Menu

Blog

Page 7614

Jun 4, 2019

Experiments underway to turn light into matter

Posted by in category: particle physics

In laser facilities in the UK, Imperial physicists are testing an 84-year-old theory which was once thought impossible to prove.

The theory of the Breit-Wheeler process says it should be possible to turn into matter by smashing two particles of light (photons) together to create an electron and a positron. However, past attempts to do this have required the addition of other high-energy particles.

Physicists from Imperial College London, led by Professor Steven Rose, came up with a way of testing the theory that did not rely on these added extras in 2014, and today an experiment is running in the hope of turning light directly into matter for the first time.

Read more

Jun 4, 2019

Scientists design a collider that turns light into matter

Posted by in category: particle physics

We could see physical matter created out of nothing but light within 12 months if a new particle collider works as posited.

Read more

Jun 4, 2019

Ready, jet… print

Posted by in categories: solar power, sustainability

Inkjet printing is expected to fast track the commercialization of organic solar cells. Researchers from the KAUST Solar Center have exploited this technique to generate high-efficiency solar cells at large scales.

Organic photovoltaic materials could soon replace inorganic semiconductors in solar-powered devices because of their lightness, flexibility and low cost. These materials are easy to modify and process in solution, which makes them highly attractive for customization and large-scale production. In particular, customized solar cell designs can be used in conjunction with other printed electronics to power a plethora of applications, such as disposable electronics, intelligent packaging, interactive printed media and lab-on-a-chip devices.

Nonfullerene acceptors are emerging materials that have helped boost the efficiency of organic solar cells close to commercialization. These components are typically blended with electron donors in a light-responsive electrochemical layer. They have proven effective for drawing the light-generated pairs of electrons and negatively charged holes apart and maintaining electric current when exposed to sunlight. However, scale-up and manufacturing challenges have hindered efforts to transfer these materials from the laboratory to industrial and consumer-ready scales.

Read more

Jun 4, 2019

Making metal with the lightness of air

Posted by in category: physics

Gold, silver and copper are heavy metals, but LLNL scientists can now make them nearly as light as air—in a form so tiny it can ride on a mosquito’s back.

The groundbreaking science, part of a joint NIF/Physical and Life Sciences (PLS) project supported by the Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program, created these ultra-low density to give physicists better X-ray sources to employ in experiments that support NIF’s Stockpile Stewardship mission.

The foam is the product of a nearly decade-long research effort by members of the Lab’s NIF and PLS directorates for use on inertial confinement fusion (ICF) experiments at NIF, the world’s most energetic laser system.

Read more

Jun 4, 2019

Atom lasers

Posted by in categories: innovation, particle physics

Soon after the invention of the laser in the late 1950s many dubbed the discovery as a solutYou’ve reached the limit of what you can view on Physics World without registering If you already have an account on Physics World, then please sign in to continue reading If you do not yet have an account, …

Read more

Jun 4, 2019

Antipsychotic meds show promise in treating meningitis

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

French scientists find common mental health drugs combat rapid and sometimes deadly brain infection. Andrew Masterson reports.

Read more

Jun 4, 2019

Professor: Belief in Aliens Could Replace Traditional Religion

Posted by in category: futurism

The number of Americans who believe in aliens is now about the same as the number who believe in God.


Our relationship with aliens is mirroring the start of a new religion.

Read more

Jun 4, 2019

Edmond man says cheap drug for dogs cured his cancer

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

Read more

Jun 4, 2019

How We Will Cure The Diseases of Ageing — with Aubrey de Grey

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, life extension

28 November 2017

Rejuvenation is a medical discipline focused on the practical reversal of the aging process.
Rejuvenation is distinct from life extension. Life extension strategies often study the causes of aging and try to oppose those causes in order to slow aging. Rejuvenation is the reversal of aging and thus requires a different strategy, namely repair of the damage that is associated with aging or replacement of damaged tissue with new tissue. Rejuvenation can be a means of life extension, but most life extension strategies do not involve rejuvenation.

Continue reading “How We Will Cure The Diseases of Ageing — with Aubrey de Grey” »

Jun 4, 2019

Apple Publishes Bitcoin Icons & ‘CryptoKit’; iPhone Crypto Wallet Coming?

Posted by in categories: bitcoin, mobile phones

Read more