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New measurement will help redefine international unit of mass

Researchers at NIST have made the most precise determination yet of Planck's constant, a fundamental value that will help redefine the kilogram. The new measurement has an uncertainty of just 13 parts per billion, exceeding international requirements for redefining the unit.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalMetrologia·DateJun 30, 2017

Table top plasma gets wind of solar turbulence

A team of scientists recreated turbulent magnetic field dynamics in a lab setting, mirroring the evolution of stars and plasma behavior. The study's findings have an uncanny resemblance to satellite data on the solar wind and magnetosheath.

SourceTata Institute of Fundamental Research·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 30, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Magnetic memories of a metal world

A team led by Dr James Bryson deciphered magnetic messages in rare metal meteorites, confirming Psyche as an exposed planetary core. The findings suggest the asteroid cooled quickly due to its rocky mantle stripped away.

SourceSt. John's College, University of Cambridge·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateJun 22, 2017

Scientists uncover origins of the sun's swirling spicules

A computer simulation, taking a year to run, shows how spicules form on the sun's surface by incorporating neutral particles. The model suggests spicules play a key role in energizing the sun's atmosphere and generating Alfvén waves.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalScience·DateJun 22, 2017

Chaotically magnetized cloud is no place to build a star, or is it?

Researchers used ALMA to map the magnetic field surrounding a young protostar, finding it was surprisingly weak and wildly disorganized. This discovery suggests that the impact of magnetic fields on star formation is more complex than previously thought.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 14, 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.

App uses smartphone compass to stop voice hacking

A new app is being developed to stop voice hacking using a smartphone's compass, which can detect magnetic fields and prevent replayed voices from being convincingly impersonated. The app aims to provide an additional layer of security for users and protect against growing digital security threats.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·DateJun 5, 2017

Highly sensitive nanosensors to prevent catastrophes

Researchers at Griffith University are developing highly sensitive nanoscale sensors to monitor strain, pressure, flow rate, magnetic field and temperature in harsh environments. The project aims to improve the safety and efficiency of oil and gas delivery systems in Australia.

SourceGriffith University·DateJun 1, 2017

The synchronized dance of skyrmion spins

Researchers in Singapore used computer simulations to study skyrmion particles, gaining insights into their internal behaviors. The study found that the three fundamental modes of skyrmions respond differently to external magnetic fields, potentially leading to new microwave nano-oscillators and ultra-compact devices.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAIP Advances·DateMay 30, 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.

Understanding stars: How tornado-shaped flow in a dynamo strengthens the magnetic field

A new simulation based on the von-Kármán-Sodium (VKS) dynamo experiment investigates the effects of fluid resistivity and turbulence on the collimation of the magnetic field. Researchers found that using magnetized ferromagnetic materials increases the magnetic field collimation, while conducting materials weaken it. This study contrib...

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateMay 23, 2017

NASA mission uncovers a dance of electrons in space

The MMS mission has discovered a hybrid motion exhibited by electrons in intermediate strength magnetic fields, characterized by spiraling and bouncing motions. This phenomenon plays a key role in magnetic reconnection, a process that can explosively release large amounts of stored magnetic energy.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 18, 2017

First direct exploration of magnetic fields in the upper solar atmosphere

A team of researchers has directly observed the magnetic field in the upper solar atmosphere for the first time using ultraviolet spectropolarimetry. The study reveals more complex structures in the chromosphere and transition region than expected, with polarization varying on a spatial scale of 10-20 arcseconds.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMay 17, 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.

'Valleytronics' advancement could help extend Moore's Law

Researchers at University at Buffalo have discovered a new way to split energy levels between electron valleys in 2D semiconductors, increasing separation by a factor of 10. This could lead to more efficient computer chips and extend Moore's Law, predicting the end of transistor density increase

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMay 1, 2017

Berkeley Lab scientists discover new atomically layered, thin magnet

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have discovered a new atomically layered, thin magnet in a two-dimensional material, revealing intrinsic ferromagnetism and unprecedented control over ferromagnetic behavior. The discovery has major implications for nanoscale memory, spintronic devices, and magnetic sensors.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateApr 26, 2017

Sun's eruptions might all have same trigger

Researchers found that coronal jets and CMEs are triggered by magnetic reconnection, a process where stressed filaments break through their magnetic restraints. The study provides a theoretical universal model for solar eruptions, covering all scales from small jets to large CMEs.

SourceDurham University·JournalNature·DateApr 26, 2017

Scientists propose mechanism to describe solar eruptions of all sizes

A new study proposes a unified model for solar eruptions, suggesting that smaller events like coronal jets can be explained by the same process as massive coronal mass ejections. The breakout model, which was previously used to describe CMEs, has been adapted to explain the formation of jets.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature·DateApr 26, 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.

NASA's Cassini, Voyager missions suggest new picture of sun's interaction with galaxy

New data from NASA's Cassini mission, combined with measurements from Voyager spacecraft and IBEX, suggests that the sun's magnetic field creates a rounded heliosphere, rather than a comet-shaped structure. The study reveals that the heliosphere is nearly symmetrical, which could impact how cosmic rays reach the inner solar system.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature Astronomy·DateApr 24, 2017

Clarifying the mechanism for suppressing turbulence through ion mass

Scientists clarify relationship between ion mass and plasma performance improvement. Turbulence suppression through electron-ion collisions leads to increased confinement and particle heat management. Zonal flows play a crucial role in suppressing turbulence, grinding eddies and waves that improve plasma performance.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 24, 2017

New method can model chemistry in extreme magnetic fields of white dwarfs

Researchers developed a new methodology to calculate theoretical spectra for atoms and molecules in strong magnetic fields exhibited by up to one-fifth of white dwarfs. This work sheds light on the presence of oxygen, silicon, phosphorous, carbon, and carbon-containing compounds in these collapsed stars.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateApr 18, 2017

Green IT: New switching process in non-volatile spintronics devices

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin have developed a new switching process for non-volatile spintronics devices using asymmetric nanorings. The process involves applying a short magnetic field pulse, which leads to an intermediate 'onion state' and subsequently results in a stable opposite magnetization of the ring.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateApr 13, 2017
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.

Proton-nuclei smashups yield clues about 'quark gluon plasma'

Rice University physicists are providing new insight into the quark-gluon plasma by smashing protons and lead nuclei at nearly the speed of light. They found evidence for the chiral magnetic effect, a characteristic magnetic property of QGP that arises from quantum mechanics.

SourceRice University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 10, 2017

NASA observations reshape basic plasma wave physics

NASA's MMS mission provides direct observation of kinetic Alfvén waves, revealing unexpected small-scale complexities and a higher rate of particle trapping than expected. The findings have implications for nuclear fusion technology and our understanding of the sun's solar wind.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 31, 2017

Researchers control soft robots using magnetic fields

A team of engineers has developed a technique to control soft robots using magnetic fields, enabling the creation of devices with complex functions and simple designs. The new method involves embedding iron microparticles in liquid polymer mixtures and applying magnetic fields to induce chain formation.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMar 29, 2017

Igniting a solar flare in the corona with lower-atmosphere kindling

Researchers use new telescope images to reveal the emergence of small-scale magnetic fields in the corona, which may trigger solar flares. The study suggests that these magnetic field structures are linked to the onset of a main flare and could help predict flares with more precision.

SourceNew Jersey Institute of Technology·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMar 28, 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.

Solid metal has 'structural memory' of its liquid state

Scientists have discovered a phenomenon where solid metal bismuth retains structural motifs from its liquid predecessor, even when cooled back to solid. This effect, known as 'structural memory', is correlated with changes in magnetic properties and has potential applications in electrical engineering.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 13, 2017

Brightest neutron star yet has a multipolar magnetic field

Scientists have identified a neutron star consuming material at an incredible rate, producing x-rays that exceed the Eddington limit by 1,000 times. The star's strong, multipolar magnetic field is believed to be responsible for its extreme properties.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateFeb 21, 2017

UMD physicist improves method for designing fusion experiments

A University of Maryland physicist has improved a method for designing stellarators, complex nuclear fusion experiments that aim to explore fusion's potential as an energy source. The new method, Regularized NESCOIL, balances tradeoffs between ideal magnetic field shapes and coil shapes, resulting in designs with more space between coils.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNuclear Fusion·DateFeb 12, 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.

Scientists estimate solar nebula's lifetime

Researchers estimated the solar nebula's lifetime using ancient meteorites, finding it lasted around 3 to 4 million years. This discovery suggests gas giants Jupiter and Saturn formed within the first 4 million years of the solar system's formation.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateFeb 10, 2017

Scientists estimate solar nebula's lifetime

The team estimated the solar nebula's lifetime using ancient meteorites that formed 4.653 billion years ago, suggesting it disappeared within the first 4 million years of the solar system's formation. The findings indicate that gas giants Jupiter and Saturn must have formed early in the solar system's history.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateFeb 9, 2017

Surprising spin behavior at room temperature

Scientists successfully demonstrate circularly polarized electroluminescence from spin-polarized LEDs at room temperature, without external magnetic fields. The discovery opens up new avenues for spintronics and potential applications in secure optical communications, cancer diagnosis, and optically enhanced nuclei imaging.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 7, 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.

Portable superconductivity systems for small motors

Researchers at Cambridge University developed a portable superconducting magnetic system that can attain a 3-tesla level for the magnetic field. Advances in cryogenics and new cooling technologies made this possible, enabling potential applications in small motors, healthcare, and other fields.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 7, 2017

Magnetic moment of a single antiproton determined with greatest precision ever

The BASE collaboration has set a new benchmark in measuring the antiproton's g-factor, a quantity characterizing its magnetic moment, with unprecedented precision. The result is consistent with the predictions of the Standard Model and indicates that protons and antiprotons appear to be mirror images of each other.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 19, 2017
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.

Einstein in an iron crystal

Researchers from Forschungszentrum Jülich and LMU Munich use angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy to visualize band structure shifts in response to magnetic field changes. This observation confirms the predictions made by Einstein's theory of relativity, which suggests that electrons can sense the direction of a magnetic field.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalPhysical Review X·DateDec 20, 2016

Lunar sonic booms

Scientists studying lunar sonic booms hope to answer whether mini shock waves on the moon are being generated by protons in the solar wind colliding with pockets of magnetic fields. The findings come from NASA's ARTEMIS mission, which has gathered high-fidelity measurements of the shock waves.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·DateDec 13, 2016

Confirmation of Wendelstein 7-X magnetic field

The W7-X stellarator in Germany has produced high-quality magnetic fields consistent with its complex design, achieving an error rate of less than one part in 100,000. This finding could be a key step toward verifying the feasibility of stellarators as models for future fusion reactors.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 5, 2016

High-precision magnetic field sensing

Researchers developed a high-precision sensor to measure small variations in strong magnetic fields, enabling the detection of mechanical processes in the body. The technique has broad applications in medicine and biological research, including the development of new contrast agents for MRI.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 2, 2016

A&A special issue: GREGOR first results

The GREGOR solar telescope has demonstrated its potential with high precision measurements of magnetic fields and material motion. High spatial resolution imaging data have also provided unprecedented details of the Sun's photosphere, revealing features smaller than 100 km in sunspot light bridges.

SourceAstronomy & Astrophysics·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateDec 1, 2016
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.

The fusion reactor that employs a liquid metal shower

Researchers have developed a novel liquid metal shower divertor system that can withstand extremely high heat loads and efficiently evacuate plasma as neutral gases. The new design features a fine jet stream of liquid metal, which forms a strong wall to block plasma and facilitate effective evacuation.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNuclear Fusion·DateNov 25, 2016

Article proposes theory behind fast magnetic reconnection

Researchers at PPPL and Princeton University proposed a groundbreaking solution to the mystery of fast magnetic reconnection. They developed a detailed theory for the mechanism leading to rapid reconnection, known as plasmoid instability, which breaks up plasma current sheets into small magnetic islands.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateNov 22, 2016

X-ray pulsars fade as propeller effect sets in

Researchers observe two X-ray pulsars transitioning to the propeller regime, providing valuable information about their magnetic fields and surrounding temperatures. The study reveals that giant outbursts are associated with the transition, offering a unique window into these intensely magnetized stars.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·DateNov 17, 2016
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.

Bright radio bursts probe universe's hidden matter

Scientists have detected the brightest FRB to date, providing a new understanding of the diffuse intergalactic material and its turbulence. By studying this phenomenon, researchers can gain insights into the production of cosmic magnetic fields.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateNov 17, 2016

Distant star is roundest object ever observed in nature

Researchers used asteroseismology to determine the oblateness of a slowly rotating star, revealing a difference of only 3 kilometers between equatorial and polar radii. The star's small oblateness is surprising, as it rotates three times more slowly than the Sun.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 16, 2016

Alcator C-mod bows out with a new world record

The Alcator C-Mod tokamak achieved a record-breaking plasma pressure of 2.05 atmospheres, exceeding previous values by approximately 70 percent. This result validates the high-field approach to fusion energy, which could lead to smaller and cheaper fusion power plants.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·DateOct 27, 2016

Steering a fusion plasma toward stability

Researchers have created a 'stability map' to track fusion plasma rotation and collisionality in real-time. This allows for the detection of potential instability and control over the plasma, potentially avoiding disruption of fusion reactions.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·DateOct 27, 2016
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.

Fusion reactor designs with 'long legs' show promise

Researchers found that long-leg plasma exhaust channels can handle high power densities, exceeding material limits. The configuration promotes the build-up of high gas pressures in the legs, enabling a stable radiating layer to fully accommodate plasma heat exhaust.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·DateOct 27, 2016

Breakthrough in Z-pinch implosion stability opens new path to fusion

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have demonstrated improved control over and understanding of implosions in a Z-pinch, enabling the creation of thermonuclear fusion-relevant densities and temperatures. The breakthrough was enabled by unforeseen physics that led to unprecedented implosion stability due to helical modes rather...

SourceAmerican Physical Society·DateOct 27, 2016

3-D-printed magnets

Researchers at TU Wien have developed a method to produce permanent magnets using a 3D printer, enabling precise customization of magnetic fields. The process involves depositing tiny magnetic particles into a polymer matrix, which is then exposed to a strong external magnetic field to create a permanent magnet.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateOct 25, 2016
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.

Tracking waves from sunspots gives new solar insight

Scientists have tracked a particular kind of solar wave as it swept upward from the sun's surface through its atmosphere, adding to our understanding of how solar material travels throughout the sun. The study provides a novel tool for scientists to study the atmosphere of the sun and sheds light on the coronal heating problem.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateOct 20, 2016

T-rays will 'speed up' computer memory by a factor of 1,000

Scientists have found a way to significantly improve computer performance by using T-waves, or terahertz radiation, to reset memory cells. This process is several thousand times faster than magnetic-field-induced switching and could lead to ultrafast memory.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalNature Photonics·DateOct 13, 2016

The Sun's coronal tail wags its photospheric dog

Researchers discovered that solar flares accelerate sunspot rotation speeds, revealing a complex relationship between the Sun's magnetic fields. This phenomenon challenges current theories on solar flares and has significant implications for understanding energy transport in eruptions.

SourceNew Jersey Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 12, 2016
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.

Proxima Centauri might be more sunlike than we thought

Proxima Centauri, a small red dwarf star, has a regular cycle of starspots similar to our Sun. The study suggests that this cycle may impact the potential habitability of its planet, Proxima b.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 11, 2016

Future information technologies: Magnetic monopoles

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin have discovered a new materials system that can create complex magnetic patterns, including monopoles and skyrmions, which could lead to faster and more efficient data storage. The system uses superconducting YBaCuO-dots covered with an extremely thin permalloy film.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalAdvanced Science·DateOct 11, 2016