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Swirlonic super particles baffle physicists

Researchers found that swirlonic super particles move with constant velocity, proportional to applied force, violating Newton's Law. This phenomenon has practical applications in artificial intelligence, space data, and robotics, particularly in self-assembly.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 11, 2021

Latch, load and release: Elastic motion makes click beetles click, study finds

Researchers studied the forces behind click beetles' signature clicking maneuver, discovering that they utilize snap-buckling and elastic recoil to release energy. The study provides insights into extreme motion, energy storage, and release in small animals like trap-jaw ants and mantis shrimps.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 18, 2021

Capturing ultra-fast insect movement

High-speed X-ray imaging reveals click beetles can perform extreme movements by releasing stored energy quickly, supporting the idea of a distributed spring mechanism. Understanding this dynamics could inform development of insect-inspired robots.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 18, 2021
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.

The gravity of play: Quantifying what we enjoy about games

Scientists at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology developed a novel approach to quantify the psychological appeal of games. They found that the value of 'gravity in the mind' changed over time, reflecting cultural tendencies and historical trends.

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalIEEE Access·DateOct 20, 2020

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
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The cosmic commute towards star and planet formation

Researchers measured gas motions throughout the Milky Way and a nearby galaxy, finding that cold molecular gas motions appear to fluctuate in velocity, reminiscent of ocean waves. The team discovered that equidistantly spaced structure shows distinctive pattern, with periodic spacing likely resulting from gravitational instability.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJul 7, 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.

Unlocking animal behavior through motion

Researchers use physics and technology to track animal movement, revealing key findings on flock behavior, neural network tracking, and burrowing forces. By analyzing animal motion, scientists gain a deeper understanding of collective behavior and individual animal actions.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·DateFeb 27, 2020

APS tip sheet: Listening to bursting bubbles

Researchers analyzed the acoustics of a bursting soap bubble to decipher the origin of the popping sound, finding that forces exerted by the liquid film create the pop. This study demonstrates how sound signatures can be harnessed to measure forces during violent events.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 24, 2020

Nanotechnology: Putting a nanomachine to work

Researchers at LMU München successfully couple a light-activated molecular motor to a receiver unit, demonstrating the motor's ability to accelerate rotation and perform useful work. The study provides unprecedented insights into the operation of an integrated molecular machine.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJan 30, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Two-legged robot mimics human balance while running and jumping

Researchers at MIT and University of Illinois develop method to control balance in two-legged, teleoperated robot. The approach enables humanoid robots to exert force or push against something without falling, paving the way for high-impact tasks in challenging environments.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Robotics·DateOct 30, 2019

The formula that makes bacteria float upstream

Researchers have found a physical explanation for how bacteria swim against the current, with a new mathematical formula describing their motion behavior. The discovery could enable design of special tube surfaces to slow down bacterial migration.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 12, 2019
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.

NIST team supersizes 'quantum squeezing' to measure ultrasmall motion

Physicists at NIST have developed a technique to amplify and measure the tiny motions of a magnesium ion, enhancing sensing of weak electric fields. The method could speed up quantum computing operations and detect minute changes in light absorption.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScience·DateJun 20, 2019

Researchers discover a trigger for directed cell motion

A team of researchers at the University of Münster discovered a mechanism that triggers subsequent lamellipodial cycles in cells, allowing them to maintain direction over time. This discovery sheds light on how cells navigate their environment without external signals.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalNature Physics·DateMay 7, 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.

Laser physics -- Attosecond photoelectron spectroscopy accelerated

Researchers at LMU Munich develop a novel enhancement resonator to generate ultrafast laser pulses, enabling the characterization of multidimensional electron motions in weeks instead of months. The technique opens new opportunities for investigating local electric fields in nanostructures.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 5, 2019

How do fish and birds hang together without colliding? Researchers find the answer is a wake with purpose

Fish and birds are able to move in groups without separating or colliding due to the interaction of followers with their leader's wake. This phenomenon allows slower followers to keep up with faster-flapping leaders by surfing on their wake, enabling efficient energy harvesting from natural resources.

SourceNew York University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 28, 2019

A catalytic flying carpet

Researchers at Pitt develop a two-dimensional, shape-changing sheet that wraps, flaps and creeps in a reactant-filled fluid. The team introduces a coating of catalysts on the flexible sheet, initiating motion and reconfiguration through catalytic chemical reactions.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 2, 2019
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.

Physicists edge closer to controlling chemical reactions

Researchers create algorithm to predict tunneling ionization rates for complex molecules, potentially controlling electron motion and chemical reactions. This breakthrough enables precise calculations of probabilities and opens up new areas of science and technology applications.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateDec 10, 2018

Extremely small magnetic nanostructures with invisibility cloak imaged

Scientists have successfully imaged extremely small magnetic nanostructures with an 'invisibility cloak', allowing for dense data storage and fast data transfer. The cloaking technique reduces the magnetic stray field, enabling smaller structures that can be moved at high speeds.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateOct 18, 2018

Ultrafast optical fiber-based electron gun to reveal atomic motions

Researchers have developed an ultrafast optical fiber-based electron gun to directly observe and capture atomic motions at surfaces and interfaces. The device uses low-energy electron pulses and a streak camera to achieve subpicosecond temporal resolution, revealing the transition state during chemical processes.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateOct 9, 2018
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.

Creating 3D printed 'motion sculptures' from 2D videos

A new system, MoSculp, uses algorithmic processing of 2D videos to generate 3D printed motion sculptures, providing a detailed study of human movement for athletes, dancers, and others. The system has been shown to improve visualization and analysis of complex motion in over 75% of user studies.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology, CSAIL·DateSep 19, 2018

How a computer learns to dribble: Practice, practice, practice

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and DeepMotion Inc. developed a physics-based method for controlling animated characters to learn dribbling skills from motion capture data. The system requires millions of trials but produces arm movements closely coordinated with physically plausible ball movement.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateAug 7, 2018

New tools reveal prelude to chaos

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis developed mathematical tools that determine when randomness emerges in stochastic systems, describing the kinetics before dissolving into randomness. The tools have potential to predict onset of chaos in nanoparticles to checking accounts.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalPhysical Review E·DateJun 6, 2018
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.

Toy-inspired experiment on behavior of quantum systems

Researchers built a quantum version of Newton's cradle to study the behavior of quantum particles and understand how they reach thermal equilibrium. They observed that the chaotic motion leads to thermalization in a sequence of two exponential steps, challenging previous predictions.

SourceStanford University·JournalPhysical Review X·DateMay 2, 2018

When nuclei catch up with electrons

Researchers at ETH Zurich found that ionization delays in molecules can significantly depend on the kinetic energy of both the photoelectron and the nuclei. This study extends the concept of ionization delays introduced for atomic systems, showing that variations can be as large as those with electronic kinetic energy.

SourceETH Zurich Department of Physics·JournalNature Physics·DateApr 16, 2018

Nodding raises likability and approachability

A study conducted by Hokkaido University and Yamagata University found that nodding positively affects perceived attractiveness, likability, and approachability. Nodding increased these traits by 30% and 40%, respectively, compared to head shaking or motionlessness.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalPerception·DateNov 27, 2017
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.

Oregon team identifies universality and specificity in protein motions

A team of researchers at the University of Oregon has identified a universal pattern in protein motion, which could help pinpoint where proteins bind to other molecules. The study found that protein motion is governed by random energy fluctuations and a critical hydrogen-bonding network.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 12, 2017

Molecular motors: Slowing the clockwork

Chemists at LMU München have developed a new synthesis to reduce the speed of a molecular motor, allowing them to analyze its light-driven rotation in complete detail. This breakthrough enables the study of unidirectional motion and opens up potential applications in catalysis and smart materials.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateSep 19, 2017

Curious properties

Theoretical physicists analyze flocking behavior on curved surfaces, including a sphere and an hourglass-shaped figure called a catenoid. They found special sound modes that don't dissipate and flow around obstacles, with the sphere's bands centered on the equator.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPhysical Review X·DateSep 7, 2017

Carnegie Mellon Robotics pioneer receives highest honor in computer graphics

Jessica Hodgins, a pioneer in character animation and robotics, has been recognized with the prestigious Steven Anson Coons Award for her outstanding contributions to computer graphics. Her work on physical simulation and control has advanced the development of realistic computer animations and human-robot interaction.

SourceAssociation for Computing Machinery·DateJul 24, 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.

Breaking Newton's Law

A quantum particle oscillates back and forth when interacting with a gas of Cesium atoms at extremely low temperatures. This behavior challenges Newton's laws of motion, as the particle's motion is restricted to the direction of the tubes.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalScience·DateJun 1, 2017

Locked movement in molecular motor and rotor

Researchers at University of Groningen create light-driven rotary motor with locked movement, where naphthalene rotor synchronizes with motor rotation. This breakthrough demonstrates synchronization of movement in artificial systems, a fundamental step towards molecular machine development.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalScience·DateJun 1, 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.

Disney method enables more realistic hair simulation

A new innovative method developed by Disney Research makes it possible to realistically simulate hair by observing real hair in motion. The framework considers the dynamics of hair and can be used with a wide variety of simulation methods.

SourceDisney Research·DateApr 24, 2017

Bursting pods

Researchers design a pod-like casing with liquid-crystal elastomers and molecular switches, demonstrating the ability to produce powerful movement at the molecular level. The device uses light-triggered re-arrangement of molecular switches to drive twisting helices in opposing directions, resulting in the bursting of the casing.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateFeb 15, 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.

Creeping gel

A new type of gel has been developed that periodically swells and shrinks to model the waves of muscular contraction and relaxation involved in crawling. The gel responds to light, producing two types of crawling motion, similar to those used by land snails, earthworms, and limpets.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateOct 24, 2016
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Mapping free-fall styles of solid objects within fluids

A numerical study explores the patterns made by 2-D rectangular plates falling freely within water, identifying parameters influencing their motion and force characteristics. The findings may aid in improving wing designs for unmanned aerial vehicles and controlling object motions within fluids.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateOct 11, 2016

SLAC's high-speed 'electron camera' films atomic nuclei in vibrating molecules

Researchers at SLAC used the ultrafast electron diffraction method to capture atomic nuclei in molecules vibrating within millionths of a billionth of a second. This technique provides new opportunities for precise studies of dynamic processes in biology, chemistry, and materials science.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 31, 2016
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.

Minimalist swimming microrobots

Researchers at Drexel University have developed a fabrication method for swimming microrobots using just two conjoined microparticles coated with magnetic debris. The microswimmers can be controlled by an external magnetic field, allowing for control over speed and direction.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 19, 2016

Recreating ancient vertebrate's first step on dry land

A team of researchers used a custom-built robot, mathematical models, and studies of amphibious fish to explore the critical evolutionary leap from water to land. They found that stabilizing the body with a tail provided substantial benefits for early terrestrial vertebrates.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalScience·DateJul 7, 2016

Fighting virtual reality sickness

Researchers developed approach dynamically changing user's field of view in response to visually perceived motion to reduce VR sickness. The study showed significant reduction in VR sickness experienced by participants without decreasing their sense of presence in the virtual environment.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·DateJun 14, 2016
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.