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Fiber-optic vibration sensors could prevent train accidents

Researchers developed new accelerometers to measure acceleration and vibration on trains, enabling real-time monitoring of track or train problems. The sensors use polarization-maintaining photonic crystal fiber and can detect frequencies double that of traditional accelerometers.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateJul 17, 2019

Tiny vibration-powered robots are the size of the world's smallest ant

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed micro-bristle-bots that harness vibration to move and interact with their environment. The bots can be controlled by adjusting vibration frequencies and can potentially be used for tasks such as repairing injuries inside the human body or sensing environmental changes.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Micromechanics and Microengineering·DateJul 17, 2019

When heat ceases to be a mystery, spintronics becomes more real

A Polish-German team of physicists has described the dynamic phenomena occurring at the interface between a ferromagnetic metal and a semiconductor, filling the 'thermal' gap in material knowledge. The study used computational models to simulate atomic vibrations and showed that the interface exhibits unique patterns.

What's next for smart homes: An 'Internet of Ears?'

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are developing a new system that uses changes in vibrations, sound, and electrical fields to improve energy consumption and monitor occupants' movements. The system has the potential to provide energy savings, track structural integrity, and enhance building safety.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement·DateNov 15, 2018

New imaging tool captures how sound moves through the chinchilla ear

Researchers developed an OCT-based imaging tool to visualize how sound-induced vibrations travel through the ear. The technology provides new insight into hearing and could inform diagnosis and treatment of hearing problems. The instrument measures tiny vibrations within the ear, allowing for precise measurements at over 10,000 points.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateOct 17, 2018

Sounds of the sun

Scientists can now study the Sun's complex motions using sound waves captured by NASA and ESA. This sonification technique provides a unique probe into the star's inner workings, revealing huge rivers of solar material flowing around its core.

Breaking the bond: To take part or not?

Researchers at University of Innsbruck investigate proton exchange reaction using laser-induced vibration excitation. They find that the laser does not enhance the reaction, but rather amplifies a competing reaction process, highlighting the importance of controlling molecular interactions in chemical reactions.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 6, 2018

A better way to control crystal vibrations

By doping aluminum oxide with neodymium, researchers can control phonon frequencies and speeds, leading to improved thermal conductivity and efficiency in thermoelectric devices. This breakthrough provides a simpler and cheaper way to tune material properties, enabling new applications in solid-state lighting and electronics.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMay 21, 2018

Photosynthesis uses vibrations as 'traffic signals'

Researchers discovered that proteins use vibrations to direct energy across pigments in plants, allowing for efficient energy transfer. This discovery could help design better solar materials and is a classical mechanism rather than quantum effects.

SourceCIFAR·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 28, 2018

When the eyes move, the eardrums move, too

Researchers at Duke University discovered that moving the eyes triggers vibrations in the eardrums, even without sound. This finding provides new understanding of how the brain coordinates visual and auditory information.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2018

Cuttlefish hear bow wave of looming danger

Researchers discovered that cuttlefish can detect low-frequency vibrations from approaching predators, allowing them to avoid capture by swimming in the same direction as the water flow. In a controlled experiment, cuttlefish were found to be aware of the disturbance and changed their skin patterns in response.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateJan 11, 2018