Latest science news in Physics & Chemistry
Laser allows solid-state refrigeration of a semiconductor material
A team used an infrared laser to cool a solid semiconductor by at least 20 degrees C, or 36 F, below room temperature.
University of Cincinnati removing Marge Schott's name from baseball stadium
The University of Cincinnati's board of trustees unanimously voted Tuesday to remove Marge Schott's name from its baseball stadium.
MLB to return after players, owners agree on safety protocols
The Major League Baseball Players Association and the league reached an agreement on health and safety protocols, clearing the way for baseball to officially return.
Will my hot flash set off a temperature check? Your COVID-19 questions answered
We're answering your questions about the pandemic. Send yours to COVID@cbc.ca and we’ll answer as many as we can. We’ll publish a selection of answers every weekday online, and also...
Laser allows solid-state refrigeration of a semiconductor material
To the general public, lasers heat objects. And generally, that would be correct.
Acer’s updated gaming laptop has a sliding keyboard that reveals its cooling system
Two extra vents appear from under the keyboard for extra cooling. (Acer /)Gaming laptops run hot. They consume a lot more power than a typical machine built for Microsoft Word and doomscrolling through...
Helicopter or cartwheel? What happens when a molecule collides with a surface
What happens when a molecule collides with a surface? Researchers at Swansea University have shown that the orientation of the molecule as it moves—whether it is spinning like a helicopter...
A blue spark to shine on the origin of the universe
An interdisciplinary team of scientists led by researchers from DIPC, Ikerbasque and UPV/EHU, has demonstrated that it is possible to build an ultra-sensitive sensor based on a new fluorescent molecule...
Researchers cut nanometer-sized patterns into 2-D materials
EPFL researchers have developed a high-precision technology that enables them to carve nanometric patterns into two-dimensional materials.
Lions owner Martha Firestone Ford steps down
Martha Firestone Ford has stepped down from her role as principal owner of the Detroit Lions and passed the job to her daughter, Sheila Ford Hamp.
Simple, good-looking paper towel holders
Got a mess? Roll with it. (Creatv Eight via Unsplash/)As you think about how to minimize the amount of waste you generate in your home, reusable alternatives to paper towels are a...
Is Dark Matter Made of Axions?
New experimental results suggest these long-sought subatomic particles could explain the universe’s missing mass -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
ATLAS experiment finds evidence of spectacular four-top quark production
The ATLAS Collaboration at CERN has announced strong evidence of the production of four top quarks. This rare Standard Model process is expected to occur only once for every 70...
New compressor delivers above-terawatt 1.5-cycle pulses at kilohertz repetition rate
Researchers at the Max Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI) have reached a new milestone in few-cycle pulse generation, breaking a 10-year-old record and achieving 1.5-optical-cycle-long...
A structural light switch for magnetism
Magnetic materials have been a mainstay in computing technology due to their ability to permanently store information in their magnetic state. Current technologies are based on ferromagnets, whose states can...
Microscopic computers: The wires of the future may be made of molecules
There are physical limits to how powerful computers can become if they are to maintain their size. Molecular electronics can solve that problem, and now SDU researchers are contributing to...
Polyimide membranes for the purification of natural gas
Natural gas that contains larger amounts of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2) is termed sour gas. Before it can enter a pipeline, it must be 'sweetened' by removal...
Exciting new developments for polymers made from waste sulfur
Researchers at the University of Liverpool are making significant progress in the quest to develop new sulfur polymers that provide an environmentally friendly alternative to some traditional petrochemical based plastics.
Breaking the limit of chemical compounds
Since the end of the 19th century, transition metal carbonyls have been an important and familiar class of compound in coordination chemistry and organometallic chemistry. In these materials, carbon monoxide...
Lack of damage after secondary impacts surprises researchers
When a material is subjected to an extreme load in the form of a shock or blast wave, damage often forms internally through a process called spall fracture.
Pantry turntables for storing and spinning your favorite ingredients
It’s time to put a new spin on an old concept. (Amazon/)Who wouldn’t want to pass the butter, bread, or peas without getting up, and avoid spilling the gravy? Your fridge may...
Scientists home in on pairs of atoms that boost a catalyst's activity
A study identified which pairs of atoms in a catalyst nanoparticle are most active in a reaction that breaks down a harmful exhaust gas in catalytic converters. The most active...
Best beach towels for the whole family
Swim on a whim. (Scott Young via Unsplash/)On a hot day, a lake or pool can look so inviting that you might feel compelled to jump right in, fully clothed. With a...
An experiment suggested by a Ph.D. student may rewrite chemistry textbooks
yan McMullen had never heard of the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences when he started casting about for a graduate chemistry program. But on the recommendation of...
Fifty perfect photons for 'quantum supremacy'
Fifty is a critical number for quantum computers capable of solving problems that classic supercomputers cannot solve. Proving quantum supremacy requires at least 50 qubits. For quantum computers working with...
Growing polymers with different lengths
ETH researchers have developed a new method for producing polymers with different lengths. This paves the way for new classes of polymer materials to be used in previously inconceivable applications.
Experimental peptide targets COVID-19
Using computational models of protein interactions, researchers at the MIT Media Lab and Center for Bits and Atoms have designed a peptide that can bind to coronavirus proteins and shuttle...
An analysis of the system-wide costs and benefits of using engineered nanomaterials on crop-based agriculture
A team of researchers affiliated with several institutions in the U.S. has conducted an analysis of the system-wide costs and benefits of using engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) on crop-based agriculture. In...