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A new study reveals that oxide membranes can confine infrared light to a greater extent than traditional methods, promising advancements in imaging resolution and applications in photonics and thermal management.

Researchers have successfully shown that a particular type of oxide membranes can effectively confine, or “squeeze,” infrared light. This breakthrough could enhance future infrared imaging technologies. These thin-film membranes outperform traditional bulk crystals in confining infrared light.

“The thin-film membranes maintain the desired infrared frequency, but compress the wavelengths, allowing imaging devices to capture images with greater resolution,” says Yin Liu, co-corresponding author of a paper on the work and an assistant professor of materials science and engineering at North Carolina State University.

From Stanford & Chan Zuckerberg Biohub TextGrad Automatic “Differentiation” via Text.

From stanford & chan zuckerberg biohub.

TextGrad.

Automatic “Differentiation” via Text.

Mert Yuksekgonul, Federico Bianchi, Joseph Boen, Sheng Liu, Zhi Huang, Carlos Guestrin, James Zou June 2024 https://huggingface.co/papers/2406.

Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has been down-selected for Phase 1B of U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) X-Plane program. The SPRINT program intends to design, build, and fly an X-Plane, an experimental aircraft to demonstrate enabling technologies and integrated concepts necessary for a transformational combination of aircraft speed and runway independence for the next generation of air mobility platforms. In Phase 1A, Bell executed conceptual design review and will move into preliminary design efforts for the SPRINT X-plane. Bell completed risk reduction testing at Holloman Air Force Base in late 2023, showcasing folding rotor, integrated propulsion, and flight control technologies.

The SPRINT X-plane is intended to be a proof-of-concept technology demonstrator and its flight test program seeks to validate enabling technologies that can be scaled to different size military aircraft. Bell is building on its investment in High-Speed Vertical Takeoff and Landing (HSVTOL) technology and past X-plane experience to inform the X-plane development for this program. Bell’s HSVTOL technology blends the hover capability of a helicopter with the speed (400+ kts), range, and survivability of jet aircraft. Bell has developed high-speed vertical lift technology for more than 85 years, pioneering innovative VTOL configurations like the X-14, X-22, XV-3 and XV-15 for NASA, the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, and continues to build on its proven history of fast flight from the Bell X-1.

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Principles behind gravity-mediated entanglement were experimentally demonstrated in a simulation using photons, providing new insights into the nature of gravity.

Researchers are making significant progress in the field of quantum gravity, aiming to reconcile Einstein’s theory of gravity with quantum mechanics. Recent experiments demonstrate the principles of gravity-mediated entanglement using photons, a breakthrough in testing theories like string theory and loop quantum gravity. These experiments could transform our understanding of the universe and support future theoretical frameworks.

Quantum Gravity Research Advances

Researchers in Japan have developed a novel “heat switch device” that could extend the lifespan of lunar exploration vehicles in the extreme Moon environment.

Moon goes through extreme temperature variations, ranging from scorching highs of 127°C (260°F) to freezing lows of −173°C (−280°F).

Lunar rovers cost millions of dollars to build and operate, but lunar temperatures limit their operating life. As exploration of the lunar surface is gaining pace, surface missions demand innovative solutions for thermal control.

GSK announced a major breakthrough concerning cancer therapy. A drug called Jemperli (dostarlimab) showed impressive results in a phase 2 trial at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). The study included 42 patients suffering from mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) locally advanced rectal cancer, a type of bowel cancer.

Used as a first-line treatment and an alternative to chemotherapy and surgery, Jemperli cured cancer in all patients, showing “an unprecedented 100% clinical complete response rate.” Tests that followed showed no evidence of remaining tumors. Moreover, the first 24 of the 42 patients were observed after an average time of 26.3 months, and they showed no signs of cancer resurfacing.

GSK will test the drug in additional studies involving certain types of colorectal cancers.