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Liquid nanofoam: A game changer for future football helmets

A liquid nanofoam material with nanopores creates a large surface area, making it pliable and deformable for effective protection. The material outperformed traditional foam in laboratory tests, offering potential to be used in helmets and other safety devices.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 28, 2020

Man versus machine: Can AI do science?

Researchers develop a machine capable of solving complex theoretical physics problems, outperforming humans in speed and accuracy. The machine successfully reproduces phase diagrams and independently figures out mathematical equations, opening up new possibilities for quantum computing.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalPhysical Review B·DateJan 13, 2020
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.

Century-old food testing method updated to include complex fluid dynamics

Researchers have developed a new method to test the rheology of complex liquids, such as gelled desserts, using ultrasonic spinning rheometry. This updated method can capture time-dependent properties and has applications in chemical engineering, civil engineering, and cosmetics.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateNov 8, 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.

Shape affects performance of micropillars in heat transfer

Researchers found that different shapes of micropillars affect liquid retention, with triangular pillars showing reduced critical burst volume for high surface-tension liquids. The study aims to develop an evaporative heat exchange device.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalLangmuir·DateOct 1, 2019

Ultra-soft, liquid magnetic droplets could vault technology forward

Scientists at UMass Amherst and Beijing University have developed a way to transform paramagnetic ferrofluids into ferromagnetic liquid droplets, opening up new research areas such as liquid actuators and active-matter delivery. The resulting ultra-soft droplets can be controlled using an external magnetic field.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalScience·DateJul 18, 2019

New laws of attraction: Scientists print magnetic liquid droplets

Researchers have created a new material that is both liquid and magnetic, allowing for the creation of printable liquid devices with potential applications in artificial cells and flexible electronics. The droplets can change shape to adapt to their surroundings and are preserved even when divided into smaller droplets.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateJul 18, 2019

Mastering a prickly problem in ferrofluids

A KAUST research team has developed a computational model of ferrofluid motion, overcoming limitations in previous models. The new model eliminates singularities in the magnetic field, allowing for more robust simulations and accurate predictions of ferrofluid behavior.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalACM Transactions on Graphics·DateJul 15, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Giving robots a better feel for object manipulation

A new learning system developed by MIT researchers improves robots' abilities to shape materials and predict their interactions. The system, called a learning-based particle simulator, can handle diverse materials, including rigid objects, liquids, and deformable materials.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateApr 17, 2019

Elements can be solid and liquid at the same time, study reveals

Researchers have found that extreme pressure and temperature conditions can create a state in which atoms form both solid and liquid structures. This new state, known as the chain-melted state, has been discovered in several elements, including potassium, sodium, and bismuth.

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

'Terminator'-like liquid metal moves and stretches in 3D space (video)

Researchers created a magnetic liquid metal that can move and stretch both horizontally and vertically without being fully immersed in liquid. The material exhibits high conductivity, low melting point, and deformability, making it suitable for use in soft robotics and flexible electronics.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMar 20, 2019
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.

What causes that peak? Answering a long-standing question for covalent liquids

The study identifies tetrahedral nature as the local ordering of atoms in liquids, explaining the first sharp diffraction peak (FSDP) feature. The findings provide direct evidence of coexisting order and disorder in tetrahedral liquids, leading to improved understanding of their properties.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 1, 2019

When mixing granular matter, order among disorder

Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that mixing yield stress materials creates distinct regions of mix and non-mix, providing a fundamental understanding of designing mixing protocols. The study's findings have implications for industries such as pharmaceuticals and concrete manufacturing.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 14, 2018
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.

Wetting of surfaces is surprisingly difficult to measure reliably

A group of researchers from Aalto University and Sun Yat-sen University present a rigorous methodology for measuring wetting, proposing a universal procedure for the research community. This approach allows comparison between research groups to promote the development of new wetting materials.

SourceAalto University·JournalNature Protocols·DateJul 10, 2018

This is what a stretchy circuit looks like

Scientists in China develop a hybrid conductive material that can be bent and stretched at will, making it suitable for wearable electronics and implantable devices. The material, called metal-polymer conductor, is non-toxic and has broad applications for diagnosing and treating diseases.

SourceCell Press·JournaliScience·DateJun 14, 2018
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.

Berkeley Lab scientists print all-liquid 3-D structures

Researchers create reconfigurable material using liquid tubes, which can be customized into reaction vessels for various uses. The material can conform to surroundings and repeatedly change shape, opening doors for new chemical synthesis and electronic applications.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMar 28, 2018

Liquid-to-glass transition process gains clarity

Researchers have made significant strides in understanding how atoms rearrange at different temperatures during the glass transition process. The team found that the time it takes for atoms to lock into place varies widely, with some regions 'sticking' first and holding on to their neighbors for a long time.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 19, 2018

Understanding how electrons turn to glass

A Japanese team has gained a deeper understanding of the electronic processes guiding liquid-to-glass transitions. By studying an organic metal material with 'frustrated' electrons, they revealed that rapid cooling can create glass-like states similar to conventional glasses.

SourceTohoku University·JournalScience·DateOct 23, 2017

Liquid metal brings soft robotics a step closer

Researchers at University of Sussex and Swansea University have created a way to morph liquid metal into physical shapes, opening up new possibilities in soft robotics and shape-changing displays. The invention uses electrical charges to program the liquid metal, allowing it to dynamically change shape and form complex geometries.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·DateOct 16, 2017
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.

ANU scientists make new high-tech liquid materials

Researchers at ANU have developed dynamic liquid materials that can be remotely controlled by changing wave patterns, enabling new techniques to manipulate micro-organisms. This breakthrough could lead to innovations in invisibility cloaking, superlenses and high-efficiency antennae.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 9, 2017

When it comes to polymer fragility, size does matter

Researchers find that longer polymer chains exhibit higher fragility due to incomplete molecular scale relaxation, leading to new insights for material design. The study resolves a long-standing puzzle in polymeric materials, shedding light on their unique properties.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateOct 18, 2016

UCF team tricks solid into acting as liquid

A UCF team has discovered a way to get a solid material to behave like a liquid without actually turning it into one. This breakthrough could lead to the development of smaller, non-flammable batteries that store energy more efficiently.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateSep 1, 2016

'Liquid fingerprinting' technique instantly identifies unknown liquids

A new company, Validere, has commercialized a sensing technology invented at Harvard University that can perform instant characterization of unknown liquids. The technology, called Watermark Ink (W-INK), exploits nanostructured materials to distinguish liquids by their surface tension.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 4, 2016
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.

Waste not: Edible wax coating slicks liquids with ease

Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a superhydrophobic coating made from edible waxes, allowing liquids to be easily slicked away. The coating is nontoxic and safe for use in food packaging.

SourceColorado State University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateAug 3, 2016

Novel state of matter: Observation of a quantum spin liquid

Researchers have observed a novel state of matter with quantum spin liquid properties in calcium-chromium oxide monocrystals. Despite conventional expectations, the spins remain collective and dynamic even at extremely low temperatures, exhibiting unique behavior.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 26, 2016

A new spin on reality

Physicists at OIST predict existence of new spin liquid with fluctuating magnetism, sharing similarities with gauge symmetries. Experimental confirmation through neutron scattering experiments is predicted, potentially revealing 'pinch lines' in specific materials.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 13, 2016
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.

Cereal science: How scientists inverted the Cheerios effect

Researchers have identified an 'inverted Cheerios effect' where liquid droplets interact on soft solid surfaces, allowing for control over interactions through substrate thickness and softness. This phenomenon has implications for designing fog-free car windows and improving heat management in conditioners and boilers.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 13, 2016

The quest for spin liquids

Spin liquids are rare phenomena where magnets inside atoms don't order when cooled, exhibiting movement like a liquid. Researchers created a kagome map to understand these materials, potentially leading to new magnetic properties and advancing quantum computing.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 14, 2016

ORNL chemical sampling interface features simplicity, speed

A system developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory can identify and characterize solid or liquid samples in seconds, providing a valuable tool for material science, forensics, pharmaceuticals, biology, and chemistry. The device is self-cleaning, requires no sample preparation, and is cost-effective.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalRapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry·DateAug 26, 2015

Simulations predict flat liquid

Researchers have predicted a liquid phase in atomically thin golden islands that patch small pores of graphene, where gold atoms flow and change places in the plane. The liquid state is possible when the edge of graphene pore stretches the metallic membrane.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalNanoscale·DateMay 21, 2015
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.

A cost-effective and energy-efficient approach to carbon capture

Scientists from EPFL, UC Berkeley, and Beijing have combined solid and liquid materials to create a hybrid absorption-adsorption method that captures CO2 more efficiently than current methods. The new approach uses a slurry of ZIF-8, a metal-organic framework, with glycol, allowing for low-cost and energy-efficient carbon capture.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 9, 2014

New technique to make foams could lead to lightweight, sustainable materials

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new type of foam called capillary foam that solves many of the problems faced by traditional foams. This new foam is stable for months or years and can be made using a small amount of oil, expanding the range of particles useful for stabilizing foams.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateOct 5, 2014
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.

New manufacturing methods needed for 'soft' machines, robots

Researchers have developed a technique to produce soft machines made of elastic materials and liquid metals using a custom-built 3D printer. The technique enables the creation of strain gauges that can detect high strains and deform with almost any material, making it suitable for wearable technology and sensory skin.

SourcePurdue University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateJun 18, 2014

MIPT-based researcher predicts new state of matter

Researchers have predicted the existence of fermionic matter in a novel one-dimensional liquid state, which cannot be described within existing models. This new state is similar to both fermionic liquids and Tomonaga-Luttinger liquids but has distinct properties that set it apart.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 17, 2014

BU, MIT team engineers add new wrinkles to waterproofing

A team of engineers from BU and MIT have engineered a wrinkled surface that sheds liquid much faster than a smooth one, reducing contact time by 37%. The innovative approach uses surface texture to reshape drops as they recoil, making surfaces stay drier longer.

SourceBoston University College of Engineering·JournalNature·DateNov 20, 2013

Saarland University scientists reveal structure of a supercooled liquid

Researchers at Saarland University used DESY's x-ray source to study the transformation of supercooled liquids. They observed that these liquids transition from a 'fragile' to a 'strong' state with increasing order despite constant density, and this process was detectable in temperatures ranging from 1200 K to 800 K.

SourceSaarland University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 4, 2013
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.

A material that most liquids won't wet

Researchers at University of Michigan developed a nanoscale coating that repels over 95% of liquids, including oils, alcohols, and toxic acids. The coating uses air pockets to reduce intermolecular forces, causing liquids to bounce off the surface.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 16, 2013

Xiao-Gang Wen and the 500 phases of matter

Researchers Xiao-Gang Wen and collaborators introduce a new system for classifying symmetry-protected phases of matter, potentially increasing our ability to design states of matter for superconductors and quantum computers. This reclassification provides insight into the fascinating world of quantum entanglement.

SourcePerimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics·JournalScience·DateDec 21, 2012

Modeling the breaking points of metallic glasses

Metallic glass alloys are three times stronger than industrial steel but have variable breaking points due to preparation method. Researchers developed a novel computational technique that simulates and predicts the breaking points of metallic glasses, shedding light on their mechanical properties.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 26, 2012

A new way of making glass

Researchers at the University of Bristol and Heinrich-Heine-Universität in Düsseldorf have developed a new way of making glass by changing its structure. This method uses computer simulations to encourage atoms in a molten alloy to form polyhedra, leading to a solid with a disordered atomic arrangement - a characteristic of glass.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 9, 2012
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.

Too cool to follow the law

Researchers found that glass-former materials don't follow standard dynamics below a sub-melting point threshold, contrary to recent reports. The study highlights the need for precise viscosity data to accurately analyze their behavior.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateAug 1, 2012

Battery research: Bionics reduces filling time

Researchers at KIT have developed a new process to fill porous electrodes with liquid electrolyte more rapidly, increasing battery production efficiency. The innovative method uses a physico-chemical effect inspired by nature to reduce filling time from several hours to just minutes.

SourceHelmholtz Association·DateOct 17, 2011
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Physicists turn liquid into solid using an electric field

Researchers at Georgia Tech discovered that a strong electric field can induce solidification in liquid droplets of formamide, forming crystallites. The study used molecular dynamics simulations to track the evolution of materials systems and found that increasing the field strength led to shape transitions and eventually solidification.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateOct 10, 2011

'Watermark ink' device identifies unknown liquids instantly

A new device, called 'Watermark ink,' can identify unknown liquids by exploiting their surface tension and changes in optical properties. The device, which fits in the palm of a hand, has potential applications in quality control tests, contaminant identification, and forensic analysis.

SourceHarvard University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 3, 2011
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.

Laser printing speeds parts on demand to manufacturers

The laser printing process is now being used to produce functional products, with applications in industries such as automotive and medical devices. The additive manufacturing market is expected to continue growing, driven by advances in polymer materials and increasing demand for customized products.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateApr 27, 2011

MIT researchers show silicon can be made to melt in reverse

Researchers at MIT create a material that exhibits 'retrograde melting' at lower temperatures than normal, allowing for potentially cheaper production of solar cells and other devices. The discovery enables the creation of liquid droplets to purify silicon and could lead to new methods for making arrays of silicon nanowires.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateAug 2, 2010

0.2 second test for explosive liquids

Researchers have developed a new spectroscopy method that can detect explosive liquids in plastic bottles instantly, improving airport security. The method uses electromagnetic radiation to identify materials and a nanoelectronic device to detect signals, creating a detailed 'thumbprint' of the liquid's molecular signature.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalSuperconductor Science and Technology·DateOct 20, 2009
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.