A new theory examines the various ways quasiparticles pair up in two-dimensional semiconductors under high magnetic fields.
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Listening to ‘ringing’ black holes unlocks future gravitational-wave astronomy
Listening to the “ringing” produced by black holes after they collide and merge could allow scientists to test Einstein’s theory of general relativity under the most extreme conditions in the universe while unlocking the secrets of these mysterious objects.
Leading a major international review with the Institute of Physics, astrophysicists at the University of Birmingham, Johns Hopkins University and Instituto Superior Técnico of Lisbon show how black hole “spectroscopy” is rapidly evolving from a theoretical concept into a powerful experimental science. The work is published in the journal Classical and Quantum Gravity.
During the “ringdown” phase following a collision and merger, a newly formed black hole emits characteristic gravitational-wave vibrations known as “quasinormal modes.” By measuring these frequencies, scientists can determine the black hole’s mass and how fast it is spinning, as well as investigate whether Einstein’s theory is correct.
Study finds choice of team car could decide the Tour de France
Elite athletes competing in the Tour de France could gain more than eight seconds in the individual time trial depending solely on the type of team car following them, a new study has revealed.
The research, the third in a pioneering series by the world’s leading experts on cycling aerodynamics, shows that a car driving behind a cyclist gives the rider a measurable aerodynamic push and that the size and shape of that car could be the difference between winning and losing.
Led by Heriot-Watt University in Scotland, in partnership with Ansys, part of Synopsys, the study comes ahead of the Tour de France individual time trial on Tuesday, July 21, a 26.1 km (16.2-mile) stage from Évian-les-Bains to Thonon-les-Bains.
In search of life beyond our solar system: Atmosphere detected on a habitable-zone rocky world
In a major milestone in the search for life on other planets, astronomers have detected, for the first time, an atmosphere surrounding an Earth-like, rocky planet orbiting within the habitable zone of another star. The finding provides the strongest evidence yet that worlds with conditions similar to Earth in composition and temperature, with the potential to support life, could exist beyond our solar system.
“An atmosphere is essential for a planet to support life as we know it,” said lead author Collin Cherubim, who recently earned his Ph.D. in Earth and Planetary Sciences from Harvard University.
“This is the first time anyone has found an atmosphere on a rocky planet in the habitable zone of another star.”
Brain-inspired nanopore device uses current-induced heating for memory operations
Some researchers are leaning into biology for inspiration in computing. In particular, neuromorphic computing offers a brain-inspired approach to hardware that replaces traditional binary processing with systems that function more like neurons and synapses. Now, a new study, published in Nature Communications, describes an innovative design for a fluidic memristor that uses its own self-heating mechanism to induce a history-dependent memory effect.
So far, most memristor (memory resistor) devices have used solid materials with electrons or holes functioning as charge carriers. But fluidic memristors instead take advantage of the movement of ions in liquids, which more closely mimics biological signaling, like that which occurs in the brain. However, existing fluidic memristors can be difficult to fabricate and offer a limited range of memory behaviors. The authors of the new study came up with a way to overcome some of these limitations by using temperature fluctuations while also making the device more “brain-like.”
They write, The exploration of additional memristive mechanisms may be beneficial. In conventional integrated circuits, localized heating is generally regarded as an unnecessary and even harmful side effect. However, in biological neural systems, thermal signals are closely linked to essential life processes. They significantly affect neuronal functions, including ion channel activation, action potential conduction speed, and firing patterns.
Quantum teleportation could reduce photon loss in long-distance communications
Quantum technologies, which leverage the principles of quantum mechanics, have been found to outperform their classical counterparts on specific tasks. Among other things, past studies have highlighted the potential of quantum systems that can enable long-distance communication, using photons (i.e., particles of light) to carry quantum information.
Despite their promise, quantum communication systems are often prone to photon loss, the scattering, absorption or disappearance of traveling photons. This photon loss becomes increasingly pronounced as transmission distances increase.
One proposed approach for reducing photon loss relies on a process known as quantum teleportation. This process entails the transfer of a quantum state from one particle to another without moving the particle to a different location, via a phenomenon known as quantum entanglement.
Scientists invent new board games to reveal how we tackle the unknown
Playing board games can be fun, challenging, infuriating and a great way to pass the time. They can also help scientists understand how we solve new problems.
In a study published in the journal Nature, researchers created brand-new strategy games to see how players reason before tackling games they have no experience with. The goal of this research was to see how people react when they are thrown into an unfamiliar situation.
Most previous studies focused on how experts master games they already know or how massive supercomputers calculate millions of moves. What was missing was how everyday people reason about a game before they play it, which could provide insights into how we make quick decisions about situations we’ve never encountered before.
Graphene nanoribbons survive gamma radiation, revealing potential sensors for fusion reactors
University of Arizona researchers have demonstrated a promising new application for graphene nanoribbons, a nanoscale semiconductor material with the potential to withstand extreme environments. The team’s findings could help clear a key hurdle to bringing fusion energy to the electric grid.
For the proof-of-concept study, published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, the researchers integrated the nanoribbons, known as GNRs, into semiconductor devices and exposed them to gamma radiation. Their results suggest that the ribbons could serve as radiation sensors for fusion reactors and in deep space, where intense radiation challenges existing technologies and close monitoring of material degradation could help keep critical systems operating reliably.
“The devices survive the exposure and still respond, but their electrical performance changes dramatically,” said principal investigator Zafer Mutlu, an assistant professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Arizona College of Engineering. “That’s exactly the behavior we want from a sensor.”
This device pulls electricity from humid air using waste materials
Imagine what would happen if the source of your electricity was not the sun, wind, or water flow, but rather the moisture present in the air? The ability of moisture to provide energy has been well-known for a long time, although harnessing that invisible power for generating electricity has been a difficult task. Until recently, all of the proposed generators were either inefficient or too expensive to use in real-life settings.
As reported in a study in Scientific Reports, scientists were able to create a low-cost and flexible electrical generator that harnesses the energy from moisture and also gives a second life to waste materials.
A single generator was capable of producing enough voltage (up to 1.16 volts) to surpass many of the previous humidity-based generators, and multiple generators can even provide the energy needed to light up an LED light bulb without using any external capacitors.
New contact material improves efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells
A newly developed material for the electron contact improves the efficiency of single perovskite solar cells and perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells. The new material is based on a carborane molecule. It offers several advantages over the standard material C60, as shown by the study led by Steve Albrecht’s team. The new material has since been patented and is already commercially available.
Perovskite solar cells are not only exceptionally inexpensive to manufacture but also achieve high efficiency levels. Single-junction perovskite devices can already convert more than 27% of sunlight into electrical energy, while perovskite-silicon tandem cells have achieved efficiencies of more than 35%. Until now, a layer of so-called “football molecules” (C60) has been used to transport electrons away. However, a significant proportion of the charge carriers are lost at the interface between the C60 layer and the perovskite absorber. Furthermore, C60 materials are relatively expensive and tend to delaminate over time, compromising the cell’s stability.