Menu

Blog

Page 12

Oct 4, 2024

New materials and techniques show promise for microelectronics and quantum technologies

Posted by in categories: computing, nanotechnology, particle physics, quantum physics, solar power, sustainability

The next generation of handheld devices requires a novel solution. Spintronics, or , is a revolutionary new field in condensed-matter physics that can increase the memory and logic processing capability of nano-electronic devices while reducing power consumption and production costs. This is accomplished by using inexpensive materials and the magnetic properties of an electron’s spin to perform memory and logic functions instead of using the flow of electron charge used in typical electronics.

New work by Florida State University scientists is propelling spintronics research forward.

Professors Biwu Ma in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Peng Xiong in the Department of Physics work with low-dimensional organic metal halide hybrids, a new class of hybrid materials that can power optoelectronic devices like solar cells, light-emitting diodes, or LEDs and photodetectors.

Oct 4, 2024

Quantum research paves the way toward efficient, ultra-high-density optical memory storage

Posted by in categories: engineering, quantum physics

Now, researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) have proposed a new type of memory, in which optical data is transferred from a rare earth element embedded within a to a nearby quantum defect. Their analysis of how such a technology could work is published in Physical Review Research.

“We worked out the basic physics behind how the transfer of energy between defects could underlie an incredibly efficient optical storage method,” said Giulia Galli, an Argonne senior scientist and Liew Family Professor at PME. “This research illustrates the importance of exploring first-principles and quantum mechanical theories to illuminate new, emerging technologies.”

Most optical memory storage methods developed in the past, including CDs and DVDs, are limited by the diffraction limit of . A single data point cannot be smaller than the wavelength of the laser writing and reading the data. In the new work, the researchers proposed boosting the bit density of optical storage by embedding many rare-earth emitters within the material. By using slightly different wavelengths of light—an approach known as wavelength multiplexing—they hypothesized that these emitters could hold more data within the same area.

Oct 4, 2024

Logic with light: Introducing diffraction casting, optical-based parallel computing

Posted by in categories: computing, mobile phones

Whether it’s the smartphone in your pocket or the laptop on your desk, all current computer devices are based on electronic technology. But this has some inherent drawbacks; in particular, they necessarily generate a lot of heat, especially as they increase in performance, not to mention that fabrication technologies are approaching the fundamental limits of what is theoretically possible.

As a result, researchers explore alternative ways to perform computation that can tackle these problems and ideally offer some new functionality or features too.

One possibility lies in an idea that has existed for several decades but has yet to break through and become commercially viable, and that’s in optical computing.

Oct 4, 2024

The Z-Bell℠ Test: A Breakthrough in Eye-Ear Testing

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, humor, neuroscience

🧠 Neuromodulation through the eyes 👀

Neuroplasticity, also known as neural plasticity or brain plasticity, is a process that involves adaptive structural and functional changes to the brain.

Founded and directed by Deborah Zelinsky, O.D., F.N.O.R.A., F.C.O.V.D.

Continue reading “The Z-Bell℠ Test: A Breakthrough in Eye-Ear Testing” »

Oct 4, 2024

Evidence of ‘Negative Time’ Found in Quantum Physics Experiment

Posted by in categories: particle physics, quantum physics

Physicists showed that photons can seem to exit a material before entering it, revealing observational evidence of negative time.

By Manon Bischoff & Jeanna Bryner

Quantum physicists are familiar with wonky, seemingly nonsensical phenomena: atoms and molecules sometimes act as particles, sometimes as waves; particles can be connected to one another by a “spooky action at a distance,” even over great distances; and quantum objects can detach themselves from their properties like the Cheshire Cat from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland detaches itself from its grin. Now researchers led by Daniela Angulo of the University of Toronto have revealed another oddball quantum outcome: photons, wave-particles of light, can spend a negative amount of time zipping through a cloud of chilled atoms. In other words, photons can seem to exit a material before entering it.

Oct 4, 2024

Could adding extra dimensions help solve the quantum gravity puzzle?

Posted by in categories: particle physics, quantum physics

Adding extra dimensions to a theory known as “fuzzy gravity” may help bridge the gap between quantum mechanics and relativity.

A recent study has made strides toward solving one of physics’ biggest puzzles: including all known particles and interactions into the theory of quantum gravity.

The solution is to modify the quantum description of gravity dubbed “fuzzy gravity” by introducing extra dimensions to spacetime. In this theory, spacetime is treated not as a continuous entity but by a grid of discrete points, and adding extra dimensions to this grid results in the occurrence of other fields and particles.

Oct 4, 2024

Scientists hope a new take on superconductivity could spark more advances in the field

Posted by in categories: computing, particle physics, quantum physics

Understanding this unique form of superconductivity is crucial and could lead to exciting applications, like functional quantum computers.

A newly synthesized material made from rhodium, selenium, and tellurium, has been found to exhibit superconductivity at extremely low temperatures.

“The scientists believe the material’s behavior might stem from the excitation of quasiparticles — disturbances within the material that behave like particles — making it a ” topological” superconductor. This is significant because these quasiparticles’ quantum states could potentially be more resilient, remaining stable even when the material or its environment changes.

Oct 4, 2024

Diamond helps build efficient 3D computer chips

Posted by in category: computing

Tackling heat transfer, diamond layers help build 3D circuits with lower power consumption, faster signaling, and increased performance.

Scientists have discovered that adding diamond layers to computer chips significantly boosts heat transfer, paving the way for faster, more powerful computers.

Their research revealed that this combination improves heat transfer by tenfold, a feat that could lead to more efficient designs like 3D circuits, where electronic components are stacked vertically, and heterogeneous integration, which combines different types of components in a single chip.

Oct 4, 2024

Magnetic fields from the beginning of time may resolve the Hubble tension

Posted by in category: space

By adding primordial magnetic fields to the Standard Model, researchers may solve the mystery of the Universe’s expansion.

Scientists have suggested a way to resolve a longstanding paradox known as the Hubble tension by taking primordial magnetic fields into account, which may have been generated in the early moments of the Universe.

“Primordial magnetic fields are the fields generated in the early Universe, such as during inflation, phase transitions, and other processes,” explained Yaoyu Li, a physicist at the Purple Mountain Observatory in China and one of the authors of the study. “These magnetic fields might evolve with the expansion of the Universe, be amplified and subsequently become galactic magnetic fields that we observe today.”

Oct 3, 2024

Discovery of gold nanocluster ‘double’ hints at other shape-changing particles

Posted by in category: particle physics

face_with_colon_three Year 2016


Researchers discovered an entirely unexpected atomic arrangement of Gold-144, a molecule-sized nanogold cluster whose structure had been theoretically predicted but never confirmed.

Page 12 of 11,801First910111213141516Last