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The mask matters: How masks affect airflow, protection effectiveness

Researchers found that wearing a mask can actually increase the inhalation of aerosols into the nose, making fine particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers more problematic. The study suggests that choosing a more effective mask and wearing it properly are crucial to curb COVID-19 transmission.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateDec 15, 2020
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.

Quantum engines with entanglement as fuel?

Researchers aim to demonstrate ideal energy transfer in quantum systems, potentially leading to more efficient engines and quantum computers. The project uses superconducting circuits to design experiments that can be carried out within realistic quantum systems.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·DateOct 15, 2020

Could megatesla magnetic fields be realized on Earth?

Scientists at Osaka University have discovered a novel mechanism, microtube implosion, which generates megatesla-order magnetic fields. This breakthrough is three orders of magnitude higher than what has been achieved in a laboratory, with potential applications in materials science, quantum electrodynamics, and astrophysics.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 6, 2020

Recharging N95 masks for continued usage

Researchers have developed a method to recharge N95 masks, restoring their 95% filtration efficiency and enabling smart masks. The technique exploits electrostatics-based materials, allowing for easy charge replenishment using a battery or washing machine, making it suitable for various air filtration applications.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateSep 8, 2020
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.

Using a public restroom? Mask up!

Flushing public restrooms can spread virus-laden particles, including COVID-19. Researchers found that urinal flushing releases more than 57% of particles into the air, with some reaching thighs within 5.5 seconds.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateAug 18, 2020

Can a quantum strategy help bring down the house?

Researchers at MIT and Caltech explored the theoretical possibilities of quantum communication in blackjack, finding a slight advantage for cooperative players. In a limited number of situations with low cards left in the deck, quantum entanglement can give players an edge over classical card-counting strategies.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review A·DateAug 3, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

New model connects respiratory droplet physics with spread of Covid-19

Researchers developed a new mathematical model that incorporates environmental factors into predicting respiratory virus transmission, highlighting the importance of weather conditions on droplet spread. The model suggests that social distancing measures may not be sufficient to prevent transmission without masks in humid climates.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateJul 20, 2020

Physics principle explains order and disorder of swarms

Researchers found that microswimming particles can be made to organize into different collective states, supporting the hypothesis of critical behavior. The study demonstrates a close link between collectivity and critical behaviour, suggesting a physical principle underlying complex animal group behavior.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 10, 2020

Scientists use phononic crystals to make dynamic acoustic tweezers

Researchers have developed a method using phononic crystals to generate tunable, time-variant sound fields that can trap and transport particles and cells in microchannels. This technology has potential applications in display technology, biomedical sensors, and diagnostic tools.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateApr 30, 2020

On-demand glass is right around the corner

A team of physicists from Università di Trento created colloidal glasses with controlled unidirectional stress, allowing for the manipulation of mechanical properties. This breakthrough could enable the development of new types of glass for various industrial applications.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 20, 2020
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.

Distortion isn't a drag on fluid-straddling particles

A team of researchers found that drag forces experienced by particles straddling interfaces between un-mixable fluids are less affected by the shape of the distortion. The study's discovery could have implications for self-assembling properties of various species, including nano- and microparticles, proteins, and other molecules.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateMar 18, 2020

A better starting point for exploring entanglement

Researchers propose updated equations that simplify calculations for distinguishing between two types of 'non-Gaussian curve' and genuinely quantum states. This approach could speed up advances in quantum communication and computation.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateFeb 25, 2020

Cooling a 'massive' solid-state nanoparticle into its quantum ground state

Researchers laser-cooled a 150-nanometer glass sphere containing 100 million atoms to its quantum ground state, revolutionizing the study of macro-quantum physics. This achievement enables unprecedented opportunities to test fundamental physics and probe the boundaries between classical and quantum mechanics.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJan 30, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Scientists develop gentle, microscopic hands to study tiny, soft materials

Researchers developed a technique for handling tiny, soft particles using precise fluid flows, allowing them to test the physical limits of these particles. The technique, known as the Stokes trap, was used to study the dynamics of vesicles and their deformation under different flow conditions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalSoft Matter·DateDec 23, 2019
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.

See and be seen

Artificial microswimmers with forward and long-range vision form stable groups by perceiving the number of neighbors within their field of view. This process allows for efficient movement, evasion of predators, and adaptation to environmental stimuli without requiring precise location information.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalScience·DateApr 4, 2019

Scientists levitate particles with sound to find out how they cluster together

Researchers from the University of Chicago and the University of Bath used acoustic levitation to study the shape of prototypical clusters that form when particles are added one by one. They found that with six particles or more, different shapes can assemble, including parallelogram, chevron, and triangle configurations.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 5, 2019

Assembly in the air: Using sound to defy gravity

Researchers at the University of Bath use sound waves to levitate particles, discovering multiple shapes they can assemble into when brought together. The team found that changing sound-wave frequency can manipulate clusters and influence emergent shape.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 4, 2019

Dietary fiber helps clump material in your gut

A new study from Caltech reveals that dietary fiber plays a role in clumping gut particles, which may affect drug absorption and microbial populations. Longer fibers promote physical aggregation of particles, providing a potential mechanism for controlling particle behavior in the gut.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·DateFeb 20, 2019
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.

Acoustic tweezers for 3D particle manipulation

Scientists have successfully created a holographic acoustic tweezers system that can trap and manipulate particles in three dimensions. This technology has potential applications in small-scale assembly and the creation of 3D displays with levitating voxels.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 17, 2018
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.

Shedding a new light on optical trapping and tweezing

Wits physicists have developed a new device for manipulating and moving tiny objects, such as single cells in a human body or tiny particles in small volume chemistry, using the full beam of laser light. The device uses vector holographic trapping and tweezing to control and manipulate minute objects with high precision.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 27, 2018

Wildfire aerosols remain longer in atmosphere than expected

Research team at Michigan Tech found wildfire aerosol particles remaining in atmosphere for up to a week, defying expectations of rapid oxidation. This discovery has significant implications for climate predictions and the role of aerosols in global warming.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·DateOct 2, 2018

Quantum leap for Einstein's scientific principle

Physicists have been debating whether Einstein's equivalence principle extends to the quantum world. A University of Queensland researcher and her team found that it does, with implications for our understanding of gravity and mass in quantum physics.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature Physics·DateAug 20, 2018
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.

Turning entanglement upside down

Researchers propose creating and analyzing new systems governed by entanglement properties directly connected to the original ones, making it easier to quantify experimentally. This innovative approach can be carried out in several experimental conditions, from atomic systems to superconducting circuits.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalNature Physics·DateMay 29, 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.

Physicists at FAU demonstrate demixing behavior of rotating particles

Physicists at FAU have demonstrated that macroscopic particles rotating in opposite directions form homogeneous groups. The researchers used miniature robots manufactured using 3D printing methods for their experiment. After only one minute, single domains were clearly visible, and after 15 minutes, the robots had almost entirely demixed.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 3, 2018

Simulations document self-assembly of proteins and DNA

Researchers developed an algorithm to simulate molecular dynamics of patchy particles, which are made up of a rigid body with only two charged patches. The findings provide new insights into what makes biological entities like protein/DNA combinations self-assemble.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateMar 28, 2018

The drop that's good to the very end

Researchers at Imperial College London have discovered a novel water droplet behavior that allows some droplets to form 'crowns' around particles, enabling efficient liquid deposition and coating. This breakthrough has implications for industrial spray drying methods used in detergent and instant coffee production.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateOct 17, 2017
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.

Team led by graduate student at PPPL produces unique simulation of magnetic reconnection

A team led by a Princeton University graduate student has developed a unique simulation of magnetic reconnection in space plasmas, which could lead to improved forecasts of space weather events. The new model approximates kinetic effects using fluid equations and agrees better with kinetic models than traditional simulations.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateSep 8, 2017

Tiny particles increase in air with ethanol-to-gasoline switch

A study by Northwestern University researchers found that the concentration of ultrafine particles less than 50 nanometers in diameter rose when drivers switched from ethanol to gasoline, but decreased when they switched back. This shift had a significant impact on air quality, with potential health benefits

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 17, 2017
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.

Breaking glass in infinite dimensions

A team of researchers, led by Sho Yaida, have found a phase transition in glasses using infinite-dimensional calculations. This discovery could significantly change the properties of glasses at low temperatures, affecting their response to heat, sound and stress.

SourceDuke University·DateMay 30, 2017

Unveiling the quantum necklace

The study simulates a complex quantum system that mimics classical physics and creates a 'necklace-like' state with spin-orbit coupling. The researchers found that there must always be an odd number of pearls in the necklace, depending on the strength of the spin-orbit coupling.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalPhysical Review A·DateMay 25, 2017

Scientists find a way to pack grains and drugs most efficiently

Researchers at Australian National University have found a more efficient way to pack spherical particles, such as grains and pills, into ordered patterns. This breakthrough could lead to improved storage and delivery of pharmaceuticals, as well as innovative methods for building on sand.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 12, 2017
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.

Washington State University physicists create 'negative mass'

Physicists at Washington State University have created a fluid with negative mass, defying Newton's Second Law of Motion. By cooling rubidium atoms to absolute zero, they were able to create a state where the particles behave like waves and synchronize in unison, resulting in negative mass.

SourceWashington State University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 17, 2017

NIST physicists show ion pairs perform enhanced 'spooky action'

Physicists at NIST have confirmed that particles of matter can exhibit 'spooky action' through quantum entanglement. The experiment closed two loopholes in conventional Bell tests, demonstrating the high quality of entangled states.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 28, 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.

New research horizons

Two UCSB faculty members, Stefano Tessaro and Andrea Young, have been selected as recipients of the prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship for their outstanding contributions to cryptography and condensed matter physics. The fellowships will support their research efforts in building solid theoretical foundations for cryptogra...

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·DateFeb 22, 2017

New active filaments mimic biology to transport nano-cargo

A team of researchers has created a fully biocompatible motility engine using synthetic active filaments, outperforming conventional methods in transporting tiny cargo. The design's efficiency and speed capabilities have significant implications for targeted drug delivery, insemination, and therapeutic interventions.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateJan 10, 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.

Jefferson Lab director awarded Glazebrook Medal

Hugh E. Montgomery, Jefferson Lab director and president of Jefferson Science Associates, LLC, has been recognized for his outstanding leadership and distinguished research in high-energy physics. The Institute of Physics awards the Glazebrook Medal annually to individuals who display exceptional contributions to the physics community.

SourceDOE/Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility·DateJul 5, 2016

A matter of orientation

A collaborative research centre at the University of Konstanz is studying directional properties of particles and their superstructures. The SFB 1214 aims to create a new generation of materials with tailor-made properties by controlling particle arrangement.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·DateJun 6, 2016

Active systems: Life is motion

Physicists have developed a way to differentiate between the active motions of living cells and those driven by random molecular movements. The method uses video imaging and analysis to identify non-equilibrium systems in living organisms.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalScience·DateMay 3, 2016

How DNA can take on the properties of sand or toothpaste

Researchers at UC San Diego found that DNA segments become jammed within viruses when sticky, causing the DNA to behave like LEGO pieces. Adding polyamines can cause viral DNA to become jammed and halt packaging.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Physics·DateMay 2, 2016

The science of watching paint dry

Researchers from the University of Surrey have discovered a new physical mechanism that separates particles according to their size during the drying of wet coatings. This 'self-layering' process creates two layers with independent properties, which could improve the performance of coatings across industries.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 18, 2016
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.