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Subsonic or supersonic?

Researchers propose a new analytical approach to determine the limiting velocity of an avalanche crack, revealing that it may propagate at supersonic speeds in certain situations. The findings reconcile conflicting interpretations and provide insights into designing structures impacted by snow masses.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalMatter·TypeObservational study·DateAug 5, 2026

From steel solid waste to green cement: A catalytic leap towards low-carbon cement production

Researchers propose a novel approach to reduce carbon emissions in cement manufacturing by leveraging iron naturally present in cement raw materials. The method enables the co-thermal conversion of CaCO₃ with CH₄ under a methane atmosphere, resulting in high-value syngas as a byproduct and significantly reducing carbon footprint.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 29, 2025

Diagnosing a dud may lead to a better battery

A team of chemists from Virginia Tech found a way to visualize the intricate structure and chemical reactions of battery interfaces using an X-ray beam line. This breakthrough enables researchers to gain better control over these critical surfaces, potentially leading to cheaper, higher performance batteries.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateApr 1, 2025

Watching electron motion in solids

A German-Italian team has discovered a way to simplify the experimental implementation of two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy, allowing for real-time study of electron motion in solids. By adding an optical component to Cerullo's interferometer, researchers were able to control laser pulses more precisely, enabling the investigatio...

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalOptica·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2025

Optical control of phase and group velocities in everyday liquids

Scientists have discovered a way to turn ordinary liquids into epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) materials by interacting them with intense femtosecond laser pulses. This creates a new class of materials with tunable light propagation properties, opening up possibilities for advances in optical sensing and communication.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 6, 2025

A new state between metal and insulator

Researchers at TU Wien discovered a new energy band that remains connected by an 'umbilical cord' when one allowed energy range splits into two separate bands. This phenomenon is bound to occur in materials with large electron interaction, opening up a new perspective on technologically highly interesting classes of materials.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 20, 2025

Liquid-based confined interface materials

These materials integrate liquids within solid frameworks at the mesoscale, driven by competitive interfacial interactions. They demonstrate dynamic responsiveness leveraging force, heat, light, electricity, magnetism, and sound, and exhibit practical functionalities including anti-fouling and multiphase flow control.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateJan 5, 2025

Novel quantum materials in the spotlight

German physicist Christian Schneider has been awarded a European Research Council Consolidator Grant to study the optical properties of two-dimensional materials. His team plans to develop experimental set-ups to investigate the unique properties of these materials, which could lead to new applications in quantum technologies.

Dynamics of structural transformation for liquid crystalline blue phases

Researchers have uncovered key insights about how liquid crystals transform between different phases using direct simulation and machine learning. This study provides a clearer understanding of the microscopic-level changes in these materials, which could lead to new possibilities for advanced materials development.

SourceKyushu University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 2, 2024

Researchers uncover what makes large numbers of “squishy” grains start flowing

Scientists have clarified the conditions under which large numbers of 'squishy' grains, similar to those found in biological tissues, undergo a yielding transition from solid-like to fluid-like behavior. The findings provide insights into the roles of mechanical and biochemical processes in biological systems.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 25, 2024

Pusan National University study provides breakthrough in enhancing solid oxide fuel cell efficiency with rapid PrOx coating method

A team of researchers led by Professor Beom-Kyeong Park has made a breakthrough in enhancing solid oxide fuel cell efficiency with a rapid PrOx coating method. The study demonstrated significant enhancements in SOFC electrode performance, reducing polarization resistance and boosting peak power density.

SourcePusan National University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2024

Towards cleaner energy: Breakthrough in anode electrode materials for proton conducting solid oxide fuel cells operating at medium temperature

Researchers have developed a novel perovskite-based anode material with mixed hole–proton conduction, achieving high efficiency at low and medium temperatures. The breakthrough could pave the way for important technological advancements in energy technologies.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJournal of the Physical Society of Japan·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2024

Sister hormone of GLP-1 can lead to better weight-loss drugs

Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding the GIP hormone's role in regulating insulin levels and weight loss. The study, involving over 500,000 individuals, found that inhibiting the GIP receptor may result in weight loss, while activating it without arresting its signal is crucial.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalNature Metabolism·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 13, 2024

Scientists trigger mini-earthquakes in the lab

Researchers at the Universiteit van Amsterdam triggered mini-earthquakes in a lab by applying a small seismic wave to a granular material. The study shows that these events can be understood using laboratory-scale frictional experiments, and its findings are relevant for understanding remote earthquake triggering in larger faults.

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 19, 2024

The new system allows to look at phenomena that occur in special “topological” materials by video recording the motion of pendula

The study reveals insights into topological materials by visualizing the motion of coupled pendula, reproducing behaviors of electrons in periodic systems. The researchers directly measure Bloch oscillations and Zener tunneling phenomena, previously impossible to observe in quantum systems.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 7, 2024

Breakthrough research enables high-density hydrogen storage for future energy systems

Scientists have developed a nanoporous magnesium borohydride structure that stores five hydrogen molecules in three-dimensional arrangement, achieving unprecedented high-density hydrogen storage. The material exhibits a capacity of 144 g/L per volume of pores, surpassing traditional methods and offering a promising alternative to large...

Scientists film soundwaves in a crystal

Researchers used a unique X-ray technique to capture soundwaves' propagation in a diamond crystal, revealing ultrafast structural phenomena that were previously beyond scientific reach. The breakthrough enables real-time imaging of solid materials with unprecedented resolution and speed.

SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 2, 2023

A novel green photoreactor for the synthesis of desirable chiral enantiomers

A team of Japanese researchers has successfully developed a recycling photoreactor that enables the synthesis of optically pure compounds with high yields, achieving an optical purity of 98-99%. The system uses a two-step rapid photoracemization process and can produce enantiomerically pure chiral sulfoxides in yields higher than 80%.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalThe Journal of Organic Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2023

Putting hydrogen on solid ground: Simulations with a machine learning model predict a new phase of solid hydrogen

Researchers used a machine learning model to simulate the behavior of hydrogen atoms at high pressures, discovering a new phase that was missed by previous theories and experiments. The discovery has sparked further investigation into the properties of solid hydrogen under extreme conditions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 21, 2023

Intense femtosecond light pulses in the mid-infrared for spectroscopic and technical applications

Researchers from the Max Born Institute report on a new light source generating ultrashort infrared pulses beyond 10 µm wavelength, exhibiting high potential for vibrational spectroscopy and optical materials processing. The system demonstrates excellent beam quality and stability, with output power and repetition rate scalable.

Structural determination of complex anion materials by an interdisciplinary approach

A team of researchers from Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology developed an analytical tool to investigate the ordering of fluorine in lead titanium oxyfluoride. They used first-principles calculation to analyze experimental results and determined the element substitution positions, finding that fluorine atoms predominan...