Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Microscopic animals inspire innovative glass research

Researchers at the University of Chicago have discovered a new type of glass by studying the properties of microscopic animals, including tardigrades. The team found that these creatures can create glassy molecules under extreme conditions, leading to potential breakthroughs in electronic devices and material science.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateSep 3, 2015

Making oxygen before life

Researchers at UC Davis have found a way to form oxygen in one step by using a high-energy vacuum ultraviolet laser to excite carbon dioxide. This process could be occurring naturally on Mars and Venus, where carbon dioxide dominates the atmosphere. The discovery adjusts models of planetary atmosphere evolution.

Boosting the force of empty space

A team of researchers from Weizmann Institute and Vienna University of Technology proposed a method to amplify vacuum fluctuations by several orders of magnitude using a transmission line. This could lead to enhanced understanding of Casimir- and Van der Waals forces, with potential applications in quantum information processing.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 22, 2014

The reins of Casimir: Engineered nanostructures could offer way to control quantum effect

Scientists at NIST have observed that patterning one surface with nanoscale structures increases or decreases the Casimir effect, which is necessary for making small mechanical parts and studying gravity at the microscale. The discovery challenges existing theory and opens a new path for tuning these effects.

Light particles illuminate the vacuum

By changing the speed of light in an array of superconducting quantum-interference devices (SQUID), researchers can extract microwave photons from the vacuum's quantum noise. This breakthrough could help solve the riddle of the universe's birth and develop powerful quantum computers.

SourceAalto University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 26, 2013

Return of the vacuum tube

Researchers developed a tiny vacuum channel transistor with applications in hazardous sensing, medical diagnostics, and telecommunications; the device operates at low voltages, making it competitive with semiconductor technology.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMay 18, 2012

Chalmers scientists create light from vacuum

Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology have succeeded in creating light from vacuum by capturing photons that appear and disappear in the vacuum. The experiment confirms a fundamental principle in quantum mechanics, demonstrating the existence of virtual particles that can become real photons.

SourceSwedish Research Council·JournalNature·DateNov 18, 2011

Redefining 'clean'

Researchers have developed a new technique using low-temperature plasmas to deactivate potentially harmful biomolecules, including those that can cause severe medical problems. The study's findings suggest that the effectiveness of this method may depend on the composition of the plasma.

How to unbalance nothingness

Researchers from Jena and Graz calculated the time evolution of the vacuum decay, revealing that particles of matter and antimatter behave in a novel self-focusing way. This breakthrough increases the possibility of discovering these particles in super strong electric fields.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 28, 2011

Space jets in a bottle

Italian researchers created space-like conditions in a vessel to confirm the behavior of astrophysical jets, which travel at high speeds and stretch across vast distances. The study found that these jets behave according to Newtonian Dynamics, confirming successful 3D simulations.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateApr 11, 2011

Vacuum arcs spark new interest

Scientists model vacuum breakdown to understand its implications for applications, including particle accelerators and fusion reactors. A new model reveals that the breakdown arc is triggered by an electric field tearing apart the metal surface, leading to extremely damaging effects.

Physics breakthrough much ado about 'nothing'

Researchers at the University of Calgary have successfully stored and retrieved a special type of vacuum, known as a squeezed vacuum, using rubidium atoms. This breakthrough has significant implications for quantum computing and information exchange, enabling the creation of ultra-secure codes for transmitting sensitive information.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 5, 2008

Molecular chains line up to form protopolymer

Scientists at Penn State have observed extended chains of phenylene molecules that align and interact without forming chemical bonds, paving the way for controlling growth and assembly of molecules. This discovery could lead to manipulating nanostructured materials with unprecedented precision.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateDec 7, 2004

Wet scans

Researchers have developed a method to preserve biological samples without distorting them, allowing for clearer views of lipids and other materials. The breakthrough, enabled by a unique polymer capsule, has potential applications in advancing studies of biological materials.

SourceAmerican Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 19, 2004

Breakthrough made in electronics technology

Researchers at Oregon State University have made a breakthrough in creating crystalline thin films at lower temperatures without the need for vacuum conditions. This advance could enable the mass production of electronic devices on plastics and facilitate cheaper production of some products.

SourceOregon State University·JournalScience·DateJul 4, 2002

Man-made hurricane hits S.C. coast Monday

A team of students and researchers from Clemson University test eight houses in coastal South Carolina to determine the most effective hurricane retrofits. The study uses various methods, including cranes and vacuum chambers, to simulate real-life conditions and evaluate the performance of different retrofit measures.

Are The Burgers Done? KSU's Hunt Knows

Researchers at Kansas State University recommend using a small probe thermometer to check the internal temperature of the patty, which should reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal doneness. Color alone can be misleading, as premature browning can occur due to factors such as packaging and handling.