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SwRI expands High-Viscosity Flow Loop to test equipment moving heavy oils

The upgraded facility enables efficient testing of equipment moving heavy oils, addressing the growing need for advanced gas separation technologies. SwRI's expanded High-Viscosity Flow Loop offers a more comprehensive solution, allowing for cost-effective and efficient testing of pumps in extremely viscous conditions.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·DateDec 2, 2025

Microscale mixing without turbulence

Researchers at Max Planck Institute develop protocols for optimal mixing in cellular and microfluidic systems, overcoming energetic and fluid motion limitations. Their findings reveal a fundamental limit on information erasure efficiency, providing a theoretical framework for efficient engineering designs.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 1, 2025

Magnetic microalgae on a mission to become robots

Researchers developed magnetic micro swimmers covered in a thin coating of magnetic nanoparticles, unaffected by the coating. The algae maintained their swimming speed after magnetization and navigated 3D-printed channels using magnetic guidance.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems·JournalMatter·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 17, 2025
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Mapping lava flows with groundbreaking field instrument

Researchers developed a portable device to measure lava viscosity, providing crucial data for evacuation plans and damage assessment. The tool's accuracy allows for better models of lava movement, enabling authorities to respond more effectively.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateJun 4, 2024

Beyond the ink: Painting with physics

Researchers analyzed the physical principles of dendritic painting, a technique that uses ink droplets to create intricate fractals. The study found that the thickness of the paint layer and the concentration of diluting medium are key factors in controlling the outcome of dendritic painting.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2024
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.

Superfluids could share characteristic with common fluids

A new approach by Dr. Hiromitsu Takeuchi suggests measuring quantum viscosity in superfluids by analyzing the terminal velocity of an object falling into a superfluid, demonstrating the existence of quantum viscosity and unifying classical and quantum hydrodynamics.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalPhysical Review B·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 30, 2024

Understanding the formation of minute droplets in microfluidic devices

Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a detailed understanding of microfluidic post-array devices, which are used to create monodisperse emulsions with controlled droplet size. The team found that effective capillary number and specific geometric parameters play crucial roles in droplet formation.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalLab on a Chip·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 7, 2023

New insights into broken symmetries

The study reveals a way to extend the Lorentz reciprocal theorem to systems with broken symmetries, enabling analytical calculations for fluids and self-propelled microorganisms. This generalization opens up new avenues for exploring systems with odd viscosities.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 27, 2023
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

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The sweet physics of saltwater taffy

Researchers investigated the rheology of saltwater taffy, finding that oil droplets and air bubbles govern its properties. The study revealed that emulsifiers like lecithin can create a chewier product by promoting smaller droplet formation and preventing recombination.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateSep 12, 2023

How a cup of water can unlock the secrets of our Universe

A recent study by Queen Mary University of London reveals a range of fundamental physical constants that can vary, allowing for the viscosity needed for life processes to occur within and between living cells. This discovery sheds light on the origin of these constants and their impact on life as we know it.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 23, 2023

A solid understanding of liquid-solid interaction

The University of Pittsburgh researcher is working on a three-year project to harness the potential of liquid-solid interaction for biomedical engineering and suspension bridge construction. The study aims to precisely control microrobots through the bloodstream and prevent disasters like the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapse.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·DateJun 29, 2023
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

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Calculation shows why heavy quarks get caught up in the flow

Researchers have calculated the heavy quark diffusion coefficient, which describes how quickly quarks and gluons transfer their momentum to heavier quarks. The calculation reveals that heavy quarks are strongly interacting with the surrounding plasma, making it difficult for them to change direction.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 7, 2023

New soft robots poised to be more agile, controlled

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a new system of fluid-driven actuators that enable soft robots to achieve more complex motions. The team's design allows for antagonistic motions and predicts the actuator's possible motions with a single fluid input, resulting in an actuator that can achieve far more complex movements.

SourceCornell University·JournalAdvanced Intelligent Systems·DateJan 23, 2023

Counter-rotating fates

A team of researchers from The University of Tokyo created a computer simulation to study the phase separation of counter-rotating particles in a fluid. They found that nonlinear turbulent effects lead to the sudden separation of particles into regions of clockwise and counterclockwise collections.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalCommunications Physics·DateJan 5, 2023
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.

What triggers flow fluctuations in heavy-ion collision debris?

Scientists study flow patterns from heavy-ion collisions to understand fluctuations in particle behavior, aiming to calculate the properties of quark-gluon plasma. The results point to initial state influences as the primary trigger for these fluctuations, with collision energy and nucleus size also playing a role.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 19, 2022

Imaging gases in rainbow colors

The device converts pressure into structural colors, imaging gaseous properties. It has applications in environmental monitoring and healthcare.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2022

Oil reservoirs under pressure

A KAUST research team studied the interaction between nitrogen gas and hydrocarbons in oil reservoirs. They found a direct correlation between nitrogen solubility and oil swelling, enhancing oil recovery. The study also sheds light on CO2 storage with impurities like methane and nitrogen.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalJournal of Chemical & Engineering Data·DateDec 7, 2022

New clue discovered for how and why cancer cells spread

A new mechanism has been uncovered that enables cancer cells to move throughout the body, allowing them to spread and form metastases. This discovery provides a potential new target for stopping these deadly spreads, which are responsible for 90% of cancer deaths.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalNature·DateDec 5, 2022

Extracellular viscosity linked to cancer spread

Researchers found that cancer cells can migrate faster in higher viscosity environments due to the formation of denser actin networks and cooperative signaling pathways. This discovery provides a new framework for understanding metastasis and may lead to the identification of potential targets to combat cancer spread.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature·DateNov 2, 2022
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.

Physics of disaster: How mudslides move

A team led by Douglas Jerolmack and Paulo Arratia used laboratory experiments to understand how mudslide failure and flow behavior relates to soil material properties. They found a clear signal in 'dirty' samples using high-tech rheometers, shedding light on the tipping point for slope liquefaction.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 1, 2022

Will silicon nitride and common chemistry help revolutionize genomic sequencing?

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a method to enhance DNA detection in nanopores, slowing down transit and increasing signal intensity. The use of glycerol instead of water enables the detection of single DNA molecules, paving the way for faster and more affordable genomic sequencing.

SourceOsaka University·JournalSmall Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2022

Scientists identify liquid-like atoms in densely packed solid glasses

Researchers have discovered that metallic glasses contain liquid-like atoms with dynamics similar to high-temperature liquids. These findings reveal a 'part-solid and part-liquid' nature of metallic glasses, which can affect their elasticity, strength, and ductility.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2022
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.

Watching viscous flow, but faster

KAUST researchers have developed a new method to simulate viscous liquids up to 15 times faster than the current state of the art. This breakthrough enables faster simulations for industrial processes, medical devices, computer graphics, and visual simulations.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalACM Transactions on Graphics·DateJul 28, 2022

New model shows Earth’s deep mantle was drier from the start

A new study suggests that Earth's deep mantle was drier than initially thought, with a water concentration 4-250 times lower than the upper mantle. This finding challenges the assumption that the mantle was uniform from its formation and may have prevented mixing within the mantle.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 11, 2022
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.

Quark-gluon plasma flows like water, according to new study

A new study highlights the surprising similarities between quark-gluon plasma, the first matter thought to have filled the early Universe, and ordinary liquids. The ratio of viscosity and density is crucial in determining fluid flow, and researchers found that this ratio is the same for both quark-gluon plasma and water.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalSciPost Physics·DateMay 27, 2021

Modelling microswimmers for drug delivery

Researchers developed mathematical models to study microswimmers in clean and surfactant-covered viscous drops, revealing significant alterations in behavior due to the presence of surfactant. These models may aid in designing artificial microswimmers for targeted drug delivery, micro-surgery, and other applications.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateNov 11, 2020

Scientists discover just how runny a liquid can be

Researchers discovered the minimal value of viscosity, governed by the Planck constant and proton-to-electron mass ratio, using an equation that relates it to these physical constants. This finding has practical implications for developing new fluids with low viscosity.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 24, 2020
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.

Scientists develop bubble diameter prediction model for industrial use

A research team developed a simple correlation to predict bubble diameter using nonlinear least square optimization, validating it with experimental data and literature results. The new correlation shows reasonable accuracy in predicting bubble diameter under various operating conditions.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalChemical Engineering Science·DateFeb 28, 2019

Microjet generator for highly viscous fluids

Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology have developed a device that can generate microjets with high viscosity, similar to honey. This innovation overcomes the limitation of current inkjet printing methods, allowing for more precise control over fluid flow and properties.

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateFeb 13, 2018

Study examines endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts

The study found that endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage with a combination of a nasocystic drain and transmural stents is more effective than drainage with stents alone in patients with pancreatic pseudocysts containing viscous solid debris. The procedure resulted in lower stent occlusion rates and better clinical outcomes compared ...

SourceAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy·JournalGastrointestinal Endoscopy·DateOct 21, 2013
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.

Mixing fluids efficiently in confined spaces: Let the fingers do the working

A team of researchers at MIT has discovered a simple yet efficient method to mix fluids in small or confined spaces using viscosity contrast. By injecting a thin fluid into a thicker one, the two liquids can be mixed uniformly quickly, overcoming challenges in microfluidics technology and lab-on-a-chip applications.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 12, 2011

Understanding how glasses 'relax' provides some relief for manufacturers

A NIST study reveals that glass transition process is related to molecules moving in long strings around frozen atoms, influencing viscosity. The team's computer model confirms this relationship and provides a firm computational underpinning for material design.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 26, 2011

Water flows like molasses on the nanoscale

A Georgia Tech research team discovered that water exhibits layered properties when confined to channels less than two nanometers wide. The study found that the viscosity of water increases dramatically as it approaches one nanometer in thickness, potentially making it a more suitable lubricant for applications.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review B·DateApr 25, 2007