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Plasma Physics Meeting highlights

Researchers discussed various topics in plasma physics, including the young solar wind, fusion experiments, and alternative approaches to killing bacteria and viruses. The findings highlight potential pathways for controlled nuclear fusion and applications of plasmas in energy production and medicine.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·DateNov 12, 2020

Recipe for a storm

Researchers at the University of Oldenburg generated turbulent flows in a wind tunnel, simulating conditions similar to those encountered in real storms. The team discovered that the wind tunnel flow combines two components into perfect, realistic storm turbulence.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 4, 2020

Quantum vortex study recognized as finalists for prestigious Eureka Prize

The Australian Quantum Vortex team has been named a finalist in the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes for their groundbreaking study on turbulence. The team's use of laser technologies to observe quantum origins of turbulence has provided new insights into the behavior of vortices, which influence global weather and flight patterns.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies·DateSep 28, 2020

Promising computer simulations for stellarator plasmas

Scientists at Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik have developed a new code, GENE-3D, that can simulate turbulent transport in stellarators with higher accuracy. The simulations suggest that fast ions could reduce turbulence by over half in the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator, potentially leading to high-performance plasmas.

SourceMax-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 18, 2020
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Climate change impacts astronomical observations

Researchers found a 1.5 ° C increase in near-ground temperature over four decades at the Paranal Observatory, threatening telescope quality due to air turbulence. Climate change also affects image resolution, contrast capabilities, and potentially limits exoplanet studies.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature Astronomy·DateSep 17, 2020

Turbulence affects aerosols and cloud formation

Turbulence plays a crucial role in cloud formation, affecting the number of droplets and their size. Researchers developed a framework to explain how preexisting aerosol particles transition into droplets.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 16, 2020

Humid air can extend lifetime of virus-laden aerosol droplets

Researchers modelled how airflow and humidity affect exhaled droplets containing virus particles. They found that high humidity extends the airborne lifetime of medium-sized droplets, allowing them to travel further before falling to the ground.

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

Astronomers pinpoint the best place on Earth for a telescope: High on a frigid Antarctic plateau

Researchers found that Dome A's unique combination of high altitude, low temperature, and stable atmosphere makes it an attractive location for optical and infrared astronomy. This location could lead to sharper images and the detection of fainter objects, overcoming a major challenge in Earth-based astronomy: atmospheric turbulence.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalNature·DateJul 29, 2020

Scientists develop new tool to design better fusion devices

Researchers have developed a new code, XGC-S, that can simulate the behavior of plasma in stellarators more accurately than before. This advancement aims to improve the design of fusion devices, which could provide a virtually inexhaustible supply of safe and clean power.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateJun 24, 2020

Laser technology: The Turbulence and the Comb

A team of scientists has successfully produced a special type of light called a frequency comb, which consists of different light frequencies arranged at regular distances. The breakthrough uses circular quantum cascade lasers and turbulence to create the ordered light, contradicting current laser theory.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature·DateJun 18, 2020

Blood flows could be more turbulent than previously expected

Researchers found that turbulent blood flows react strongly to vessel geometry, leading to higher velocity fluctuations and increased risk of arteriosclerosis. The study suggests a new mechanism for turbulence in cardiovascular flow at lower speeds than previously thought.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 4, 2020
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GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Researchers report new understanding of energy fluctuations in fluids

The study reports a counterpoint to the Casimir Force theory, exploring fluctuation-induced force between two plates immersed in isotropic turbulence. The findings have implications for understanding bacterial behavior and potentially influencing micro and nanomanufacturing.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 6, 2020

Unraveling turbulence

Scientists at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have made significant progress in understanding turbulence by studying the behavior of vortex rings when they collide. The research, published in Science Advances, reveals a fundamental mechanism for how fluidic systems transform from order to disorder.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 28, 2020
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Isotope movement holds key to the power of fusion reactions

Scientists in Japan have reached a breakthrough in controlling fusion plasma's uniformity by studying the movement of hydrogen isotopes. The research found that turbulent states, such as ion temperature gradient turbulence, result in more uniform isotope ratios, which is favorable for fusion reactions.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 26, 2020

Researchers develop new bio-inspired wing design for small drones

The new wing design, dubbed the Separated Flow Airfoil, intentionally separates airflow at the leading edge, reattaching it more consistently before reaching the trailing edge. This enables more efficient, stable flight in turbulent air, resulting in better battery life and longer flight times for small drones.

SourceBrown University·JournalScience Robotics·DateJan 29, 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.

Going with the flow: New insights into mysterious fluid motions

Researchers develop a new approach for studying transitional flows, finding that the energy spectrum of small eddies conforms to Kolmogorov's universal theory. This breakthrough has practical applications in engineering, particularly in predicting friction between flow and pipe.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 24, 2020

Reducing the risk of blood clots in artificial heart valves

Researchers have identified a mechanism that contributes to clot formation in mechanical heart valves. By modifying the valve's design, turbulent vortices can be eliminated, reducing the risk of blood clots and strokes. This breakthrough could lead to life without blood thinners for thousands of people with artificial heart valves.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·DateJan 13, 2020

No storm in a teacup -- it's a cyclone on a silicon chip

University of Queensland researchers combined quantum liquids with silicon-chip technology to study turbulence for the first time. This breakthrough allows observation of nanoscale quantum turbulence, mirroring cyclone behavior, and provides a new way to understand turbulent dynamics.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalScience·DateDec 19, 2019

Lehigh engineers designing a more efficient tidal turbine with NSF grant

Researchers at Lehigh University's P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science are designing a more efficient tidal turbine using a $250,000 NSF grant. They will test different fairing shapes in a water tunnel facility equipped with an active grid turbulence generator to reduce energy loss and increase renewable energy power.

SourceLehigh University·JournalApplied Energy·DateNov 14, 2019
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.

Researchers discover universal mechanisms controlling terrestrial and astrophysical explosions

A new study published in Science reveals the critical criteria for driving a flame to self-generate turbulence and transition into detonation, applicable to both Type Ia supernovae and hypersonic jet propulsion. This discovery may aid the understanding of certain kinds of supernovae and potentially lead to advancements in air and space...

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalScience·DateOct 31, 2019

Computer models show clear advantages in new types of wind turbines

Researchers from Aarhus University and Durham University have modelled fluid dynamics of multi-rotor wind turbines, demonstrating a clear advantage for a turbine model with four rotors. This design reduces downstream turbulence, allowing for more efficient energy production.

SourceAarhus University·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateOct 16, 2019

Turbulence meets a shock

Researchers used Stampede2 to study shock turbulence interactions at high turbulence intensities, exploring amplification factors, shock jumps and turbulent Mach number. The study aims to improve understanding of turbulent flows interacting with shock waves, enabling advancements in supersonic aircraft design and supernova research.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalJournal of Fluid Mechanics·DateAug 9, 2019
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Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Supercomputers use graphics processors to solve longstanding turbulence question

Researchers at Imperial College London used supercomputers and graphics processors to simulate turbulent fluid flow and solve a longstanding question about disturbance dissipation. Their results lead to the development of new empirical models for turbulence, improving engineering designs in fields like wind turbines and Formula 1 cars.

SourceImperial College London·JournalJournal of Fluid Mechanics·DateJul 25, 2019

Researchers verify 70-year-old theory of turbulence in fluids

A University of Queensland study confirms a 70-year-old theory on fluid turbulence, which causes inefficiency in transporting fluids through pipes and affects ship movements. The research uses ultra-cold atom systems to control and measure the phenomenon.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalScience·DateJun 27, 2019
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.

Tracking major sources of energy loss in compact fusion facilities

Physicists at PPPL used codes developed at General Atomics to compare theoretical predictions of electron and ion turbulent transport with findings of the first campaign of the NSTX-U. Analysis found that a major factor behind energy losses was anomalous electron transport, which spread rapidly like milk mixing with coffee.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalNuclear Fusion·DateJun 11, 2019

EPFL researchers crack an enduring physics enigma

Researchers at EPFL's Emerging Complexity in Physical Systems Laboratory identified the mechanism behind a phenomenon where chaotic turbulence transitions to perfectly parallel patterns. Their findings could help better control flows and understand turbulent-laminar interactions.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 28, 2019

'Neural Lander' uses AI to land drones smoothly

A new AI-powered system, Neural Lander, uses a deep neural network to help autonomous drones land more safely and quickly, while gobbling up less power. The system has been tested and achieved significant improvements in landing accuracy, with reductions of up to 100% in vertical error and 90% in lateral drift.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·DateMay 24, 2019

At 3,836 mph, which way does the air flow?

University at Buffalo aerospace engineer James Chen is working on a new study that aims to solve problems associated with exceeding the sound barrier. The research focuses on Austrian physicist Ludwig Boltzmann's classical kinetic theory, which uses gas molecules to explain everyday phenomena.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Engineering Mathematics·DateMar 12, 2019

Spacecraft measurements reveal mechanism of solar wind heating

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London, University of Arizona, and University of Iowa made the first direct measurement of how energy is transferred from electromagnetic fields to particles in the solar wind. This process, known as Landau damping, causes electrons to be energized and heats interplanetary space.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 14, 2019
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.

Could gulls' wings inspire smarter airplane design?

Researchers at University of British Columbia discovered that gulls can adapt their wing shape to gusty conditions by flexing a single elbow joint, which could inspire improved aircraft design. This novel mechanism enables gulls to sacrifice stability for maneuverability.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateJan 3, 2019

Factors affecting turbulence scaling

Researchers investigate turbulence scaling in fluids at critical points, finding anisotropy and compressibility impact scaling behavior. Four types of scaling regimes identified, with anisotropy key to determining emerging behavior.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateNov 8, 2018

Turbulence in space might solve astrophysical mystery

Researchers at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory found that plasma turbulence could amplify magnetic fields to dynamical strengths in a hot, dilute plasma, such as those residing within clusters of galaxies. This discovery provides a possible answer to one of the most important unsolved problems in plasma astrophysics.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateNov 5, 2018

Magnetic pumping pushes plasma particles to high energies

Scientists propose a new model, magnetic pumping, to explain the solar wind's heat persistence as it streams out of the sun and towards Earth. The research shows that particles in the solar wind are affected by magnetic pumping, including high-energy particles.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·DateNov 5, 2018
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.

NASA balloon mission captures electric blue clouds

A recent NASA long-duration balloon mission captured high-resolution images of noctilucent clouds, revealing processes leading to turbulence. The mission aims to improve weather forecasting models by understanding the causes and effects of atmospheric gravity waves.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 20, 2018

Separating the sound from the noise in hot plasma fusion

Scientists have detected the geodesic acoustic mode at two locations within an experimental fusion reactor for the first time. This new experimental setup will be a useful diagnostic tool for investigating zonal flows and their role in the L-H transition, crucial for regulating turbulence and particle transport.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateSep 11, 2018

Preparing for chemical attacks with improved computer models

University of Texas at San Antonio researchers have developed improved computer models to predict the dispersal of chemical plumes, enabling more accurate evacuations. The models can simulate real-world conditions despite limited information, providing critical insights into the spread of toxic agents like sarin gas.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalAtmospheric Pollution Research·DateAug 21, 2018

Army scientists create new technique for modeling turbulence in the atmosphere

Researchers develop a novel approach using the Lattice-Boltzmann method to accurately model atmospheric turbulence in complex environments, reducing computational load and improving prediction accuracy. This breakthrough has significant implications for military operations, civilian planning, and emergency response.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalEnvironmental Fluid Mechanics·DateAug 7, 2018
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GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Seth Davidovits wins 2018 Marshall N. Rosenbluth dissertation award

Davidovits won the award for his outstanding thesis research on turbulence in compressing fluids and plasma, with a focus on novel mechanisms and applications in inertial-confinement-fusion and astrophysical plasmas. His work has significant implications for plasma physics research.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·DateJul 13, 2018

Turbulence is good for the blood

A Kyoto University study reveals that turbulence enhances platelet generation in the blood, potentially resolving global shortages of these cells. The discovery could enable mass production of platelets using iPS cell technology.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCell·DateJul 12, 2018

New experimental results from the largest and most sophisticated stellerator

Researchers have characterized plasma turbulence at the outer edge of Wendelstein 7-X, a critical step in understanding how to build energy-producing reactors. The study reveals that turbulence propagates in the direction of ion flow and changes character upon changes in magnetic topology.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateJul 3, 2018
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Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

NASA spacecraft finds new type of magnetic explosion

Researchers have discovered a new breed of magnetic reconnection in the magnetosheath, a turbulent region near Earth's atmosphere. This phenomenon is distinct from previous observations and has significant implications for understanding turbulence in space.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature·DateMay 9, 2018

New control strategy helps reap maximum power from wind farms

Researchers at UT Dallas developed a new control strategy using supercomputers to extract more power from wind turbines. The approach has the potential to increase wind energy production by up to six percent and generate $100 million in value per one percent improvement.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalWind Energy·DateApr 23, 2018

Chirping is welcome in birds but not in fusion devices

Scientists have modeled plasma conditions that lead to chirping in fusion devices, revealing a connection between turbulence levels and Alfvén wave chirping. Lower turbulence reduces the fast ion wind's ability to cause chirping, which can slow fusion reactions.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateMar 16, 2018
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.

New understanding of ocean turbulence could improve climate models

Brown University researchers discovered that mesoscale eddies in the global ocean tend to merge into larger ones, unlike smaller eddies which break up into smaller scales. This finding could help develop coarser-grained ocean simulations that better capture ocean dynamics.

SourceBrown University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 26, 2018

James N. Moum selected as Fellow of The Oceanography Society

Dr. James N. Moum selected as a Fellow of The Oceanography Society for his outstanding contributions to widely used observational techniques and understanding of ocean mixing over a broad range of processes and scales. His work has elucidated the impact of turbulence on various spatial and temporal scales.

SourceThe Oceanography Society·DateJan 11, 2018

New approach can save up to 95 percent of energy used for pipelines

A team of researchers has developed a new method to eliminate turbulence in fluid flows, which can save up to 95% of the energy required to pump fluids through pipes. The approach involves creating a 'flat' velocity profile that prevents turbulent eddies from forming.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature Physics·DateJan 8, 2018

Spectral broadening in clouds is affected by turbulence

Research on turbulent broadening of cloud droplet size distributions and warm rain initiation has made significant progress in recent years. The study highlights the effects of turbulence on spectral broadening and collision-coalescence processes, with Chinese scientists playing a key role.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateDec 18, 2017
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