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AI used to show how hydrogen becomes a metal inside giant planets

Researchers used AI and quantum mechanics to study dense metallic hydrogen, finding a smooth and gradual transformation from molecular to atomic phases. The discovery resolves long-standing debates on the nature of dense hydrogen and has implications for understanding giant gas planets.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature·DateSep 9, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Atomistic modelling probes the behavior of matter at the center of Jupiter

Researchers used artificial neural networks to simulate hydrogen's phase transitions at high pressures and temperatures, challenging previous assumptions. The study suggests a smooth transition between insulating and metallic layers in giant gas planets, reconciling existing discrepancies between lab and modeling experiments.

SourceNational Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) MARVEL·JournalNature·DateSep 9, 2020

Direct observation of desorption of a melt of long polymer chains

Researchers have successfully observed the desorption of long polymer chains from a surface, classifying it as a first-order phase transition. This breakthrough study uses fast scanning calorimetry to measure heat exchange and characterizes the elusive adsorption/desorption transition.

SourceUniversité libre de Bruxelles·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 1, 2020

Liquid sulfur changes shape and goes critic under pressure

Scientists at ESRF discover new type of critical point in liquid sulfur, allowing for better understanding of liquid-to-liquid transitions and their applications. This breakthrough could open doors to studying the complexity of other important systems like water.

SourceEuropean Synchrotron Radiation Facility·JournalNature·DateAug 19, 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.

Looking at linkers helps to join the dots

Researchers discovered a phase transition in quantum dot films, where conductivity increases when linker molecules replace long capping molecules. This breakthrough could lead to better solar panels and digital displays.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalACS Applied Energy Materials·DateJul 9, 2020

Bumblebee habitats and diets change over their lifecycle

A study tracked queen bumblebees' movements as they established nests, revealing changes in habitat selection and diet preferences. The findings suggest that diversified landscapes support bumblebee colonies by meeting their changing needs during different phases of their lifecycle.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 8, 2020

Dirac electrons come back to life in magic-angle graphene

Researchers discovered a high-energy parent state with unusual symmetry breaking in magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene, leading to the revival of Dirac electrons. The system exhibits asymmetric electronic compressibility and phase transitions near integer fillings.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature·DateJun 21, 2020
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.

SUTD-led research powers longer lasting rechargeable batteries

Researchers from SUTD have developed a new material that increases the lifespan of rechargeable batteries using sodium ion technology. The breakthrough addresses the global shortage of lithium resources and enhances energy density, enabling more efficient power supplies for electronic products.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalChem·DateJun 2, 2020

USTC has made significant progress in many-body simulation based on Rydberg atoms

The research team successfully simulated the non-equilibrium phase transition of Rydberg atoms, revealing previously unobserved optical response and time-domain spectral properties. The findings are predicted by the forest fire model, offering a new approach to study the basic physics of many-body dynamics.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalPhysical Review X·DateMay 6, 2020

Researchers discover pressure-induced polyamorphism in dense SO2

Scientists found pressure-induced amorphization and reversible structural transformations in sulfur dioxide under extreme conditions. The researchers discovered a phase transition from molecular to polymeric amorphous forms of SO2, shedding light on a poorly understood phenomenon in condensed matter physics.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 6, 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.

Machine learning puts a new spin on spin models

A team of researchers used machine learning to study complex spin models, revealing key similarities between distinct phases. By training an AI on one model and applying it to another, they found that the algorithm could correctly classify phases and identify temperature transitions.

SourceTokyo Metropolitan University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 28, 2020

Machine learning illuminates material's hidden order

Physicists used a combination of ultrasound and machine learning to study uranium ruthenium silicide's phase transition at 17.5 kelvin. The machine-learning algorithm eliminated over half of the possible explanations, providing new insights into the material's behavior.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 6, 2020

Columbia team discovers new way to control the phase of light using 2D materials

Researchers develop a new method to manipulate light's phase without changing its amplitude, reducing optical loss and electrical power consumption. This breakthrough enables the scaling of photonic circuits and reduces power dissipation in applications like LIDAR and neural circuits.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Photonics·DateFeb 24, 2020

Something from nothing: Using waste heat to power electronics

A University of Tsukuba-led research team created a thermocell with a material exhibiting temperature-induced phase transition, boosting output voltage from tens of millivolts to around 120 mV. This design enables efficient energy harvesting from waste heat to power small electronics sustainably.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 12, 2020
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.

The Atlantic Ocean fingerprint on the climate of the Middle East

A study revealed a North Atlantic-Middle East teleconnection that influences Middle East summer temperatures, with ocean-atmosphere interactions driving the variability. The connection involves AMV, a low-frequency fluctuation of basin-wide anomalously warm and cold phases.

SourceCMCC Foundation - Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change·Journalnpj Climate and Atmospheric Science·DateJan 30, 2020

Imprinted color patterns

Chinese researchers create an azopolymer that allows light-induced nanoimprinting at room temperature, overcoming heat-dependent issues in traditional photolithography. The technique enables the creation of structurally colored surfaces and has potential applications in nanofabrication and electronics industry.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJan 15, 2020

ENSO heat engine shifts eastward under global warming

The ENSO heat engine is shifting eastward under global warming, leading to changes in global climate variations during ENSO years. This shift may also accelerate the decay of El Niño events after their peak phase, shortening their duration.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 8, 2020

Applying physics principle yields grim prediction on hurricane destruction in an era

A physicist has developed a new model predicting the increased destructive power of hurricanes as water temperatures rise. The model is based on a physics principle and suggests that the destructive power of Atlantic hurricanes off Africa could reach three times their current level if water temperatures increase by 2 degrees Celsius.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalTheoretical and Applied Climatology·DateDec 17, 2019
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.

Designer lens helps see the big picture

Researchers at KAUST have developed a novel method for quantitative phase and intensity imaging in microscopy, overcoming limitations of existing techniques. This new approach enables high-resolution images to be acquired quickly and accurately using affordable optics and common light sources.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 20, 2019

Disordered proteins become stable, 'super-sticky' materials

Biomedical engineers at Duke University have developed a new method to create stable IDP-based materials by controlling environmental triggers. This allows researchers to harness the phase transition properties of IDPs to build novel materials for drug delivery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 1, 2019

How long does memory last? For shape memory alloys, the longer the better

Researchers found that rapidly cooled copper-based shape memory alloys performed better than slowly cooled samples due to the formation of nickel-rich dots. This discovery could lead to more energy-efficient HVAC and refrigeration systems using heat pumping technology.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·JournalJournal of Alloys and Compounds·DateOct 3, 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.

At the edge of chaos, powerful new electronics could be created

Scientists at the University of Groningen observed a phenomenon in ferroelastic material barium titanate that resembles spatial chaos in non-linear dynamical systems. This could lead to highly diverse responses in adaptable neuromorphic electronics, enabling complex computing.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 3, 2019

A new 'golden' age for electronics?

Scientists at Nagoya University have created materials with negative thermal expansion, which can compensate for the expansion of components during heating and cooling cycles. This reduces stresses and increases component lifetime, making them ideal for use in electronics.

SourceNagoya University·JournalAPL Materials·DateJun 25, 2019

Applying the Goldilocks principle to DNA structure

Researchers at UC San Diego discover a gel-like state of DNA that enables stability and responsiveness in the nucleus. The study suggests a physical principle of chromosomal organization with implications for gene expression and cell fate.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 24, 2019
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.

Phase transitions: The math behind the music

A physics professor at Case Western Reserve University has developed a theory that explains how basic ordered patterns emerge in music using statistical mechanics. The theory reveals that the same principles guiding physical systems also govern musical harmony, shedding new light on the fundamental structure of music.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 23, 2019

A fascinating phase transition: From one liquid state to another

A team at The University of Tokyo has described a rare phenomenon called liquid-to-liquid phase transitions in pure substances. The study found that a liquid made of one type of molecule can switch between liquid and glassy states, offering a novel way to control transport properties.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 25, 2019

Breakthrough nanoscience discovery made on flight from New York to Jerusalem

Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Cornell University discovered that magic-size nanoclusters can change their internal structure in a single step, like molecules do during isomerization. This finding bridges the gap between small-scale molecular isomerization and large-scale phase transitions.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalScience·DateFeb 18, 2019

Merging neutron stars

Research groups calculate the signature of a phase transition in gravitational waves emitted by merging neutron stars, which could reveal the presence of quark matter. A phase transition may occur when densities exceed atomic nuclei and temperatures reach 10,000 times those in the Sun's core.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 14, 2019
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.

Phase transition dynamics in two-dimensional materials

The study reveals that using a metallic substrate with higher chemical reactivity can significantly increase the phase transition yield of 2D-TMD materials. This method enables the easy achievement of structural phase transitions and opens possibilities for new device applications such as low contact resistance electrodes.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalAdvanced Science·DateFeb 11, 2019

Data storage using individual molecules

Physicists from the University of Basel created a network with pores about one nanometer in size and controlled the physical state of individual Xenon gas atoms between solid and liquid by temperature and electrical pulses. The study paves the way for the development of new, smaller data storage devices.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalSmall·DateDec 17, 2018

Disorder plays a key role in phase transitions of materials

Researchers used a new technique to examine the crystal structure of Vanadium Dioxide (VO2) and found that atomic motions during phase transitions are disordered, contradicting previous assumptions. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of complex materials such as high-temperature superconductors.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalScience·DateNov 2, 2018
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.

Atomic path from insulator to metal messier than thought

Scientists have studied vanadium dioxide's ultrafast phase transition, revealing that atomic motions are unpredictable and occur independently of each other. This discovery lays the groundwork for advances in computer hardware and could lead to breakthroughs in controlling material behavior.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience·DateNov 1, 2018

When light, not heat, causes melting

Scientists observed a material's phase change when triggered by ultrafast laser light instead of temperature change. The process generates topological defects and affects electron dynamics. Researchers can potentially use this phenomenon for data storage systems using controlled light pulses.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Physics·DateOct 15, 2018
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.

Unusual rare earth compound opens doorway to new class of functional materials

Scientists at Ames Laboratory have discovered a rare-earth intermetallic with an unusual magnetoelastic transition that displays a sharp magnetic phase change, giant magnetocaloric effect, and no hysteresis. This discovery has the potential to lead to the development of new materials for applications like magnetic refrigeration.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 26, 2018

Putting a quantum gas through its phases

Scientists at ETH Zurich develop a controlled quantum system with two coupled order parameters, enabling the creation of diverse phase diagrams and exploring complex interactions. The platform provides a unique tool for studying technologically relevant materials and simulating their properties.

SourceETH Zurich Department of Physics·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 2, 2018

Study provides insight into the physics of the Higgs particle

Physicists at the University of Bonn have succeeded in putting a superconducting gas into an exotic state that allows new insights into the properties of the Higgs particle. The experiments also reveal a way to switch superconductivity on and off very quickly, opening up new applications for superconductors.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 27, 2018

From face recognition to phase recognition

Scientists have developed a neural network that can recognize features in x-ray absorption spectra sensitive to atomic arrangement at fine scales. This method helps reveal details of atomic-scale rearrangements during iron's phase transition, and could be applied to study nanoparticles, catalytic materials, and other materials.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 31, 2018
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.

Insulator-metal transition at the nanoscale

Scientists discovered defects play a crucial role in initiating phase transitions from insulators to metals. The study also reveals an intermediate state formed during transformation, challenging previous assumptions of two-state transitions.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNano Letters·DateMay 27, 2018

Research reveals how order first appears in liquid crystals

Chemists at Brown University have developed a method to detect the intermediate state in liquid crystals, where order starts to form in discrete patches. This breakthrough could provide insights into slow molecular motion in various natural phenomena, such as Alzheimer's disease and protein tangles.

SourceBrown University·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateMay 22, 2018

From insulator to conductor in a flash

Researchers have developed a method to rapidly transition strongly correlated materials from insulators to conductors using tailored laser pulses. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of next-generation electronics that are faster and more energy efficient.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 16, 2018
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.

Mirror, mirror

Researchers have confirmed the existence of the charge Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) transition, a mirror-like phenomenon to vortex BKT transitions. The discovery builds on earlier work and could lead to breakthroughs in sensors, communication, memory storage, and other technologies.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 6, 2018

Robotic crystals that walk n' roll

Scientists at Waseda University have developed robotic crystals that walk slowly like an inchworm and roll 20,000 times faster than its walking speed. These autonomously moving crystals have great potential as material for soft robots in the medical field, particularly for microrobots that transport substances in the microscopic region.

SourceWaseda University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 19, 2018

Vanadium dioxyde: A revolutionary material for tomorrow's electronics

Researchers have discovered a way to harness vanadium dioxide's unique properties for ultra-low-power electronic devices. By adding germanium to the material, they can lift its phase change temperature to over 100°C, enabling new technologies in space communication, neuromorphic computing, and autonomous vehicles.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalIEEE Access·DateFeb 5, 2018

Ultralow power consumption for data recording

Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a new phase change material, Cr2Ge2Te6, that achieves a significant reduction in power consumption for data recording in phase change memory (PCRAM). The material exhibits an inverse resistance change and combines low operation energy, high data retention, and fast operation speed.

SourceTohoku University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJan 24, 2018
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.

Real-time observation of collective quantum modes

A team of researchers at ETH Zurich has directly observed collective quantum modes in a quantum simulator, revealing the behavior of Goldstone and Higgs modes. This breakthrough sheds new light on fundamental phenomena like magnetism and superconductivity.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateDec 15, 2017

Injecting electrons jolts 2-D structure into new atomic pattern

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have found a way to reversibly change the atomic structure of a 2-D material by injecting electrons, using far less energy than current methods. This process has potential for new electronic memory and low-power switching in ultra-thin devices.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateOct 11, 2017

Straining the memory: Prototype strain engineered materials are the future of data storage

Researchers at Singapore University of Technology and Design have created prototype strain engineered materials that enable fast switching in data storage, outperforming current phase change memory technologies. The new material's energy efficiency and reduced switching time could impact new 3D memory architectures.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalNano Futures·DateSep 20, 2017

Wax on, melt off

Drexel University researchers develop a method to create roads that can deice themselves during winter storms by adding phase change materials like paraffin wax to the concrete mix. The technology has shown promise in melting snow and ice, reducing the need for chemicals and salt.

SourceDrexel University·JournalCement and Concrete Composites·DateSep 13, 2017
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.