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Postcards from the plasma edge

Researchers improved plasma performance by applying lithium coatings, but the mechanism behind this improvement remains unclear. A new laboratory experiment found that temperature affects lithium's ability to retain deuterium particles, with oxygen exposure improving retention at lower temperatures.

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.

A closer look at the perfect fluid

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have refined the measurement of a key property of quark-gluon plasma, revealing new insights into its ultra-hot, frictionless nature. The findings provide clues to the state of the young universe immediately after the big bang.

First indirect evidence of so-far undetected strange baryons

Researchers have discovered indirect evidence of higher-mass strange baryons in heavy-ion collisions, which lower the temperature at which other particles 'freeze out' from quark-gluon plasma. This finding provides crucial insights into nuclear physics and the formation of matter.

Tiny transistors for extreme environs

Researchers at the University of Utah created the smallest plasma transistors that can operate in extreme environments, including nuclear reactors. These devices have the potential to enable innovative applications such as medical X-ray imaging and real-time air quality monitoring, and could be used to control robots in nuclear reactors.

Lifting fusion power onto an (optimized) pedestal

Scientists have developed a new technique to optimize the transport barrier in fusion plasmas, which is crucial for increasing future fusion power performance. By understanding the pedestal's behavior and its limitations, researchers can predict and improve its pressure and width, leading to enhanced fusion power production.

New antenna spreads good vibrations in fusion plasma

Researchers have developed a novel device called the Shoelace Antenna to regulate heat and particle flow through the plasma boundary in a tokamak fusion reactor. The antenna exploits naturally occurring resonant vibrations to achieve this goal.

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.

Hot lithium vapors shield fusion facility walls

Researchers have successfully shielded fusion facility walls using lithium vapors, extending protection to 10 times longer than expected. The breakthrough could alleviate concerns about plasma contamination and aborting fusion reactions in future devices.

Solar splashdown

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured spectacular images of June 7, 2011 solar eruption and splashdown. The event provided an 'up close' view of what happens on distant stars during accretion. Astronomers can now learn about young star growth by analyzing ultraviolet light emission.

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.

NASA's EUNIS mission: 6 minutes in the life of the sun

The EUNIS mission will gather data on the sun's corona by observing extreme ultraviolet light over a six-minute flight, providing insights into temperature ranges of solar plasma. The instrument will observe wavelengths from 525 to 630 Angstroms, covering temperatures from near the surface to millions of degrees Fahrenheit.

Grant-winning PPPL scientists lead fusion to the edge

Researchers will develop computer code to model the complex conditions at the edge of fusion plasmas, which could help design and operate facilities for generating electricity from fusion. The validated model could guide developers of next-generation fusion facilities, including ITER.

Magnetic turbulence trumps collisions to heat solar wind

Research by University of Warwick physicist Dr Kareem Osman reveals that magnetic turbulence is the key to the solar wind's surprising heat. The study shows how turbulence in current sheets heats and accelerates plasma, accounting for 50% of the solar wind's internal energy.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Handheld plasma flashlight rids skin of bacteria instantly

A handheld plasma flashlight has been developed to effectively kill bacteria on the skin's surface, including antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus faecalis. The device, powered by a 12-volt battery, generates a plasma plume that penetrates deep into bacterial layers, killing them in tens of seconds.

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.

Radar gun catches predator shredding turbulence in fusion plasma

Researchers used a new microwave instrument to study the interplay between plasma turbulence and surface flows in tokamak plasas. They found that turbulent eddies are shredded by large surface flows, turning off turbulence. This equilibrium is crucial for achieving high thermal insulation in fusion experiments.

A new spin on understanding plasma confinement

Recent experiments in the DIII-D tokamak have shown that spinning plasma can prevent magnetic island formation, which reduces fusion power production. By applying torque to spin the plasma faster while minimizing stray magnetic fields, tokamak fusion performance can be raised.

When matter melts

Researchers compare theory with data from STAR experiment to establish the temperature boundary where ordinary matter and quark-gluon plasma cross over. The team also finds that the highly dynamical systems of gold-gold collisions achieve thermal equilibrium.

Atmospheric pressure plasma jet from a grounded electrode

Scientists have developed a novel method for creating atmospheric pressure plasma jets using grounded electrodes, which differ from conventional applications. This breakthrough increases operator safety and enables the creation of jets at lower voltages, opening up new possibilities for biomedical applications.

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.

'Perfect' liquid hot enough to be quark soup

Researchers achieve temperature of about 4 trillion degrees Celsius, hotter than the center of the Sun, creating a freely flowing liquid composed of quarks and gluons. This 'quark-gluon plasma' is similar to the substance that filled the universe after its birth 13.7 billion years ago.

Plasma produces KO cocktail for MRSA

Researchers have developed two prototype devices to combat drug-resistant bacteria like MRSA. One device can disinfect human skin safely and quickly, while another can target infested chronic wounds for quicker healing.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

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.

Cool plasma packs heat against biofilms

Researchers at USC School of Dentistry and Viterbi School of Engineering developed a non-thermal plasma dental probe that destroys bacterial colonies and disinfects hard-to-reach areas. The tool uses pulsed power to create a room temperature plasma with antibacterial properties.

Ultracold gas mimics ultrahot plasma

Researchers at Duke University and Brookhaven National Laboratory have observed striking similarities between ultracold gas clouds and ultrahot plasmas. Both exhibit near-perfect fluid flow and anisotropic expansion, expanding like 'exploding cigars'.

MIT instrument finds surprises at solar system's edge

The Voyager 2 spacecraft has detected a strong magnetic field in the interstellar region, distorting the bubble of outflowing gas from the sun. Additionally, the temperature was found to be ten times cooler than expected just outside the boundary, sparking new explanations.

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.

Lowering body temperature could aid standard stroke treatment

UC scientists developed a model to combine current clot-busting medication with below-normal body temperatures to improve ischemic stroke patient treatment. The study found that tPA, an enzyme used in standard stroke treatment, is less effective at lower temperatures, but a higher dosage may be needed.

Cholesterol levels fluctuate with the seasons

Researchers found that cholesterol levels peak in the winter and decrease in the summer, with women experiencing greater seasonal variability. The study suggests that changes in plasma volume explain the observed increases in cholesterol levels during the winter months.

Eliminating battlefield transfusions

Researchers found that a unique blood plasma volume expander can resuscitate rats after severe hemorrhage and apnea, with some surviving up to 7 days without blood transfusions. Hyperbaric oxygen appears to confer advantages in resuscitation and maintenance of circulation.

X-ray snapshots capture the first cries of baby stars

Astronomers using Chandra X-ray Observatory have discovered that protostars, the youngest stage of star formation, are marked by powerful X-rays from plasma ten times hotter and 100 to 100,000 times brighter than our Sun's flares. This has provided the closest look yet at the youngest stars in the Universe.

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.

New auto device cuts pollution

A new auto device called plasmatron cuts pollution drastically in all kinds of vehicles, reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by 90%. The device is fully compatible with present engine technology and could offer many benefits envisioned for alternative vehicles sooner and at lower cost.

New mini microwave thruster is most powerful in its class

Penn State engineers have developed a new mini-thruster that draws only 80 Watts of power but produces more thrust than any system in its class. The thruster uses microwave technology to create a free-floating plasma, which generates thrust when released through a nozzle.

Plasma, plasma everywhere

The Earth is surrounded by a complex system of electric and magnetic fields, known as the magnetosphere, which interacts with charged particles called plasma. Scientists have developed a general model to describe the density of this surrounding plasma, revealing its behavior and effects on our planet.

Looking sharp: Data analysis with superb accuracy

The Max-Planck-Gesellschaft has developed a new method for deriving reliable information from experimental data using probability theory, providing significant cost savings. The 'multi-resolution method' is widely applicable to various fields, including fusion research, medicine, and astronomy.

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.

Fusion In Our Future

A research team led by Prof. Yitzhak Maron has developed a method to definitively determine how electricity flows through hot and dense plasmas. By measuring the electric current and its distribution in the plasma, scientists can gain crucial information on how to condense plasma more effectively for controlled fusion.

New Thin-Film Transistor Can Enhance Laptop Computer Displays

A new type of thin-film transistor developed at the University of Illinois can enhance laptop computer displays by increasing switching speeds. The transistor contains a buried channel that allows electrons to move faster, permitting much higher resolutions.

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.

Kitchen Microwave Inspires Prototype Space Propulsion System

A prototype propulsion system powered by a kitchen microwave has the potential to reduce propellant needed by up to 50%, enabling longer satellite lifespans and cost savings. The microwave-powered thruster operates more efficiently than chemical systems and is safer, as it only produces thrust when microwaves are active.