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Nanowire detects Abrikosov vortices

Researchers have demonstrated the detection of Abrikosov vortices penetrating through a superconductor-ferromagnet interface using a ferromagnetic nanowire with superconducting electrodes. The device shows unusual sawtooth magnetic resistance curves and can detect vortex penetration.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 9, 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.

Fluid dynamics taught through dance

Researchers used dance to convey the principles of fluid mechanics by creating a 'physics-constrained improvisation.' The goal is to produce an educational video that demonstrates flow past a cylinder at varying Reynolds numbers.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·DateNov 25, 2019

Researchers find best classroom shapes for fish swimming in schools

A team of researchers at New York University's Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences found that fish swimming in orderly groups or formations spend less energy and move faster than when swimming alone. The best arrangement, diamond-shaped lattices, yielded the greatest speeds and largest energy savings, confirming a long-held belief.

SourceNew York University·JournalPhysical Review X·DateNov 4, 2019

Commemorating 30 years of optical vortices: A comprehensive review

The development of optical vortices has been divided into three stages: fundamental theories, application development, and technology breakthrough. The recent stage has seen significant advancements in metasurface and OAM-multiplexing, enabling high-capacity optical communication and novel nonlinear phenomena.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateNov 4, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Scientists tame Josephson vortices

Researchers from MIPT Laboratory of Topological Quantum Phenomena discovered a way to locally control and manipulate Josephson vortices using a magnetic force microscope. This breakthrough enables the creation of future superconducting quantum computing machines.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 31, 2019

Dynamic pattern of Skyrmions observed

Scientists have observed dynamic patterns of Skyrmions in a material called Cu2OSeO3, which can be controlled and manipulated using an external magnetic field. The research team used a novel technique to measure the dynamics of these skyrmions in detail for the first time.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 15, 2019

Getting an 'eel' for the water: The physics of undulatory human swimming

A research team led by the University of Tsukuba created the most complete recording of a human swimming underwater like an eel or lamprey. The study found that jets produced by coalescing vortices help explain the efficiency of this swimming method, which might be applied to novel propulsion systems.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalJournal of Biomechanics·DateOct 3, 2019

Confirmation of old theory leads to new breakthrough in superconductor science

Scientists at Harvard confirmed a 23-year-old theory of superconductors by studying ultra-thin bismuth-based materials. The confirmation offered a quantitative description of the anomalous reverse Hall effect, shedding light on the behavior of magnetic vortices in high-temperature superconductors.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 28, 2019
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.

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

The pressure difference and vortex flow of blood in the heart chambers may signal heart dysfunction

Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology found a close relationship between vortex flow and pressure differences in the ventricles of the heart, which may signal heart dysfunction. The study suggests that these indicators could be used as new markers for cardiovascular dysfunction leading to heart failure.

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·DateJun 21, 2019
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.

Twisting whirlpools of electrons

Scientists at EPFL demonstrate for the first time that it is possible to use light to dynamically twist an individual electron's wave function. This enables the creation of an ultrafast vortex electron beam that can be used to encode and manipulate quantum information, as well as control magnetic materials.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Materials·DateMay 6, 2019

Let's not make big waves

A team of researchers has successfully generated ultra-short spin waves in an astoundingly simple material, opening up new possibilities for the development of spintronics. The achievement uses a magnetic material shaped into circular disks to create spin waves with wavelengths as short as 80 nanometers.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 27, 2019

'Aneurysm Number' may help surgeons make treatment decisions

Researchers developed a simple nondimensional parameter called 'aneurysm number' to classify the flow mode in both sidewall and bifurcation aneurysms. The parameter can substitute flow factors, potentially reducing the need for cumbersome measurements and simulations.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateMar 26, 2019

Unlocking the untapped potential of light in optical communications

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology develop a novel multiplexing technique using the optical vortex to encode independent signals, enabling high-speed data transmission with low energy consumption. The device has been fabricated and demonstrated its potential in improving optical networks.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·DateMar 7, 2019
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

How raindrops disseminate plant pathogens

A study reveals that raindrop impact liberates thousands of dry dispersed spores, increasing their height and exposure to wind. This phenomenon enables the transport of plant pathogens beyond leaf boundaries and across several kilometers.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2019

Understanding dynamic stall at high speeds

Researchers have discovered that dynamic stall at high speeds is characterized by tiny flow structures within a vortex, making it difficult to control. By understanding these turbulent fluctuations, they aim to develop ways to interact with and control the flow field, potentially leading to improved aircraft performance.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·DateDec 18, 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.

Atmospheric scientists find causes of firenado in deadly Carr Fire

Researchers found that a combination of climate and weather factors, including a pyro-cumulonimbus cloud, led to the formation of a firenado in the Carr Fire. The vortex was spinning with the power of a class three tornado and contributed to the fire's rapid spread.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Reno·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateDec 5, 2018

Doing the wave: how stretchy fluids react to wavy surfaces

Researchers at OIST investigate viscoelastic fluid flow over wavy surfaces, revealing unexpected effects of elasticity. The critical layer, a region where vortices are amplified, is confirmed experimentally for the first time.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateNov 7, 2018
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Researchers challenge our assumptions on the effects of planetary rotation

Scientists at Naval Postgraduate School discovered Coriolis effect influences even small ocean disturbances with high Rossby numbers, challenging fundamental fluid dynamics theories. The study found that planetary rotation determines the evolution of eddies in wakes as small as 10 meters.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateSep 28, 2018

The crazy dance of falling knots

Researchers studied knotted steel chains in a viscous fluid, reproducing Kelvin's vortex atoms. The chains formed stable, toroidal structures with intertwined loops that swirled around each other.

SourceUniversity of Warsaw, Faculty of Physics·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 25, 2018

Thin films can enhance vorticity in the ocean

Researchers found that thin liquid and insoluble films on the surface of water enhance horizontal eddy currents by interacting with surface waves. This enhances vertical vortex flows near the surface, which affects surface wave amplitude. The study's results have potential applications in materials science, geophysics, and ocean analysis.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·DateAug 2, 2018
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.

Superconducting vortices quantize ordinary metal

Scientists have observed superconducting vortices in an ordinary metal when it is brought into contact with a superconductor, demonstrating the existence of induced quantum coherence. This discovery enables a better understanding of the processes occurring at the interface between superconducting and normal phases.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 22, 2018

Designing a better superconductor with geometric frustration

A new system discovered by Jankó and collaborators enables ongoing adjustments to the material's properties over time. This allows for multiple reversible spin cycle configurations for the vortices, which can be rearranged site by site.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJun 11, 2018
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Research examines wing shapes to reduce vortex and wake

New research at the University of Illinois reveals that wing geometrics can be designed to reduce or eliminate wingtip vortices almost entirely. The study simulated flow about three classic wing configurations, finding that Jones and Prandtl wing designs had weaker wakes. The findings hold implications for aircraft design, flight safet...

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalJournal of Aircraft·DateMay 14, 2018

The view from inside supersonic combustion

Researchers used numerical modeling to study the dynamics of supersonic flow, revealing two induced combustion modes and a local quasi detonation mode due to incident shock waves. The simulations provide valuable insights for scramjet engine design, enabling the optimization of mixing and combustion processes.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateMar 15, 2018

Warm Arctic means colder, snowier winters in northeastern US, study says

A Rutgers University study finds that warmer Arctic temperatures cause extreme winter swings in the US, leading to colder winters in northern Europe and snowier conditions. The research suggests a strong connection between Arctic warming and severe winter weather patterns in the eastern United States.

SourceRutgers University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 13, 2018

Polar vortex defies climate change in the Southeast

The Southeast US has experienced colder winters despite global warming, according to a Dartmouth-led study. The polar vortex allows arctic air to plunge into the region, resulting in persistently cooler temperatures. This phenomenon, known as the U.S. warming hole, is linked to natural climate cycles and potentially to climate change.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 13, 2018

Using shark scales to design better drones, planes, and wind turbines

A team of engineers and biologists have developed a bioinspired structure that can increase airfoil lift and decrease drag. The new vortex generators are based on the shape of shark scales and have shown significant improvements over traditional designs.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateFeb 6, 2018
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.

Temporary 'bathtub drains' in the ocean concentrate flotsam

A new study published in PNAS shows that ocean currents can concentrate marine debris, known as flotsam, into small areas. This phenomenon has implications for ocean cleanup projects and could help predict where concentrations will occur.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 18, 2018

X-rays reveal 'handedness' in swirling electric vortices

Scientists at Berkeley Lab study exotic material's properties, revealing chirality in polar vortices. This property could enable new forms of data storage by controlling left- or right-handedness in materials, similar to magnetic materials storing data as ones or zeros.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 16, 2018
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Taming charybdis: Controlling a vortex using polymers

Researchers at OIST created a device to study small-scale whirlpools and found that adding polymers reduces vortex intensity, saving energy. The discovery has implications for optimizing flows in lab-on-a-chip devices and improving inkjet printer resolution.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalPhysical Review X·DateNov 27, 2017

A strange new world of light

Scientists at Harvard have created a new tool to study novel aspects of light, enabling more complex operations and applications. The metasurface connects two aspects of light, allowing for the creation of any structured beam, including spirals, corkscrews, and vortices.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience·DateNov 2, 2017

A better understanding of space -- via helicopter

Yale researchers Darryl Seligman and Greg Laughlin have created a new model for understanding how black holes, planets, and galaxies emerge from the vortex-rich environments of space. They found that vortices may shed Rossby waves as they spin and that the number of orbits between two vortices is different in their model.

SourceYale University·DateOct 12, 2017
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Winter cold extremes linked to high-altitude polar vortex weakening

A new study finds that weak states of the high-altitude wind circling the Arctic have become more persistent, causing extreme winter chills in parts of the Northern hemisphere. The weakening of the polar vortex is linked to cold winters in regions like Russia and Europe.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateSep 22, 2017

New thruster design increases efficiency for future spaceflight

Researchers developed a new inlet design for Hall thrusters that significantly increases thrust by creating a vortex in the discharge channel. The design improvement resulted in higher gas density and uniformity, leading to improved performance and increased specific impulse of up to 53.5%.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateAug 15, 2017

Jackdaws flap their wings to save energy

Researchers at Lund University discovered that jackdaws minimize energy consumption when flapping their wings by creating multiple small vortices. This unique phenomenon could lead to more efficient flight in birds and potentially influence aircraft design.

SourceLund University·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateAug 11, 2017

Researchers crack the 'Karakoram anomaly'

A summer 'vortex' of cold air over the Karakoram mountain range is inducing an anomalous cooling that causes glaciers to grow in spite of global warming. This unique temperature control system has significant implications for ice melt rates and river flows in the region.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateAug 7, 2017

Clever experiment documents multiscale fluid dynamics

University of Chicago physicists create thin-core vortices and measure total helicity for the first time, showing it maintains a constant value during viscous fluid flow. The study overcomes experimental challenges by precisely positioning dye using a Sharpie marker, advancing understanding of vortex behavior.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalScience·DateAug 3, 2017
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.

Approaching to autonomous controlling swarm of UAVs

A new control technique has been developed to achieve tight formation control of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), reducing power requirements by minimizing vortices effects. The technique uses an adaptive control scheme to estimate and suppress the aerodynamic interference caused by closely flying UAVs, improving overall performance.

SourceScience China Press·DateJul 23, 2017

Vortex photons from electrons in circular motion

Researchers at IMS have shown theoretically and experimentally that high-energy electrons in circular/spiral motion radiate vortex photons across a broad wavelength range. This discovery indicates that vortex photons are ubiquitous in the universe, paving the way for a new research field.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 21, 2017
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.

Understanding stars: How tornado-shaped flow in a dynamo strengthens the magnetic field

A new simulation based on the von-Kármán-Sodium (VKS) dynamo experiment investigates the effects of fluid resistivity and turbulence on the collimation of the magnetic field. Researchers found that using magnetized ferromagnetic materials increases the magnetic field collimation, while conducting materials weaken it. This study contrib...

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateMay 23, 2017

Ancient Mars impacts created tornado-like winds that scoured surface

Research by Brown University geologists reveals that ancient Mars impacts generated tornado-like wind vortices that scoured the surface, exposing blockier surfaces beneath. The winds, which reached speeds of up to 500 miles per hour, were responsible for creating bright streaks on the Martian surface.

SourceBrown University·JournalIcarus·DateMay 11, 2017

Information storage with a nanoscale twist

A team of scientists has discovered a new rotational force inside magnetic vortices that makes it easier to design ultra-high capacity disk drives. The finding was made using intense x-rays and revealed a non-adiabatic spin-transfer torque that is crucial for electrical manipulations.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 28, 2017
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.

Magnetic fields at the crossroads

Scientists investigate the motion of vortex domain walls in ferromagnetic nanowires driven by magnetic fields. The research aims to improve control and reliability for spintronic devices, enabling logic gates and data storage.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateMar 7, 2017

Researchers coax particles to form vortices using magnetic fields

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory created tiny swirling vortices out of magnetic particles using magnetic fields. The discovery provides insight into the behavior that governs such systems and opens up new opportunities for materials and devices with new properties.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 28, 2017

HSE experts investigate how order emerges from chaos

Researchers uncover link between vortices and statistical properties of hydrodynamic fluctuations, enabling prediction of pollutant advection and mixing. The study provides valuable insights into emergence of coherent structures like cyclones and anticyclones from chaotic conditions.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalJournal of Fluid Mechanics·DateFeb 10, 2017
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.

Starfish larvae create complex water whorls to eat and run

Tiny starfish larvae create vortices that bring food close enough to grab while simultaneously speeding away from scarcity. This mechanism allows the larvae to make feed-versus-speed tradeoffs, optimizing their energy expenditure.

SourceStanford University School of Engineering·JournalNature Physics·DateDec 19, 2016