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Towards a better prediction of solar eruptions

Scientists identified a confining 'cage' in which a magnetic rope forms, causing solar eruptions. The resistance of this cage determines the power and type of flare. A new model predicts maximum energy release during solar flares, potentially devastating for Earth's systems.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·DateFeb 7, 2018

HINODE captures record breaking solar magnetic field

Scientists analyzed data from HINODE to reveal a strongly magnetized iron atom signature in a sunspot, with a magnetic field strength of 6,250 gauss, more than double the usual amount. The strongest field was found at a bright region between two umbrae, not in the dark core as expected.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateFeb 6, 2018
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.

Astrochemists reveal the magnetic secrets of methanol

A team of scientists has solved a puzzle in astrochemistry by developing a way to measure magnetic fields in space using methanol. The new method, published in Nature Astronomy, gives astronomers a new tool to investigate how massive stars form.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJan 29, 2018

Mind your speed: A magnetic brake on proton acceleration

Proton acceleration is hindered by magnetism, as electrons create a sheath field that accelerates protons at right-angles to the target. This effect, known as magnetic inhibition, progressively worsens at higher laser powers, reducing proton energies.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 29, 2018

Relativity matters: Two opposing views of the magnetic force reconciled

Researchers have resolved the ambiguity between Ampere's and Gilbert's forms of magnetic force, enabling characterization of particle spin dynamics in inhomogeneous electromagnetic fields. This advance can be applied to precision experiments, including those involving muons and neutrinos.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal C·DateJan 29, 2018

Diamonds show promise for spintronic devices

Researchers have demonstrated the potential for diamond as a material for spintronics, with strong spin-orbit coupling and tunable magnetic field control. Diamond's ease of processing and fabrication make it an attractive alternative to traditional semiconductor materials.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJan 29, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Virtual reality goes magnetic

An international research team created an ultrathin electronic magnetic sensor that can be worn on skin, enabling a touchless manipulation of virtual and physical objects. The device uses magnetic fields to detect body motion and translate it into the virtual world.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 19, 2018

Ames Lab-led team maps magnetic fields of nano-objects in liquid

A research team led by Tanya Prozorov has demonstrated the first high-resolution mapping of magnetic fields in bacterial cells and magnetic nano-objects in liquid. This capability has vast potential for scientific breakthroughs in physics, nanotechnology, biofuels conversion, biomedical engineering, catalysis, batteries, and pharmacology.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateDec 21, 2017
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.

Technique makes NMR more useful for nanomaterials, exotic matter research

Researchers at Brown University developed a new technique that enhances NMR signal strength and versatility for studying nanomaterials and exotic states of matter. By using flat NMR coils, the team was able to optimize signal detection for various sample shapes and experiment types.

SourceBrown University·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateDec 19, 2017

A glimpse of the magnetic field around a black hole

Astronomers measured the magnetic field of a black hole in a binary system using data from a sudden flare. The field was found to be substantially weaker than expected, providing new insights into how black holes consume material.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 7, 2017
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.

Black holes' magnetism surprisingly wimpy

Scientists have discovered black holes have significantly weaker magnetic fields than previously thought, with measurements about 400 times lower than estimated. This finding deepens our knowledge of how matter behaves under extreme conditions and could impact nuclear fusion power and GPS systems.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalScience·DateDec 7, 2017

Research dispels misconception of superconductivity in niobium compound

Researchers at the University of São Paulo and San Diego State University found that niobium boride does not exhibit superconductivity, contrary to traditional manuals. Instead, pure niobium filaments in the material are responsible for its high-temperature superconducting properties.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalPhysical Review Materials·DateDec 7, 2017

Going swimmingly: Biotemplates breakthrough paves way for cheaper nanobots

Researchers have demonstrated a new method to produce biotemplated nanoswimmers using bacterial flagella as templates, overcoming high startup costs of traditional approaches. The nanorobots can perform nearly as well as living bacteria and show potential for targeted cancer therapeutics and electronics applications.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Materials·DateNov 30, 2017

Why is massive star formation quenched in galaxy centers?

Researchers found a strong inverse relation between magnetic field strength and star formation rate in molecular cloud complexes. This suggests that magnetic fields slow down or stop the collapse of gas clouds to form stars, leading to fewer massive stars in galaxy centers.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalNature Astronomy·DateNov 28, 2017
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.

Max-Planck-Princeton partnership in fusion research confirmed

The Max-Planck-Princeton Center has made significant progress in fusion research, investigating plasmas in astrophysics and advancing understanding of magnetic reconnection. New computer codes and experimentation have improved simulations, resolving long-standing questions about solar wind heating and magnetic field behavior.

SourceMax-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)·DateNov 23, 2017

A new window into electron behavior

Physicists at MIT and Princeton University have developed a new technique to map the energy and momentum of electrons beneath a material's surface. By using momentum and energy resolved tunneling spectroscopy, researchers can visualize the band structure of materials, which determines their electrical and optical properties.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateNov 16, 2017
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Essential quantum computer component downsized by two orders of magnitude

Researchers at IST Austria have developed micrometer-scale, nonmagnetic devices that route microwave photons and shield qubits from harmful noise. The compact devices are a significant improvement over traditional predecessors and could revolutionize the development of quantum computers.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 14, 2017

NASA investigates invisible magnetic bubbles in outer solar system

NASA has launched a fleet of missions to study the planets in our solar system, revealing unique features of each planet's magnetosphere. Earth's and other magnetospheres deflect charged particles away from the planet, but also trap energetic particles in radiation belts.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 1, 2017

Jupiter's X-ray auroras pulse independently

Research using ESA's XMM-Newton and NASA's Chandra X-ray observatories found that Jupiter's south pole X-ray emissions pulse every 11 minutes, while north pole emissions are erratic. This behavior is distinct from Earth's auroras, which mirror each other in activity.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Astronomy·DateOct 30, 2017

Researchers reveal the effect of nano-diamond on magnetorheological fluids

Chinese researchers found that nano-diamond significantly enhances the performance of magnetorheological fluids (MRFs), increasing their shear yield strength and settling stability. The results show a high potential for MRFs to be highly enhanced through the process, with improved settling stability under different magnetic fields.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalNANO·DateOct 29, 2017
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.

High field magnet at BER II: Insight into a hidden order

Researchers have discovered a new magnetic phase transition in a uranium-ruthenium crystal at extremely high magnetic fields. At around 21.6 Tesla, the magnetic moments of uranium atoms point alternatingly up-up-down in opposite directions, forming an uncompensated antiferromagnetic order.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalPhysical Review B·DateOct 20, 2017

NASA's MAVEN mission finds Mars has a twisted tail

The research found that Mars' magnetotail is unique, with a twist caused by magnetic reconnection between the solar wind and embedded surface fields. This process may also propel some of Mars' atmosphere into space.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 19, 2017

On the generation of solar spicules and Alfvenic waves

A new model reveals that neutral particles facilitate magnetic field penetration through the Sun's surface, producing spicules. This leads to the generation of Alfvén waves, which are thought to heat the sun's atmosphere and propel the solar wind.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalScience·DateOct 13, 2017

A gamma ray burst observed in unprecedented detail

Researchers used robotic telescope MASTER-IAC to observe gamma ray burst GRB160625B, revealing that a strong magnetic field controls the jets at first, then matter takes control. The study suggests that both factors play a basic role in the formation of black holes and gamma ray bursts.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalNature·DateOct 13, 2017
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 can be discovered at the junction of physics and chemistry?

Scientists have discovered a new type of rare molecules whose properties can be controlled by changing an external magnetic field. These paramagnetic molecules, part of the porphyrin class, are closely related to photosynthesis and respiration in living organisms.

SourceNational Research Tomsk State University·JournalChemical Communications·DateOct 6, 2017

Columbia researchers observe exotic quantum particle in bilayer graphene

Researchers at Columbia University have observed the even-denominator fractional quantum Hall state in bilayer graphene, surviving to much higher temperatures than previously thought. This discovery opens the door to new experimental tools and may finally solve the mystery of this phenomenon.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalScience·DateOct 5, 2017

Appearance of anisotropic electrical property in oriented material

The study reveals that the anisotropic Qf value is caused by anisotropic electron conductivity and anisotropic bonding strength in the superstructure. The researchers achieved a five-fold increase in Qf parallel to the c-axis compared to perpendicular to it.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalAdvanced Powder Technology·DateSep 29, 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.

Enhancing the sensing capabilities of diamonds with quantum properties

Researchers have developed a simple method to create more nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamonds, enhancing their sensing capabilities for magnetic fields. This breakthrough could lead to more compact devices and improved sensitivity, enabling the creation of unique quantum states.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateSep 22, 2017

One-way track for microwaves based on mechanical interference

Researchers at EPFL and University of Cambridge create device harnessing microscopic drum motion to convert signals between two circuits. The system enables dynamic reconfiguration of the isolator's direction, promising a new platform for building microwave devices without magnetic fields.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 19, 2017

New quantum phenomena in graphene superlattices

Researchers have reported a new type of quantum oscillation in graphene superlattices, observable at high temperature and on the mesoscale. This phenomenon sheds light on Hofstadter's butterfly and enables tuning of electronic materials properties.

SourceGraphene Flagship·JournalScience·DateSep 18, 2017
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Exchanges of identity in deep space

Researchers recreated complex cosmic simulations to investigate a possible transformation process where photons become axions and retransform into photons upon interacting with magnetic fields. This phenomenon may explain the observed brightness of distant celestial bodies.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 7, 2017

Magnetic fields in distant galaxy are new piece of cosmic puzzle

Astronomers have measured large, well-ordered magnetic fields in a galaxy 4.6 billion light-years away, providing clues about how magnetic fields formed and evolved over cosmic time. The new observations offer insights into the structure of galactic-sized magnetic fields since the beginning of the universe.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Astronomy·DateAug 30, 2017

VLA reveals distant galaxy's magnetic field

Scientists used a giant cosmic lens to study a star-forming galaxy nearly five billion light-years away, providing clues about the origin of galactic magnetic fields. The analysis revealed a large-scale, coherent magnetic field similar to those in nearby galaxies.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalNature Astronomy·DateAug 28, 2017
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.

NASA technologist develops self-calibrating, hybrid space magnetometer

A NASA technologist is developing a self-calibrating hybrid space magnetometer that combines the precision of fluxgate and atomic magnetometers. The device will be ideal for CubeSat and small satellite missions, enabling simultaneous multi-point observations and studying Earth's ever-changing magnetic fields.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 24, 2017

Spoiler alert: Computer simulations provide preview of next week's eclipse

Researchers used supercomputers to create highly-detailed solar simulations, timed to the moment of the eclipse, which provided a preview of the solar corona's appearance. The simulations included improved treatments of energy transport and magnetic shear, increasing the accuracy of the predictions.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·DateAug 18, 2017

Bird-brained? Not at all: Reed warblers reveal a magnetic map

Researchers have discovered that mature Reed Warblers can detect the declination from magnetic north and use it to locate themselves longitudinally, orienting towards their migratory route. This system is believed to be learned by experience, as juvenile birds were unable to adapt to a new magnetic signal.

SourceBangor University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 17, 2017

Superconductivity research reveals potential new state of matter

Researchers report finding similarities among classes of materials with phenomena like electronic symmetry breaking, which helps establish essential ingredients for novel functionalities. A new nematic-like state is observed in heavy-fermion superconductor CeRhIn5, correlating with unconventional superconductivity.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateAug 16, 2017
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.

NASA watches the Sun put a stop to its own eruption

A solar filament rose from the surface of the Sun but collapsed due to invisible magnetic forces, preventing an eruption. Scientists used data from multiple NASA observatories and ground-based telescopes to track the event and develop a model that explains how the Sun's magnetic landscape terminates eruptions.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 11, 2017

Chaotic magnetic field lines may answer the coronal heating problem

Researchers in India used numerical computations to investigate the role of chaotic magnetic field lines in generating intense electric current sheets, which are potential sites for extreme heating of the sun's corona. The simulations found a direct proportionality between the intensity of the current sheet and chaoticity.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateAug 9, 2017

Lunar dynamo's lifetime extended by at least 1 billion years

Researchers from MIT and Rutgers University found evidence of an active lunar dynamo that generated a magnetic field lasting at least 1 billion years longer than previously thought. The study suggests two possible mechanisms that powered the moon's ancient core, shedding new light on the phenomena that produced the lunar dynamo.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 9, 2017

Successful filming of fastest aurora flickering

Researchers at Poker Flat Research Range in Alaska used high-speed cameras to capture the rare phenomenon of an aurora flickering. The team discovered that faster flickerings occur at speeds of 1/60-1/50 and 1/80 seconds, revealing a complex exchange of energy between plasma waves and particles.

SourceResearch Organization of Information and Systems·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 9, 2017
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.

Magnetic fields turn up the heat on bacterial biofilms

A study published in Scientific Reports shows that high-frequency alternating magnetic fields can be used to destroy bacteria encased in a slimy 'biofilm' growing on artificial joints. The treatment increased the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment, reducing the need for multiple surgeries and weeks of IV antibiotics.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 8, 2017

NASA studies tethered CubeSat mission to study lunar swirls

Scientists aim to understand how the moon got its 'tattoos' with a novel mission concept involving two connected CubeSats. The Bi-sat Observations of the Lunar Atmosphere above Swirls (BOLAS) mission could provide data on lunar hydrogen cycles and mechanisms for hydrogen implantation, shedding light on the formation of lunar swirls.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 8, 2017

Microbot origami can capture, transport single cells

Researchers developed microbot origami that can capture and transport single cells using magnetic energy. The system mimics nature and has potential applications in cell characterization tools and artificial muscles.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 4, 2017
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.

Massive star's dying blast caught by rapid-response telescopes

A team of astronomers detected a massive star's titanic explosion and measured its development and decay in unprecedented detail. The findings provide strong evidence for one of two competing models for how gamma-ray bursts produce their energy, with the data showing powerful magnetic fields confining and directing the radiation.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature·DateJul 26, 2017

Gamma-ray burst captured in unprecedented detail

A team led by University of Maryland astronomers has constructed one of the most detailed descriptions of a gamma-ray burst to date, shedding light on the initial 'prompt' phase and the evolution of large jets of matter and energy. The data suggest that both magnetic fields and matter play key roles in shaping the jets.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature·DateJul 26, 2017

A bar magnet creates chaos in plasma

Researchers found a localized glow near the cathode surface due to enhanced ionization and electron confinement in the magnetic field. Increasing the magnetic field strength revealed a transition from order to chaos via a period-doubling route.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateJul 25, 2017

Are magnets the secret to Elastigirl's powers?

Nebraska physicist Christian Binek discovered a formula that links magnetism to elasticity and temperature. This finding may enable engineers to design materials with tailored elasticity by manipulating magnetic properties or applying external fields.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·DateJul 19, 2017
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.

Yes, the sun is an ordinary, solar-type star after all

A new study resolves the ongoing debate about the Sun's cyclic behavior by showing it follows the same pattern as other nearby solar-type stars. The research suggests that the Sun's magnetic cycle depends on its rotation rate and luminosity, advancing scientists' understanding of stellar magnetic fields.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJul 13, 2017

NASA's SDO watches a sunspot turn toward Earth

A new sunspot group has emerged on the sun, with its dark core larger than Earth, in a video captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory between July 5-11, 2017. This is the first sunspot to appear after two days of solar spotlessness during the sun's regular 11-year cycle.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 12, 2017

On the road to creating an electrodeless spacecraft propulsion engine

Scientists have successfully observed a spatial transition between two plasma states, where the magnetic field is stretched into space while maintaining thrust generation. This finding provides significant insights into overcoming the problem of detaching plasma from the MN in plasma thrusters.

SourceTohoku University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 4, 2017

Musical sun reduces range of magnetic activity

Researchers studied the Sun using sound waves to find that its significant magnetic activity layer has grown thinner in recent years. This change is being investigated as a possible cause of unusual solar activity.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJul 3, 2017
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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