seth Davidovits wins 2018 Marshall N. Rosenbluth dissertation award

Davidovits won the award for his outstanding thesis research on turbulence in compressing fluids and plasma, with a focus on novel mechanisms and applications in inertial-confinement-fusion and astrophysical plasmas. His work has significant implications for plasma physics research.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·DateJul 13, 2018
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.

Is the Bitcoin network an oligarchy?

Researchers found a circle-type structure within Bitcoin transactions, revealing hidden communities of interconnected owners. A small fraction of users holds the majority of the network's wealth.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateJul 2, 2018

Rutgers-led research could lead to more efficient electronics

A Rutgers-led team has developed a new material that conducts electricity without energy loss, paving the way for low-power electronics and potentially faster quantum computing. The material, which combines magnetic and insulator properties, can be used for electronic interconnections within silicon chips.

SourceRutgers University·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 4, 2018
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.

PPPL-led research enhances performance of Germany's new fusion device

The W7-X stellarator achieved improved heating and measurement capabilities with the help of large magnetic trim coils designed by PPPL, enabling plasma discharges lasting up to 30 seconds. The research demonstrated the ability to control error fields and measure magnetic field measurements of unprecedented accuracy.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·DateMar 29, 2018