Study observes sudden acceleration of flow, generates new boundary layer
In an experiment on how turbulent boundary layers respond to acceleration in the flow around them, aerospace engineers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign observed an internal boundary layer that fundamentally changed the behavior of the flow from what would have been expected without it.
Open-source toolkit quantifies induced seismicity hazard to reduce risks at carbon-storage sites
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has partnered with another national lab and a seismic instrumentation monitoring company to develop a physics-based seismic-forecasting software platform to help operators and regulators better understand and manage seismic hazards at carbon storage sites.
ORNL researcher, team received honors for advanced alloy development with industry
Dean Pierce of the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory and a research team led by ORNL's Alex Plotkowski were honored by DOE's Vehicle Technologies Office for development of novel high-performance alloys that can withstand extreme environments.
Researchers use commercial quantum computer to identify molecular candidate for development of more efficient solar cells
Using the full capabilities of the Quantinuum H1-1 quantum computer, researchers from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory not only demonstrated best practices for scientific computing on current quantum systems but also produced an intriguing scientific result. By modeling singlet fission -- in which absorption of a single photon of light by a molecule produces two excited states -- the team confirmed that the linear H4 molecule's energetic levels match the fission process's requirements.
Researchers show how to increase X-ray laser brightness and power using a crystal cavity and diamond mirrors
At particle accelerator facilities around the world, scientists rely on powerful X-rays to reveal the structure and behavior of atoms and molecules. Now, researchers from the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have calculated how to make X-ray pulses at X-ray free-electron lasers (XFEL) even brighter and more reliable by building a special cavity chamber and diamond mirrors around an XFEL.
Correlation between neutron pairs observed in helium-8 nuclei
Atomic nuclei consist of nucleons such as protons and neutrons, which are bound together by nuclear force or strong interaction. This force allows protons and neutrons to form bound states; however, when only two neutrons are involved, the attractive force is slightly insufficient to create such a state.
Scientists discover unusual ultrafast motion in layered magnetic materials
A team of researchers report a mechanical response across a layered magnetic material tied to changing its electron spin. This response could have important applications in nanodevices requiring ultra-precise and fast motion control.
Calculations Reveal High-Resolution View of Quarks Inside Protons
A collaboration of nuclear theorists has used supercomputers to predict the spatial distributions of charges, momentum, and other properties of "up" and "down" quarks within protons. The calculations show that the up quark is more symmetrically distributed and spread over a smaller distance than the down quark.
Measurement techniques for aspheric surface parameters
Asphere is a general term for surfaces that deviate from a sphere. Aspheric surfaces include rotationally symmetric aspheric surfaces, off-axis aspheric surfaces, and freeform surfaces. Aspheric surfaces have higher degrees of freedom than spherical ones, allowing them to achieve more functions than the spherical surface.
A platform for integrated spectrometers based on solution-processable semiconductors
Novel semiconductors shows hetero-integration capability due to their low-temperature solution processability, which can be potentially be applied in constructing integrated spectrometers. Scientists in China developed a platform for integrated spectrometers by involving the conjugated-mode of the bound states in the continuum and solution-processable semiconductor. The integrated spectrometers are capable of realizing narrowband/broadband light reconstruction and in-situ hyperspectral imaging.
FOQUSing on the Future of Quantum
The field of quantum information science (QIS) is growing at an accelerated pace, garnering the interest of research, academia, industry, and several government organizations worldwide. Stretching over a wide range of disciplines and initiatives, the quantum workforce is beginning to emerge, and with it, the chance to ensure that opportunities in this space are available to all whom show interest and promise.
Astrophysicists to wield James Webb Space Telescope in three new supernova studies
In May, a newly visible supernova dotted one of the spiral arms of Messier 101, also known as the Pinwheel Galaxy. Dubbed SN 2023ixf by NASA, it's the closest supernova spotted in five years. An explosion of a dying star, the supernova was visible through amateur telescopes and had both hobbyist astronomers and experts abuzz over catching a glimpse, sharing tips for getting it in sight, and taking long-exposure photographs.
Using Gemstones' Unique Characteristics To Uncover Ancient Trade Routes
Gems' unique elemental composition and atomic orientation act as a fingerprint, enabling researchers to uncover the stones' past, and with it, historical trade routes. In AIP Advances, Khedr et al. employ three modern spectroscopic techniques to rapidly analyze gems found in the Arabian-Nubian Shield and compare them with similar gems from around the world. The authors identified elements that influence gems' color, differentiated stones found within and outside the region, and distinguished natural from synthetic.
To spread or slide? Scientists uncover how foams are spread on surfaces
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have uncovered the physics behind how foams are spread on surfaces. Balls of foam placed on a flat substrate were scraped across with a plate and observed.
The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR Gives Its Final Answer about a Rare Nuclear Decay
One approach to the question of why matter is more abundant than antimatter in our observable universe is observing an extremely rare nuclear process called neutrinoless double-beta decay. The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR experiment was designed to detect this decay. Although it did not observe the decay, it achieved world-leading energy resolutions and showed the feasibility of using a larger detector to search for the hypothesized decay.
Way cool: UVA professor developing 'freeze ray' technology for the Air Force
You know that freeze-ray gun that "Batman" villain Mr. Freeze uses to "ice" his enemies? A University of Virginia professor thinks he may have figured out how to make one in real life.
Frosty hydrogen as target
Bringing protons up to speed with strong laser pulses - this still young concept promises many advantages over conventional accelerators.
Fabrication of Nanoscale Photonic Crystals with Ultrafast Laser
Photonic crystal structures have excellent light control properties and are hot topics in the field of photonics. For the preparation of photonic crystal structures with nanoscale three-dimensional spatial resolution inside the crystal, new femtosecond laser processing technologies are urgently needed. Scientists in China proposed a photonic crystal structure fabrication method based on nanoscale femtosecond laser multi-beam lithography. The technique will open possible ways to fabricate nanostructures for applications in optical communication and light manipulation.
Texas Tech Physicist Lands NSF Grant
Myoung-Hwan Kim's research will look to resolve quantum computing challenges.
St. Croix: Radio Astronomy in the Caribbean
Although the location of St. Croix is perfect for a VLBA antenna, the island poses significant challenges for using and maintaining a radio antenna. The St. Croix dish is located on the eastern side of the island, almost at sea level. So it is constantly bombarded by salt air, ocean rains, and even the occasional tropical storm.
From Environmental Science to Physics to Intelligence
Michael DePhillips joined Brookhaven over 30 years ago to study ecological systems. After years seven at RHIC, he now manages intelligence work at the Lab. While they may seem different, there is a common thread connecting his many roles--computer code.
Hubble Sees Evaporating Planet Getting the Hiccups
A young planet whirling around a petulant red dwarf star is changing in unpredictable ways orbit-by-orbit. It is so close to its parent star that it experiences a consistent, torrential blast of energy, which evaporates its hydrogen atmosphere -- causing it to puff off the planet. But during one orbit observed with Hubble, the planet looked like it wasn't losing any material at all, while an orbit observed with Hubble a year and a half later showed clear signs of atmospheric loss.
Using cosmic weather to study which worlds could support life
As the next generation of giant, high-powered observatories begin to come online, a new study suggests that their instruments may offer scientists an unparalleled opportunity to discern what weather may be like on far-away exoplanets.
A quick look inside a human being
Imaging techniques such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography and ultrasound have become indispensable in the medical world.
Earth's plate tectonics recently underwent a fundamental change
Earth is truly unique among our Solar System's planets. It has vast water oceans and abundant life. But Earth is also unique because it is the only planet with plate tectonics, which shaped its geology, climate and possibly influenced the evolution of life.